The Circle of Orion

By Eric Ochoa

Erin never lived a happy life on earth. The only escape from the pain she feels are her two best friends, Angel and Jacob. But when tragedy strikes and her world is destroyed at the hands of fire, suddenly Erin finds herself in a new world entirely. She quickly learns her new world, called Elmera, is full of wonder, beauty and magic. She learns that she is the key to resurrecting the Elder God Orion and must find and lead a group of powerful children in order to stop the impending war between the dark and light kingdoms of Elmera. But will she be able to forget her old world and all it has done to her? Find out in the Circle of Orion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503527539

Eric Ochoa

Eric Ryan Ochoa was born July 27, 1994, in Montclair, California. He was born to David Ochoa and Nancy Lopez and has three siblings, David Ochoa II (thirty-seven), Valerie Ochoa (fourteen), Aaron Ochoa (eleven), as well as two nieces, Kayla Ochoa (twelve), and Ava Ryann Ochoa (three). After reading the Eragon book series, he was inspired to write his own novel and began writing at the age of thirteen. He attends Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he studies marketing with a focus in creative writing. He is also a D1 wrestler for the Drexel Dragons and loves to draw.

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Eric Ochoa.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014922318

ISBN:   Hardcover    978-1-5035-2752-2

             Softcover      978-1-5035-2754-6

             eBook           978-1-5035-2753-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 12/17/2014

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Contents

Acknowledgements

Prologue: Orion

PART 1 The Tears of Fire

1 The Beginning of the End

2 A Rude Awakening

3 Oh the Pyro-Irony

4 Saved by A Melody

5 I Learn to Sword Dance and Juggle Fire

6 I Give Into My A-Doran Feelings

7 A Wolf Destroys My Family

8 The Gauntlet

9 The Siren’s Call

10 Shadows on Sapphire Fields

11 Auron’s Decision and a Dragon’s Rising

PART 2 Links in the Chain, Kinks in the Armor

1 A Kingdom by the Sea

2 Sand, Sand and More Sand

3 Terrance Stonewalled

4 The Curse

5 Piracy Sucks

6 We Go From Sandstorms to Ice Drifts

PART 3 The Circle of Orion

1 A Friend’s Final Wish

2 Catfight’s and Getting Nowhere

3 A Temper Tantrum Saves us All

4 Bound in Ice

5 Derek’s Choice

6 An Unwelcoming Invitation

7 The Never War

8 The Ultimate Sacrifice

Acknowledgements

My family is my number one support system. Without you all I wouldn’t have been able to do anything that I have been able to accomplish. I love you all.

-Eric

This book is dedicated to Jesse Cruz for always inspiring us, even in your passing. Rest In Paradise JJ.

Prologue: Orion

In the beginning the universe was nothing more than a mass of energy. It spun and expanded leaving behind traces of this energy strewn all about as it grew. These traces began to form beings as the millennia passed and the larger and larger the universe became, the stronger and larger the beings became as well.

For a time, the energy that the Universe gave off was enough to sustain these beings, but they soon found that it was not enough any longer. They felt the need to have something that they could use as a source to keep them going. The beings had no sense of purpose other than to survive. They began to communicate with one another and soon began to call themselves Gods.

Each one of the gods discovered that they had a power or control over something. A single aspect of the power that the universe had given off that no other god possessed. There was a god of fire, one of air, one of water, and one of earth. Each attempted to create something in their image to preserve their life force, but alone they could not.

Feeling angered by this and their power dwindling as the Universe grew ever more expansive and away from their realm the gods began to try and take each other’s power. They warred for millennia creating the stars and all matter of celestial satellites in the universe. Slowly each god’s body died off but their spirits lived on in the form of the elements they represented.

Left with no celestial body to rule it, the universe sensed a disturbance. With the amount of spirit and magic available it combined the spirits of the old gods into a single body. In doing so Orion was born. When Orion awoke from his animation he felt the urge to create. And so combining the aura from the spirits within him Orion began to create Elmera. He shaped the planet with Earth and Fire. He created the seas with Water and the skies with Air.

He was happy with his planet, but not yet satisfied. And so Orion, by combining water and Earth he created life, the trees and early animals. Over the next few thousand years Orion found that he needed a way to watch over the territories he had created Orion molded the first Dragons. Terra was the first and eldest of the species. Still not satisfied he decided to create something using his own internal spirit. And so in his image Orion created the humans combining all four elements found within himself.

