Hey this was something i've been working on for a while now and i just wanted some extra comments...feel free to leave a star...that is if you think its good enough...thankyou for you time.
3:30 pm
Year 6000
Location unknown
“Where is the girl?” growled an ominous voice. It rang out in the dark nothingness that surrounded nothing but a small man compared to the vast landscape stood with a light shinning menacingly down on him.
“Sir, we are still trying to locate the exact location of her. She seems to be traveling. We always are one step behind her.” The man said, his hands trembling in their wake.
“Then I suggest you skip a step and catch the recipient.”
“We will try Sir.” There was a low rumbling of thunder and the air suddenly became stagnate with electricity.
“Try? Let me make myself clearer. You will get that girl! ”
“Yes-I will do everything to get the recipient, Sir.” Abruptly a hole formed beneath the anxious man and he began to fall. There was a low malicious laugh as he fell towards the blue planet below him.
3:30 pm
Year 6000
Craccian Empire
The city was silent, only the sound of lone motorcycles zooming swiftly on the roads. Most of the city was in ruins from the recent war, and the tall buildings and villages were mostly gone or rusting away.
The Craccian Empire sat in the very back of the conurbation where it could watch its people. The king was asleep in his bed. The curtains swayed silkily through the air as the soft breeze drifted in through the open balcony. The king was old and widowed and tomorrow his daughter would inherit the throne to the empire.
His daughter was on the other side of the palace. Her wedding was to take place tomorrow so she could rule Craccia. Although she didn’t know everything about whom she was to marry, his daughter thought of it with disgust.
Della was not yet eighteen, but was a rare beauty. Her blue azure eyes remained fixed on the horizon. She sat at her window, her body resting peacefully on the wall as her enchanting gaze watched for the signs of morning. She had found that she couldn’t sleep and so she had stayed awake all night.
She took in a deep breath and whipped away a tear that had descended down her cheek.
“I hope you have a good time tomorrow.” The sentence had almost formed in midair. Della looked around for the source and then a man stepped out from behind the curtain.
“Lucas-” Lucas walked forward and smiled. Della remained sitting at the window, petrified.
“Della, I need you to do me a favor and stay still.” Lucas said pulling a gun from his jacket pocket. As he aimed it at her heart which was beating with fear, Della pulled out her cell phone and held the number, two, down. As she slowly got up and moved towards her dresser Lucas let the gun follow her.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Della sprang forward knocking the gun from Lucas’s hand. It skidded across the floor under her bed and as Lucas looked under it Della elbowed him in his rib and flipped him over. He rolled under her bed and fired the gun setting off an earsplitting gunshot that tore a hole in the wall behind Della’s head.
“I’m going to take you down hard Princess!” Lucas slid out from underneath the bed and shot the ceiling sending another loud gunshot through the sleeping city. Della punched him square in the jaw, but Lucas kicked her in her rib knocking the wind out of her. He then hit her neck joint with the hilt of his gun and she collapsed to the floor.
“See how easy things can slip from your grasp-” The bedroom door suddenly burst open and tall bulky man wearing sunglasses, even though it was night, entered the room with a sword raised above his head. The blade coursed with electric discharge setting off a blue haze around it.
“Lucas back off or I’ll swipe that head of yours clean of them shoulders.” Lucas stood up straight and edged towards the open balcony. He looked at Della one last time before he jumped over the side of the railing.
“Thank you for coming Mandladore.” Della said getting up stiffly. She held her side and felt the blood that had formed on her cheek.
“Do you need some help?” Mandladore asked. Della shook her head and smiled wryly.
“I’ll be fine.”
“What about your wedding tomorrow?”
“I’m not going.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m not going.”
“Della why not?”
“I’m not marrying that idiot.” Mandladore nodded slowly.
“But what will your father think.”
“I’m running away.”
“Where will you go?”
“You won’t stop me?”
“Depends. Where are you going?”
“I’m going to Alvarna.”
“But The Wicked is there.”
“I’ll take my chances. It’s either them or Lucas.”
“You can’t go.”
“Yes I can. I’ve packed my things.”
“Let me help you.”
“No.”
“Then let me give you a friends help.”
“No”
“Della, please, I just want you to be safe.”
“I’ll miss you Mandladore.” Della then embraced him in a hug. He had been her body guard for years ever since she was two. He was like a second father to her. “I have to go. I’ll be disguising myself as a man. My name will be Dell and if they find me out, I’m not Della I’m Secrett.”
“Della… I’ll miss you too. Here’s my friends phone number.” He said pulling away from Della and reaching into his pocket. He pulled out his phone and smiled.
“And thanks for calling by the way. There I sent you his phone number; it should be on your speed dial.”
“Thanks for getting here. Mandladore, do you think I’m doing the right thing, running away?” Della asked looking at her feet. Mandladore put a reassuring hand in the caress of her shoulder and let out a small sigh. “You shouldn’t run away from your fears, but face them.”
“Mandladore I’m going to-”
Listen, I have to go. I’m meeting someone in Rashio.”
“Who?” Mandladore opened his mouth to say something and then with widened eyes he looked at the time on his phone.
“Della, please go meet my friend. Be safe… Secrett!” Mandladore gave Della a quick kiss on the cheek and leaped over the balcony railing.
Della quickly went to her closet and pulled out a small dagger that Mandladore had given her and held it tightly in her hand and then placed into her rucksack. She rushed stealthily to her brother, Durst’s room and went to his closet after making sure that he was in a deep sleep. She reached in for some pants with a belt and a shirt. She stripped down and slipped her brother’s clothes on and hooked the hilt of her dagger to the belt and hurriedly shoved her feet into some of Durst’s old boots.
As she got up the boots made a loud thudding noise as she walked which stirred her brother for a moment before he groaned and rolled over.
Before she left his room she looked back at Durst’s peaceful slumber and walked quietly down the hall to a side door. She pulled a cloak she had put in her bag and without a second thought she began to run down the path towards the Dark Forest.
