Kari
What seemed like days, but only a few hours passed by. The air was less musty, signaling that we were a little bit closer to the end of the forest. A cooler wind blew by, and I knew there must be a small lake somewhere close. Still dragging Alex along by his hand, I was yanked to stop. I looked back with a confused stare. He was perfectly still, faced one direction, peering through the trees. He didn't say anything for about 10 minutes, but I just stood there waiting, looking at the undergrowth with a bored gaze.
"Do you feel that?" He finally asked. "From that direction." He said, pointing towards the direction that I had indicated the lake was in. I threw my senses toward it, and opened my eyes in shock at the time energy that seemed to clog up my mind. I shook my head to clear it, and Alex took off towards it, excitement in his eyes.
What does he think he's doing!?!? I thought, running after him. Doesn't he know what he's facing?!?! We reached the lake, and he looked back at me, grinning. It was small, but peaceful looking. Green trees stretched in an expanse around it, and small shores of sand were at it's rim. But this was only it's physical form. I could barely stop from collapsing as I first got the feel of the feed of dark energy that was radiating from the lake. Alex motioned with his hands for me to stay there, and I did so, but rolled my eyes. He winked, crouching at the very edge of the lake. Slowly he poked the green-blue surface.One small ripple appeared, and then silence. It seemed like the whole forest was void of noise. But I could feel the blast of magic that came from Alex, pressing on the walls of my mind. Then the atmosphere turned to it's opposite. With a splashing war, the water seemed to rush out of the lake and into the air, and over a dozen Strays were revealed. Alex opened his eyes, which were now pitch black. The Strays, finally noticing, flashed forward with a storm of dark matter and water. He continued on grinning, disappearing, reappearing in a nearby tree, looking more different then ever as dark magic shrouded him, and he leaped off the tree and into the air, a the darkness shooting off him like a hailstorm of bullets, driving a few of the Strays away. And I thought he was powerful before.... wow....
I wasn't going to sit there and do nothing, though, so I ran forward and shot waves of energy. They hit the Strays head on, blasting some backward, but the force blasted me backward, against a tree, reopening old wounds.
Lucky it's a black shirt so the blood won't mess it up.... Was somehow my only thought as I opened my eyes, dizzy, to see Alex crouching by me, his eyes no longer black.
He grinned. "Was that fun or what? They're all gone now." Alex said. "No, you and I both could've gotten killed!" I growled, standing up and using the shell of the tree for support. Alex already pulled me away from the tree, and his hands moving underneath my arms and to my back, and the tingly warmth that spread through me let me know he was healing me. I still had to resist the urge to punch him in the face, though.
You didn't have to do it that way.... I thought, but forgot about it. He moved away, letting go. "Better?" "Yeah, sure, whatever." I grumbled. "Let's get out of here, and never, ever, do that again." I said, and once again dragged him along by his hand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sun had long set by the time we were closer to the edge of the forest. "Stupid head." I muttered, looking at Alex, on the ground. "I'd break that spell if I could..." I trailed off. Speaking of spells... what's happening to me? I thought. I keep feeling like I'm me one second, and then someone else later. After hours of thinking about it, I finally did something. Out of pure curiosity, I walked over to the closest stream, crouching by it and peering into it. Looking into the moonlit stream, I jumped in surprise at the reflection that wasn't mine. That girl again! What was wrong with my head?!? I backed up, my back hitting a tree, and all was black.
Alexis
All used to be fuzzy the past few days, but then it suddenly got clear. I was able to feel again, feeling detached from Kari. I seemed to walk out of Kari's living body, looking at my hands in astonishment. "How... did I get out...." I wondered aloud, and looked back as there was a half-transparent hand gripping mine. I pulled Kari's spirit from her body, and she looked at me, confused.
"What's going on?"
Kari
I narrowed my eyes at the girl, confused in suspicious. Did she pull my spirit from my body? I looked at her again.
"You seem familiar." I said. The girl rolled her eyes. "Of course I do. I'm Alexis." Alexis said, and my eyes widened in shock, I took a few steps back.
"Alexis?! The one who's been missing?" I asked. "Yes." she said. A part of Alex... I thought. Then I felt this strange emotion, a longing. The spell must not work on my spirit, only when I'm in my body....
"Where have you been?" I asked warily. "Attached to you in here." She said, pointing to my head, and for a moment she looked exactly like Alex, grinning and everything.
"What-" "I prefer to look like myself, thanks much." Alexis said. "Not a girl and stuff. It gets awkward. I don't know how Sandra and Alexandra stand it. Even though they are me." The other Alex muttered. "And I like to be called just Alex." the other Alex said, leaning up against a tree, crossing his arms. "But don't tell me that." He said, looking at Alex's body. "And you don't know where the others are, so you can't tell them, anyways. When I'm not whole, I can't remember everything that happens when I split apart. I at least know that." other Alex said. "And certainly not what goes down in this part." He said, pointing to his head. "Wow... I look dead." He said. "You do too." he said, looking at my still body that was sprawled out next to an old tree. Whoa.... I do... I thought.
"But why would you do this?" I asked, snapping out of my thoughts. "It's not like your gaining anything.... for yourself, anyway." I told him.
"Oh, but I am." he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. But it soon vanished into seriousness. "It's a long, and complicated story that I can't tell you about." He said, and then changed the subject.
"But c'mon, let's go." He said, holding out his hand expectantly. "Go where?" I asked, confused. "On a 'spirit journey.'" He said, winking as we whisked off into the forest.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Chapter Seven- The Seventh Thing That Became Apparent
Kari
Leaving Alex's body slumped up against a tree, I went to a nearby pond to wash off all the black blood that a run down my arms and shoulders. I glanced back at Alex, rolling my eyes at him.
I'm going to have a chat with him about how useful he is. Not at all. I thought grumpily. I rubbed water down my arms moodily, knowing I could use magic, but my powers were almost depleted. I looked at my reflection, and my eyes widened.
The reflection was not my own, but someone else's. Shorter, darker hair covered my reflection's head, and the green-blue eyes that stared back at me were all too familiar. They looked exactly like Alex's.
Al
The orb of energy from the Stray invaded my mind, and whatever sense of sight I had shut off. I felt darkness enter me, and then my mind was filled with images. A castle. Being surrounded by guards and other strays. A king sitting upon his throne. More images filed through my brain, and I lost track of time. Minutes... hours....Yeah, you get the point.
King Waru is looking for me.. looking for Alex... but how come I didn't know this? I thought it became unveiled. Then the realization hit me.
It must be hidden somewhere, maybe wherever Alexis could be! I thought, and woke up, the darkness shedding off me.
Lee was looking at me, confused. "So... passing out for about a second... not fatal?" was the first thing he said. "No, your Leeness, I'm still here." I said, getting up and brushing off.
"So, obviously you saw what I saw." I said. Lee shugged. "Yeah, and I bet the others did too." He said. "But it was sped up for some reason... I only got the gist of it." He added, just as Adrian came up, his arms crossed.
"It must be because when your unconscious, time can travel a lot slower or faster in your mind. Ah Duh." He said, rolling his eyes. I sighed.
"Well, all the more reason to find Alexis. And we know the location of this Kingdom...."
Kari
Suddenly, arms locked around my waist and I was pulled backward from the image, almost like snapping out of a daze.
"Calm down." Alex said, his arms still wrapped around me. I realized I was trembling from the recent vision, but that soon ceased. Thoughts flared in my mind to shoot a few curses at him like last time, but if I learned one thing, there was no arguing with him.
