Cryptic Wonder- the Awakening

by Wylder Willis

  “Seeing you ride the only thing I thought of was that you moved as if in flight, so my favor to you is a set of wings to give you flight. Oh and don’t worry they transfer to your wild form too, so now you are a winged caracal, and the first to receive this gift in five hundred years,” Leander spoke with a proud smile.

  Naomi glanced back at the wings, then to the sky. Leander nodded as if he could tell what she was thinking. Naomi smiled as she extended her wings. The crowd watched in amazed silence as Naomi flapped downwards with her wings and launched into the air. She looked down and smiled before she flew around getting used to the wings. It didn’t take her long before she then wrapped her wings around her as she spun in a circle towards the ground at an angle. Just before Naomi crushed she flared her wings out and landed safely on her feet. She looked back and smiled at Leander and Denzel who both looked at her in wonder.

  “Seems you take to flying just as well as I take to being a Cryptic,” Denzel teased. Naomi smiled as her wings folded back against her shoulder blades. She walked over to Denzel with a smile, and Leander finished the announcements before everyone dispersed. A group of Lokis guided the humans back to the tent they were kept in, while everyone else set about getting ready to move out and back to the world of the Cryptic people. The original four leaders headed back to the main tent.

  Naomi and Denzel headed out to the rocky field, and walked among the rocks in peaceful silence, though it didn’t take long for that silence to be broken by the thud of an arrow hitting the ground in front of Naomi. Naomi and Denzel halted, and Naomi looked at the arrow with a smile.

  “Did you just miss Celeste? I’m surprised, since you never miss,” Naomi spoke calmly as she pulled the arrow from the ground.

  Celeste answered as she appeared from out of the forest, “I am a loyal Cryptic unlike my dear friend, Esme. I just wanted a word with you two.”

  “Fair enough. I take it you want to speak about Esme. I'm sorry I didn't speak to you about her before the announcement,” Naomi responded as she looked at the arrowhead. Celeste walked closer to her and laid a hand on the arrow.

  “It is ok, you must have been busy, besides I was busy looking for fleeing humans,” Celeste gently took the arrow out of Naomi’s hands.

  “She does have a point, Naomi, you were in the medical tent for a while. You haven’t even had a chance to breathe until now,” Denzel chimed in. Naomi glared at Denzel, while Celeste looked at him in surprise.

  “Anyway, I wanted to thank you for giving her a light sentence. I know that she could very easily have gotten a death sentence for her actions. She just doesn’t trust easily, especially when humans are involved,” Celeste spoke sweetly.

  “It was the least I could do after learning why she did it, besides you're probably the closest thing she has to family. I felt she had suffered enough,” Naomi explained. Celeste bowed in thanks before disappearing back into the forest treetops, leaving Naomi and Denzel to their peaceful stroll. Eventually, Zeke found them and informed them that everyone was ready. They quickly headed back meeting, the leaders and Dante where the main tent had stood. Dante waved to them as they approached; there were others as well either with packed tents or who were working on packing a tent.

  “Good, you’re all here. Now we can head back home,” Gwythyr noted. As he started for the portal a few people with packed tents followed.

  Naomi commented as she walked with her friends to the portal, “Home sounds good to me. I can’t wait to see mother; she’s probably worried sick.” Denzel smiled at Dante and Zeke as he listened to Naomi.

  Denzel, Naomi, Dante, and Zeke finally made it back to Naomi’s place, where Rosalee was waiting with a feast for the returning warriors. Rosalee hugged Naomi and Denzel tightly. Naomi tapped Rosalee’s arm in surrender and for air. Rosalee released them both leaving them gasping for air.

  “Never thought I'd see Naomi surrender. That must be one powerful hug, Miss Rosalee,” Zeke commented looking at Naomi breathing hard.

  Naomi explained standing straight, “Honestly Mother is the only person I choose to yield to. She may be a pacifist, but when I was little she was fierce, even with her chosen weapon being a bag of ninja-style smoke bombs. By the way Mother, why did you become a pacifist?”

  “I’ve told you before my darling cub, I'll tell you when you are ready,” Rosalee answered with a smile.

  Naomi challenged, “And how exactly am I supposed to prove to you I'm ready when you never show up to any of my practices or the war or even spar with me?”

  Rosalee replied somewhat disappointed, “Not that kind of ready darling. Also, had I gone to that little war, I would have just stood in the field with a sign of protest.” Naomi glared at her.

  “Fair point, though you could have still come for the announcements afterward,” Naomi commented.

  “I was busy making this feast for you four, so let’s eat. The food is getting cold!” Zeke and Denzel cheered as they believed Rosalee the best cook. They sat down and ate cheerfully--thinking of the victory, new friendships, and being together. Only one question remained: Why would the old Droga attack a fellow Cryptic?