Love, Magic, & Tragedy

By Jason Eric Wolf

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796038934

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LOVE, MAGIC,

& TRAGEDY

JASON ERIC WOLF

COPYRIGHT © 2019 BY JASON ERIC WOLF.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CONTROL NUMBER:        2019907217

               ISBN:                    HARDCOVER          978-1-7960-3895-8

                                              SOFTCOVER           978-1-7960-3894-1

                                               EBOOK                    978-1-7960-3893-4

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 Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 06/10/2019

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Damn It Anna

Chapter 2 Questions, Questions, Questions

Chapter 3 The Boy With His His Head In A Different World

Chapter 4 Claiming

Chapter 5 A Fateful Decision

Chapter 6 Lesson One

Chapter 7 Emotions Rising

Chapter 8 Initiation

Chapter 9 Mind Fog & Strange Items

Chapter 10 Little Lucy Likes Life-Taking

Chapter 11 Mortality

Chapter 12 Crap.

Chapter 13 The Stone Of All-Knowing Power

Chapter 14 Back And Hating It

Chapter 15 General, General Training

Chapter 16 Wild In The Waves

Chapter 17 Traitor Infiltration

Chapter 18 The Adventure Begins

Chapter 19 Oceanic Encounters

Chapter 20 Nice Flowers…

Chapter 21 Tiekin

Chapter 22 Fading Villages

Chapter 23 Bound & Alone

Chapter 24 Whoops?

Chapter 25 Divided

Chapter 26 The Red Death

Chapter 27 Stealers

Chapter 28 Near the End of the Road

Chapter 29 Life & Death

Chapter 30 The Aftermath

Epilogue

Chapter One

DAMN IT ANNA

The first time Melody saw her was when she closed her locker door on the first day back to school. The girl strode past Melody down the hall, her long golden hair trailing behind her a little. She walked with her head up and her shoulders back, her bright blue eyes scanning, not afraid to look every single person in the eye. As she passed by Melody her eyes scanned her over too, but instead of just flicking past her face she watched as her eyes quickly travelled the length of her body before smiling at her eyes. Then she was gone as quickly as she had come. Melody’s cheeks turned bright red and she suddenly found herself wondering why she had thought she liked green eyes better than blue, and her mind drew a blank.

Melody decided she must be new, had to be. She insisted to herself that she would’ve noticed her previously otherwise. But she looked Melody’s age, and it was a little strange for someone to switch to a new school the beginning of senior year… Without her permission, Melody’s head turned and her eyes drifted towards the end of the hall, only to see a flash of her blonde hair as it turned the corner after her. Her hair had looked so so soft… Melody shook her head in an attempt to clear her mind. Stop being so gay for a second, you have to get to class, she scolded herself mentally, half joking as she walked off to art class.

Afterwards, Melody went off to math and sat in her usual self-appointed seat next to her best friend Anna, and the two of them chatted all about how school was going to be and how summer had been - even though they had spent most of the summer together, camping and having sleepovers.

But then abruptly Melody’s attention was brought to the front of the room as that same blonde haired beauty from that morning entered and looked around. Melody’s eyes lit up and Anna quickly stopped talking and looked, realizing that Melody was no longer listening. She saw the girl, and then turned to Melody, smirking knowingly as soon as she saw the look on Melody’s face. Without hesitating, Anna caught the new girl’s attention and gestured for her to come and sit in a free spot with them. Melody’s face fell and her eyes widened in terror. She turned close to Anna.

Anna what the hell! she whispered urgently.

Her friend simply smiled and winked in response. The girl came up to them, smiling, and sat directly in front of Melody in the row, Anna adjacent to Melody in the row to her right. Melody stared wistfully as her blonde hair shimmered like gold in the light, flying to the side as the girl turned to face her - and then there was those dazzling eyes.

Hi! I’m Savannah, I’m new here if you didn’t realize. What’s your name? she asked. It took Melody a second to process that this girl was actually talking to someone like her. She noticed that this girl had an adorable button nose, not to mention flawless eyeliner.

Oh! H-hi, I’m uh I’m Melody, she knew she was stammering and that her cheeks were about to turn as fiery red as her hair again, but as per usual she couldn’t stop it from happening. She turned to Anna, who looked pleased, with a pleading look. With that, Anna jumped in and introduced herself. Melody decided it was finally time to learn how to talk to cute girls.

