Chapter Four
Walk to Remember
Strength is within the mind, not the body. The outside is just a shell of our own imagination. For it is our mind that sets us to do great strengths. If we set our minds to something anything is possible. As a knight I have learned that I need not be a mindless shell, but a brilliant intelligence. I lead men and protect my kingdom from the likes of the mindless. My leaders believe that we need the brilliant and the not so brilliant. What we need is just our own minds. With my mind and brilliance I will survive anything. Yet, I feel a tug to their ideas of balance. Maybe a moderation of both.
~Sir Melvin Knight of Baransu
The storm in the distance had died down as suddenly as it had started. No warning, just a strike of thunder and then a tornado of water. It had stopped in the same manner. Zavier and Allisson were stuck under large trees from the sprinkle of rain. The two were huddled together beside their familiars as the storm diminished. Chihiro had explained as simply as she could that they were no longer on Earth. No phones seemed to work or even turn on for that matter. Guess that's what happens when you land in a new dimension called Baransu. According to legend there were six Sentakus who had been dragged to this world to protect it from harm many eons ago. These original Sentakus had vowed that they would do so until no evil was left. Unfortunately they were all murdered by a creature of darkness by the title of Mejin.
“If this story is true then we're the reincarnations of these hero people?” Zavier raised his eyebrows in question of the whole thing. Sounded like some fairytale story told to little kids. He had heard enough of those tales in his lifetime. None of them had any value.
Rex gave a hasty nod and wagged his tail, “Oh, yes the legend is completely true. It's a story my parents were told by their parents, their parents by their parents., and their parents by their parents. If those parents were told by the parents before-”
Zavier glared at his familiar, “Your voice gives me headaches.” The hellbender drooped his head and went quiet. The teen put his hand on the familiar’s head lightly. The familiar may have been annoying, but he meant well, “I get your point the story was told by the original familiars of the Sentakus.” That raised the hell-bender's spirits a bit.
Allisson looked up from rubbing out her ankle. It had got better to walk on, but it was still extremely sore. He worried about his friend and how much pain she could hold in. It couldn't be healthy, “Well, then what about us? Something more has to be missing in the story.”
The two familiars turned to each other and shook their heads. Both turned to their own Sentaku and gave a basic saying that it was all they knew of the story. Allison gave a sad nod and Zavier sighed in exhaustion. He knew something had to be missing. A gap, or even story told wrong. It was that old children's game of telephone.
Chihiro floated forward a bit to see if the rain had stopped. A water droplet came hurdling toward her as she gasped and flew back to Allison, “Lady Allison!” The red-head chuckled and opened her hands for the fairy. Zavier chuckled and went back to leaning again the large tree trunk. Now that he thought about it, the tree looked part redwood and part oak. Maybe that's why he couldn't figure out which one it was.
“It's just water Chihiro.”
“Scary water. It almost bit my face off. You saw, you saw!”
Rex and Allison chuckled slightly and Zavier crossed his arms in confusion. In truth he wished to hear her familiar like his own. It would be easier to hold conversation with each other if they weren't paying telephone tag.
Allison gave a sigh and looked to her familiar, “You remind me of my friend at the swamp.” That raised confusion from the two familiars. Zavier on the other hand knew exactly who she was talking about. Maybe one day he would be able to say sorry for the last thing he had said to her before the ditch had swallowed them, “Her name's Vanessa, and boy you should have seen her when these boys were skipping rocks.” Zavier chuckled and looked up at the tree tops above them. If only he had never walked forward into the dried, mystic, hell of a swamp. Maybe then they would be home right now, playing video games or just hanging out. His grandmother must be so worried. He may not get along with her all the time, but she was still his family. Only family he really had left. “Zavier. Hey, Zavier you there?”
“Huh? Sorry zoned out.” Allison rolled her eyes and went to check her phone again. By the reaction she gave he guessed that it was still unuseable. Maybe. Just maybe.
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Marcus and Vanessa had managed to find a safe place in the mountains north of the moon flowers' field. The two had argued more on where to stay rather than finding themselves a place to stay. When the rain had begun is when they finally saw the cave in the distance and ran for it with their familiars entailed. It had been the middle of the night when they had heard thunder and lightning outside the cave. Marcus, being Marcus, went outside to check it out. His familiar, Precious, had followed him to make sure he was safe. After what felt like hours of sleeping though Vanessa had not seen them come back. Flare had tried to calm her down, but the day before had been way too freaky for even the phoenix to help.
