Twilight_Lotus
June 1st, 2007, 06:37 PM
This is something I wrote awhile ago, but haven't completely went from start to finish. I plan on working on sometime this month. Let me know what you all think of this excerpt.
PLACE: City of Savoira
LOCATION: Vrolei, Espanis
DATE: Mayrid 13, 370 N.E. (NEBULAN ERA CALENDER)
The storm raged on for what seemed like hours. Sometimes it slowed down, only to speed up again.
However, the Stranger who, clad in black, was walking through the streets of Pioneer District did not seem to care for the weather. The figure walked slowly, not because of exhaustion, but in order to avoid any harm to a bundle wrapped up in a blanket, which was a young boy being carried in leather-covered arms. The Stranger moved with patience, the rain soaking the black cloak almost constantly. Many people were staring with mixed emotions; some were shocked and appalled by the sight, some did not seem to care. Regardless, the Stranger did not seem to care as matters that are more important were at hand, such as getting the boy some place warm and safe.
Where was the Stranger going to find that some place? Who could be trusted to keep look after the child? Right now, many buildings surrounded the Stranger but it was tough to choose one without worrying about the child's welfare.
Pausing for a moment, the Stranger looked down to check on the child who was shivering from the rain. At this rate, he might catch a cold.
I must get him out of the storm very soon. The child will not last much longer out here.
With no other choice, the Stranger had already made way to a single building at random. Though the rest of the lights were blazing out of the apartment windows, this one only had a dimmed light coming from the living room. Coming up the small stairway, the Stranger pushed the doorbell button.
The dream felt so real to her.
Somewhere at the top of a very gray building, a young man whose face she could not see laughed and called over to her. "Hurry up, mama! The fireworks are about to start any minute now!"
Even though she could not see her son's face clearly, the smile was there. Moreover, from it shone an invisible celestial aura of some kind.
She struggled to catch up, but something was keeping her from moving. "I'm coming," she gasped.
When she finally caught up to his side, her vision suddenly became a blur. The sounds of thunder roared in her ears.
What just happened?Before she knew it, the young man known as her son had disappeared out of her sight. Worry crept up to her face as she scanned the area, searching for him. Not even his voice was there anymore. Her throat felt very dry, making it hard for her to breath. When she returned her gaze to where the fireworks were, another person was now standing in the place of where her son was.
This time, it was an old man with wrinkles. The man stared at her, curling his lips into a sad smile. Then his eyes glowed red of blood as he let out a nocturnal scream of anguish and misery that was enough to scare a woman like her shitless.
Just as she clutched at her ears to block out the screams, the old man transformed into a hideous creature of pale white and lunged at her...
In a matter of minutes, Garnella Vincel awoke with a startling gasp from her nightmare on her sofa. Sweat covered her entire face. Dazed, she could not figure out the dream she just had. Nevertheless, something told her that she did not want to know either.
Just as she was struggled to sit up, her doorbell rang.
Who could be at the door at this time of night, especially when it's still storming outside?
Though she was still recovering from her current nightmare, Garnella got up and walked over to the door, ignoring the nagging thoughts in her mind not to open it. Unlocking the front door, she opened it halfway just in case it was someone she did not know. Only a few people knew where she lived. However, they did not live in this part of Savoira City, the Pioneer District. This place resembled the slums although there were not many homeless people around. The economy here was low, so those who could not afford a job that pays better chose or forced themselves to live here.
Garnella, however, was a different story.
"Hello?" The woman who answered the doorbell was a tall, ebony-skinned woman with reddish copper hair tied into a basic braid, wearing a simple white tank top and dark blue pajama bottoms. She had deep-set light brown eyes that looked like two pieces of amber. The Stranger fought back nagging thoughts of making the wrong choice. Right now, the young boy needed a place to stay. The woman's deep brown eyes examined the stranger, from the booted feet, past the soaked bundle in the figure's arms, and up to a pair of eyes, the only thing that revealed under the cape.
