What Doesn't Kill You

Chapter Ten

"The mind, body, and heart. They are the three types of trials she will endure and overcome. It seems that she has started her trials of the heart and almost completed that of the mind. When she finishes that of the mind her consciousness  will reenter her body from the lunar plane."

"And she's close?" Emily asked.

"I believe so. It's hard to tell. Many oracles do not make it past the trials of the mind. Or even get to partake in the trials of the mind but from what I can remember of what our previous Lunar Oracle told me. The trials of the mind are a series of small test consisting of endurance and wit. It will test the limits of her sanity and stretch her mind until she thinks it will break and some oracles do," Keiara looked down to Taryn, "I hope she is not one of them."

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Breaking the surface I took in a quick lungful of air before I was pulled into the murky depths again. The more I struggled the further the invisible hands would pull me down. I'd been at this for what felt like hours and I was not any closer to an escape than I was when I was pushed into the pool of dark sludge. This obviously wasn't working. I needed to calm my mind but that was extremely hard to do when one is running out of air. If I could just take a breath this would be easier.

Every time I kicked off one of the hands, there would be another there to grab me. I needed to see them to fight them but every time I looked down at my ankles there was nothing there. It was like I was fighting against myself.

That was it! I needed to stop struggling to calm myself and conserve air. I let my body go limp and started being dragged down at a quicker rate. I needed to see them to fight these hands off. Damnit! It was like they were spirits.

SPIRITS!

I partially shifted and allowed my eyes to take on that of my wolf spirit. Looking down I saw what could only be described as demon mermaids. Their hands ended in long talons, their tails looked to be that of eels, and they had the grins of sharks. There was four of them, each grappling for purchase on my legs. My brain was working overtime. Searching for anything that could possibly help me in this situation.

One of their talons dug in a little deeper than the others drawing blood, that floated in the murk, and caused me to kick out. My foot landed soundly on one of the mutant's noses and it recoiled quickly, letting go of my leg in the process. I knew this was my way out. I pulled my knees to my chest and swung out with my arms hitting two of the other monsters on their noses. They retreated just as swiftly as the first, screeching as they left.

The last one refused to let me go wrapping it's arms around me and clawing up my body. I struggled trying to hit the last monster. The monster evading me every move. It's arms now wrapped tightly around my torso, preventing my arms from moving .I could feel my chest tightening with a lack of air. I had to make a move and quickly.

The demon's face was now even with mine. I stared into eyes that could have been human if not for the lifelessness behind them.

A thrash forward was all it took as my head collided with the monster's nose. The high-pitched screech piercing my ears. But I was free and I fought against the water trying to reach the top. My lungs burned for fresh air and I knew I needed to reach the top now.

Breaking the surface I was finally able to take in lungful after lungful of air. In my hurry to breathe I accidentally inhaled a small bit of water and immediately started coughing it up. Working through the coughs wracking my body I made my way to the shore.

I pulled myself up onto the dark pink sand and flopped on to my back. I tried to catch my breath as I stared up at the tall trees with blue leaves. I had no idea where I was at or how long I'd been here but it was a strange, beautiful, and dangerous place. I hadn't seen another person in such a long time except for this little girl I kept having to save but she'd disappear before I could ask her questions.

This place was extremely dangerous. I had faced things I never thought I would. Animals that I never thought would exist. I've had to survive off this land and have almost died more times than I can count. Scraping by by the skin of my teeth, barely making it out with my life more times than I can count. This last experience not even one of the worst.

I closed my eyes, resting for only a few moments. I knew I had to get to high ground. I just needed a moment.

"Impressive."

My eyes shot open and I scrambled to my feet, spinning to meet the voice. There stood a women with glowing silver eyes and hair as dark as the night sky and every time it swayed in the wind I could specks of silver glittering.

"Who are you?" I questioned.

She ignored me as she walked past me and to the edge of the water, "No one has made it past the merfolk in years."

I kept quiet, evaluating my situation. She was calm and looked strong and healthy. I, on the other hand, was exhausted, hungry, and soaking wet. I couldn't fight her or outrun her but maybe I could outsmart her. I just needed a plan.

"Calm down, child" she turned to me and her eyes bore into me. I felt frozen to the spot.

"I won't hurt you, Taryn. You are my child and will be the pride of your community. You've already come so far."

"Who are you?"

"My sweet child, I figured you would have guessed by now," she smirked at me calmly.

I had an inkling but it was too much for me to even fathom, "Who are you?"

She smiled softly and stepped forward, "I am the moon."