Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Fantasy

The steady chirping of crickets calm hoots of owls set Melissa's mind at ease. The violet sky and crimson horizon reflected in her glossy green eyes. A brisk wind blew through her dark black dreads. She giggled as the ends brushed upon her lightly tanned shoulders. The aroma of freshly rained upon grass from the valley below rose all about the mountain side. She invited the fragrances of nature deep into her lungs. 
   Thin trees lined the mountain, casting shadows and rays of fading light. 
   Melissa walked to the edge of the cliff, and hung her legs over the ledge. 
   "James, come here." She said without breaking focus on the sunset.
   A thin boy emerged from the shadows. His skin white as ivory and hair as snow did not make him any less invisable while in the shadows. In front of him, a small golden beam of fading light rose into the air. He bent down and walked beneath it. Slowly he sat next to mellisa.
   "James, have you ever seen anything so," her words faded as the sun completely submerged itself below the horizon.
  "Mesmerizing? " said James as he stared at Melissa. 
   Melissa turned to him and stared into his milky white eyes. "Yes james," the delicate ends of her mouth rose.
"Mesmerizing." 
   She leaned in and kissed him. 
James pulled back.
Her brows furrowed.
   "James," he looked into the night sky. "What's wrong?" She placed her hand on his shoulder. 
   The crickets seemed to get louder with every second.
   "James."
   He stood to his feet and walked over to a tree. He traced his finger over it's soft bark.
   "James are you okay?"
  He stopped tracing the bark and turned his back on Melissa.
   "We can not be."
Melissa's green eyes squinted and her cheeks became flush. 
   "What, why, James?"
   "My father has returned."
Melissa's stopped breathing for a moment. 
   "No," her eyes widened. "That can not be."
   "I do not know how, but he has returned." 
   "James you must be mistaken."
   "I am not." He turned to her. " I have spoken with him, and he has spoken with my tribes great chiefs." 
   Melissa shook her head.
   "It is better if we forget this illusion."
Melissa's throat clenched. 
   "We might meet again." 
   Her eyes reddend.
   "It would be a most terrible thing."
   "No, we could go away." She stood up. 
   James was gone. Enveloped by the shadows. 
   She stumbled towards the tree where he had stood. 
   "James," the name barely came out of her tightening throat. Her knees buckled as she hugged the tree, wishing it was James. 
   The hair on her neck stood. She stood still and listened. No crickets ,no owls, not even the wind stirred. She stared into the dark shadows beyond the trees. 
Movement.
Coming fast.
Towards her.
 Melissa ran towards the cliff and
jumped off.
The wind became deafening as she fell faster and faster. All melissa could do was let out a high pitch scream.
.......................................................
  James quickly turned. 
"No."
The trees shook as he sprinted back to the cliff.
His head dipped into his chest and his body angled forward as his speed increased. 
He cleared the trees. The dirt kicked into the air as he slid to a stop. 
A bright light flashed in the dark abyss of the valley below. His hand shielded his eyes.
The air vibrated in and out of his sensitive ears. 
From behind him emerged three white figures from the darkness.
"Not to worry brother." Said one of the ghostly figures.
"Her guardian protects her well."
James' white eyes refocused to the darkness. 
In the darkness below, the silhouette of a large eagle faded into the distance.
"He is no brother of ours midas." Spat another figure, this one larger and taller than the rest.
James let out a small sigh and turned to face the three.
"Look brother, he is angered." Said     Midas. 
"Why have you followed me tyraz." Said James. 
Tyraz, the bigger of the three smiled, showing a row of sharp yellow teeth.
Midas chuckled.
"Answer me Tyraz," James stepped forward with his fingers spread. The smaller of the three stepped back. Midas hesitated, but Tyraz did not move.
"Forgive us Prince." Said the smallest of the three figures.
"We were not following you. Your father ordered us to seek you out"
James and Tyraz continued to stare each other down. 
"We tracked you here and found a spy on this cliff."
"Enough Argus." Said Midas. 
"Your father wishes you back, the war chiefs are gathering." Said Midas.
"Tell my father I am no war chief, my presence is not required." Said James.
Tyraz stepped forward. 
"Your king orders you to." Midas and Argus stared wide eyed at Tyraz.
" you forget your place comoner." Replied James.
Tyraz clenched his broad jaw. The veins on his forehead pulsed.
"Then we shall hunt down the spy."
James squinted.
"That guardian would be too quick to catch." James said turning to the cliff edge.
Tyraz smirked. 
"Even guardians must rest and the night is young."
James continued to stare into the night sky. If they kept at it, they would catch up with Melissa right before dawn. They would be stuck out in the light but they would have a chance of killing her before the light could save her. James clenched his hands, retracting the sharp boney claws protruding out. The chance was small, but even then it was a chance. Tyraz is relentless and would risk it just to spite him.
 "No," James turned and walked past Tyraz' shoulder. " we will go to the king." 
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