Memories of Gaia: A new day is dawning

Time seemed to have no meaning as they traveled through the storm, the snow never letting up. The light in the sky had remained the same, soft gray as though the sun were stuck in place. The constant snow was almost hypnotic, and Valeena was sure she was walking in place.

Whatever had been watching them was gone, for now, leaving no trace that it had ever been there. Valeena searched the blanket of snow for footprints but was unable to find any.

“You hear that?” Rowan asked, glancing left then right. “I hear someone walking this way.”

Valeena paused, raising her sword so she was in a position to strike if need be. A shadow was walking towards them, stumbling in the snow. She could hear the grunts every time the figure tripped.

“It’s me,” The voice called out as the shadow moved closer, their arms out stretched in front of them. “Elden,”

Valeena lowered her sword as she breathed a sigh of relief. “What happened to you?” She asked as Elden walked closer, limping.

“I- I don’t know,” He began as a concerned look crossed his face. “I woke up covered in snow and my leg hurting.”

“You were the beast,” Akari informed him, saying it in a haunting manner that sent chills through Valeena’s spine.

“What? How?” Elden asked as he looked at his body, noting the blood that was now on the back of knuckles.

“This place seems to have its own set of rules,” Rowan said, shaking a pile of snow from his head that had created a fluffy hat for him.

Out of the corner of her eye, Valeena caught a quick, shiny movement like a sunbeam reflecting off the water. Before she could speak, a large white beast leaped out of the snow. Its body was covered in short, white fur with blue spots running along its sides. It had long, pointed ears and a forked tail. On either side of its face were long, flowing whiskers that snapped like whips. At the end of the whiskers were glowing blue orbs, that sparked in the snowy, afternoon light.

“A Glaze Lynx, I should have known,” Aira said as she faced the oversized cat. “They are able to walk on top of the snow, hence why we never saw prints. It was probably stalking us the moment we entered the storm. I bet the smell of blood brought them out of hiding.”

The Glaze Lynx extended one whisker, snapping it at Rowan as he rushed it. The attack cracked like lightning in the storm, nearly striking Rowan across his face. He recoiled, immediately releasing a fiery blast at the snowy cat.

The Glaze Lynx jumped smoothly out of the way, pouncing down beside Nyles. Reacting quickly, Nyles swung his spear but missed as the feline flattened its body to the ground, nipping at his feet.

Nyles leaped into the air, trying to use a Gaia attack, but the enchanted storm would not allow it. He groaned as the Glaze Lynx jumped for him again, swiping one paw into the air.

Aira had an arrow on her string, but her eyes were on the storm behind the beast. A moment later, two more Glaze Lynx emerged from the snow, ready to strike. They were smaller than the first beast, with the same spots running down their sides.

“I knew it,” Aira said as she released the arrow, grazing the white fur on the left side of the beast’s body as it jerked sideways. “Glaze Lynx always travel in small packs.”

“So, there could be more?” Valeena shouted as she swung her sword at the paw of the first feline. The metal of the blade sliced open the side of the paw, deep green blood dripped out onto the snow.

The strike angered the animal as it snapped both whiskers in the air, creating an icy blast that struck Valeena in the chest. The force of the attack caused Valeena to stumble backward as the second Glaze Lynx pounced on her chest. Its paw was the size of a normal house cat’s body, but the pressure was far heavier, sinking her into the snow. Valeena found herself struggling to breathe as the beast flipped her body in the air, like a child throwing a toy.

Valeena cried out as the Glaze Lynx leaped forwards, batting her body with its other paw, sending her back into the snow. Anger was quickly replacing fear as the Glaze Lynx struck again, rolling Valeena onto her stomach.

Valeena felt her crystal glow as a soft rain mixed itself into the storm, her heart pounding louder than the Glaze Lynx’s hisses. She had found away around the enchantment, by working with it instead of against. But the rain was turning the snow to a heavy, slippery slush causing the Glaze Lynx to lose its footing several times.

The giant feline was distracted just long enough for Valeena to drag herself to her feet, swinging her heavy sword. The beast caught the movement out of the corner of its eye and leaped sideways, the sword cutting off its right whisker.

Nyles had run his spear into the back of the third Glaze Lynx, impaling the cat-like beast to the ground. Valeena turned away as the feline cried out, twisting its body in pain. The green blood oozing down its body was too much and she gagged.

Elden’s crystal was glowing a soft gray as he focused on the second Glaze Lynx, the beast hissing at Akari. She had her sai out, jabbing it towards the beast as it smoothly leaped backward, avoiding each strike. Several of Aira’s arrows were sticking out of its back as it moved, but it was unfazed by their presence.

The good whisker on the Glaze Lynx’s face snapped Valeena across her arm, cutting it open. Valeena dropped her sword as the pain raced through her, blood seeping out of the fresh wound.

Rowan sent several rapid fire blast towards the giant felines, singeing the fur from their bodies. He had learned the secret to the enchantment as well, as he engulfed the beast in flames. The Glaze Lynx with the sliced off whisker retreated as flames burned across its back as it had brushed against its pack member.

