Eye of The Wyvern

XIV

For the next week, Karissa didn't see any sign of Malachi. Crystalline had also vanished, according to Ridor, she fell ill with something contagious and quarantined in the Medic. She grew worried, asking June and Tucker if he was alright, but they had yet to see any sight of him. Karissa also tried asking Professor Chasm, but he wouldn't give any information.

The weekend rolled around, and on weekends, students got to do as they pleased throughout the gated sanctuary. Cora invited her roommates to the beach just east of the school. "Chasm and Delta said they would take us there!" She said. Since Amanda and Karissa were deprived of their water meetings upon leaving South Town, they jumped with excitement. Finally some time to feel at home, some nostalgia to wipe away any stresses from studies.

The beach was outside of the Sanctuary gates, so they waited at the main entrance for Chasm and Delta, excitement near uncontainable. When they came into view from their house, a small 1-story with dark green bushes around it, Amanda waved passionately in the air, bouncing in place like a little kid. "My Goddess," Delta chuckled, "I've never seen girls your age so excited to go to a beach.." Lorelai giggled and chimed in, "South Town kids are basically water puppies. These two can't live without water. And honestly I can't blame them!" She pointed at Karissa and Amanda. Cora laughed behind them, her smile contagious as plague.

White sand, and beautiful dark blue water, the waves low and peaceful. Professor Delta set up a little area for her and Chasm, two large towels and a few small candles. She laid on her back, taking in the pure sunlight above them. He sat criss-crossed next to her, seeming to go into meditation. The tiny flames on the candles moved with each breath Chasm took, growing with each inhale, and shrinking at exhales.

Meanwhile, Cora and Lorelai had made their own setup closer to the water, towels laid out, and Cora, too, had a few candles. Lorelai, wearing all white with her dandelion yellow head cover, decided to bring a small book for some light reading. She's sat farther away from the dancing shoreline than Cora, whose candles lined behind her as she began to meditate. The two of them matched with yellow and white, Cora wearing a thin veil to cover the top of her head.

About thigh-deep in the water, Amanda and Karissa sat together, soft sand molding around their feet. The decided to find rocks and seashells buried within it, cleaning them off and tossing them away from the tides. "So, Kk," Amanda sneered, "anything about your boyyyfriend?" Karissa jokingly nudged her friend's arm. "You know damns well that he is not my boyfriend!" They both giggled. "Okay but seriously," She continued, "I haven't heard from him at all. Nor have I even seen him. Tucker and June haven't, either.."

Amanda sighed, "Well maybe he's just sick like that other girl you mentioned?" Karissa shook her head, "I don't know, A. It was just strange." She tossed another large shell to land, "He didn't come back after Chasm took him somewhere, and we haven't seen him since then.." Amanda's light brown skirt, now soaking wet, stuck to her legs as she shifted into a squatting position, "I'm sure he's fine, girl," she tossed a small black rock to land, "he seems tough." Karissa moved to a similar position in attempts to wake up her now numb toes. The two continued picking stones and shells from the sand, keeping the biggest shells and smaller stones.

Delta watched the girls from afar, almost as if she could hear their conversation. "What troubles you, amour?" Chasm was out of his trance, eyes still closed, "I sense your emotions." She sighed, still watching Karissa and Amanda, "I can't shake this feeling I have.." He turned to face his mate, eyes of subtle worry. "What makes you feel such?" He proceeded to scoot closer to her. She glanced at him, sitting in a criss-crossed position, "I feel as though something horrible is gonna happen. And it gets stronger every week." She looked back at the girls, "I just think something big is coming, something even we can't stop.."

Chasm gently caressed Delta's heavy yet thin shoulder, "Everything will be alright, dearest." She met his ruby eyes, a warm smile forming on her face, "Thank you, amour.." Some giggles sounded nearby. The two professors looked to see the four girls giggling at them. "You snoopy children!" Chasm laughed. The girls scattered, all laughing about their teachers' affections. Delta laughed as Chasm chased after Amanda, who ran last after picking up the stones and shells. Karissa bolted nearby her, both girls running the same direction.

Before they could reach the gate, Karissa tripped on some loose stones, taking Amanda down with her. The rolled and came to a rough stop. Chasm paused in front of them, "You okay?" Nothing but giggles from the two as they rose from the ground. "We're okay!" Karissa smiled. "Good, we don't want injuries..." A small pause came up when a guttural scream is heard back at the beach. "My Goddess what the hell was that!?" Amanda shouted. They all bolted back to the beach, clear panic on Chasm's face.

In the distance by the farthest shore, Cora, Lorelai, and Professor Delta stood in the water, clearly terrified as if though they'd seen Death itself. Delta made eye contact with Chasm, "Get off the shore, NOW!!!" She cried. Chasm took the hands of Karissa and Amanda, and quickened their pace into the water. "What is it!?" Karissa cried over the loud swishes of each step the three of them took. As they reached hip-deep, they looked back toward land. Something was watching from the trees. Something large. A beast with a large shape, but no eyes.

The beast in the shadows snarled and sniffed, as if it could smell them from the shore. Suddenly, it slowly emerged from hiding, the same beast her and Chasm hid from on the way to the sanctuary that night. Atop the large monster, a broad man with very grey skin, holding the beast's saddle. The man spoke with a slight accent, a sneer on his face, "Long time no see, Chasm, Delta." The beast snarled again, "I see you bring fresh blood to the gated estates?"

"What do you want, Rhyz?" Chasm hissed, "You are not welcome here." Delta shivered, keeping Cora and Lorelai behind her. "I'd like to talk.. just a conversation. It would be more efficient if you were not in the water, though.." Chills travelled down Karissa's spine. "We're just fine talking here," Delta glared at the broad man, "now what in the hell do you want?"

"Our leaders would like to give a warning.." he sneered, "The time is nigh, and our warriors grow impatient for your tax." The professors shared confused glances. "We're not sure what you mean by tax.." Chasm raised a brow, "may you elaborate?" The male rolled his eyes, "The tax that we do not take your land as well as the human lands..."

"No one was made aware of a tax!" Delta yelled, "You're just making shit up." The beast snarled and growled. "Very well," he said, "then we shall return at a later date to talk to someone who is aware of it.." and with that, he used a stick to tap the beast's large head. It snarled and snorted as it dashed off North. Everyone stayed in the water, assuring they were gone for good. After what felt like half an hour, Chasm and Delta lead the girls back onto shore, "Everyone back to the gates immediately." Chasm had fear in his voice. They all gathered their things and sped to the gates.

As Delta locked it tight, the girls began their long walk to the dorm. Karissa glanced at the professors, worry and urgency in their eyes. She walked back up to them, "Chasm.." he looked down to make eye contact, "What was that..? Should we be worried?" Delta's eyes softened, "Dear, you let the professors worry about that, alright?" Chasm nodded in agreement, "Yes, Karissa, let us worry. For now, go back to your dorm and rest. If you and your friends need anything, we're here." She nodded and proceeded back to her dorm. As she walked away, she could faintly hear their conversation, "We have to tell Andla.." Delta said. "I just want to know what he meant by tax!" Chasm cried. "What do you think she agreed to, Chasm..?" He shook his head, "Whatever it is.. this place and everyone in it.. is in grave danger.."