Satisfied and exhausted over the many millennia of work Orion fell into a deep slumber. While he slept the human race began to evolve and adapt to Elmera quickly. Within a few hundred years they had developed ways of channeling the aura within themselves given to them by Orion to access certain parts of the elements they were made of. Thus the people who lived by the coast line formed the Kingdom of Water, those that lived in the dry desert and rocky mountain sides the Kingdom of Earth, and those who lived high in the trees to evade the predators of the forest founded the Kingdom of Air. Many sub kingdoms such as the Kingdom of Ore and Lightning began to emerge as the mages began to realize how to combine the auras within themselves. No one ever inhabited the molten area of Volcanoes and crags, thus no kingdom of Fire existed, though many mages learned how to harness the power of fire.

Over several hundred years humans began to divide in ideals. Some wanted to maintain the original peace between life and the human race and keep things the way they were, while others sought to increase their power over auras and territory. Orion awoke from his long slumber just as this division within the human psyche reached its peak. Because of his strong connection to the aura and life force of the humans he found himself divided.

Part of him wanted Elmera to live in peace and wanted to preserve the way things had been, while the other side of him wanted to plunge the world into chaos and give all the power to a few. Overwhelmed by these thoughts Orion attempted to expel them from his body. He dragged and tore the two parts of his psyche out of himself and in the process created two entirely different celestial entities. They were his sons, Levorian the God of Light and Order, and Barbadian the God of Darkness and Chaos. Expelling so much energy from his body Orion’s body broke down back into the original spirit that had inhabited each of the elements. Orion, now free of his power hungry side, feared Barbadian acquiring his power. So to try and stop him from doing so he sent his spirit to Elmera. Enraged Barbadian attempted to follow his father’s power down to the planet but found that he might destroy it if he went in his full godly form. So instead he chose a man who embodied the ideals he was born from and crowned him King of the Kingdom of Darkness. Levorian followed in his brothers actions and crowned his own King but of the Kingdom of Light. Levorian wished to help retain his father’s power so that he may one day be resurrected.

While looking for the spirits the two Kingdoms came into contact for the first time. Thus on the fields of Sapphire began the first Great War. Many died and Barbadian grew strong on the chaos that ensued on the countless number of battles. But still Levorian and his people were able to push the Dark back enough that they were forced to retreat and recover back in their own homeland. Levorian weak from the war sent part of his elemental spirit into his King. Barbadian seeing what his brother was doing did the same. While the two gods rested they allowed their Kingdoms to search for their father’s spirit. Meanwhile the spirit of Orion had begun to take refuge within the bodies of human children.

The first was a girl who was deathly ill in the Kingdom of Water. Seeing her need for strength Orion’s spirit of water sought refuge within her. The next was a boy who left to die in the desert just outside of the Earth kingdom. Seeing his willingness to protect at all costs Orion’s spirit of Earth sought refuge within him. In the Kingdom of Light, the King and Queen were having twin babies. A boy and a girl. On the day of their birth, the daughter wasn’t breathing. Sensing her kind heart and brave spirit Orion sent his spirit of Fire within her. Having already inherited Levorian’s power of Light with her brother the daughter was born extremely powerful.

Levorian sensed the power of Fire go into a body that was also carrying his power and wondered if all of his father’s power had been trapped within children. He visited King Alexander in his sleep and told him about these children that held his father’s power. Your son was born of my power just as you have, but your daughter. She is very special. Within her dwells my father, Orion’s power of flame as well as my power of Light. She has two godly spirits within her. I believe she is destined to be the key to resurrecting my father, Shocked at this news when he awoke Alexander rushed to his wife’s side who was in recovery.

Barbadian sensing his father’s power within the girl ordered his king to have her killed. The King warned his master that he was thinking too rashly. If we kill her won’t your father’s spirit be gone? Barbadian agreed he hadn’t thought of this. In response Barbadian created a being made of Darkness and Chaos whom he named Balvor. He also created a dragon named Terrordor to protect his king.

He’s a shape-shifting killer. Have him kidnap her and bring her back here. I will place her under a spell that will suspend her in a dream. Then I shall take my father’s power from her when she has matured. Balvor did as he was told and that night he led a raid on the Kingdom of Light. Balvor rushed the hospital room where the children were sleeping and killed the nurse waiting inside. Then the King and Queen charged the room. Balvor slashed the King across his shoulder, and stole the wife along with his child named Erianna. He left the other child named Auron and rushed out of the castle with an unconscious queen in one hand and a sleeping child in the other.

