Desert sands ate his ankles to bone, scorching earth peeling sickly green flesh from feet. Lost, [1] wandered. He tore skin from scalp, digging till he hit bone, attempting to root out the voices yet still they whispered, relentless in their torturous murmors. They drove him onwards, coupled with a madness that reverted him to instinct, nothing more than an animal. Desperate to find silence, gaunt with starvation, he walked on. Hungering desert sapped him, the winds stealing fluids, sands striping flesh, sun burning both. This land was death. Through it he marched. Rolling dunes were broken by sharp jutting rocks, small mountains or diving crags lined these badlands. Spurred by their hounding [1] plodded on, one bloody limb after another, threading a rough sloped canyon he felt gusting winds surging skybound, creating a gentle wall pushing him back from the edge. Sharp crack rang out. He stopped in his tracks. The sound spread, a webbing of cracks devouring a stone, some where in this vast desert. He held his breath as the crackling spread, eyes scanning the horizon he searched for their origin. Feet numbed from endless walking, ground to a bloody mess, he didn’t feel what was beneath him. Land gave way. [1] shouted a startled yell as his floor vanished, careening sideways he tumbled into the freshly opening canyon, pointed stone cutting him through the descent. He landed belly down in a thudding cloud of dust, still falling stones dropping on him as heavy rain from the flash foods, he shielded his head against their onslaught as best he could. Small stones flecking his arms, piercing till ruby beads spurted.
Rubble settled. His body was broken beyond feelings. Mustering strength he rolled from stomach to back. It had been a long fall to the bottom. He pitched his head to the side, learning of this new place through blurred eyes. Powdered dust surrounding him, its consuming Presence soaked up slow spreading rust. Lacerations crossed his body, oozing precious life blood. (god) blessed him. At least the canyon was shaded, giving him respite from the drinking sun and stealing winds. [1] opened himself to the god realm, having exhausted his stores of mana he needed to tap into something greater. Reaching with his spreading essence he felt the flaming embrace greet him, power welling into his spirit. An entity watched him, crippled and broken in this canyon, he felt its feelings of contempt wash upon him. It doubted the chosen, thinking him weak. Who would have the strength to carry these ghosts without breaking, who has power to walk the wastes unquenched, challenge the very land and overcome it. Who holds power to bend mountains, to hold more mana than I. Who? Give answer, who is there more mighty than I? [1] felt the anger building in his thoughts, through the rage he realized the voices had quieted, so too did he quiet his mind, breathing and building magic. Eyes closed, he felt his blood on the floor, smeared up the rock face he fell down, he called out, pulling what life force he could back into his body. Willing the blood back in, then sealing countless small wounds. Deserts will devoured slowly, methodically, its hunger all consuming. The presence was still there, giving him mana necessary to heal, nothing more, even then faulting. He couldn’t mend the broken bones, splinters pushing internally in endless pain, yet for now his wounds were sealed and damaged organs hastily repaired enough to function without major failure. He felt contempt turn to stoic approval as flaming hands came down, they caressed him, unburning and helped him to sit up. Bowed legged, leaning on his knee and panting [1] surveyed the area. Deep blue hues covered the land, building in vibrancy here, hidden from blazing orange sun rays. Flaming hands which had helped him to sit now hovered in front of him, they were the size of his body, flickering in ethereal substance. As he made to stand the hands fell palm down on the canyon floor, with worming fingers they began to crawl onward, a guiding path for him to follow. Grunting in pain he shambled along, barely containing his leaking carcass from spilling out leaving him truly dead. As he walked after them, the crawling hands of fire rolled among themselves, fingers melding then breaking turning to resemble small flames dancing on the ground, emanating as waves, pouring ever forward as he followed. In their luminance [1] marveled at this natural beauty for a moment. He saw alabaster shapes similar to dasypus or armored snappers, other fossils dotting the walls reminded him of spoils claimed when his bands raided the coastal nomads of the southern flatlands. He wondered on the age of this place and its meaning.
Narrowed canyon spread out, as the lapping flames passed the threashold, entering into the near cavernous area [1] saw it illuminated. Centered in this area rose a large obelisk, the flames lapped about as mystic waters that flickered in the air, before collapsing, having served their purpose. His mangled body laced pain with each breath, broken bones puncturing him through every movement. With the absence of the guiding fire he felt chill creep into his haggard body, taking an exhausted knee, forced down by his own weakness, [1] neared breaking. Dual arms bracing himself, each breath expanding and shrinking his body, bringing with them more pain. Debating laying down, surrendering to the pain. Weak thoughts. Give no quarter, even to yourself. Eating cruelty from the world he mettled himself. Becoming powerful through the pain he raised his head, eyes falling upon the unmoving oblesik. Stone walls turned cobalt with the dissapearing flames, moon light bounding down to brighten them against the aegean floor. Gazing at the obelisk it seemed to almost glow internally, something his flesh eyes could not see nor fathom, these sorceries were far beyond his fledgling grasp. Whisperes in strange languages came to him, barely audible over the caves ambient sounds. He might be losing his mind on that one. Inexorably he was drawn to the obelisk, worn feet, bloodied by leagues of desert pacing, worked once more to lift his body. Each step pained him, splinetered skeletal frame biting into his mortal flesh. His feet felt unstable, as if a rod had been driven through them. Despite the hardships of this journey he carried on, intent on moving forward. Eager to find what ill fated push had brought him here.
