Young Writers Society

Jasmine

What was this - tag-team interrogation or something? Turning to face the newcomer, I scowled as I recognised the man to be the King. "Didn't you hear me just now? I'm not telling you anything that could let you hurt my family again. So don't bother trying to drag information out of me because I have no intention of telling you anything about my life."

He tilted his head slightly, quirking an eyebrow upwards. "I've hurt your family before? Now, why would you say something like that?" He crouched down to look at me closer, an expression of amused interest on his features. "Come, now you've told me that, you need to finish. Tell me what you meant."

"I've told you and your friend already. I don't care how many times you ask, you're not going to find out anything about me that could hurt the people I care about ever again."

The King let out a small sigh, shaking his head wearily and glancing up to stare at me again with an expression that seemed a mixture of pity and disappointment. "It's a shame you are so beautiful. I would hate to have to ruin such a pretty face if you continually refuse to co-operate." With that, he stood up to full height again, looking down the corridor and gesturing to someone out of my line of vision. He turned back to me, offering one last regretful sigh before speaking. "I really don't have time for this now. But the Captain will be keeping on watch on you for now... I'm believe you've already met?"

His sarcasm was met with yet another scowl from me, and he offered one last polite smile before walking off the way he'd came.

Masakka

Cold air wafted by my face as the King brushed past me. "Go babysit the prisoner," he ordered curtly.
"What--? Sire, I am Captain of the Guard," I said angrily.
The King stopped and turned to face me. "That wasn't a suggestion, Captain."
I clenched my jaw. "Yes, Majesty."
"Good," he said quietly, and walked away.
I ripped the cord from my hair and ran my hands through it. I was Captain of the Guard, not the Guard. Why was it my task to look after the little witch?
I sighed. If the King wanted me to watch her, then I would. But not gladly.
I hate that little cur, I told myself as I put my shoulder to the door.
Then why was I suddenly nervous?

Jasmine

A silence descended on the cellblock again, and I shuffled across the floor to lean my weight against the wall, doing my best to ignore the Captain as he stood outside, occasionally pacing a few steps backwards and forwards in boredom.

I fingered the collar around my neck idly, trying to work out a way to release it, but found nothing except a small hole - a keyhole? - and a faint line where the hinge could be. The Captain watched me for a moment, then stepped forward, a frown visible on his face. "There's no point trying to get it off, witch."

I looked up to glower at him, but dropped my hands anyway. "Whatever, pretty boy. You probably have no idea what it's like to be cut off from your element like this, completely powerless." Falling into silence for a moment, I internally backtracked over my words. "Pretty Boy?" Had I really just called him that? I looked upwards again for a moment before pretending to return my attentions to the collar as I continued to think. Well. It was true, there was no denying that. He was ... handsome. I slapped myself internally for that thought, a frown manifesting itself on my face. It didn't change anything.

I glanced up at him again, an irritated tone to my voice. "Stop calling me witch. It's not like every other woman in this kingdom isn't a sorceress too, so stop acting like I'm the first one you've seen." I hesitated for a moment, then spoke, a hint of curiosity in my voice. "What element are you, anyway? Earth? Or..." I tilted my head, trying to look for the clues that usually gave away people's elements without even needing to see them in action.

Masakka

Pretty boy? I took immediate offense. My father used to call me a smoothfaced milking girl. Why did this little witch remind me of him so much? I hated her more than ever.
And what business was it of hers what power I had? I didn't have any powers, but I decided to keep her guessing.
"Why, my lady," I said smoothly. "I wouldn't want to frighten you by telling. I wouldn't want to damage your little rebel mind as well as your face."
Confusion and fear crossed her face. "What's this about damaging my face?"
I knelt down in front of the bars and stared into her deep eyes. "Do you really think we're going to let you get away with not telling the King what he wants to know?" I slid my finger down her smooth cheekbone. It was meant to be intimidating, but suddenly I wanted to hold her face in my hands and stare into her eyes forever.
I jerked my hand back. "We have ugly instruments down here, cur," I snapped. "Don't take your comfort for granted." I stood up and turned my back on her.