#

Melody threw open the door to her room excitedly and tossed her bag onto her bed. She then proceeded to cover her face with her hands and jump around and squeal quietly, so her family wouldn’t hear. I can’t believe she wanted to talk to me for the whole class and I actually managed to stop stammering! Oh my god I cannot believe such an attractive girl seems to want to be my friend?!

With that, she flopped down backwards onto her bed. Ugh, why do I have to be so awkward and have such difficulty approaching new people, she groaned inwardly. But then she remembered how they had had a really nice conversation throughout the class, and her excitement threatened to return at the idea of talking to her again the next day. So Melody sat up, took a deep breath, and looked around her room for distractions so that maybe she wouldn’t spend her whole night obsessing.

There was the old violin in the corner, that she had been taking lessons on since she was little. She hadn’t played it in a few days, could be good to practice… her eyes wandered. She looked fondly on the neat rows of pictures on the one wall, samples of some of her best nature photography. But she didn’t really feel like going out. The filled bookcase in the corner… her sketchbook filled purely with doodles she had created in class sat on the desk… her tiny stereo, her laptop… so many options but she didn’t want to do any of them. She sighed.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out. It was a number that wasn’t in her contacts. ‘Hey! It’s Savannah! From math today, remember? Your friend Anna offered to give me your number… I just thought we could chat some more,’ it read, finished off with a smiling emoji. Melody stared at it. She briefly considered scolding Anna, even though she knew ultimately this was a good thing. She decided instead to fall back on her bed and text Savannah back, beaming from ear to ear and trying to push down the nervousness that fluttered up in her chest.

She sighed. Damn it Anna, I think I’m starting to fall for this girl…

#

Over the next few weeks, Savannah consistently joined Anna and Melody’s conversations in math class, and even Anna began to enjoy talking with her. Melody and Savannah talked every day, texted pretty often, and soon they were inviting her to have lunch with them so she didn’t have to sit alone. The three of them sat outside at a picnic bench in the school’s courtyard, since it was still warm out. Savannah chose to sit next to Melody, with Anna across from them. As they sat and ate in the sun, Melody felt the small space between her and Savannah buzzing with… something. Some kind of tension she wasn’t sure what to call. Her heart rate went a little bit faster. She assumed no one else noticed or felt this feeling. Then Savannah turned to Melody.

"You know, Mel, this is super random but I just wanted to say that I love your outfit, its super cute on you, where did you get this top?" It was a simple, common question but Melody’s face flushed red anyway. The thought ‘she called me cute?! … She called me cute!’ started taking over her brain a little, but she controlled herself enough to answer normally.

After that, Melody started noticing little things that Savannah was doing over the next while. She clearly really wanted to get to know Melody very well, and often asked her plenty of questions about herself and her life, even though she tended to avoid questions about her own. Melody attributed the curiousness to just becoming friends, which it likely had been at first. But Melody also couldn’t help but notice that every time she laughed at a joke of hers, Savannah would touch Melody’s arm. She seemed to be almost making excuses to touch her, like grabbing her hand to examine… the clear coat of polish she had put on.

At one point, Melody was at her locker at the end of the day and when she closed the locker door, suddenly Savannah was there.

So, have any plans this weekend? she was smiling, and winked. Melody blinked. Did she just wink at me? What does that mean? Unfortunately, Melody was busy that weekend.

Oh… okay. Next time, said Savannah. She seemed disappointed.

The next time they had lunch together, there was that usual little tension Melody felt. But then… suddenly that space was gone. She looked; Savannah had moved over without word or excuse until her entire leg was pressed up against Melody’s. Melody looked at Anna. She was smirking. Melody knew she might be turning red, and attempted to suppress it. However, she didn’t move over, and said nothing about it. Savannah was acting like nothing was happening.

The three of them continued talking and eating like normal, but this time when Savannah laughed at one of Melody’s jokes - that Melody herself didn’t feel were ever nearly that funny - Savannah put her hand instead of on Melody’s arm, on her upper thigh. Now Melody knew her entire face was definitely bright red, no doubt about it. Anna bit her bottom lip as if she was trying not to laugh, or grin. Melody had no idea how to react or respond, but she actually… really liked it? So she let it happen.

