Ascension

by Jennifer Ann Reed

  The whites of Allie’s eyes were all I saw when she blew out a breath and opened our tent.

  “I brought you two some dinner.” Plates of steaming rice with meat and vegetables were extended to us. Ryn’s fingers skimmed mine as he passed me my food. “And dessert.” He reached behind him and produced two ambrosia fruits.

  “Thanks!” Allie snatched them and zipped up the door in his face.

  “Allie!” I swatted her arm and a grin stretched to each ear.

  “We were having a private conversation and he interrupted.” Allie’s voice rose, and we heard several male chuckles. “Serves him right. Girl talk is sacred.”

  We ate quickly, giggling as she gossiped about each male in our group.

  “Well you didn’t answer my question.” I patted my stomach and laid back on my elbows to make room to breathe properly.

  “One moment.” She opened the tent door and called Austin over to grab our plates before closing it again. A shadow paused on the other side, stooping down to pick them up as Allie crawled under her sleeping bag, stretching with both arms over her head. “Which one can’t you live without?”

  “What?” I followed her example after removing my armor.

  “You heard me.” Allie rolled onto her side and rested her head in her hand. I mimicked her ready to hear her words of wisdom. “The decision is easy. The man you can’t live without is the one you pick. The hard part is getting to that point. Until then, take it slow.”

  I flopped onto my back and stared at the green fabric ceiling. Allie gave me a lot to think about and I spent the night tossing and turning with the dream me trying to figure out who I couldn’t let go.

  ******************

  The next morning, we left at dawn after eating and packing up quickly. Ryn, Lucian, and Uncle Kalen combed the area destroying evidence that we’d camped there before we darted for the road. We followed it to the first hill before we veered around the base.

  A long animal howl pierced the air and I froze mid-step. Lucian pulled a long sword from its leather sheath, spinning in a circle. Two responses chorused with the first and Ryn pulled out his own sword.

  “Where is that coming from?” Allie’s butterfly swords were crossed in front of her.

  “The real question is what is that?” Uncle Kalen’s back was pressed to Lucian’s.

  “Is it wolves?” Curtis’s wolf rippled under his skin. “I thought we were the only ones.” Three more howls joined the others as they came closer.

  An invisible force slammed into my side and I flew through the air, landing in a heap on the grass. A low growl vibrated in my ears and rancid breath which smelled like sour milk invaded my nostrils. Four toes weighed against my chest and held me in place. My magic flared, and the demon dog materialized. It was as large as my wolf but had black shaggy fur dotted with gray flecks. Two crimson orbs darkened as sharp incisors lunged for my face.

  I kicked the animal in its gut as my hand closed over the hilt of my katana. I kicked once more, lifting and tossing the creature over my head. My Guardians had already shifted and snapped at the air while the others swung weapons at empty spaces. Why couldn’t they see the creatures attacking us?

  The animal I fought rose from the ground and launched itself into the air. I pulled my katana free in one smooth arc, slicing the creature open from hip to chest. It fell and blood splattered the grass and my boots. The others still fought unknown assailants and I formed flaming purple orbs in my hands. In rapid fire, I took down the rest and their invisibility dropped.

  “The Hounds.” Austin nudged the closest one with his shoe as Linc squatted and wiped sweat from his forehead, while he examined the animal.

  “Hounds?” Zander’s shoulders heaved and he sheathed his broadsword to kneel near his friend.

  “Hounds of the Hill.” Lucian pried one’s eye open, revealing the scarlet iris. “These belong to the Council. They’re trackers and were sent to kill us and take Kitra.”

  More howls sounded in the distance and we shifted as Austin hopped onto Linc’s back. Curtis’s blonde wolf laid on its belly for Allie to jump on and Ryn made his way to me, but Uncle Kalen jumped in front of him and lowered. The ground trembled as more undetectable Hounds raced towards us and Ryn situated himself on my uncle’s back.

  “RUN!” Austin gripped Linc’s chocolate fur as he leapt forward.