Jasmine

"Don't take my comfort for granted? What comfort?" I looked around my damp cell, raising my arms to gesture around it. "The last time I checked, I was stuck in a dingy cell, talking to you. I'm not feeling particularly comfortable, to put it lightly."

He spun around to face me again, an infuriated expression on his face. "You think this is the worst we can do to you? This is luxury compared to what will face you if you don't-"

"If I hear one more person telling me to 'co-operate' with you, I'll-" My attempt to interrupt him was cut off sharply by him speaking over me, drowning out his words.

"You'll what? You're powerless, remember?" I shivered slightly as he touched the band around my neck tauntingly, hand lingering before he pulled away as if he'd been burnt. My eyes wary, I shuffled backwards, sitting just out of his reach, my mind flicking back to memories of the last guard to lay his hand on my neck. This man ... I had no clue if he was any different.

I shook my head, tearing my thoughts away from that memory, then met the Captain's gaze again. "I don't care what you do to me. I'm not doing a single thing that man orders me to do."

Masakka Dan

I saw her flinch away from my hand, a sudden fear darting into her eyes. Sudden regret flashed through my mind. I hated for her to fear me.
No, wait. That was the point, for her to fear me. I clenched my jaw and turned away. "I'm glad to see you fear me." I turned back around and flashed a smile. "That will be useful."
Anger and more fear came into her eyes. "You can't hurt me, Captain. I may have a collar around my neck, but I can fight you. You're weak. You're a dirty little horse-lover and you'll never amount to anything past your own self-esteem."
Quicker than a snake, I thrust my hand through the bars and pinned her against the far wall, my hand clenched around her neck. "You will never call me that again," I snarled through my teeth. "You will never quote my father to me again."
I could feel her pulse thudding under my palm and knew that my harsh grip was bruising her neck. Her eyes blazed into mine and her breath came quick and shallow.
Shame rose in my mind. I swore never to hurt a woman again... I released my grip and dropped my hand.

Jasmine

I felt myself choking under his grip and pulled at his wrists as he held me against the wall. As he finally let me go, hand withdrawing from around my neck, I crumpled to my knees, my breathing laboured and painful as I rubbed my neck in an attempt to soothe it. Once my breathing had reached a more normal pace, I chanced a glance upwards to where the captain was standing, about two feet away from the bars, a guilty expression on his face.

I hesitated for a moment more, then pushed myself to my feet unsteadily, resting myself against the bars for a few seconds, then reached out as fast as I could to grab the captain and haul him forwards with all of my strength, smashing his weight into the bars before he could react. A satisfied smirk making it's way onto my face, I quickly withdrew before he could catch his breath, and I stood just out of his reach and watched as he rubbed his jaw in pain, muttering a muted 'ow' under his breath.

"Don't try that again," I scowled, then furrowed my brow in confusion. "Why didn't you use your powers? You must be earth or metal, you could have easily defended yourself against that. So..." I broke off, my expression becoming more bewildered by the second.

King Morgan Darkrai

What Masakka didn't know was I knew many hidden passages in the castle. I watched the attack go down with my hand over my mouth to muffle my chuckles. It was some entertainment I hardly get these days. I was greatly amused by the action the sorceress did. Obviously she was unaware that Masakka wasn't a sorceror at all. I took my leave so I wouldn't get caught in the act. I murmured to myself, "Well, Morgan. You just love to watch a girl hit a man, don't you? You always did like to watch from a hiding place."
The guards bowed as I passed to the stairs for my bedchamber. Knowing Kali, she was no doubt waiting for me to come and talk with her. She just admired my skills in Dark sorcery, but didn't know I was still a Water sorceror just the same. My mother was a Water sorceress, one of the most excellent healers in all of Aradia. I myself was a healer by practice until my parents were murdered, therefore shattering the family I had and destroying my happiness. All I had left of my family was Meredith, my beloved sister. Where are you, my little sister, I thought sadly. Where have you gone since I left for training? I thought we were family. Why didn't you wait like I asked you to? I told you I would come back home, but when I did you weren't there to welcome me home. Tears ran down my face. I missed Meredith like the protective brother I was.

