Abandoned

Prologue

 'Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeehh!' I heard a loud scream from behind me. They came closer! I knew it was just a matter of time before they would find and kill me, but I forced my legs to run even harder.

'Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeehh! Iiiiiiiiieeehhh!' The typical sound of Sirakas. 'Iiiieehh!'

Without turning myself to the beasts, I felt the beasts got closer. They were sent to kill all descendants of the Diarah-bloodline. I was the only one of the Diarah still alive.

My chest felt heavy and my heart was bounting so fast, it almost seems like my chest would explode. At the end of the path, I saw a clearing. Fortunately, the clearing was exactly like my grandmother had described me. There was a small cave against the mountainside and a bright glittering stream flowed along the cave. The atmosphere was very peaceful. It almost made me think as if nothing happened, but that was just an illusion.

Without hestitation I ran into the cave. After a while I came in a large open space. I took a moment to rest a bit and I tried to catch my breath. Then I explored the cave with my eyes. In the cave were beautiful glittering crystals.

No time to stay, run through Souheila! I thought.

I hadn't even thought about it if I heard the sound of the claws of the Sirakas on stone.

Hurry!!

Right in front of me flowed a small underground river. I took a deep breath and dived into the clear water. The cold water stung like needles in my skin, but I ignored the feeling and swam to the bottom of the river.

It seems like the Sirakas are terrified of water. It'll give me more time. I hope it's enough.

A blue glowing bright crystal caught my attention.

Finally!  That must be the crystal my grandmother told me about.

I laid my hand on the stone. A warm feeling spread through my body and I closed my eyes.

'Don't stop, honey, you're almost there.' sounded a warm voice. I looked around confused.

No one to see. The only things I saw, were rocks and water. But I had no time to pay attention for it and I followed the advice of the unknown friendly voice. I hadn't much oxygen anymore and I almost had to go to the surface to take a breath. Instead, I ignored the feeling and focused on the crystal.

I badly wanted my mother here. How do I know what to do?

The friendly female voice sounded again. 'Souhaila the Diarah. You already got everything you need inside. You're the last princess of the Diarah, you're the only one who could do this. Your mother is keeping an eye on you. Know we are with you. Trust yourself, deep inside you've got the knowledge to make the right decisions. Just trust en listen to yourself.

I wanted to ask her numerous questions, but I pushed it away. The only important thing was the crystal. A pressure on my chest remembered me I needed oxygen. I really had to be fast.

With two hands I gripped the beautiful stone. My eyes were fixed on the inside of the crystal and I opened my heart for the warmth of the shining stone. I suddenly knew what to do.

Crystal, I receive your warmth. Take my warmth as gift. I open my heart to you, open your stone for me.

The crystal opened immediately. An incredible light shone into my eyes, but it doesn't really hurt. It just brightened my eyes.

Warmth flowed into my heart and I saw the crystal cracking. At the other side of the crystal there wasn't water. Instead, there was a beautiful woody area.

The crystal was pulling on me, but before I couldn't do anything. I badly needed oxygen. I took a deep breath and immediately I felt a sharp pain in my heart and lungs. I noticed I was pulled into the stone. Then I lost my consciousness.