The World of The Winged

Wings

Chapter 25:

We all lay down on our sleeping bags with a pile of glowing ashes in between us. I decided not to tell them about my decision because I'm sure they would try to change my mind.

I stare at the ceiling of the cave. Tonight, I would be able to fly up and finally find out what's up there. I shufle around on my sleeping bag in excitement and stop a happy squeel from escaping my mouth.

I try to calm myself down and roll to my stomach, resting my head on my arms. I watch the smoldering wood and smile lightly in anticipation of tonight.

The others are all dead asleep and I bite back an excited laugh and crawl out of my sleeping bag. I stand up and move around as quickly and quietly as possible. 

I put on my jacket amd slowly start walking towards the tiny chapel.

That man looked so evil and dangerous, but surely someone dangerous would've said he'd grant me power instead of this, right? They're always after power... Right?

I shake my insecurities off and fasten my pace just a little. I keep walking until I feel a hand on my shoulder. I freeze and quickly turn around. It's Luke, he looks at me with worried eyes. I avoid his gaze. "Luke," I say, unsure of myself and what I'm going to do in maybe just seconds from now.

"What are you doing in the middle of the night?" He asks. I glance up at him but avert my gaze quickly. I try to make up an excuse but decide to tell him the truth. Well... Part of it. "I'm creating my own destiny." I say with more confidence than I'm actually feeling.

I turn back around and leave him stunned and confused. I can hear him talking to me from behind me but choose to ignore him.

I run around the corner of the chapel. Once I see the man I talked to earlier that day, I start running a bit slower. He doesn't say a word and I can already feel change and see purple smoke forming around me. I try to tell him to stop but nothing's coming out of my mouth.

I try again and again, but nothing happens. I wrap my hands around my neck as if to see whether something's blocking my speech but I feel nothing. Luke comes around the corner and yells my name but I can't react.

I get get lifted up and the smoke leaves my line of sight. I follow the last trail with my eyes to my back. The smoke starts to materialize and I grind my teeth, while trying to bear the pain. Luke is yelling behind me but I can't register what he's saying. Everything sounds like I'm hearing it from behind a door.

It's like a fog is forming in my head and I can't seem to keep a clear mind. I feel something pushing me away. Not my body, but me. Actually me. My head clears up for just a couple of seconds and I can hear the man talking, "I'm sorry, I lied. There won't be minor changes to your personality. My queen's soul needs a host and you're a suited vessel."

Pain surges through my body again and I arch my back as I scream. When it leaves me again for a couple of peaceful seconds, I suck in as much air as possible to prepare for the next surge of pain.

The pushing on me intensifies and I try to hold on but another surge of pain distracts me and I slip away slightly. I see a flash of light and suddenly I'm seeing all sorts of images.

I see a young woman with black hair and brown eyes. She has horns, fangs and dragon-like wings. The man who promised me my wings is standing next to her as she talks to him with a small smile on her face.

Suddenly the image changes and I see the shadows from before. Thousands of them. I fight against the pushing and start to think I'm winning and loosen up just a tiny bit. That's when the pushing sees its chance and I disappear.