Soft dust flowed around bare green feet as they shuffled forward. Once he was within arms reach of the obelisk he took note of the etched iconography carved into its surface. Foreign symbols, his meat mind gasped at incomprehending, a newt swimming the currents of leviathans. [1] raised trembling hands, broken and coated in blood, he pushed mangled fingers into the obelisk. There was ---
Morning rose pale on the dawn. Stagnant air began pushing and pulling throughout their igloo. [1] was first to stir, [3] burying their face into a feathered breast. She let the previous night pass over her, as the dread of todays lessons built. Fear of the future serves no one. While still laying down contemplating her growing life [1] heard [2] begin to stir. Sitting up as bounding stocks leap from thawing slush [2] lifted herself, stretching fur clad arms wide, brushing ice rounded walls with sleep numbed fingers she let out a moaning sigh. [1] rolled over, showing her friend that she too was awake. The siblings still slept in their annexed portion of the hut.
“Tough class still” [2] ventured through groggy voice. [1] nodded in answer, morning mind fog still enveloping them. [4&5] kayed still, muted risings of their chests signs sleep held them tight. [2] glanced around their abode, taking stock of their foods, furs and trinkets, finding and categorizing helped bring her to bear at the present moment. Glancing the domed ceiling she watched [3] flutter up to a high perch before plucking at his feathers in morning ritual. Finding this moment to share [2] pressed on.
“It will come, you.” Statement. [1]’s eyes held low, feigning to pry free from thick furs. She saw [1] steal a glance at [4]. Friends yet still strangers, not open enough for this. She must miss [6]. Least, I do.
“I fear [2].” finally spoken. Fragile vulnerabilities exposed. “Night terrors rake me. Water falls from my skins, I think I am not good enough and will never be. It all mistake? Was me and [3] a mistake?”
Now [2] saw her friend truly. [1]s eyes were wide, edges falling down in sorrow. Uncertain fear carving their way through her friends' whole body, pale skinned and trembling [1] looked out, seeking something from [2]. She had no words to give. Silence stretched while [2] returned a pained look of empathy. Downcast, [1] fell in on herself, giving way to muffled sobs that wracked her body. [3] felt her emotion, he began to pace on the ceiling struts, picking out plumage.
“Maybe” her voice croaked over tears. “maybe I not who they think am. The tribe was wrong. Is wrong.” [2] let the words crash over her, she lived life certain of the elders wisdom. To question them was to question her very core.
“I have no talent, no hidden might to call upon.” [1] continued. “[2]” she sighed out. “You should see the others, how they pull to shape the world. Drawing hidden strengths of no seen magics. I can sense it, never touch. It surrounds me, power beyond measure, but hands clutch air and mind whispers of inadequacy. I have nothing” [2] did not realize [1] carried this burden. To hold it for so long in silence. Only now in open acknowledgment could [2] see the invisible weights that threatened to crush her dear friend. Deep in the waters I sit. No words do I have. She questions but I hold fast. The elders will be able to help her. [2] took a deep breath in, glancing at the twins. Still sleep, thank the godess.
“Wish help” she spoke softly, unsure if [1] was even able to hear her words. “Study words all day I do, but cannot speak to help. I am sad [1]. You are my friend. Wish help I could, but ignorant I am. Junco is bonded with you, signs from the gods you are blessed clea-”
“Wrong goddess” [1] spit out, glancing up from her crouched position her eyes lit as those of crouching wolves. Savagery bleeding in. Smoldering ember cracked in stunned silence.
“[1]” [2] spoke in quick condemnation, reflexes pulling her head away, unable to bear witness to her friends blasphemy.
“Words slave you, trapped in scrolls and stories. Feel and see the world I can, no powers come. Maybe godess only half gift. Bonded only to see what could, not what is.” Anger rose in her voice, threatening to stir the twins, to end their conversation before bridges could extend.
“Speak with the elders, have answers I do not” she pleaded.
“Pft.” [1] scoffed, half turning away to face ice.
“Please, [1]. They can help. Maybe more attention is needed to help you find the talent. Goddess chose you.” I often wonder why she did not choose me, but now is not the time for that. Put oneself aside for the sake of another. “You no see it, but I do. Even now. Energy and passion swirl to you. Elders will help you see it. Will help you use it.” She pleaded
“Maybe I shouldn’t use” Still overcome with emotions [1]s words slowly dripped out as poison from the snow snakes whose fanged bite slowed even the fastest hares.
[5] groaned, rolling in his ending sleep.
“Arguing over breakfast?” He ventured. “Hope it done cooking” Chuckling to himself in dry humor, [2] held one last look at [1], her eyes hardening from sorrow laced fear of rejection to deep wells of anger. She prayed to the Goddess that her friend fight triumphantly.
“[5], there is yellow payap and sting tubes.” [2] spoke, motioning to their vegetable piles, nestled in a pocket of fresh powder. [x]s world called to them. Back to illusions mixed over budding friendships.