A/N: i'm sorry, but i took off every other chapter i wrote for Comet and it's sequel. it's just that i love my baby and because i'm not planning to publish this for years and several rewrites later, i didn't want to risk anyone stealing it. so if you were a loyal reader, i'm sorry and thanks for your support. i still have my other novel, Tower of Dove up, but i'll be removing that probably one week or two after i finish the last chapter. so if you want to read, keep up ;) - victoria

Comet Chapter 1

We are never safe. But sometimes, we truly believe that we are. Sometimes, it's easy to forget that our kind isn't being watched by their glowing purple eyes, or being murdered by their sadistic hands. But the Moras are always there, and they always remind us through the stains of our blood. That is why we, the Qen, need protectors. Spiritual beings who have the ability and power to wield a glade, and to fight them. The Tegars, many believe, will be our saviors. They're powerful, admirable, and brave, but most valuable are their ability to protect the ones they love. That's why I'll join the fight, to protect them. I have to.

The air was warm and humid as it whipped past her face and caught in her tawny colored hair, causing beads of sweat to trail down her cheeks. The damp forest floor was soft beneath her feet as she sprinted between the ferns and roots, and her heart thumped frantically in her chest as she ran from the reptile relentlessly following in her wake.

Her dark brown, almond shaped eyes were wide with panic as she looked back at the lizard. Its slit yellow pupils were locked on her, the intent to kill raging through them. It was swiftly catching up to her, its sharp feet moving easily over the dead leaves, a low hiss emanating from its throat.

The girl's breathing was falling short and her tired limbs were tightening, slowing her down. The angry lizard would no doubt catch her if she didn't lose it fast. She glanced around the brown and green blur flying past her as she ran until she spotted a bush of dark colored berries not too far in front of her. She ran for the bush, not risking another glance at the scaly monster.

She immediately began to scale the darkberry bush in a last hope to lose the lizard; they didn't favor the smell and usually avoided those plants. The bush was covered in thorns, but she ignored them as they tore at her deep red dress and scraped against her bare arms and legs. Being at the mercy of a few thorns was better than being left to the jaws of an angry dragon lizard.

The beast was determined and pawed its way into the thorny thicket. The girl screamed as she climbed higher into the bush, terrified that the lizard would catch her. She grabbed the largest berry she could find and ripped it from the bush. She aimed for the reptile's eye and threw it with as much force as she could manage. It hit, but the lizard's hissing only became louder and it began to thrash its strong body against the bush as if it were insane, shaking the branches as it did so.

The girl hung on tight as the quick, jerky motions threatened to throw her from the bush and into the air. Her limbs were exhausted from the exertion and she could feel her grip slipping from the branch, though she continued to desperately cling on. She looked down, fear squirming inside of her as the thrashing lizard grew closer. She was as high as she could climb now. There were no more places to run, even if she still had the energy, and she shook with panic and fear that reaped its way through her body.

A voice called out for her then, and momentary relief overrode her fear. "Wren!" she screamed back to the voice, desperate, not peeling her eyes from the lizard's sharp claws as they slammed against the berries and thorns. "Wren, I'm in the darkberry bush!"

The dragon lizard continued to worm its way towards her, but just as its scaly head reached her, mouth snapping at her kicking heels, a slab of grey rock shot diagonally out of the ground and slammed against the beast's body. It was sent flying from the bush and into the air until if fell back into the damp earth. The girl watched as it scurried away into the shrubbery, a numbing sensation finding home in her shaking limbs.

You're safe, she thought to herself repeatedly. You're safe, it's gone. Just breathe. Even as she thought those things, she continued to hold her breath.

"Tig," the same voice called up to her. "Are you alright?"

Tig swallowed hard several times before answering in a shaky voice, "Yes, I-I'm fine."

"Slide down the stone, I'll catch you."

"O-okay." The rock was cool and smooth against her skin, and she closed her eyes as she slowly slid down from the darkberry bush. She felt the touch of her friend's warm hands on her shoulders steady her before she decided to open them again. His long black hair and concerned hazel eyes were so familiar and comforting, and his posture strong and sure. Her muscles instantly relaxed as she threw her arms around his neck, feeling safe. "Thanks, Wren," she mumbled.

"Of course," he said, hugging her back. "Next time, don't go near a dragon lizard's nest."

