A pink rose, a red car, a girl wearing a purple kimono, a turquoise cupcake, a rose gold key, and a gold crown.
The rose, car and tiny girl were on one side and the cupcake, key, and crown were on the other. I was taking a closer look when my finger accidentally pressed the button on the side.
The watch flipped open, displaying the clock face inside.
I stared at the clock face that had a black background— the numbers and clock hands glowed to life, showing the time as 2:30 A.M. Then a magic circle appeared.
Slowly in pink, the same five-point star that decorated the outside began to appear and five orbs of light formed at each point. I was ready to freak out but then I heard a set of footsteps.
"DON'T OPEN IT!"
I looked up at the desperate cry, seeing the same guy that had passed by earlier. His green eyes glittered under the lamp post at the other end of the alley. Those eyes widened, fear taking over and his body jolted forward into a sprint.
I watched as if in slow motion as he made his way toward me; the dark gloomy alleyway looked twice as long now.
I could see the desperation in his eyes. His orange-gold strands of hair were bound together by a black gold ribbon decorated with ancient text which began to glow— the sensation of magic in the air evident.
But it didn't matter. Something told me my fate had been set in stone and there was nothing I could do to change it.
My hand grew hot and my attention returned to the watch I cradled in my hand. My eyes widened as five magical creatures burst out of the opened pocket watch. My hand shook and the weight of the watch seemed to triple, making me whimper in fear.
I glanced back up to see the other five men come into view— all of them sprinting in slow motion to reach me.
My eyes looked up to stare at the five magical beings above me as they danced in celebration. Or were they somehow mocking me for setting them free? All I knew was that the power that pulsed off of them in waves was what made the goosebumps creep along my skin and made me tremble where I stood.
The magic that surrounded me was suffocating, and I struggled to breathe, frozen in crippling fear at the overflow of magical essence that could potentially kill me. The force of energy was stronger than that of my mother or father who were the most powerful shifters I'd ever known.
My eyes grew even wider and I watched as the creatures crashed into one another mid-air, creating a spinning wheel of color: red, white, blue, gold, and pink.
I watched in fascination as the spinning bundle of color shot forward, heading straight into my body.
It was as if the air had been punched out of me and the impact threw me off my feet, the force of magic surging through my body, and my legs and hands flailed uselessly as I fell.
I couldn't distinguish what was drawing my attention more — the unbearable pain that coursed through my veins or the stunned and fearful expressions of the men approaching me as I made my slow descent to the ground.
Instead of time returning to its normal speed, it seemed to slow down even further. Yet my thought process accelerated and I began to ponder what was going to happen. Was I going to die? What were those beings of light? Why is this happening to me? If I die, will I truly be forgotten?
Before I hit the wet pavement, I opened my eyes to stare at the six men. But something changed.
My fear didn't linger on the feeling of impending doom as the power I once feared thrummed through my veins, but focused instead on the fear of leaving these men — the ones I loved, again.
But I didn't know them. I'd never seen them until this very night. Why all of sudden did it feel like I'd known and loved them for years and that I was losing them...again.
As my consciousness wavered, flickers of emotions and memories flashed through my mind, before leaving just as quickly. Dark spots then filled my vision.
I finally hit the ground; my body bounced from the heavy impact and the energy my body struggled to contain. It felt like trying to close a container with too much fluid — the excess trying to forcefully escape.
My head hit the ground first, falling back till all I could see was an upside down image of the way I'd come from.
The one time I hadn't listened to James, it led to my death. A tear rolled down my cheek and I struggled to breathe through my nostrils — blood already began to pool within them and trail down my esophagus.
I should have waited for him. Or gone home. Why did I let my curiosity pull me in? I promised I would stay safe. But here I am, on the verge of death.
I wanted to gag or turn my head to the side to let the metallic tasting liquid have a way to escape, but I was nothing but a broken rag doll, immobile on the cold wet ground.
The last thing I saw was my best friend — those ruby red eyes that I'd loved and the soft, light pink lips I had kissed every time he craved my touch.
I thought if I died, I would at least have a sense of fulfillment for living a decent life. But as my eyes began to close, my best friend ran forward and I regretted not telling him how I truly felt. I wished I had told him how much I yearned for us to be a couple and not just a fling based on emotions and alcohol.
I loved him…yet, I also somehow loved the six men who were nothing but a group of strangers to me. Somehow, I knew they had loved and cherished me till my very last breaths.
Their love was different from James’. It felt real and it wasn't as one-sided as my relationship with James. The fear that filled their eyes a few moments ago, for a complete stranger like me, told me as much. But as I stared at James, I wasn't sure.
Did he really love me? Or would I always come second when his family was involved?
As my consciousness finally began to fade, my body began to fail one organ at a time. In that moment, I knew I had died before. I had lived, enjoyed the joys of love and fame, and had died a horrible death — a demise I hadn’t deserved.
As I took my final breath, my lungs unable to spare any more energy to function, I made a silent plea.
If I survived this, I would conquer my fears. I would live wholeheartedly and not be afraid to speak my mind and admit what troubled my heart.