Her boots, or rather her brother’s boots, thudded loudly on the dirt road that snaked through the dense forest’s shrub border. Her heart beat faster than a small mouse’s when it was being chased by a cat. Every minute or so her hand would creep to her scabbard where her dagger was or she would look behind her for any sign of a stalker. The forest was dull and swampy in most parts with wild animal noises that sometimes sounded off behind Della or far off in the distance.
The farther she walked through the forest the more she got used to the sounds of the forest and she began to relax only when she took her phone out and looked at the new name in her speed dial list.
“Latios,” She whispered her voice cracking since she hadn’t used it in what felt like hours. The sun had begun to rise and the sky was filled with an orange haze that leaked trough the trees painting yellowish stripes on her body.
Her phone suddenly vibrated and she jumped dropping it. It fell to the dirt in a small puff of dust. She quickly scooped it up and answered it pulling her hood more over her face.
“Hello?” She asked shakily to the other end.
“Hey, it’s Kanoni!” Della had to pull the phone away from her ear a bit even though she was pleased to hear her friend’s voice.
“Hey, did you need something?”
“No, but wherever you are be careful. Lucas knows you’re gone-”
“But how did you-”
“Mandladore. When you didn’t show up for the wedding he went crazy. He was shouting at everybody and he sent some of your father’s guards after you.”
“Father’s guards; why would Father let him?”
“Oh my God, I thought you knew!”
“Knew what?” Della had to calm herself in order to restrain her voice. She had disturbed a few crows perched menacingly in the mossy trees. They flew off in a storm of feathers.
“Della, your father... Lucas put him in the prison.”
“What…” Della’s voice cracked again as she choked on her tears.
“Della I’m sorry, I -”
“No, it’s not your fault…” Della trailed off.
“Hey where are you, I’m gonna come with you to Alvarna.”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“You’re going aren’t you?”
“Well- I’m in the Dark Forest.”
“Okay I’ll be there in a minute. Bye… hey, everything’s gonna be alright.”
“Thanks Kanoni.” Kanoni hung up her phone and Della stood still for a moment looking up at the clouds and the blue sky and hung up her phone as well, tucking it back into her pocket.
As she started again on the trek to Alvarna there was a small sizzling sound and then a green lightning bolt flashed brilliantly touching the earth a few feet away from Della. She took cover behind a fallen tree the size of a skyscraper and watched as arms and legs reached out through the hole that had formed in the middle of the air. Kanoni, a small tan petite young woman emerged through the gaping hole and dropped lightly to the ground. And just as fast as the lightning had hit the ground the portal was gone in funnel of wind.
(IF YOU"VE MADE IT THIS FAR YOU DESERVE A COOKIE!)
6:23 AM
Year 6000
Somewhere in Rashio
“What else do you want from me?”
“I want you to help someone. She’s a friend of mine and-”
“Why would you be asking me such a thing?”
“Look, I know what happened between you and Yoven was bad, but it’s gone now and-”
“And now the one I loved is dead.”
“Latios I need you to watch her. I have to go.”
“No.”
“I’ll bring her back.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll bring Ice back.”
“You’re bluffing.”
“You have my word.”
“If you don’t keep it I’ll-”
“You have my word.”
“What’s here name?”
“Della Lockhart.”
“Where do I find her?”
“She’s in the Dark Forest right now. She might be dressed as a man.”
6:30 Am
Year 6000
Craccian Empire
“Listen to me old man, if you don’t tell me where that girl went I’ll personally see to it that you’ll-”
“I will never give away my daughter to such a vile man.” The king spit on Lucas’s nicely polished shoes and smirked.
“Ugh, I wouldn’t be smiling for much longer. You’re going to stay here and rot until I find my bride.”
“May the lord bless her she never see you again. Where is my son?”
“Gone…”
“Where is that?”
“Are you trying to be smart with me. Because I’m not laughing.” There was a slight pause before he started again.
“Tell me where the princess is or,” Lucas pulled out a small stiletto and held it against King Lockhart’s neck. “Your head will be served on a platter like a pig’s.”
“Then you might as well get the apple and the seasonings, because I’m not telling.”
“Very well then-” the guards that had betrayed the king suddenly felt loyal again and stood in front of the king.
“You mustn’t do that.” said the bigger of the two.
“And why not?” Lucas hissed his bright blue hair flaring with his anger. The king smiled as his two leading guards had taken his side again.
“Well if you would kill the king now, then you wouldn’t be next for the throne. The son would, since the older sister isn’t here.” The king’s smile faded into disgust and disappointment.
“Smart thinking men. Very well send him back to the prison.” The guards lifted the frail king off his feet and walked down the dank corridor. Craccia had already begun to fall apart in such a short amount of time.
6: 30 AM
Year 6000
Dark Forest, border of Craccia.
“Della?” Kanoni looked at Della cautiously for a moment. Della pulled her hood down and smiled rushing up to Kanoni.
“Kanoni I missed you so much!”
“I know. Why are you dressed like a dude?”
“So none of the border patrols will know it’s me.”
“Should I grow a mustache?”
“No…”
“Good. So where are you headed?” They had begun to start walking on the trail.
“Alvarna.”
“Dude seriously?”
“Well I-”
“That’s where the Wicked stands. That’s their empire! Why in the world would you go there right into the palms of their hands?” Kanoni clench her fists.
“Because Athia is there.”
“No she isn’t. I heard she was somewhere in the Brocken Lands.”
“That’s where Mandladore is.”
“He’s still alive. That guy never dies does he?”
“I’ve known him ever since I was a little kid. I can’t not like him.”
“Hold on my phones ringing.” Kanoni picked her phone up from her belt and flipped it open. Della sauntered nearby putting her hood back over her head.
