The Orb [short story] (slight editing)

Return of Nikstlitselpmur

3rd Person POV

As the day goes on, an old wizard walks through the woods and stops at the opening in the forest. The short figure stares at a limp, lifeless body and the corners of his mouth tug downward. Walking to the girl, he leans on his staff and slowly lowers himself so he's on his knees, facing the girl's side. He places his hand on her forehead and lifts his staff above her. Slowly waving it back and forth above her, he mutters indecipherable words of magic. He glances at her stomach to her knife wound. It seals itself up and her chest rises and falls once more.

Hazel's POV:

My eyes snap open and I take a gasp of air. Confused, I look around me and see an old man propping himself beside me against a tall, thick staff.

Wait, he's who we helped a few nights ago. He's who took us here in the first place. But I thought he was enslaved by the orb... why would he resurrect me like this?

I look around again, trying to remember the details of earlier. "Wha-what happened?" I ask.

He looks at me and smiles. "You, my child, have saved the world. You have forced the Orb into hiding. He is weak, but not gone. Everyone is free, including your friends." I suck in a breath at this and my eyes widen.

Could it be...but how? Aiden...he killed me before I could use the rock in the necklace.

He shakes his head slightly in warning and interrupts my thoughts. "But you have no idea what world you and your friends have walked into, and I'm afraid there's no turning back. Be careful, my child. And be prepared...at any moment The Orb could come back...stronger than ever before."

I sit up and help the old man up. "What's your name?" I ask.

He looks up at me, at his full height he stands no more than 5 and a half feet. "Nikstlitselpmur," He says, with a glint in his eye. I gasp as I remember the name that had provided the book with priceless information. I looked at him, then the ground as I think of what to say next, then back up. But he wasn't there, he had vanished.

I start to follow the path back to the field when I see the knife. I slowly pick it up and stare at it as I remember what happened. I remember what Aiden had said to me when I was dead. It was strange that I could hear him still but I guess he gave me the memory. I shudder as I notice my own blood on the blade but I keep it. Picking my head up, I walk to the field.

Jack's POV:

I can't believe she's really gone. We've won...but at such a cost.

I hear rustling in the bushes but I think nothing of it. Then I hear a voice I never thought I would hear again.

"Anyone drop a knife?" Hazel says from behind. We spin to face the girl we all thought to be dead. I don't believe what I see. I smile at her voice and the sight of her so much my face hurts but I couldn't care less. We don't say anything. We don't need to. Natalie and I engulf her in a hug, but Aiden stands there, stunned. Once we release, she's smiling so brightly.

Just like she used to.

She looks at Aiden and he smiles at her. She drops the knife and runs to him and hugs him tight around the neck. He hugs her from her waist and spins her around once before putting her on the ground again and tightening the hug. I raise my eyebrow at the sudden passion.

What did I miss?

Then, she pulls her head from his shoulder and looks up at him. She stands on her toes and then kisses him.

Apparently a lot.

A second or two pass and they pull away.

"I love you," Hazel whispers.

"I love you too," Aiden answers, with the biggest smile planted on his face that I've ever seen.

"About time," Nat mutters from beside me. I glance at her and let out a much-needed chuckle. Soon, the knowledge that the fight is over and after everything that happened to us over the past few days hits us. We collapse under the big oak tree and stay for a while, wondering about our next move.

How are we even getting home?

Then, the familiar overwhelming feeling of my mind being infiltrated hits me once again. I let out an anguished groan at the pain. Hazel gasps and I realize we're all having the feeling. Subtle whispers surround us, passing all around the tree yet incomprehensible. Then a voice speaks.

Do you think you've defeated me? You humans are so naive. You may have destroyed my physical form but not my spirit. You haven't won quite yet so save your celebration party. I'm coming back for you four, you actually managed to entertain me. When I do, be prepared. I haven't even explained my real plan for the human race. This was nothing compared to what I have in store for the world...

Ahh, I finished my rough draft! Sorry for all the inconsistency but I've finished the main part now. I'll still be going through and maybe adding a filler chapter here and there, build up the friendship a little more, give the story some more depth but I'll be updating a little slower now since school is starting again tomorrow. So, see ya soon!

Also sequel perhaps...? 

Who knows