by J. J. Egosi
He soon noticed a set of footprints left in the muddy ground.
He found Julianna standing in an open field. She was accompanied only by the sound of pouring rain as she stood in the wet grassland. There was a cave nearby, a stony tunnel that stood over the field. She stood there, frozen as if mesmerized by the torrential downfall.
“You’re going to catch a cold standing out here like that,” Michael said, offering her his jacket.
“Aren’t you going to be cold now?” She looked at the rest of his attire. He wore just a short-sleeved shirt and long pants and was now just as poorly equipped as she had been moments ago.
“What if I am? My health has never been that important to me.”
Julianna gave him his jacket back. “Here. That’s very kind of you, but I can hold my own. If you get sick, you’ll slow me down.”
“I see. I didn’t think about that. Sorry.”
Michael frowned and pulled his jacket back on.
“Don’t worry about it. Just take care of yourself, and I’ll take care of myself.”
“Alright…”
Michael watched as the rain cascaded down her face. She stared intensely out into the distance.
“This rain is quite beautiful, isn’t it?” said Julianna. She stared at the downfall spreading for miles on end over the dreary, cold horizon.
“Yeah, I suppose. Is that why you’re out here?”
“Indeed, it is. I love the rain. The scent of petrichor, the sound of water crashing, and the shape it takes as it showers the land. It is all wonderful.”
“That’s great…I think,” Michael was unsure what to say. He’d never cared for the rain and had never known of anyone who did.
“Is it great? I don’t think that characterization does the rain much justice.”
“Sorry, I’m not the best with words. I guess I mean to say that I love how passionate you are. I didn’t know that about you.”
“That’s better. You’re not as bad with words as you think. Perhaps you’re still a bit nervous around me?”
“Maybe. Where I come from, most things I do or say get me extra chores or beaten up, so I usually just keep to myself.”
“How unfortunate to torture a soul such as yours. It’s like banishing the rain from the lands.” Sorrow glinted in her eyes as she spoke.
Michael was awestruck. “Given your love for rain, I’ll take that as the highest compliment.”
“It was. I meant every word of it. No one should ever lay a hand on that beautiful hair of yours. It’s like that of an angel.”
An angel… He scoffed at the very notion.
“You believe in that sort of stuff?” he asked. He hadn’t thought of her as someone who would take on faith.
“Not at all,” Julianna replied. “But I know the stories well. Beings with blue eyes and white hair, just like yours. They descended down from the clouds on beating wings like doves.” Julianna chuckled to herself. “It’s all silly stuff they teach you in church, but you do bear a striking resemblance to all the paintings they hang inside. Except you’re much cuter.”
“And I don’t have wings.”
Julianna joined her hand with his. “It’s just a bunch of make-believe. Angels living in a place called heaven, and the archangel ruling over the pearly gates of their kingdom.”
Archangel?
“But, you’re real,” said Julianna. “Which makes you better than any angel.”
Michael was overcome with warmth. He stared down at the smile on her face as her eyes softly closed.
I never knew her to have a gentle side. I think she’s even cuter now as if that were even possible.
The rain worsened. Lightning crashed from the sky. There was a thunderous roar, and a misty shroud crept over the ground.
“Seems a storm is coming. We should take cover.” Michael indicated the dank cave behind them. Julianna nodded, and together, the two of them took shelter inside.
She rested her head against his shoulder. Michael’s eyes glistened, and his heart thundered against his chest. He stared down at the smile that rested on her face and her softly closed eyes that told of her comfort at his side.
Soaking wet, Julianna undressed. She placed her clothes on a flattened rock at the entrance of the cave. Michael hid behind a large boulder to give her privacy.
Suddenly, they heard something. It approached from within the cave. They spun, wide-eyed. The sound grew louder, like a wave crashing back and forth in the distance.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Michael asked.
“Yes, it’s a-”
“Flood!”
They rushed from the cave, grabbing their things as they did so. They made it out just in time to see water violently pouring out from the entrance like a geyser.
“I’ve never seen this much water before,” Michael said. He watched with wide eyes as a sideways waterfall roared by him.
“Neither have I. Though I have a feeling we may have company,” said Julianna. The rain felt alive to her. It was as though she could sense a heartbeat within the restless waters, beating louder and louder.
Michael looked down at the flowing river around his ankles. He shook from head to toe. The water swayed unnaturally, like a primal dance that somehow called to the storm.
The rain that poured from the cave was now forming a great mass across the open marshy field. A familiar legless entity stood tall, like the other beasts they’d seen before. The water elemental was taking form.
Julianna looked at the creature in determination.
“One more?” she asked Michael.
“One more!”
She released her wings, but the rain was added a great deal of weight to them and dragged her down.
“Are you ok?” Michael asked.
“Damn it,” she muttered, gritting her teeth. “I don’t think I can fly in this weather. I’ll have to attack from the ground.”
“Without any clothes?”
“Is that a problem?” Julianna replied harshly.
Michael took a deep breath. He didn’t want to argue, not with the impending threat of the water elemental’s approach. “Take this.” He took his jacket off and tossed it to her.