Nyles pulled his spear free of the third Glaze Lynx, as its breath became more and more shallow. He faced the last Glaze Lynx as blood dripped off the tip of his spear. The rain had extinguished the fire, leaving it scared, hurting and angry.

“Nyles,” A gentle voice said in a playful scolding manner.

Nyles paused as he searched the green spotted snow for signs of the owner of the voice.

“No,” Nyles gasped as he saw his mother standing just outside the battle field, her hands on her hips.

“What are you doing here?” He asked, flying towards Elmyra. She had her brown frizzy hair tied back with a thick, red, ribbon that matched her frumpy dress. She hated shopping and was known to wear the same dress until it literally fell off her body. The little home in Rose Grove was behind her, the front door open. Nyles could smell the freshly baked bread that he his mother was known for, the aroma making him drool.

“Nyles, where is Sheila? She has not come yet and it’s getting dark.” Elmyra asked, her eyes full of concern. Nyles took a sharp breath at the mention of that name as he moved closer to his adopted mother, ignoring the battle.

“I have been waiting for her all day. I even baked her a loaf of her favorite sweet, rose water bread.” Elmyra indicated to a loaf of golden bread that was steaming slightly on the table behind her.

“I-” Nyles began as he paused a few feet from his mother. The words were caught in his throat as tears brimmed his eyes. He inhaled deeply, his heart aching for his home. The scent of roses was strong, reminding him of his early days in the village. That was when the roses actually bloomed, bathing the village in the soft scent. Red petals would swirl and dance in the air like enchanted butterflies, covering everything.

“Nyles, where is my daughter?” She pleaded, her hands reaching out to him. He had not noticed that she was holding that faded, red, heart-shaped pillow before. Grains of sand from their beach trip crumbling off the fabric and onto his boots.

“Sheila- she-” He shook his head, unable to find the right words. For years, Nyles had been dreading this conversation. He felt a stray tear rolling down his stone face as he pressed his lips together.

Sensing something was wrong, Elmyra covered her mouth with her hands as tears filled her over-sized brown eyes. “No,” She breathed, shaking her head as she stepped back.

Nyles hung his head, staring at the tip of his spear as green blood dripped of off it and onto the stone walkway of his home. He could hear the soft cries of his mother and felt his own heart tear in open. He glanced up just in time to see her rush at him, holding a large butcher knife in her right hand.

“I never should have adopted you!” She shouted, anger burning on her face. Nyles grabbed her wrist, struggling against the strength of the woman. She was far stronger than he had realized, his boots slipping backward as she fought against him.

“Nyles!” A disembodied, female voice shouted, distracting him. The tip of the blade struck his stone cheek, scratching across it. The sound was unnerving, like nails on a chalkboard, causing Nyles to shove his elbow into his mother’s chest.

“Nyels!” The voice shouted again, closer this time. Nyles risked glancing over his shoulder in the direction of the voice.

“What the-?” He said as the snowy battlefield shimmered into sight. He saw Akari running across the snow towards him, waving her arms in the air. The snow was falling more quickly now, distorting his view.

Nyles turned to his attacker and stumbled backward. His mother had been replaced with an angry Ice Hag, her pointed, broken teeth nearly digging into his arm. Her long, bluish arms swung madly as she clawed the air towards him. Nyles shouted from fright, swinging his spear into the mad women just as an arrow pierced her forehead. Her shaggy head slumped forward and she was still.

Nyles pulled his sword free of the Ice Hag and collapsed in the snow. His childhood home had vanished, having been replaced by the ruins of a long lost hut. The scent of roses was gone as well, leaving behind only the memories of its aroma. His face stung from where the butcher knife had left its mark.

“Nyles, what did you see?” Akari asked, as she slowed her pace, her breath coming out in sharp puffs. She was holding her side where a long scratch was visible, but her eyes were on Nyles.

Nyles opened his mouth to speak, but his eyes caught sight of Elden, bringing a fresh wave of anger towards his old friend. He slammed his fist onto the ground, the snow softening his blow.

“This is all your fault!” He spat as he pulled himself to his feet, pointing accusingly at Elden.

Elden’s face flashed for a moment, having been startled by Nyles’ sudden outburst.

“If we hadn’t followed you on his stupid quest, Sheila would still be alive!” Nyles shouted as he continued through the storm, his knuckles white as he held his spear.

“Elmyra never found out what happened to her daughter,” Nyles said as he swung his spear in the direction of Elden. “And do you even care?”

“Of course I do,” Elden replied through his teeth, his own, rusty weapon hanging at his side. He had no intentions of battling his friend, even if he was looking for a fight.

Nyles laughed a joyless, “Ha,” as he threw his head back. He shook his head as he tapped the toe of his boot with the head of his spear.

“You know, I trusted you. I wanted to believe in your stupid quest but the more we travel, the more I think this is all a big joke!” Nyles informed him, grabbing the spear tightly as Elden shifted his weight.

“Nyles, I said I was sorry,” Elden began, but Nyles cut him off.

“Sorry doesn’t bring back the dead!” Spit flew out his mouth as Nyles shouted his anger. Elden hung his own head, biting his tongue.

“When this is over, I will kill you,” Nyles said before turning and heading deeper into the storm.