When King Alexander awoke he was devastated with a dilemma. After his wounds healed he wanted to go and find his wife and his daughter, but the Kingdom needed rebuilding and it needed a leader. In addition, he could not leave his son without a father. So he began sending scouts to look out for Erianna and his beloved wife. Nearly 15 years have passed and Alexander has nearly given up all hope on finding his beloved daughter.

Part 1

The Tears of Fire

1

The Beginning of the End

Erin:

My life has never been forgiving. If you can consider my miserable existence here on planet Earth a life. The way I see it my life means nothing here. This world has never given me anything worth living for. What it has given me has taught me much about myself. But to this day I wonder if all this was my fault. Was I cursed? Was there some sort of spirit that controlled my life and my everyday encounters with the ones I loved?

For years I hoped that I was wrong about this. But the closer and closer I get to my time to leave this place, I am beginning to think that the little assumption I acquired as an infant had become true. For all this life has showed me, for all it has given me to experience, nothing could ever make me happier than for it to end entirely. Most people would worry about the legacy they will leave behind when their time has come. When I think of how people will remember me, the images are revolting.

When I finally escape this life, all I will be remembered for is being the reason why my mother died, and for having a near-suicidal drunk of a father who simply couldn’t keep down a job for more than a month. Well that was my life, or whatever you would call my existence. But I knew that it couldn’t last much longer. Welcome to the world of Erin Evans, it’s very nice to meet you too.

In my 16 years of surviving here on Earth, only two good things have ever graced my presence: my two best friends Angel Anderson, and Jacob Richardson. They were my only reason to continue school and to actually try to make something of myself. Due to my depression the guidance counselor has placed Angel and I in the same school schedule every year. She’s the only one who’s known me long enough to understand the torture I feel when I fall asleep at night. How I wish and want so badly not to wake up anymore. She understands me and I could never figure out why she doesn’t quit being my friend.

Angel and I are polar opposites when it comes to family. Her father is the CEO of an aeronautical engineering company and makes so much money her mother stays home and watches the house. She and her mother are so close that I fall into tears simply watching her say good bye to her mom every morning when they drop me off at school. They have lived in the same three story house for all of Angel’s life.

My father is Alexander Evans, a distraught man who couldn’t handle the loss of his wife after she gave birth to his only child. Oh that’s me I forgot to mention. He spends his days looking for jobs and finding spare change in the sofa. He spends his nights locked up in any open room in the house drowning his sorrows in alcohol and possibly drugs if he has made enough money. I don’t eat all the time and he never speaks to me. When I see him once or twice a week he stares at me, his eyes pierce through me and speak. I know in my heart he blames me for taking away the only woman he’s ever loved. We have moved four times in three years. Yet for some reason Angel’s mother still takes time out of her mornings to come get me.

We have never moved out of the city, but we have moved houses, but every time she simply has Angel get my new address, don’t wait for me to say, It’s ok Mrs. A I’ll just walk this year, she receives it and finds my house. She tells me it’s no problem. She never asks me about my mother. Or how my father’s doing, she just asks me how schools going. How my day was and what did I eat for lunch. But my favorite question of all that she asks is, So are you going to stay with us for a couple of days?

It makes no difference to my father. In fact it takes the stress out of his day having the possibility of not seeing me. I never said the word yes, I just smiled and she would take me home. That night before the beginning of the end of my life on Earth I was at Angel’s. And I couldn’t fall asleep. Not an abnormal occurrence by any means, but I had something on my mind. I didn’t want to wake Angel but I wanted to ask her something. I’ll just wait till’ morning, I whispered to myself staring at the ceiling. Angel and I always slept next to each other on the ground of her house. She just took the cushion off the top of her bed and would lay it on the floor. She turned over towards me and surprised me by saying,

Wait for what till’ morning? I jumped a little and she giggled. Well I couldn’t fall asleep and I was just staring at the moon and you said something. What’s on your mind girl?

Hmm… to be honest, I don’t understand why you have been my friend all these years. I mean what could you possibly see in me that any other girl could give you as a best friend?

