by J. M. Lyons
took James head off. Slowly the bear dragged James' dead body
off into the forest. "You, will not win mother." I said quietly in my
mind.
I looked up into the sky as the moon still burned bright red,
then I looked at everyone around me staring at me as the red glow
pulsated off of me, then throughout the forest. I put both my hands
out and felt the energy that I flowed throughout my body. I slowly
lifted off the ground again and floated higher into the sky until
once again I was just above the tree tops of the forest, I could see
the red pulsing light emitting itself throughout the entire forest,
over the lake, then up and over the entire Weeping Mountains.
I slowly floated back down to the ground, as I felt the energy
being released from my body. I looked up at the moon and
realized that it was slowly turning back into a bright bluish white
color; the pulsating light slowly diminished as well. By the time my
feet touched the ground, the energy was gone. Everyone stood
quietly watching me, staring at me, I could feel their eyes, their
curiosity. Jon was right there to greet me when I reached the ground.
"Mia, you're alright." He said, with a smile, as he hugged me
tightly. I hugged him back just as tight, then gently pushed away.
"Are you alright?" I asked, looking him over. "I'm fine, a little sore
but other than that I'm good." He smiled. I hugged him again then
turned to everyone staring at me. "Is everyone here alright?" I
asked looking at every person that looked back at me. "I'm fine."
Each of them said starting with uncle Tom and ending with Steve.
Dad looked at me with his proud eyes, but didn't say a single
word. Elders Wolf and Wing did the same. Everyone walked over
to the fire pit and stood around it, but there was no fire. Steve was
too weak to start one so dad placed a few logs into it and picked
up some kindles. "Dad, you don't need that." I said, and with a
wave of my hand a warm small fire ignited beneath the pile of
wood. "I guess not." He said proudly.
We all spent the night there, staring into the flames, not
talking just listening to the sounds of the soft breeze blowing
through the trees, the animals and insects rustling around in the
tall grass and bushes that surrounded the camp, the water that
flowed down the creek. Everything for that moment was back to
normal. I wondered quietly to myself how long normal would last. In fact what was normal? How can I go back to normal if I didn't
even know what it was anymore? Where did my mother disappear
too?
So many question still raised worry in my mind, but to have
Jon sitting next to me holding me tightly so close everything felt
safe again, it felt right again. I placed my head on his shoulders
and kept it there. I didn't move, I didn't say anything but neither did
anyone else. We all just sat there quietly, concentrating on the
the flickering flames of the fire that burned brightly before us.
This battle may very well be over, but I could feel it in my
bones that something else was coming. I knew that my mother
would not give up and the next time we met may just be the last for one of us.
10 THE QUEST BEGINS
When the sun raised in the morning, I didn't wake to the sound of
birds chirping, nor did I hear the rustling sounds of trees blowing in
the wind. Instead after my fight with James was different;
everything felt rather surreal, well for me it did. Nothing felt the
same anymore. I felt a greater responsibility for my friends, my
brother, my dad and especially for Jon. I just laid there in bed not
moving, and trying not to think about anything.
I tried to clear my mind as much as I could but there were too
many questions that needed answers. I wasn't sure what to do or
how to do anything for that matter. I knew that she would
eventually return to kill everyone and take the scrolls as her own,
but I wasn't sure what to do about it. I knew that I wouldn't allow
her to hurt anyone any more, she took enough from me and will
not take anymore. I thought quietly to myself, as the events of the
past few weeks played through my mind, like a movie in rewind. Everything just sort of happened so fast, that I never really
gave myself the time to sit and let it sink in. I slowly sat up in bed,
looking around the tent. I got up and walked over to the many old
boxes that grandma had saved; piled one on top of the other. I
began to rummage through them, looking for anything that I could
find; even if it would give me just the slightest bit of inclination of
what I should do; but I couldn't find anything.
Grandma had nothing that I could use to help me. I did find a
bunch of old pair of jeans, though, and they fit me perfectly and a
few tops that fit too. I put on a pair of jeans and a red top that
squeezed my figure just right; they were stashed away in a box of
old clothes. I slid on the old pair of boots that I had found a few
days earlier and continued to look around investigating everything
that was in the tent. I walked over to the pile of animal fur's, where
I had hid the golden canister, I gently ran my hands over the plush
and dusty fur's.
I slowly pulled out the golden canister; holding it in my hands;
I let my fingers run over the beautiful designs and inlaid jewels
that covered it; memorizing every detail that covered the entire
canister. I slowly sat down on the bed carefully placing the
canister next to me. I moved my foot and kicked something hard and cold. I looked down and noticed my grandmothers small
mirror that sat on the floor next to the bed. I slowly picked it up;
taking note of the beautiful intricate designs that covered the
entire mirror; it had the same inlaid jewels as the canister.