"It's not my fault that I fell into it," Tig said. She let go of him and slumped to the ground, exhausted. "I lost my footing."

Wren chuckled and shook his head at her. "Your incoordination is going to get your killed one day. Really, you must be one of the clumsiest Qen I know."

She stuck her tongue out at him, but he ignored her and instead leaned down and tugged a long, sword-like weapon from the ground where the slab of rock that had saved her protruded. She watched it, mesmerized by the shining black hilt which fit to Wren's hand perfectly and the grey, almost translucent blade. It had the appearance of glass, as though simply touching it would cause it to shatter. But Tig knew better than that. It was the weapon the Tegars, their protectors, had wielded for centuries. It was a glade, the spiritual sword which came from within one's own being.

Wren caught her admiring his glade and smiled. "Trying to burn a hole in it with your eyes?" he teased.

Tig blushed and tucked her knees beneath her chin. "It's the first time I've seen your glade, is all. You've never used it in front of me until now, sending that rock flying at the lizard. Stone must be a strong elemental power to have."

"They're all powerful." He sat down next to her and absentmindedly pulled at a loose string hanging from his worn brown shirt. "You'll learn a lot at the Proteg Academy this year, I sure did. And I'd bet my life you'll become a great Tegar."

Tig laughed and shoved him with one hand, enjoying the annoyed look he gave her. "If you die, sorry I didn't live up to expectations," she said.

Wren was about to say something else to tease her when a pebble flew through the air and slammed against his temple. The shock registered on his face before the pain, but he was soon rubbing the pulsing red spot. "What the hell?" he said, standing up.

"A-are you okay?" Tig asked, standing as well. Her eyes scanned the area, but a loud, angry voice quickly caught both of their attentions.

"Wren, you idiotic, ridiculous excuse for a man!" a girl shouted as she clambered over a fallen tree branch. Her shoulder length, reddish brown hair, which normally framed her long face perfectly, was mussed and frizzy, and her green skirt and off-white shirt were both torn and matted in mud. She was glaring at Wren furiously, no trace of compassion warming her deep brown eyes. "Did you really not hear me screaming for help? It would have taken two seconds to get that male lizard to back of, but instead you left me to die! How could you even let Tig go near those beasts' nest?"

"Sorry, Echo," Wren muttered. Echo only growled and chucked another large pebble, but he managed to dodge it that time.

Tig fretted as she watched Echo sprint at Wren and then throw a series of punches at him, which he took rather well, despite the vigor she was putting into them. Those two always fought, something Tig was accustomed to, but never quit worrying about.

"Um, Echo, maybe you shouldn't hit him so hard," Tig said, waving her hands around them nervously, knowing that trying to stop her would be pointless.

Echo answered by banging her fists against his chest, which made Tig even more frazzled.

"I said I'm sorry!" Wren grabbed both of Echo's wrists to stop her from lashing out at him, his bewilderment not able to cover up his amusement.

She glared at him once more before yanking her arms from his grasp. Her expression immediately softened as she turned to Tig and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Oh, Tig, sweetie! I was so worried that idiot would mess up and leave you defenseless. If only I was older, then I could already have my glade and element, and be able to protect you myself."

"No," Tig said. "Don't worry; I'm going to the academy to become a Tegar, too. You don't need to protect me." She felt Echo's arms release here, and her friend took a step away.

"Sorry," Echo said, her eyes downcast.

Tig smiled at her and took a hold of her hand. "It's fine. Come on, we don't want to be late to the entrance assembly. Hurry up, Wren," she added, grabbing his hand as well. They continued the rest of the journey through the forest, enjoying laughs, scowls, easy chatter, and their hands linked together.

It was nearly four hours later that the three friends came out of the forest and stepped into the meadow. The sun was rising higher into the sky, quickly turning the cool, early morning air unpleasantly hot, but it didn't bother Tig. She'd always enjoyed the summer months, and savored the warm kiss of the sun's rays on her skin as she pushed past the blades of grass.

"The path's a little ways to the left," Wren said, wiping sweat from his face with the end of his brown shirt. "Then we'll be able to get to the academy more easily."

"Let's stop in the village market on the way," Echo said. "It's too damn hot for me. I need water!"

