《Shadows of Blood》


 Prologue

    I hummed a tune in replacement of music as I stared out of the airplane''s window, a small square which giveslittleview of the surrounding atmosphere unless one changed angles every so often. The puffy clouds looked like cotton candy except for their color of snow. They were a beautiful sight. I wanted to touch them to see what they felt like, probablymoistdue to them being a part of the water cycle, but I was confined within a moving metal box and had no way to feel anything outside it. All I could do is look at them in awe and wonder.


    Sometimes, I noticed the plane shaking a bit, like a close boom of thunder without noise, when the wings had passed through some of the surrounding clouds. Perhaps turbulence would happen when the plane passes through a large number of clouds.


    "Is that really the cause?" I mumbled as I continued to observe the mechanical wings. There were four flaps extended out to catch the wind from underneath the plane in order to keep it from falling into the depths of the ocean under us. I recalled when the plane began its ascent into the air, those flaps were moving in various ways in order to help the plane to accelerate or slow. Without them, the flight of a plane would be nearly impossible and unsafe for anyone within. Thinking up to this point, I was more confident in my original observations and theory in turbulence.


    However, I have no idea if my logic was filled with truth or lies, so I decided to turn to my neighbor. He was a dark-skinned guy with robust muscles all over his body. Considering them, I thought he must be some type of body-builder who might not know what I was about to ask him. However, people come from all shapes and sizes and none of them should be left out.


    "Excuse me!" I said, grabbing his attention from his iPhone.


    "Yes?" He replied with a confused expression on his square face.


    I smiled at him while showing my straight white teeth. "I was just wondering if you happen to know anything about turbulence. For example, do you know how it happens?"


    The man looked at me like he was ready to yellashis face started to become a shade of angry red. His brown eyes contained a hint of frustration within. "I..." He began through gritted teeth. "I''m very sorry as I have no idea what the answer is to your question." His face became downcast in shame.


    I laughed, not because I felt the situation was funny, but it was to lighten the atmosphere a bit instead. The way the man had initially reacted to my question made me feel like I had done something wrong, but I was worried for nothing as it seemed like his personality was one of pride. He won''t like it when he doesn''t know something if a person asked him, and he would feel worthless as his pride was crushed to pieces. As I didn''t want the man to start hating on himself, I decided to help him out a bit.


    "You thought I was actually expecting you to answer. Poor lad, I only wanted to know if you would like to hear my theory on the subject if you didn''t know!" I exclaimed in a playful tone. I needed to make sure my tone matched my words or he may find something fishy.


    The man''s head rose up and he stared into my forest-like eyes. "Sure, kid!" His voice contained a restrained joy and gratitude within. "Humor me. After all, we still have a few hours left before we land in Hong Kong."


    "I am glad you accepted my proposal! My name is Lesley, by the way..." My words came rushing out of my mouth, leaving the guy no time to introduce himself. When I left the theory of turbulence behind, I moved onto another theory I had on other things.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "...I have come to believe that all human brains are interconnected in some way or form. Can you recall a time when you and some other person had said the same thing at the same time? There is a saying which says "history always repeats itself" and it is true! The ideas people have come up with, those geniuses like Albert Einstein, everything had come to be thought of before. The only difference is that the people who take credit for these ''discoveries'' were the first to place these ideas public..."


    I became more endorsed in my theories. It eventually came to the point to where I had stopped asking the man questions and just continued on and on. When the flight attendant came down the aisle with snacks and drinks, I took a momentary pause to grab five water bottles and four packages of cookies. I downed one of the containers and continued my speech until a red flash appear up ahead.


    I ceased my talking and glanced up to see the "put on your seatbelt" sign glowing. My neighbor furrowed his brows in a serious manner. "With about five hours to go, this message shouldn''t be on unless..." His face paled as he frantically grabbed my seatbelt and pulled it tight around me.


    "What is happening?" I asked. It felt weird to have someone to put on my safety belt for me. It hasn''t been that way since I was a small child.


    "Don''t speak! Turbulence!" He had only said a few simple words, but they made me want to look out of the window to see if my theory was correct.


    I didn''t want to get too close to the walls of the plane as the shaking of it might cause me to kill myself by my head hitting against it. However, it was more than enough to get the view I would have never expected to see in real life.