“He just takes off and doesn't even bother to return, or at least send his familiar back. Oh, that idiot... when I see him I swear I'm going to knock him into the next thursday of Neverland.” Flare tilted her head in confusion. She probably had no idea what Neverland was. Vanessa threw a rock into the air as fast as she could; it seemed to spark in flames across the ground floor. The girl gave a small squeal of fright; her light blue eyes starred at the rock as if it would fly up into the air by itself. It did not of course,but she continued to stare at the rock. Something wasn't right, but yet, something had to be figured out. That something she couldn't do on her own. She needed Marcus's and the others' help, but she would never ask. Asking for help would be a weakness she would not lower herself to. Especially if she could do it on her own.
The phoenix, Flare, landed beside the teen. Her obsidian eyes seemed to whisper that everything would be okay, “My dear don't fret. Precious is very reasonable when it comes to these kind of situations. Just be patient dear.”
Vanessa petted her familiar's head down her long swan like neck. A rustle came from the side of them. The girl and her familiar turned to see the bright white feathers of Precious. She seemed to have a suspicious scowl on her face, but gave a hawk sound at Flare. Flare tilted her head and gave her broken bell squawk back, “Over by the coast? That must have taken you all night darling.” Precious gave a nod and another eagle squawk, “Of course,” Flare turned to Vanessa, “We'll be on our way.”
“Who's way, what, who? Oh, I swear I never understand any of this.” Precious gave a pitiful look before walking off, and having not much of a choice Flare followed. The girl picked up her purse from the cave entrance and ran to catch up with the two familiars. The outside had no sun,but the animals around seemed content with the day. At least that's what it felt like to her, and yet the stars and moon were out. Her mom may be a pain, but right now a tight hug from her or her siblings would be of comfort. The moon lilies were closed and the grass looked dead, but the forest ahead was full of life.
As the three females went through the forest a few fairies flew through the leaves. Many peaked out from the branches with curiosity and gave bell tingling giggles. Vanessa watched with wonder as a unicorn with a horn on it's snout and head ran past with a young colt beside it.
As she looked around she came to notice how much life was around her. Some animals were small bunnies and normal earthian animals, but others were creatures she could not name. The forest was life itself. More intelligent species came towards Vanessa to see what a human was doing in Baranasu. One was even a young looking dragon, but he stepped back with a respectful nod towards Vanessa. A man's face came forward that made her back away, but his lower half galloped away in what seemed to be respect. If she could hear their thoughts she would have heard praise for the Queen of Fire had returned.
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The oldest boy, the tallest, and the most giddy was Marcus. He was also the most likely to let curiosity get the best of him. Just as it had now. When he had heard the thunder during the storm he had found himself attracted to the sound. Now, sitting on dry, cool sand he watched as the waves lapped at the sand ahead of him. He was confused by what he saw in the distance after the storm. Precious had made him stay the night near the coast, as to protect him.
Curiosity had gotten to him, for the third time in one day, or night,or maybe two days. Hopefully this time it wouldn't lead him to a near death experience. No falling from great unknown heights, or being eaten by raving mad hungry dragons. Just a peaceful night sitting on a beach waiting for his familiar and his best friend. That way he could share what he found after the storm had lifted.
Two land masses could be seen in the distance. A large castle stood on one island, and in the distance was a land mass that seemed to be much like the one they were on. That was the land mass that held the storm. It was a tornado with spinning water, but it stayed in one existing place. Him and his friends lived too inland, but it reminded him of the hurricanes from back in the homeland. Basically it was a hurricane... no, tornado... no, naturally possible... not to his knowledge. Back home during tornado season they saw plenty, but they moved with the wind. Quickly at that. This spinning funnel seamed to be the wind itself. His familiar had said one word and one word that she refused to explain, “A-May.”
“Is that a name or a made up word?” Marcus opened his eyes and saw the bleach blond Vanessa standing above him. “You get more confusing and ridiculous the more time I spend with you Marc.” He hated his name shortened, but he said nothing of it. The girl smiled teasingly, but her face had a warmth only true friendship could hold.
Marcus sighed and gave a knowing look towards Precious, who just looked away. “I'm not quite sure if it's either.” He noticed the two familiars were turned towards each other and making noises in what would be hushed voices. “They seem to know. Precious had said it originally.”
