dimensions | original

The Mountain Alliance

Luma woke up drenched in sweat. The last thing she remembered was Mark, Mark yelling, Mark terrifying. Luma shivered at the memory, and also at the sudden rush of cold air that had enveloped her. She glanced about the area around her, and was met with a surprise. The area around her was blanketed in snow, and she appeared to be on a mountain.

Luma shook herself, wrapping her arms around her knees.

"The sleeper awakes." came a sarcastic voice from behind Luma.

Luma screamed and leaped to her feet frantically. When she spun around, she saw Mark, his hands up in surrender.

"What are you doing here??" Luma fired at him, still in shock from what had happened in Nevermore.

Mark narrowed his shining dark eyes. "Sit."

Luma sat.

"When you refused to believe me, my master gathered the power to end your life. He used my body to try and  kill you. He got pretty close, but I got control, and you fainted, so I teleported you out of there, using one of my last transportation charms." He took a deep breathe, his words sliding quickly out of his mouth. "I'm almost out of those charms now, so be grateful. Anyway, I'm not having any more blood on my hands if I can help it. Now that we're out of his region, he can't reach you."

Mark's hands dug through his pockets, and found an odd piece of what looked like red glass. It was in fact, a magic fire-starter, but all Luma knew was that when Mark scraped it against a rock, fire whooshed out of it.

"Thanks." Luma said, quickly dismissing the fire-starter, for she had just figured something out. "So can you teleport me back home to Earth? Please? You said you a couple left." The words rushed from her mouth, and she looked hopefully at Mark. Generally, Luma didn't like being dependent on other people, but she was desperate.

"Can't." Mark answered simply.

"Please." begged Luma. 

"No, really, I can't. Unapproved magic doesn't work there. A long time ago, back in the 1700s, the gods agreed not to use magic in the human world. Even though it backfired big time in 2050s, the gods haven't lifted the law. So I can't transport you to the human world." He paused. "What power I have doesn't work like that."

Luma drooped like a plant without water.

"Sorry." said Mark uncharacteristically.

Luma nodded gloomily. "S'okay."

The two sat in awkward silence for a moment, and Luma began to shiver uncontrollably. The fire helped a bit, but overall Luma was only getting colder.

Mark stroked the fire, and the flames shot up. Despite the cold, Luma began to nod off, and exhausted Mark followed her example.

***

"No, no, no, please..." The girl cowered before the figure swathed in night. "I can explain!"

"No... Child, I extended your deadline already too far." The man spoke slowly. "You have failed to preform this simple task."

"Kinglyn," said the girl, black eyes shining. "this will be my last chance."

"You have five days." sighed the man. "I am ashamed of you for forcing me into this, but there is no time left for me to find another Hunter. Find me the werewolf."

The girl nodded her head calmly, her short bob of black hair catching the light. "I will not disappoint you, sir."

"I hope not." he said. "And hurry, Asha. There is not much time left." he said, his voice changing to something almost like a father's.