“Hey Dad- What!... Well are you guys okay?... But I thought… is Mom okay?... Oh no… dad tell her I love her… bye.” Kanoni hung up her phone, placing it back on her belt.
“Is everything alright?” Della asked.
“There was some sort of virus break out and a lot of my family has it. My mom had it and she’s not doing too hot.”
“Kanoni do you need to see them?”
“No, Dad said that I shouldn’t risk it”
“I’m so sorry…” Kanoni lunged over to Della and hugged her tightly. Della hugged her back and they kept walking again.
“I wanted to keep with you anyways. I wanted to get Athia back for what she did to-”
“Are you hungry?”
“What?”
“Never mind.”
“Whatever.”
“What was that?”
“What was-” Della quickly slapped a hand over Kanoni’s mouth and walked backwards behind a tree.
“Come on, climb it.” Della whispered boosting herself up onto a limb. They both climbed quietly as possible and sat on separate limbs high off the ground.
“What did you see?” Kanoni asked, hushed. Della put a finger to her lips in a sign to quiet down.
As they watched below them a tall dark figure emerged out from the bushes and stood stalk still for a moment with his mouth open. He then closed it and smirked crookedly.
“I know you’re here Lockhart.” The young man looked vaguely familiar to Kanoni but she thought nothing more of it as he looked up to the hiding spot. There was loud snap and Della suddenly lost her balance and fell from her stance on the tree limb. She landed brutally on top of the young man. Kanoni rushed down to help her but the man had already pushed Della off him and was up on his feet advancing on her as she laid in the dirt.
Kanoni pulled out her sword and knocked him in the head with the flat of the blade. A thin trickle of blood formed on his face as he stumbled backward. Kanoni helped Della up and together they stared at the young man holding his bleeding temple.
“Who sent you here?” Della asked trying to change her voice so that it sounded like a man’s.
“He asked me to not say, but I’m looking for the one named Della Lockhart.”
“I’m-” Della stopped herself before she blew her cover and nudged Kanoni forward.
“This is-”
“Who do you think I am, stupid?” Kanoni looked down at her feet. She now remembered who the man was.
“Kanoni what are you doing here?”
“I’m helping Della-”
“You’re Della? You almost had me there; of course no man has flawless skin and those…” Kanoni giggled as the man pointed at Della’s chest.
“Shut up.” Della hissed backing up from the man. Kanoni stopped giggling and looked up at him.
“Well now that you know my name what might yours be?”
“Latios Green.”
“Why are you here?”
“Your father sent me to look after you.”
“Did something happen to Mandladore?”
“Who-no.”
“Fine, but we don’t slow down.”
“Good, because I speed up.” Kanoni gulped vaguely and began walking.
“Well come on slowpokes haven’t got all day.” She called back over her shoulder. Della sped up and walked next to Kanoni.
Latios grunted to himself angrily and followed behind them by only a couple of feet. All three of them had their hands on their weapons; Della had noticed the long blades of two swords crossed on Latios’s back.
The forest was quiet again with the animal calls and occasionally the loud roar of a tiger or some other viscous creature that lurked, hidden in the shadows of the underbrush.
“Why do you want to go to Alvarna?” Latios asked suddenly. Kanoni and Della looked around and frowned.
“Because Athia-” Della broke off and turned around, silently. Kanoni just kept walking scrapping her boots across the ground. Latios suddenly became more interested.
“Did you say Athia. Well if that’s what you’re looking for, then she’s not there.”
“I know, Kanoni already told me.”
“Then why are you still going?”
“Because I want to see my mom.” Della looked at Latios for a moment. He seemed to be concentrating very hard on his feet as he lumbered precariously slower. His black hair fell over his furrowed eyebrows covering half of his eyes.
“Athia isn’t all bad you know.”
“Nice try. Do you know how many people she hurt by killing and wiping out their families?” Kanoni exclaimed suddenly stopping and turning on her heel to look at them. Her cheeks were flourished. “And especially that plague she sent to everyone. She’s like the F------ God gone bad!”
“Listen to me!” Della shouted above them. Both turned to look at her then Latios began to walk ahead.
“For now on we won’t talk about her.” Della said looking at Kanoni with raised eyebrows.
“Whatever.” Kanoni said trudging ahead next to Latios. Della walked behind them admiring her dagger in her hand.
“Of course didn’t you date her?” Kanoni said, obviously trying to annoy Latios.
“Enough!” Della said crossly. Latios smirked crookedly as he kept walking, although Della was almost certain he would have killed Kanoni for saying what she had said.
“Oh s---!” Latios murmured unexpectedly. Kanoni and Della jumped as Latios hunched over and knelt to the ground.
“What’s today?” he growled under his breath which was now staggered and chopped.
“Wednesday.” Della said shrugging, Kanoni nodded in verification when Della looked at her. “Wednesday.” Della repeated.
“I have to go.” Latios hissed. He lunged forward and gradually got faster as he got farther away. There were dark intimidating clouds hovering up in the sky above the forest.
“Let’s go to the nearest village.” Kanoni said pulling out her phone. Della pulled hers out as well.
“Huh, I’m not getting any signal, what about you? Kanoni?”
“What? Oh…no.”
“What’s wrong?” Della asked closing her phone. Kanoni showed her the inbox on her text file.
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Well I would have picked it up, I have it on vibrate and it’s just funny that I didn’t feel it.”
“Come on its starting to rain.” Della said nudging Kanoni with her elbow. Kanoni closed her phone and put it in her blue bandana she had wrapped around her head, just as the first few drops of rain fell from the black clouds.
(If you've made it this far...i'm impressed!)
7:48 AM
Year 6000
Location unknown
“Is she found?”
“Yes Sir.”
“Then where is she?”
“Well-”
“Where is she?”
“Sir, there have been some complications, and-”
“I don’t want to hear them. Did you find the prophecy?”
“Yes, she’s in the land of the broken.”
“What?”
“Rashio Sir.”
“Have you awoken her?”
