Chapter 1: Twisting Roots

    They sat side by side on a branch in the royal gardens listening to two maids as they passed by. 

    “Where have they gone this time? The mistress won’t be happy if they are late again, and we always get blamed for it.”

    “At Least the young prince Aron is on time as usual.”

    “Why does Sir. Oliver even bother with Prince Owen? The boy has no magic and keeps running off with prince Liam. He's a bad example and poor Liam doesn't know any better.”

    “I still don't understand how Liam can have such tremendous power and yet his twin brother was born with none at all! Every living thing has magic! it's absurd! Can you even call the boy alive?”

“I don't know but we should find them quickly before the mistress hears they are late again.” The two maids ran off to search for the brothers somewhere else in the palace walls.

    “Why should it matter whether I have magic or not!?” one brother asked the other.

    “It's all right. They will probably make me king soon with father’s illness getting worse and all… then i'll hand over my throne to you and you can change all that! You'd be an inspiration to all the people who have trouble using magic.”

    “You think so?”

    “Of course I do! And I think you would be a better ruler because of that too.”

    “What do you mean?

    “I've been stuck here all the time! They don't care so much where you go or when, so you have more experience being around actual civilians. Not old men who tell you how to act around them. You know the people better than I do and probably ever will Owen.”

    “Thanks Liam.”

    “No problem.”

Liam sat next to Owen as they discussed their plans for the future, Liam wanted to serve Owen as his personal guard so that he could still be by his brother's side once he relinquished the throne to him.

    “Hey Liam, you know you don't have to wear that necklace right? I trust you, you know. I don't think you will forget our promise so why do you still wear that as a reminder?”

“I have a plan for it, it's more than just a reminder.” Liam responded holding the blue crystal that hung on its silver chain. 

    “What plan?” Owen asked.

    “It's only in case something goes wrong or I can't protect you. I can't tell you just to be safe.”

    “Ok then. Oh, we should probably get going before they find us.”

    “Ok.” 

With that the twin princes slid down from the trees branches to search for a new hideout. A shadow in the corner of the room hid behind a pillar so as not to be seen. 

    “They what!” Queen Alexandra exclaimed. “That's nonsense! 

It's absurd! Liam would do that!? Could you imagine the disgrace, the uproar! A king with no magic cannot protect his people! My dear husband could pass any day now, and those two troublemakers are plotting to do what! I won't stand for this Oliver!”

    “I agree my lady, and Owen has shown no signs of developing any magic whatsoever. I’ve tried as much as I can highness, perhaps he should learn a sword instead?”

    “Any swordsman with magic could easily combine the two and overpower Owen in an instant. He's useless! Not to mention this whole nonsense about those twins' plan must be put to an end! Liam is too close with his brother to not follow through with the plan and Owen would only get upset… Do you think an accident is in order Oliver?”

 "It could be arranged your highness, but those two go everywhere together and they look the same, Owen's fate might also befall young Liam.”

    “I would like to avoid hurting Liam but… After the death of his brother he may not be the same…”

    “Understood, Highness.”

    “Liam! Liam! There's a festival! Out in the town! Let's go see!” Owen said cheerfully waking his brother. 

    “Really! What for?” His brother asked excitedly getting out of bed.

    “Mother said it was to cheer up the capital because everyone is getting nervous for the king and she wanted to cheer them up a bit.”

    “Do you think I can go?” Liam asked.

    “She said she wants you to go to see what a festival is like 

and how it should be run.”

    “Then let's go!”

    “Hurry up and get dressed! You're still in pajamas.”

They walked down the crowded streets Eyes wide with excitement and wonder.

    “Look what's that!" Owen said pointing to a man dressed in many colors riding a creature whose face resembled that of a wild deer, its fur was white hanging inches from the ground, its tail was long and feathery and its horns curved downwards instead of up. 

    “Oliver, look! Can we go see it!?” Liam asked

    “Maybe in a bit, I have some business to attend to real quick. Would you two mind coming with me? I'm going to visit an old friend.    