"Oh my goddess, are you both all right? Come in and get dry!" The ebony woman's voice sounded urgent. She helped the Stranger in and aided to lay the wet burden down on a nearby sofa. "Wait here. I'll get some towels." She quickly walked into the bathroom down the hall, grabbed a few towels and came back with them. The Stranger was still standing up like a tree during the raging weather.
"Is he your son?" the ebony woman known as Garnella asked.
A soft voice spoke from under the hood, revealing it female. "No. But he is important."
Garnella went over to the young boy who was still unconscious. She wiped most of the wetness from his face and arms and removed the wet long cloth, exchanging it for a dry blanket she had used to sleep on the sofa. She did not care about it getting wet, as she was more concerned about the young boy getting warm. Garnella went over to turn on the heat and raised it to 80 degrees, at least.
"How did you both end up in the rain? Did something happen?" Her tone was deep with concern and sympathy. It was not like her to care for strangers. Hell, most of the people here were not too friendly with her ever since she moved to Pioneer District. However, every now and then, she was most likely to help a person in need, regardless of how ill she was treated.
The Stranger did not respond as she thought deeply on the choice she made. Her eyes were still on the boy until Garnella appeared in front of her again. "Shouldn't you take off that cape? You'll catch a cold."
The Stranger removed the hood of the cape, revealing a pale-skinned woman with shoulder-length black hair worn in an exotic style and large green eyes that are like two emeralds. On the lower part of her face, she had a small mouth and a wide chin. The Stranger looked at Garnella, searching into her eyes for something. When she did find it, she realized now that she had made the right choice. She knew this woman could be trusted.
Her hand dug into what looked like a pocket inside of her cape and pulled out a white envelope. "Please, take this. It will explain the situation at hand. Though you might not believe it, it carries the truth."
Garnella gave her a funny look. "What are you talking about?"
"He must stay here until he has at least grown old enough to take care of himself. When the time comes, I will return."
Before Garnella could say anything, the Stranger turned with her back to her and started walking towards the door. "Look after him for me."
"Hey, wait!"
It was too late. As she called out to her, the cloaked woman had already left the building after putting back on her hood and re-entered the storm. Garnella followed out the door, but she did not see her. It was as if that woman had not appeared at all.
Looking at the envelope placed in her hand by the Stranger, Garnella thought about what just happened. Whether it was a strange coincidence, something did not feel right. Going back inside, she closed and locked the door and approached the sleeping child. His short brown hair almost covered his face. After brushing a couple of strands off, the ebony woman went into the kitchen, filled a small kettle with cold water, and placed it on a hot plate she bought awhile ago, in order to lower her usage of gas. It automatically turned on once the kettle touched down on it.
Garnella then sat at a wooden table and examined closely at the white envelope in her hands, wondering if she should open it. The Stranger told her that inside was something that would reveal to her about the child she had just rescued from the freezing rain.
Knowing herself, Garnella always had a knack to get curious about things. When it finally nerved her, she opened the envelope and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Unfolding it, she looked at the letter. However, it was in a language beyond her knowledge.
Great, now how can I find out what I'm getting into if I don't know the language?
Suddenly, without warning, the foreign letters changed into a different language she knew too well. Having witnessed this, she let the letter fall on the table. It took her a minute to register what happened.
Slowly, after regaining her courage, she picked up the letter, took a deep breath, and started to read.
My name is Miriam. I come from a world beyond your own. However, that is something I cannot reveal to you right now. By reading this letter, you have chosen to take full responsibility of the child within your care. I will tell you what I know so far, so that you can understand the situation better. The young boy holds a secret that connects your reality to mine. I am sure you are aware of the magic your people perform daily. The one you call symbolic magic. That is also something he holds within his form of flesh. There was a time when he became aware of his ability to conjure magic. That was the day when a grave tragedy struck. The result ended with many lives taken in the process. Do not fear the boy; I have sealed his magic away so he can do no harm to you or anyone else. I have also sealed away his memories so he will not remember what he has done. That is one of the reasons why I brought him to you. However, please remember, that although he is in your care, I will someday return to him. Once he has matured at a certain age, I will have to reveal myself to him. I may also unseal his magic, memories, or both. Therefore, I suggest not revealing to him what you know. I shall take the responsibility of doing that myself. That way, you shall avoid his wrath of insecurities, whether they are part of his life or not. It will not be anytime soon, so you have time to raise him. I advise that you do not try anything funny. It will not matter once I have returned. His destiny must be undone and nothing you can do or say will stop it from happening. I tell you this in a good way, because the child has an important part in the upcoming events that will change the course of time and history. You will understand this soon enough. For now, I leave him in your care. His old name is not important, so you can decide a new name for him. I am counting on you, whoever you are.
