Year 543

"They are going where they shouldn't even stick their noses, if you ask me."
"Kaila, dear, your being harsh, aren't you? Emperor Ladantine knows what he's
doing, give him a break. This could be the moment we've been waiting for, think
of the possibilities."
I didn't bother putting my opinion in either. Every time I did I ended up
brushed off. But then again...They both had good points..
"But mom, it could help the whole basin."
"Not now Aly, not now. We'll talk later."
"Dad, it could be very dangerous."
"Aly, I'm an old man, you’re 16. We've thought of that already. As well as
the fact the Emperor can take care of himself--"
"That's why he has Ur'Guard following him in the expedition." Mom added
dryly.
"Now, I'm trying to talk to your mother, please don't interrupt. It's rude."
"I'm 16." It didn't matter, he hadn't heard me.
After receiving nearly the same answer as per the usual, I just ignored the
brush-off. It was good enough just knowing he remembered my name, or the fact I
exist. In a way I couldn't help wish Cosmic Hope would be over with. I was
curious about the turn-out, and tired of my parents arguing. Today was the day
it was going into action too. Finally.
"Well, no matter how much we argue, it won't stop anything. I already told
Magnagora I was going to stay at the Stone of Truth and watch for the outcome,
and to guard over the city--should anything happen."
"Be careful." She gave up on the subject with a sigh.
"I will."
*Ripley! Mom finally gave up on the subject, I think a miracle just
happened.* I spoke out in an aetherwave that only my best friend could hear. Her
laughter filled my mind as her response.
*I'm at the Stone of Truth.* She said.
*I'm going to try and go. Though it's going to be hard.*
*Good luck, I would say it's impossible, but yet, she gave up on your dad.*
*It will be impossible. But if not, keep me on update, kay?*
*Aly, why would I do that? 'Course I will.* Sarcasm could be heard through
her voice.
*Kay.*
"Mom?" Time to work on going out…
"Yes, Aly?" She turned around just as dad left to get his things.
"Can I go to Magnagora with dad and meet with Ripley?"
"Alynthia! You know my response to that question already."
Was worth a shot. "I just want to hear what's going on at the Stone of Truth,
though."
"You can go to Gloriana then, the Ravenwood will say what Globglob has to
say. You know that."
"Ripley won't be able to go out of Magnagora though…"
"Well you two can live for a day without being in each others presence."
"Why can't I? Ripley’s parents are letting her go to the Stone of Truth!"
"Ripley is a citizen there."
"Dad's a citizen there too."
"Alynthia, stop it. I already sai
d no, and your father is already going, I don't need to worry about the both of
you."
"You can come..."
"Alynthia!" She made it obvious; those were her last words on the subject.
*She said no. I'm so angry, I should sneak out!*
*I'm sorry, but don't get into trouble, Aly. Don't do anything stupid, or
anything I wouldn't do.* She was full of sympathy.
*Kay...I'm just so aggravated. I'm going to miss the best event in my teenage
years.*
*It may not end up to be so great after all, maybe it will be boring, I'll
keep you updated though.*
"Go to Gloriana if you want to hear about it. I'm sorry Aly, this whole thing
shouldn't even happen. Emperor Ladantine is power hungry if you ask me." She
sighed.
*I'm going to nap. Wake me soon as something interesting happens, or when it
starts*
*The beginning is going to be boring most likely, but soon as something
interesting happens, I'll tell it all.*
"Honey, I happen to follow that Emperor you speak of."
"Sadly." Mom sounded sympathetic, I had to muffle my laughter as best as I
could.
"Honey..." He peered down at her.
"Dad, you'll be late."
"I'm fine with that." Mom said cheerly.
"Of course. Bye Aly, be good and no trouble to your mother. I'll answer any
questions you have later, when I come home."
"I'm going to take a nap." I sighed.
Mom and dad said their good-bye's before he came to me.
"Aly, if it's over20by tonight, you can visit Ripley for the night. Then you
girls can gossip all you like." He winked and pecked me on the cheek. Mom, on
the other hand, mumbled something to herself.
"Dad, we talk, not gossip. But, it's a deal." I smiled.
"Take care of your mother, she'll over-worry herself otherwise." he pecked me
on the cheek. Mom made faces behind his back, and I laughed.
"Evil women." He mumbled as he walked away.
*Rip, mom and dad will let me spend the night at your place if the expedition
is over by then.*
*Awesome! Let's hope it's over by then!*
*Yea...*
"We're going to Gloriana." Mom announced.
"Ok. I'll just nap in the trees." She frowned but nodded.
"We're going to the Ravenwood tree." Mom was most likely, going to meet guild
members at the nexus.
"Ok."