She kind of hesitated to answer me. She was either finally falling asleep or thinking really hard with her eyes closed. I didn’t expect her to answer, and I don’t think she had expected the question but after about two minutes she opened her eyes.

Honestly Erin, I don’t know why I wanted to be your friend in the first place, but something inside of me tells me that you and I are best friends. It’s just something natural that I can’t explain,

I waited and let the thought sink in. But why does your mother go so far out of the way to make sure I get to school? I mean I love her for it and all but she has her own family to take care of. She shouldn’t have to worry about me,

You know I asked her once about that a couple years ago. And she said that she wants you to feel like even though your biological mother is gone from this world. That, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have a momma, that she feels like she needs to make sure you’re ok,

Tell her I said thank you, I felt the tears coming to my eyes again. I felt my body begin to shudder. Then I felt Angel’s arms wrap around me.

I’m here for you, my families here for you, don’t ever forget that. I wept myself to sleep in Angel’s loving arms once again. She was more than my friend, she felt like my sister. I loved her and her family for everything they did for me, but I felt as if I shouldn’t be with them. I felt like I didn’t belong, but they were about to show me that they wanted me to belong so much they were willing to do anything.

The next day we went to school, it was a Friday. I had finally not forgotten any of my homework, the lunch of the day was the best one all week, teriyaki chicken with chow mien. But I hadn’t seen Jacob yet. Angel clung to my side as always, but Jacob usually met us in the morning.

Ever since kindergarten Angel and I were friends, and we met this little nerdy guy named Jacob. He was small for our age, even though he was almost a whole year older than Angel and I. His father was away at war in the Middle East and he almost never got to see him anymore. His mother works two jobs and is almost never home either so he spent most of his time with us hanging out and doing homework. The day Angel and I decided he was our friend for life was in Kinder. We were talking under a tree talking about cookies or something childish and we saw Jacob getting into a swing. A 3rd grader named Ben went and pushed him out of the swing and he and his friends started laughing and pointing at him. Angel stood up ran over there and pushed Ben out of the way. Ben got up and got in her face, and I snapped up quickly and glared at him nose to nose.

There was a complete look of intimidation in his eyes, and he ran away. His friends followed. We helped Jacob to his feet. He gathered his glasses and thanked us. So kid what’s your name anyway? Angel was a sweet talker even back then.

Jacob Richardson and I believe I owe you my life right now, He smiled so big it was a little scary but we decided he could be our friend. As we grew older we were like the three musketeers. Angel was the super athletic and beautiful one, Jacob would soon seal his spot as the smartest kid in school, and for some reason they were both my friends.

Anyway, that day at school I hadn’t seen him yet and it was beginning to bug me. Angel said maybe he was sick, but he was here yesterday. I felt like something was wrong but couldn’t pin point it. Do you think your mom will drop us off at his house today? I want to check on him, make sure he’s ok.

Angel smiled her dumb little smile she’s been giving me since 8th grade. When Jacob got his braces off and he hit his first growth spurt I said he looked a whole lot better and ever since then she got this crazy idea that I have a crush on him. I don’t have a crush on him! At least I don’t think I do.

Well I have soccer tryouts today so she’ll probably take you, I shook my head. What? She will!

I’m not about to make your mom take me all over town without you!

Don’t you remember what I told you? She is your mom in her eyes. She will do anything for you weirdo. Now I’m going to get an ice cream are you coming with or not? Needless to say, you cannot say no to those sparkling green eyes and golden goddess locks.

After school Mrs. A insisted on taking me to Jacob’s. But it might be a while before I can go and pick you up ok? I nodded. I didn’t know what was wrong with Jacob. He wouldn’t answer any of Angel’s texts or my calls from Angel’s phone. I was hoping nothing bad had happened but you must always assume the worst. And since he had been telling me about his dad not writing back for months, well I didn’t want to think about it.

We pulled up to Jacobs’s house, but there wasn’t a car in front like usual. Hmm, I’ll wait to make sure someone’s home ok? I nodded. I went onto the porch and knocked at the door. I waited about 15 seconds and heard footsteps. The door opened and Jacob stood in the doorway. I turned and waved to Mrs. A, and she left. I turned back and realized Jacob’s eyes were swollen. He had been crying. Hey are you alright? He shook his head and motioned for me to go in.