"Okay." I huffed. "Good." he said, "Now, tell me what happened." he said gently, resting his chin on the top of my head. I sighed.
"Strays followed me when I was trying to get back, so I had to fight them off and got us here." I said evenly. "Thank you, that's all I needed to know." he said, letting me go. I automatically turned around, my mood going from calm to burning hot.
"Don't DO that!" I yelled at him, not caring that the noise echoed through the forest. "What is wrong with you? You think life is boring! Well DEAL with it! I swear,-" Alex tried to cut me off, with a serious expression, his eyes darting around. "Kari, I think-" But I was on a roll. "you are just a useless waste of space! I've lost my cover because of you, my life-" "Kari would you listen for just a second-" "everything! Just because you have to be guarded because of that stupid spell. That's it-" "Listen, we have to-" "I don't think I can do this anymore-" This time I was really cut off, and it took a second to realize why. Alex was kissing me.
Time seemed to over-exaggerate, stretching it out for eternity. Before I could even move, he broke off, grabbing my hand and pulling me behind a tree. I just stared at him, speechless.
"Finally. The only way I could get you to stop. If you'd listen to me, you would've known you attracted Strays, headed right in our direction." he said softly. I still couldn't speak, but he flicked his hand in the air a few times, and I know it was a barrier hide us from the strays. I stayed silent the whole time, thinking over things. When about an hour passed, finally Alex seemed to take off the barrier.
I looked at my hand, realizing it was still holding his. Somehow that was when it hit me, and the anger that I felt dissolved into sadness, and all of it crashed down on me.
I won't see any of my family or friends again... I'll be wanted for execution..... I felt alone, but after a while I realized I was sobbing in Alex's arms.
Alex
I looked down at Kari, who had fallen asleep, still hugging me. Safe. I thought. I won't let any harm come to you. I added in my head.
We have to get out of this forest, even if the Strays didn't see us, they viewed Kari as an enemy, and are smart enough to look here when Kari used to tell them not too.
The spell must be wearing off even more, whatever hard shell it formed around her mind, in reality it made her even more vulnerable emotionally.
I glanced at her again and then sighed. I feel horrible, for taking that spell off her if this was going to happen. She'd still would have had things to go back to, if I had just wiped her memory of finding me. I thought. But it's so hard to let go....
She looks peaceful for once. I don't want to wake her up. I thought.. Sorcerers don't usually sleep or eat, for they could just maintain the energy flow if they were able. But driving away three strays had taken it's toll on Kari. I rubbed her shoulder. "Kari, we have to get out of the forest, wake up." I said gently. She opened her eyes.
"What?" She said, confused. I got up, helping her up. "What happened?" She asked, looking dazed. "The Strays found us, we have to get out of the forest." I told her. Kari blinked in realization, and then color flooded her cheeks.
"Well, we need to get moving, then." she said, and tugged at my hand, practically dragging me through the forest. I smiled at her in amusement.
"Speak about it, and I will kill you." She growled, and we got further away from her home...
Leaving Alex's body slumped up against a tree, I went to a nearby pond to wash off all the black blood that a run down my arms and shoulders. I glanced back at Alex, rolling my eyes at him.
I'm going to have a chat with him about how useful he is. Not at all. I thought grumpily. I rubbed water down my arms moodily, knowing I could use magic, but my powers were almost depleted. I looked at my reflection, and my eyes widened.
The reflection was not my own, but someone else's. Shorter, darker hair covered my reflection's head, and the green-blue eyes that stared back at me were all too familiar. They looked exactly like Alex's.
Al
The orb of energy from the Stray invaded my mind, and whatever sense of sight I had shut off. I felt darkness enter me, and then my mind was filled with images. A castle. Being surrounded by guards and other strays. A king sitting upon his throne. More images filed through my brain, and I lost track of time. Minutes... hours....Yeah, you get the point.
King Waru is looking for me.. looking for Alex... but how come I didn't know this? I thought it became unveiled. Then the realization hit me.
It must be hidden somewhere, maybe wherever Alexis could be! I thought, and woke up, the darkness shedding off me.
Lee was looking at me, confused. "So... passing out for about a second... not fatal?" was the first thing he said. "No, your Leeness, I'm still here." I said, getting up and brushing off.
"So, obviously you saw what I saw." I said. Lee shugged. "Yeah, and I bet the others did too." He said. "But it was sped up for some reason... I only got the gist of it." He added, just as Adrian came up, his arms crossed.
"It must be because when your unconscious, time can travel a lot slower or faster in your mind. Ah Duh." He said, rolling his eyes. I sighed.
"Well, all the more reason to find Alexis. And we know the location of this Kingdom...."
Kari
Suddenly, arms locked around my waist and I was pulled backward from the image, almost like snapping out of a daze.
"Calm down." Alex said, his arms still wrapped around me. I realized I was trembling from the recent vision, but that soon ceased. Thoughts flared in my mind to shoot a few curses at him like last time, but if I learned one thing, there was no arguing with him.
"Okay." I huffed. "Good." he said, "Now, tell me what happened." he said gently, resting his chin on the top of my head. I sighed.
"Strays followed me when I was trying to get back, so I had to fight them off and got us here." I said evenly. "Thank you, that's all I needed to know." he said, letting me go. I automatically turned around, my mood going from calm to burning hot.
"Don't DO that!" I yelled at him, not caring that the noise echoed through the forest. "What is wrong with you? You think life is boring! Well DEAL with it! I swear,-" Alex tried to cut me off, with a serious expression, his eyes darting around. "Kari, I think-" But I was on a roll. "you are just a useless waste of space! I've lost my cover because of you, my life-" "Kari would you listen for just a second-" "everything! Just because you have to be guarded because of that stupid spell. That's it-" "Listen, we have to-" "I don't think I can do this anymore-" This time I was really cut off, and it took a second to realize why. Alex was kissing me.
Time seemed to over-exaggerate, stretching it out for eternity. Before I could even move, he broke off, grabbing my hand and pulling me behind a tree. I just stared at him, speechless.
"Finally. The only way I could get you to stop. If you'd listen to me, you would've known you attracted Strays, headed right in our direction." he said softly. I still couldn't speak, but he flicked his hand in the air a few times, and I know it was a barrier hide us from the strays. I stayed silent the whole time, thinking over things. When about an hour passed, finally Alex seemed to take off the barrier.
I looked at my hand, realizing it was still holding his. Somehow that was when it hit me, and the anger that I felt dissolved into sadness, and all of it crashed down on me.
I won't see any of my family or friends again... I'll be wanted for execution..... I felt alone, but after a while I realized I was sobbing in Alex's arms.
Alex
I looked down at Kari, who had fallen asleep, still hugging me. Safe. I thought. I won't let any harm come to you. I added in my head.
We have to get out of this forest, even if the Strays didn't see us, they viewed Kari as an enemy, and are smart enough to look here when Kari used to tell them not too.
The spell must be wearing off even more, whatever hard shell it formed around her mind, in reality it made her even more vulnerable emotionally.
I glanced at her again and then sighed. I feel horrible, for taking that spell off her if this was going to happen. She'd still would have had things to go back to, if I had just wiped her memory of finding me. I thought. But it's so hard to let go....
She looks peaceful for once. I don't want to wake her up. I thought.. Sorcerers don't usually sleep or eat, for they could just maintain the energy flow if they were able. But driving away three strays had taken it's toll on Kari. I rubbed her shoulder. "Kari, we have to get out of the forest, wake up." I said gently. She opened her eyes.