  The first wave of Hounds crested a hilltop and turned as one unit in our direction. Ryn yelled our directions and each of us charged. I glanced behind us and saw more than 100 of those beasts gaining on us and I sent the vision on to my Guardians. Our paws pounded against the hard earth, flattening blades of grass and kicking up clumps of dirt in our wake. We ran for miles with the Hounds hot on our heels and only deviated from our path at Ryn’s direction.

  Air entered my lungs through a small tunnel as my tongue hung past my teeth. I didn’t know how long we’d been running. We couldn’t keep up this speed forever. We would need to stop soon, but the Hounds weren’t giving up. We crossed a small ice-cold stream and I desperately wanted nothing more than to submerge my snout in it, but still we kept going. Austin whistled and pointed behind us as shimmery trees came into view. I skidded across the ground and almost collided with Zander who had stopped in front of me, looking over his shoulder. Behind us the Hounds stood at the edge of the stream but didn’t cross it. Angry growls filled the air as they turned and ran in the opposite direction.

  Ryn jumped from my uncle’s back as he shifted and collapsed to the ground. “We’re here.”

  The rest of us shifted and I gulped water from my canteen. My lungs burned, and my chest heaved as I sat with my head between my legs.

  “Here?” Caden faced the forest, taking a long drink from his own canteen.

  Ryn nodded and pointed at the ethereal trees. The trunks shone pale yellow from within as the white leaves waved in the breeze. A siren’s lullaby called us forward and we hesitated at the edge but then my magic pushed me into the forest and the others followed closely behind. My lips stretched, and a silly grin pulled at my cheeks as I forgot about my mission.

  Chapter 13

  M Y CHEST DRUMMED WHILE a strange beat played its tune inside me. Warmth radiated from the tips of my toes to each hair follicle, lifting it at an odd tingle. My thoughts bounced from one to the next as I traced my fingers along the gilded trees, humming an unfamiliar melody. Zander snorted from behind another trunk and skipped to my side, grabbing my hands and swinging me in circles until we collapsed to the dark forest floor in a fit of giggles. Allie squealed to our right when Curtis chased her through the foliage and Linc caressed a white leaf hanging close to his brunette head. Uncle Kalen and Lucian stole Ryn’s sword, tossing it back and forth between each other in a dangerous game of keep-a-way as Ryn jumped to grab the exposed blade.

  The more I watched the others, the more my pulse forced blood through my veins and spots danced in my vision. A vice clamped around my chest and bile threatened to make an appearance as my body overheated and my muscles lost their ability to function. I was paralyzed from the head down. Caden fell to his knees as he squeezed his head, his hoarse scream echoed around us. Allie and Curtis dropped mid-stride, muttering nonsense while Linc leaned against the tree, wheezing on each inhale. One by one, they fell and thrashed as tree roots slithered towards their prone forms until they were wrapped in the gnarled wooden clutches. Beads of moisture broke out on my brow as I willed my magic to come to my aid, but it lay dormant like someone turned off the faucet it streamed from. The closest tree groaned, and a root crept towards me and a single tear streaked a course to my ear. It was then, I remembered my mission and why I was in this forest in the first place.

  This wasn’t happening! How could we escape the Hounds only to be eaten by Oberon’s forest? I was supposed to be the Creator’s Champion, not a weakling unable to save herself or her friends. Was my mission going to end here?

  My breath came in shallow gasps and I concentrated on moving my fingers
when the first scrape of rough bark tugged at my side. No matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t moving. None of us were. Was the Creator going to let it end like this? I wouldn’t let it.

  I begged and pleaded for my wolf to show herself, but she was silent. I ground my teeth as more perspiration dampened my hair. I searched for any way to break the forest’s hold on my stationary limbs, but escape was futile. Every attempt led back to the same answer; I was useless. My willingness to do anything to save myself and my friends didn’t matter. No one was coming to help us.

  My thoughts died on my parted lips when I slowly slid towards a tree trunk and I clamped my lids closed. Why wasn’t the Creator helping us? Why leave me in a situation I couldn’t handle on my own? My vision narrowed on the marks my body left in the soil as it was dragged to the bottom of a tree trunk and my nostrils flared while my chin lifted. If the Creator wanted Aelfric to win even after he’d commissioned me with destroying him, so be it.