The energy in his house had changed. Something was definitely wrong. We sat on the couch, but the TV was off. The lights were all off but the fans were on. All the shades and curtains were closed. The house seemed deserted. We sat there for like five minutes saying nothing. He just stared straight ahead. Then he finally said something. They’re holding my dad hostage. He’s a POW now, and they contacted us saying they don’t know if a negotiation can be made for him. They’re going to execute him. His body quivered and shook uncontrollably. I jumped on him and squeezed him. He cried his eyes out and so did I. I felt so bad for him. Knowing that there is always a possibility that your parent may never come home again is hard. Knowing that it is a sure thing is much worse.

I don’t know if he ever got my last letter. If I got to tell him I love you again one last time. I held him and didn’t let him go for what seemed like hours. But it was really like ten minutes. We finally unlocked from each other and he looked into my eyes. Thank you for coming and checking up on me Erin, you’re the greatest. Angel busy again? I nodded

Soccer tryouts, I shrugged, The girl and her sports, you know?

They should just give her captain already you know it’s a sure thing. Everyone else can’t even keep up with her! We laughed a little.

Don’t you know? She has wings and that’s why she’s an Angel! he smiled and looked down. His hair was a mess, so I started playing with it. It was rugged and shaggy, but I liked it.

I had just then in that moment realized something, that I as a best friend should’ve realized a long time ago. You’re not wearing glasses?! He smiled at me and I realized he had hazel eyes. For the first time in my life I had actually seen his eyes. They were deep hues of silver and orange. They were beautiful, but no one ever saw them because they were hidden behind his wire rimmed shields.

Um, yeah I got contacts yesterday ha ha. Surprise from my mom, they don’t look ridiculous do they? I smiled and hugged him again.

No they look great. You know what you need? He shrugged, Fresh air! Come on lets walk to the park?

He shook his head. I have to stay home because my mom doesn’t know yet. But I’ll tell you what, I’m not doing anything Sunday? Maybe you and I could see a movie? I smiled and realized I didn’t have any money.

I can’t I don’t have the money to pay for a ticket,

I’ll pay silly, come on. It’s the least I can do for you coming and doing this. Please,

I nodded knowing that he just wanted company. And I didn’t mind, to be honest I wanted his company too. Maybe I did have a little crush on Jacob after all. But there was no way in hell I was telling Angel that.

We sat there and just talked for a while. Two hours passed and Mrs. A came back. So I left. I told her I needed to go home. She asked why, but she knew that if I wasn’t there, my dad might do something horrible to himself. So she reluctantly dropped me off at my house. Our dumpy little one story shack of a house, but I had a room and a bed, and that’s all I needed. I walked in and smelled the usual, beer, cigarettes, and rotten bananas. I was home again…yay me.

My dad was locked in his room, and I could tell because I could hear him throwing up. I didn’t even knock or say hi I just headed to my room. I began my homework at around four o’clock. By 6:30 I was finished and I didn’t want to leave my room. I just laid there, staring out my window. I was thinking about Jacob, and Angel’s sly little smile.

I fell asleep early. And sleep came easy to me that night. It was an odd feeling. It wasn’t natural to me. It just didn’t feel right. My mind soared into a dream. I hadn’t had a dream in years. It was so foreign, but it felt strangely good. I was walking in the park with Angel and Jacob. It was a cool autumn day, and the leaves had just started to change color. Jacob had no glasses on and we were holding hands. Angel chatted away about how she had gotten a perfect streak of aces in the last volleyball game. It was just a fun day.

Then, a woman stopped us. She looked super familiar but I had never seen her face. She was mouthing words but they wouldn’t come out. Then everything around me began fading but her, and she began bursting into flame. Her words flying past me like embers off a fire. It was a horrifying sight, and then something clicked inside me. She was my mother, and this was how she had died. Next thing I knew, I was standing in a hospital room. A woman was holding a baby girl with light blue/ green eyes. It was me and the woman was my mother.

A nurse came in to take me for the night. She took me from my mother’s arms and my mom kissed my forehead. Daddy’s going to be here soon, baby. Daddy will be here soon. I love you Erin, And the nurse took me out of the room. She turned out the light and my mother pressed a button to lower her bed. As the bed started to lower, sparks flew out of the plug, and caught on her sheets. The sheets began to burn and she sprang up trying to put them out. She screamed for help, but no one came. Then she got out of the bed and to my horror, I watched my mother slip on a birthing cloth left on the floor. Her head hit the window sill, and knocked her out cold. I watched as the room became engulfed with fire and smoke. And I knew my mother had no chance to survive. I tried screaming I tried running to her, but suddenly the fire felt real. The smoke began choking me, and I woke up coughing.