Precious gave a dramatic gasp, and Flare flew into a tree above the three. Vanessa glared angrily at all three, aimed mostly towards Marcus. The boy gave a confused shrug and turned to his familiar. With a sigh the albino griffin lowered her head, “It's a name.”
“Of who?”
Vanessa crossed her arms and gave a scowl at his question. He didn't understand why she was always so moody. Precious ignored both and continued on her explanation, “A-may is a girl who has lived her for, awhile.”
Marcus gave the explanation to Vanessa who sat on the ground with a groan. None of this made sense he agreed with that completely. He wanted to know just what this had to do with the water tunnel. “You're not answering my question.” Precious nodded and looked away. Clearly she wished to answer no more to the subject.
“This A-may girl sounds a bit, odd. If I see her-”
“Just hold your tongue V before you say something that gets you introuble.” Marcus snapped back. He coward down after his harsh tone and lied in the cool sand. “Last night during the storm I came out this way to see if I could find anything pass the forest. Obviously I found something.”
“You found an ocean, big wop. Anything other than the obvious smartass?”Marcus took a deep breath and looked at the high tempered girl. He had no reason to talk if she was just going to ignore and be rude at every second. Precious sat beside him, and even though she would not answer his questions she still sat. A sigh sounded from above him, “I'm being a bitch again aren't I?” Marcus shook his head. A lie, but who was he to be mean to a friend. “Least be honest, god damn.”
“I am being honest,” she rolled her eyes, but stayed silent. “Would you like to hear the rest? Okay cool. Look out past the water.” Macrus saw her do so and waited for her reaction.
“Land, tower, more land what about it?”
Marcus let his jaw drop and sat up. How could she not see what that meant, “You are clueless sometimes. Land, over there. Storm, over there. We're here.”
Vanessa's blood rose to her face. “You're saying like that's a horrible thing. We're the safe ones ya dope!”
“Shut up!” His own face was flushed now. “Do you care about anyone other than yourself Vanessa? Our friends could be over there. What about them, are they safe?”
“I didn't-”
Macrus didn't bother to stop to listen, “Last night that storm was created by a wind tunnel on the far side. It didn't move from its spot. No the thing spun and caused an effect like a vacuum. Then guess what, it just stopped. No warning or anything, it stopped.” He turned to his familiar who had stepped away a bit, “Now tell me what you meant by that girl's name. My friends might be over there and I swear-”
Vanessa grabbed his shoulders without fear, “Calm down Marc. It's not her fault that we're here!” She hugged him from behind and gave him a playful nuggie. The brunette pushed her hand away, but he gave a small grin. “People say I'm the one with the temper. You can be just plain unexpected.”
“No, we say you're the one with the fiery personality. The temper just comes with the package.” She slapped him on the shoulder and he chuckled. “Don't try to deny it.”
“Me deny that I have a fiery personality. Never, I'm burning hot!”
“Cocky much?” Marcus teased back.
Vanessa shook her head, “Pretty sure you're the cocky one.” Marcus shook his head with disbelief at the girl. Sometimes she just made no sense. Okay, she made sense, but really was this necessary. “The question is though, what does a girl's name and a spinning tunnel have anything to do in common?”
“That's the part I can't figure out. V, I was hoping you could help me. Precious,” he paused and petted the creature apologetically, “said 'A-may' when I found the storm tunnel yesterday.”
“You're smarter than I am on that stuff. Hey, Precious,” Marcus nearly face-palmed himself, “can you get us over to that island?” The albino griffin sighed and gave a eagle sounded reply back. I'm sorry my child, but that road is dangerous. A foal creature lives in the middle.
Marcus gave her what his familiar had said, or thought. His friend sat there twirling her long blond hair. He couldn't tell if she was mad, upset, or indifferent. “I might have something to help that.”
The phoenix and griffin protested at that idea. They seemed ready to burst into smoke. Okay, not smoke, but they had no will to listen. “Flare, calm down. I'll be careful.” Her voice was sincere, but a stubborn stress was there. “I got here, and something weird happened.”
“The fire...” Marcus saw her eyes bulge. “The dragon, yest- or whenever. That came from you?” The girl nodded slowly and then opened her hands. They sparked a bit, but no fire. “How?”
The girl smirked, “Great question. Seems to only work with anger. Brings a whole new meaning to fiery personality don't it.”