  A piercing light erased the scenery while thunder shook the ground. I was suddenly freed from the root’s grasp and my muscles regained their ability to move. I jerked upright and launched to my feet, searching for the reason I was now mobile but found nothing. I turned clockwise and saw a lonely sea of white light. The others were missing, and I sprinted to my right, calling their names. I ran until my side pinched in tiny stabs.

  “Hello?” I landed against the hard floor, bent at the waist until the pain subsided. No one answered my call, but I noticed a shimmer among my endless pure surroundings.

  “Why do you doubt me?” A halo formed around the hazy image that took on the shape of a man with shoulder-length hair. I squinted, trying to bring him into focus but his appearance stayed hidden as I stood. “I know your heart, chosen one, but I want to hear it from your lips. Why do you doubt me?”

  My stare fell to the white floor. “Are the others safe?” I picked at my nails, rolling his question over in my brain. The truth was ugly and tasted like rotten meat at the back of my throat.

  “They are.” The Creator stepped closer and I turned, hiding my face as tears swelled against my lashes. “But you didn’t answer my question.”

  I gulped; my tongue heavier than normal. “You left me alone.” The last word cracked, and the first tear fell. “I couldn’t fight the forest on my own and you stayed away. Why did you do that?” I turned back to him and landed on my knees, catching myself with my hands before I face planted. “Why not help us? I can’t finish the task you gave me if you won’t help me.” My shoulders shook, and a sob broke the silence.

  A warm hand of light lifted my head and the Creator wrapped me in his arms. “I didn’t leave you, Kitra.” He smoothed a hand over my hair, and I cried harder, shaking us both. “You may think I’m not there, but I am.”

  “Then why let the forest overtake me?” I hiccupped against him before more tears poured from my sockets when I remembered being held by my father as a child when I was hurting. This embrace was so much like those from my past and gave me comfort I hadn’t had in a long time.

  “I want you to trust me. Trust that I know what is best for you and will assist you along the way to lead you down the path I want you to follow.” A warm breath fluttered in my hair.

  “I failed, miserably didn’t I?” My chin dipped, quivering and I slumped in his arms.

  A soft chuckle filled the air. “Everyone makes mistakes, Kitra.” He released me as I sat back. “Ask for forgiveness and learn from them. Draw closer to me.”

  “Will you forgive me?” My gaze stayed on his chest. I wished I could go back in time and try again.

  “I will always forgive you.” The outline of lips in the haze stretched as he lifted me to my fight. “Be warned that the road ahead will not be easy. You need to learn to lean on me.” The Creator paused and drew a deep breath. “I’m suppressing your powers and wolf.” My mouth opened in an automatic rebuttal but closed when the shimmer around me dimmed enough for me to see a raised dark brow. “You will regain control of them both once you learn to trust me. Until then, remember I am by your side Chosen One.”

  The Creator disappeared, and I was standing among my sleeping friends. The forest was eerily silent for the moment while the trees were dormant and no longer a threat. I searched deep inside myself for my wolf and magic, but it was just as he stated. They were gone.

  A moan greeted my ears and I rushed to Uncle Kalen’s side. “W…what happened?” He pressed his palm to his forehead. “How are we free.”

  “Some divine intervention.” His brows reached his hairline as I sat him up.

  “What do you mean?” He grabbed my wrist, his eyes seeking the answer in mine. Caden groaned and I darted off before he demanded the answer.

  When the others awoke, several questioned what had happened while a couple came to their own conclusions, but Uncle Kalen kept a perplexed stare on me. I stayed busy, helping my friends back to their feet and made sure no one was injured. Finally, Uncle Kalen stopped watching me as I assisted Ryn in the search for his missing sword. Allie poured water on a cloth from her bag and wiped the dirt from her face and then passed the cloth to me to do the same.

  Once everyone was cleaned up and Ryn had found his weapon, I turned towards the trees. The unusual trees were thick and only allowed thin beams of sunlight to break past the canopy. The soil was dark grey instead of brown or black and chips of the yellow wood were scattered throughout. Small plants resembling ferns dotted the landscape a couple of feet from each tree.

