the game

kassie

the ant hills lead to tunnels that churn underneath the ground until they come in contact with large open rounded out areas. inside these hollowed out areas are small dwellings within the walls all the way around them, including the ceiling. the griffies do not need water, and there are certain trap doors that lead to areas that do not have water in them. the tunnel system, i learn, expands throughout alasia all the way to the capital with pockets where the griffies live. there are far more than my mother could ever estimate. the thought makes me smile. these poor creatures should not be overlooked. and they die so frequently.

"what do you need to know princess?" the creatures surround me.

"the crystal core, is it a physical object, or is it just a myth?" i ask hesitantly. the griffies give me a curious look.

"you are the third kind of creature created to protect it, and you think it is not real?" a gasp runs around the room. a small griffy cries.

"the third creature? i thought that was the cannaries," at this i know i have mentioned the wrong thing. shrieking that is higher pitched than i have yet to hear rains down on my ears. it's like a million nails down a million panes of glass. a million cups breaking. ice shifting on teeth. my mind buckles in pain. i shiver and clench my fists.

"you insult us protector!" the griffy next to me hisses.

"then why are they here?" i ask, sitting down on the floor, more like floating cross legged near the door. there's a silence that clogs up the room.

i bow my head in reverence.

"i did not intent to insult you, i just want to understand what is happening here," i keep my breathing stable and avoid his eyes. one of the larger griffies swims towards me.

"starbirds don't belong here. they're an abomination," the griffy growls.

"what do you mean?" i'm getting frustrated.

"they were not made by the creator, that's what i mean," there's a deeply guttural sound in his voice. a deeply guttural and dreadful timber.

"then who made the..." i try to remember their word for it. "who made the starbirds?" i can't let this go. we need answers.

"only the darkness could make them," the voice hisses. this could be out of grudge or a reasonable guess.

"what darkness do you speak of?" i begin.

"you'll have to ask the creator that," the voice suddenly makes a sound similar to a song. it is melodious and elongated and then i realize the creature is laughing.

"you protectors are always interesting to me. you're so small and yet so powerful. i am wary though, why do you need to know all of this?" the creature looks down at me with glittering eyes.

"i have a feeling the answer will determine the future of alasia," my fists clench as i say this, "and my first loyalty will always be my home," i grin.