“No. we still don’t know exactly where she is.”
“Then I advise you to get moving.”
The spotlight on the small man shut off and he began to fall again through the hole that grew beneath him.
7:23 PM
Year 6000
Somewhere in the Dark Forest, Tarn Village
The sky was now getting dark and the low growls of the nocturnal animals of the night began to awaken as well as Kanoni and Della’s stomachs which moaned uncontrollable as they neared the village off in the distance. They hadn’t eaten all day and they looked longingly at the flying squirrels just over their reach as they flew overhead.
“D--- squirrels. If they weren’t so high up I’d be having them for dinner.” Kanoni grumbled haughtily. Della smiled.
“Look I see the village lights!” Kanoni said abruptly awake. Kanoni got some of her color back and then started to run.
“Wait Kanoni!” Della ran after her. Suddenly there was a loud noise coming from some sort of motor up ahead.
“Kanoni wait those aren’t the village lights!” Della screamed over the rumbling of the motor. Kanoni looked over her shoulder and tripped. Della rushed up to her and pulled her into the bushes beside them and watched as a large dark motorcycle stopped in front of them. Della held her breath, Kanoni just stared, petrified. A heavily coated man dropped from his mount on the bike and landed with a clank of metal. He was probably past the seven foot marker. As he lumbered over to the sides of the road Kanoni squeaked causing the man to spin on his heel and look directly at them. Della covered Kanoni’s mouth and waited uneasily as the man watched them. She was sure that he couldn’t see them, but just in case she didn’t move a muscle.
“Come on out recipient, I know you’re in there.” Kanoni flinched as he took a step closer, but Della stood still. If she was right, that the man was only trying to throw some bait out and trick them, then she wouldn’t move. Kanoni had begun to sweat and she quickly wiped away a bead from her forehead.
The man took out a large sword and pointed it at them. He then thrust it into the ground, inches away from Della’s leg. The large blade gleamed in the moonlight.
Della felt faint, but Kanoni dug her fingernails into her shoulder to snap her out of it. The man snatched his sword from the ground flinging mounds of dirt everywhere and scraping Della’s leg. She bit her lip as the pain surged through her ankle. The man mounted his motorcycle and drove off in a loud instant. Kanoni was the first to get up.
“Oh my God, who was that? Do you know him? Why did he want you?” Kanoni said through chattering teeth.
“I don’t know who he is. I’ve never seen him in my life.” Della said looking back down the trail the man had gone down. The zebra stripped pattern continued down the road from the tires.
“Look I told you those were village lights.” Kanoni said pointing towards a cluster of lights. Together they trudged towards the village that was placed precariously on the edge of a thin cliff that jetted out over the ocean.
The rain had started to fall harder and louder on the two girls as they reached a narrow bridge leading over to the left. It was covered in moss and other plants that had grown through the cracks of the splitting wood.
“This way.” Della said heading over to the tarnished bridge, Kanoni on her heals.
“What is this place?” Kanoni asked holding Della’s arm tightly.
“I don’t know. I’ve never been to this village before. What was that?” They both followed with their eyes as a dark figure floated through the trees behind a small gate and disappeared. The whole area around them was now an everglade with swampy mud holes and withering old trees that seemed to sag towards the earth.
“Demon.” Della muttered with a shudder. Kanoni nodded and they finally made their way across the bridge, watching their step with a wary eye.
“Look there’s another one.” Kanoni whispered. Della held Kanoni’s hand tightly as they stepped on the uneven ground on the other side of the bridge.
To the right there was a small abandoned church. The tinted mosaics on the windows were shattered and the roof sagged in nearly touching the ground.
“That looks safe.” Kanoni said half-wittedly.
“Come on.” Della said letting go of Kanoni’s hand. They walked into the church looking up at the sagged roof and across the floor.
“Look we can sleep in the pews.” Kanoni said putting her bag on one of them and sitting down hastily looked up at Della.
“This is do-able. How long should we-”
“Shh.” Della breathed. Kanoni listened for a moment. Over in the corner was a small heap of purple clothe. It was sobbing softly and whimpering.
“What is it?” Kanoni asked quietly.
“Hello-” A child’s tear stained face suddenly popped up from the mountain of purple with widened eyes.
“Please don’t hurt me.” It muttered.
“We won’t hurt you.” Della said reaching her hand out walking closer to the back of the chapel where the small boy sat crying.
“That’s what they said, but-” He broke off again into a silent sob.
“What happened?” Della asked placing a gentle hand on the boys shoulder.
“They’re going to kill them. All of them!” He cried. Kanoni had taken no interest in the sobbing boy and was walking around the chapel peering cautiously out the windows.
“Did the Wicked come?”
“No the vampires!” Della leaned forward looking into the child’s dark brown eyes. She could tell they were still filled with tears.
“How old are you?”
“Ten.”
“What’s your name?”
“Kyle.”
“You know what; someone told me once that you can only shed thirty-two tears at a time.” Della said smiling. Kyle smiled too and hugged her.
“Did they take your parents?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know which way they headed?”
“Into the swamp.” Kanoni was now shinning her sword while walking through a path of weeds to the other side of the church.
“What’s your mom’s name?” Della asked him.
“Eloise.”
“Kanoni, we have to go get his parents.” Della said getting up holding Kyle to her hip.
“I’m game.” Kanoni said finishing away with the last smudge of blood on the blade.
“Kanoni will watch you.” Della told Kyle. Kanoni grimaced.
“What? I have to watch him?”
“Please Kanoni. I’m not going to bring him with me.”
“Fine, but I don’t do dolls and stuff like that.”
“Boys don’t play with dolls idiot.” Kyle said glaring.
“For a boy who just lost his parents you’ve got a lot of tongue.” Kyle whimpered.
“Kyle be nice… you too Kanoni.” Kyle and Kanoni let out a sigh.