  “Anyone want to take a crack at which direction to go?” Allie sipped at her canteen and tucked an errant strand of red hair behind her ear. “Or do we spread out search party style?”

  “We’re staying together.” Many eyes became saucers with Caden and Ryn’s identical declarations. At least they were agreeing on something instead of lashing out at one another.

  “Okay.” Linc rubbed at his chest, facing the trees and I walked up beside him and bumped him with my hip. We almost lost him earlier and I worried he was having flashbacks of what happened in the arena.

  “You good?” He dropped his arm around me, and I heard a low growl and muttering.

  “Yeah. Just a lot on my mind.” He turned back to the others. “Staying together is great and all, but which way?”

  A path to follow would be too easy. All right, which way Creator?

  A giggle interrupted our indecision. I really hoped this was his answer.

  “Anyone else hear that or am I going crazy?” I turned in a complete circle, but nothing was out of place.

  “Yeah.” Ryn’s hand landed on the hilt of his sword. Another giggle sounded and Ryn tiptoed in its direction. “Everyone, stay alert.”

  We fanned out behind him in a close formation and pulled out our own weapons. Many giggles echoed off the trees until we couldn’t pinpoint the direction. Ryn continued on his original path. Out of the corner of my eye, I detected movement and alerted Caden who walked next to me. We walked a few more minutes, listening to the chorus of laughter and then we saw something peek around a tree. Glowing green orbs blinked several times before the figure hid behind the tree again as the laughter continued.

  “What was that?” A chill sped down my spine and my gait grew stiffer.

  “Your guess is as good as mine.” Caden’s stare only left the tree where we saw the bizarre eyes after we passed it, and nothing happened.

  After an hour of walking deeper into Oberon’s Forest, the giggles hit a crescendo. Many figures separated themselves from the trees and we stopped in our tracks. Each had shining eyes in different shades of green. Their skin was the same color and texture as the tree trunks with small patches of olive moss scattered over them. Branches extended from their bark-like heads, weaving into crowns covered in flowers of many colors.

  “Dryads.” Allie’s butterfly swords lowered to her sides. “Tree fairies.”

  “Tree fairies?” Zander’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped. “Friend or foe?”

  “Friend!�
� Melodic voices answered as one in an interesting harmony.

  The dryad in the middle with blue flowers above its head walked forward and I noticed the color of the flowers on each crown was the only thing which distinguished them. “Welcome to Oberon’s Forest, Princess.” The lilting voice sang as the tree fairy bowed low. The others followed the leader’s example before they all rose as one, casting their strange gazes on us.

  “Thank you.” I sheathed my katana and stepped up to the lead next to Ryn. “Can you help us?”

  “We know what you’re after.” A couple of the tree fairies ran in different directions, garnering the attention of others who chased after them. These creatures didn’t seem as bad as the tree roots earlier. “Play a game with us and we will tell you how to find what you search for.”

  “What kind of game?” Ryn still held his sword and positioned himself slightly in front of me.

  “Of wits.” The leader smiled, showing dark brown teeth. “If the princess can answer a riddle correctly, we will lead you on your quest.”

  “And if I answer wrong?” I moved to stand directly beside Ryn. I wasn’t hiding behind him.

  “Then you stay with us forever.” The hair on the back of my neck lifted and a horrid shriek resounded around us before any of us replied to the tree fairy. More screams saturated the air and four tree fairies with five slash marks leaking green liquid down their backs raced past us. “Aswangs!”

  The tree fairies scattered and then froze in place as their crowns soared into the canopy while their bodies lengthened, and they mimicked the surrounding trees.

  Weapons were once again held at the ready as the forest grew quiet. The injured tree fairies came from the left, so we went to the right as quickly as possible while still watching for danger. We made it to a clearing with a small creek carving through the middle. No longer under the cover of the trees, my gut tightened as my head swung side-to-side. When I faced ahead of us, I stopped in my tracks and closed my eyes and shook my head. What I saw wasn’t possible. I opened my eyes and noticed the others standing as still as statues with their eyes on what I saw.