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A storm like no other, that's what she had caused. After many years of living here, and still no control. Baransu, the original land of the humans. A history that many believed to be just make-believe. No, her head she couldn't stop thinking. One thing to another to another. A-May opened her eyes to the early dawn, of night. Her head spun from the nightmare within her waking hours. Fang slept above her, and the boy, Link, sat at the same wall he did the day before. Had it all been a dream?
The boy turned his head to the girl and gave a small grin, and she swore he squinted his eyes. Such an odd behavior. She came from a time where, well, he wore out-fashioned material. His shirt was short, looked like it got handed down, and his jeans faded. No leather jacket, or even a denim. The boy needed something to spice it up. He must have noticed her gears turning for he titled his head, “Thinkin'?”
“Just trying to figure out what you're up to.” The boy chuckled at her remark, “What's so funny?”
He shook his head and put his head back, “Nothing. You're just, interesting.” Another way of saying she was odd. Okay, obviously yesterday had not been a dream. Well, she wasn't quite sure. Things came and went without her paying much attention nowadays. Most of what happened went by her like a fog. Part of being in the dark so long. That's what she assumed at least.
A-May rolled her eyes and stood up. Fang seemed to awaken fully and jump on her shoulder. She was hungry and the only way to get food was to find food. Her stomach growled as to agree with her. The boy followed behind her without bothering to ask where she was going. His familiar was asleep in his jeans pocket. Letch, crazy little guy. She felt her mind swirling with unnecessary ideas. “Where did you come from again? Can't seem to remember where I met ya.”
“You found me after I fell down that hole. Brought me to this cave remember?”
“Not really,” A-may brought out her silver skull finger ring and slashed through a vine. It was cut down without a rigged mark on the vine. The forest around her was quiet, and soaked. She put her arm out and caught Link in the stomach. He gave a grunt and a few curses, “Shush. Listen.”
The boy seemed to listen and shook his head, “For what?”
A-May nodded with a look toward the far trees. “Exactly.”
The forest had only the echo of their footsteps as they continued forward. The ground floor was muddy it squished beneath their boots. A bunny ran across the area. A-May pulled out her bow-n-arrow and shot with quick speed. The rabbit fell over with a flop. She tossed the rabbit towards Link who protested with disgust, but quickly began squishing it with his finger. “Seriously?”
“What?” Link looked up obliviously. She put her hand over her face and shook her head with confusion. If there was anyone around to keep her from being lonely Link manged to fit the bill. She felt her eyes change and guessed they had turned to a pinkish color of confusion and curiosity. The boy confused her, his ways were foreign. Either she had been away from civilization that long, or he really had come from-
“A-May that scent,” Fang's voice intruded her thoughts. Through the figment of her gear turning brain she responded with a nod towards her familiar. The stench was rancid. Yet, the problem was why the stench was so low from the mountains. “We need to leave now!”
“Not yet Fang!” She had meant to think it, but it came out with a yell. Followed by an echoing screech. “Sh-”
“What was that?” Link turned to ask, but A-May grabbed his arm and pulled him in the opposite direction. He followed behind after the tug without a problem. A follower without question. There was no way that he could be the reincarnation of the King of the Sea. The forest suddenly burst into life. Again animals surged from every inch. The stench grew to an over-powering level. It made him nacuases and bile welled up in his throat. He heaved but was pulled forward. “I'm going to be sick.”
A-May didn't stop to answer and just pulled on him again. They needed to get to the coast line. Aiators hate water; that's why they stay up in the high mountains. As if to interrupt her thoughts a loud screech echoed through the forest. It threatened to burst her eardrums. At the least it left them ringing. Link had managed to vomit while running. The boy was going to get them both killed at this rate. Fang was flapping his wings as fast as he could behind them. She let her thoughts go to him, “Get on my back buddy.”
Fang did exactly that as they got to the edge of the forest. By this time the ground below them was quaking. Only her and Fang knew what was coming next. A cliff.
Link's feet skidded to a halt. “Please tell me you're joking. We'll never survive that drop.”
A screech sounded again and this time a smoke of green came out of the forest. A flash of silver could be seen reflecting off the moon's light. Her eyes went a deathly white color at the sight.“Jump or be eaten, pick or choose!”