Another week of this kind of thing went by, and one night Melody and Savannah were texting when Melody asked what was on her mind and she hesitated. Quite a bit. ‘Well…’ she texted. There was another pause. She was typing. Melody waited, wondering why she was suddenly anxious. Finally, the text came, and it read; ‘okay look, Mel, I’m just going to come right out and say it. I’m tired of beating around the bush and you just sitting there all red, which yes I notice you turn into a tomato lol, but you don’t stop me or move away so that must mean something. So here I go. I like you. Do you want to go on a date with me?’

Melody probably sat there staring in utter awe and disbelief at the text for a solid five minutes. She threw her phone down on her bed, and was jumping around squealing and smiling bigger than the Cheshire cat again. She picked up her phone and sent a message with caps lock on that was full of shock and exclamation marks. It boiled down to hell yes, of course.

#

Melody was sitting in her room upstairs watching Netflix when she heard a little tap sound. She ignored it. The tap happened again. It kept happening, continuing, getting louder, until Melody pulled out her earbuds and realized that the tapping sound was coming from her glass door to the balcony. She paused, hesitant, then went out onto the balcony, finding a pile of small pebbles strewn all over. She peered over the edge of the railing and gasped in surprise. It was Savannah.

Melody and Savannah had been flirting for awhile at this point. Both girls were clearly interested, and had even gone on one date, but nothing had really happened. Savannah was already most of the way up a ladder she had positioned against the balcony railing. She climbed up and carefully over the railing, holding a bundle of roses. Suddenly Melody’s favourite love song was playing. Confused, she looked over the railing again where the sound was coming from, only to have a huge smile light up her face as she saw Anna holding a small boom box. Anna grinned back up at her.

You always said you were a romantic, said Savannah.

And with that, Savannah looked deep into Melody’s eyes, closing the gap between them and caressing her cheek. Melody couldn’t stop smiling and her heart was beating faster and faster the closer Savannah got to her. She was mesmerized by Savannah’s shining blue eyes, that sparkled when she was happy. Melody felt Savannah’s hand move across her cheek and tuck a strand of her bright red hair behind her ear.

Then Savannah kissed her, holding the bouquet of roses behind Melody’s back. They were both completely awestruck. Melody decided without a doubt that the softest thing to ever exist was Savannah’s lips.

Fireworks went off in both of them, and would continue to every single time they kissed. But the first was a moment neither would ever forget.

Chapter Two

QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS

Melody was pissed. Savannah, her girlfriend, had always been very mysterious. No one really knew that much about her life and childhood. She was prone to disappearing for a couple days to a week every few months, coming back with prepared excuses. Even Melody herself didn’t know where she was really disappearing off to, and it worried her. But this time? Savannah had left without a word for two entire weeks and wasn’t responding to any kind of message.

There had always been rumours going around, which Melody had ignored, but now that she was feeling so alone they were really getting to her. She heard things in the hallways, things said by people that didn’t realize she had just rounded that corner near them. Slurs she never wanted to repeat… and terms pulled from the middle of stories, like bitch, rich bitch, weird, awkward, odd, ugly duck, loner, and even loser. Everyone was staring at her, whispering and glancing as she passed by. The two were bullied by certain people after they came out and began dating, but now Savannah disappearing just cast more eyes on Melody.

She started to wonder… does she not trust me? Clearly if she trusted me she would tell me what it is she’s always doing? What could she possibly be doing? Something illegal? Why isn’t she responding to my texts? Why didn’t she warn me when she disappeared this time? Why won’t she tell me where she’s going?…. What if… what if she’s cheating? Already? … What if she’s cheating on someone else with me?

Eventually all of those questions and worries turned into anger and convictions in Melody’s head. So when Savannah returned, and wasn’t hurt, Melody wanted to scream. Alone, she yelled at her and asked questions and questioned allegations and Savannah just stood there until she was done, and had gotten all of her anger out. Then Savannah apologized profusely, saying that she had never ever wanted to hurt Melody and she was so sorry she had made her feel this way, but it had been urgent.

What! cried Melody, still angry. What on earth was so urgent?! she exclaimed.