“Kyle you have to be good for Kanoni.” Della said smiling. Kyle looked up at her and then rushed over to Kanoni giving her hug.
“I’ll be back.” Della said pulling out her dagger. “I’ll find your parents Kyle.” Della took in a mouthful of air and started back down the opening row of pews towards the humid smog that hovered outside of the chapel.
7:23 PM
Year 6000
Rashio, the Broken Lands
Mandladore rode hastily on his cruiser down the path that led to Rashio’s castle. The king was gone on a mission to Alvarna when his people need him the most and Mandladore was asked to check on things. The land was vast without much foliage on the landscape. It was barren. Thick red clouds hung over the city like a dense fog that wouldn’t leave with billowing smoke formations. As his cruiser passed moving streams they seemed to remain still as he maneuvered around them nearly missing the gigantic potholes. Mandladore was on a mission. A very important mission, if he didn’t want the king to maul him. In the back of his cruiser, clinging to him with her arms wrapped tightly around him was the new healer. The virus was plaguing everyone in the castle and was now working on the somewhat deserted cities.
“My name is Arianna by the way.” The woman said looking behind her at the red clouds that seemed to follow them everywhere. When Mandladore didn’t answer she glared at the back of his head and then tightened her grip as he flew up into the air over a sudden pothole.
“How long is till we get to the castle? I think I’m going to be sick.” Mandladore smiled and sped up making the ride all the bumpier.
8:16 Pm
Year 6000
Tarn Village
“So Kyle where are we?” Kanoni asked walking around again. It had nearly been a whole hour since Della had left.
“Tarn Village.” Kyle said. He was sitting on a pew with his legs just short from the ground, dangling back and forth.
“So do you have a lot of problems with these vampires?” Kanoni was now standing in front of a shattered window. There was a spider on its web still clinging to the remaining shards of glass. Kanoni flicked the spider off its web. It struggled for a moment on its back and then scuttled under the weeds that had grown around the benches lassoing them to the wooden planks on the floor.
“Yeah. They usually come every night, but this time we forgot to lock the barn door so they started eating the cows.”
“Did you get the cows back?”
“No. They look like these shriveled little aliens.”
“Gross.” Kanoni said wrinkling her nose. Kyle smiled smugly.
“What?” Kanoni said looking at Kyle. He grinned, showing his teeth.
“You’re funny.” Kyle said getting up. “I’m sorry I called you an idiot.” Kyle said running over to Kanoni, hugging her.
“That’s alright kid. You’re not so bad either.” Kyle rested his head against her stomach.
“Are you hungry, because I can hear your stomach growling?”
“Yeah. Me and Della haven’t eaten all day.” Kanoni complained.
“I know where they hide the communion wafers, and I think they still have the wine from the last sermon in the basement.” Kyle said pointing to a small door hidden by the rubble of the damaged roof.
“Really? Well let’s save some for Della. I think she’d be hungry.” Kyle nodded vigorously and led Kanoni over to the door. As they cut through all the weeds the dew from the rain had soaked their pants and shoes leaving clear tracks in the ageless dust on the other side of the chapel.
“It’s dark in there, do you have a light?” Kyle asked. Kanoni pulled out a match from her back pocket and struck it on the matchbox.
8:16 PM
Year 6000
Tarn village, the Swamps
Della held her dagger out ready to strike anything that jumped out at her. Every sound made her heart skip a beat as she walked farther and farther away from the safe interior of the chapel and farther into the swamps of Tarn Village. Her ankle had become swollen from the cut on her leg and she often thought about stopping to look at the deep severs in her leg. The night was glittery with millions of brilliantly twinkling stars that surrounded the full moon like a thick blanket in its rouse. The lights danced in the murky waters that bounded the tapered pathway through the swamp.
Della watched every movement that was made and held her breath every time she saw a demon skirt behind a tree. A thick fog was set on top of the water as she got more near to the middle of the bog.
As she pulled out her phone which had begun to vibrate in her pocket there was a low growl coming from behind a large tree. The growl cut off as Della kicked a small rock into the water making a deafening noise compared to the stillness of the land.
“Help-” Della walked closer to the large mangrove that the call for help came from. The tree seemed to glower at her with dark eyes.
“I’m here to help you. Where’s your husband?” Della whispered. A hand suddenly fell from behind the tree, limp. Della walked slowly forward, watching her step as she stretched over to separate lands. As she peered around the tree she saw the body that the hand had belonged to. It was a woman’s body, wilted and mauled by some sort of beast, the vampire without a doubt.
“They’ve killed him.” She said, her eyes open wide.
“I will help you-”
“He’s here-” the woman said through an opened mouth, hardly moving her mouth to talk.
“I’m going to take you back to the-”
“He’s here-” The woman said again only louder and with a sound of intensity in her strained words.
“Eloise if that’s your name; your son, Kyle, he needs-“
“He’s here-” The woman was now pointing a shaking finger behind Della. Della hesitated for a moment and whirled around. A young man with his lips pulled back into a snarl, revealing his ghastly rows of sharp vampire teeth, was standing behind her. Dark shadows were formed under his eyes and his eyes were bloodshot so severely that even his irises were a rich red.
Della held up her dagger to his throat, but in one second the vampire had his hand around her wrist and blade in a deathly grip. Blood seeped through his clenched fist and he took his hand away, opening it. The blood was rich and full, gleaming against his pale skin, he then whipped his hand across Della’s cheek, smearing the blood across it.
Della quickly drove the dagger into the vampire’s right arm and yanked it out. They stood looking at each other for a moment and then the beast disappeared into the thick fog.
“Come on.” Della said hastily picking the woman up throwing her arm around her, supporting the woman’s weight on her right side.
“Just leave me. My boy can take care of himself.” The woman said shakily. Della ignored her and kept moving forward. They were almost out of the swamp when Della noticed a demon had been following her. It shot out from the trees and knocked her down hard. The woman flew out of her grip and fell into the water.