"What?" She said, confused. I got up, helping her up. "What happened?" She asked, looking dazed. "The Strays found us, we have to get out of the forest." I told her. Kari blinked in realization, and then color flooded her cheeks.
"Well, we need to get moving, then." she said, and tugged at my hand, practically dragging me through the forest. I smiled at her in amusement.
"Speak about it, and I will kill you." She growled, and we got further away from her home...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Chapter Six: The Sixth Confrontation
(just so you know to prevent confusion I changed Alex's name. The one that's missing, not the real one. Her name's going to be Alexis from now on.)
Kari
I walked into the castle glancing at the Strays and guards that followed me with an annoyed look on my face. After reaching a certain corridor, they halted. So did I.
"Right this way, miss." One of the guards said, and I retaliated. "I know where it is!" I hissed, and the guard narrowed his eyes but said nothing. I knew they were following me, not because I would get lost, but because Waru ordered them too. The fact that one their best hunters has been taking this long should be suspicious enough, and if there REALLY was a spell that Waru had put on me, as Alex said, then I knew Waru would know that the spell is half-broken. Or that Alex could be controlling me, right now, and I'm not knowing it. Maybe that's why Waru's keeping an eye on me.... I thought worriedly. As I turned through an archway, I glanced at all the fancy paintings that I grew up seeing everyday, it definitely screamed rich. You see, here's another thing that needs explaining. Right now, we are on Earth, but not the Human's Earth. The Sorcerer's Earth. Back in the day when they could roam freely and the humans knew about magic and allied with it. King Waru of course, was magical himself. Alex had told me of the future, about this New York that Lee loved so much, and how he hung out in different time periods when he'd escape inside his mind at night. Now, you may be thinking, how have we kept ourselves well hidden? Are we there all along? Alex told me that around 5-6 centuries from now, the Sorcerers would come together from all of the world to create a thin veil of magic between them and the sorcerers, where the magical world exists on a different dimensional plain with no humans, but still Earth. Snapping out of my thoughts, I realized I had made my way to my father. He was in a room not as grand as the throne room, but this was designed for the summoning and training of Strays.
He stood at the far end of the room, looking directly at me with stormy grey eyes matched mine. Long black hair, as like mine as well, except his was streaked with grey from age. He looked at me with no emotion. Not cruelty or coldness, but just... blank. He was usually like this, my father, who spent more time around my brother. I wasn't jealous, because this meant more time to sneak out and guard Alex. My younger brother Roi reminded the Royal Tracker of his late wife, whom I cared nothing about. And vice versa. That sorceress was horrible, even for my mother. She was cold-hearted. Now I see where I got that from.
"Kari." My father's voice echoed around the room, and bowed down my head in respect. "Father. I have come back to report to you on my search for the Sorcerer Alex. We believe he is in the city as we speak, for we have tracked him there. Time is all it takes to check the sorcerers of the city." I said formally. The Stray Trainer nodded in understanding.
"I see. Have you sensed any magical barriers?" He asked, and I shook my head. "We are keeping an eye out, though. Trying to search for cloaks that would fool the townsfolk." he said.
"What about the forest?" He asked. "The magical tracks from Alex are stale." I lied, knowing that Alex visits the forest daily, and I always tell the Strays to go look in the city while I check on the forest to cover up for the wanted sorcerer. My Father narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything along the lines of finding me out. Waru would, but on occasion the Royal Tracker would turn a blind eye to his only daughter in these circumstances. "Alright. Continue your hunt." he waved me off, and the guards escorted me to the side door of the palace
Walking out, I made sure to walk slowly at first. As soon as I got up the first hill and out of sight of the palace, I gasped.
The sun was lower than I expected. I'm never going to reach Alex in time before he gets to the dark room!
The reason it takes so long is because I go on foot, instead of using magic. Strays would surely follow me if I used a big amount. But I needed to risk it. I sprung up and soared through the air, reaching the temple in an hour, just as the dying rays of the sun were vanishing. I crashed into the building, walking up to where I had left Alex. To my horror, he was already out in the dark room. And it wouldn't have mattered for me for the fact that I had sensed a presence. Then followed by two more. And they were steadily headed toward where we were.
I risked it, and this is what I get... I grumbled in my head. "Alex, wake up!" I hissed at him, but he wouldn't budge. So it was up to me. I just didn't feel like getting messy today, but whatever. I charged out into the open and met the three looming shadows head-on, not being able to look at them.
The air around my hands darkened as I pulled the shadows from the air into a concentrated area. I shot them at the Strays, again and again. I could only take on two at one time, barely, so I couldn't do anything as the third stray was attacking me, filling my head with dark images and cuts running down my back. I charged on, and somehow ceased my attack, and ran past them. I looked down at my hands, as they charged up to meet me, I was ready. I held up my hands as it blasted pitch darkness at them, and I seemed to scream.
"GO!" I yelled, and the Strays, looking half faded, fled, most likely to return. And even more likely, with more.
It's a good thing they can't speak and tell my father or King Waru about this, or he'd have my head. I thought, dashing inside the temple.
.I have to get Alex's body out of here, since the Strays will be back. I said, and ran over to his body, grabbing him out of the chair and dragging him across the floor, with him floating a few inches above it with the help whatever magic I had left. What a bother. I thought, and ran across the fields and into the forest, dragging his body behind me.
Lee
Before anyone could tell me how impossible that was, I was able to think of more reasons behind it. "Hear me out, guys. A Stray is more of a spiritual creature than a physical creature, right?" I said. "Well, we're not physical at all. If we could capture the consciousness of one, then we could link into it's memories and see what's happened to Alexis." I said, and then grinned at myself for the turn-around. The others seemed to be thinking it over, even Sandra.
"Sounds good to me." Al said, and the others nodded. "There's more the father back we go... so how about the 14th century since they'll be more abundant." he said. It was a snap decision. We all knew what the other was planning, so it took us only a few seconds to figure out a plan. We went through to time, surprisingly no Strays were waiting for us in the in-between. We landed on the outskirts of a random village, and my eyes widened in surprise.There were Strays EVERYWHERE. Walking among the people like guards. Some seemed to be cornering a few people, but other then that it was like no one noticed them. From what I experienced, Strays normally hung around unpopulated areas.
"Grab the nearest one without it causing a commotion." I whispered to myself, even though there was no need to whisper, it seemed like a habit. It's not like anyone saw us, anyways. It's like we were Strays as well. But the Strays seemed to see us. A few were already heading towards us, and we ran the opposite to draw them out from the village and in to the nearby forest. They seemed to take the bait as Sandra, Ecks, and Adrian all went after the three other Strays to fight them away. Al and I circled the last one and concentrated on it's spiritual energy and was that it was crumbling to dust, but a glowing orb remained, which flew directly into Al as if he were flesh and blood.
Kari
I walked into the castle glancing at the Strays and guards that followed me with an annoyed look on my face. After reaching a certain corridor, they halted. So did I.
"Right this way, miss." One of the guards said, and I retaliated. "I know where it is!" I hissed, and the guard narrowed his eyes but said nothing. I knew they were following me, not because I would get lost, but because Waru ordered them too. The fact that one their best hunters has been taking this long should be suspicious enough, and if there REALLY was a spell that Waru had put on me, as Alex said, then I knew Waru would know that the spell is half-broken. Or that Alex could be controlling me, right now, and I'm not knowing it. Maybe that's why Waru's keeping an eye on me.... I thought worriedly. As I turned through an archway, I glanced at all the fancy paintings that I grew up seeing everyday, it definitely screamed rich. You see, here's another thing that needs explaining. Right now, we are on Earth, but not the Human's Earth. The Sorcerer's Earth. Back in the day when they could roam freely and the humans knew about magic and allied with it. King Waru of course, was magical himself. Alex had told me of the future, about this New York that Lee loved so much, and how he hung out in different time periods when he'd escape inside his mind at night. Now, you may be thinking, how have we kept ourselves well hidden? Are we there all along? Alex told me that around 5-6 centuries from now, the Sorcerers would come together from all of the world to create a thin veil of magic between them and the sorcerers, where the magical world exists on a different dimensional plain with no humans, but still Earth. Snapping out of my thoughts, I realized I had made my way to my father. He was in a room not as grand as the throne room, but this was designed for the summoning and training of Strays.