I placed it on the soft fluffy bed next to the canister and stared
at it; feeling my face flush with warmth as my eyes filled with tears;
catching my heart for just a moment thinking about my
grandparents. I leaned over and allowed the warm, salty tears to
flow down my face. As I sat there, crying my tears dropped
quickly, but then I realized that a few of my tears left a small
puddle on the mirrors glass, and the mirror began to glow.
"Mia." I heard my grandmothers soft voice. "My Mia, don't
cry." She said. I slowly sat upright and wiped the tears away from
my eyes. The soft muffled voice seems to have come from in front
of me. I looked down at the bed and picked up the glowing mirror;
I slowly began to wipe the small puddle of tears away; but realized
that the reflection I saw in the mirror was not my own instead, it
was my grandmother.
"Grandma." I said with tears falling from my eyes. "I told you
that I would always be with you in spirit." She said with a smile.
"But; but how?" I said wiping more tears away from my face, holding the mirror tightly. "You found the magic of the mirror, Mia."
She smiled at me again. "I need you grandma." I said trying my
best to hold back the tears that wanted to fall.
"No, my Mia, you don't. You already know
that you face a
decision, a very important decision. Should you go on the quest to
find the diamonds and finally rid the world of this growing
darkness or do you leave the world to suffer it's fate as you watch
it crumble to pieces." She said, looking at me through the mirror. "I
don't know what I should do." I replied, desperate for answers.
"Oh I think you do know exactly what you will do." She said as
the glow of the mirror slowly began to fade; and as it's glow
dimmed the reflection of my grandmother began to dim as well.
"Grandma." I said allowing the warm tears to fall freely down my
face. "Only you can find a way, my Mia, trust yourself, trust your
instincts." She said, as she slowly disappeared; once again I
found my own reflection in the mirror. She was gone.
I placed the mirror back on the bed and sat there wallowing in
sorrow and confusion, looking around the tent again. I walked over
to the table and picked up my grandmothers old brush. I brushed
my long red hair and twisted my feather back into place behind of
my ear. I'm almost sure that I know what I need to do and how to do it. I thought to myself as I pulled the small bowl of water toward
me and splashing my face, with hopes that no one would see that
I was crying.
I dipped my finger into the bowl of berries that my
grandmother had made and ran it over my lips staining it red
again. I stood there for a while; with my head hung down and my
hands pressed hard onto the table. I tried hard to clear my mind
and not think about anything, but unsurprisingly I couldn't shake
anything from my mind. I did know one thing for sure though, I
wasn't gonna let anything happen to my family, my friends or to
Jon. Even if that meant that I would die trying to protect them.
I went back to the soft fluffy bed and slowly sat down. I
opened the golden canister and took out the scrolls that were
tucked neatly inside. I grabbed the bowl of water and put two
fingers in it; then as the water dripped off my fingers, I placed it
onto one of the the scrolls, as the water seeped into the paper
words once again began to appear, and as my grandmother did
before; I stood the mirror up against the small old pillow and
placed the scroll in front of it, as the words became clear: You will follow the path laid in front of you by the light of the red moon. You will be tested to ensure that you are worthy to hold such power. You will be faced with many trials as you pass through the mountain. If you remain true to your quest you will find the diamonds. You are the only one who can send this evil back to where it came from.
I sat there for a bit, thinking about what the scroll said. I
wasn't sure what to make of it. I knew in my heart that those words
would eventually bring me and anyone else that chose to follow
me home. I pondered the thought that what if no one wanted to
come with me. As I thought about it after what happened last
night I wasn't so sure I'd be going on this quest alone.
I knew that I had to go and find the blood diamonds. I needed
to finally rid the world of this darkness that has returned
generation after generation. I knew that I needed to tell everyone
what I had in mind. I slowly pulled back the door of the tent and
peeked out and noticed everyone sitting around the fire; they were
just staring at the flickering flames, the cool fresh air felt nice on
my skin as I stepped out.
"Mia." Tucker said scurrying quickly to his feet. Jon stood up
too and walked over toward me. He put his hands on the side of
my face and pulled it close for a kiss. I pushed closer and kissed
him back; as he savored the taste of fresh fruit juice from my lips; and I the feeling of his soft none chapped lips on mine. "Mia." The
elders all said at once. I looked around and noticed that dad
wasn't there.