I would enjoy each breath I took and strive toward achieving my dreams.
Most importantly, I would love without boundaries and follow my heart.
The last thing I heard was my name. A part of me remembered the way it rolled off James’ tongue whereas the new part of me didn't recognize the foreign voice.
"CRIMSON!!"
Crimson...or Storm.
Which one am I?
Does it matter?
I think not.
Because without some type of miracle, I will become nothing but a memory.
And that is my biggest regret of all.
"Crimson!"
"Storm!"
"She can't die! She just can't!"
"I love her."
"Sweetheart, keep fighting."
"Her body won't be able to take the power. Give up already."
My consciousness floated in darkness. I couldn't move, just drifted aimlessly in the void, reminding me of an astronaut floating in space.
My hearing was the only thing that functioned and all it was doing was adding to my confusion. There was some sort of a back and forth disagreement and I couldn't follow what all the people were trying to say.
I'd gathered enough information to determine that there were several people who wanted me to fight, to survive whatever I was dealing with and open my eyes.
But, I heard another voice that held such power and even with the multiple voices encouraging me to fight through whatever was going on, his toneless voice felt weightier, discouraging me to continue.
Why? What hope do I have in a world that doesn't love me?
I continued to drift in the darkness, unsure of what to do. While floating in the void, I heard a soft ticking noise.
Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock
Some time passed and I finally had enough strength to open my eyes. The darkne
ss I'd envisioned still surrounded me, but I was now lying on a flat surface.
I slowly sat up, trying to figure out where I was. The ground began to light up; the familiar magic circle with the five pointed star appeared beneath me.
I squeezed my eyes shut, afraid to face whatever was happening around me but a soft warm breeze passed by me, prompting me to take a peek.
It was now night; the stars in all their many colors were scattered across the sky. I lowered my gaze to a dazzling cherry blossom tree. Its branches swayed in the breeze and soft pink petals that glowed in the darkness were swept away by the gentle wind, brushing past me.
I was on a hilltop and could see countless lights across the horizon. I didn't know if they were from buildings or maybe a town or village, but all the colors reminded me of a rainbow or something you'd see in a piece of art.
I carefully rose to my feet, and the many voices that once sounded so close were now faint and seemed to come from far away. My curiosity grew.
A woman stood at the very base of the hill with a wolf sitting beside her as they took in the vast scenery.
I began my approach, feeling light and free now that I could breathe the clean air, feel the on-and-off breeze, and enjoy the smell of the cherry blossoms.
When I was only a few feet away, the wolf looked over its shoulder. Joy radiated in its pink eyes and it sprinted toward me.
"WOOF!"
"Hey, you. We meet again it seems." I giggled, falling to my knees to embrace the white wolf I'd met earlier. It wagged its tail wildly and continued to bark in glee.
"She likes you."
I recognized the voice, lifting my head to see Storm Yuna standing before me. She was stunning in the moonlight, wearing a traditional kimono that was white with sapphire blue petals. Her long silver hair was up in a ponytail tied with a navy blue ribbon that was made of a silk as fine as the kimono.
Her silver eyes glittered with happiness as she gazed down at me and the female wolf.
"Storm? What...why are you here?" I asked, feeling confused. I remembered Storm from our last encounter, but at this moment, I couldn't remember who she really was. I knew she was somehow important and that she'd treated me with kindness and respect even after I revealed who I was, but my mind couldn't put the missing puzzle pieces together.
"I should be asking you that question, Sealed One." She gave me a small smile, then turned and began to walk back toward the cliff’s edge.
I got up and the wolf ran around me before taking a few steps forward, waiting for me to follow her. I walked over to where Storm stood and the wolf squeezed between us, sitting down quietly.
Storm kneeled, sitting back on her heels and placed her hands on her lap. I followed suit, assuming the traditional seating position of our culture.
"Urufu," Storm hummed.
"Huh? Wolf?" I translated, turning my head to look at Storm who smiled at me.
"Woof?" The female wolf glanced between us, her head darting back and forth.
Storm giggled, placing a hand on the wolf's head to calm her. "That's her name, Urufu. I call her Uru for short. I know it means wolf in Japanese and isn't really creative, but I've had her since I was just a year old," Storm explained.
"Wow. You...remember that?" I asked.
"I do now. Those early memories returned to me when I came here," she explained.
"What is this place? Why are we here?" I was still unsure of where we were and how I'd come to be here after the darkness.
"I'm supposed to be here. You, however, should not be." Her smile turned into a grimace as she eyed me.
"Why? Do I not belong here because I'm a human?" I whispered sadly.
Uru whimpered, moving to lay her head in my lap. I smiled, lifting my hand to pet her.
"You don't know what you are, Sealed One?" Storm seemed surprised.
"I don't know what a Sealed One is. I don't know where I am or how I even got here. I woke up to me floating in darkness. I heard voices and then I was in this place," I confessed.
"It's not my place to share what you are now that I belong to this place. But know you are destined for great things, Crimson Arashi. But this place is not for you to begin your journey. You have to go soon," she urged.
