SPIRIT ANIMALS FANS MUST READ!!! I created a idea for Spirit Animals series #3

Chapter Fourteen: Rollan

THE LIES OF ARTARAN

She was outlined with bright light and searching with her curious dark eyes. Rollan rushed out and hugged Meilin, her warm breath hitting his neck. She was heavy in his arms, making him wish they had never parted. She smiled back at him and whispered.

"I have missed you so much." She said. "Wasn't too sure we would end up meeting again?"

The boy blushed and pulled her even closer. He never wanted to let go, losing her once more would kill him. Meilin let out a sigh, letting him take her in.

"I'm so sorry." He whispered. "None of this would have happened if it wasn't for-" He was cut off when she touched his mouth.

"It is not your fault. Nothing you could have done would have stopped this." She said. He fell quiet, not speaking, only wanting her. It was all too good to be true. They stood together for a couple of seconds, then the air began to heat up. Sweat dripped down his back and Rollan looked up to see a blurry figure in the distance. A discomfort settled over him and he frowned.

"Is it a dream?" He spoke.

"Afraid so." Artaran said, his form rippling like a mist over water. The young man drew closer and Rollan could make out his distinctive features. He was tall, thin, and had thick dark hair. He was wearing the same red and gold toga from their last meeting. It wove around his skinny frame, showing ribs poking outwards. His wounds burned and crackled, more intense than before, almost taking over his entire body.

Artaran laid a hand on Rollan's shoulder and Meilin began to disappear in between wisps of smoke. The girl vanished with one last touch to the Greencloak's face, then drifted into the dry air.

"What do you want?" Rollan spoke.

The man didn't speak, only held out a small flower, roughly the size of a coin. It was a dark blue and speckled with white as if it had been sprayed by pure blood. It gave off a sour but slightly decent stench, a combination of decay and lavender. Nothing about it seemed good, a sort of evil hung onto its petals and cursed all who laid eyes on the plant.

"You want answers? Use this and everything will fall into place." Artaran said.

Rollan reached out and took the flower, shouting as flames burst out and scorched his skin. It ruined his clothing and the smell of burning flesh caught in his nose. He tried to step back, but the fire only grew bigger as it devoured him as its prey.

"AGHHHH!" He screamed and clawed at the hand that was still on his arm. "Let go of me!"

Artaran froze and gaped at the boy. A haunted look in his gaze. "Fate is in charge now." The man released his grip and everything smoldered away.

Rollan blinked his eyes open. In a flash, he extended his arm to check for burn marks and was relieved when he didn't see any. The room was quiet and best of all, wasn't on fire. The dream was over. The boy hugged his arms close and rocked back and forth to stop his rapidly beating heart. Meilin had been so close, but she wasn't real, only his imagination at play. Where was she now? The last time they saw each other he was tied to a post and she had been knocked unconscious. A survivor at heart, and not one to give up, she would still be kicking back even if tortured. Her skill outranked even the best, so he doubted she was gone. You can't be gone. He flipped onto his side, taking in the new room. It was small and held three cots, all arranged in a circular pattern. Only his and one other were occupied, a child lay asleep on the bed across from him. Her body rose and fell steadily.

"Are you in any pain?" Spoke a raspy voice.

Rollan turned and saw a man with pepper salted hair, arranging a series of colored plants into piles. He picked up a berry and held it up in front of his face.