“How about we run or climb down?” A-may nearly slapped him for suggesting something so stupid. She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him close. There was only one thing left to do in this situation. Her lips met his as Fang let go of her back. The girl felt his gasp underneath her lips as he pulled her in close. Then she kicked off the ground toward the water that would await them. Her eyes turned to a pale blue as her body went calm. SPLASH.
~Sir Melvin Knight of Baransu
The storm in the distance had died down as suddenly as it had started. No warning, just a strike of thunder and then a tornado of water. It had stopped in the same manner. Zavier and Allisson were stuck under large trees from the sprinkle of rain. The two were huddled together beside their familiars as the storm diminished. Chihiro had explained as simply as she could that they were no longer on Earth. No phones seemed to work or even turn on for that matter. Guess that's what happens when you land in a new dimension called Baransu. According to legend there were six Sentakus who had been dragged to this world to protect it from harm many eons ago. These original Sentakus had vowed that they would do so until no evil was left. Unfortunately they were all murdered by a creature of darkness by the title of Mejin.
“If this story is true then we're the reincarnations of these hero people?” Zavier raised his eyebrows in question of the whole thing. Sounded like some fairytale story told to little kids. He had heard enough of those tales in his lifetime. None of them had any value.
Rex gave a hasty nod and wagged his tail, “Oh, yes the legend is completely true. It's a story my parents were told by their parents, their parents by their parents., and their parents by their parents. If those parents were told by the parents before-”
Zavier glared at his familiar, “Your voice gives me headaches.” The hellbender drooped his head and went quiet. The teen put his hand on the familiar’s head lightly. The familiar may have been annoying, but he meant well, “I get your point the story was told by the original familiars of the Sentakus.” That raised the hell-bender's spirits a bit.
Allisson looked up from rubbing out her ankle. It had got better to walk on, but it was still extremely sore. He worried about his friend and how much pain she could hold in. It couldn't be healthy, “Well, then what about us? Something more has to be missing in the story.”
The two familiars turned to each other and shook their heads. Both turned to their own Sentaku and gave a basic saying that it was all they knew of the story. Allison gave a sad nod and Zavier sighed in exhaustion. He knew something had to be missing. A gap, or even story told wrong. It was that old children's game of telephone.
Chihiro floated forward a bit to see if the rain had stopped. A water droplet came hurdling toward her as she gasped and flew back to Allison, “Lady Allison!” The red-head chuckled and opened her hands for the fairy. Zavier chuckled and went back to leaning again the large tree trunk. Now that he thought about it, the tree looked part redwood and part oak. Maybe that's why he couldn't figure out which one it was.
“It's just water Chihiro.”
“Scary water. It almost bit my face off. You saw, you saw!”
Rex and Allison chuckled slightly and Zavier crossed his arms in confusion. In truth he wished to hear her familiar like his own. It would be easier to hold conversation with each other if they weren't paying telephone tag.
Allison gave a sigh and looked to her familiar, “You remind me of my friend at the swamp.” That raised confusion from the two familiars. Zavier on the other hand knew exactly who she was talking about. Maybe one day he would be able to say sorry for the last thing he had said to her before the ditch had swallowed them, “Her name's Vanessa, and boy you should have seen her when these boys were skipping rocks.” Zavier chuckled and looked up at the tree tops above them. If only he had never walked forward into the dried, mystic, hell of a swamp. Maybe then they would be home right now, playing video games or just hanging out. His grandmother must be so worried. He may not get along with her all the time, but she was still his family. Only family he really had left. “Zavier. Hey, Zavier you there?”
“Huh? Sorry zoned out.” Allison rolled her eyes and went to check her phone again. By the reaction she gave he guessed that it was still unuseable. Maybe. Just maybe.
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Marcus and Vanessa had managed to find a safe place in the mountains north of the moon flowers' field. The two had argued more on where to stay rather than finding themselves a place to stay. When the rain had begun is when they finally saw the cave in the distance and ran for it with their familiars entailed. It had been the middle of the night when they had heard thunder and lightning outside the cave. Marcus, being Marcus, went outside to check it out. His familiar, Precious, had followed him to make sure he was safe. After what felt like hours of sleeping though Vanessa had not seen them come back. Flare had tried to calm her down, but the day before had been way too freaky for even the phoenix to help.
