************
Realm felt hot tears trickle down her cheek, still in his arms, she could not find reason. She leaned her head on his chest, and he stroked her hair affectionatley.
Her heart pounded in her chest, filled with emotion she had no idea she had. She had never felt so safe. It all seemed like a dream: the beautiful man with wings holding her. It was a dream she wished would never cease, but it did.
All the thoughts that had been racing through her mind, distracted her. She did not realize that the winged man was no longer holding her; he was not even present. She wiped her tears from her eyes, to clear her eyes. Then she searched with her eyes, and found no one. It was only the cave and her.
'Why did he leave?' she thought, suddenly really depressed. She felt as if something had been stolen from her; something precious. The feeling overwhelmed her, and she began to cry. Her sobs were loud, equal to the agony she felt in her heart. She fell on her knees, holding her face, hoping all these tears would stop flowing.
'Why do you cry?' the voice of Layla suddenly asked.
The young woman removed her hands from her face, and found herself staring at the child with pale skin. "Did you see him?" she asked, eagerly. When she saw the puzzled look on the girl's face, she felt a tinge of anger. It was an anger caused by knowing she could not get what she desired: to see the man with wings that had embraced her so lovingly, once more. "He was with me . . . just a few . . . just a few moments ago."
"I'm sorry . . . if I should've seen him," she said. "I'm sorry I left you without saying anything . . . But they called me."
"It's okay . . . It must have been my imagination. I just wished it had been . . . nevermind . . . I guess." Her hopes were easily crushed. Maybe it was not meant to be, she thought.
Layla shook her head and stated: "It might have been your imagination, but there's a better chance it was not."
"Why do you say that?" she questioned the child, a hint of curiosity on her tear-stained face.
"Layla . . . has been dead for a very long time. I know much but not too much. I know it might have been your imagination, but most likely, it was a memory. Have you been here before?"
"No. You've never seen me here . . . I haven't. I've lived most of my life in Tisbicat," she responded quickly, thinking that the idea that it could have been a memory was absurd.
"No," the child said, opening her arms and spinning around once. "What I meant is . . . Have you ever been to a cave? . . . Any cave?"
"No!" she stated firmly. "This is the first time I've been in a cave. There's no way that it could have been a memory . . . It's not possible."
"Then it was your imagination, if you want it that way," she muttered. "But . . . nevermind."
"What? . . . But what?" she asked. Even she did not understand why she was feeling anger. If it had been her imagination, then why was she so worried and sad.
"You were crying. Maybe its a memory you were trying not to recall. Seeing it replay itself, you felt great sadness because you knew it was never going to repeat itself truly. It is the past . . .no longer the present," the child said, sounding wise beyond the age she looked.
'Why would I try to forget what I don't remember? . . . Nothing makes sense.'
"All will make sense when it has to. Don't dwell on this anymore. Let's continue what we came to."
'Winged-man . . . No . . . Angel, I hope to see you again, to feel your arms around me. It doesn't matter if you are just in my mind,' she thought. 'I need you to come back to me.'
Layla moved deeper into the cave. Realm got on her feet and followed. The sphere of light floated in front of her, illuminating the walls of the caves, revealing odd designs mainly consisting of lines and circles connecting.
For now, Realm decided to stop thinking about the winged-man. Even so, she felt as if a new empty hole had formed in her heart, adding to her lonliness.
She had to focus on what she was going to encounter next. She had to make sure that no one else knew about the angel. Not Damien. Not Darius. Not even Silver.
-
A blond-haired man with red eyes sat beneath a tree, regaining his strength which another demon had taken. He stretched his arms before him, observing each one carefully. None seemed to hurt, so he dismissed the idea that he had broken anything. A smirk formed on his face. 'You went easy on me, Damien. You can kill me, but you show me mercy,' he thought. 'But maybe I do deserve death for what I did. Maybe.'
Darius sighed, he was tired, but he knew he had to look for the human. Damien would not accept his excuses. That human was beginning to be a real pain for him. Damien was clearly interested in her someway, and he took that as something threatening. 'I should just let her secert out. Damien would not be pleased to know of her powers,' he thought.
-
Claw-like hands touched the glowing water, causing a ripples to form. 'The cave . . . I was there before, a long while ago. With who?' he wondered, while still playing with the water. 'Death? . . . Yes, death. Who did I kill here? What did I kill?'
He slapped his hand on the water causing a splash, and then stood up. 'How did that that human, Realm know? Who dragged her into the cave?'
Damien took a look around, his gaze froze on a tree with a black bird. Just as he was staring, it took off. 'Odd? But isn't everything? Why am I going to bother and search for this girl? Why does she remind me of her, of Victoria? I don't want to see her hurt, that's all. Is that good enough. No. I'm doing this for my benefit.'
