by Natalie Erin
“There’ve been others before you.”
“What were they?”
“Long ago, they were referred to as skygazers.”
“A skygazer…” Midnightstar remembered what Xiuh said earlier. She enjoyed hearing the word, liked the way it seemed to click neatly in her brain. “What is that?”
“A skygazer for the Lands is what the Great One is for Nesting’s Haven. There is a singular guardian, and his or her chosen portal, chosen to defend the Lands from any looming threat that could cause the entire realm to collapse.”
“I don’t see why I’m able to do this all of a sudden. I never had any powers before.”
“Your powers have come upon you at a late age, yet at the opportune moment. Don’t waste them, Midnightstar.”
“You said something about a portal…what’s that?” she questioned.
“It is a way for a skygazer to be in two places at once. A way for them to see things from a different point of view. All the skygazers have one, and yours is Xiuh.”
“I don’t even know him!” Midnightstar said angrily.
“But he is yours now,” the griffin said. “You’ve already known for quite some time, Midnightstar. You have to let him know.”
“He’d never believe half the stuff I’m telling him. I don’t even know if I believe it,” Midnightstar said, backing up.
“Midnightstar,” the griffin said gently. “Don’t let the pain that’s built up for more than a decade prevent you from taking another risk.”
Midnightstar felt herself choke up. “I’ve been through so much over the years. I don’t think I can handle anymore. I’m sorry.”
“It’s your decision,” the griffin comforted. “But I encourage you to tell him. There will be consequences for leading him on blindly.”
“I’ll take them,” Midnightstar said.
The world began rippling around her like water upon a stone. Looking around, she said, “I guess it’s time to go.”
“Midnightstar, whatever you do, don’t listen to the voices,” the griffin said intently.
“I won’t,” she said as the mountains began to return, and the Inbetween went away completely, yet the griffin was still there. “No, please, you must heed what I say! The dark voices know more about the world than you do, Midnightstar. They want Wyntier to win! They will say things you won’t understand to try and trick you! You are one of the fortunate few who know what they are, but you must never submit. Even the most innocent voice is deadly!
“I told you I won’t. Isn’t my word good enough for you?” Midnightstar snapped.
The griffin vanished completely, and there was nothing but rocks to take her place.
Midnightstar looked to the north, and then the south, unsure of which way to go. North would take her to the Ice Borns and towards the Assembly...south would bring her back home to find Allie.
She took a few steps south. She then turned and made her way back to her pack, shaking her head. She would do what the griffin said. She’d keep quiet about Allie’s disappearance, and tell her group to keep trouncing towards the original goal.
“Oh, Allie,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
Chapter Four
Life Has No Room for Spectators Nor Specters
Midnightstar sighed as they approached the dark forest before them. “Alright, we have to stay together in here no matter what,” she ordered before they entered, stopping before the group and turning to look at them. “They’ll do anything they can to trick us.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know.” Rabika rolled her eyes. “Let’s just get going already.”
“Those trees look really scary, guys,” Adelaide whimpered softly, leaning into Midnightstar. “What if the Specters find us and eat us?”
“You’ll be fine,” Rabika told her. “We have to go in.”
“She’s right. We’ve wasted enough time already,” Tatl yapped. “You’ll just have to face your fears, Adelaide.”
“Stick with me. I’ll keep you safe.” Midnightstar offered, nudging her small friend.
The red wolf wagged her tail happily. “I’m glad you care about me, Mids.”
“Of course, Adelaide. I care about all of you.” Midnightstar said, looking toward Xiuh. He stood a short distance away from the wolves, preparing for the trip into the dark woods. He caught her eye and Midnightstar looked down quickly. She hadn’t been able to tell him what the griffin had said, and it upset her more with each hour that passed. She wanted to be honest with him...wanted his friendship, even, but what was she to say? He would never believe the truth.
Don’t say a word. He’s not a real friend to you, Midnightstar. You barely know him, the voices whispered to her. You can’t tell anyone.