Julianna put the jacket on and nodded. “You’re quite the overprotective type.” She looked sharply back at him, pointing back at the cave. “Take my clothes and dry them off back in that cave. Be sure to take shelter until I’m finished here. Do you understand?”
“You’ve got it.”
He rushed back into the cave holding Julianna’s soaking wet clothing. He laid them out onto the rock from before.
He gazed down in bewilderment. The clothes were drying quickly upon the rock, which now emitted glowing steam.
She must have put an enchantment on this rock. She’s a sword fighter and a magic-user. Incredible.
He watched her in amazement. Julianna fought back against the water elemental with her light-based sword. However, his surprise soon turned to fear. He stepped towards the cave’s entrance, watching Julianna swing her blade ferociously at the water elemental. Her every movement put a gash in her enemy, but the elemental quickly healed itself by filling the gap, like a roaring sea parting back into the center.
Sweat rolled down Julianna’s face. She reinforced her sword swings with her magic. She sent out an array of orbs and discs made with magical energy from her blade. Yet the additional potency wasn’t enough.
She was strong, but this elemental was stronger. She was unable to fight effectively in the rain and was quickly running out of steam. Julianna panted as she looked into the eyes of the beast. They were like two endless oceans; she was mesmerized by their rich and abyssal tone. She then locked eyes with Michael who still held a hopeful and reassuring smile on his face. As though a spell had broken, Julianna quickly dodged the swing of the beast’s mighty fist and sent it crashing down through the forest instead.
I don’t know how much more of this I can take, she thought. Her body ached, and
her energy was drained. My wings are useless, and all this water is drying out my magic.
“Come on, Julianna. I know you can do it. Use some big finishing move and end this!” Michael shouted.
“If I had one of those, I would have already used it!” She threw a glare in his direction.
She angrily watched the light from her sword go out like a flame under the crashing water above her.
“Rain is as cruel a mistress as it is a gentle maiden.” Julianna looked up at the towering water elemental, taking a deep breath as she readied for her next attack.
Unphased by the crushing impact it made on the land, the water elemental swung again. This time it was ready to hit its target. Julianna evaded the attack, but without the ability to lay a significant blow of her own, she knew she couldn’t last much longer.
Just as Julianna felt she had dodged the last of the elemental’s assaults, the beast sent out a massive flood from its gaping jaw. It was its strongest blight yet; with such immense size and force, it could easily wipe out a village.
Trembling at the size of towering waves pouring out from its mouth, Julianna painstakingly tried to defend herself with her sword. However, her strength proved not to be enough. She was unable to block the attack. She had no choice but to let the roar of the ocean take her.
From within the cave walls, Michael watched in terror. “Julianna, no!”
He tried to run from the cave, but it was no use. A protective wall had been placed over the entrance. Michael beat his fists repeatedly against it, but it was no use. It was like watching a fish in a tank, he couldn’t tell where the ocean began and the elemental finished. Everything outside was submerged in water, including Julianna. She sank to the bottom of the sea as the eyes of the elemental glowed in the distance. Michael felt like nothing more than a spectator, forced to watch Julianna suffer.
She must have cast this enchantment. It’s the only explanation for why I can’t get out or how the flood never made it inside this cave. Her magic’s good, but it wasn’t enough to beat the elemental. He bit back his anger as her body reached the ocean floor.
She’s still trying to protect me, but she won’t let me protect her. If there’s anything that can kill, it’s that stubborn and selfish attitude of hers.
Julianna was plagued by painful memories of the past. It was as if she’d been transported to the darkest corners of her subconscious. She covered her ears against the yelling and rage that surrounded her. Though she screamed to put a stop to it, Julianna’s pleas were ignored. She tossed and turned in the restless currents. The unforgiving darkness set her heart racing. Muffled, unfamiliar voices had her shouting in agony.
Michael could only watch the distant and dark silhouette of her body from the safety of the cave. She endured torment unknown to him. All alone.
She sank deeper. The voices in her mind spoke clearly now as if finally breaking through a barrier.
“It’s…not your fault.”
“Enough!” she screamed. “Go away.”
“It’s…not your fault. Please…learn to forgive.”
She recognized the voices from many years ago. Blurry images raced through her mind. Bloodstains after a violent attack were clear, but she couldn’t make out the faces. Everything vanished as if swallowed by the sea.
A new face appeared as clear as day.
Michael.
The violent attack on her mind halted. Julianna opened her eyes. She looked through the deep blue ocean and into the eyes of her enemy and smiled.
“I think it’s time to put an end to this,” she said.
Her blade produced a whirlwind of pulverizing force and unleashed a towering beast that was all too familiar.
The ocean recoiled, returning to its somewhat humanoid state, leaving the new creature to stand its place. Michael watched in wonder as the water elemental stood off against the earth elemental.
Julianna stared up at the water elemental with cold eyes. “It appears my new friend has left you cowering back in your previous form. Yet you still stand. Maybe this will put you down a peg!”