    “Ok, can we look at it after?” Owen asked.

    “I don’t see why not.”

 “Yay!” the twins shouted.

They walked away from the main road leaving the crowd of people who were drawn to the festival full of oddities, sounds, and colors.

“Let's take a shortcut through here.” Oliver said, pointing to a small alleyway.

    “In there?” Liam asked. 

    “It looks scary.” Oliver said. 

    “He lives just through here. This takes you to the other side of a road nearby but it would take longer to get there if we took the street and I'm not sure if the creature you want to see will still be there by the time we get back.” Oliver responded, stepping into the alleyway. The twins followed quickly, not wanting to be left behind. Soon the alleyway widened forming a sort of road.

These streets seemed to be empty which helped the twins relax a bit. 

    “Alright, you two stay here. This won't take long.” Oliver said, walking up to the door of an old building.  

    “And no running off, I mean it.” he said, pointing at them as he stepped inside.

They waited quietly looking at the dirty gray bricks that made up the ground. 

    “How long do you think it will take?” Owen asked.

    “I don’t know. What do you think he's doing?” Liam asked.

    “I don’t know.” Owen said, looking at the door that Oliver was going to walk out of.

A few minutes rolled by and there was still no sign of Oliver.

     “Should we go in?” Owen asked.

    “I don't know…”

    “You thi-” 

A bright flash of light blinded Owen from out of nowhere. He felt something slam into him as he was shoved to the side and fell to the floor. Liam shouted something but Owen was too surprised to hear what he said. Looking around he saw Liam on his knees right where Owen had been seconds before. He heard the sound of running footsteps and looked down the alley to see a hooded man running towards them, one hand outstretched as if to cast a spell. Owen tried to get up and get to his brother who seemed to be in pain. Just then Liam saw the man and flung out a hand that was covered in blood sending droplets onto the floor. He released a wind spell that covered the length of the alley like a wide racing blade slicing the man nearly in half. The man fell to the floor and Liam’s necklace started to glow with a pale bluish green light.

    “Liam!” Looking closer Owen could see a whole that had buried into his brother's stomach and his shirt was soaked in dark red blood.  

    “Liam! Liam… Hey! It’ll be ok! Hey, can you heal yourself or something!? Liam!?”

    “No… my head feels dizzy…” Liam looked up and met Owen's eyes as if saying he wasn't going to make it. 

    “Umm.. Uh..” Owen looked around trying to find anything that could help. His brother grabbed his hand but Owen refused to accept that he would die. 

    “I know!” he said, his spirits rising.

    “I can get Oliver! I’ll be right back.” He said trying to get up, but his brother was still holding his hand. 

    “Liam...”

    “Don’t.” Liam said his voice sounded horse.

      “What do you mean!?” Owen was on the brink of tears. His brother didn't want help? He didn't want to leave Liam, but he had no magic and Oliver was right behind that door…

    “Don't, Owen... he would have heard, he's not there... Don't go.” his brother said, tightening his grip on Owens hand. His voice was getting quieter and harder to understand. Owen was confused, what did he mean?

    “What are you -”

    “The necklace, I put my magic in it.” Liam said.

    “What! Why!? It's a holding gem!?”

    “You can take it and use it… You can be me to get the throne and I can always serve you whenever you need me. just like I wanted. Like I promised.” he said trying to smile.

    “Wh- No! No! It's not the same Liam! No, don't go! Please! I can’t be you! You're so much better!”

      “It’ll be ok, I’ll always be there for you from now on. Wherever you go-” he broke off in a fit of coughs. Blood started to pool up on the ground, Liam looked pale and tired. He lay there breathing softly for a bit before he relaxed and his breath fell still. 

    “Liam! Liam!” Owen called trying to wake him back up, but it was to no avail. Liam, his brave, kind, smart brother, his other half that he had shared every moment with since birth was gone. 

    “No! Liam! Please!”

