Darkstinger - S. E. Gutierrez (reading tree .TXT) 📗

In a matter of minutes, it would be too dark to see, the thick tree canopy blocking out even the moonlight.

I finally stopped, tripping over a stick. Picking my self up, I dusted off my clothes and pulled a few leaves out of my hair. I sat with my back against a tree trunk, my legs sore and tired. I sat there silently, listening to the soft breeze rustling the leaves, and little animals scurrying back to their dens. I heard owls shake out their wings, and lift off into flight.

As I listen, I hear it. It starts out low, then grows into a loud growl. Instantly, I jump up, and fore my legs to to run. Monsters. If they're this far into Dreamlight, then the Guardians must have failed. The Braveflyer clan failed.

I wanted to go home. I wanted to see my parents, make sure they were okay. They're okay,

I told myself. These few probably just escaped. Mom and Dad are fine.

They had to be okay, but somewhere, deep inside me, I knew something was wrong.

Chapter Three: Aza

I ran until I couldn't hear them anymore, the monsters. I knew something was wrong, and I knew what it was, I just didn't want to admit it. I tried to get some sleep, but it eluded me. I paced all night, worrying. When light finally came, I was off, faster than a deer. I stopped rarely, only to eat, or make sure I was headed in the right direction. I came across several little towns and communities, all of which were abandoned. I was getting closer, but I was still a long ways away. It would still be another one or two days before was even close to Castle City.

I ran with a constant fear that monsters were following. Always fearing that my parents would not be present in Castle City when I got there. I was scared that I would be on my own, that no one would be there waiting for me. A shiver ran up my spine as I thought about my parents. I knew something was wrong. My parents were meticulous about making sure each and every monster was caught, tagged, and shut away for the rest of their lives. They wouldn't let even one past their guard. Something told me my parents weren't just hurt, but gone, no longer breathing. I felt a salty tear roll down my cheek.


As the day progressed, my pace slowed until I was walking rather than running. I stopped for a few minutes, and made a few buzzberries my diner. I stood up, stretched, and continued on my way. When the sun declined, and the crescent moon rose, I stopped. My legs felt like noodles, and my eye lids were to heavy to keep open. I found a trunk to lean against, and slowly drifted off.

I saw my mother's face. Her eyes were dull, and sunken, and her hair had lost its luster and shine. She smiled, then closed her eyes and fell, crumpling into the darkness. Slowly, another figure rose up out of the heavy, black smoke. It was my father. His face was gray, and aged, and his eyes were sad, regretful, and lonely. Slowly, he raised his arm out, reaching for me. His fingers curled, and his nails turned black. He opened his mouth in a blood-curdling scream, but the sound was cut short. He, like my mother, had fallen back, absorbed into black. A new figure shot up. It was tall, and sinuous. The figure was dark, and dangerous-looking, and before I had time to react, it sprang forwad and launched itself at me. I was consumed by the darkness. It swallowed me up, just as it did my parents. I felt my mouth fall open in a silent scream. There was no sound. No feeling. For sight. There was just nothingness.

Slowly, a light formed, round and glowing. It was dim, but it was something. A fourth figure appeared out of the light.

'Child', it whispered, its voice light and feminine. 'You are destined.'

'Destined to do what?' I shouted, but nothing cam out but a rasp.

'You are destined, to fulfill your parents debt. You, will do all they could not.' it spoke slowly, pausing often.

'What did my parents promise?' I tried asking again.

'That will be revealed along the way.' the voice said.

As soon as the last word was said, the figure was sucked away, and with it the light. Suddenly, I felt the pressing darkness, like it was suffocating me.

'Find those who will help.' the voice said, although its body was no longer visible.

I clawed at my throat, my lungs begging for air, then I saw two people, both looking to be no more than a few years older than me. They looked confused, and scared as the wandered around. Then I noticed something strange. The people appeared to be brother and sister, both sharing the same brilliant blonde hair and lush green eyes, the only difference, was the the boy had short, clipped wings, almost as if someone had taken a blade to them, and left a jagged edge where they had cut. The girl on the other hand, had huge, exquisite wings in exotic shades of purple and jade. When the boys eyes locked on mine, I awoke.

My dream had me shaking, scaring the kiph out of me. I looked at my hands, shaking so fast they almost vibrated. I stood up, and dusted the leaves of my pants. I looked at the worn out, but soft leather. They were good for hiding in the woods, formfitting and snug, but not tight or restricting. They were perfect for running and hiding out. I shook my hair out of its ponytail, and ran my fingers through it, undoing the worst of the tangles. Sighing, I wove it into a braid. I finally understood why the female warriors in our clan wore their hair in braids, it kept it from getting tangled and dirty.

I ate the rest of the buzzberries I'd collected the night before, and was off before the sun had fully risen.

Chapter Four: Aza

I ran, careful to avoid exposed roots, and anything else I could trip over. As I moved, I thought about my dream. I focused on the part about the thing my parents couldn't fulfill. What on Earth could I do that they can't?

I thought. It was beyond me. I thought about the faeries I saw, and wondered about the boy's wings. They looked like someone had held them together and sheared them off. Maybe he was born that way. I mulled it over. Either way, he was like me, unable to fly. I sighed and picked up my pace. hoping to get to Castle City tonight.

I passed a few more towns, and stopped to eat a quick lunch of berries, and fresh water from a stream. I was getting closer, but still had a while to go. I was lost in my thoughts when the sound of voices startled me. Immediateness, I was in battle mode.

Imprint

Publication Date: 03-17-2012

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
For Hailey, you awesome little redhead.