We arrived at the Ravenwood in a matter of minutes, it took me about five
minutes to fall asleep. I hadn't expected to dream of anything, and yet...
I was running, and dark smoke was after me. I didn't know what it was, but I
just knew to run. Something was happening in Magnagora, something had gone
wrong...I tripped and fell, the Gloriana was just in front of me. I jumped up,
the smoke was closer due to my fall. It was faster than I was. I didn't give it
thought, I just ran towards the Gloriana. And then, I fell again. My lungs were
throbbing and my mouth was dry. My wings fluttered and before I could fly into
the air, the smoke surrounded me. It burned my lungs, my heart pounded, my skin
darkened and turned raw. I started to cry and saw my tears, dark red, falling to
the ground. I was too weak to get up. Coughing, hacking, wheezing…Nothing
helped, sipping health made me feel worse. My head was going to explode it hurt
so badly. Everything ached, burned…I was dying… And then--
*ALYNTHIA!* I jumped and screamed as I fell down the tree. Ripley had woken
me up, and she sounded scared...or like something was wrong. I landed on my
stomach, face in the dirt and leaves, arms in front of me… and heard a crack.
*Ripley!*
"Aly!" My mom exclaimed.
"Oww.." The only words I could say after the fall.
"You broke your arm. You could have broken your neck!" She layed her hands on
my arm and a gut-wrenching pain announced the movement of my bones. She healed
my arm.
"Thanks...What happened?"
*Rip...?*
"You've been sleeping for nearly ten hours. The expedition was announced an
hour later. Now we're here, and you fell screaming."
*RIP!*
Silence.
"Mom, how is the expedition?"
"Well...We aren't sure...Lolly shouted sweet light, and..." She was bad at
hiding her worry. "Well..it isn't so good. The Aetherwaves gave out on us...it
all became garbled and--"
“Mom, calm down…I’m sure they are fine.”
Just as I said that, the broadcasting came back on, Globglob’s voice boomed
across the area.

**Globglob: Timmie! Timmie! What's happening? Timmie! (pause) We've lost our
connection to Shallamar. I don’t know what . . . **

**Leela: Something is happening at the Stone here on the Plane of Earth,
Globglob! The Geomancers are saying it's filling with power, but . . . (loud
crack) Aaaah! It's . . . (garbled) . . . and we can't . . **

**Globglob: Leela? Leela? Sweet Light, folks, I don't know what's going on but
apparently some disaster is occurring, but . . . Wait! Now, the Stone of Truth
here in Magnagora is darkening! The light has left it and some sort of black oil
is oozing out of it. What the . . . (garbled) . . . The prophets who were
standing around the Stone have fallen! A black smoke is pouring out of the Stone
now . . . the prophets are slowly getting back up but they're . . . (garbled) .
. . Sweet Light, it's moving fast! We've got to get out of here! Run! RUN! . . .
(garbled)**

"Mom! Dad and Rip are there! We've got to go!"
"No Aly, not until we hear--"
A speaker started announcing himself.

**Globglob: This is Globglob Mesherbrub. There has been a small mishap in
Magnagora but it is now under control. If you see a dark cloud over Magnagora,
do not be concerned. It is completely harmless. However, some injuries have
occurred and we request everyone who is listening to come to Magnagora in order
to help us in this time of need. I repeat, please come to Magnagora in all haste
if you are able. Do not be concerned about the dark cloud. It will not harm you.
This is Globglob Mesherbrub. There has been a small mishap in Magnagora . . . **

If he said anything else, it went unheard. Everyone started speaking at once.