He disliked the idea that he would be doing good by saving her. He rather it be looked as convenience for him. She was his, and he was not going to let her free easily. He would not let death take her, even.
Without removing his clothes, he dove into the lake. The water surrounded him, and he swam to the well hidden cave. He remembered the portal, and it was easier to realize where it was, because the water was glowing.
-
"I see you've decided to eat," she said. Her ice-blue colored eyes sparkled from delight; her brother was important to her, and seeing him come out of hiding made her happy. "I hope you don't mind the meal."
"Why do you look so happy?" he said with a harsh tone. "I didn't come to eat. I came to talk to you."
"Sit, then." She motioned the dining chair. Then she took the meal he rejected away, feeling upset. "About what?"
His eyes looked down at the floor. "About things . . . Things that don't make sense."
She tied back her long silver hair, and removed her white apron. "Sit," she repeated, and he finally listened, although reluctantly. She sat on a chair beside him. "Tell me."
"She isn't the one. She isn't the Wind. She isn't-"
"Stop it!" she interrupted, furious at what she was hearing. "I will not have you say such things. It is one thing I am trying to understand that you do not wish to be a guardian, but I will not do so for this nonsense."
"Does your faith not permit you to question this? Does it not permit you to believe what you wish to?" He laughed mockingly. "What are you allowed to do?"
Nervous and fearful, she looked around the room, and then back at him. "Why do you speak against the faith? It is the faith of our kin. You know this. You know that if anyone hears you . . . they will . . ." She covered her face with her hands.
He could hear her faint sobs, and that angered him. "They will what? Kill me?! . . . And then who will protect the Wind?"
"You are hopeless. Why do you refuse to believe it is her?"
He clenched his hands and slammed his fist on the table. Blood trickled down the back of his hand, and he grimaced. The table was just as it had been; without damage. Magic prevented it from being harmed. "How can a girl like her be the one to save these humans? HOW?"
She peered through her hands, staring at him. She had calmed down. "A girl like her?"
"She doesn't know how to use her magic well enough. She is the age of your eldest son, seventeen. He . . . he still looks the age of a ten year old human. Besides, she is not familiar with the world around her. She has lived a life in isolation. She can't save the world if she can't save herself," he stated with displeasure. "There is no hope for her."
"Age makes no difference. Our kin is different from humans. They mature at a pace that it too rapid for us," she said. "She may not know about the world, but that's why you're supposed to be there for her. You are her guardian, chosen amongst all guardians."
"She should be able to do it on her own, if she is the one . . . The Wind may never come!"
Her hands dropped from her face, as she realized that she would never convince her brother. She never could. He was never convinced by anyone. He never believed that there was a god. He believed in nothing. "Leave!"
"Leave?" he asked in a sarcastic manner. "You told me to come here. Didn't you accept to listen to me? Didn't you, Novalia? Of course, devotion comes first! Right?"
Novalia stood up. "You can refuse to be her guardian, but you will have to deal with the consequences. It's best you leave. Go somewhere . . . A place that's will treat you as you wish. You don't deserve to be her guardian!"
Silver got off the chair, and stared back at his sister. "Say what you desire. I'll bring her here . . . If she makes it. You will see what your Wind is truly; pathetic." He placed his hand over the table, and after a few seconds, his hand began to glow blue.
His sister watched in dismay, how her brother absorbed the magic that protected the table from harm. Then he touched the table with a finger and it crystallized from the middle,outward. In a split second it shattered all over the floor. The glass table was no longer a table. "Why do you hate me? I never did anything to you."
"You weren't the first child." When he uttered those words, she saw the hurt in his eyes. His expression broke her heart. He was suffering, she knew it very well. 'Still he needs to mature. He needs to get over this selfishness of his.'
"Take care of yourself . . . Do what's best, not just for you, but all." She smiled at him, showing some sympathy.
Just as he was about to leave, Kaylea appeared. "Your leaving, uncle?" She looked around the room, curious to know what the noise had been made by. Then she looked back at her uncle.
He nodded. "I'm sorry about the table."
She frowned for a second, but managed to smile again. She looked so content, keeping her hands behind her back. "I have something for you."
"Really?" he said coldly. "I don't need it."
"Here!" She disregarded his comment, handing him a paper. "I drew it for you!"
He brought the picture to his face, and recognized the figure. "The painting in the room?"
"Yes!" she replied. "I hope you like it."
Novalia watched them, silently. She knew her daughter was fond of Silver.
"Looks somewhat like it," he said with a fast smile. "Stay safe little one." He patted her on the head affectionatley, showing a kindness he kept well hidden at times. Then he left without uttering another word.
