CURSE OF THE EVER REALMS

Chapter 8 The Calling

Standing baring all. Roots dug deep and it's branches out stretched like arms of a never ending nightmare. Here you hear the roar of the raging winds like wings of ravens wrapping around you as if it warps the dry air.

Samantha dazed wonders how did Louise grow her wings like she did? Just what was that beating they all heard and why were all the spectres pilgrimaging towards a tree? None of this makes any sense. Warily she reaches out a finger tip towards the shimmering golden feathers that reflect like foil in sunlight. Burning like embers she recoils her hand out of shock.

"Ouch. Why the hell are they hot?" she exclaims holding her hand sucking on her finger as she feels the heat still on her skin.

Looking up toward Louise from the ground a yellow eyed girl pierces through a ethereal energy field to peer down on her. Samantha shuffles away backwards until her back hits hard against a boney shin of a man.

"Do you mind?" Florished beautiful tones sang through her ears like a deep drone that fed sweetly like a lullaby at bedtime. Tilting her head upward she notices a man standing tall and strong. Shoulder length hair flowing round his chin whipping the wind like a powerful tail of a creature. Dark rich pools for eyes sinking down like a endless lake drawing you to the bottom of his soul. A lip that curls up raised only slightly when he talks surrounded by a bushy beard. Rugged features that accompany a soft pale tanned skin.

"Wow who are you?" Samantha's voice seems like she's dreaming and trapped in it a little too deep.

"Sam! Oi come back now mate!" Jealously Marc slaps her shoulder waking her forcefully.

"Christerio, that's my name. Nice to meet you." Quivers run down Samantha's spine to the top of her tail bone as his vocal chords strum like guitar strings. Epically tuneful.

"Are you bloody serious. Sam come on. No time for that right now." Marc points to Louise who is still this ball of magnetic crazy energy looking around inside the ball in whisps of golden light streams. Is she attempting an escape?

Louise takes to the ground her knees hitting the frozen floor as you hear her cries of relentless power. Stretching and straining inside the aura as it changes shape and size. Marc and Samantha edge their way a little forward but are hit by a wave of light throwing them off their feet.

"Don't touch that. You'll only harm her. Angels in the Ascension can feel you inside their aura as if someone grabs you by under your ribs. It's not a very nice feeling." Christerio glares as if right through them in a disappointed gaze as if they we're meant to of known this beforehand.

"Dude we're sorry but she's our friend. If she's struggling we just want to help." Marc sticks up for himself.

"You cannot help. You are human she is of Angelic decent. She is too powerful for you to ever comprehend do you understand me? Stay clear or you may end up like burnt toast!" Christerio pushes Marc back as his feet lift off the floor.

"New guy what you chatting about? Few days ago she was like me human in our world. You can't speak to me like I'm below you!" Christerio turns around so hes dead face on to Marc and repeats a glare but this time he's meaning business.

Marc gulping down spit looks at him as the man comes up toward his face. Marc's personal space taken away from him he feels uneasy and wants to lash out. Taking a closed fist he attacks by punching forward which gets caught by Christerio and his fist twisted behind his back. Marc is in a predicament, one he didn't expect.

"Shit man you're strong!" Letting go running his fingers through his locks of hair Christerio regains his self control. Marc nods to him and they seem to have a mutual understanding.

Opening a new monologue that rolls off his tongue like honey off a spoon Christerio speaks

"Your friend is going through her awakening. It isn't something that you or anyone can help nor understand. It's deep rooted as much as animal instinct, love, fear, death. Much like a knowing your fate.

She's becoming her true self. One of ultimate power. She won't be the person you remember after this. Our carved goddess hasn't arisen from her slumber in thousand's of years. It has taken millenia and creature after creature to try to wake her.

Sagyr the ancient tree of life is said to be the goddesses lover the soul of an ancient one that was murdered by the hands of the one true God of the Ascension. His own father.

Our God apparently laid eyes on their infidelity as she was betrothed to the father and god and not to the first born son of the Ascension.

Story is told that he tortured and killed him on site. Spectres feed the tree sacrificing themselves to stop the endless war between Gods. Their belief is if they turn into ghosts they are unable to be killed yet they sacrifice themselves regardless. Seems pointless to me."

Christerio leans down into the eyeline of Samantha and he smirks gently as she looks into his eyes sinking into them. Marc starts up conversation to interject.

"Chris if you don't mind me calling you that. Maybe their idea is their sacrifice saves the other creatures?"
Christerio hears him talk and nods to him with agreement.
"Huh, well all the years i have lived i never gave it that much thought. Damn you could be right boy."

Christerio goes toward Louise's energy bubble and as his hand enters inside hos hand turns into an array of mysterious colour like a rainbow prism. Louise stepping out of the once shrouding force now looks to the energy from the outside confused.

"I don't think i am in control of any of this?" Louise explains.

"No shit!" Marc sarcastically looks to her.

"I'm serious if i can't control this how are any of us safe? What if i kill one of you!? How is that even remotely funny?" Louise getting up in Marc's face eye's forming tears in fear.

"Look we made it this far. I think we'll be fine!" Smugly Marc responds.

In this moment Christerio is seen to dust off his hands and laugh to himself. Now with the shimmering ball of light gone they all are dazed. Looking around at each other waiting for him to explain himself. Yet he does nothing more than shrug it all off. Walking away he seems like he's on a mission. Looking back over his shoulder you see that glimmer of adventure in his eyes.

"What the hell you waiting for?"

Hurrying themselves to collect their belongings they rush after him a little concerned what else might be around the corner next.