Postby ~darkelfgirl~ » Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:34 am
[B]Well, here's some more ^^[/B]
The intense light subsided, gradually relieving my watering eyes. I realized, by intuition, that my surroundings were much different from the dome room. It seemed blurred, as if in a dream.
A cool breeze brushed softly against my face, with a slight, sweet scent of pollen. I heard the faint trickling of water and the rustle of leaves around me.
When my eyes recovered, I could see no sign of entranced Hawthorne and Blanc. This new place had a golden hue, as if it was late afternoon. Not too far away in front of me, a large stone-basin fountain poured golden-lit water; on the top basin was a wingspread stone falcon.
Deeply inhaling the sweet air and staring sleepily at the fountain, I did not see the figure standing behind it, staring directly at me. He walked, with slow steps, around the fountain towards me, but I did not hear his footsteps on the tile. Stepping into my view, he finally broke the trance.
Still on my knees, I dreamily looked up into this stranger’s face. When my gaze touched his, my heart nearly stopped. I gaped and stared, wide-eyed, at his glowing white eyes.
His radiant white hair flowed on its own, independent of the occasional breeze. On his face was a warm smile, and on his forehead was the blue mark of the wing. I gasped.
“You’re the man—the Aegis,” I whispered.
His shining stare burned into me as if he was looking into my very soul…
“Arden. Fiery and strong-willed.” A voice (which strangely sounded like three voices—one very deep, one a whisper, and one an ordinary man’s voice) echoed through the ethereal courtyard. Even though his lips were not moving, I could tell the voice belonged to him. Gathering up courage, I stammered—
“W-Who are you?”
“I am he who defends. I am The Guardian, Lord Aegis.” His gaze did not waver.
I couldn’t believe this was happening to me—of all people in this world. A million other questions raced through my mind, but one question troubled me the most. I couldn’t hold it in.
“Why me?” I boldly asked, my voice gaining volume. “Why was I chosen? I’m a nobody, I mean, I’m not worthy to--“
“Silence!” The Lord Aegis’ voice resounded with frightening power, and an angry force filled the air. “I know who is and who is not worthy to become an Aegis…”
My heart jumped in fear and I held my breath.
His voice then quieted to a whisper, “You, Arden, are worthy.” His mouth returned to the warm smile. “You underestimate my power…and yourself, young one.”
I avoided his gaze, pondering his words and the past events. I thought of my silly mistakes, my previous occupations, and my failed apprenticeship. My heart sank with self-doubt.
“I’m not good enough,” I whispered to myself, turning my head away from him.
I thought of sad-faced Warren and Vera, standing in the doorway, watching me leave with Hawthorne and Blanc. Nostalgia tugged at my heart. The Lord Aegis seemed to be reading my thoughts and seeing my memories.
“Think of those you love…your village, this world. Think of the lives lost…” He said softly.
Immediately, the image of Alandar laying lifeless on the ground, eyes fixed on me, returned as vivid as yesterday.
I absentmindedly whispered his name. Every time I dreamed, I saw his haunting eyes. I also dreamt of the silhouette cloaked in black—the dark curse that plagued this world.
“He’s relentless—the Specter,” I muttered in despair. He murdered so many people…friends, neighbors, Alandar…my parents. I choked back tears. It happened so long ago—I couldn’t even remember how they looked.
A cool breeze brushed past my face and the leaves of the trees rustled.
“Arden, do not despair. I will be with you, and so will my power…”
My eyes returned to the Lord Aegis. In his hands were a silver-hilted sword and a silver goblet, inlaid with pearls.
He approached me; with pale fingers, he handed me the goblet. When my hands brushed his cold hand, a chill ran up my arms.
“Drink. It is water from this fountain.”
I reluctantly brought the goblet to my lips; in it, I could see the reflection of my golden eyes peering back at me with uncertainty. Tilting the goblet, I drank the cool water which tasted like nothing I have ever tasted before.
As I lowered the goblet, the rune-engraved blade of the sword touched my left then right shoulder, and stopped to rest on top of my head. I bowed my head.
“I anoint you, Aegis Arden. Your duty is to protect. You are now a guardian of this realm. The Dark is falling upon us; do not forget what I have told you.”
As he was saying this, a rising force—the same one I felt when the falcon landed on me—thrived inside of my soul. It kept growing, to the point that I felt like my mind would explode.
My breathing became hard. Falling forward, I kept myself up with both hands on the cold, marble floor.
The Lord Aegis removed his sword.
“I, Shona, Guardian and Lord Aegis, Awaken you from your Slumber.”
The immense power took over; I gasped. Darkness began to envelope me…
[color=purple][font=Tahoma][color=royalblue]"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."--[/color]Isaiah 40:31
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