Kali
King Morgan's bedchamber

I heard footsteps and detected the smell of tears. Master was thinking of his sister again, I knew that easily. For the last seven years I've been with him, Master was always emotional when he thinks of his sister. I sighed and shrunk three times my original size. As a spirit only Master could see and control, I had some powers of my own that I use from time to time. I laid down on the bed and waited for Master to come so we could talk freely.
Master entered the chamber and shut the door behind him. When I looked at him, I felt uneasy. His face, despite being drenched in tears, looked sick. His footing was becoming unsteady. He fell on his front side, but didn't get up.
I got off the bed and put my head on his back. He had a steady heartbeat, but he didn't move a muscle. I started to panic. I flew out the window and yelled, Pellentesque! I need help! My Master's on the floor of his bedchamber, but he's not moving!

Pellentesque

I responded to Kali's request as I normally would staring into her eyes I simply said you owe me one and flew of to find my chosen ally Fenezari. I flew with as much speed as I could to reach Fenezari and did not hesitate to give him the new. Morgan is laying upon his bedchamber and will not move Kali has requested our help I advise we move fast.
He gazed at me dumbfounded briefly before moving and grabbing me in his hand, " Pellentesque my wings won't get us there fast enough you know what we must do."
He firmly grabbed me in his hand and thrust me into his torso combining us as one we would know longer need words to truly communicate. We unfurled our wing frames of ice and filled them with fire. We flew off the tower not even sparring a glance at the frightened faces of our fellow castle dwellers. I briefly considered how demonic we must look as we flew to help our fallen king. We landed on the balcony and saw the fallen king I looked at Kali and used Fenezari's body to nod at her in acknowledgement.

Fenezari Thaertus

Looking through our combined eyes I saw Kali for the first time but had no time to admire her. I quickly put away our wings and focused all of Pellentesque and I's healing power prepared for the worst. I kneeled down next to my friends inanimate corpse and began to feel his entire body trying to detect any illness before finding the source. Pellentesque you feel it as well don't you his heart is broken he has killed his wife, he was also thinking about his sister. I'm surprised she was a member of the resistance as well my friend we must help him.
I reached deep into my powers and filled his body with what ever energy I could give and lifted him up and carried him to his bed. I gently placed him in his bed and whispered in his ear, " my dear friend please don't let your past, or what you have done today, consume you. If you had not ended the queens life she would would have ended yours, and your sister do not concern your self you shall find her one day. I love you my dear friend please do not let this world consume you."
I gently kissed his cheek, brushed his hair away from his face, and tucked him into his bed. Pellentesque and I looked towards Kali and stared deep into her eyes before speaking at the same time, "please contact us if his condition turns for the worst."
As I turned to leave my friend's bedchamber I heard Kali's voice, Thank you I now understand why Pelentesque is with you and why you are my masters dearest friend.
A smile crossed my lips as I stood on the ledge of the balcony and I turned to her speaking as myself at first then with Pellentesque's voice with mine, " thank you I am honored. But, it is my duty as a member of the Crown to serve the king, and my duty as a friend to serve Morgan. I leaped from the balcony returning to my tower knowing that I would not sleep. As I entered my tower I grabbed my favorite quill, a star chart, and my favorite telescope. I prepared to set to work on charting the stars when suddenly I felt a great disruption in the cosmos a comet was soon to fall into the Earth's path. I gazed up at sky and watched as the star fell soon to land into the sun. I mused about these things and worried about Morgan as I charted the stars on this clear night.