"But...what about you? And Uru?"
"Woof, woof."
I grinned, running my fingers through her soft fur. Storm was smiling again, but her eyes were filled with sadness as she looked at both of us.
"You and Uru will be going back. I must stay here."
I frowned and Uru made a soft whimpering noise.
"But why?"
She'd been so kind to me. Even though I was nothing compared to her greatness and status, she still was so kind to me.
"I belong with the dead, Crimson. You do not," she whispered.
"Dead? What do you mean...dead?" My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"When you look out there, what do you see?" Storm pointed to the flashing rainbow lights.
"They're lights? Like from far off buildings of a town or city, right?"
Storm shook her head and her expression softened. "Souls, Crimson. They're the souls of the dead."
My jaw went slack and my eyes went wide at her revelation. "I'm...dead?"
"Not yet. But if you don't return soon, you will be. What's the last thing you remember?"
Last thing I remember...family dinner. Yes, I was scheduled for family dinner. I got sick and James healed me. I went with him and the argument happened. I strolled out and went to the bar. Jeff... two in the morning… I was waiting for James and walked into the alley.
"A stranger bumped into me and knocked me to the ground. He ran off and a group of men followed after him. There was a watch? No, a pocket watch was lying on the ground. I picked it up and accidentally opened it while inspecting it. Someone called out to me, telling me not to open it, but it was too late. There were these five magical beings and they spun into one and crashed into me. Everything went into slow motion and those guys remerged and came running toward me. I fell…the last person I saw was James," I explained as the memories flashed through my mind like a movie.
"Yes. The pocket watch was mine," Storm confessed.
"Yours? But wait. The initials were C.S.," I pointed out.
"I'm aware of that. I'd got it engraved the morning of my death," Storm admitted.
"Whose initials are they?"
"Ours," she revealed.
"Huh?"
She stood, turning to face me. I followed suit and Uru came and sat at my feet.
"Crimson Storm," she declared.
"Crimson...Storm? Why? Wait, did you know you were gonna die?" I had so many questions.
She shrugged, "I think I did at the time. Now, I can’t really remember. As we speak, my memories are already beginning to fade, just as I too will soon become one of those souls. The combination of our names will serve a purpose in time. I can't give you any more information than that. Crimson, you need to leave now." She took a step forward, slipping her hand into mine.
I lowered my gaze, noticing that the hand holding mine was beginning to fade.
"Storm...but, you can't leave," I begged.
I had to face the reality that she was dead and there was nothing I could do to change it, but it was so hard and filled me with sadness.
"I must. But I hope my memory can live on through you. Uru will be by your side as well," she reassured me.
Uru began to whimper, rubbing her head against Storm's legs. She knelt down and hugged her familiar for the last time. When she finished, Uru came to my side and sat by my feet.
Storm rose to face me once more. "Uru isn't a normal familiar. She was created using manipulation magic and can morph into any animal. She prefers being a wolf or an owl, but all you need to do is ask her to be what creature you need her to become and she will obey. She's loyal, loving, and has never left my side. Even during death."
"Woof," Uru replied proudly.
I grinned, placing my hand on h
er head. "She comforted me when I felt alone," I confessed.
"Trust in her. She'll always pull through when you need her the most."
"I will."
I noticed Storm's legs were now translucent. Tears welled in my eyes and I looked back at Storm's silver ones that were also glossy.
"It was an honor to meet you, Crimson. You should go now before I fade away. Once I'm gone, it will be harder for you to return to the land of the living. Please, leave now."
"But...there's so much I don't know. I'm just a human. I don't know how to use magic. I'm not a shifter. I'm a nobody," I reminded.
She laughed. "Sealed One, you are far from nothing. I suggest you talk to that stubborn man you call your father. He holds secrets that will reveal who you really are. Maybe my memories will be of aid to you," Storm explained, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Half of her body was transparent, becoming little flickers of light that began to drift away on the breeze that passed, heading toward the city of souls.
"Woof." Uru tugged at my jeans, urging me to leave.
I looked back at Storm who nodded in approval. I began to walk away, taking a few steps before the charms on the pocket watch came to mind.
When I turned back, I saw Storm looking up at the sky; only her head and chest remained, floating in the air.
"Storm! The charms! What do they mean?" Her eyes widened at my words as if the question had made her remember something important.
More tears rolled down her flushed cheeks and the regret that morphed on her beautiful face made my heart clench in agony.
"My lovers....there's no more time to explain, Crimson. But please...please, love them. Accept their flaws and differences. They will be lost without me...but with you in their life, they will find themselves again. They will love and be loved. And they will be your greatest allies when all is revealed," she explained.
"Woof! Woof!" Uru began to tug at my jeans again.
"Thank you, Storm Yuna. Thank you for believing in me and entrusting me with Urufu! Rest in peace, my friend...and I won't let you down. I promise."
She smiled, closing her eyes as her final tears rolled down her cheeks.
Taming the Storm (Crimson Storm Chronicles Book 1) Page 6