Later that evening the festival would be canceled, and the town would be echoing with the news of Owen Doratamian's death, the death of the assassin, and Oliver Rivos’s disappearance. 

A week later news of prince Liam's Disappearance would soon follow.

Chapter 2: The Endless Sky

    It was a warm sunny day. The sky painted blue with a few wispy clouds drifting on its surface. I sat on a bench beneath a weeping willow. It’s hanging branches stirred in the breeze as I look across the field of sunflowers that stretched out before me. A strong gust of wind glided across the field, rushing by the sunflowers like waves in the ocean. The world is beautiful isn’t it. I believe that no matter where you are there is always beauty to be found in everything. You may just need a change of perspective to find it sometimes. May it be the light hitting a piece of metal or the way a bird flies. I know I’m lucky to live in such a pretty place. 

   I took a breath of the morning air thick with pollen and opened the leather-bound book that had been sitting on my lap. Turning the old, yellowed pages I found where I had left off yesterday and began to read. I lived in a place called Alexia. It was a region in a larger nation called Taranioum. Alexia was located on the outskirts of Taranioum. Most people here didn't have a lot of money and lived simple peaceful lives away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. Infact, most people in Alexia mainly kept to themselves. Any towns you would see would most likely consist of about three houses somewhat close together. This was most likely because there were few islands in these regions that were big enough to hold three family's farms and because of the distance between some of them it was difficult to build bridges to connect them.

         If you wanted to get around, you would need to fly or know someone who could. Otherwise you would need to be completely self-sufficient. On my island I mainly grew plants. I didn't have the stamina nor the strength to take care of something that could run around on its own, not to mention using a weapon to kill it if I ever needed the meat. Grandpa said that was normal for people like us because we live in a place with lots of dance magic and not a lot of room to run around. My parents died in an accident wen i was a baby taking a trip to the city. Sadly, my grandparents passed away a few years ago and I have been on my own ever since.  Things were quiet and peaceful most of the time. My days were mainly filled with watering the plants, harvesting the crops, and reading my books. I sighed, closing my book and stood up. That's enough reading, the plants won't water themselves. I walked back along the path made of steppingstones that led to my house.

      Opening the door, the inside was bathed in pale light. Walking through the living room I set the book down on the table carved of a light-colored wood by my grandfather. Walking to the kitchen I picked up my empty watering can along with the aqua crystal I needed for water and walked back outside. Making my way to the back of the house my garden came into view. Watering this many plants would take a while and I would have to hold up a heavy container full of water throughout the entire process. Thankfully I didn’t have to. Instead, I had taken a bunch of dead purple roots a while back, strung them together, and laid it on the ground in the garden so it went over where the plants needed water. 

      Now all I need to do is set the watering can on the ground wedged in between some rocks at the right angle and pour it into the root. The only work it required was me channeling my nonteristick magic into the aqua crystal to make water. I sat on the floor and held the crystal channeling magic into it and a stream of water poured out into the watering can directly below. Water started leaking out of the purple root as it flowed, watering the garden for me. I watched the clouds slowly float across the endless stretch of blue as the sun inched its way higher into the sky. A pack of erum, fluffy white wolf-like creatures with hooves and horns, rode across the sky sending colorful ripples through the air. Their songs echoed in an eerie harmony that seemed to call to a person's very being, as if peering into their soles.  I watched them as they ran into the distance becoming smaller and smaller until their colors were no longer visible, and they disappeared from view.

      Soon I heard the pops of the cooperi tree filling its fruit with water signaling me to stop channeling magic. Standing up I took the watering can back inside and wiped some water off of the aqua crystal before setting it on the counter in the kitchen. Bending down to open a cabinet beneath the counter, I took out the woven baskets I used to harvest the crops. Walking back outside, baskets in hand I began to harvest my crops. I started picking the fruit trees first, pudding plumbs of different colors, blue kumquat apples, snakes' coil, cooperi, and hanging grape. The pudding plums and cooperi needed to be handled with more care and needed their own basket because they could pop easily and spill juice everywhere. I set the few now full baskets aside and moved on to harvest the rest of my plant collection. The bright morning sky shifted above me as I worked, no longer resembling the bright blue it had been before.

