The Spark: The Crystal (Temporarily, this will not have any cover art)

1

Seth

It was the dead of night. With the moon high in the sky, spreading it's light over the city, I set out, away from home in the grime covered alleys in a town long forgotten, for a new life. My main concern at this point was to find the rest of my family. We were luckier than the others. My brother was out tending to the farm when he saw them flooding the sky, so he ran to us and told us. The creatures were similar to gargoyles. In fact, they were designed by super-intelligent gargoyles, some of the most terrifying creatures in existence. The gargoyles created 'experiments', and they test them out on different villages. This was the first time they attacked a kingdom. They had clearly been busy, because the things that attacked us were essentially goblins with wings grafted to there backs. Their abilities on the ground cost them gracious flight. Not that they were meant to fly in any case. Because of this, he had easily out ran them. I spread the news, but my family were the only ones close enough to the back gates to escape in time. I told them that I would hide, and when it was safe, I would leave and catch up with them within two days. It's been about a week, maybe more. I wonder if they think I'm dead. I wonder what has become of them. They're smart enough to survive by themselves... I just hope they weren't attacked. Without any weapons, they'd be defenceless. Usually, most creatures wouldn't roam that far, but I had my doubts. It was the dry season, so most of their prey would have migrated away. If they hadn't managed to properly stock for the winter months, they'd go... wandering.

As I limped towards the gates, my movement hindered by my injured leg, I saw a figure move in the darkness. At first, I thought it was one of the creatures that attacked us. I darted back round the corner, fearful that it may have heard me. My heart was beating double time, pumping adrenaline through my system. I thought all of them had left. They got the towns supplies, and they killed everyone they could find. Unless... Suddenly, I was torn from my thoughts. The figure I saw earlier, it must have noticed me. As I was drowned in my thoughts, it had been slowly sneaking up on me. I could tell it was around the corner. If there was only one, I could take it, especially since I'd have the element of surprise. But if there were more... but there was no time to factor that in. The creature was moving again, and at any moment, it would be around the corner. I leapt around, ready for combat, despite my broken leg. The figure shouted in surprise as I hit, both of us tumbling over. Getting up from the cobbled road, I grabbed my knife and brought it down towards it's neck.

"No, stop!"
I stopped with the tip of my knife pressed to it's neck. Puzzled, I looked around. There was no one there of course, but I recognised that voice... I looked back at the figure. Could they have said it? Those creatures. They don't know any language, just threatening growls and snarls. But if this couldn't have been human- after all, I was the only survivor... "Is that how you're going to greet me? Jump on me, try to kill me and sit there with your knife on my neck?"
I knew who this was.
"Oh, and on that topic, I know full well how sharp that knife is. Would you mind moving it? I really don't like the idea of you, you know, slitting my neck."
I re-sheathed my knife and slowly stood, grinning despite nearly killing a friend.
"Jeez Ash, you scared the life out of me! What are you still doing here? I thought I was the only one!"
Ash stood up and laughed.
"The only one? What do you mean Seth? Did you start another one of your adventures again?"

I stood there, shocked. It was all I could do to stop myself from crying. How could she have not known? Maybe she was out testing some of those new weapons I gave her. It was helpful, but her timing had never been great. She stood there, looking at me, growing more concerned with every moment. "That wasn't a joke was it? Why is there no one here?" She said, strain in her voice. "What happened to them?". I had to tell her. No matter how hard it was, she had to know. "Let's go back to my place, I'll tell you more about it there."