Daughter of Mother Earth

Chapter One

For eleven years, Crystal Clearwater was raised in the country. Her hands were always dirty and her hair was usually like a rat's nest. Her life wasn't the best, but she loved it.

Crystal left her house and made her way to the stables where her favorite horse lived. Climbing on, they left the farm and into a large meadow.

They were out for about an hour, enjoying the weather and landscape when suddenly Crystal heard a voice in her head.

Crystal...

It threw her off. She's never heard any voices in her head before.

"That's strange..." She trailed off, confused.

Crystal gently tugged on the reins, urging her horse to turn around and head back to the farm. Crystal fed Nightshade some grains before leaving her in the stables. She walked along the path towards the farmhouse.

She entered the house and called out, "Aunt Marie, I'm back!"

"I'm in the kitchen!" Her guardian came back.

Marie wasn't technically her aunt. She was just a very good family friend who raised her. Well, at least that's what she was told. Crystal headed to the kitchen where Marie was stirring some soup. The delectable smell wafted in the air, making Crystal's mouth water. Marie leaned on the counter, brushing some blonde hair out of her face. Her blue eyes sparkled with joy.

"I've just finished lunch. It's your favorite! Homemade chicken noodle soup and sandwiches. Now, go wash up. We'll eat after."

Crystal nodded and went upstairs to the bathroom. As she washed her hands, Crystal looked at her reflection in the mirror. Green eyes stared back. Earlier that today, Crystal had been gathering eggs from the chickens (who didn't seem to appreciate their eggs being taken) so her wavy brown hair was slightly disheveled. Just as she was drying her hands, Crystal heard a crash downstairs.

"Aunt Marie?" She poked her head out the door.

Crystal grew worried when she heard no answer, except for more crashes. Carefully, yet quickly, she made her way downstairs. Her eyes widened at the sight in front of her. Marie was brandishing a 5 foot long spear Crystal had never seen before. In front of Marie was a monster. It had a human face with one blue and one brown eye. It had a lion's body and a long, scorpion like tail. Marie quickly dodged as it shot spikes at her. It moved so quickly, Crystal could barely register what was happening. Somehow, Marie was just as fast. She stabbed and dodged and sliced. It drew its large paw back and slammed Marie into the wall. The monster reared back it's tail striking at her.

Unable to hold herself back, Crystal blurted, "Aunt Marie!"

Startled by the new voice, the monster missed, but grazed Marie's side. It turned around, growling. The monster locked its beady eyes on her and stalked towards her. Crystal stood in her place, petrified with fear. Her voice was caught in her throat. As the monster neared closer, Crystal finally found her voice and screamed. Roaring, it suddenly pounced.

Crystal shut her eyes, waiting for her death. When it didn't come, she slowly opened her eyes to see her Aunt Marie standing above her, covered in golden dust. In her hand was the spear, covered in the same substance.

"Aunt Marie?" Crystal whispered.

"Crystal..." Aunt Marie fell to the ground.

A large patch of her own blood covered her shirt where the monster got her. Crystal scrambled over to her. She applied pressure to stop the immense bleeding.

"Crystal, I don't have long. The poison is kicking in. Listen to me. There's something you don't know about you." Aunt Marie breathed.

"W-What?" Crystal asked, tears dropping from her eyes.

"Go my room. In my dresser there are two letters. The one for you tells you everything you might need to know about yourself. The second letter is for a man named Chiron. Follow the address."

"But-"

"Promise me. Do what I say."

"I... I promise."

Crystal quickly retrieved the letters and return to Marie's side.

"Be safe, okay? I love you, Crystal." Marie whispered..

"I-I love you too, Aunt Marie." Crystal replied, sobbing.

Marie let out a sigh, closing her eyes for the last time. Crystal crawled to a corner, crying her eyes out. Being a fragile 11-year-old and not knowing much what to do, she stayed in that position for a while. After a few moments, Crystal brought her head up, taking deep breaths.

I have to do what she wanted! I need to do this for Aunt Marie! Crystal thought.

Slowly, she stood up. Crystal walked upstairs to her room and started to pack a bag. She put some clothes, supplies, and a picture of her and Aunt Marie in a backpack. Crystal went downstairs and also packed some food for the journey. Before she left, Crystal kissed Marie's cold forehead and covered her body with a blanket. Crystal headed out to the barn with the horses. She brought out Nightshade and started petting her. Crystal fed the horse a green apple.

"Eat up. You're going to need the energy." She looked at the ground.

Nightshade seemed to know that something was wrong and began to nuzzle her owner. Crystal smiled and petted Nightshade's long neck.

"Let's go." Crystal hopped on her horse and started to ride away into the sunset. Her home started growing smaller until it disappeared.

I'll miss you Aunt Marie... Crystal thought as she rode farther and farther away from her birthplace.

Or at least, what she thought was her birthplace.