“He just takes off and doesn't even bother to return, or at least send his familiar back. Oh, that idiot... when I see him I swear I'm going to knock him into the next thursday of Neverland.” Flare tilted her head in confusion. She probably had no idea what Neverland was. Vanessa threw a rock into the air as fast as she could; it seemed to spark in flames across the ground floor. The girl gave a small squeal of fright; her light blue eyes starred at the rock as if it would fly up into the air by itself. It did not of course,but she continued to stare at the rock. Something wasn't right, but yet, something had to be figured out. That something she couldn't do on her own. She needed Marcus's and the others' help, but she would never ask. Asking for help would be a weakness she would not lower herself to. Especially if she could do it on her own.
The phoenix, Flare, landed beside the teen. Her obsidian eyes seemed to whisper that everything would be okay, “My dear don't fret. Precious is very reasonable when it comes to these kind of situations. Just be patient dear.”
Vanessa petted her familiar's head down her long swan like neck. A rustle came from the side of them. The girl and her familiar turned to see the bright white feathers of Precious. She seemed to have a suspicious scowl on her face, but gave a hawk sound at Flare. Flare tilted her head and gave her broken bell squawk back, “Over by the coast? That must have taken you all night darling.” Precious gave a nod and another eagle squawk, “Of course,” Flare turned to Vanessa, “We'll be on our way.”
“Who's way, what, who? Oh, I swear I never understand any of this.” Precious gave a pitiful look before walking off, and having not much of a choice Flare followed. The girl picked up her purse from the cave entrance and ran to catch up with the two familiars. The outside had no sun,but the animals around seemed content with the day. At least that's what it felt like to her, and yet the stars and moon were out. Her mom may be a pain, but right now a tight hug from her or her siblings would be of comfort. The moon lilies were closed and the grass looked dead, but the forest ahead was full of life.
As the three females went through the forest a few fairies flew through the leaves. Many peaked out from the branches with curiosity and gave bell tingling giggles. Vanessa watched with wonder as a unicorn with a horn on it's snout and head ran past with a young colt beside it.
As she looked around she came to notice how much life was around her. Some animals were small bunnies and normal earthian animals, but others were creatures she could not name. The forest was life itself. More intelligent species came towards Vanessa to see what a human was doing in Baranasu. One was even a young looking dragon, but he stepped back with a respectful nod towards Vanessa. A man's face came forward that made her back away, but his lower half galloped away in what seemed to be respect. If she could hear their thoughts she would have heard praise for the Queen of Fire had returned.
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The oldest boy, the tallest, and the most giddy was Marcus. He was also the most likely to let curiosity get the best of him. Just as it had now. When he had heard the thunder during the storm he had found himself attracted to the sound. Now, sitting on dry, cool sand he watched as the waves lapped at the sand ahead of him. He was confused by what he saw in the distance after the storm. Precious had made him stay the night near the coast, as to protect him.
Curiosity had gotten to him, for the third time in one day, or night,or maybe two days. Hopefully this time it wouldn't lead him to a near death experience. No falling from great unknown heights, or being eaten by raving mad hungry dragons. Just a peaceful night sitting on a beach waiting for his familiar and his best friend. That way he could share what he found after the storm had lifted.
Two land masses could be seen in the distance. A large castle stood on one island, and in the distance was a land mass that seemed to be much like the one they were on. That was the land mass that held the storm. It was a tornado with spinning water, but it stayed in one existing place. Him and his friends lived too inland, but it reminded him of the hurricanes from back in the homeland. Basically it was a hurricane... no, tornado... no, naturally possible... not to his knowledge. Back home during tornado season they saw plenty, but they moved with the wind. Quickly at that. This spinning funnel seamed to be the wind itself. His familiar had said one word and one word that she refused to explain, “A-May.”
“Is that a name or a made up word?” Marcus opened his eyes and saw the bleach blond Vanessa standing above him. “You get more confusing and ridiculous the more time I spend with you Marc.” He hated his name shortened, but he said nothing of it. The girl smiled teasingly, but her face had a warmth only true friendship could hold.
Marcus sighed and gave a knowing look towards Precious, who just looked away. “I'm not quite sure if it's either.” He noticed the two familiars were turned towards each other and making noises in what would be hushed voices. “They seem to know. Precious had said it originally.”
Precious gave a dramatic gasp, and Flare flew into a tree above the three. Vanessa glared angrily at all three, aimed mostly towards Marcus. The boy gave a confused shrug and turned to his familiar. With a sigh the albino griffin lowered her head, “It's a name.”
