Karkan Isles

Strange Disturbances

Mariam looked in terror at the sky, the dark circling figure. A being from her nightmares, except truly real and not a strange dream. Hearing the flaps and seeing the metal shine afar, her mind was thrown into panic. The memories and thoughts rushed in and stormed her mind like a hurricane. The gun shots, flesh and fluids and fiery heat. It was all happening again.

Feeling her breathing get heavier, gasping and wheezing for air. Attempting to scream and cry, but her throat and nose were blocked. Her ears ringing and feeling those phantom vibrations. Her eyes got weak as the world turned into chaotic blurs. Then it all went dark.

Awaking inside a strange weightless void. There was no sky, seas or ground, just pitch black. Then she saw something in the horizon, it was the same little bird from her dreams. Fluttering rapidly and encircling her, staring into her eyes. Fixated on the bird, she tried to reach out to it.

The bird jolted away from her and what felt like above. Its shining golden feathers faded as it molted into glossy black feathers. Growing ten times more in size and it's neck out like a snake. By the base of the head grew another neck, except it bore a face like a human. Its small wings duplicated and grew massive, with them being tipped with human-like hands.

It gave off a trange blue trail, flowing like water and dancing in the void. Glowing brightly she felt a strange presence around. Carefully she tried to move towards it, placing her feet down and then gasped. Mariam could walk on this strange void, slowly she walked towards the strange beast. Was it real or imaginary? She wondered deeply.

The being looked back at her, each head stared towards her. Slowly approaching on bird-like legs with human feet. She froze in both awe and terror as it stood directly infront of her.

    "Who... are you?" She asked the being.
    "I am karkara, being with many forms and shapes." It responded back.

Its voice was like two beings speaking at once. One so human and the other like a bird. Overlaid on top of each other,

    "Are you real?"
    "That is a question you must answer yourself."

Mariam pondered those words deeply. Was this merely a dream or a real encounter? Maybe she was dead?

    "Am I dead?" She asked.
    "No, your body still breathes out there."
   
With that response, Mariam grew even more confused. Why was she here? What did she do to end up here?

"Why am I here?"
"I have something to share with you..." It said calmly. "Are you ready?"
"Yes I am ready."
"Good"

Suddenly in front of her appeared three figures. Each pitch black with only their eyes visible in solid bright colors. One was like here, tattered dress and messy curly hair. Behind her was the rushing of the waves, eventually consuming her whole. Yet as it receded it revealed one with her hair tied up. High and proud in a newly woven dress. Wielding a strange spear-like weapon, with its blade resembling a bird in flight.

Mariam reached out for the other two figures, for one resembled Mapi quite a bit. With swirling winds circling around her. Before it consumed them whole again, then receding away. Revealing a figure with loosen hair and a massive waving cloak. Screaming and yelling loud and proudly.

Then she approached the final figure. Before she could even interact with it. It leapt into the air and set ablaze. A trail of fire followed the figure, with burning orange eyes it stared down amongst all.

As Mariam was amazed and awed at this sight. She felt her connection to this strange voice weakening. Flashing between the world of light and world of darkness. Before one last blank...

Suddenly she was awake in the world of light. The birds chirping and rattling, with the small creatures running across. In her face was Mapi confused and concerned, holding her in her strong arms. Feeling her scalloused yet soft touch made her blush a bit. While staring at her face was pure euphoria. Her cute rounded face and adorable flat nose. And her eyes, her chocolate eyes felt like strange stable ground.