He stood at the far end of the room, looking directly at me with stormy grey eyes matched mine. Long black hair, as like mine as well, except his was streaked with grey from age. He looked at me with no emotion. Not cruelty or coldness, but just... blank. He was usually like this, my father, who spent more time around my brother. I wasn't jealous, because this meant more time to sneak out and guard Alex. My younger brother Roi reminded the Royal Tracker of his late wife, whom I cared nothing about. And vice versa. That sorceress was horrible, even for my mother. She was cold-hearted. Now I see where I got that from.
"Kari." My father's voice echoed around the room, and bowed down my head in respect. "Father. I have come back to report to you on my search for the Sorcerer Alex. We believe he is in the city as we speak, for we have tracked him there. Time is all it takes to check the sorcerers of the city." I said formally. The Stray Trainer nodded in understanding.
"I see. Have you sensed any magical barriers?" He asked, and I shook my head. "We are keeping an eye out, though. Trying to search for cloaks that would fool the townsfolk." he said.
"What about the forest?" He asked. "The magical tracks from Alex are stale." I lied, knowing that Alex visits the forest daily, and I always tell the Strays to go look in the city while I check on the forest to cover up for the wanted sorcerer. My Father narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything along the lines of finding me out. Waru would, but on occasion the Royal Tracker would turn a blind eye to his only daughter in these circumstances. "Alright. Continue your hunt." he waved me off, and the guards escorted me to the side door of the palace
Walking out, I made sure to walk slowly at first. As soon as I got up the first hill and out of sight of the palace, I gasped.
The sun was lower than I expected. I'm never going to reach Alex in time before he gets to the dark room!
The reason it takes so long is because I go on foot, instead of using magic. Strays would surely follow me if I used a big amount. But I needed to risk it. I sprung up and soared through the air, reaching the temple in an hour, just as the dying rays of the sun were vanishing. I crashed into the building, walking up to where I had left Alex. To my horror, he was already out in the dark room. And it wouldn't have mattered for me for the fact that I had sensed a presence. Then followed by two more. And they were steadily headed toward where we were.
I risked it, and this is what I get... I grumbled in my head. "Alex, wake up!" I hissed at him, but he wouldn't budge. So it was up to me. I just didn't feel like getting messy today, but whatever. I charged out into the open and met the three looming shadows head-on, not being able to look at them.
The air around my hands darkened as I pulled the shadows from the air into a concentrated area. I shot them at the Strays, again and again. I could only take on two at one time, barely, so I couldn't do anything as the third stray was attacking me, filling my head with dark images and cuts running down my back. I charged on, and somehow ceased my attack, and ran past them. I looked down at my hands, as they charged up to meet me, I was ready. I held up my hands as it blasted pitch darkness at them, and I seemed to scream.
"GO!" I yelled, and the Strays, looking half faded, fled, most likely to return. And even more likely, with more.
It's a good thing they can't speak and tell my father or King Waru about this, or he'd have my head. I thought, dashing inside the temple.
.I have to get Alex's body out of here, since the Strays will be back. I said, and ran over to his body, grabbing him out of the chair and dragging him across the floor, with him floating a few inches above it with the help whatever magic I had left. What a bother. I thought, and ran across the fields and into the forest, dragging his body behind me.
Lee
Before anyone could tell me how impossible that was, I was able to think of more reasons behind it. "Hear me out, guys. A Stray is more of a spiritual creature than a physical creature, right?" I said. "Well, we're not physical at all. If we could capture the consciousness of one, then we could link into it's memories and see what's happened to Alexis." I said, and then grinned at myself for the turn-around. The others seemed to be thinking it over, even Sandra.
"Sounds good to me." Al said, and the others nodded. "There's more the father back we go... so how about the 14th century since they'll be more abundant." he said. It was a snap decision. We all knew what the other was planning, so it took us only a few seconds to figure out a plan. We went through to time, surprisingly no Strays were waiting for us in the in-between. We landed on the outskirts of a random village, and my eyes widened in surprise.There were Strays EVERYWHERE. Walking among the people like guards. Some seemed to be cornering a few people, but other then that it was like no one noticed them. From what I experienced, Strays normally hung around unpopulated areas.
"Grab the nearest one without it causing a commotion." I whispered to myself, even though there was no need to whisper, it seemed like a habit. It's not like anyone saw us, anyways. It's like we were Strays as well. But the Strays seemed to see us. A few were already heading towards us, and we ran the opposite to draw them out from the village and in to the nearby forest. They seemed to take the bait as Sandra, Ecks, and Adrian all went after the three other Strays to fight them away. Al and I circled the last one and concentrated on it's spiritual energy and was that it was crumbling to dust, but a glowing orb remained, which flew directly into Al as if he were flesh and blood.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Chapter Five: The Fifth Flashback
Kari
I was a blur as I ran down the fields and over the hills that lead to King Waru's Castle. Of course, there was a quicker way to get there, through the city, but I really didn't feel like having a run in with any Strays. They seemed to trail after me more often over since the hunt for the powerful Sorcerer named Alex began. I suspected it was was my father's work, the Royal Tracker. He was, as well, the King's close friend and trusted ally. For me, I'm recognized s a fine huntress for tracking down other sources of magic that the King would add to his "collection." I thought back to that day I actually met Alex, a few months ago....
I had been chasing Alex through the forests of the kingdom, the strays had fallen behind, not being able to catch up to my magic-enhanced speed. It was up to me now, and I was ready. I proceeded to cut Alex off towards the southern edge of the forest, and realized I must have succeeded. Or so I thought. Alex seemed to appear out of no where, grinning and panting at the same time.
"Hi, there!" he said. "That was great!" he exclaimed. "You're definitely a challenge." he said, his breath catching up to him. I glared at him in outrage.
"You think this is a GAME!?!?" I growled. He casually leaned against a nearby tree, hands in his pockets. Looking at him more closely, I noticed that his clothes seemed so different from the inhabitants of Waru's kingdom.
Not letting Alex answer, I went straight on on. "I am instructed to turn you in, straight to King Waru." I threatened. He just smiled at me.
"Now, I know you won't do that." he said. "You're too nice." Nice?!?! NICE?!?! the thoughts of outrage screamed in my head, and I was surprised Alex couldn't hear them.
I seemed to cool off, quickly going over things in my head. If he was just biding time, let him. I thought.
"Waru doesn't need you alive, either! I can just kill you and bring your body straight to him!" I yelled, but then yelped in undisguised surprise. Alex, no longer leaning on the nearby tree, had his arms wrapped around me in a tight hug. I seemed to go in a state of shock, and after a few seconds a thought finally registered in my mind. Does this fool even value his life?! I tried to yell a few cursed at him, to get him off me so I could restrain him, but air just puffed out of my mouth instead of words. Alex had put a spell on me! A powerful one at that. But that was the last thought I thought at that moment because I gave way to the dizzying blackness that crashed down on my mind.