My house was on fire. And I was trapped in the middle of a burning room. I was almost dead from smoke inhalation and barely managed to climb to my window. My hand gripped the latch. Luckily it was unlocked and holding my breath I managed to get out of the house. I vacuumed up as much oxygen as I could but the smoke within my lungs just made me cough, and cough. Over and over again I coughed. I walked to the front yard, and blacked out.

I woke up in a hospital bed the next day. The lights on the ceiling blinded me as I woke. Angel and her family were around me. She jumped on me when I opened my eyes. Oh my God I thought you were dead Erin! I was so worried I mean they told me you would be fine in a few hours, but I couldn’t take the wait! I tried to grip her to me but I had almost no strength, almost no feeling in my arms.

I laughed, Get off of me crazy girl, you’re squishing my rib cage, She got off of me. So um, if you don’t mind me asking, what happened and why am I here?

Mrs. A answered me, You were brought here because you were found unconscious in your front yard when the fire department came. They loaded you in an ambulance, but your house along with your father inside burned down Erin, I’m sorry.

Do they know how the house caught fire? I looked around puzzled. Everyone kind of seemed to have a weird look when I hadn’t commented on my father’s death.

Actually yes, they think your father committed suicide, by dowsing himself in alcohol and lighting himself on fire. They found his body with an empty bottle of tequila and a lighter, but no cigarettes and he had direct burn marks, I nodded. It seemed like the inevitable had finally befallen the man I was so ashamed to call my father.

He must’ve thought he was alone in the house, But I knew it didn’t matter. My father was finally done with his suffering in truth, I was happy for him. At least he was done with his time here on Earth. I envied him.

So when are they going to let me out of here?

As soon as we get the adoption papers signed, I froze. I had the blankest stare on my face ever. I looked at Mr. and Mrs. Anderson who both just smiled, and then to Angel. My eyes filled with tears and I could feel my bottom lip tremble. My curly forest of hair fell into my face and smudged my view of Angel.

She took her hand and wiped my hair away from her face. That next moment that came was like a movie scene, the bright light surrounded Angel and her family like arching Halos. Welcome to the family sis, Then I hugged her, and I cried for I didn’t know how long. But it didn’t matter. I had a family, a real family for the first time in my life. And oddly enough the day I lost my father, was the happiest day of my life. I know that seems sad, but the way my life was going, it was true.

The death of my father left no scar in my heart, left no tears in my eyes. It only left me with the realization that he was happy now. And that was good enough for me. The court couldn’t find any other living relatives to vouch for me, so the adoption was rushed through the process, me still being a minor.

The Anderson’s took me home, to our house. It felt great to say that. And they said they would buy me a bed soon, but I liked the floor I told them. They insisted. As usual I just nodded. We sat at the dinner table and ate spaghetti, then went into the living room and watched movies as a family. And it was the happiest moment of my life. I felt like this was where I had lived all my life. And like nothing could take that moment away from me. I was so wrong.

When I told my new family about mine and Jacob’s old plans they made fun of me. Oh someone’s got a date tonight! I blushed and simply replied

It’s so not a date! and they simply laughed at me. Jacob’s mom came and picked us up. We went to an Edwards’s movie theatre and saw some action movie about retired CIA Agents. I didn’t really like the movie and to be honest it confused me, but being with Jacob made me happy. He was such a dork sometimes with his goofy hair and his glasses, but without them and when he attempted to clean himself up, he was really cute.

Once the movie was over he offered to walk me home. It was about a 30 minute walk to Angel’s and about an hour to his house, but he wouldn’t let me say no. We took a detour through the park and the night got cold. He pulled me closer to him. I didn’t feel awkward at all. We stopped walking and sat on a bench. He spoke softly, Thank you Erin, for coming with me today after what happened. I’m sorry I couldn’t go see you in the hospital, it just that…that, um, He was quivering, holding back tears. I laced his fingers in mine and wrapped my arm around his waist.

It’s ok, you don’t have to tell me, I whispered into his ear. I had noticed his mom’s lack of conversation and subtle stares. Her stained cheeks and slightly smeared make up also gave it away. Your father was a great man, Jacob. I’m sad I never got to meet him,

He went to the birthday party Angel’s parent threw for you when we were in fifth grade, Then memories flooded my brain and I remembered a tall, strongly built man with a chiseled, rugged chin and a shaved head.

