Ethereal

chapter one

Fifteen and a half years later. 

"Airlea!" Airlea looked up to see her best, and only, friend, Kyna, running towards her. Kyna's dark braided hair flew out from behind her. Airlea smiled at the pretty, enthusiastic girl. 

"What is it Kyna?" She asked her Kyna grinned at her, her dark brown eyes bright and excited she held out a parchment folded over with Airlea written on the front.

"This letter was given to me by Levin in the market place while I was buying bread fro mother. Levin  recieved it from Margot, yesterday, who said she received it from a mysterious stranger who approached her in the square, and was told to give it to Airlea Martyrgree. Margot knew that Levin would see me soon and that I always saw you," She told her excitedly, sitting next to her on a large rock.

"A letter, for me?" She said, confused, as she reached over grabbing it and unfolding it. 

Dear Airlea, 

Let us start by saying that you don't know us, but we know you. We have known you your whole life and longer, we know why you have visions and we know why you have a birthmark that is the sign of the Gods. We cannot tell you who we are as of yet. What we can tell you is that the people of Listonia are in grave danger. They need your help. Trust us by knowing that you are the only one who can save them. You, our dear Airlea, hold immense power, power no other human contains. It is so immence that it can save Listonia. You, our dear friend, are about to go on an incredibly dangerous journey. It may be hard to believe, but you must. You are the only hope. We will be guiding you but we must not reveal ourselves, for if you knew who we were it could ruin everything we have risked and worked to achieve peace. Our dear Airlea, know that we love you and that we will be with you on your journey. We are sending our friend, Drina, to protect you. She knows who you are and will not harm you. 

We are with you,

Your Trusted Friends

"Wow." Kyna said, reading over her shoulder.

"Do you believe it?" She asked turning to her friend. Kyna slowly nodded. 

"It's rather difficult to believe, but they know so much about you, and Levin said that Margot said that the stranger was dressed in foreign clothes, which means that they're probably not from around here. And if they're not from around here then they probably don't even know the rumors about you," Kyna told her, resting her chin into her hands. 

"I don't know, this seems pretty farfetched to me. But still..." She trailed off, wondering how these people knew so much about her if what Margot said was true. 

"I'm going with you." Kyna said decidedly. She nodded as if to emphasize her point, her dark braid swayed behind her back.

"Where?" Airlea asked.

"On your journey, of course, someone will need to make sure you stay focused and don't wander off." Kyna giggled, her head turning to the side. 

"Kyna, if we're taking this seriously then I don't think that it is really a laughing matter." She told her. She turned around on the normal path through the feild to walk home, and found herself facing a large white tiger. She heard Kyna scream, but she remained frozen, unable to move or scream. The tiger was so close she could feel it's warm breath on her face. The tiger seemed to grin at her discomfort. She was majestic. A glossy pure white coat covered her body, she stood with integrity and grace. Her eyes were a stormy gray that seemed to hold the secrets of their world and all the other worlds. 

Relax, child. I am Drina. I have been sent to protect you on your journey.

Airlea found herself relaxing, unwillingly. She breathed a sigh of relief when she came to grips with what the tiger had just told her.

"So the letter was true then?" She asked Drina. 

Yes. You are to save the world. 

"Can Kyna come with me?" She asked, remembering Kyna's comment about keeping her on task.

"Who are you talking to, Airlea?" Kyna asked, her voice laced with panic at the thought her friend was standing so close to a tiger and seemed to be off in her own world yet again.

"With Drina, can't you hear her?"

"No," Kyna said, still frightened. 

Only you can hear me, child. Yes, your friend may come if she is brave enough. Things will be dangerous, she must be willing to face it. 

"I'm sure she can handle it. I have faith in her. Kyna, don't be afraid, she's here to protect us." Kyna nodded, still unsure. 

Tigers were definitely bigger in person than in stories.