“No!” Della shouted trying to get her bearings on the soft turf. The woman vanished beneath water with a few air bubbles, but no struggle.
Della now realized as she got up and staggered awkwardly back to the church; the demons had been the one vampire.
9:18 PM
Year 6000
Tarn Village
“So why do you carry matches around-Do you smoke?” Kyle asked, the flame light that was balancing on the matchstick was dancing across his face. It let them have a small perimeter around them that dimly lit the dark hallway.
“No… I’m a fire eater.” Kanoni said. She blew on the flame, enlarging it so the perimeter around them grew bigger.
“What’s that?” Kyle asked, watching the fire cagily.
“Well, I can make animals and stuff come out of the flame and make them move. Nothing really compared to what my father can do.”
“Can you show me?” Kyle asked suddenly interested in the flame.
“I guess it would be okay in here. The walls look wet so they won’t be engulfed.” Kanoni threw the matchstick up in the air and just before it landed in her hand she caught it between her two fingers and blew on it sending up a tail of fire into the air. As it elongated a horse’s head appeared through the flames, a deep blue, and whinnied. Kyle covered his ears.
“It looks so real.” Kyle said softly, enchanted by the floating horse. It galloped once around the hallway and vanished in a pile of ashes that fell from the air.
“Ta-Da.” Kanoni said bowing as she began walking again.
“That was so cool!” Kyle yelled running after her. At the end of the hall was a door with a dim light shinning beneath it.
“Hold on.” Kanoni said throwing her arm up so that Kyle ran right into it and stopped. “I think someone’s in there.”
There was a low crackling sound that Kanoni’s matchstick made as they got closer to the door, only it seemed to be louder in the hesitant silence. Kanoni put her hand on the door handle and turned it slightly. It was unlocked. As she pulled her hand away from the door handle there was a strange liquid substance that came with her. It was all over her hand and as she lowered the flame on the matchstick closer Kyle had to look away.
“Blood…” Kanoni said as she whipped it on her shorts. Kyle looked up at her, frowning. “What?”
“I’m scared…” Kyle said. Kanoni reached down blindly and held Kyle’s hand tightly.
She held the door handle again and opened the door slowly. The room was mostly dark except for the dim light that they saw creeping out from under the door. The light was coming from a small kerosene lamp. There was a body lying next to it whimpering.
“Who is it?” Kyle asked shrinking behind Kanoni as they got closer.
Kanoni laid a hand on Latios’s shaking body. Kyle went to go sit in the corner where the lamp stood and watched as Kanoni flipped Latios onto his back. A thick blood was leaking from his right arm. Kanoni looked around for something to wrap Latios’s arm in. She tore away a piece of cloth from a nearby pillow and wrapped it around Latios’s arm. Kyle got up and moved towards them.
“Who’s that?” Latios asked, suddenly awake. Kanoni’s heart skipped a beat and Kyle’s shoulders went up as he looked at Latios forebodingly.
“That’s Kyle… Kyle this is Latios.” Latios snarled at him. Kyle glared at him.
“Stop it. What happened to your arm?” Kanoni said sitting up.
“I don’t remember… I was feeding and-”
“You’re the vampire?” Kyle shouted his eyes wide. Latios tried to sit up, but collapsed again.
“Yes, I’m the vampire. Are you that surprised?” Latios said with a raised eyebrow. Kyle hid behind Kanoni.
“You killed his parents?” Kanoni said unbelievingly. Latios looked somewhat embarrassed.
“Look, you of all people should-” there was a loud crash from outside the door.
“Kyle turn the lamp off, and stay still-” Latios said urgently. Kyle turned the lamp off and crouched in the corner again. Kanoni went over to the corner and held Kyle while Latios remain lying on the pile of blankets.
(STILL READING? YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!)
9:18 PM
Year 6000
Tarn village
The man walked slow and broodingly through the church. He knocked over pews and small coffee tables. He wore a hooded cloak that hid most of his face and boots that could kick a lion far across a field in one blow. This was a man on a mission to kill.
He had come this far and hadn’t caught one sight of the target.
As he walked in more to the middle of the church he noticed that the patch of weeds had been disturbed by trampling feet. He walked through the matted plants and to the other side of the church where he saw boot prints clearly marked on the wood. It was a woman’s and a child’s.
This is going to be easy, the man thought walking into the hallway that leaded to a door at the end of it.
9:18 PM
Year 6000
Tarn village
Della was walking stiffly back down the pathway to the chapel. Her long dark brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail with purple red ribbon she always wore around her neck. The red blood mark on her cheek was still there. Her dagger was drawn yet her breathing was slow and relaxed.
She treaded through the cattails and other weeds that formed the boundary around the swamp. She walked into the chapel and looked around for Kanoni and Kyle, but it was empty. As she searched for them she found Kanoni’s bag and threw is over her shoulder with her bag as well.
The moon was now brighter than ever as it hung in the sky like a large eye watching Della as she walked through the dark abandoned chapel. There was something wrong though, and Della could feel it in her stomach as she walked to the back of the church. There was a stampede of footprints on the wooden floor. She could recognize Kanoni’s and Kyle’s, but the footprints left over were those of a giant.
Della limped through the hallway behind it. She took out her phone to light her way, and vaguely at the end of the hall was a door with a large man standing in front of it with his back facing her.
10:12 PM
Year 6000
The Craccian Empire
Lucas sat in King Lockhart’s throne with a precocious mind. Throwing the king in the Prison was the best move, on his part, he had ever made…according to him.
Outside was a frenzy of rioting villagers. Their tempers had been breached and they wanted the real king back. Lucas’s guards moved towards the riot with their guns held high, aiming at the angry uprising. It was late and Lucas was getting irritated by the sudden disturbance.
“Just kill them, all of them!” Lucas ordered. The guards aimed their artillery and just as the first shot sounded off, a bolt of lightning struck a tree engulfing it in flames, instantly. The sudden downpour made the Craccians stronger, those who had the native power of water and ice.