    There were no clouds. In fact, the atmosphere was very clear and void of anything except for what belonged. There was, however, a massive bird whose wingspan was nearly a hundred stories in length. Its black feathers had a violet hue on their edges, its claws were long and sharp as was its beak. I could see energy currents spiraling around the creature like lightning webbing the dark clouds in a thunderstorm.


    From the moment I saw the bird, I knew it was not because of turbulence why we had to place our seatbelts on. The piolets were afraid of it and so should we.


    It was then when I had realized that the flight attendants had not called on the speaker to warn the passengers, and I smiled faintly. They wish to save themselves, but this creature would not allow anyone to live if that was its goal. From the looks of it, it could easily tear through the metal and kill each and every one of us in one fell swoop.


    "Screeech!"


    A shrill cry exited the bird as the lightning surrounding its body began to extend its reach out towards the plane. Once it got about ten feet away from the wing, it stopped its advance. I was confused. It had made such a heavy battle cry just to act like it was attacking. Plus, it seemed to have the ability to control energy, namely electricity. Sure, humans have the capability to use this energy, but that is only through external means. How was this bird controlling it with just his flesh?


    It was an unfathomable mystery science had yet to understand.


    Before I had the chance to think on the matter more, I felt the plane shudder. The lights began to flicker and little strings of electricity began to move to the wing. I was towards the back of the plane, so I could see everything happening with clear eyes. The energy within the wing began to cause it to burn with heat. The metal turned to a dark red color as black plums of smoke rose up from the engine within it.


    Like a rod, the bird''s energy lead the electricity of the plane to it, empowering it. Once it had its fill, it left as though it had done nothing wrong.


    My neighbor was too shocked at what he saw and forgot to place his safety belt on. I widened my eyes and opened my mouth to warn him, but it was too late. The plane tipped forward and jumped like it was bouncing on a trampoline. The jump, to my horror, made the man''s body splatter as a drop of water onto the roof of the plane.


    "Ahhh!"


    I don''t know who it was who had screamed their lungs out, but I do know that I could feel the warm blood dripping onto my face and clothes like a shower of rain. My vision turned hazy with dark spots and I was gone.

 Chapter 1

    Some say life on Earth was too boring. There was nothing except for the program placed into you from birth. Therefore, a human''s attempt to make life interesting would be to create gangs, kill each other, steal, and much more. Crimes were a form of escape. A thrill which turned the bland world into one full of excitement. - Unknown, The Dragon Monarch Era, World of Terabethius.


    ***


    My consciousness awoke from the fantasy land of nothingness. Eyes closed, my muddled mind assessed the situation at hand. The wind was warm and gentle, unlike the bitter winter, and the scent of pollen was abundant. Was it spring?


    My eyes flickered open in realization and fear. It should be winter. Why is it spring? The memory of the plane crash flooded back, and she was more afraid than ever. There was water underneath the plane, not land. "So," A raspy voice exited flowed through my mouth. My throat burned. "How did I get here?"


    My eyes watered as my throat itched. I coughed up a storm. Once my fit ceased for a moment, I was able to take a look at my surroundings. A forest of trees which looked similar to mushrooms stood proudly. All the leaves were above a circular base of branches. If I remember correctly, they were called Dragon Blood Trees. They were named so due to its crimson sap which sometimes leaks out.


    Due to their unique shape, the trees were spread apart by many feet, giving any who ventures out into a forest of these trees room to move around. Their mushroom-like shape blocked the sun''s rays out of the forest''s floor despite the large walking capabilities. I''ve never seen anything like this in real life.


    Oh, wait! This is real life. The constant pain in my head reminded me of that.


    I staggered up to my feet while clutching my head. My hands felt a dry layer of skin...a memory flashed of the man''s blood pooling down onto my body. It was dried blood. Nausea welcomed me and my palms rubbed harshly against my face in an attempt of getting rid of gore.


    Small flecks of red fell harmlessly to the ground like dandruff. Although I have watched people die before, I had never seen so much blood. Watching someone die, whether you love them or not, is a traumatizing thing. I sometimes wonder how soldiers from the military could get used to death. Perhaps it is because they have been around it for so long that they are used to it.


