Over The Mountains
“Are we almost there, Acacia?” A whisper whispered through the air, breaking the peaceful silence. The leading woman quickly turned around, and said in a quick whisper
“Shh, we’ll be there soon, trust me. I’ll signal you after I check to see if its clear, okay?”
“okay…” the other woman said.
“I’ll go ahead, stay here for a sec Emilija.. to where we’re going, we need to be on high alert. And if they see you we’re both done for.” Acacia said quickly. Emilija simply sitting down of the soft morning touched ground. Acacia walked carefully ahead, her movements quick and light. It seemed like minutes until she reached the end of the meadow. The sun now risen, dissolved the morning dew. Acacia signaled with her hands for Emilija to follow. Gracefully, she bounds over, her strides not making a sound. A shadow flew quickly over, covering the sun.
“get down. NOW!” Acacia yelled as flames started to fall from the sky. “Run! I’ll cover for you! See the forest? Run through, right, left, right, right, left. Then you should see a tree with a strange marking. Go!” Emilija sprinted ahead but turned to look back.
“Come on! Lets go!” She said, skidding to a hault.
“I’ll be right there. I have to lead them astray. Go now, before they see you too!” With a quick bound the young friends separated both going in different directions.
Emilija sprinted into the forest, remembering the directions. A raven cawed on top of a pine tree, out of alarm. The wind howled as the trees shook as if they were scared. At last she reached the end, leading to a small meadow. A blossom tree hung over a crystal clear pond. Looking around, she found notes scribbled onto the rock.
“Aare these… music notes?” She said, exasperated. Taking a deep breath, she hummed the tune carved into the rock. The pond, once shallow, deepened around 19ft. Taking a breath, she dove into the water, swimming into a hole. She gasped for air as Emilija pulled herself out of the water. In the cavern, there was a small fire place, and some fish. To the far back, there was a bundle of hay and feathers scattered around, making a mattress. Sitting down, she grabs two stones. Striking them together creates a small spark, igniting the flame. Sitting down on the hay, she closes her eyes and waits for her friends arrival.
Wind whistled through her hair, as Acacia sprinted onwards the shadow in pursuit.
‘When will they give up?’ Acacia thought to herself. Busy thinking, Acacia accidentally tripped on a root, twisting her leg. ‘Ow.’ She thought as she winced. The shadow came over head, transforming to a figure.
“well hello there child, have you seen two strange ladies around these parts?” The shadow said, being ever-so polite.
“Ow..” she said, noticing her leg twisted. The shadow smiled happily.
“Well then! We found one…” At the instant the shadow shot towards her mouth. Her mouth opened, against her will. “Time to have fun” it said as it traveled down her throat. Trying to go throughout her entire body, a golden glow started forming around her. The shadow evaporated, screaming painfully. Acacia gasped for air as her airways were cleared. Opening her eyes, she saw that she was not dead.
“Whaaaat have I been eating.” She muttered as she pulled her leg from the root. Forgetting she hurt it, she started running, but stopped short due to the fact that her leg twisted backwards. “D*mn it….” She gritted her teeth as she got back up again.
“Forgive me…. I let this happen to you…” A deep voice echoed through the empty forest.
“Ok, seriously, Emilija, WHAT DID I EAT.” Acacia said hotly.
“Don’t be silly child. You know indeed what happened.”
“Okay… yeah I do… But… who are you?” As she said that, the golden aura formed around her once again.
“I am you… A past you…” The aura whispered. Acacia just stood there for a moment, thinking carefully.
“So… I’m… Insane? Like thats cool and all. But I’d prefer not to be.” She muttered, as the golden aura glowed in her eyes.
“No… You are not, little one. You are a mortal, possessing great strength.”
“Um. What about-”
“Yes… your friend too… You both have been chosen.”
“Chosen? For what?” The aura started to fade from her eyes. “Wait! Tell me!” She yelled.
“The time will come soon… my friend…” The aura evaporated, shifting to non-existence. Acacia groaned in annoyance. ‘Why won’t ANYONE tell me who I am?!’ She yelled in her head. ‘I know theres a reason why my family...’ Her thought ended immediately as she heard a twig snap. Whipping around she saw a dove. Fluttering near a stick. “how… did that get there?” She wondered aloud. For a minute, Acacia stood there, a tear escaping. “So painful… Ugh…” Shaking from the pain she sat there. “No. I must be strong. I cannot be soft. Not in a world like this. Her eyes gleamed gold for a second, determination hardened on her face. Getting up, she grabbed the stick. The dove cooed as it perched on the stick. The stick glowed for a second, then as Acacia grabbed hold, it transformed into a sword. A sword of magnificent gold, the blade glowed in the sun. “What?” She stuttered amazed. The dove flew onto her shoulder.
“I am you.. We are the creation of peace. But to get it, we must fight.” The dove cooed, it’s voice gentle. “Now. Learn the Melody!” The dove shouted. Flying up, it spread it’s wings, casting a golden shadow, as it formed against the sun. A headache broke through Acacia’s head, causing her to gasp. Being lifted up by a light, pain went through her entire body. “Hear the song of the Guardian!” The dove shouted. The wind howled, as it went through the blades of grass. Things slowed as Acacia’s mind soared, remembering and seeing every detail. An arrow shot out from the air. “Time for practice.” The dove said. The aura left Acacia as she fell to the ground. Shadows formed figures in the corner of her eyes. As she breathed, she could feel the world. The air was filled with energy. The melody was faintly heard in her ears. The wind blew against her skin, the air, feeling solid. The sword appeared in her hand as she turned around.