Not knowing how long it had been, I was finally able to think and open my eyes, checking my surroundings. I seemed to be in the same spot that I was standing in before, only laid upon the ground.
"That was a lot of influence that ol' Waru had on you, but luckily I was able to lift it. Half-way, at least." Alex's voice came from that same tree he was leaning on before, yet now he was sitting under it. I got up instantly, but didn't seem to find anything threatening or aggressive to say to Alex for putting that spell on me. But then I seemed to speak one word.
"Inflence?" I asked. "Yes, a strong but not very affective spell, you probably didn't even notice it." Alex replied. "You'll have a much nicer mind without it." he said with another grin..
"You.... you hugged me." I said, somehow with no disgust in my voice even though I tried to layer it heavily. Alex didn't seem to be phased.
"Yeah, you'll get used to it." Alex said, and winked.
He seemed to convince me to help his so easily. He could've put me under a spell of some sort, back those months ago casting a spell on me instead making up a story of breaking one that somehow Waru had cast on me. I shook my head from the crystal-clear memory that played in my head, realizing I was standing on the last hill to the castle, and from the feeling of my face I could tell it went red. And with that, I proceeded to the castle, guards and Strays now watching my every move....
Alex
I sat in the temple, not saying a word, as I waited for Kari to come back. "I know she thinks that I am mind-controlling her-" I chuckled at the thought of me doing something like that. "-but in reality, she just has a good heart." I said to myself. "It's so strange, we both seem to talk to ourselves. Sometimes, I seem to talk to seven others." I said, chuckling again. "It hurts me to see her almost torturing herself just because...." I trailed off. There was no end unspoken to that sentence either, because I didn't not know it. I eyed the shackles laid on the floor.
"I will never know, but only guess what her intentions are."
"So let me escape you, waking world,
I have grown tired of endless worry.
Send me into an unending sleep,
Those who live short must hurry."
I said the poem aloud, almost involuntarily. I didn't remember where it came from, but I liked it. It reminded myself of, well, me. Being tired of the world and escaping it. Did that make me a coward? I didn't know. Even if I could put a stop to the spell, without Lexus, I would certainly die
I was a blur as I ran down the fields and over the hills that lead to King Waru's Castle. Of course, there was a quicker way to get there, through the city, but I really didn't feel like having a run in with any Strays. They seemed to trail after me more often over since the hunt for the powerful Sorcerer named Alex began. I suspected it was was my father's work, the Royal Tracker. He was, as well, the King's close friend and trusted ally. For me, I'm recognized s a fine huntress for tracking down other sources of magic that the King would add to his "collection." I thought back to that day I actually met Alex, a few months ago....
I had been chasing Alex through the forests of the kingdom, the strays had fallen behind, not being able to catch up to my magic-enhanced speed. It was up to me now, and I was ready. I proceeded to cut Alex off towards the southern edge of the forest, and realized I must have succeeded. Or so I thought. Alex seemed to appear out of no where, grinning and panting at the same time.
"Hi, there!" he said. "That was great!" he exclaimed. "You're definitely a challenge." he said, his breath catching up to him. I glared at him in outrage.
"You think this is a GAME!?!?" I growled. He casually leaned against a nearby tree, hands in his pockets. Looking at him more closely, I noticed that his clothes seemed so different from the inhabitants of Waru's kingdom.
Not letting Alex answer, I went straight on on. "I am instructed to turn you in, straight to King Waru." I threatened. He just smiled at me.
"Now, I know you won't do that." he said. "You're too nice." Nice?!?! NICE?!?! the thoughts of outrage screamed in my head, and I was surprised Alex couldn't hear them.
I seemed to cool off, quickly going over things in my head. If he was just biding time, let him. I thought.
"Waru doesn't need you alive, either! I can just kill you and bring your body straight to him!" I yelled, but then yelped in undisguised surprise. Alex, no longer leaning on the nearby tree, had his arms wrapped around me in a tight hug. I seemed to go in a state of shock, and after a few seconds a thought finally registered in my mind. Does this fool even value his life?! I tried to yell a few cursed at him, to get him off me so I could restrain him, but air just puffed out of my mouth instead of words. Alex had put a spell on me! A powerful one at that. But that was the last thought I thought at that moment because I gave way to the dizzying blackness that crashed down on my mind.
Not knowing how long it had been, I was finally able to think and open my eyes, checking my surroundings. I seemed to be in the same spot that I was standing in before, only laid upon the ground.
"That was a lot of influence that ol' Waru had on you, but luckily I was able to lift it. Half-way, at least." Alex's voice came from that same tree he was leaning on before, yet now he was sitting under it. I got up instantly, but didn't seem to find anything threatening or aggressive to say to Alex for putting that spell on me. But then I seemed to speak one word.
"Inflence?" I asked. "Yes, a strong but not very affective spell, you probably didn't even notice it." Alex replied. "You'll have a much nicer mind without it." he said with another grin..
"You.... you hugged me." I said, somehow with no disgust in my voice even though I tried to layer it heavily. Alex didn't seem to be phased.
"Yeah, you'll get used to it." Alex said, and winked.
He seemed to convince me to help his so easily. He could've put me under a spell of some sort, back those months ago casting a spell on me instead making up a story of breaking one that somehow Waru had cast on me. I shook my head from the crystal-clear memory that played in my head, realizing I was standing on the last hill to the castle, and from the feeling of my face I could tell it went red. And with that, I proceeded to the castle, guards and Strays now watching my every move....
Alex
I sat in the temple, not saying a word, as I waited for Kari to come back. "I know she thinks that I am mind-controlling her-" I chuckled at the thought of me doing something like that. "-but in reality, she just has a good heart." I said to myself. "It's so strange, we both seem to talk to ourselves. Sometimes, I seem to talk to seven others." I said, chuckling again. "It hurts me to see her almost torturing herself just because...." I trailed off. There was no end unspoken to that sentence either, because I didn't not know it. I eyed the shackles laid on the floor.
"I will never know, but only guess what her intentions are."
"So let me escape you, waking world,
I have grown tired of endless worry.
Send me into an unending sleep,
Those who live short must hurry."
I said the poem aloud, almost involuntarily. I didn't remember where it came from, but I liked it. It reminded myself of, well, me. Being tired of the world and escaping it. Did that make me a coward? I didn't know. Even if I could put a stop to the spell, without Lexus, I would certainly die
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Chapter Four: The Fourth Rule Broken
Kari
I woke up, realizing where I was and more importantly, who I was.I looked down at my hands, shackled and bruised.
"Oh Alex.... you knew I could get out of them any time, but yet somehow I'm still here, still waiting." I said, standing up. I looked at the dusty old temple. Then my eyes widened in shock. It was daylight! I glanced at the body of Alex, he was slumped in a chair, looking completely dead.
"What's wrong with you? Your supposed to be out of the dark room by the time the sun rises!" I said, mostly talking to myself.
"Why did you take that risk, splitting your conscience into seven parts? No sorcerer has done that before..." I muttered, again, to myself. "And why me, the one who despises you? I'm supposed to be your enemy, the one who's supposed to hunt you down for your 'immense' power, yet here I am? Why? Worrying about you...." I growled angrily, stalking back in forth in front of Alex's body, my chains jangling behind me. "Maybe you lost a part of your soul, and that is why you can't get back...." I mulled it over. I thought of what it would be like, to lose a part of my soul, a part of myself..... and I shuddered.