Tig giggled at Echo's distaste for heat and reached into her bag. She held a brown, slushy pouch when her hands withdrew, and she handed it to Echo. "You can drink the rest," she said.

Echo's face brightened and she quickly chugged the water pouch dry. "You're so sweet, Tig," she said as she handed the empty pouch back.

"Thanks!" Tig said, smiling sweetly

"Enough doting," Wren said. "I can see the path, come on."

They hurried through the grass until they came out on a path of pebbles and sand thrown together, stopping the growth of any new plants. There were a few other Qen walking down the path, but Tig paid no attention to them as they wandered down and instead kept her eyes trained on the grass walls surrounding them, listening to the sounds of insects as they scurried unseen through the greenery, and daydreaming about her new life at the Proteg Academy.

The path led them through the meadow's village, where huts made of tightly woven straw and grass were scattered throughout a dirt clearing so that it would be easy to walk. Children ran around outside the homes, chasing after one another or their pet ants while the parents watched them closely.

"Little kids are so cute," Tig commented as she watched one small girl hug her ant in adoration.

"I don't like kids," Echo said.

"More like the kids don't like you," Wren said. When Echo glared at him, he quickly added, "I'm only serious! Don't worry. We'll take the main pathway to the academy, this way." He ran ahead of them and Tig watched nervously as Echo stormed off after him.

"U-um, he was only trying to be funny," Tig said, hurrying up next to Echo, "so don't slam his head into a wall or anything."

"Fine. I'll just throw more rocks at him." There wasn't any sarcasm in Echo's voice this time, just amusement.

"Uh, okay." Tig began to worry more as she imagined a rock slamming into Wren's face again, and again, and again, so she hardly paid attention to where they were as she became engrossed in her own distressing thoughts. But the first sight of the academy she had seen in nearly eight years brought her back and stunned her with its beauty.

"Wow," she breathed, taking in the mahogany color of the great marble walls and admiring the hundreds of stained glass windows that climbed up the building, which must have been at least twelve stories high. It was unlike anything she had ever seen, especially the entrance. There were two grand double doors made of dark colored wood, and they were lined by the carved shapes of animal heads, most of which were exotic and not found in the Southern Region. The head of the lion especially caught her eye, and a smile found its way onto her lips as she studied the perfectly shaped features.

"Isn't it amazing?" Wren said, watching for Tig's reaction.

She tore her gaze from the lion's head and looked up at him, her eyes bright with excitement. "This is so much more beautiful than I remembered," she said. "It's fantastic, I can hardly believe it!"

Wren laughed and lightly smacked her forehead with the palm of his hand. "You're cute," he said.

She waved his arm away and stuck her tongue out at him. "You're annoying," she said, but that only earned her another smack. She frowned, and both Wren and Echo laughed at her expression. She couldn't help but giggle as well, but then a strange man caught her attention from the corner of her eye.

He was speaking with a beautiful blonde woman, although he was rather plain looking himself with mousy brown hair and matching, light brown eyes. He must have been at least a century and a half old, Tig estimated, as the Qens' body aged more slowly after their first twenty years of life, and this man's hair was speckled with grays. He wore plain black clothing, and his shirt had an emblem of golden dragonfly wings circling around a golden A. But it wasn't his appearance that drew Tig's attention. It was an energy that seemed to be pulsing from him.

"Who's that?" she asked, not looking away from the man.

Wren and Echo both followed her gaze, and Wren said, "That's Acar Rei. He's the head of all the Tegars in the Southern Region."

"He feels so powerful," Tig said, awed.

Wren chuckled and nodded in agreement. "He is. That's why he's the acar. One of the four most powerful Qen in the world."

"He lives here at the academy?" Echo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course," Wren said. "Many Tegars do, except for those on leave or stationed out in farther areas. All ten of the masters live here as well. That's Master Kineta he's talking to right now. She's the head of the diants, which is what they call Qen training to be Tegars, like us. She and four other masters train us in different areas each of the three years we're diants, before we're officially Tegars."

"I asked if the acar resides in the academy, not how the whole place functions," Echo snapped.

Wren scowled at her, and Tig felt the tension growing between them again. "U-um, we should go to where the entrance assembly's held," she said before they could begin to fight.

"It's right through the entrance, you just go straight ahead to the door across the room," Wren said. "I'll meet you guys later."