       Looking to the horizon it glowed with a warm light the color of liquid fire stretched smoothly along its surface behind the cream colored clouds. A single bright glowing jewel marked the sun gleaming in the distance on its way to sleep behind the world below. Standing up I was now finished with my harvest. I stretched my arms and legs with a yawn as I lifted my face to the sky once more.  With a sigh I turned my attention to the baskets now full of various fruits and vegetables. I should make a decent profit from this. A few times a year people would gather on an island to trade and sell goods to each other. I might be able to talk to Chandra if she comes. Tomorrow Matis, a friend of my grandparents, would stop by and take me to the gathering with Ameru. I turned around and walked inside through the backdoor feeling tired. Rummaging through the kitchen drawers I searched for ingredients to make dinner.  Many smells wafted throughout the house blending with each other as they floated around in the air.

     I sat down at the table with my plate of food and silverware. As I ate I started making a mental list of things I needed to buy tomorrow and ranking how much I needed them. I wonder if I can get any good deals. In the peaceful silence, except for the sound of my silverware and faint chewing, my mind wandered to my book and its contents. Stretching out a hand I picked it up and started reading as I ate. Absent-mindedly I went to take another bite of food but when I turned my head I realized I ate all of my food. Looking out the window the sky was dark and night had fallen. With a yawn I put the book down face up and pushed back my charge to stand up dishes now in hand. After cleaning my plate with the aqua crystals water I dried my hands on a piece of fabric and went back to pick up my book. Have I really almost finished it?! I thought as I saw only a few pages left for me to read. Maybe I can get a new book tomorrow. 

    I was a little disappointed that I wouldn't be able to read as much as I wanted in the morning. Walking down a short hallway I entered my room. Placing the book on a desk in the corner I changed into my pajamas and laid down on my bed waiting to fall asleep. The pale moon cast a bit of light through my window and soon I closed my eyes. I was awake but everything was quiet. Even with my eyes closed I could tell it was still night time. Opening my eyes I found myself still laying in bed but I had turned towards the window in my sleep.  Looking up I saw the night sky  illuminated by a large jellyfish. The delicate umbrella glows with a deep red on the outside and a golden orange on the inside. Thin pink tendrils that seem to stretch on forever float suspended in the sky so calmly behind it that I could watch them for hours and not be bored.

     Large rippling ribbons of deep blue and bright purple edges caught my eye as I remember the creature's name. Noctiluca, a massive jellyfish species that comes out at night and floats gracefully in the air illuminating the night sky in many colors. I watched it float by for a long time, slowly moving acrost its dark twinkling canvas in the sky.

    I don't know when I closed my eyes, but I opened them to see my room bathed in morning sunlight. Todays the day. I put on my blue T-shirt and light brown shorts because it looked warm outside. Stuffing a pouch with money into my pocket, I grabbed my book and walked out of the room. Taking a blue fruit with green dots from the kitchen, I walked outside and started to read my book under the willow tree. I finished reading the last page before I had finished my apple. I looked at the apple with disappointment that it could not last long enough to finish the story and went back to the house to get my fruits ready for when Matis and Ameru arrived. I emptied my money

pouch of all but a few coins from the last market into a box I used for my savings. This included the money my grandparents had left behind. going back up to my room I grabbed my satchel, put the pouch of coins in it, then slung the strap over my shoulder.

     I carried the baskets one by one carefully across the yard, setting them down near the edge of the island. Setting the last basket of fruits and veggies down I sat down letting my legs hang over the side of the island kicking the open air below as I finished my apple. Looking down all I could see was the shimmering sea and a few clouds drifting over it four to five hundred miles below. I watched the vast deep blue mass shimmer and glisten in the sunlight, still a bit tired, until I heard a voice call out.

    “Lithina!”