"I helped you escape from the Strays one time because I felt SORRY for you, it doesn't mean I'm your friend!" I growled at him. "Look at me, talking to myself because I stay here, chained up at night." I said. "Willingly....." I seemed in a daze, and it was either the blood rushing to my cheeks or coming out of my wrists, but I sat on the ground suddenly. Wear a skirt, father says. Yeah, I would've tripped over it by now..."How does he keep asking me to do this... every time he just wants to loose himself in his head, take a big risk of strays both in his head and out.... why should I take this risk?!?!?" I said. I struggled to get the shackles off.
"Your right. You are taking a big risk." Said a voice from behind and I turned around. Alex, looking gaunt and tired but alive, was looking at her sadly. "You don't have to wear those shackles, you know, you won't leave."
"Yes, I do!" I retorted, and Alex rolled his green-blue eyes, grinning at me. "No, you insisted to wear those, after I convinced you to keep watch. 'I might try to run away.' you told me. 'I'm a completely different person at night.' you said." Alex told me, winking. "But hey, I am too. I'm a lifeless body at night." he said jokingly.
"It shouldn't be amusing to you. It's almost tearing you apart." I shot back. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. But this worlds no fun. In my split state, I can travel anywhere in time, since I'm not really there so it doesn't change anything! Wouldn't that be cool, to see years into the future, and years into the past? Yeah, there are some downs to it, considering the fact that some of my pieces are girls..."
"You can be... girlish sometimes." I said, and he shot a glare at me, and I looked away. "Yeah, maybe." Alex said. "But I could hear what you were saying, though. You don't have to stay, Kari."
"Yes, I do!" I retorted, and Alex rolled his green-blue eyes, grinning at me. "No, you insisted to wear those, after I convinced you to keep watch. 'I might try to run away.' you told me. 'I'm a completely different person at night.' you said." Alex told me, winking. "But hey, I am too. I'm a lifeless body at night." he said jokingly.
"It shouldn't be amusing to you. It's almost tearing you apart." I shot back. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. But this worlds no fun. In my split state, I can travel anywhere in time, since I'm not really there so it doesn't change anything! Wouldn't that be cool, to see years into the future, and years into the past? Yeah, there are some downs to it, considering the fact that some of my pieces are girls..."
"You can be... girlish sometimes." I said, and he shot a glare at me, and I looked away. "Yeah, maybe." Alex said. "But I could hear what you were saying, though. You don't have to stay, Kari."
When I didn't say anything, he spoke up again. "I did have a part of me missing. What you see is only six. Lexus is missing." He said.
"What happened?!?" I automatically said, standing up. "That's the thing, I can't remember. But I could probably still see her if she's not apart of me, but the thing is, she could be in any time period." He tried to stand up as well, but looked like he was about to fall over, so I caught him. "Surprisingly, your not heavy." I said with narrowed eyes, and he just smiled at me. Leading him over to a pillar for support, I started ranting. "You're in no condition to go anywhere! Only being six sevenths of you isn't enough!" He just continued smiling at me. "Look at you, worrying about me." He looked at my wrists, and the shackles were gone. "Still here, then?" I looked at my feet and sighed. "I should get back..." I said. "If it's best." Alex said, looking nonchalant.
"Why so reluctant, though?" he asked. Casting me a worried look, he reached for my hand..... and I flinched away.
"No. I can't...." I said. "I'll meet you before nightfall, Alex." I said in a neutral voice, and walked out of the temple. "Too long to wait...."
"Why so reluctant, though?" he asked. Casting me a worried look, he reached for my hand..... and I flinched away.
"No. I can't...." I said. "I'll meet you before nightfall, Alex." I said in a neutral voice, and walked out of the temple. "Too long to wait...."
Alex
I watched as Kari left, feeling disappointed. No. I can't.... I shut my eyes, trying to stop the words from bouncing around in my head. I tried to focus on something else.
"King Waru is on my tail... with all the Strays working for him...." I said. "It'll be hard to hide... good thing I hatched a plan.... or at least the Lee part of me did." I grinned to myself. "So by nightfall, I'm gonna catch a stray....." I said to myself, and still thought I was crazy. I mean, I could die...
"King Waru is on my tail... with all the Strays working for him...." I said. "It'll be hard to hide... good thing I hatched a plan.... or at least the Lee part of me did." I grinned to myself. "So by nightfall, I'm gonna catch a stray....." I said to myself, and still thought I was crazy. I mean, I could die...
"What would it matter? Then Waru wouldn't be able to 'harness my power' or whatever. It's not extra power that allows me to do this. It's boredom..." I chuckled, but it was hollow, and it came back to me in the same tone as it echoed off the dusty walls. "Life can be so short and boring. I mean, we have a longer lifespan than humans but it we're not even allowed to interact with them!" I growled. "We just have to walk around and watch."
"Kari understands how I feel, I know she does." I said, waiting for night to swallow the daylight faster.....
"Kari understands how I feel, I know she does." I said, waiting for night to swallow the daylight faster.....
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Chapter Three- The Third Rescuer
Al
As we took off running down a hill into a random town, making sure we conjured the appropriate wear, we headed towards the center. Alexis had to be there. The town was very quiet, not many people stirred on it's streets. It took me a second to realize that it was abandoned.
"I guess it would be easier to find Alexis this way..." I muttered, but it still gave me an uneasy feeling. Those thoughts aside, I scanned the streets, Adrian and Lee flanking me. We stood there in the middle of a dusty intersection for the longest time, not moving and not making a sound. The sky grew a bit lighter by the time we heard something. One, ragged exhale. And then there were Strays flashing through the streets. Dark, slightly humanoid forms that usually stayed in the space out of existence, they were still blurry to look at them, in the sense that you couldn't look at them too long, something made you look away. They trailed away, leaving wisps
of black and red cloud behind them, which vanished after a second or two. All three of us looked exchanged one look, and we were off running.
Adrian
One second, we were running down more alleyways (of course) following Strays, hoping them to lead us to Alexis. Next thing I know, a hand clamped down on my mouth, and I was dragged away, Lee and Al too intent on the chase to notice my absence.
Fiery shots of light shot from my hand to the arm that was holding me around the waist, but it seemed to have no effect. And all-too-familiar voice hissed in my ear.
"Stop struggling if you want to live." Adrian stopped immediately. He was dragged into a dark building, though light was starting to filter through the cracks of the roof. I turned around, shocked.
"A-Alexis?" I asked. "Yes, it's me." she said, she looked covered in blood, her brown hair tangled, and her clothes disheveled.
"Where have you BEEN?" I said, skipping over relief and sinking into anger. "Not only has our soul not been able to pull together without you, we were worried that you've been dragged off by the Strays! Then you could've faded away....." I said and she glared at me. "I was running from them the whole time! Couldn't bother to come back to the Dark Room, they'd only catch me there!" Alexis growled, turning away. "Your very fortunate to find me, but I can't let any of you fade away to save me. I'm an unwanted part that Alexis doesn't need. The whole would be better of without me."Alexis said, with no trace of bitterness or self-pity. Just a blank stare.
"But your not-" I began, but she cut me off. "No. I'm better at hiding from the Strays. You'll forget about this, but try and be conscience again, one person." Alexis said, then with almost a flicker of emotion in her eyes. Surprisingly, she ran over me, and hugged me. "Forget..." she said in a hushed voice, and then I was standing behind Al and Lee, both of them dazed and confused looking as I was.
Lee
"Wha...." I said, and trailed off, glancing at Adrian and Al. "Where did the Strays go... the chase seemed a little fuzzy to remember." I commented, and the others nodded.