“Kill them!” Lucas ordered again, only now he sounded like a stereotype of a teenage girl; scared, alone, and squealing.
10:18 PM
Year 6000
Tarn Village
“I’m scared what if Della never gets back?” Kyle whispered. Kanoni listened for a moment and then spoke.
“Hey Latios…”
“Hmmm?” Latios said, somewhat dreamily, but bored.
“I was just wondering if you could possibly remember eating Della at one point.”
“No. But if she comes back can you guys not tell her about me being a vampire?”
“Sure,”
“Whatever.”
There was a deafening crash from beyond the door that they all feared would open, but it never did. Kyle whimpered like a sodden puppy and curled into a tighter ball on Kanoni’s lap. The knob churned slightly and the door cracked open.
10:18 PM
Year 6000
Tarn Village
Della had been standing behind her hiding place for an hour, urging the man silently to leave. Although her first method didn’t work, and hadn’t worked for an hour, her second plot was brilliant.
She charged forward, ramming the man into the door. He was out in one hit. When Della leaned over to see the man’s face he was making loud guttural sounds from his throat, but Della instantly knew who the man was.
“Durst!” Della shouted kneeling down next to the unconscious man. The door next to them opened and Kanoni and Kyle walked into the hallway.
“Della your back.” Kyle said running over to her and throwing himself into Della’s open arms. Kanoni stooped down next to them and quietly watched Durst sputter.
“You must have got em’ good.” Kanoni said eyeing him. Kyle reached into his pocket and handed Della a bottle.
“What’s this?” Della asked, ignoring Kanoni’s remark about Durst’s beating.
“It’s this stuff my mom used to give me. It healed my bruises and scars and the pain that came with them.” Kyle said shrugging. Della opened Durst mouth wider than it already was and poured some of the thick liquid into it. Kyle and Kanoni made disgusted faces.
“Where’s Latios?” Della said looking into the room expectantly.
“He’s in there.” Kanoni said motioning with a nod of her head to the dark room behind them.
“Is he okay?”
“Yeah he’s okay; but are you okay?” Kanoni said worriedly, looked at the blood stains on Della’s cheek and arms.
“Yeah I’m fine.” Della handed Kyle his bottle back and he tucked safely into his jacket.
“We thought you were-”
“Hey do you guys know where Latios is?” Della said abruptly.
“Yeah.” Kyle said sullenly. Kanoni sighed and quietly stood up.
“He’s in here.” Kanoni said walking into the dark room. She ran into Latios who had appeared mysteriously from the amiss of the room.
“Sorry.” She mumbled and walked over to Della’s side. Kyle stood next to them as well.
“What?” Latios hissed.
“Are you okay?” Della asked pointing at Latios’s arm. Latios shied away and sneered.
“Yes.” He growled. Della looked taken aback for a moment, but then she looked away in worriment. Durst suddenly began to awaken and propped himself on his elbows.
“Della, Lucas is taking over the Empire.” Durst said through clenched teeth.
“Lay down.” Della ordered pushing Durst to the floor briskly. “We just need to figure something out.”
“What?” Kanoni asked, confused.
“There’s a vampire out here and I don’t want my brother going out where he can get hurt more.”
“Excuse me, but you’re the one who totaled him in the first place.” Latios said smirking.
“Just leave me alone!” Della shouted. Kyle was frowning.
“Why are you always so uptight?” Latios retorted.
“Because you’re here.”
“I can leave.” Latios said pushing past them towards the front of the chapel.
“Go ahead. Those blood suckers are better than you!” Latios whipped around in a menacing glare at Della.
“Say that again and I’ll kill you.”
“Why are you so defensive; your girlfriend isn’t one is she? Because if she is I feel sorry for her, especially if she’s stuck with you!”
Latios had pinned Della down to the floor in an instant. As she squirmed Kyle stepped out from behind Kanoni.
“Just stop it. You’re fighting like idiots.” Kyle said, exasperated. Latios got off of Della and yanked her up. She stumbled and caught hold of his shirt. Della blushed and held her hands against her sides.
“Yeah you guys. Della you’re probably just hungry, I’ve never seen you like this before.” Kanoni said. Durst scrambled up and leaned against the wall.
“Lets get out of here.” Durst said limping past all of them to the main church room. Kyle and Kanoni followed, right behind him.
“Do you know?” Latios asked suddenly. Della looked up at him.
“Do I know what?” Della looked into Latios’s eyes for a moment, trying to find something. Something to reveal him, but instead she got lost in his dark amber eyes.
“Nothing.” Latios said breaking away and walked after the rest of the group.
“No, what were you going to say?” Della asked in a hushed tone as she walked next to him.
“I said never mind.” Latios hissed. Della sighed and took the ribbon out of her hair so that it flowed flawlessly against her back and tied the ribbon back around her neck.
“I brought your motorcycle Latios along with mine. I just hitched to the back of mine.”
“Where are we headed in the first place?” Durst asked groggily.
“Della wants to go to Alvarna to see her mom.” Kanoni said cockily. Kyle walked over to Della and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“I just need to pay my respects and we can go home.” Della said walking past everyone with Kyle holding her hand.
“That’s not what you wanted when I got to you.” Kanoni said, eyebrow raised.
“Well you said she isn’t there so it’s over. Besides I’m not going to act out like that. It would start a war.”
“You wouldn’t win anyways.” Latios mumbled. Della looked back at him for a minute and kept walking.
“You’re not going to get far so I’ll drive you guys.” Latios said adding quickly.
“I thought you were going to leave.” Della said heatedly.
“I changed my mind. Do you want my help or not?” Della paused for a moment.
“Fine.” She said stopping by the open doors of the church.
“I can only take one two more passengers.” Latios said looking at the large group.
“Obviously Della’s going so who else wants a ride that way?” There was a long break and then Kanoni spoke.