The mother and child watched as the guardian walked away to what awaited him.
-
"It's cold," she uttered, almost whispering. Her body was trembling. The cave was freezing, and her body was still wet. She sneezed several times, and coughed. Her body was weakening as she walked further into the cave. Her head was in pain; it felt as if someone was stabbing her head.
"Hold on a bit longer. We're closer . . . Please?" the child pleaded as she led the way.
Realm reached for the sphere of light before her, but it did not give off any warmth. She glanced in various directions of the cave, searching for something warm. Sadly, there was nothing.
She needed to feel heat. The cold air was killing her. Thinking of a way to feel some warmth, she cupped her hands together and blew her breath into them. Still, that was of no use, because her breath was as cold as the surrounding air. 'Damien . . .Damien. It's funny how I wish you to be by my side.'
She stopped walking when her legs gave up. Her knees were in pain, as was her body. She leaned against the cave wall, but she could not sustain herself. Making theings worse, her eyelids felt heavy.
The child turned around, and saw what was happening. She gasped, and hurried over to Realm. "Keep awake!"
Her voice was a faint sound to the Wind's ears. Her surroundings were no longer there. She only saw ptich black. Slowly, she fell on her knees, and then to the ground.
"Realm!" Layla screamed, but she could no longer hear her.
-
'This cave . . . Now I remember.'
He had been there before, long ago. It was not pleasant to remember. Something horrible had happened in that cave, and he had been part of it.
Rubbing his index finger against the thumb of his right hand, he emitted a flame. He did not plan use the flame to see throught the darkness of the cave, but to melt any ice that might be an obstacle.
Even, though his clothes were soaking, the severe coldness of the cave did nothing to him. Demons had constant heat in their bodies, making any temperature irrelevant to them.
With haste, he began walking deeper into the cave. He looked to the sides, as he hurried, taking quick glances at the symbols engraved on the ice layered walls. Few of the designs made sense to him; He had seldom viewed the language of the creatures of this cave, trying to understand what their purposes were. Deciphering them was difficult, but he was intellignet, managing to translate some, with the few times he tried. The symbols consisted of circles, lines, and dots; Nothing simple.
He halted when he came about interesting, yet irritating sight. Two charcters of the Slydeina language, particularly caught his interest: The Wind. 'This is recent to my eyes. A survivor perhaps . . . when all Slydrinas that abided in this cave were thought dead, carved this into the ice. Everlasting ice,' he wondered.
He touched the cool ice, with his free claw-like hand, tracing the symbols. In a whispers he spoke their meanings to himself. "A Millenium gone, in sorrow, in pain, in death. So many lives taken by those sinners, the demons of Gloom Darnize. Curse them, may they be befallen with the worst. Thier crimes against the Slydrinas are unforgivable. Their punishemnt will arrive, the Wind will arrive. The crescent mark on her back will shower us Slydrinas with faith. Her power will lift this world to the better." He moved his gaze just below those symbols, and found symbols younger than the rest. " The time has come. The story begins. The time of the demons will seize. We will see a brighter tomorrow."
'Is that so?' He hated how convinced the people were that the Wind existed, and more that they believed that she would punish the demons. If he could, he would have melted the symbols, but only white magic could erase on that wall; he had no healing power, except self-heal. He could only melt the walls that blocked paths, which were a different kind of ice; the kind that was abundant, not created by Slydrinas.
He continued to walk, searching for Realm.
-
"Are you going to give up that easily?" a voice whispered into her ear. "The Wind, aren't you?"
She struggled to open her eyes, but she could not. 'I don't want to give up.' She raised her arm off the floor, reaching for the person, but the person moved away. 'Why? He knows who I am'
"Do you seek my support, my help, my service?" the masculine voice questioned. "You don't need it. Not at all."
Her voice was lost, and her legs numb, as she lay on the ground, perplexed. 'Please?'
"You aren't trying," he said. "Try!"
'How?' She had no idea. The only magic she had seperated from her was the sphere of light. 'What good is that small portion of magic?'
"Do you have a source? Call your source. It will respond, never hesitating, if its master calls," he said, giving her hints. He was not her enemy so far. He just wanted her to learn to save herself.
'Source?'
"You have one. Call to it."
'Call to the sphere? Is that what he means? Just how do I call upon magic that is beyond my reach.' She recalled it had been close to her when she fell. Now she figured it was above her. She did her best to sense it. She felt for energy, and soon she did. She concentrated on picturing the sphere, and she pulled it toward her with her will. As she saw it closer in her mind, she raised both arms and touched it. 'I have it.'
"Very good, but it took you a while. There's more than calling a source. How will you make that source help you? What good is it the way it is?" He was teaching her about her power by giving her the questions she should be answering. He was showing her an alternative to giving up.
