Something Lost - Book 1

Prologue

(The God King and the three sister goddesses, Reiro, Oaro, and Moras)-LE2018

   With every passing year, the gods thumped upon their drums, beckoning those that were destined to hear their call. The beat, once booming and alive, was silenced, muffled in the noise of modern mans development.

Without a capable ear, the gods grew weak, and perished one by one. Leaving only tales of their power, and whispers of a world once filled with magic.

   But the strong melody rumbled once more, in one last glorious blow. It set forth a great shock-wave that shook the land. Its song danced over mountaintops, and roared across thunderous plains, searching for a mark that would hear.

   And they did.

—————

   Darkness surrounded Alanis. Her hands swam ahead of her, yet she could not see them. Something was pushing her, something that couldn't be seen, but was there all the same. This strange force pushed at her back, propelling her through the dark water she was in with quickening speed.

Her brow furrowed and she squinted as her eyes caught the light of the sun that cut through the surface of the water.

Where am I, she wondered while her eyes adjusted to the light.

   Larska River?

It was the only body of water she had ever seen, logically it made sense that it was, and inside she always felt she had some sort of connection to it.

   Larska River or not, she had no idea how she got there. The last thing she could recall was taking something for her headache and jumping in bed for the night.

   That's right, she hadn't felt right all day and turned in early. This was all just—

A dream, this was all a dream, she realized as she broke through the water. Her body soared into the sky, flowing with the gentle breeze.

(Following Light; Alanis -LE2018)

   The sun warmed her skin and the sparkling trail of water droplets that clung to her arms soon caught her gaze. She marveled at their simple beauty, and in time, that feeling transformed into a sense of peace and understanding that she never thought was possible.

   All around her, she realized, the world breathed with life. She could see it now, in this place, within this dream.

She climbed higher and higher into the blue sky. The white sun hummed out a melody that beckoned her. Was she meant to join it, to become one with the light? The further she climbed, the more she knew she belonged with it—to it.

"Your time is not today," a heavenly voice rustled in her ear like the shedding of fall leaves in the wind. And suddenly, the white sun she was pulling towards, dimmed as she fell to the earth below.

   There was no pain as her body met with the shore, only the sensation of pins and needles numbed her senses. She closed her eyes as familiar fear crept into her head then settled in heart.

   Before she could open her eyes, she was greeted by the song of a beautiful voice. It was female, and sweet, and sang in a language that she had never heard before.

   The words were like magic to her ears. And in time, she began to understand the sweet song wasn't at all a song, it was a plea for her to open her eyes and face her true destiny, fearlessly.

   Her eyes opened, answering the call of the heavenly voice. Searing pain shot through her head as her eyes adjusted to the light. After a moment, the pain numbed and her eyes focused on the young woman who cradled her within her arms. She had a beauty that matched her voice, a natural beauty that would leave both men and women in awe in her presence.

"Alanis," the angel spoke her name while lowering her gray eyes to meet with hers. "You've heard my call?"

   Her joyous statement was misread as a question as Alanis answered with a raspy, yes, and a weaker nod of the head. Though as weak as she was, her hand found the strength to lift to the beauty's face, to brush back a loose lock of black hair that dangled freely.

Alanis swallowed nervously as a horrible notion crossed her mind, then without further thought, spoke it, "Have I died?"

"No," the beauty answered, her hand caught Alanis' before it fell to her side then cradled it to her bosom. "You are alive."

   Alanis hissed, her muscles contracted, forcing her body to jerk. The woman noticed her discomfort and bowed her head. The pain she was feeling was so riveting that the woman's prayer was lost to her ears. But after a moment, that felt like an eternity, she started to feel a reaction from the woman's touch. The pain and cold that wracked her body was being pulled away by this woman, as if she were some godly healer.

This can't be happening, things like this shouldn't happen, it was impossible.

   But yet, it was.

Alanis gripped her hand tightly. "Did you save me?"

The woman lifted her head to take in Alanis' bewildered stare.

Her gray eyes sparkled with a smile.

"No, you saved me," she replied, her voice thick with joy.

   The woman closed her eyes and began to hum. It was a unknown melody, one she had never heard before, but was beautiful all the same.

"I can feel your spirit," Alanis said with heavy eyes. She let them close briefly, but fought to keep them open. "Like, I've known you a lifetime."

The woman's soft lips touched Alanis' cheek.

"Yes, you and I are bonded now. And now, I shall guide you," she whispered into her ear. "Now rest and wait for her orders."

   Wait for her orders, Alanis wondered, dreamily.

A feeling of ease washed over Alanis as she was rocked within the woman's arms. And as time passed, she found it impossible to resist the urge to sleep, so she closed her eyes and welcomed it.

—————

• Thanks for reading. If you'd like to support me please remember to vote if you liked the chapter. Comments and questions are welcomed, and don't forget to follow me for updates.