Core

Chapter One

No one knows what's down there. Not for sure, anyway. They say that monsters lurk beneath the shadows of the trees we call our home. That creatures of unimaginable extents of treachery are waiting for the opportunity to pounce on an unsuspecting victim thrive below us. But I don't think so. I've always had this nagging feeling that the King of Aurora has been plotting something, something more terrible and dangerous than the so-called monsters residing beneath us. Something that would affect the whole of Aurora.

Night has fallen over the lush green of the canopy where I sit perched upon the slender branches of an odilavia tree. My eyes flit back and forth as I finger my small array of knives, drawing a sense of protection from them. The only things that keep me company is the birds' sweet singing as they lull their chicks to sleep and the comforting scent of moist soil, grass, and leaves after the evening rain cleansed our planet in her sweet water. I slowly twist my head to look behind me; my village is quiet and seems almost peaceful as the silnox flowers gracefully clasp their petals close to themselves. But to anyone who lives in this village high up in the trees, they know that it is quite the opposite of peaceful as I had found out a week ago.

I strapped my knife sheaths to my waist before inspecting each of my blades lying on my ragged bed making sure they were razor sharp and free of rust. While I was examining them my little sister tossed and turned in her little bed mumbling something about fluffy bears in lace dresses. I guess she thinks of dresses in her sleep as much as she does in the day. Once satisfied that they were each in pristine condition I slipped them into their leather sheaths. A sudden cry of anguish from the other room caused me to jerk back in surprise my hand gravitating towards my knives. I heard my father murmur something comforting to my mother as she weeps, but even my father's' voice cracks under the pressure of despair.

"We've always known that Magnar was reckless-"

"But not reckless enough to bomb the 19 entrances of the Mortelex!" my mom screeched. I heard a chair topple to the ground causing my candle to flicker as if uncertain. "And now he is to be executed on Thursday morn in a fortnight!" A wave of grief washed over me. My knife slipped from my grasp as I reached out to clutch onto my bed to steady myself. Magnar, my oldest brother... Only two days ago he had kissed me, on the top of my head, telling me how much he loved me and had said that he'd never let anything happen to me. He had reached his calloused hand into his pocket bringing out a necklace with a small, smooth stone attached to it inscribed with a rune. The rune of hope. He brushed my hair over my shoulder before gently tying it around my neck.

"If you ever lose hope let this pendant be a reminder to you that even in the darkest of times, there will be light," he had whispered in my ear as he hugged me for the last time. I should have known he'd do such a thing to save me from the awful destiny that looms over all teens ages 16-22! To save me from the dreaded maze of death!

I finger the pendent wistfully. Once they had found out which village the bombers were from, they closed down all of the businesses that required being on the ground. This means no, hunting, or in my family's case, fishing. The government gave us this job saying as long as we do this and give 60% of our catch to them they will pay us and will supply us with guards while we're on the ground. But now that they've closed all of the businesses down, my family now isn't receiving money or food which leaves me to feed my family or attempt to.

The rhythmic thumping of the midnight patrol's Pegasi sound throughout the forest quieting the songs of the birds and the chirps of the bugs. The patrol's bright torches illuminate the clearing with a fiery glow. I fight the urge to shrink back and hide in fear of being revealed; I sit as stiff as a statue. The small patrol halts at the base of the village's supporting trees at the raised fist of the commanding officer. A shiver of fear raced up my spine as the commander turns his masked face towards the tree I am perched on. He turns his burning gaze away as he scans the rest of the forest. He snaps his fingers quietly summoning a soldier from his patrol. A Pegasus with a black-clad figure trots up next to him. He murmurs something quietly to him before the man in black nods curtly. The commander raises a splayed, gloved hand decorated with King's crest, two circles overlapping each other the middle of the circles bearing an eye.  The Pegasi ruffle their sleek wings before the patrol disappears into the forest a fiery glow trailing behind like a slithering snake. The commander casts one last look at the tree I stiffly sit in. But, they left the man dressed in black robes behind. He nimbly slides off of his black Pegasus fastening the reins to a small tree. He swiftly glances around before seemingly, disappearing into the shadows of the trees.