“Of who?”
Vanessa crossed her arms and gave a scowl at his question. He didn't understand why she was always so moody. Precious ignored both and continued on her explanation, “A-may is a girl who has lived her for, awhile.”
Marcus gave the explanation to Vanessa who sat on the ground with a groan. None of this made sense he agreed with that completely. He wanted to know just what this had to do with the water tunnel. “You're not answering my question.” Precious nodded and looked away. Clearly she wished to answer no more to the subject.
“This A-may girl sounds a bit, odd. If I see her-”
“Just hold your tongue V before you say something that gets you introuble.” Marcus snapped back. He coward down after his harsh tone and lied in the cool sand. “Last night during the storm I came out this way to see if I could find anything pass the forest. Obviously I found something.”
“You found an ocean, big wop. Anything other than the obvious smartass?”Marcus took a deep breath and looked at the high tempered girl. He had no reason to talk if she was just going to ignore and be rude at every second. Precious sat beside him, and even though she would not answer his questions she still sat. A sigh sounded from above him, “I'm being a bitch again aren't I?” Marcus shook his head. A lie, but who was he to be mean to a friend. “Least be honest, god damn.”
“I am being honest,” she rolled her eyes, but stayed silent. “Would you like to hear the rest? Okay cool. Look out past the water.” Macrus saw her do so and waited for her reaction.
“Land, tower, more land what about it?”
Marcus let his jaw drop and sat up. How could she not see what that meant, “You are clueless sometimes. Land, over there. Storm, over there. We're here.”
Vanessa's blood rose to her face. “You're saying like that's a horrible thing. We're the safe ones ya dope!”
“Shut up!” His own face was flushed now. “Do you care about anyone other than yourself Vanessa? Our friends could be over there. What about them, are they safe?”
“I didn't-”
Macrus didn't bother to stop to listen, “Last night that storm was created by a wind tunnel on the far side. It didn't move from its spot. No the thing spun and caused an effect like a vacuum. Then guess what, it just stopped. No warning or anything, it stopped.” He turned to his familiar who had stepped away a bit, “Now tell me what you meant by that girl's name. My friends might be over there and I swear-”
Vanessa grabbed his shoulders without fear, “Calm down Marc. It's not her fault that we're here!” She hugged him from behind and gave him a playful nuggie. The brunette pushed her hand away, but he gave a small grin. “People say I'm the one with the temper. You can be just plain unexpected.”
“No, we say you're the one with the fiery personality. The temper just comes with the package.” She slapped him on the shoulder and he chuckled. “Don't try to deny it.”
“Me deny that I have a fiery personality. Never, I'm burning hot!”
“Cocky much?” Marcus teased back.
Vanessa shook her head, “Pretty sure you're the cocky one.” Marcus shook his head with disbelief at the girl. Sometimes she just made no sense. Okay, she made sense, but really was this necessary. “The question is though, what does a girl's name and a spinning tunnel have anything to do in common?”
“That's the part I can't figure out. V, I was hoping you could help me. Precious,” he paused and petted the creature apologetically, “said 'A-may' when I found the storm tunnel yesterday.”
“You're smarter than I am on that stuff. Hey, Precious,” Marcus nearly face-palmed himself, “can you get us over to that island?” The albino griffin sighed and gave a eagle sounded reply back. I'm sorry my child, but that road is dangerous. A foal creature lives in the middle.
Marcus gave her what his familiar had said, or thought. His friend sat there twirling her long blond hair. He couldn't tell if she was mad, upset, or indifferent. “I might have something to help that.”
The phoenix and griffin protested at that idea. They seemed ready to burst into smoke. Okay, not smoke, but they had no will to listen. “Flare, calm down. I'll be careful.” Her voice was sincere, but a stubborn stress was there. “I got here, and something weird happened.”
“The fire...” Marcus saw her eyes bulge. “The dragon, yest- or whenever. That came from you?” The girl nodded slowly and then opened her hands. They sparked a bit, but no fire. “How?”
The girl smirked, “Great question. Seems to only work with anger. Brings a whole new meaning to fiery personality don't it.”
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A storm like no other, that's what she had caused. After many years of living here, and still no control. Baransu, the original land of the humans. A history that many believed to be just make-believe. No, her head she couldn't stop thinking. One thing to another to another. A-May opened her eyes to the early dawn, of night. Her head spun from the nightmare within her waking hours. Fang slept above her, and the boy, Link, sat at the same wall he did the day before. Had it all been a dream?