“I think you should take Kyle. He doesn’t… well you know. He needs someone to watch him.”
“Are you sure?” Della said thoughtfully. Kanoni nodded.
“I’ll take her home.” Durst said smiling.
“Thanks, but no thanks. You can’t even walk in a straight line.” Kanoni said cagily.
“You can drive then.” Durst mused. Kanoni smiled and nodded approvingly.
“Alright lets role. It’s getting past my bedtime.” Kanoni took the keys Durst had twirling around his finger and led the way out. The rest of the group followed. A large motorcycle parked next to the chapel glistened in the moonlight.
“Are you sure you can drive her?” Durst asked.
“Course I can.” Kanoni said hopping on. Durst did the same and Kanoni started the engine. The vehicle sputtered to life with a loud bang of smoke. Della and Kyle began coughing.
Kanoni started off fishtailing and then up righted herself and sped off in the other direction to Craccia.
“You ready?” Latios asked. He took his helmet and placed it on Kyle’s head.
“I can’t see.” Kyle said slapping his hands all over it. Latios and Della smiled at the large helmet that bobbled on Kyle’s shoulders. Della hoisted herself on and Latios picked Kyle up and placed him in front of her and got on in front of them.
“Are you okay back there?” Latios yelled over the motor. It quickly diminished to a soft purr.
“Yeah.” Kyle said cheerfully. Della wrapped her arms around Kyle and Latios’s waist and Latios sped to the other direction of Kanoni and Durst towards Alvarna.
Kyle began to fall asleep a few minutes down the trail and Della shortly after him. Kyle rested head on Latios’s back as well as Della. Latios stared ahead with a hard determined face through the night, just as it began raining again.
(YOU DESERVE ANOTHER COOKIE!)
11:46 Pm
Year 6000
Rashio
“How are you feeling Raphael?” Arianna asked. Raphael was lying in the corner with a thermometer tucked in his mouth. He grumbled.
“I’ll be right back.” she said in a syrupy voice and slipped out of the man’s room. She walked down the hall a bit and into a dark room with vast space. There was blood splattered all over the walls. A bed was placed at the back of the room and on it was a guitar. Arianna walked over to it and sat on the bed fingering the guitar. Her fingers reached up to a necklace wrapped around the neck of the guitar and she yanked it off.
“Gotcha’.” She hissed. She quickly shoved the necklace into her pocket and sneered when someone passed the open door. They didn’t notice her and kept walking down the hallway. Arianna slipped back into the corridors and into Raphael’s room.
“I’m back.” She said taking the thermometer out of his mouth. “Looks like you’ve got a fever.”
9:25 AM
Year 6000
Alvarna
“Are you okay?” Della’s eyes flickered opened and widened as she stared at a dark face. She quickly sat up. She was sitting on a chewed up couch. The room was mildewed and the walls were bare except for the occasional stain.
“Are you okay?” The dark face was that of a man’s. He stared intently at Della through his thick glasses.
“What?” Della mumbled.
“I said, are you okay?” The man said slowly. Della nodded and got up.
“Where am I?”
“Alvarna.” Della looked around.
“Where are-”
“Your friends are outside.” Della looked out the one window on the side of the room. It was raining hard.
“But it’s raining out.” Della said walking over to the window. “I have to go get them.” Della said placing a hand on the windowsill.
“Don’t touch that!” Della pulled her hand away and looked at the small man.
“You shouldn’t go out in this weather.” The man said looking over to the window, staring blankly.
“But I need to go.” Della said walking over to the kitchen. The man quickly blocked her only exit out the front door.
“What are you doing?” The man asked, his eyes shimmered, almost electronically.
“I have to-” The man held out his hand and Della began gasping for air.
“Please, I have to-”
“No. you will stay right here.” The man said releasing his hand. Della sucked in as much air as she could get. The man quickly transformed into a broad but skinny woman. She mainly muscle with dark flowing hair. Her eyes glowered a deep purple and her fists charged with some sort of power. The woman took a step closer.
“Kyle.” Della whispered, intending it to be a yell. “Latios!” Della shouted finding her voice. Neither of them came. The woman was closing in on her. She could feel the life being sucked out of her.
“Della!” Della looked around. The ground was shaking. The voice had come out of nowhere.
“Della.” Latios murmured, shaking her gently. Della sat straight up in the bed she was on shaking with cold sweat.
“Della, are you okay?” Latios asked.
“Don’t say that.” Della said wincing.
“Well are you?” Latios asked softly. Della looked up at him.
“Yeah.”
“Was it a bad dream?”
“Yeah.” Della said taking in a deep breath.
“I get those a lot.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. What was yours about?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Della said looking away.
“It wasn’t about me was it?”
“No- why?”
“Well you were calling my name a lot.” Della flushed red. And looked away again.
“No it wasn’t.”
“Hey are we friends?” Latios asked abruptly. Della looked up at him.
“I guess, but one thing. Friends tell each other everything, so I want to know something…”
“What.”
“Were you the vampire at the swamp?” everything was quiet and then Latios spoke.
“Yes.”
“You didn’t try to eat me though.” Della said leaning back on her arms.
“I just suck blood, and I knew it was you. So…”
“Will you go vampire again tonight?”
“No, only on Wednesdays.” Della got up and walked across the room to a window.
“Where did we stop?” She asked looking out at the rain.
“We’re in Alvarna. I have a friend here and he’s gonna let us crash here for a few nights.” Latios said watching Della walk around the room.
“Where’s Kyle.” Della asked tilting her head at a crooked picture.
“He’s outside with my friend.”
“What’s your friend’s name?”
“Carlos.”
“Latios, did you really know Athia?” Della asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
TO BE CONTINUED...
(CONGRADULATIONS YOU"VE JUST READ THE WHOLE SEGMENT I"VE POSTED! HERE"S ANOTHER COOKIE!!)