I remember him, bravest man I’ve ever seen pulling the clown away from me like that, He laughed, and then his face went grave.

I don’t know what impulse told me to do whatever it would take to cheer him up. But something inside me was screaming, Try something! I rubbed my right hand up and down his back slowly, and gripped his fingers tightly with my left. He will never be forgotten. And always remember he loved you, and your mom,

I know but. I kissed him before he could continue with his sentence. It was a long hard kiss that seemed to last an eternity. I had never kissed anyone before, and neither had he according to his stories. It was such a fiery and explosive impulse I didn’t realize it was happening until he started kissing me back. We both pulled away and he stared at me.

Whoa, where’d that come from? I shrugged and kissed him again. This time he wasn’t surprised. I pulled away and stayed in his arms for a while. Thank you Erin, for everything. I just smiled. My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it, but then I realized I was feeling his against his chest. I chuckled a little bit and looked up at him. He looked down at me and I kissed him one more time. He smiled down at me. I felt so excited, so…happy…so strange. But I liked it.

We were walking to my new home. And I smelled smoke. The smell scared me because we weren’t that far from the house. Jacob smelled it too, and his expression turned concerned. Come on, He grabbed my hand and ran. All I could do was follow. I didn’t realize that I was about to stumble upon something that would haunt me forever. And what I thought would be my best day ever turned out to be my worst nightmare.

We rushed to the house, and what we saw horrified me. The house was ablaze. I dropped to my knees and prayed and cried my eyes out. NO! I screamed so loud and felt Jacobs’ arms around me. We both sat there on the ground waiting for someone to say that they were safe, that my new family was fine. Waiting for someone to tell us that no one was in the house, but no one came to tell us that. Suddenly Jacob got up and ran towards the house. No Jacob! Don’t go inside please!

Stay here! I’m going to make sure no one’s inside! He wasn’t the brave type. This wasn’t like him.

Jacob don’t, wait for the fire team to get here please, I don’t want to lose you too! He ran back and kissed me. You’re not going to lose anyone. I love you Erin and I’ll be back soon, He ran into the house.

I stayed there on the ground with my lips tingling from his kiss. It all felt surreal. And something inside me spoke. Like I had a feeling something was wrong. I got up and started running towards the house. Just as the house exploded and sent me flying backwards. And once again I was knocked unconscious.

2

A Rude Awakening

Auron:

The night echoed in my ear almost as if it were calling me. I heard the voice that I had been hearing for so long now. How many nights had it been? I could not count. I couldn’t fathom, but I could feel a jolt of pain roar through me. I jumped to my feet. Screaming in pain I grasped my side. Enough! I am finding her tonight. This has gone on for too long! I changed quickly into my armor, and retrieved my blade. I sheathed it behind me, and cast the light from it away. It seemed to disappear in thin air. Perfect, I began to pack some things but realized they would merely hold me back. Then, just as I opened my door, a large bodied figure stood in the doorway in front of me.

And just where do you think you’re going Auron? I jumped back at the sound of my Uncle’s voice. I had thought he had left home on Terra earlier this morning. I looked up at him, with his broad shoulders and the two feet of height he had on me. It was always intimidating, having to look into his deep green eyes, and watch him look into your being. He knew where I was going. He had merely asked to be polite.

I am going to find her uncle. I can’t take this any longer! She’s out there I can feel her, I know where she is! I could feel my hands shaking fiercely. I could feel tears welling up within my eyes. He placed a big paw on my shoulder. His hands were rough and calloused as they had been for as long as I could remember.

I know you do my boy, I know you do. But you’re not going, I screamed in protest, but he put a finger to my face to stop me. You’re not going…alone, I looked up into his eyes, and I could see he had true concern as well.

Are…so you’re going to help me? He nodded, and I smiled. I was finally going to find her. After all these years of feeling her torment, her pain, I was finally going to get her back in my life. Sixteen years had gone by so slowly without her and my mother, but now it would be easier. I’m coming sister, I whispered to myself under my breath.

