Chapter Five: Lost and Found

The blue blur crashed into trees, sliding down the hill, sticks, rocks, and trees cutting open wounded flesh, tearing at delicate wings. The snapping and cracking of bones was oblivious to the young dragon as she tumbled deeper into the forest. Nothing really mattered now. Her mind was quickly returning to her human thinking, and much of what happened was lost in the transference.

As her body tumbled, Karyka’s own mind fought with itself

Death! Murders! One portion ranted.

No, what….AGH!! Karyka’s own conscious mind argued in return. She struggled to return to her body, to fight the drag of the mental weight of the intruder.

No, stop, NO!! With a surge of power she fought to overrule this thing.

It is okay little one, I am here….. The voice lived within her, lifted her above the madness and chaos, and aided in her struggle to become whole once more.

The long scaly body jerked and twitched, muscles shrinking, bones cracking as they moved out of place. When the serpent-like body finally stopped, it was once more human. The night let Karyka drift on clouds of unconscious joy as she passed out.

When she finally returned from the realm of dreams, Karyka couldn’t even remember her name, not even where she had come from.

She stretched her aching muscles, wounds burned, filled with dirt and tiny stones. Glancing at the starry sky, now fading to the raging Sun, Karyka stared into oblivion.

Who am I? What am I? Holding her limp arm that burned with unnoticed pain, Karyka made her way through the forest.

The night air was sharp and bitter with cold as she thought of different and alien things. Karyka knew something had happened, but every time she got close to the truth, her head blazed with heat, as if a white hot spear was digging through her skull.

Maybe the animals of the forest will get me, she thought as she stumbled on. There were many within the darkness, some that were merciless and cunning. Really, she figured she didn’t stand a chance. However she had a hard time caring, for she didn’t even know her own name. A pity, she thought.

Crashing through the damp underbrush, her mind continued to wander, in no real direction, like her body. What was the point in living if you didn’t even know who you were?

Her temple throbbed as she listened to the voices in her head. Odd really, but they were there, faint, almost none existent though. Maybe she was mad from blood loss?

No, you mustn’t give in! You mustn’t give up! This voice in the darkness, far away from her…It called to her very soul, commanded her to listen, drove her very being to her feet again, and push herself through the haze of pain and fatigue.

Little one, you are strong, and you are my chosen one! You must endeavor! Deep within her mind she responded to the voice for the first time.

….why? What reason do you have for being here? The question, however illogical seemed to make perfect sense to her. After all it was her voice, but, it wasn’t her thoughts. It was a part of her, and not.

Her mind was immediately wrapped in an embrace of comfort and peace.

When you can answer that, you will be ready for us….With a harsh cough followed by the dripping of blood from her lips, Karyka let herself cry once more.

I don’t know! Who am I? What am I? I’m I so much a mistake I can’t remember? But the voice she had so relied on, didn’t answer.

“Yes,” She said aloud. “That must be it.” With a sigh she fell to her knees. Giving up sounded so good. Just lie there in the brush, and die. But with a grunt, she picked herself up once more and refused to die. There was no way she was going to quit, until she had no choice but to die. Even if she had to walk forever through the fires of the underworld, she would do it.

Her vision wavered, blurred and bleed together, like a painting left in the rain, but she moved on. Even when her world faded to the waiting darkness, she fought death.

I must live, my place is here…. Her breathe grew shallow, and heavy. She wouldn’t last much longer.

Don’t worry my little one; we will be together until the end….

--

In the darkness, ghostly apparitions grasped her arms, wailing in sorrow for their state of being. The first gate to the realm of the dead lay ahead, its pillars covered in withered vines, clinging to what was left of their support. The dead spirits clamored through, faces white and faded, the details gone with their fear. Karyka looked into the awaiting emptiness and smiled.

“It isn’t my time is it? That’s why I haven’t move like the others past this gate?” No voice replied to her, but she felt pulled back, leaving behind that dark world to the realm of the living.

With a gasp and a cough she opened her eyes. Strong power was surging through her veins, far stronger than any she had ever felt. Her body ached and twitched as the energy seeped into her injuries, easing away burning and infection. Her lungs burned as the power faded. She hadn’t even opened her eyes, but she knew someone was standing above her.