I looked up to see Matis and Ameru flying towards the island. 

    “Matis! How have you been?” I asked standing up as Ameru landed with a few clicks, folding their sleek black and blue wings. 

    “Good, had a nice harvest this year. I've already dropped my stuff off at the market so let's get this loaded up.” he said, picking up a basket and strapping it into Ameru’s saddle.

I walked over to Ameru as Matias grabbed a few more baskets.

“Hey Ameru, how's it going?” I asked. 

Ameru looked at me and made a sound like a bird. They opened all four of their wings, causing the threads attached to them to splay out like a fan and ripple with pale blue light. Bending down Ameru liked my hand and tickled the top of my head with their antenna.

“I see, glad you're happy.” I said smiling. Ameru wagged their tail in response. 

    “That should do it, you ready? Let's go.”

    “Yep, all set.”

Matis helped me onto the back seat of Ameru’s saddle before hopping into his seat and taking the reins. With a sharp clicking sound Matis let Ameru know we were ready to go. Ameru then turned around facing the open sky. Opening their wings once again so that the threads attached were splayed out, Ameru opened the fan of their tail and jumped off the edge of the floating island in the sky and glided through the open air. The sky was clear blue, it was a warm day out but the wind from flying had a slight chill. I looked at my long blond hair as some strands fell from my shoulder.

 Ameru never seemed to fly very fast but looking down at the sea below I could tell we were moving faster than it seemed. Soon I could see the floating island used for the market with other peoples flying creatures around it. 

    “All right.” Matis said as we landed. “I'll get your stuff set up next to my cart over there, I think Evelyn wanted to see you.” he said pointing to a cart full of meat and fabrics. 

    “Oh, ok. Thank you.” I said. It was nice of him to do this for me. He didn't normally set up my stuff for me, but I was grateful for the rides he gave me to the market and back. 

Taking three puding plums from my basket I gave one to Matis then set off to find Evelyn. 

    The market was bustling with activity. Carts and stands packed with the season's bounty lay scattered along the sides of the road as people chatted trading stories of the things that transpired in their times apart. Creatures roamed around interested in the other shops and the people who ran them.

     I could see Ameru floating in the sky around where Matis was selling his goods, occasionally diving down to smell the stands and the things they held. Familiar long wavy brown hare caught my eye as I spotted Evelyn talking with her mother selling clothes they had made. 

    “Hi Evelyn!” I said walking up to her. 

    “Lithina!” she shouted jumping up and hugging me. 

    “Oh! I made you something!” she said as her eyes sparkled in excitement as she held my shoulders. She took my hand and started walking over to a wooden box next to their clothes stand.

    “I know you don't usually wear dresses, but I figured it would still be nice to have one and I thought this fabric was really pretty and would look good on you! Especially with your opal eyes!” She pulled out a light aqua green dress that had a long skirt and short sleeves. 

    “That's pretty! Are you sure?” I asked. It was a nice dress, I may never wear it because it could get dirty in the garden, and as she said I didn't go out much so I would most likely not experience an occasion where wearing a nice dress would be appropriate.

    “Mhm! I made it just for you!” she said with a smile holding it out so i would take it. 

    “Thank you.” I said as I took the dress and put it in my bag. 

    “Oh, here.” I said, handing Evelyn the two pudding plums I had. 

    “Puding plums!” she said with her eyes sparkling once again. Evelyn loved pudding plumbs, but compared to the dress she gave me I wish I had brought more. 

    “Thank you!” she said with a wide smile on her face. 

    “Oh yea! There's one more thing I wanted to talk to you about!” she said, taking a piece of rolled up parchment from the box.

    “What?” I asked. Evelyn took a bite into one of the plums, setting the other one in the now empty box. 

    “Dad got a job at a school in a city!” she said excitedly jumping up and down smiling from ear to ear.

    “That's great!” I said smiling. “Are you going to move there and live with him?”