    A lifeless body, pale with death and soulless eyes, revived itself in my mind. A vision which haunted me for most of what I can remember- the corpse of the only one who loved me, my grandmother. She had taken me in when my parents had abandoned me to their drug life. We were pleased with life until my father came back with another child and no money.


    He leeched off of her as he took control of the entire household like he was the king. My grandmother, a poor soul, began to have suicidal thoughts. One day, she finally gave in and took her life by overdosing on sleeping medications. I was only ten years old then.


    I shook the image out of my head. The past was history. I needed to worry about the present so I would have a future to look forward to.


    I grabbed one of the bottles of water from my jacket''s deep pockets and chugged it down until there was only half of it left. I closed the lid and placed it back. I need to find civilization. I can''t stay in the wilderness forever. Those water bottles and snacks won''t last more than two days if I don''t restrain myself.


    I guess I should figure out a meal plan just in case. I am, after all, in a fudging forest for crying out loud. The is no certainty in the wilderness. I glanced down at my dirty clothes. The dried blood would end up attracting unwanted attention. My first goal for wilderness survival should be to mask the scent.


    I began to walk in the direction I was facing in. My steps were light and calculated in fear of catching unwanted attention from possible predators. I did my best to avoid stepping on anything that would make noise. However, my pace was that of a snail''s due to my caution. I wasn''t going to go anywhere like this.


    My pace picked up as I gradually became more used to the terrain. Dragon Blood Tree roots barred my way. Even with my vigilance, I tripped many times and created extra noise. The grainy ground crunched under my feet too. This place, wherever it may be, was too dry. The only plant alive was the trees. Where did the smell of pollen coming from?


    Perspiration covered my clothes within minutes of walking. After half an hour passed, I had to lean onto one of the surrounding trees in order to catch my breath. Remind me as to why I never exercised before. I took off my coat and tied it around my waist. My hands trembled and my legs wanted to cave in, but I could do nothing more than giving them a few minutes of rest.


    I brought out a water bottle, the same one as I had drunk from before, and inhaled a mouthful. I was about to drink more when I remembered that I should save it as a precaution. After counting to sixty, five times, I began to walk again. My clothes were sticky and uncomfortable as they clung to my skin as if their lives depended on it.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Another thirty minutes passed before a break was needed again. I kept an eye out for any plant, by now, other than the enchanting trees around me. However, my search has yet to become fruitful. Hell, I haven''t even seen a mosquito, let alone a wild animal. Was this place what people call a barren forest? I had no idea.


    Hours flowed by like a steady stream and the sun began to lower into the horizon, saying "goodnight" to half the world. My stomach rumbled, and my legs were trembling, almost like a hummingbird''s wings in flight. It was time to stop for the night.


    The question was: where? Where should I set up camp in a place filled with root filled ground? The only which was flat and grassy was the place where I had woken. I didn''t find another place like that as I tread deeper into the unknown forest. Aside from that, being out in the open was extremely unsafe as there might be a dangerous creature lurking about.


    My gaze shifted up to the massive mushroom with leaves. Perhaps I could climb up one of them to sleep. However, their straight and tall trunks dissuaded my idea. It would be impossible to climb up such a clean tree. There were no branches to hold on to in order to go to where the leaves are. I needed to think of another way to survive the night.


    Does it really matter? There were no other creatures in the forest from what I saw thus far. Should I just ignore the nagging feeling in my gut and sleep here? Conflicting thoughts continued to sway in my mind as I brought out a package of cookies. It had seven chocolate chip cookies within.


    I brought one out and wolfed it down. If I were to eat a package a day, I would be able to survive four days. From what I''ve read online, a human body could survive weeks without any intake of food, so, to be safe, I should eat one cookie at dawn, noon, and sunset. Maybe two at dawn and noon so that I would have enough energy to somewhat support my highly active body. I won''t need two at sunset as I would be settling down to sleep, thus needing little energy.


    My eyelids drifted closer together without my consent. My body was so heavy. I can''t lift up a single finger. I knew it was unsafe to sleep without any protection, but I couldn''t do anything as I wished to sleep as well.