They said goodbye and he left to go meet with friends, so the two girls opened the academy doors and entered. The interior was just as breathtaking as the outside had been, and Tig marveled at everything. The polished wooden floors, the grand staircase that spiraled up to the next floor, and the marble walls which were the same mahogany color as the outside, were all so beautiful. The sun shone through the colorful glass windows, enhancing the proud atmosphere which gave Tig the feeling of being in a very regal and prestigious place.

But of course it is, she thought as she gazed at everything her eyes could see at once. This is where some of the most important Qen live. Of course it's so beautiful and unique. I wonder how I'll ever fit in. . .

She turned her attention away from the beautiful windows and focused more on the Qen wandering around inside. All of them wore black, some of which had emblems which resembled what the acar had, only with the letter K instead of an A.

"We better go inside the assembly hall," Echo said. "It's right through those oak doors."

"Oh, yes," Tig said, breaking away from her thoughts. They crossed the large room and entered the assembly hall through another set of double doors, though not as decorative or large as the entrance was. Tig's ears were immediately flooded with miscellaneous chatter, and she took a steady breath to calm a sudden rush of fresh nerves.

The hall was enormous. At least a couple thousand Qen could seat in it, Tig guessed, maybe even more, although only the first few rows were taken by the new diants. She was relieved to see that they all looked as nervous and unsure as she felt.

A circular platform sat at the front of the room, and two men and one woman stood on it, talking with each other. Each of them wore black clothing with an M encircled by the golden dragonfly wings.

Masters, Tig thought, looking at them curiously. She could feel the presence of power, the authority they brought to the room. They all looked relatively young, and held themselves with unequivocal confidence. The woman with short brown hair was somewhat plain, but Tig could sense something in her that felt exceptional. One of the men had grey hair, although he wasn't aged, and seemed calm and friendly. The other man was striking, with long, velvety purple hair and ocean blue eyes. His fastidious mannerisms and imposing appearance reminded Tig of royalty.

"They seem untouchable," she said to Echo. "Like nothing could hurt them."

"Yeah, they must be the masters who were assigned to train the diants. Let's sit." They found two seats in the front row, although the platform was too far away to hear what the masters were saying over the diants' chatter. Tig sat next to a tiny girl with incredibly long, chestnut colored braids, while Echo sat on her other side.

The girl with braids turned and looked at Tig curiously with pretty, light blue eyes. "Hey," she said. "Did you see a really tall boy with orange hair before you came in here?"

"Oh, uh, I don't think so," Tig said, surprised that the girl was talking to her. "Sorry." She took a closer look at the girl and noticed that she had very soft, round features and wore baggy shorts with a low cut, green shirt. Her pink lips were forming a frown, and she exhaled sharply in irritation.

"That damn boy is always late," she complained. "I'll kick his ass later. My name's Nurie, by the way."

"I'm T-Tig. Nice to meet y-you," Tig said. The girl seemed friendly, if not somewhat judgmental, and her obvious confidence was intimidating.

Nurie raised an eyebrow at Tig's stutter, but that only made her feel more nervous. She glanced at Echo for comfort, but found that her friend had fallen asleep, her head leaning back in her chair. Tig sighed, but felt a slight twinge of amusement as she thought of teasing Echo when she woke.

"She seems like a heavy sleeper," Nurie said, nodding her head towards Echo.

Tig let out a nervous giggle. "Y-yes, she is. I guess that dragon lizard really wore her out."

"What the hell?" Nurie gaped at her in shock. "A dragon lizard? Lucky she's alive."

Heat ran up to Tig's cheeks, and she lowered her gaze in embarrassment. "Yeah, well, it was my fault, but I couldn't help since another one was chasing me."

Nurie let out a genuine laugh. It was a charming sound, which put Tig more at ease. "No wonder you two are so dirty and scraped up," she said. "What a story that must be. You'll have to tell it to me later."

"O-oh, of course!" Tig said. She decided in that moment that she liked Nurie. If she was willing to spend time with someone dim enough to anger a dragon lizard, then she must not be bad.

Nurie's face perked up then, but the delighted expression quickly turned to a scowl. Tig followed her gaze, looking over her shoulder to see the boy she had described earlier.