Miriam
Once done reading, she just sat there looking at the letter in her hand, with a look of confusion and shock on her face. Was this some sort of joke? How was she going to understand all that in one night?
This was not something Garnella was used to, and the first thing that came into her mind was taking the child someplace else, far away from her where she'd have no involvement with him any longer. However, at the same time, she reminded herself that she was responsible for saving his life.
Honestly, was she capable of turning down a request, especially when it concerned a living human being?
Garnella was distant of people, but this person known as Miriam entrusted her with a responsibility that needed her full attention, a responsibility that seemed impossible unless she did something about it. There was no way she could let it be.
She thought carefully about what to do. If she was to look after the boy, then that meant she had to be careful on how to raise him. Most of all, she would have to find another place to live. Garnella only lived in Pioneer District for ten months and she was already used to this area. It was too bad though, as she remembered her experience of living here for the first three months, the neighborhood was not exactly friendly. For one thing, too many outlaws hung around, especially during the night. If the child ever exposed himself to that, there would be problems.
If she had not thought of aiming for a higher purpose before, she was at this moment. Raising a child would be challenging, but Garnella was willing to take that chance if it meant providing a better place for her now adopted son.
As she got up from the table and entered the living room again, Garnella sat in a chair across from where the boy was sleeping. She stared at him with content and resolve, thinking of her fate that took an unexpected turn, as she took a deep breath.
"Garnella Vincel, what have you gotten yourself into?" she asked herself. Looking at the child cuddling up against the blanket, Garnella remembered the letter. By then, she had already known the truth.
The answer was simple: a lot.
END OF PROLOGUE
PLACE: City of Savoira
LOCATION: Vrolei, Espanis
DATE: Mayrid 13, 370 N.E. (NEBULAN ERA CALENDER)
The storm raged on for what seemed like hours. Sometimes it slowed down, only to speed up again.
However, the Stranger who, clad in black, was walking through the streets of Pioneer District did not seem to care for the weather. The figure walked slowly, not because of exhaustion, but in order to avoid any harm to a bundle wrapped up in a blanket, which was a young boy being carried in leather-covered arms. The Stranger moved with patience, the rain soaking the black cloak almost constantly. Many people were staring with mixed emotions; some were shocked and appalled by the sight, some did not seem to care. Regardless, the Stranger did not seem to care as matters that are more important were at hand, such as getting the boy some place warm and safe.
Where was the Stranger going to find that some place? Who could be trusted to keep look after the child? Right now, many buildings surrounded the Stranger but it was tough to choose one without worrying about the child's welfare.
Pausing for a moment, the Stranger looked down to check on the child who was shivering from the rain. At this rate, he might catch a cold.
I must get him out of the storm very soon. The child will not last much longer out here.
With no other choice, the Stranger had already made way to a single building at random. Though the rest of the lights were blazing out of the apartment windows, this one only had a dimmed light coming from the living room. Coming up the small stairway, the Stranger pushed the doorbell button.
The dream felt so real to her.
Somewhere at the top of a very gray building, a young man whose face she could not see laughed and called over to her. "Hurry up, mama! The fireworks are about to start any minute now!"
Even though she could not see her son's face clearly, the smile was there. Moreover, from it shone an invisible celestial aura of some kind.
She struggled to catch up, but something was keeping her from moving. "I'm coming," she gasped.
When she finally caught up to his side, her vision suddenly became a blur. The sounds of thunder roared in her ears.
