The Secret of The Universe

Naro, Lily, and the Flying Deer

I stared in shock as Oak faded from view. My head was pounding, a sure sign I was hungover. My stomach churned as my head and heart pounded in perfect synchronization. I tried to get to my feet, my ankle joining my pain as I fell once again.

I lay back, letting the throbbing in my ankle and head dull down. I just lay there for a second, the world spinning around me as my thoughts drifted to Oak, and what he had said. Before long I had slipped back into the world of unconsciousness.

Hours later my eyes fluttered open. I blinked as the sun shone down on me.

"It has to be noon." I guessed. The sun was high in the sky, illuminating the green and rust-colored leaves scattered around the light canopy the trees made.

I sat up, my ankle throbbing still.

"I need to deal with this ankle." I murmured to myself. I rubbed my ankle, trying to ease the burning pain. I looked around the forest, trying to find something to use as a bandage. My eyes landing on a low fern. "I could use that"

Before I could grab the fern a soft whinnying drifted through the air. I turned my head to see Galaxy standing a meter away.

"Healing powers!!" I exclaimed. I pulled myself to my feet, steadying myself. I hobbled over to the quadcorn, leaning heavily against her. I felt my ankle heal, the throbbing pain decreasing with every second. As I stood by Galaxy thoughts of the fight and the night before filtered through my mind

Oak's gone. What will I do? I don't know how to get through this forest. Let alone in one piece. What about food?!? I wish Tyrek was here.

"TYREK!" I shouted. "That's it. I need to find another compass pixie."

I mounted Galaxy, carefully maneuvering my way through the forest. I walked through the trees, paying close attention to the leaves as I passed.

"Where would I find a compass pixie?" I asked myself. I thought about what Oak had told me. "Compass pixies and Drafars are both found near water Oak had said. And Tyrek had said they all have protectors. So I guess we should look for a creek?"

I had only traveled maybe a mile when I heard the distinct sound of flapping wings. I nudged Galaxy forward just enough that I could see a deer-like creature. The most noticeable trait was the creature's large brown wings, the white tips flapping in the sky as it rose off the ground. Big antlers tangled there way towards the sky and white dots adorned the brown fur, much like freckles. As the deer-like creature flew away, an idea popped into my head.

"Follow that creature Galaxy" I commanded. "It'll surely lead us to water. " Galaxy whinnied before taking off in the direction of the creature. I held on tight, Galaxy's mane whipping into my face as we chased the winged creature. Galaxy zig-zagged through the trees, keeping up with the mysterious deer.

Suddenly Galaxy stopped, nearly making me fly off her. We were standing at the edge of a clearing. There, running throughout the clearing was a small creak, twisting and turning like a slithering snake. I jumped off of Galaxy, rushing towards the river. I slowed down a bit, careful not to startle the deer-like creature. I walked to the creek, keeping my eyes open for a compass pixie.

I walked up and down the bank of the creek, looking for a flash of blue and listening to the fluttering of wings. The mystical deer flew away as I drew closer. As my few cleared of brown and white, a flash of blue caught my eye.

There, on the other edge of the creek, was a compass pixie. Her blue dress swirled in the wind as she flew around. I watched mesmerized as her brown hair swayed in the wind, the blue tips like dancing waves.

I noted that this compass pixie was a girl as I walked across the creek bed, making sure to check my footing before each step. The compass pixies ice blue eyes stared at me as I drew closer. I could tell she was on high alert, her pale hand never leaving the handle of her trident.

"Hello" I started as I drew closer. "My name is Cole Smith. I am new to Thrae. I came here looking for a compass pixie to help me find my way home."

"Hello Cole" the compass pixie nodded. "I am Naro. you claim to be new to Thrae. Yet you know about quadcorns and pixie fairies. Where to find them and how to ride. How?"

"I had a friend here. He helped me when I first arrived. Oak smith. " I explained.

"Oh. what happened" Naro asked.

"Well... I haven't been that careful. I've gotten myself in a lot of trouble recently and I guess he got mad about saving me so much. He stormed out on me early this morning." I told Naro. Suddenly a voice rang out over the clearing, cutting off Naro.

"Why Hello Cole." the voice rang out. "Welcome to Thrae."

I whirled around as the mysterious holder of the voice stepped out into the clearing. Standing before me was a woman of average height. Her pink hair flowed past her shoulder, laying perfectly in line with the straps of her rainbow dress. The dress itself was for fitting till the bottom, then its poofed out like a blooming flower.

I stared into the beautiful creatures green eyes as I replied "H-hello"

"You are very handsome Cole." the creature purred, coming closer.

"Th-thanks" I mumbled. "Um..how do you know my name?"

"Oh!" the elegant creature seemed startled. "Well, I'm very smart. I know a lot of things. My name is Lily, the protector of Naro."

"No, she isn't" Naro screamed as if she was trying to warn me. "She's a flower. She's evil."

I remembered Oak telling me not to trust flowers. Yet again I couldn't help but think this flower was telling the truth. A felt my mind fog with confusion as I turned to Naro.

"Shut it!" I shouted. "I don't need your help." Naro looked at me, startled. She started to fly forward, getting ready to lecture me for yelling at her, when suddenly she stopped and stared into my eyes. Something must have clicked because the angry pixie suddenly became calm, flying closer to me and sitting on my shoulder. I watched, my mind hazy, as Lily stared at Naro. Lily's eyes filled with anger as she stared at the pixie.

"Cole" Lily stared at me. "If you follow me I can help you on your quest."

"Don't listen to her!!" Naro shouted. Naro flew off my shoulder. I watched as she hovered in front of my face as she waved her hands. "Snap out of it Cole. You need to snap out of it." Lily laughed as Naro tried to get me to snap out of it.

"Come on Cole." she chuckled. "Leave this pixie. She has no use on our quest." I nodded, climbing out of the creek. I walked over to Galaxy, drying off a bit before mounting the quadcorn.

"I'm coming with" Naro stated. She flew up to me, sitting on my shoulder.

"Ok," I said, my mind still foggy. Lily smirked at Naro as I followed her through the forest. Shortly after we left the clearing Lily strayed from the path. I followed closely, making sure to keep an eye on the leaves ahead of us. I paid no attention to where we were going, to focused on the leaves to notice how far we had strayed. 

The next time I bothered to look at where we were going we were at a huge wooden gate. I could hear chattering on the other side, my view blocked by a strong wooden wall. I could see a castle the rose far over the wall, along with many colored roofs.

"Welcome to The Forrest Villiage Cole" Lily exclaimed as the heavy wooden doors swung open.