He was definitely tall; he'd tower over herself. He was lanky as well, and seemed to have long outgrown his brown pants and worn red shirt. But his face was pleasant and underneath his shaggy orange hair were piercing, ice blue eyes.

"Jasey," Nurie practically growled. "You're at least twenty minutes late. Where did you go?"

The boy shrugged. "I got lost."

Nurie rolled her eyes and demanded he pay more attention when she told him directions, but he ignored her. He shot a quick glance at Tig and then gave Echo, who was still napping, a strange look.

Tig felt suddenly defensive of Echo; this boy shouldn't think anything bad of her just because she was tired. "Um, hey," she said, and he trained his eyes on her. "She's had a tough day," she motioned towards Echo, "so that's why she's sleeping . . . don't assume anything bad."

Jasey smiled and nodded. "Don't worry," he said. "I was only thinking that she's cute. Nothing bad." He took a step to Nurie and sat down in the seat next to her.

"Oh," Tig said, her face burning in embarrassment. "S-sorry."

Jasey waved her apology away, but Nurie took a peek at Echo and snorted. "She's not that cute," she muttered, more to herself than the others.

Tig was thinking of saying something else, something to further defend Echo, but the blonde woman Wren had pointed out as the head of the diants appeared on the platform, so she nudged Echo awake and they all waited for the master to speak.

A sudden hush fell around the room, and the master stared at them all with deep, scarlet colored eyes. They were both frightening and beautiful, especially striking while paired with her dirty blonde hair, which brushed against top of her shoulders. She, like the other masters, wore all black with an emblem placed over her heart. But she seemed different from the others. The only way Tig could really place it was that she seemed more important than the rest, better than them.

"Hello everyone," she began, and not even a whisper could be heard among the diants. Everyone was immediately drawn to her, wanted to hear what she had to say. "Welcome to the Proteg Academy. I'm Master Kineta, and I will be training you in hand combat and fitness. Behind me stands Master Lado," she gestured to the man with grey hair, "and he will train you with your glades. Master Arista," the plain woman waved, "specializes in medicine and healing. And Master Natil," the regal man with purple hair smiled, "will teach you control of your spiritual senses and powers.

"Over the next three years you will experience many losses and wins, and discover what being a Tegar truly is. It takes not only a great deal of practice and skill, but an even greater amount of bravery. If you're the type of Qen to take the easy way out, someone who is unwilling to fight, and maybe even die, to protect the—"

Kineta was cut off by the ear splitting sound of breaking stone, and a suffocating amount of dust and debris let loose from the right side of the platform and filled the room.

On all sides Tig could hear screaming, coughing, and confusion. She was only able to see the silhouettes of the people nearest to her with the dust blocking her sight, and she automatically reached out and gripped onto Echo's hand, and Echo squeezed back tightly. Anxiety and fear swam throughout her head, making her dizzy and feeling her with dread. It took every ounce of bravery she could muster to not stand up and join in the other's screams, to take part in their panic.

"Damn it," she heard Echo say.

"Don't let go of my hand," she heard Jasey tell Nurie.

"This looks bad," she heard Nurie say back. Her voice was as frantic as Tig felt. "What's happened? I can't see anything." To that, no one had an answer.

The commotion of the other diants quickly ascended and filled Tig's mind. She wished they would be quiet and stay calm, so she squeezed her eyes shut against them until she finally heard a strong, confident voice speak.

"Everyone, stop shouting," Kineta ordered. "You'll only cause more confusion, so sit tight until—"

There was the sound of a loud bang and a body hitting the floor, followed by the deadly clink of clashing glades. The dust had receded enough so that everyone could see Kineta's unmoving figure lying on the floor. Arista worked over in while the other two fought with a big, heavy built man with short black hair. He moved his glade in quick, powerful strikes, so fast that Tig, in her disorientated state, could barely make anything out. Natil lunged for him, but the man quickly countered and sent him flying into the marble wall, his back twisting with a sickening crack.

The room was erupting in screams again, but Tig was silent. Her blood turned cold, and a faintly familiar mix of fear and hatred filled her. Echo was dragging her to her feet now, but they couldn't move. There was too much confusion, too much havoc to find their way through. Tig didn't care, all she could see was that evil man as he tried to kill the masters.

All she could see were his malicious, vibrant purple eyes.