Savannah hesitated. She looked at Melody, who was still fuming a little, and sat down with a thud. Melody paused, and slowly sat down opposite her. Savannah leaned forward and clasped Melody’s hands between her own.

You won’t believe me if I just told you. So meet me at the park on Saturday, by the entrance to that nature trail we always love to walk down together. I’ll show you. I promise, I’ll show you exactly what was so urgent. Melody was very surprised, and confused. She ripped her hands away from Savannah’s.

"But…But… No?! I mean, yes, I want you to show me what so urgent but oh my god Savannah is that really all you have to say for yourself?! I mean what the hell! Why didn’t you at least text for crying out loud?! It’s been weeks and we basically just started dating do you even know how worried I was, you can’t just do that!" she exclaimed, seeming to become almost speechless with anger afterwards. So Savannah just sighed, leaned forward, and clasped Melody’s face in both of her hands. She got her face nice and close to Melody’s; she knew she had always been a sucker for her eyes. Sure enough, Melody stared into their depths and put her hand over top of one of Savannah’s, and her features softened a little.

You’re right. Completely. I am incredibly sorry for worrying you. But it had to be done, and on Saturday I will show you why, I promise, cooed Savannah. Melody gave a small sigh of exasperation.

I’m just so glad you’re finally back. she admitted. With that, Melody wrapped her arms around her beloved girlfriend, and closed the gap between their lips.

#

Saturday came, and Melody arrived at the park to see Savannah waiting for her by the entrance to the trail, which was usually secluded. She smiled and extended her hand towards Melody, who took it, and they began walking hand in hand. Bushes lined the path, with trees creating walls and an arch of leaves overhead. Green leaves surrounded them and sunlight filtering through the trees warmed their faces and created dappled sun spots on the pavement below their feet. The occasional flower dotted the path with a splash of colour. Melody waited. No one spoke - there was too much expectation in the air. Finally, Savannah turned to one side of the path, looked around to make sure no one else was around, and disappeared into the bush, pulling Melody in after her.

Melody screamed as she found herself free falling past clouds from a gigantic height, her hair trailing upwards and looking remarkably like fire. Savannah was still holding onto her hand, and was totally calm. She pulled Melody close to her and wrapped her in her arms, who muffled her screams in Savannah’s chest and neck, burying her face. Suddenly they hit something hard, but padded. Melody stopped screaming and looked around, only to be shocked speechless.

She and Savannah were sitting on a giant saddle that was on top of an even more humongous… dragon? It had scales each the size of dinner plates that were darker than a black hole and gleamed in the sunlight. It’s wings stretched so far Melody would believe it if you told her that its wingspan was the length of an average football field, and it’s overall size was proportionate. The wings also had dark green edging with what looked like tiny little spikes. It’s tail was tipped with a large sphere covered in huge spikes that reminded Melody of a giant mace. The large spikes matched the black little horns on the creature’s head.

While Melody was looking at the animal they had landed on, Savannah was moving around the still high-flying dragon’s back with ease and swiftness. She seemed to know what she was doing, but as soon as her arms were no longer wrapped tightly around Melody, Melody became very nervous and terrified. Even though what Savannah was doing was reaching down and grabbing straps attached to the giant brown saddle they sat on and tightly securing Melody to the seat. She then left the saddle and sat up on the neck, right behind the large head. Her golden hair flew behind her in the wind and Melody realized that she had never seen her girlfriend so completely happy, free, and confident. It looked like she belonged on the back of this creature and she knew it. And loved it.

Finally, hesitantly, Melody looked down. She watched in awe as they flew over fields of flowers, stunning mountain ranges, and crystal clear rivers and lakes. She reached up just above her head and ran her hand through the clouds they flew just below of, curious of what they felt like. They made her wet with water vapour, and she watched in awe as the substantial looking fluff gave way to her as if it was only air. She saw the sun bounce off of the dragon’s onyx scales and the rivers below, and appreciated the beauty of it all. Despite her surroundings though, Melody’s gaze kept returning to the confident girl in front of her, who had a slight smile on her face and - surprisingly - her eyes closed as she soaked in the sun with the wind in her long blonde hair.

But then, they crossed over a few final mountains, and the