 “Uhu!” she nodded “ And guess what!” she said with a squeal as her eyes eager for my response shimmered with excitement resembling that of an excited puppy.

    “What?” I asked.

    “He's the new botanist teacher at a school!” 

    “That's great! Are you going to go there?” asked, smiling. If I'm being honest I was a little upset. Evelyn was always happy and energetic to the point where I found myself hiding from her sometimes when I needed a bit of quiet but she was still someone who I called my friend and i didnt want her to leave. 

    “Yep! I'm so excited!” she said with a loud squeal jumping up and down in a circle. I stood there smiling with my eyes and mouth watching her long brown hair get frizzy as it rose and fell in the air. Then with one last big jump she spun around to face me striking a pose with her feet spread apart planted in the ground, one hand on her hip, and the other fully extended out towards me with the rolled-up paper in hand.

    “And this ones for you!” she said smiling.

    “For me?” Surprised, I took the paper. “What is it?” I asked.

    “It's an invitation to try out with me and get our magic awakened!” 

Huh? Huh? WHAT!? I was speechless. Of all the possible things I was not expecting this in the slightest. Not in a million years. Her words seemed distant as she continued to talk. 

    “You can even wear the dress I made to try out! I even made a nice dress for myself so we can both look our best when we get there! ...” 

her voice faded into the background as my thoughts started to swarm

    What should I do? Getting my magic awakened early is something you can only do if you intend on going to a school, witch not everyone could do. It would be handy to have but what would I do after? I'm not good at being social but Evelyn was great at it. Would she leave me to go hang out with new friends? What then? If I'm just going to come back here, I don't really need social skills but… I could learn so many things.

 I could experience a different world, read new books, see new things. But what about my plants? What would happen to my garden, and my house? What if-

    “Lithina? Are you spacing out again?” 

    “Huh- Oh, sorry what was that?” I asked. I need time to think about this. 

    “So what do you think?”

    “About what?”

    “Wearing the dress to try out with me!” she said smiling. 

    “Could I have some time to think about it? It's just kind of sudden you know…”

    “Oh, shore, but we need to know if you're coming or not by the end of today since we don't know where you live. We were planning on leaving tomorrow.”

    “Tomorrow?” This was way too soon with too little time to think about it. This was a big deal that could potentially change my future!

    “Yea, my parents thought it would be a good idea to get some extra money before we left and were going to pick you up here tomorrow so we could go.” She seemed a bit worried that I wouldn't go with her.

    “Yea, I just need time to think about it and the only one that can get me from my house to here is Matis and Ameru so I need to make sure they can take me.”

    “Oh, yea that makes sense, well good luck! Let me know if he can take you before the end of the market!” she said with a smile and waved goodbye as I walked away, letter in hand. 

    Walking through the crowd I found my fruits and sat around them so that people could buy them as they passed by. 

    What should I do? For someone who lives all the way out in the middle of nowhere this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. But then I would leave behind everything I have. Where would I stay? The school would most likely have a place there, but I would have to ask. What would happen if I went? I would travel for most likely a few days before we got to the capital, then we would go to the school and they would awaken our magic, then they would have tryouts and I would apply for classes.

     If I went, I might not come back here. But if I stayed nothing would change, I would live this same routine for the rest of my life… Would I be ok with that?

    I thought about it for a while longer then realized, I could easily get out of school if I really wanted to. Now that I think about it, I could get my magic awakened and then fail the tryouts. It's not like it's not possible. I'm sure other people have done the same. Even then I could get myself expelled and sent home. 

    This made me feel much better about going. But Evelyn would be upset if she found out… We can cross that bridge when we get to it. 

    “Allright.” I said making up my mind to give it a shot, and if I don't like it I’ll simply fail.

A few groups of people had stopped by and bought some of my fruits and crops. When less people were around, I put the money I earned in a small pouch, put the pouch of coins in my bag and walked over to Matis. 

    “Hey Matis.” I said, stopping in front of his stand.

    “Hello Lithina, so you have a talk with Evelyn?” he asked, leaning on the table next to his tools.