I couldn't quite understand why Veronica's ring caught my attention. I guessed it was ancient, but it was so beautiful. It looked dangerously beautiful. She said it was lent by her mother. A part of me thought that it wasn't likely the kind of gift a mother would give her daughter. My own mother, would never give me a bizarre ring like that.

I told her I was worried about my powers. She said I should just relax. But how could I relax, when everything in my life right now was totally pathetic and hopeless? I felt like I lost my purpose to strengthen my powers. I wanted to ask Veronica if what I was experiencing was normal and if there were others with the same age who still had problems with their powers. But I hesitated and thought about what she just said- maybe I just needed to just try to calm my nerves.

I continued to find Masakka. I was pretty sure he knew where my parents were, since Mom and Dad were helping out in guarding castle grounds and in coordinating with the battle against the Resistance these days. I hadn't seen my parents in a day or two. I needed them now. One of the guards told me Masakka was ordered to guard the Palace cells. Cool. I suddenly felt excitement because maybe, I could get the chance to see the captive. I wondered what members of the Resistance looked like. I had never seen one before.

I entered the Palace cells. It had been a long time since I went there. The last time I'd been there was when I played hide and seek with my sorcerer friends during childhood. As I walked in the cells, I wasn't so impressed by the place. It was so dark and eerie. Though I was a sorceress, I still preferred light rooms. I heard a bang and there was Masakka, lying on the ground rubbing his jaw.

"Captain! Are you alright?" I quickly went to help him get his feet back on the ground.

"Crawford, what are you doing here?" Masakka complained.

A few feet from us, stood a girl who I immediately thought was the captive. She was bracing herself, ready to defend for another attack. If not for the expression on her face, I would think she was younger than me for her pretty looks. But the rage and the fire in her eyes made me conclude that this girl knew better than me. She was a skilled Fire Sorceress, it was so easy to say.

Kali

I looked at my Master, feeling very uneasy. To those who would've come, Master looked like he's sleeping. As a king, he mustn't be disturbed when he's asleep. I shrunk three times my true size and laid on my Master's chest, listening to the steady beat of his broken heart. It wasn't the first time I heard his heart like this. Before he ever knew me, I was his guardian since he was a tyke of four years. His family was poor and barely kept him and his sister fed. All my Master ever did as chores were fetching water and clean dishes. Water was fetched every night since he was eight, but he never slept in his bed at that age. I often snuck in the house to bring the tyke to his bed and tuck him in before leaving. When he become a man of one and twenty years, he was forced to watch his parents die before getting hurt himself. I had to rescue him by killing the marauders myself with my flame. I watched him grow strong in Dark sorcery and decided to reveal myself to him when he was seven and twenty years old. I was strong enough to help him surpass the old king, therefore giving him his title.
He stirred and groaned, "Kali? Are you there?"
I raised my head and said, Yes, Master. I'm here. You fell and I had to bring your old friend for help. You had me worried.
Master stroked my spinal scales and said, "My Kali, always the motherly kind of dragoness."
I dozed off with my Master, knowing he was alright.

Masakka Dan

"Masakka, are you alright?"
I stared at the person who had just entered as I rubbed my jaw. "Yes...I'm fine. What are you doing here?"
"I'd like to find my parents," she said, nervously rubbing her hands together. "I thought you would know and I heard you were guarding the...prisoner." Her eyes darted to Jasmine, who leaned against the bars and gave her version of a friendly smile. It looked like an adder's smirk. She looked back at me and said, "Do you know where they are?"
I considered. I had last seen her parents outside the castle, barking orders to the soldiers about heightening the security. "Last I saw, they were involved with the ground squad. You might ask the Lieutenant if he's seen them."
"Um, sure," she said, stepping back a few steps. "You two have fun."
She turned and left, shoving her way through the heavy iron door. Jasmine snorted. "Yes, Captain, let's have some more fun. Come a little closer and I'll see what I can do with your pristine nose."
I sighed. "I'm sorry, Jasmine. I shouldn't have hurt you. I didn't mean to."
Jasmine's eyes flared with anger, and she lifted her hair off her neck. I caught a glimpse of a dark bruise, the shape of my hand, darkly imprinted on her white skin.
"You didn't mean to do that?" she said. "Oh, I can understand that very well. I didn't mean to nearly break your cheekbone. Admit it, Captain. I hate the air you breathe, you hate the ground I walk. Let's not try to play nicely."
Her words were true. But my stomach still twisted when I glanced again at the black bruise that I had given her.