Midnightstar shook her head quickly, forcing the voices to hush, at least for a moment. “Let’s go. We don’t have time to lose.”
Adelaide gulped. “Promise me you won’t leave my side.”
“I promise, Adelaide.” Midnightstar said softly. “Just don’t leave me, either.”
“I won’t,” Adelaide replied.
“Are you ready?” Midnightstar asked the group, but the question was more directed to herself.
Tatl and Rabika nodded and Xiuh moved closer to the wolves. They walked forward together, taking it one step at a time. Fear dotted Tatl’s face, an expression Midnightstar had never seen on the young alpha. A similar look came over Rabika, and Adelaide shook in her fur. Xiuh looked around suspiciously, twisting his tail, and Midnightstar felt her mind slipping. She leaned on Adelaide slightly so she wouldn’t fall over, and allowed herself into the dragon’s mind.
Everything was so dark and strange in these woods. Xiuh looked up to the tree tops and let out a slight growl of frustration.
The trees are too dense, she heard him think. I’ll never be able to fly through them if we need to escape.
He looked toward Midnightstar, concern flowing through his mind. She’s becoming even more distant than before, Xiuh thought. I thought we were friends. Maybe I was wrong. What can I do to make her accept me?
He was unaware Midnightstar heard every word, even though her body was several lengths ahead. The dragon’s sadness whipped through her, and unable to take it, Midnightstar pulled away and slunk back to her own self.
Once she was back in her own body, she looked at Xiuh. His head was hung low, and he moved at a slow pace.
“Let’s go, dragon, you’re slowing us down!” she barked, knowing that she had to keep a distance between them. She felt guilty about the way he felt, but if they became close friends, it would only hurt him to know she was using him.
Xiuh looked up at her, and the pain she knew was there vanished from his eyes, as if behind a mask. “Maybe you need to slow down, wolf.”
The use of one simple word tore Midnightstar apart. She longed to call him by name, but simply couldn’t. No matter what happened, she wouldn’t allow herself to let Xiuhcoatl in.
They walked blindly forward, unaware of where exactly they were walking to. Everything looked the same, every tree identical in the dim light. Midnightstar plodded on, and then froze when a familiar figure appeared before her.
His brown hair and cruel eyes forced a growl from her throat. “Get out of my way, Wyntier,” she snarled, wishing nothing more than to tear him apart.
“Now why would I do that?” he asked calmly, peering at her. “I won’t leave until I finish my business.”
“What business? You have no business here.” Hate dripped from her words, and her rage filled the air around her with a bitter spite.
“Killing you and your pathetic friends,” Wyntier seethed. “If you can even call them friends.”
“You’ll never get my friends. I’ll kill you before you have the chance.” Midnightstar crouched down, ready to pounce upon him.
“Look around you. They’re already gone.” Wyntier threw back his head and laughed as Midnightstar began to look about the forest frantically, backing up in a panic.
Midnightstar gasped as she saw the limp figure of Tatl being pulled into a tree, as if the trunk was devouring him. His lower half was already gone and the rest of him hung down like a doll, bloody and lifeless. Adelaide’s head sat on the ground, covered in blood, but her body was nowhere to be seen. The red fur of her face was torn out in patches, and weeping a strange, discolored ooze. Rabika was halfway in a hole, her legs sticking up in all directions, obviously broken.
But worst of all was Xiuh. He lay upon the ground, wingless and dismembered, but still breathing. He was clinging to what was left of his pained life.
“You did this to us,” he croaked. “You let us die.”
“No! I didn’t know!” Midnightstar shook her head, denial filling her chest. “Xiuh, I’m so sorry. I tried to tell you, but I didn’t want to hurt you!”
“You did this,” Tatl whimpered. Only one paw and his muzzle stood out of the tree as the trunk sucked him inward. It was a terrifying sight, making it appear that the plant was speaking to her.
“It’s your fault,” Adelaide’s head added. “You killed us, Midnightstar.”