    “Yea.”

    “Well, are you going?”

    “Uh... yea, I think it would be good.” He already knew!

    “Ok then, Good for you! Finally putting yourself out there.” What? 

    “Thanks, so could you maybe pick me up from my house tomorrow and drop me off here?”

    “Of course! Happy to.” he said with a smile.

    “Thank you.”

I walked away feeling a bit lightheaded. I took in a breath to calm down and noticed my hands were shaking.

 It's fine, It's fine. It's ok. It will be fine. Everything is ok. You'll be alright. It's just for a bit. Just a few days. You can fail and turn around any time you want. It's ok. It's ok. 

I went back over to my stand and sat down. I took a few minutes to steady my nerves. I gave up on trying to reassure myself with my thoughts because nothing I said seemed to help much. 

    I exhaled a seemingly pent-up breath as I stood and walked through the crowd of people that had moved over to Evelyn and her mother's clothing stand. 

Making my way to the back of the stand I saw Evelyn and her mother. 

    “Evelyn!” I said, trying to catch her attention. 

    “Lithina! What did Matis say!? Have you walked to him yet!” she asked excitedly. I noticed her mother was watching Evelyn and I now.

    “After the Market I'm going to go home and get my stuff, then Matis is going to drop me off here again so I can go.”

 “So, you're going!?” Her face lit up like the sun had finally risen after a decade of night, which surprised me because she was always so excited and cheerful.

I didn't know it could get any brighter. 

    “Yea.” I said with a nod. Evelyn exploded with joy as she smiled ear to ear with bright eyes. She suddenly grabbed my hands and started dancing in circles forcing me to spin around with her or make us both fall to the ground. 

    “You're going! You're going! I'm going! We're going!” she started singing as i tried not to trip over my own feet.

    “Eeee!” she squealed in a high-pitched tone finally letting go of my hands doing her own celebratory dance. 

    I watched as she stomped her feet bringing her knees up high and spinning in circles with her hands clasped tightly together to her chest. 

    “I'm so happy! I'm so happy! Happy, Happy, HAPPY!” she shouted. 

    “Evelyn, calm down a bit dear.” Evelyn's mother Mrs. Jamire said.

“Mom, Mom! Lithina is going to come to the school too!”

    “I heard. That's very nice.”

    “Eeee!” she said spinning in circles again.

    “I think I should be getting back to the stand. I’ll see you later Mrs. Jamire?” i said excusing myself.

    “Yep, after the market Matis is going to drop you off again, right? See you then Lithina.”

    “See you.” I said with a nod of my head noticing the darkening clouds.

    "By!" Evelyn said waiving both her hands in the air above her head. I was walking down the path that led to my stand when a chilling wind swept through the stands causing a group of men to hold their hats to their heads. One man was not quite fast enough as his straw hat was blown away by the wind and his friends laughed. Now realizing the sky had grown dark gray people started taking down their stands and moving goods back into carts. Arriving at my stand I had just put a few lids on my fruit baskets when Ameru came down from the sky and landed on the ground. 

Raindrops fell from the dark clouds at a sharp angle as the wind grew stronger quickly soaking everyone and everything.

    “Storm Dragon!” Someone yelled barely audible over the sudden pouring rain. What? I looked around and saw Worried and confused faces. 

  “Storm Dragon!” A woman shouted pointing to the sky. 

Screams sounded one after the other as the hands of chaos and panic themselves griped the crowd in their talons touching person after person who looked to the sky. A loud thunderous roar tore through the air in an explosion so great that it dwarfed the sound of the pouring rain and howling winds. My hands to jump to my ears in a feeble attempt to block the sound that seemed to shake the island. Lightning flashed, illuminating the silhouette of large wings and the terrifying being that came with them. A bolt of light came down directly across from me. In an instant my vision was filled with bright white quickly flashing from orange to yellow so fast I had to question if it was real.