King Morgan Darkrai
Age: 21

Mother and Dad were taking me to see the Aradian castle for the first time in my life. Meredith was making supper for us to eat when we come back. I was just giddy inside as my parents led me to the castle. Mother patted my hands and my father patted my shoulders. I asked, "Is this where the king lives?"
Mother answered, "Yes, Morgan. This is where the strongest of all sorcerors in Aradia lives until old age or murder. Someday, either you or your sister will be the one sitting on that throne."
I almost choked on my tears of joy. I said softly, "This is the best birthday I ever had."
My parents hugged me and we were about a few paces from home when we were ambushed.
I fought using my water magic, but the mauraders overtook me and tied me to a tree nearby. I struggled to free myself and fight so I could protect my parents, but one maurader pointed a knife at my throat and threatened to do me harm if I tried to escape. I watched my parents get their throats slit and their heads chopped off. I knew I was next, despite my obedience. I begged the maurders to spare me, but they ignored every plea.
A pitch-black tail swung at the maurders and a dark flame consumed all but me. A dragon used its teeth to free me from the tree. I heard a voice say in my head, Don't be afraid. I will never hurt you. I never tried to.
I asked the dragon, "Why can I see you?"
The dragon answered, I'm a spirit-dragoness. Only you can see me and talk to me. Soon, there will be a time when I must serve you and call you Master. For now, you must go home.
I ran home as fast as my legs could carry me, then broke the sad news to Meredith. The latter cried in my arms. I cried myself. Meredith and I became orphans.

The present time...

I stirred more and woke to see Kali still dozing on my chest. I decided to talk with my old friend. I called in a messenger and demanded that Fenezari must come to my bedchamber. After the messenger left, I put Kali on a pillow so I could sit up for conversation. I wanted to know what information Fenezari could give me about Them. Their whereabouts and everything. I planned to attack Them from the inside, but question is how to get inside without compromising myself? I had not the slightest inkling about that.

Fenezari Thaertus
Age: 7

I sat across from my uncle in a field on the castle grounds waiting for him to say something. Growing increasingly impatient I decided to talk with Pellentesque, the spirit of a flying fox bat that had saved my life, who was currantly sitting on my shoulder.How much longer do you think he'll make us sit here.
I felt Pellentesque shift slightly but before he could respond my uncle spoke, " I see that you and Pellentesque have progressed to being able to simply communicate using thoughts." I looked at my uncle shocked that he could see Pellentesque. Pellentesque didn't respond at all to my uncle's ability to see him. " I've known about him all along as well as your friends spirit dragoness, though I believe she would be more shocked by that then Pellentesque was.
I briefly stared at him before responding, " Uncle I don't understand, how can you see Pellentesque? I thought only I could see him."
He laughed at me before responding, "in most cases that is true and I'm positive that you can't see Noctuae, but I'm not like most people I have developed a greater sensitivity to the realm of these spirit creatures. I took you to this field because many roam here as they did in the living life. I want you to combine with Pellentesque."
I looked at Pellentesque then back to him confused, " combine uncle how do you intend I do that?"
He gave me the most blunt instructions I'd ever heard, " grab Pellentesque focus hard on what you desire and thrust him into your chest. Focus on your desire to see all the spirits in this field."
I looked at Pellentesque and he gave me a determined nod. I grabbed him firmly and thrust his spirit form into my body suddenly I could feel my eyes change and looked around seeing for the first time Noctuae, my uncle's spirit owl. I suddenly felt extremely tired and Pellentesque and I separated. Breathing heavily I looked at my uncle, " that was amazing and you see this all the time?"
I Uncle once again let out a peel of laughter, " yes dear nephew I can but you and Pellentesque can do so much more I'll be helping you learn to use your power as a sorcerer so I have recruited someone else to help you master using Pellentesque.
Leopold come here." A young boy at least six years older ran up to my uncle. " Fenezari this is your cousin Leopold he shares my gift for seeing spirits he will help you master combining with Pellentesque until you no longer grow weary from combining with him."
I looked at him and we greeted each other with a hug another family member in the castle I began to feel as though I belonged.