"They must have gone to another time period. Probably with Alexis. They could've done a memory block on us....." Al said. "So who knows what could have gone down." he said, his shirt splattered with black. "We should get back to the Dark Room and figure out where she could have be taken to next." Al continued. "But be-" "Careful." Adrian finished, rolling his eyes. Al didn't say anything, but with a sweeping chill, we were in the ever changing room that seemed to be made of shadows. Sandra was there, throwing darts at a dark board and looking rather bored, and Ecks decided to make an appearance. He smiled at soon as they got there, his violet t-shirt so bright it made my eyes hurt. Bright blonde hair that looked similar to Al's in style covered his head, and he pushed it back from his eyes.
"You're back!" Ecks said. "Oh joyful day..." Sandra muttered right after that. "I just got back from the 1920. Ahh the Roaring 20's. Then I went to check in some African rainforests. Boy it was hot." Ecks blabbed. "Anything?" Adrian asked, cutting in. Ecks shook his head, beaming almost as brightly as his shirt. "Nope. Had a run in with a couple of snakes though. Ouch." he shuddered. "Well, we think that Alexis has been captured by Strays. We went to 1939, and found them running through a abandoned town, probably after Alexis. It couldn't be any other sorcerer, none of them are as crazy to split themselves into seven, with the Strays targeting them...." Al said and trailed off for a second, but then continued. "But we lost them. I think they put a memory block on us to make us forget where they went. But we can track them, because this memory black happens to be strong."
"Wait....Strays can cast memory blocks?" Sandra asked, walking up. I shook my head, answering this one. "They can with a dark sorcerer's help, granting them the power to do that." I said. A very powerful one indeed, then.....
"We'll need al. s-six of us to track the Strays." Ecks said, stammering, and I could only guess why. It used to be seven.
"I think we should capture one!" The suggestion burst out of my mouth before I could stop, and four sets of eyes stared at me.
As we took off running down a hill into a random town, making sure we conjured the appropriate wear, we headed towards the center. Alexis had to be there. The town was very quiet, not many people stirred on it's streets. It took me a second to realize that it was abandoned.
"I guess it would be easier to find Alexis this way..." I muttered, but it still gave me an uneasy feeling. Those thoughts aside, I scanned the streets, Adrian and Lee flanking me. We stood there in the middle of a dusty intersection for the longest time, not moving and not making a sound. The sky grew a bit lighter by the time we heard something. One, ragged exhale. And then there were Strays flashing through the streets. Dark, slightly humanoid forms that usually stayed in the space out of existence, they were still blurry to look at them, in the sense that you couldn't look at them too long, something made you look away. They trailed away, leaving wisps
of black and red cloud behind them, which vanished after a second or two. All three of us looked exchanged one look, and we were off running.
Adrian
One second, we were running down more alleyways (of course) following Strays, hoping them to lead us to Alexis. Next thing I know, a hand clamped down on my mouth, and I was dragged away, Lee and Al too intent on the chase to notice my absence.
Fiery shots of light shot from my hand to the arm that was holding me around the waist, but it seemed to have no effect. And all-too-familiar voice hissed in my ear.
"Stop struggling if you want to live." Adrian stopped immediately. He was dragged into a dark building, though light was starting to filter through the cracks of the roof. I turned around, shocked.
"A-Alexis?" I asked. "Yes, it's me." she said, she looked covered in blood, her brown hair tangled, and her clothes disheveled.
"Where have you BEEN?" I said, skipping over relief and sinking into anger. "Not only has our soul not been able to pull together without you, we were worried that you've been dragged off by the Strays! Then you could've faded away....." I said and she glared at me. "I was running from them the whole time! Couldn't bother to come back to the Dark Room, they'd only catch me there!" Alexis growled, turning away. "Your very fortunate to find me, but I can't let any of you fade away to save me. I'm an unwanted part that Alexis doesn't need. The whole would be better of without me."Alexis said, with no trace of bitterness or self-pity. Just a blank stare.
"But your not-" I began, but she cut me off. "No. I'm better at hiding from the Strays. You'll forget about this, but try and be conscience again, one person." Alexis said, then with almost a flicker of emotion in her eyes. Surprisingly, she ran over me, and hugged me. "Forget..." she said in a hushed voice, and then I was standing behind Al and Lee, both of them dazed and confused looking as I was.
Lee
"Wha...." I said, and trailed off, glancing at Adrian and Al. "Where did the Strays go... the chase seemed a little fuzzy to remember." I commented, and the others nodded.
"They must have gone to another time period. Probably with Alexis. They could've done a memory block on us....." Al said. "So who knows what could have gone down." he said, his shirt splattered with black. "We should get back to the Dark Room and figure out where she could have be taken to next." Al continued. "But be-" "Careful." Adrian finished, rolling his eyes. Al didn't say anything, but with a sweeping chill, we were in the ever changing room that seemed to be made of shadows. Sandra was there, throwing darts at a dark board and looking rather bored, and Ecks decided to make an appearance. He smiled at soon as they got there, his violet t-shirt so bright it made my eyes hurt. Bright blonde hair that looked similar to Al's in style covered his head, and he pushed it back from his eyes.
"You're back!" Ecks said. "Oh joyful day..." Sandra muttered right after that. "I just got back from the 1920. Ahh the Roaring 20's. Then I went to check in some African rainforests. Boy it was hot." Ecks blabbed. "Anything?" Adrian asked, cutting in. Ecks shook his head, beaming almost as brightly as his shirt. "Nope. Had a run in with a couple of snakes though. Ouch." he shuddered. "Well, we think that Alexis has been captured by Strays. We went to 1939, and found them running through a abandoned town, probably after Alexis. It couldn't be any other sorcerer, none of them are as crazy to split themselves into seven, with the Strays targeting them...." Al said and trailed off for a second, but then continued. "But we lost them. I think they put a memory block on us to make us forget where they went. But we can track them, because this memory black happens to be strong."
"Wait....Strays can cast memory blocks?" Sandra asked, walking up. I shook my head, answering this one. "They can with a dark sorcerer's help, granting them the power to do that." I said. A very powerful one indeed, then.....
"We'll need al. s-six of us to track the Strays." Ecks said, stammering, and I could only guess why. It used to be seven.
"I think we should capture one!" The suggestion burst out of my mouth before I could stop, and four sets of eyes stared at me.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Chapter Two- The Second Search
Lee
That familiar chill came over me when we 'landed' at our destination. Earth. I smiled at the crowded streets and the hum of everyone talking at once, as soon as we walked out of an alleyway and hit the streets. I loved this dimension.
Now, when I say dimension, I don't mean we go to different galaxies or anything like that. Do they even exist? But, no, we just stay on earth. Just, in different time periods of course. We were in the year 2000, and even though we knew Alexis wasn't here, we still needed Adrian. And what better place to look than Central Park?
Al strode out in front of me, almost acting like a boss. But still, he wasn't as arrogant as Sandra. Just outside the park, I easily spotted Adrian, and obviously Al did too, both of us were jogging towards him.
When we reached Adrian, he automatically looked up from whatever he was doing. I looked at his lap, and saw a Harry Potter book in his lap. "Face-palm..." I muttered, which Al and Adrian didn't hear. Adrian did looked up indignantly, he had the same color of hair as me, except longer and thicker, and he peered out of glasses. "Adrian, we need your help now too. Too look for Alexis, we think she's in the 1930's. You know, with depression and war and whatnot." Al said, and Adrian muttered something about Alexis we didn't catch, but stood up, putting his book in a pocket that was definitely smaller than the book.