“Today! We fight as ONE!” Acacia’s and the guardian’s voice blended as she swung her sword. Doing a backflip, she cut a shadow in half. The battle only began. Looking around the field, thousands of the shadows have appeared, darkness around her. Walking towards them, they parted. Walking forward, sword at hand, the shadows formed, creating a colossal dragon.
Standing there, calm, as the field and the sky darkened. “You dare threaten me, nomade of shadow! Feel my wrath!” With a swoosh, Acacia and the dove ran through the sky. The dove, glowed of gold, as it flew into her. Golden wings sprouted from her back as Acacia lept towards the dragon. Roaring, the dragon flapped it’s giant wings, as it took off into the sky. Acacia, growling with rage, flew towards it with inhuman speed.
Following through the dark night, they landed on an empty wasteland. “This… is my home.” Acacia said, looking down. Rage built up inside her, as she gripped her sword tightly. “You… will PAY for what you’ve done to them!” She cried. Lunging forwards she drove her sword through the dragon’s tail. Upon hit, the dragon cried out with rage. The tail vanished, the sword’s glow destroying it.
The dragon whipped around, with the speed of light. It’s mouth formed a ball of dark energy as Acacia ran towards it, blade in hand. The ball launched sending it flying towards her. The blade and energy clashed. Acacia’s body shook with the effort. With a shriek of effort, the ball went flying back to it’s creator. The dragon screeched with pain. The aura around Acacia formed into an orb of energy. It glowed before her eyes.
Throwing it up in the sky, Acacia flew to it. Focusing on the dragon, the energy flew towards it, going through the dragon. The clash of energies rang out, creating an explosion. The dove came out of Acacia as it warped them back to the tree where they met. Acacia stumbled, exauhsted. “I have avenged you…” She whispered leaning against the tree. The sword she held, transformed back into the stick. Sighing, she limped to the small meadow, unaware of the shadow behind the tree.
Back at the cavern, Emilija was interrupted by her own worries. Questions zipped through her mind, anxiety forming a ball. ‘Where is she?’; ‘Is she ok?’ ‘Oh no… I hope they didn't take her…’ Her mind buzzed with action. Closing her eyes she sighed. Deciding to concentrate on the small flames, dancing around. Flicking their tongues of venom, the fire swirled around, elegantly singing the sound of fire. Her concentration was interrupted by the splashing of water as a familiar head poked through the hole.
“Guess who’s alive!” Acacia said in a tired but happy voice.
“What took you so long? I was worried!” Emilija got up from the fire and helped her friend up. Slowly walking towards the hay, Acacia fell backwards into the feathers.
“Ahh… Sweet home… and fire… and other stuff.. Yeah… good times.” She mumbled. Looking at her friend carefully, Emilija noticed hard concentration on her face and her eyes glazed over.
“You ok?” Emilija asked, worried.
“Huh? I’m fine…” Acacia said, yawning. “Just… uh.. tired.” She mumbled laying on the hay.
“Uh-huh. Sure. What happened.” Emilija stated flatly. Acacia just chuckled.
“I got a booboo.” She said, in a baby voice. Trying to get up, Acacia’s leg twisted back. Wincing with pain, she muttered. “ow..” Emilija shook her head, wondering why her friend would try to ignore something like that. Sitting down next to Acacia, she looked carefully at her right leg. Touching it, she noticed something warm and wet on her pants.
“Acacia! You’re bleeding!” She yelled in alarm. “Why wouldn’t you tell me! I would’ve helped!” Acacia looked down, with guilt written on her face. Sighing she shook her head, still looking down.
“I didn't think it’d be this bad…” she muttered, her face hidden by the shadows of the cavern. Emilija took a sharp rock and cut a hole where the bleeding was. Acacia winced as Emilija gently touched it, looking for a cut. Emilija gasped when she felt it. Grabbing a small makeshift torch, she shined light on the gaping cut.
“I need to clean it…” She said, breaking the silence. Acacia just sighed and said,
“Lets just get it over with…” Standing up, supported by the wall, made her way to the hole. Emilija, grabbing a carved rock curved like a cup, scooped some of the water up.
“Ok, this will sting a little.” Acacia laughed nervously.
“Or sting like the fires from the ward.” Acacia said, clearly not wanting to. Emilija lifted the water and poured it on her leg. Acacia grabbed a rock near her and squeezed it, gritting her teeth. After a couple of minutes washing the cut, Emilija grabbed some cloth from the hay and wrapped it around the wound.
“Okay! Its over!” Emilija stated, satisfied with her work. Acacia just groaned and murmured sleepily.
“Mkay… letz go to bed now…” Acacia, getting up with difficulty. Walking slowly over to the beds, she laid down carefully, making sure she wasn’t on her leg wound. In an instant, she fell asleep, slowly breathing. Emilija chuckled as she laid down next to her sleepy friend. Closing her eyes, she too, was asleep in an instant.
Pronunciations~ Emilija (Em-Eel-Eeya); Acacia(Ah-kay-sha)
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