What just happened?Before she knew it, the young man known as her son had disappeared out of her sight. Worry crept up to her face as she scanned the area, searching for him. Not even his voice was there anymore. Her throat felt very dry, making it hard for her to breath. When she returned her gaze to where the fireworks were, another person was now standing in the place of where her son was.
This time, it was an old man with wrinkles. The man stared at her, curling his lips into a sad smile. Then his eyes glowed red of blood as he let out a nocturnal scream of anguish and misery that was enough to scare a woman like her shitless.
Just as she clutched at her ears to block out the screams, the old man transformed into a hideous creature of pale white and lunged at her...
In a matter of minutes, Garnella Vincel awoke with a startling gasp from her nightmare on her sofa. Sweat covered her entire face. Dazed, she could not figure out the dream she just had. Nevertheless, something told her that she did not want to know either.
Just as she was struggled to sit up, her doorbell rang.
Who could be at the door at this time of night, especially when it's still storming outside?
Though she was still recovering from her current nightmare, Garnella got up and walked over to the door, ignoring the nagging thoughts in her mind not to open it. Unlocking the front door, she opened it halfway just in case it was someone she did not know. Only a few people knew where she lived. However, they did not live in this part of Savoira City, the Pioneer District. This place resembled the slums although there were not many homeless people around. The economy here was low, so those who could not afford a job that pays better chose or forced themselves to live here.
Garnella, however, was a different story.
"Hello?" The woman who answered the doorbell was a tall, ebony-skinned woman with reddish copper hair tied into a basic braid, wearing a simple white tank top and dark blue pajama bottoms. She had deep-set light brown eyes that looked like two pieces of amber. The Stranger fought back nagging thoughts of making the wrong choice. Right now, the young boy needed a place to stay. The woman's deep brown eyes examined the stranger, from the booted feet, past the soaked bundle in the figure's arms, and up to a pair of eyes, the only thing that revealed under the cape.
"Oh my goddess, are you both all right? Come in and get dry!" The ebony woman's voice sounded urgent. She helped the Stranger in and aided to lay the wet burden down on a nearby sofa. "Wait here. I'll get some towels." She quickly walked into the bathroom down the hall, grabbed a few towels and came back with them. The Stranger was still standing up like a tree during the raging weather.
"Is he your son?" the ebony woman known as Garnella asked.
A soft voice spoke from under the hood, revealing it female. "No. But he is important."
Garnella went over to the young boy who was still unconscious. She wiped most of the wetness from his face and arms and removed the wet long cloth, exchanging it for a dry blanket she had used to sleep on the sofa. She did not care about it getting wet, as she was more concerned about the young boy getting warm. Garnella went over to turn on the heat and raised it to 80 degrees, at least.
"How did you both end up in the rain? Did something happen?" Her tone was deep with concern and sympathy. It was not like her to care for strangers. Hell, most of the people here were not too friendly with her ever since she moved to Pioneer District. However, every now and then, she was most likely to help a person in need, regardless of how ill she was treated.
The Stranger did not respond as she thought deeply on the choice she made. Her eyes were still on the boy until Garnella appeared in front of her again. "Shouldn't you take off that cape? You'll catch a cold."
The Stranger removed the hood of the cape, revealing a pale-skinned woman with shoulder-length black hair worn in an exotic style and large green eyes that are like two emeralds. On the lower part of her face, she had a small mouth and a wide chin. The Stranger looked at Garnella, searching into her eyes for something. When she did find it, she realized now that she had made the right choice. She knew this woman could be trusted.
Her hand dug into what looked like a pocket inside of her cape and pulled out a white envelope. "Please, take this. It will explain the situation at hand. Though you might not believe it, it carries the truth."
Garnella gave her a funny look. "What are you talking about?"
"He must stay here until he has at least grown old enough to take care of himself. When the time comes, I will return."
Before Garnella could say anything, the Stranger turned with her back to her and started walking towards the door. "Look after him for me."
"Hey, wait!"
It was too late. As she called out to her, the cloaked woman had already left the building after putting back on her hood and re-entered the storm. Garnella followed out the door, but she did not see her. It was as if that woman had not appeared at all.