'It's in my hands . . . If I transform the sphere back to the simple magic it was, then maybe I could take it back,' she thought, glad she found a way. Just like she had made her sphere into particles that gave off light to see her way through the water, she planned to do the same to this sphere. This time the particles would be used as strength.
She brought her hands together, making the sphere flat. Then she rubbed her hands against the flat surface, and the form broke. She could feel the tiny particles of magic floating between her hands. With a light form of magic, that required little strength, she absorbed the particles through her hands.
"You have alot to learn. You are the one that is supposed to help others, but you are just learning to help yourself," he said.
She opened her eyes to darkness. Her sphere was gone, and she could not use any more magic. She had to restore energy. "Thank you," she whispered, to a person she could not see. "I'm sorry I disappoint you. I was never taught how to use magic properly."
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. No matter, I am just grateful that you truly exist. I have waited for you so long," he stated, and held out his hand for her. "Give me your hand."
She felt for his hand, and took it. His hand was cold, like the cave. He helped her on her feet, and then took his hand away. Once, again she felt the bitter cold of the cave. "Why is it cold?"
"You can fight of the cold as well, with a better source. Right now, there is no time. Someone is looking for you. Follow the light of my source," he pleaded. "There's something you must know."
At first she did not know what to follow, but then something was lit. She was able to see a staff emitting a white light, and she followed that. It was in the air, but she could not see who held it. She now longer felt the cold, and she wondered if the staff made it so.
"Do you have any idea what I am?" he asked, walking ahead of her.
She could not see him, so she could only guess. 'He lives in such a cold place. What could he be?' she thought, as she followed behind. "I can only say . . . You are most likely anything but a human."
"Not human, well that is correct. I am, however, quite upset that you have no knowledge of what I could be."
"Who? . . . What are you called and what are you?" she asked, trying not to sound upset, which she was.
"My name? . . . I forgot that. It has been such a long time since it was last spoken," he replied. "But, it makes no difference. What is your new name?"
"New?" she said, perplexed at what he meant by that.
"What I mean . . . Just tell me your name" he said.
"Realm," she said. "Nigh- . . ." She stopped before she uttered all her last name. She was not certain if it was a good idea.
"Realm . . . Realm . . . Realm," he repeated. "Realm, who named you?"
'He named me. She told me he named me.' She kept quiet.
"He?"
'Is he reading my thoughts?' She found that rude. "I'll tell you what I feel I should. You don't have to go into my mind."
"What is it you want to hide?" he asked. "I know alot about you. I know things you don't even know about yourself. I just don't know much about your present."
"My father named me. I don't know who he is, though," she said, with sadness in her heart. "I know nothing about him."
"Doesn't that seem odd to you?" He waited for an answer, and recieved none. "I apologize, if the question hurt you."
"No. It's no that. I just . . . Well, it is odd." She stopped for a moment. 'She never said anything about him. Never.'
"Keep up!" he shouted, when he noticed she had stopped. "This is something you have to understand. What I have to show you will make things a bit clearer for you."
She walked with haste, trying to catch up; He was walking very fast, now. "When all this is over . . . What then? What will I do?"
"That is not of my knowledge. One thing, for sure, if you stay next to that demon . . . You are putting a stop to your true destiny."
'He knows. He knows about Damien.'
"That demon is not pure of heart. He may lead you to believe he isn't evil, but he is. He will never change. Demons will never change," he said. "That one, the one you're with, has killed so many. I say this because I am a witness."
'Damien? Darius? He can't mean Damien . . . I just can't imagine him killing anyone.'
"We're here," he stated, with a satisfied tone.
She put a pause to her thoughts, and looked toward the light of the source. Soon, the whole place was illuminated by another light. Finally, she was able to see the being that had led her there. The source that had been producing the light was a white staff. "He's just like Layla."
The male with jet black hair in a tight ponytail, outstreched his hand toward her. He wore all white, just like Layla. She stared at his pale hand, perplexed. Then he went on his knees, confusing her even more. "Give me your hand," he told her, softly chuckling.
She placed her hand on and, shivered at the coldness of his hands. His crystal blue eyes met with her violet eyes, and he smiled. Then he bowed his head. "I . . . umm -"
"Shh," he whispered, in a sweet manner. "I am honored to meet you, princess. I am honored to meet you, the Wind." He kissed her hand with his cold lips, and stood up.
-
+SORRY! Was busy (more like lazy).
Well here's the new chapter.
Too bad the angel left early in the chapter . . . BUT . . .
He's important! So don't 4get about him.
I'm going on vacation to Mexico for two weeks . . .
So next chappie . . . don't know when I will be done with.
Thanx for the REVIEWS! ^_^