 A loud Crackling explosion made my ears ring and fill with pressure as its eco faded into a deep growling rumble. Large, constant, howling gusts of wind were thrown onto the island from the dragon's wings as the sky got darker and darker.  I stumbled back and had to kneel feeling like I would be swept away as the wind tugged at me. Can the island hold together!? I closed my eyes as tight as I could. What if it breaks apart! Panic took hold of my heart. Am I going to die!? There's nowhere to go! No one can fly in this storm! Someone was yelling something in the distance. BOOM! Followed by a loud roar that sent everyone to their knees. The sound was as sharp as the lightning, but the sound didn't last as long as the other ones.

“Airship! Airship!” The words filled my mind as the pressure in my ears finally started to lift. I looked up to see the silhouette of a massive figure larger than the island hoovering just next to its edge. A sharp whistle, and then BOOM! Something exploded on the dragon sending the figure reeling back away from the island. The wind from its wings knocked over the stands and more people screamed. Someone shouted something from above. I looked up to see the underside of a large ship in the sky. Three more whistles sounded one after the other and three more explosions followed. The dragon let out a loud thunderous roar that forced my hands back up to my ears and my eyes to close. The ground shook, every fiber of my being was rattling as the sound pounded in my skull with the force of its splitting cry.

 There was another large gust of wind, thunder roared, then there was silence. Is it gone?

    “Drop anchor!” a woman's voice shouted from above as I stared blankly at the ship. The sky was still dark with clouds but there was no large dragon silhouette, no more thunder, no moor howling wind, just a light rain. It felt unreal, the chaos stopped so suddenly, the rain was too light.

I stood in a dais my mouth unknowingly agape staring at the rain. 

    "Medical team see to the people below stat! I want a squad of ten soldiers to go with them and help! Scouts! I want that dragon found! find out where it fell! if it is still alive do not engage. I want one third of our troops to back them up immediately!" The womans voice said again from above. there was a sound like falling Chanes as a platform fell from the ship. It stopped just inches above the ground and people waring metal armor with blue and gray fabric rushed out. Who are they? 

I started shaking, I realized my heart was pounding as my breathing sped up. I felt nauseous and lightheaded. j- just calm down, ca- lm down, breath, breath. I sat there shaking trying to breath and not pass out. What happened? 

    "Hey! Hey kid are you ok!?" someone shouted. I didn't know how to respond, I didn't really want to. what do I say? 

    "hey! are you hurt?" a hand fell on my shoulder. Breath just breath, its ok. another person shouted,

    "Are they all right!?"

    "I don't know! they won't answer!" the one whose hand was on my shoulder shouted back.

    "There in shock! let me see." a man with blond hair and blue fabric knelt Infront of me. a bright light shone from his index finger catching my attention. 

He noticed my eyes move. 

"Hey, hey. can you see me?" he asked, snapping his fingers and talking in a calmer tone. 

"Are you hurt anywhere? any pain?" he asked. I still couldn't speak, I didn't know how. 

"Can you nod or let me know?" he asked putting down his light. 

shake my head? can I shake my head? I couldn't, I closed my eyes to focus more. My head bent down a bit as I shook it to try and say no. 

"Can you stand try to stand?" he asked. I staired at him unable to think of anything. oh, he asked if I could stand? stand? can I? I shifted my weight a bit to get into a position I could stand up from. the man whose hand was still on my shoulder grabbed under my arm and helped pull me up. It was a bit to fast as my head spun but the one holding my arm supported me.

I felt like throwing up but thankfully I didn't. 

"over here! I found one!" people were shouting.

wood from broken stalls were being pushed to the side. we walked for a bit, and I slowly got a bit less shaky and dizzy. seeing that I was getting better and was not leaning on the one supporting me so much anymore the blond man said,

    "Take her by to the main gathering let her find her family, there doesn't seem to be any big problems, but they should still be checked on."

    "Got it." the one whose hand was under my arm said. 

we came to a small area that had ben cleared out. there wer two tents set up as people roamed around or sat.