A second sword appeared in her free hand. She summoned the fire elemental to the battlefield.
“Normally, it would be a draw between fire and water, but since I have the earth elemental to keep you in check, I’m afraid that storm of yours will have to come crumbling down!”
The three elementals roared loudly enough for the entire Twilight Realm to hear.
Michael stared with wide eyes. He felt helpless as her rage turned her into someone he didn’t recognize. He could only watch in terror as three of the mightiest creatures to ever grace the Twilight Realm, beasts carved from all corners of nature, battled it out. It was like nothing he’d ever witnessed. They clashed against one another under Julianna’s rule and manipulation. She reinforced every attack with magically infused swings of her swords.
The water elemental struck at Julianna, but she defended with the fire elemental. As the fire elemental’s flame dimmed, she sent the earth elemental to dry off the adversary. All the while, she whittled them down with her dual blades.
After what seemed like hours of watching the forces of nature collide, the water elemental was defeated. All the elementals were, in fact. The earth elemental had been scorched in flames, the fire elemental had been washed away, and there was nothing left of the water elemental but a few fledgling puddles of water.
Exhausted but pleased, Julianna stood as the lone survivor before passing out.
As she hit the ground, the barrier fell and Michael ran to her aid. He shook her as hard as he could, screaming her name and hoping she’d regain consciousness. Unfortunately, this time, she didn’t wake up.
Michael screamed in rage and anger. He could only watch as his tears fell from his face and onto hers. Michael looked up at the sky; it felt wrong that the sun had revealed itself. There was nothing to celebrate under its shining gaze.
Julianna was still alive, still breathing, and bore no signs of life-threatening injury. Her skin was pale, and her body was cold. Michael only hoped that she didn’t have any internal injuries.
He hated to leave her, but they needed to get out of here. He lifted her body and gently placed her in the safety of the cave. Michael made a pillow for her with rolled-up garments. He’d be back for her soon.
He ran back to the campsite to gather their things. He grabbed a few changes of clothes and some pots and pans, along with a blanket and their tent. In less than an hour, everything was packed. Michael set his eyes on the Dark Realm.
Michael carried Julianna and their equipment over his shoulders. He could feel his body giving out; however, he pushed forward. He was desperate to help his friend and hear her voice again.
He stumbled through the forest until he heard the crashing of the sea. He eagerly quickened his pace. He stepped out from the trees and found a dock filled with ships by an open shore, not unlike the one he’d seen a few days prior.
As stealthily as he could, Michael tiptoed across the shore and towards another ship while the crew members weren’t looking. He took advantage of crates and loose tarps by hiding behind them. With only the dim light of a few gas lamps to guide the way through the night, Michael snuck into the nearest ship’s cargo compartment.
He hoped that he wouldn’t get caught with Julianna and all their supplies over his shoulders and that this ship could take him to a village with a powerful healer. With a flickering light peering from the cracks of the crate, he hid inside. At the ringing of a bell, he took a sigh of relief. He knew it signaled that the ship was about to leave with the two of them on it.
The ship sailed through much of the night. He’d dozed off when he heard the ship docking. With widened eyes, Michael picked himself up and peeked out from his crate. It was still dark, but he didn’t want to take any chances. He moved as carefully as he could, with Julianna and all their supplies. He tiptoed and hid behind whatever he could to make his way off the ship.
He snuck past the cre
w members and made his way down the ramp, ducking behind crates and beneath tarps. Finally, perched behind a nearby tree, he caught his breath.
Now, these are woods I know quite well. It looks like I’m back in the Dark Realm.
Michael made his way back onto a familiar trail. He trod cautiously, making sure not to run into any trouble.
After a while, overwhelmed by the weight of everything he carried, Michael fell.
He awoke with a terrible headache around two hours later. What the hell happened? Is Julianna alright?
Michael picked himself up and was met with the bloodshot eyes of a bear. He hadn’t realized he was in her territory, and he could tell by her vicious stare that she was furious.
Shit. Of course, it had to be a fucking black bear.
He tried to slowly back away, reaching for Julianna.
The bear struck at his arm and bit into it. Michael screamed in agony as he tried in vain to shake the bear off. The bear wouldn’t let go. Just as Michael thought it couldn’t get much worse, four more bears came out from the woods.
“No.” Michael’s heart sank. Tears ran down his face. “It can’t end like this. Not when Julianna’s still hurt. Not when…”
His vision became hazy. He knew he would pass out at any moment.
“Not when…Isabella still owes me an explanation,” he muttered.
“An explanation…Isabella?”
Repeating those words to herself, Julianna woke from her slumber. Her eyes flew open as she saw the horror before her. She jumped to her feet and summoned her sword.
“Julianna, you’re awake!”
“Worry about yourself, dumbass. You’ve got a whole slew of bears attacking you.” She kicked and slashed them away from her. “It looks like I woke up just in time.”
“I know,” he replied, half smiling as he painstakingly attempted to fend them off with his fists and his feet. “I can keep fighting now that I know you’re ok.”