    ***


    I woke up to the howl of a beast. It startled me to my feet and a run. However, when I looked over my shoulder, there was nothing behind me. No movements, no sound. It was as though the howl had come from my imagination.


    Where did it come from, I wonder. Just as yesterday with the pollen, I am now hearing things as well. I could feel a wind, on my skin, which wasn''t even there. What was happening to me? Am I hallucinating things? Or am I just going crazy?


    "Awoooo!"


    Another howl! From a wolf or some other creature similar to one. I was sure it came from right in front of me, but there wasn''t anything in sight. Usually, when a wolf howls, they would be ready to attack something and notify their pack of the prey they had found. Yet, there was no wolf. Heck! There wasn''t even any flowers or wind!


    I shuffle my feet back in confusion and panic. Surely, I am still sleeping and this is all a dream.


    Unbeknownst to me, I screamed in agony coming from my right shoulder. I brought my left hand up to cover it only to feel a warm sticky substance oozing down. Blood. My own blood was flowing.


    My vision danced as space seemed to distort. Everything. All the light and colors, all the trees began to twist to a circular point. It was like a vacuum was sucking everything into it, including myself. When everything became clear again, I was somewhere different than before. It was dark, not even a moon in the sky. The trees had changed from Dragon Blood Trees to ancient Oaks. Vegetation crowded together, making the forest floor become unseen.


    I also saw a massive wolf, the size of a horse, standing before me with his body in a position where he could attack at any given moment. As my mind registered everything before me, all I could do was say something in an unknown language. "Losh ishuk!"


    What language did I just speak? I''ve never heard anything like it on Earth. But, I had a feeling that it was of an ancient tongue not used in modern times. My heart was telling me that it meant, "come at me!"


    My! What have I done to myself? I have created a new language, for crying out loud!


    The wolf howled and charged at me with everything he had. His ferocious teeth glistened as the sun reflected off their surface. I saw the wolf''s sharp claws extend like a cat attacking its foe. I wanted to cower in fear of his size. He was too fast for me to run away unscathed.


    I sacrifice my left forearm to the claws, and I held back a scream as I used what little time I had bought to my advantage. My feet pounded across the loose dirt and over roots and broken twigs. I dodged low-hanging branches and jumped over logs. Adrenaline coursed through my veins like a wild gush of wind.


    Run. I needed to run faster. My mind was set on survival mode, allowing my instincts to take control. I had no idea where I was headed, like in the Dragon Blood Tree forest I was in before, but I did know I needed to get away from the beast clawing at my heels. A hungry wolf, he is. A large one, too. Perhaps it was like that bird who took the plane down. That inconceivable bird who was so large. That bird who was able to absorb the electricity of the plane.


    My mind began to wander away, forgetting about the predicament I was currently in. As a result, the wolf was able to slash at my back. A terrible scream escaped my mouth and I fell to the ground. My face landed on some roots, scratching it up. My body convulsed into a small ball. My hands scratched at my back in an attempt to feel how bad the wound was and to stifle the sounds from my lips.


    I''ve never felt so much physical pain before. Three places, now, where blood was oozing out of my body. My vision had black spots swirling in a chaotic mess when I opened my eyes. Dread filled me as I saw the wolf pouncing. My death was imminent.


    I remember hearing some say your life flashes before you when close to death. Well, in a way, they were right. Except, it was only memories filled with regrets and pain.


    Hmm. It''s strange how this didn''t come during the plane incident. I wonder why.


    I wish I could kick the person who first created that saying. He or she was wrong by a long shot. As you would already be dead when the flashbacks come to haunt you.

 Chapter 2

    Cold. It was freezing like ice. Then hot. It was burning like flames. Always pain. Agonizing pain which felt like thousands of needles pricked at my skin each second.


    Voices. Hushed voices I could hear, yet understanding was not in the picture. A strange language they speak. It felt familiar yet very distant as well.


    I wished to move, but my body remained silent. Where am I? Pain throbbed in my head. I wanted to scream, yet I could not. Who...am I? An answer never came. No name. No memory. Just agony.


    After what seemed to be forever, my body finally responded by allowing me to open my eyes. Blinding light, from the sun I presume, welcomed me. More pain. I shut them back up. A few moments later, I tried again and again until my eyes had adjusted.