Brawn and I mounted Terra and set off towards the kingdom of Ore. I could sense my sister’s presence resonating from a field between the Ore Kingdom and the cliffs of Lightning. Brawn kept a straight face, and didn’t speak. I felt tension rising within me. What if they sensed us coming and did something to her…my dear sister. I could feel her pain, her misery. They were torturing her in some prison, some cell more inhumane and destructive than anything I could ever imagine.

The storm clouds had overcome the skies by now, shrouding the world in shadows and chaos. I trusted Brawn with my instructions; I hoped he could find the place. Terra’s rippling muscles in his wings flexed and retracted in a symphony that you can only witness in person. It always amazed me how something so monstrously big can move with such finesse and grace, far beyond that of any other being on the planet.

Suddenly, his muscles flexed and his emerald wings opened sharply. His body reared forward, and he fixed his landing gear in position. I braced myself for an impact. I heard thunder in my ear, suddenly rain splashed my face. Time seemed to slow, until the point where I could watch the lightning streak hot white in all the reflective orbs falling around me.

Then, I felt one single swoop of his gigantic wings, and we were stopped just inches short of the wooded ground. His claws raked the mossy ground and he let out a soft purr that came from his belly. Thank you Terra, I said and jumped off his back. Brawn was slower to dismount. He went and put his hand on Terra’s snout. His eyes closed and Terra’s followed. I wondered what they were saying, in their minds, but I didn’t have time to find out.

Let’s go, Brawn said to me. I turned towards where I could feel her pain. I ran forward quickly, jumping into a tree, hearing the whistle of Brawn following behind me. I moved swiftly through the trees, my feet felt like lightning. I was so close to her, so close to rescuing her. I’m coming sister, I thought to myself. I wondered if she could hear me.

We cleared the tree line, and watched as four men patrolled the walls of a large single story building. It seemed to be made of stone, a grey and white color. There were no marks of wearing. It was smooth as if it had just been built. It must have been concealed against detection. The men were garbed in typical Dark Kingdom armor, black with lots of spikes and bones and such. I turned back at Brawn, who was hiding behind a bush next to mine. I wondered how he fit behind it, must’ve been magic. I looked at him, and he signaled holding up a two pointing at himself and then at me. Two for me…I wondered if my Uncle always wanted to do things the easy way. I allowed my aura to flow through my body, and expelled the light waves from it. I looked down at my hands, they were gone. Perfect as usual.

I gripped the handle of my blade and noticed the two guards to the left turned to look at each other. I jumped out of the bush, and rushed them. My blade met their throats before they could react. Their limp bodies fell to the floor, blood protruding from their necks. I had just missed the artery in one’s neck. I let my right hand drop the blade into his heart, dispelled my spell and walked to the center of the compound. Brawn was already there waiting for me. What took you so long? Cleaning my blades with my left hand I simply smiled at him. There seems to only be one floor, but be ready for anything. I nodded and readied for a fight.

Brawn’s aura glowed deep green around his hands as he punched the front door in. The stone crumbled under his mighty paws around the iron door. We ran inside, and saw two doors, as well as about four guards knocked out under the rubble. The room was ridiculously huge though. Well, they know we’re here now, My Uncle made me laugh on the inside, but on the outside I felt the hair on my neck stand on end. Something was wrong. Brawn motioned to take the door on the right, and he the other. I nodded, grasping my blade. I didn’t know what awaited me beyond the door, but I was ready.

I’m coming sister, Seems I’ve been repeating that a lot lately. I kicked the door open, and walked into a completely white room with a man sitting next to a large capsule like thing shaped like an egg and made of glass. What I saw inside made my heart skip a beat. My sister…

A man cloaked in a deep purple robe that covered his face stood beside her, his hands now aglow with an eerie black light. Suddenly rage filled me. I lunged at the man, knocking him to the floor. I found myself wailing on him with bare fists like iron knuckles. He shouted something and I flew backwards fast. I got up and rolled to my right, grabbing my sword from where I had dropped it. I forced a gust of wind to smash him against the wall, and I swung the blade at his throat. He ducked just for my blade to bounce of the wall and vibrate so hard it fell out of my hand. His hood had come off and I swung my fist so hard it broke his jaw. Blood stained the porcelain-like floor.

I’m going to kill you for keeping her from me! He looked up at me. His eyes were the same color as his cloak. His face was pale and bald. He had a sharp nose and chin, as well as pointed ears. On his bald scalp were tattoos that looked like lightning bolts, all black. They ran down across his face. He smiled at me, a blood smeared smile. He cackled