• The Shadow's Secrets

    Woe is me, for I am woe. . .

    Some dreams are scary. Those are the ones that come true. Don't get me wrong, some good dreams have been known to come true. But usually it's the nightmares.
    Woe is me, for I am woe; for I am the one who dream these deadly premonitions. In the hours of the night, when darkness claims all, nightmares oft times become the reality we long to wake from. But who knows what lurks in the deepest shadows? Who knows what lies in wait around the corner? I do.
    Creatures that are best left forgotten are stirred from their ancient slumber. Things forgotten for millenia are revived. Rituals of darkness are awakened. These are possible in the realm of dreams.
    Who passes us these horrors? Our subconscious. Indeed, the dreaming is caused by the knowledge in our subconscious. Knowledge passed down for many millenia, since the dawn of mankind. Knowledge that is passed from generation to generation in a never ending cycle.
    The passing of knowledge is made easier when thoughts are few and the mind is quiet. This is meditation if you want a name for it. You need to completely emerge yourself into your mind. Forget your troubles. Leave your pain. Emerse yourself into the nothingness. The beauty of it all. Nothing. You have achieved it. Yes.





    She was running wildly, her arms pumping at her sides.
    “Are you okay,” I managed to ask through large gulps of air that seared my throat.
    “Oh, gee. We're only running through the woods. I should think we're okay”, she answered back. She was right to be angry with me, cross even. But I wouldn't tolerate her sarcasm. She knew how I felt about it. I took full responsibility for getting us into this. I ground my teeth together as I realized I would have to wait until after we found a safe haven to give her my retort. We increased our speed, trying our best to outrun the howling beasts chasing us relentlessly. We stopped as we came to a sudden cliff. That sure wasn't there before!
    “Any ideas,” she asked me.
    “One,” I replied gravely.
    “Oh, don't give me that crap. We always have more than one option. You're always just too lazy to look for it,” she heaved.
    “Like what,” I asked angrily.
    “You know, for a girl, you're really stupid! We could fight the horrid little beasties, we could use our magic and teleport ourselves out of this whole mess, or we could jump, and hopefully, our conscience will be our guide,” she said with an insulting lilt.
    “Well none of those seem fun or easy,” I cried.
    “Life generally isn't Dumbo,” she retorted.
    “Well, have you made up your mind,” I asked.
    “Oh, honestly! Just to be cruel, we're fighting,” she answered.
    “Good, 'cuz I don't think they're giving us much of a choice,” I said as five massive shadows began to surround us. We took our fighting stances and took a deep breath. One of the creatures took a step toward me as I drew my sword.
    “Take another step and your dog chow,” I threatened with a growl. Just as I saw the outcome of our battle, it leaped at me.
    “Natalia! Take my hand,” I screamed as I dodged the creature. She did as I told her and we disappeared in a blinding white light.
    “Why did you do that,” she shrieked. I just sat for a moment. For all our power and strength, we wouldn't have won that battle. They would've summoned more to fight us and we would've run out of energy, long before the third wave of attackers. Sure, we would've taken some with us, but for now, I gave us a reprieve from death.
    “I just didn't feel like fighting right about now,” I lied. She slapped me hard across the face. I would let it go, and she knew it.
    “Look, if we don't hurry they'll just surround us again and make us dog meat. Comprende,” I said. She took in a sharp breath.
    “You saw it didn't you? You saw them kick our asses,” she suddenly realized.
    “No. I just really don't feel like fighting,” I lied again. Most priestesses can only do the magic we're taught from the cradle up. I have a magic only I possess. I can see the future, and it's often bad. Where I have been exiled for my gift and try to keep it secret now that they have taken me back into their circle, Natalia would exploit that gift, thinking to help me and everyone else.
    I shook my head to rid myself of these thoughts and focus on the task at hand. We were supposed to have been at the temple in the deepest heart of the forest, but the beasts had slowed us down. Our sisters would be waiting in frustration at the peak of the stairs. With a great burst of speed, we saw the temple and heaved a sigh of relief. It wasn't until we were halfway up the steps that we realized the horrible creatures had followed us there as well. I swore under my breath as Natalia and I turned to face our adversary. We took hands and began chanting a spell that would combine our power and push back the creatures of darkness. We let our power blast forth just as they lunged for us to send them into the great abyss. Quite proud of ourselves we walked slowly up the rest of the stairs, replenishing our energy. Once we reached the peak one of the others sneered at us.
    “What took so long Sasha,” Milita laughed. I glared at Natalia's biological sister. She had never approved of our friendship. Of course, that gave me more incentive to be Natalia's friend. A small smile spread across my lips.
    “I bet you would be late too, if you had a boyfriend that just didn't want you to leave his bed,” I laughed. Natalia nudged me and shook her head when I looked to her. Her sister took that as Natalia telling me not to tattle. Milita's eyes grew large with rage. In all honesty, Natalia had meant for me not to rile her sister up, but I couldn't help it! Milita made it so fun.
    “You allowed my sister into the arms of another man,” she accused.
    “What's it to you, snot nose,” I retorted. She moved to strike me, but her hand fell across my shield.
    “Fine! You want to play it that way,” she huffed. I saw it the second before she did it. I watched as her hand came down across Natalia's cheek a second time. I lunged at her in outrage. I punched her face and watched her fall. I flew down on top of her with a speed no one else had, and pummeled her. I lost all control and gave into my instincts. None of the others could go into a blind fury. I was the only one who could do that as well. It felt damn good to let my inner beast out.