"Where's dad?" I asked looking at Tucker. "He went to pick up
Lily, she was supposed to be here last night but unfortunately she
wasn't able to make it." He said, with a slight smile. "Oh; ok." I
replied. "Mia, come and sit. After last night we have quite a bit to
talk about today." Elder Wolf said, with a concerned look on his
wrinkled face.
"I know. I have something I need to talk to all of you about
too; but I need to wait for my father first." I replied, as I stepped
closer to the circle of men surrounding the fire. "You look nice."
Jon said, standing beside me. It was just like him to make the right
comments at the right time. "Thanks." I whispered back with a
smile. "I like your lipstick." He said softly, slightly turning his head
to look at my face. "My grandma's very own." I chuckled, looking
back at him.
Dad and Lily got back to the camp late in the evening. I think
the elders were growing tired of waiting; but there was no way that
I would let them tell me anything, nor would I say anything without
my dad right there to hear it too. The air was thick with worried thoughts and tightly bundled nerves. The eventful few days have
took it's toll on my family and my friends. It took it's toll on me
more than anything else.
Tucker and I went over to Lily and hugged her with all our
might. "I'm so glad that you're here." I said with a smile. "So am I,
Mia. I'm just happy to know that you are all ok." She smiled,
looking around at some familiar faces and others that were not so
familiar. She sat down with dad near the fire and put her hands
out over it. The air started to get cold again, as it began to chip at
all of us.
"Dad; now that you're both here; there's something that I
needed to say, but I wanted to wait for you first." I said standing
there in front of everyone. Jon, Tucker, Steve, and Jim stood up
as they waited on what I was about to say. I think they already
knew exactly what was going on, but was afraid to say anything.
As the nerves continued to build in my stomach, I heard the words
of my grandmother. I already knew what I had to do and I knew
that I would do it.
"Dad, Lily, Elder's, Uncle Tom; I'm going after the diamonds
and I'm going to rid this world once and for all of this demon, and
she will never return to harm any one of you or us. The generations to follow, will never be plagued with this darkness,
and they will never have to fight her or any of her descendants or
followers ever again. What happened last night will never take
place again." I said with authority, as I meant every single word
that I said.
"Mia baby, I knew this time would eventually come. I knew
that you were going to go on this quest." Dad said, with a
saddened look on his face. "I think your ready for anything at this
point Mia; but remember self control and control your emotions."
Elder Wing said, with a stern look on his face. "You be safe, and
you guys keep her safe; if not you'll all have to deal with me."
Uncle Tom said, as he hurried off toward the creek, without saying
anything more. "Mia, I might not know or even understand what is
going on, but you come home to me; ok." Lily said as she started
to cry. "I will." I sai
d; looking back at her, then stepping closer to
hug her again.
"My quest will begin in the morning; I don't know how long it
will take, nor can I tell you exactly where I am headed. I cannot
promise that nothing bad will happen; and I can't promise that
none of us will return unharmed. I will say this; if you do decide to
come with me, I will do everything in my power to keep you safe; and I would hope that you would do the same for me." I said,
looking at the Elemental's that were now standing in front of me.
"Will you join me, on my quest to rid this world of the darkness
once and for all?" I asked. "Yes, we all will." All four of the
Elemental's answered.
For the rest of the evening our camp was very quiet; there
were no loud noises, no laughing, nothing. Everyone seemed to
be in deep thought about our quest. Each person with their own
set of fears and worries. Each one struggling with the thought's of
what if? Sadly these were things that I could not do anything
about.
I spent most of the night in my tent, looking over the scrolls
from my grandmother. I stayed there, sitting on the bed studying
the drawings that were on it. I also spent a long while thinking in
my solitude. I wanted to have all the answers, I wished there was
a book that I could read to tell me exactly what to do and what
would happen. My own fears and worries troubled my mind; but
the thought of it affecting my quest quickly settled my mind.
Just a few weeks ago I graduated from high school, afraid of
entering the world of adult hood and all that came with it, finding a
job, going to college, my cheer squad, my friends. Yet here I am; tomorrow we set off on a quest to find the legendary blood
diamonds, so that we can fight this darkness and protect
everything and everyone that we loved. We were just kids; well
I'm just a kid who never left my father's side. There was no
pretending that I was afraid but there was no other way.
As I sat there thinking I couldn't help but wonder, what this
quest would bring. What would transpire during our quest. I was
happy though, that the Elemental's would accompany me; but
then I worried about how I would keep them safe. When dinner
was ready I sat with everyone to eat. Still they were all quite. I
could feel the fear that weighed heavy on everyone's energy. As