    It was only then when I noticed the birds and children singing in delight. There was an old lady sitting beside me, watching me with caution and concern in her eyes. "You''re awake!" she exclaimed in the unfamiliar tongue. I found it strange I could understand it.


    "Losh mila a nash! Thank the stars, girl! I thought you would never wake. It had been nearly two weeks since a hunter of our Lunite Village had saved you from that wolf." She continued to speak under her breath as she examined my condition. Once she finished, she asked, "How come you aren''t speaking? Dragon''s got your tongue?"


    I nodded my head. "N-no. I just...thanks for saving me." The words flew out of my mouth. My voice was young but raspy from dehydration. It made me feel like I had a mouthful of paper and thousands of cuts in my throat as I spoke.


    The woman laughed. "It wasn''t me who saved you, child. If you want, I could go grab him." She got up. "Oh yeah. What is your name, dear?"


    "I-I don''t have a clue..."


    "What do you mean by that? You ought to know your own name! Mine is Elyansa Forsok''an." She said as she placed a hand on her chest with pride.


    My brows furrowed in frustration. "I already said before. I don''t know!" Anger was evident in my voice. "I don''t remember who I am or where I came from. My mind is an empty slate which throbs each time I try to think about anything!" My body shivered as a cold wind blew. I clutched at my head as it pulsated with the rhythm of my heart. Soon after, I passed out once again.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    <h2>***</h2>


    I woke up many times with the same thing happening. I either got a cold or hot flash before I faint. Luckily, Elyansa seemed to not be fazed at what was happening to me, so I figured it wasn''t dangerous or life-threatening. It did leave a bitter taste in my mouth though. Each time I wake, it takes a longer period of time before the flashes come to pass.


    Elyansa had given me the name Natilya Floren''del, meaning strength and courage for the unknown. She had said to be curious, or I would never gain my memories back. So, I began to think more often, slowly overcoming the nauseating headache.


    A week had passed when I was able to begin walking again. The Mother, Elyansa, showed me around the village. From what she told me, a village Mother was the healer and female leader of a tribe or village. There was also a Father, the male leader and the strongest of the tribe or village. There was no concrete, just dirt roads and small pebbles here and there. Lush grass of the brightest green was nearly everywhere the eye could see. The houses, or should I say huts, were made of stone and mud.


    Where are the bricks, lamp posts, and mailboxes? What about the cars and trucks? Hang on. What were they again? Man, I hate this amnesia! Maybe, I could ask.


    "Hey, Mother Elyansa. How come your village doesn''t have cars or pavement? Your huts are not pleasant to the eyes neither. How come?" I asked with a confused expression.


    The Mother looked at me strangely. "I don''t know anything about cars, but we don''t have paved roads as they are too expensive. The same goes for our houses." I could see the hidden frustration and enmity in her eyes, but her voice was calm.


    I shied away, knowing I had hurt her pride. I didn''t mean to. It just happened. Elyansa was quieter as she continued to lead me through Lunite Village. The people I saw were working laboriously, but it seemed like they always had the time to say hello to fellow villagers and to myself. They all had bronze skin while mine was like snow compared to theirs. It made me stand out more than I wished, but I can''t change the way I am. At least my mouth was becoming more used to the language.


    She brought me over to see the man who had saved my life. We chatted for a while before Elyansa made us leave. The conversation made me think of many things, but they all left me with a clueless headache. Curse my amnesia!


    "I want to find my memories as soon as I can," I said in the language my mind remembers most.


    The Mother paused and glared at me. "What?"


    "That is the language I remember. Considering your response to it, it must not be of this land. I belong elsewhere, Mother." I lowered my head as tears welled in my eyes. "I want to find myself!" My words were choked in the midst of my tears. My throat burned.


    "This isn''t fair! I want my home. I want myself back. I want to know the things I am missing!"


    A different language than the other two. "Where am I? Who am I?! I want to know!" I screamed hoarsely. My next words came out as a whisper. "I don''t even have a name. I am a nobody, a shell of a former self."


    Heat crawled its way into my body. I knew it was time, yet again, to sleep.