The boy turned his head to the girl and gave a small grin, and she swore he squinted his eyes. Such an odd behavior. She came from a time where, well, he wore out-fashioned material. His shirt was short, looked like it got handed down, and his jeans faded. No leather jacket, or even a denim. The boy needed something to spice it up. He must have noticed her gears turning for he titled his head, “Thinkin'?”
“Just trying to figure out what you're up to.” The boy chuckled at her remark, “What's so funny?”
He shook his head and put his head back, “Nothing. You're just, interesting.” Another way of saying she was odd. Okay, obviously yesterday had not been a dream. Well, she wasn't quite sure. Things came and went without her paying much attention nowadays. Most of what happened went by her like a fog. Part of being in the dark so long. That's what she assumed at least.
A-May rolled her eyes and stood up. Fang seemed to awaken fully and jump on her shoulder. She was hungry and the only way to get food was to find food. Her stomach growled as to agree with her. The boy followed behind her without bothering to ask where she was going. His familiar was asleep in his jeans pocket. Letch, crazy little guy. She felt her mind swirling with unnecessary ideas. “Where did you come from again? Can't seem to remember where I met ya.”
“You found me after I fell down that hole. Brought me to this cave remember?”
“Not really,” A-may brought out her silver skull finger ring and slashed through a vine. It was cut down without a rigged mark on the vine. The forest around her was quiet, and soaked. She put her arm out and caught Link in the stomach. He gave a grunt and a few curses, “Shush. Listen.”
The boy seemed to listen and shook his head, “For what?”
A-May nodded with a look toward the far trees. “Exactly.”
The forest had only the echo of their footsteps as they continued forward. The ground floor was muddy it squished beneath their boots. A bunny ran across the area. A-May pulled out her bow-n-arrow and shot with quick speed. The rabbit fell over with a flop. She tossed the rabbit towards Link who protested with disgust, but quickly began squishing it with his finger. “Seriously?”
“What?” Link looked up obliviously. She put her hand over her face and shook her head with confusion. If there was anyone around to keep her from being lonely Link manged to fit the bill. She felt her eyes change and guessed they had turned to a pinkish color of confusion and curiosity. The boy confused her, his ways were foreign. Either she had been away from civilization that long, or he really had come from-
“A-May that scent,” Fang's voice intruded her thoughts. Through the figment of her gear turning brain she responded with a nod towards her familiar. The stench was rancid. Yet, the problem was why the stench was so low from the mountains. “We need to leave now!”
“Not yet Fang!” She had meant to think it, but it came out with a yell. Followed by an echoing screech. “Sh-”
“What was that?” Link turned to ask, but A-May grabbed his arm and pulled him in the opposite direction. He followed behind after the tug without a problem. A follower without question. There was no way that he could be the reincarnation of the King of the Sea. The forest suddenly burst into life. Again animals surged from every inch. The stench grew to an over-powering level. It made him nacuases and bile welled up in his throat. He heaved but was pulled forward. “I'm going to be sick.”
A-May didn't stop to answer and just pulled on him again. They needed to get to the coast line. Aiators hate water; that's why they stay up in the high mountains. As if to interrupt her thoughts a loud screech echoed through the forest. It threatened to burst her eardrums. At the least it left them ringing. Link had managed to vomit while running. The boy was going to get them both killed at this rate. Fang was flapping his wings as fast as he could behind them. She let her thoughts go to him, “Get on my back buddy.”
Fang did exactly that as they got to the edge of the forest. By this time the ground below them was quaking. Only her and Fang knew what was coming next. A cliff.
Link's feet skidded to a halt. “Please tell me you're joking. We'll never survive that drop.”
A screech sounded again and this time a smoke of green came out of the forest. A flash of silver could be seen reflecting off the moon's light. Her eyes went a deathly white color at the sight.“Jump or be eaten, pick or choose!”
“How about we run or climb down?” A-may nearly slapped him for suggesting something so stupid. She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him close. There was only one thing left to do in this situation. Her lips met his as Fang let go of her back. The girl felt his gasp underneath her lips as he pulled her in close. Then she kicked off the ground toward the water that would await them. Her eyes turned to a pale blue as her body went calm. SPLASH.