Looking at the envelope placed in her hand by the Stranger, Garnella thought about what just happened. Whether it was a strange coincidence, something did not feel right. Going back inside, she closed and locked the door and approached the sleeping child. His short brown hair almost covered his face. After brushing a couple of strands off, the ebony woman went into the kitchen, filled a small kettle with cold water, and placed it on a hot plate she bought awhile ago, in order to lower her usage of gas. It automatically turned on once the kettle touched down on it.
Garnella then sat at a wooden table and examined closely at the white envelope in her hands, wondering if she should open it. The Stranger told her that inside was something that would reveal to her about the child she had just rescued from the freezing rain.
Knowing herself, Garnella always had a knack to get curious about things. When it finally nerved her, she opened the envelope and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Unfolding it, she looked at the letter. However, it was in a language beyond her knowledge.
Great, now how can I find out what I'm getting into if I don't know the language?
Suddenly, without warning, the foreign letters changed into a different language she knew too well. Having witnessed this, she let the letter fall on the table. It took her a minute to register what happened.
Slowly, after regaining her courage, she picked up the letter, took a deep breath, and started to read.
My name is Miriam. I come from a world beyond your own. However, that is something I cannot reveal to you right now. By reading this letter, you have chosen to take full responsibility of the child within your care. I will tell you what I know so far, so that you can understand the situation better. The young boy holds a secret that connects your reality to mine. I am sure you are aware of the magic your people perform daily. The one you call symbolic magic. That is also something he holds within his form of flesh. There was a time when he became aware of his ability to conjure magic. That was the day when a grave tragedy struck. The result ended with many lives taken in the process. Do not fear the boy; I have sealed his magic away so he can do no harm to you or anyone else. I have also sealed away his memories so he will not remember what he has done. That is one of the reasons why I brought him to you. However, please remember, that although he is in your care, I will someday return to him. Once he has matured at a certain age, I will have to reveal myself to him. I may also unseal his magic, memories, or both. Therefore, I suggest not revealing to him what you know. I shall take the responsibility of doing that myself. That way, you shall avoid his wrath of insecurities, whether they are part of his life or not. It will not be anytime soon, so you have time to raise him. I advise that you do not try anything funny. It will not matter once I have returned. His destiny must be undone and nothing you can do or say will stop it from happening. I tell you this in a good way, because the child has an important part in the upcoming events that will change the course of time and history. You will understand this soon enough. For now, I leave him in your care. His old name is not important, so you can decide a new name for him. I am counting on you, whoever you are.
Miriam
Once done reading, she just sat there looking at the letter in her hand, with a look of confusion and shock on her face. Was this some sort of joke? How was she going to understand all that in one night?
This was not something Garnella was used to, and the first thing that came into her mind was taking the child someplace else, far away from her where she'd have no involvement with him any longer. However, at the same time, she reminded herself that she was responsible for saving his life.
Honestly, was she capable of turning down a request, especially when it concerned a living human being?
Garnella was distant of people, but this person known as Miriam entrusted her with a responsibility that needed her full attention, a responsibility that seemed impossible unless she did something about it. There was no way she could let it be.
She thought carefully about what to do. If she was to look after the boy, then that meant she had to be careful on how to raise him. Most of all, she would have to find another place to live. Garnella only lived in Pioneer District for ten months and she was already used to this area. It was too bad though, as she remembered her experience of living here for the first three months, the neighborhood was not exactly friendly. For one thing, too many outlaws hung around, especially during the night. If the child ever exposed himself to that, there would be problems.
If she had not thought of aiming for a higher purpose before, she was at this moment. Raising a child would be challenging, but Garnella was willing to take that chance if it meant providing a better place for her now adopted son.
As she got up from the table and entered the living room again, Garnella sat in a chair across from where the boy was sleeping. She stared at him with content and resolve, thinking of her fate that took an unexpected turn, as she took a deep breath.
"Garnella Vincel, what have you gotten yourself into?" she asked herself. Looking at the child cuddling up against the blanket, Garnella remembered the letter. By then, she had already known the truth.
The answer was simple: a lot.
END OF PROLOGUE