"Gonna tell us how it ends... again?" Lee said, and Al snorted in laughter. "Want me to rewire your brain? I'll have you thinking you're a goose in no time at all." said Adrian, who looked serious but his eyes were sparkling. We all vanished in a flash, making sure we melted into the shadows so no one payed attention to us. We came back to the Dark Room, where we have to go in between time hops. Al sighed, shaking his head as he glanced at Sandra.
"Alexandra's gone out. Don't ask me where, though, I can't answer that." she said, scowling. All three of us guys nodded, disappearing again. Going through time, I felt like there was a thorn in my side. Oh no! I thought, automatically knowing what it meant. I gasped out in pain, lashing out, where dark webs shoot out my finger tips at the dark shapes coming towards us. I knew by the fact that I felt and saw almost nothing we were caught in the space in which we were time-traveling. I tried to remember what they were, but I couldn't, but Adrian and Al were trying to attack it, so I did as well. The shape had no form, just like the Dark Room, but it was made out of an imbalance of Dark to Light Magic, trapped between Time. Oh yeah. Strays. That was their name.
We shot more things at the strays, and I could see Al throwing what looked like knives and only flashes of light from Adrian.......
Adrian
I could tell it was night, but it was a blur so I fumbled for my glasses, which, thankfully, weren't crushed. I looked around to see we reached the time destination that was intended, on some sort of hill, and Al was crouched over something next to me. I sat up, and dark purple bruises were etched over me, and what looked like black ooze was seeping off my chest, instead of blood, but it always creeped me out whenever we were in the actual world. In the Dark Room, all our wounds had been healed, and were were just like human. But when any of us go back... the real world takes it's reality cane and smacks us on the head with it. The fact that we weren't human.
"That's so insanitary... " I said, trying to wipe off the sorcerer blood. It stung, but it seemed to transfer to my hands, which smeared onto the grass as I used my hands to stand up, walking over to Al, who's hands were hovering on top of Lee's body, which was also silently floating. A light that kept changing colors was coming from Al's palms. He was trying to heal lee, who looked black and oozy all over.
"That was one hell of a fight." Al said, and Adrian could tell by the look on his face that he was trying to hold back the excitement of it for Lee's sake. Who seemed to come back to life seconds later, with a big intake of air, and he seemed to look smaller. Lee was younger than some of us, even though we were the 'same person' we were different ages, relected from our personality. Lee looked about 15 or 16, while I looked about 18, and Al, who seemed the oldest, was around 21.
"Welcome to Heaven." Al said, and Lee looked at him questioningly, floated back onto the grass in the sitting position of criss-cross applesauce, and pulled out an iPod out of his pockets, shifting through the songs.
"It seems nice. I got all the Rent songs on here, so it is all in check." he said, and then he waved his hands over his body, and it looked like water rushed over him, the blood washed away.
"It's a good thing no one's here to see this." I told them sternly, and crossed my arms over my bare chest. "We mustn't get carried away like that again." I added, and both Lee and Al rolled their eyes. "So where are we.... World War 2 time, somewhere in America, I don't remember exactly..." Al said, looking around to see the dim lights of a nearby town in the distance.
"This is Alexis' kind of place." he said, grinning. "Let's get to it, men!" Al shouted, and they were already running.
That familiar chill came over me when we 'landed' at our destination. Earth. I smiled at the crowded streets and the hum of everyone talking at once, as soon as we walked out of an alleyway and hit the streets. I loved this dimension.
Now, when I say dimension, I don't mean we go to different galaxies or anything like that. Do they even exist? But, no, we just stay on earth. Just, in different time periods of course. We were in the year 2000, and even though we knew Alexis wasn't here, we still needed Adrian. And what better place to look than Central Park?
Al strode out in front of me, almost acting like a boss. But still, he wasn't as arrogant as Sandra. Just outside the park, I easily spotted Adrian, and obviously Al did too, both of us were jogging towards him.
When we reached Adrian, he automatically looked up from whatever he was doing. I looked at his lap, and saw a Harry Potter book in his lap. "Face-palm..." I muttered, which Al and Adrian didn't hear. Adrian did looked up indignantly, he had the same color of hair as me, except longer and thicker, and he peered out of glasses. "Adrian, we need your help now too. Too look for Alexis, we think she's in the 1930's. You know, with depression and war and whatnot." Al said, and Adrian muttered something about Alexis we didn't catch, but stood up, putting his book in a pocket that was definitely smaller than the book.
"Gonna tell us how it ends... again?" Lee said, and Al snorted in laughter. "Want me to rewire your brain? I'll have you thinking you're a goose in no time at all." said Adrian, who looked serious but his eyes were sparkling. We all vanished in a flash, making sure we melted into the shadows so no one payed attention to us. We came back to the Dark Room, where we have to go in between time hops. Al sighed, shaking his head as he glanced at Sandra.
"Alexandra's gone out. Don't ask me where, though, I can't answer that." she said, scowling. All three of us guys nodded, disappearing again. Going through time, I felt like there was a thorn in my side. Oh no! I thought, automatically knowing what it meant. I gasped out in pain, lashing out, where dark webs shoot out my finger tips at the dark shapes coming towards us. I knew by the fact that I felt and saw almost nothing we were caught in the space in which we were time-traveling. I tried to remember what they were, but I couldn't, but Adrian and Al were trying to attack it, so I did as well. The shape had no form, just like the Dark Room, but it was made out of an imbalance of Dark to Light Magic, trapped between Time. Oh yeah. Strays. That was their name.
We shot more things at the strays, and I could see Al throwing what looked like knives and only flashes of light from Adrian.......
Adrian
I could tell it was night, but it was a blur so I fumbled for my glasses, which, thankfully, weren't crushed. I looked around to see we reached the time destination that was intended, on some sort of hill, and Al was crouched over something next to me. I sat up, and dark purple bruises were etched over me, and what looked like black ooze was seeping off my chest, instead of blood, but it always creeped me out whenever we were in the actual world. In the Dark Room, all our wounds had been healed, and were were just like human. But when any of us go back... the real world takes it's reality cane and smacks us on the head with it. The fact that we weren't human.
"That's so insanitary... " I said, trying to wipe off the sorcerer blood. It stung, but it seemed to transfer to my hands, which smeared onto the grass as I used my hands to stand up, walking over to Al, who's hands were hovering on top of Lee's body, which was also silently floating. A light that kept changing colors was coming from Al's palms. He was trying to heal lee, who looked black and oozy all over.
"That was one hell of a fight." Al said, and Adrian could tell by the look on his face that he was trying to hold back the excitement of it for Lee's sake. Who seemed to come back to life seconds later, with a big intake of air, and he seemed to look smaller. Lee was younger than some of us, even though we were the 'same person' we were different ages, relected from our personality. Lee looked about 15 or 16, while I looked about 18, and Al, who seemed the oldest, was around 21.
"Welcome to Heaven." Al said, and Lee looked at him questioningly, floated back onto the grass in the sitting position of criss-cross applesauce, and pulled out an iPod out of his pockets, shifting through the songs.
"It seems nice. I got all the Rent songs on here, so it is all in check." he said, and then he waved his hands over his body, and it looked like water rushed over him, the blood washed away.
"It's a good thing no one's here to see this." I told them sternly, and crossed my arms over my bare chest. "We mustn't get carried away like that again." I added, and both Lee and Al rolled their eyes. "So where are we.... World War 2 time, somewhere in America, I don't remember exactly..." Al said, looking around to see the dim lights of a nearby town in the distance.
"This is Alexis' kind of place." he said, grinning. "Let's get to it, men!" Al shouted, and they were already running.
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