Midnightstar stared at the face for a moment, then smiled as the truth struck her. Little Adelaide was too sweet to ever blame anyone for anything. She would’ve probably tried to forgive Wyntier for his crimes, if she had been old enough to remember that he killed her parents.
“This isn’t real.” Midnightstar whipped around and glared at Wyntier. “You didn’t kill them!”
“No? How are you so sure?” he crowed, his voice sickly sweet.
“Because you’re weak!” Midnightstar snapped back at him.
“Weak? How dare you!” Wyntier pulled a gun from within his coat and began running at her, enraged
“You can’t hurt me!” Midnightstar yelled as he drew closer. “You can’t hurt me because you’re not real!”
With this statement Wyntier stopped inches in front of her, seemingly frozen. His skin began peeling off, curling as it fell to the ground. As it pulled away, shining purple scales were revealed beneath. Horns took shape on top of Wyntier’s head and talons were added as the figure got larger. The kind face that took the place of the evil Accompany’s struck pain in the heart of the wolf, for it was the kindly face of a mother, one from her childhood that had been so crudely taken away.
“Vera...” she whimpered. “Vera!”
Midnightstar’s heart beat faster and as she ran towards the lovely dragon. Her mind told her that this wasn’t real, but it didn’t matter, because her heart wanted nothing more than to be held by the Changer.
“Yes child, it is me,” Vera cooed softly as she drew near. “Come here and calm yourself. I will take care of you. Forget this plan of greatness. It means nothing to you.”
Midnightstar skidded to a halt. This wasn’t right. Vera had always found meaning in everything, no matter how small or pointless it had seemed. “You aren’t Vera.”
Midnightstar backed away, but the dragon spread her wings and engulfed her within them. “Let me go!” she screamed
“You are safe here, don’t you see?” Vera said quietly. “You need to stay here, where you will always be safe.”
“No!” Midnightstar lashed out with her claws, burying one into Vera’s side. The dragon’s eyes grew wide and she began to roar, releasing Midnightstar from her grasp. Midnightstar watched as the dragon shriveled, then expanded. Vera grew larger and larger, filling all of Midnightstar’s vision, then she exploded outward, creating large splatters of goop on the trees. The dark world around her became bright, and then the sun was too much, getting brighter and brighter.
“No, stop it!” Midnightstar yelled. “Stop!”
Suddenly, as quickly as the brightness came, it left. She looked around and found herself deep within the forest, all alone. Adelaide was gone from her side, and the others were missing, too. They’d been separated, but Midnightstar had no idea how.
“Adelaide!” she called into the dark trees. “Tatl! Rabika!” she started running frantically to find them. “Xiuh!”
As she yelled the dragon’s name, her vision blurred and then became his. Xiuh was walking through the trees, afraid for the wolves, but not for himself. I have to find them again. They won’t last against Specters, he thought, picking up his pace.
In the trees, a harsh light emerged, and Xiuh turned to face it. At first, it was too bright to see the source, but then it dimmed to reveal Midnightstar, standing there and smiling coyly.
Xiuh rushed toward her. “Thank the Creator I found you,” he said as he approached, relief in his voice.
“Come with me, Xiuh.” the wolf before him said softly. “I know where the others are.”
Don’t go with her! Midnightstar screamed. That isn’t me!
Under the spell of a Specter, the dragon didn’t hear her. “Lead the way.” Xiuh followed the Specter, unable to hear the true Midnightstar’s frantic screams. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Of course you are,” the Specter replied. “I know how much you care about me.”
“Then why have you been ignoring me?” Xiuh questioned.
“Does it matter? I don’t care about your feelings, only the mission,” the fake-Midnightstar replied.
I would never say that to you! Can’t you see this isn’t me? Midnightstar yelled, still unable to reach the dragon. Please, Xiuh! See the truth!
“It doesn’t,” Xiuh lied. In his head, Midnightstar heard the truth. I don’t want to be let go anymore. Too many have left me. Mother and Mirabelle are gone. Why can’t you just be a friend, instead of leaving me like they did? Xiuh thought.
