The Universal

Chapter 16 - Talks in the Forest

So sorry for the long wait, I've had school and chiz so yeah

here's the next chapter, sorry if it's rubbish

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Chapter 16 - Talks in the Forest

Skylar’s POV

*3 months later*

The faint layer of snow crunched under my feet as I walked under the canopy of dark, almost black, pine needles. I didn’t know where I was going; I just needed to clear my head, from all the overbearing thoughts. I just needed to rid my shoulders of what felt like the weight of the world. But honestly a whole world was resting on my ability, my ability to control the elements. I never felt pressure like this before. I’m used to keeping my head down, staying unnoticed, doing what I need to do and nothing else. I’m used to nobody knowing my name; I’m used to being a nobody. But here, in this world, a world where everyone knows my name, where everyone knows my story, a place where I can’t go unnoticed. This a world I where I can’t escape, a world I don’t want to live in, a world I which I have to face a fate that I don’t want.

I never wanted this.

I was plucked out of my depressing thoughts by a sharp snap of a twig. My fighting skills kicked in straight away, diving behind a large pine tree, the rough bark digging in to my back, scratching my uncovered hands. Closing my eyes, holding my breath, I listened; over the crunching footsteps I could hear voices. Two voices to be exact. The two voices were getting closer. I racked my brains how can I get myself out of this. It’s impossible; they would hear or see me. I’ll just have to hold tight, wait it out, they won’t come nearer. Hopefully. I must have the gods on my side today, because they stopped walking.

“This’ll be far enough, nobody with any common sense will be out at this time of night in winter” said the first voice. Great thanks; I have no common sense now. But the voice was deep, obviously, a fully grown man, he sounded quite out of breath.

“I can think of one person who would be out here now” the second voice muttered. I stifled a gasp, no frikin’ way, I know that voice. That’s Seth’s voice.

“Look, I’m going to be straight with you, we’re losing, too many are going over and not enough are coming in. We need to tell her everything; all she knows is that she’s going to have to defeat him.” Said the first voice.

“But sir, I’m not sure if she’s ready yet, I mean, she’s only been here, what, four months? Won’t that put too much pressure on her?”

“Seth, she’s going to find out eventually isn’t she? Better find out too soon than too late…….”

“Still sir, what would I say to her, I can’t exactly go up to her and be all “hey by the way, the bad guy Zarius, is actually a dragon and he’s converting fire elementals into lightning and shadow elementals, just thought you should know” and then just walk off, I couldn’t, she would have my damn head!” argued Seth.

I can’t take this, this, this is just too much. I have less than three months training and they want me to defeat a frikin’ dragon. I didn’t even know they existed. I could feel panic building up in my chest, I need out, out of this god damn fate, out of this god damn world. I silently slid down the tree trunk before my legs gave way. I could feel tears falling down my face. This is the one thing I didn’t need right now.

“Look Seth! I really don’t care how you tell her, I know she trusts you so just do it” the first voice practically shouted, clearly annoyed.

“But sir….” Seth started.

“No buts Seth, just do it” the voice said, scarily calm all of a sudden. A pair of heavy footsteps started up again before anything else could be said.

“Ah god damn…..”I heard Seth say from the other side of the tree. I could imagine him running his hand through his back hair. I heard rustling of the forest floor as he sat down his back on the other side of the tree.

“What’re you doing out here at this time, Skylar?” wait, what! I was too choked up to respond, my head was spinning, the tears still falling. I didn’t look up from staring at the forest floor as I felt the air shift beside me and a comforting arm was put round my shoulders. I moved so I could rest my head on his shoulder.

“But honestly what are you doing out here?” I still didn’t trust my voice, so in answer I pulled the thick envelope out of my hoodie pocket.

“This came for me this morning, it’s from my aunt and uncle, I just can’t bring myself to read it.” I whispered. “ I had planned to read it by the moonlight, y’know like they always do in books and stuff.” I chuckled at my stupidity. “But then….

“But then you heard me and the Boss talking” he finished. I nodded. So that’s who the other voice belonged to.

“Well, do you still want to read it?” he asked. I nodded again. Gently he took the envelop out of my hands, opened it and started to read.

“Dear Skylar……….