Present

I had left my tower heading to Morgans room with all haste looking towards the fields that my cousin meditated in and helped tend I thought back to my hours spent training with him until we were truly great warriors. Leopold was a wind sorcerer and his spirit animal was truly fitting Ventus the falcon. I used a spell that he and I had learned to use regardless of the element we controlled. I walked up to the wall right below Morgan's bedchamber looking up at his balcony. The technique we had mastered also helped with flying, I focused my fire into the right positions and rocketed up grabbing the ledge of the balcony and entering Morgan's bedchamber.
Looking at Morgan I strolled over next to his bed and looked at him, " Messengers old friend, you're losing your enjoyment of a good time I took a seat next to his bed. I'm glad to see you at least had the energy to send for me though. Tell me friend how are you?"

King Morgan Darkrai

I answered, "A little off my game, but I'll live."
Kali murmured in her sleep, The falcon and his Master are here.
I looked and saw Leopold. He was seven years younger than myself, but what Kali said gave me an idea. A falcon's eyes are sharp enough to detect any movement from the sky. I held Kali in my arms and said, "Fenezari, I need you to tell me what you know. Where is the Resistance?"
Fenezari shrugged and said, "It's like they're playing a cruel game of hide-and-seek. I got no time for hide-and-seek. Pellentesque's starting to lose his mind for all this."
I eyed Leopold and beckoned him to me. After he took a seat at my bedside, I began to unravel my plan. "I need one of you to serve as my spy. I want to know where the Resistance is hiding, what is their plan of attack, and who is their leader. If the Masked Leader has an animal spirit, then your own has to be hidden during this mission. It might be a dangerous job, but I put my faith in your hands that you would be successful. Who will be my eyes and ears in the Resistance?"
Leopold said, "I'll do it, sire. Fenezari means more to you than I do."


Kali

I waved at Ventus. The falcon perched himself on another chair next to his Master. I got out of my Master's arms and joined the falcon on the chair. I said, Evening, Ventus. It's been years since you and I have last met.
Ventus said, "Evening yourself, Kali. It has been years. You've shrunk yourself three times smaller. Who taught you that?"
I said happily, I've taught myself how to do that. It's one of my own tricks that I developed throughout the centuries as a spirit. For one as old as me, tricks can be a little hard to come by these days.
Pellentesque came to the chair and said, "You still owe me for getting Fenezari when Morgan fell, Kali."
I snorted, Don't tell me twice, Firebat. When that day comes, we'll be even. I stretched my wings and rattled my scales. Besides, it's not like I'm going to lose my mind if my Master chooses another spirit over me.
Ventus reminded me, "You're always losing your mind when your sorceror gets tired of the likes of you, Kali. Besides, the other sorcerors before this one never named you after you've revealed yourself to him. This sorceror might be a keeper for the first time."
I looked at my Master and recalled the event that happened. After I brought Pellentsque and his Master to help mine, I was worried like a mother. Pellentsque's Master gave my own Master a gentle kiss on the cheek before tucking him into bed. After that, the boys left to give my Master privacy for some rest. I hardly had any friends, save for my own Master. To lose him would mean losing my heart. I returned to my Master's side and laid there on his lap.