His words broke her heart. Whispering softly, she said, I won’t leave you, Xiuh.
Xiuh jumped backwards in surprise. “Who said that?”
“No one said anything, crazy,” the Specter replied, a lack of concern on its face. “Come on. Only a little bit farther now.”
I won’t leave you if you just listen to me. Midnightstar knew he’d heard her. Somehow, she was getting through to him. She only had to try harder. That isn’t me, Xiuh!
“Who are you?” Xiuh looped around, searching the woods for a face. “Where are you?”
I’m Midnightstar, the real Midnightstar! I’m in your head, Xiuh, in your thoughts!
“Stop this yelling! We have to go before everyone else gets caught!” the Specter ordered. “Get moving!”
That’s a Specter! Can’t you see its flaws! Midnightstar cried.
“Midnightstar?” As the dragon realized what was going on, his confusion was overtaken by anger. “What are you doing? Get out of my head!”
I don’t mean to be in here! I just wanted to see if you were alright!
“Why would you do this to me?” he asked. “How could you intrude upon my thoughts like this and not tell me you were there?”
Xiuh shook himself, the feeling of being watched creeping over his back. Through their connection, Midnightstar saw he felt betrayed and violated by her presence in his subconscious. Thoughts that were meant to be private had been revealed to her.
Midnightstar was forced away from him, but before she left, she watched the Specter vanish into thin air as Xiuh leapt at it, snagging the spirit with his claws.
Midnightstar panted as she came into her own body. Xiuh had needed her to be there for him, and all this time, she’d been pushing him away.
“I’m sorry, Xiuh,” she whispered, rising to her feet and beginning to walk through the trees. “I’ll make it up to you somehow.”
Tatl stopped and looked around, trying to figure out what direction he was heading in. The forest looked the same no matter where he traveled. He circled a tree several times before stopping upon a wolf he knew, lunging back in astonishment.
The black fur of the wolf before him blended easily with the darkness around them. “Uncle Lilja?” Tatl questioned. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to find you,” Lilja answered. “Your mother is worried sick. She asked me to bring all of you home
.”
“We can’t leave,” Tatl argued. “We have to help Midnightstar find the Assembly.”
“Well, at least let me get you out of this forest,” Lilja insisted. “This is no place for a lone wolf to be roaming.”
“We have to find Adelaide and Rabika,” Tatl said. “And Midnightstar and Xiuh are lost in here, too.”
“They’re already safe outside the trees,” Lilja explained. “You’re the last one missing.”
“Oh. Okay, let’s go then,” Tatl said, relieved to no longer be alone. “Lead the way.”
When Lilja began to walk in a different direction, Tatl followed willingly. The older wolf led his nephew through the trees, but rather than taking him out of the woods, he seemed to be bringing Tatl deeper into the darkness.
“Are you sure this is the right way?” Tatl questioned, scampering next to Lilja.
“Of course it is. Would I steer my own family wrong?” Lilja barked.
“I was just asking, because it looks darker here,” Tatl commented. “Not at all like the edge of the forest did.”
“Do you trust me?” Lilja asked.
“Yeah. I’ve always trusted you,” Tatl answered slowly. “You’re my uncle.”
“Then stop arguing and walk!” Lilja snapped.
Tatl paused. He had never heard his uncle be so cruel to him before. His face was overtaken by an expression of horror. “You’re not my uncle, are you?” Tatl said. “You’re a Specter.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Lilja replied, but his voice cracked slightly, not at all sounding like Lilja would
“You’re not who you say you are!” Tatl growled. “I can see right through you!”
Discovered, the Specter opened its mouth and screamed at him, vanishing in a puff of smoke and leaving Tatl even more lost than he had been before. “Now what?” he groaned, looking around.
“Follow me.” A voice, mystical and light, as if it were from another world, echoed to him through the woods. “I can take you somewhere safe.”
“Who are you?” Tatl gazed forward intently to see a young she-wolf before him, her coat the color of pale sand underneath the warmth of a yellow sun.