The sound of footsteps kept her from doing so. Until the person standing by her, this new one had a strange feel to him. As the presence that Karyka had no doubt saved her life it wasn’t as loving and pure. Karyka kept her eyes shut and listened.

“Did you save her?” Said a grim and rough voice… A man….

“Yes, but she hasn’t awoken yet,” said the one who saved her. This voice was soft, song like and lovely, a woman’s voice. There was a grunt from the man as Karyka fought moving from that masculine sound.

“It’s not human Talia! Its eyes…..” The man paused. “Whatever that thing is it can’t be good. You saw what I saw when you touched it!” The woman sighed, as if she had heard this multiple times. Her hand fell upon Karyka’s brow, and was cool to the touch. But at the center, heat came in slow pulses.

“Look Aryan I know shes not dangerous. Whatever the child’s problem it isn’t evil. She is good and my powers have not said otherwise.” To that the man was silent.

“You can’t always be right sister.” He simply replied.

“You can’t always be wrong when the powers of the gods are involved.” She retorted. The man named Aryan didn’t respond, and left the hut.

When Talia was sure that her brother had left she sighed and shoved chestnut locks out of her crystal blue eyes.

“All right, I know that you’re awake little one.” Karyka smiled slightly and opened her eyes to the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Her hair was silking and long, but no as long as was the fashion. Her eyes were big, blue, and glittering with intelligence and the knowledge of things unknown. Her rose lips curved in a smile. “Do you know were you are?”

Karyka stared in shock at this beautiful face before her. Without words she shook her head. The beauty that surpassed the goddess’s smiled, her eyes shinning.

“I thought not. Do you know how you got here?” Karyka again shook her head. No words forming on the tip of her tongue. Talia looked her in the eyes, her blue eyes turning dark with the intensity of her probing gaze.

“Do you know what rests inside of your soul little one?” She asked her voice lower, barely a whisper as she leaned in closer, and her hair raining over her shoulders in a dark waterfall. Karyka’s eyes widened as she looked away. Why did she feel as if this woman could look into her very soul and farther? But the question caused Karyka’s head to hurt. Did she know? What had happened that night? When she didn’t answer she felt the cool hand of Talia against her cheek, a gently reassurance. When Karyka looked back into her eyes, Talia smiled brilliantly.

“You have great power for one so young. Even though I am but 5 summers older than you I see it. What is your name?” Without waiting for her response, Talia smiled and whispered. “Karyka….what a beautiful name…” Karyka blinked and moved back, trying to get away from this strange woman’s touch.

“How do you know my name when I do not?” She asked her voice rough from lack of use. Talia smiled again, a smile of pure knowing and wisdom.

“I will teach you if you desire. Your power is different then any other I have felt, but it is pure as the waters of the deepest pool in the gods’ realm.” Talia gently stroked Karyka’s hair in a comforting gesture. “You don‘t remember what you are? Is it because you are afraid of what you are Karyka, or is it that you don’t want to walk your path on the roads on destiny?” Talia spoke more to herself than Karyka but it still hit her heart dead center.

Karyka blinked as her mind rebelled to the probing she was putting forth. These memories of hers, they were strange and alien. Not hers she knew, but another’s. A woman’s. Or not a woman…she was different. And a man. The image of herself came to her mind, and as she gazed through Talia. Her body rippled in a disgusting way, but to Karyka it seemed….natural…..Wings spread from her shoulder blades as she change shape. Her figure was more bird-like than serpent. Long muscled legs with four long sword like talons adorned each side of her sleek body. Her wings glittered like deep blue jewels as her green eyes held dancing light of happiness. This was her?...

A tear slipped down her pale cheek without her notice as the beauty of the scene struck her heart and deep in her soul. Something inside of her clicked as she smiled, for real for the first time in her life. This felt so right, this strange image she would have blocked out before. She touched her aching heart gently, as if the feeling of true inner peace would fade away and be but a distant and taunting dream.

Talia smiled as Karyka’s memories returned.

“So Karyka, you now understand?” Karyka looked up to Talia as if it were the first true time.