"Aly, stay here, and if anything happens--"
"Mom, my BEST FRIEND is there, you've got to be kidding me..."
"Aly, give me your word that you won't go to Magnagora. Say it now so I can
go help your father and everyone else. They need help. I can’t be bothered to
worry about you running off."
"Mom, I can heal too..."
"Aly, no stay here, ok? Your word, Aly."
"Mom--"
"Aly, hurry! Your word."
"Alright! I won't go, well, if I don't hear anything from you after some
time, I WILL go. Keep me updated." Something Ripley had not bothered with it
seemed.
My mom turned to leave. Her and the others flew off. I took after my mom, I
had the Faeling looks and wings. My dad, the Elfen in the family, gave me his
height. sort of, I was a foot taller than the average Faeling.
I decided to take a look at Magnagora, I spread my wings and flew high into
the air. Black smoke circled over the top of Magnagora. It didn't look healthy.
It even felt wrong.
*Aly, we are nearly reaching Magnagora, if I say so, you will run to Celest,
ok?* Mom sounded concerned.
*Celest?*
*There is a black cloud we're not sure whether it will harm us, or if it is
spreading.*
*Ok, need me to come help?*
*You know that answer* Darnit.
*How does everyone look?*
*We can't see anyone yet, we are guessing they are all surrounding the Stone
of Truth. It doesn't look go--*
She stopped.
*Mom?*
Silence. I gave her a moment. Still nothing.
*Ripley?*
Time to try someone else.
*MOM!!*
Still nothing. I couldn't see from where I was flying whether my mom made it
or not. I saw smoke just circling Magnagora still.
*Aly! Come quick! I need help!* Ripley called out to me. She didn't sound the
same though...
*Rip! Where were you? Why didn't you respond?*
*Sorry got hurt, can you come quick? Aly please hurry!* My promise to my mom
was forgotten.
*Ok. What’s going on? You were suppose to keep me UPDATED*
I flew across the trees straight to the highway. It didn't take long for me
to reach close to Magnagora. By then my wings were too tired to fly elsewhere, I
had pushed them to the limit trying to reach Magnagora fast enough. Forced to
land, I ran as fast as I could. I could start seeing the smoke, foul, oily, it
was nearly close to a cow. The cow backed away sensing danger. As the smoke
touched the cow, it jerked, made an impossible screeching noise, and hit the
ground shuddering, shaking, foaming.
*Rip..There's like..smoke...I don't think it can be considered SMOKE it’s
so thick..*
*Forget about it, it's harmless. I really need help. PLEASE* She sounded
pleased. There was something wrong.
Fear took over me. Celest. I had to run to the city. The people in Gloriana
Forest weren't aware yet...I had to tell them. While watching the smoke, as if
it were an enemy ready to pounce on my back, I walked slowly. The cow had died,
and yet, it was slowly moving again. It's body had contorted and changed
horribly. I couldn't run backwards, so I spun around and ran. Being much faster
and stable while flying, I was very clumsily making my way back to Gloriana.
*Aly, are you coming?*
*Rip, that smoke is dangerous...are you in it?*
*It isn't dangerous, course I'm in it, it made me feel better. More alive.*
*How is Magnagora handling this?*
*Pleasingly.* Figures. Mom was right, the cities were odd.
*Mom!* I had to try to reach her again.
*Rip, you’re wrong, it's made you believe that, you’re wrong! The smoke
is thick, and it killed a cow, now it's alive again.*
*The Ur'Guard are pleased.*
*..My..Dad?*
*Oh, he's here with your mom.* she was always a bad liar.
*Mom!* Nothing.
*Dad?*
*Aly, hun, tell your mother to come help us in Magnagora, we could use your
help as well.*
*Dad, the smoke... And I promised mom I wouldn’t*
*Ahh, it's fine. You can go through it, it won't hurt. I
’ll talk to your mother when we get back home. You’ll be fine. I promise*
Ur'Guard...Dad was an Ur'Guard.
The meaning of the name slipped my mind, I couldn't put together why..And
yet, I still had asked how they took the death and resurrection...to become the
undead. Ur'Guard. Death Guard. Of course! They were undead, and they were fine
with it. Walking zombies with brains. Would my dad really do that to me? Would
he put the entire family in danger? Why wouldn’t he just tell my mom himself
to come and to have me come… What was going on??
I tripped over a rock, and tumbled. The smoke was just getting closer. Trees I
passed began to twist and wither, or transform when the smoke touched it. Deja
vu. My dream wasn't a dream. Why hadn't I thought about that before running to
the smoke? I could have told mom...but too late. They would embrace the death,
but I knew she would want me to go against it. I would have to fight against
those I loved...I tripped again. The Gloriana was right in front of me. I had to
warn them without the smoke right behind me. I spread my wings and flew as high
as I could. They were still worn out but I had to go further. Just a little
further. Away from the smoke, I had to tell them before the smoke touched any of
us. My wing cramped and I began to fall. The trees hit me and I screamed. No not
now...I had to think fast. I flapped it and slowed my fall, enough to land on my
feet. I began running again and tucking my wings around me. They hurt as well as
my lungs, but I got further than the smoke, just by a small bit, but enough to
tell them to run. That was, if I could talk. I tripped, threw my wings out and
flapped. Hovered slightly, and flapped harder. I could do it. It was harder for
me, being bigger than the norm Faeling. But I knew I had to. And just as I
reached the skies, I flung myself forward. My wings were so sore.

*Aly! Where ARE you? Why are you ignoring me!** Ripley sounded annoyed.
*Aly, this is your mother, in case I sound any different. Do not come to
Magnagoraâ€"I repeat do NOT come to Magnagora. Run and tell the others it’s
all gone wrong.*
*Aly, your mother isn’t feeling too well.*

No time to respond--The wind slowed me down, pushed me, I fought it. It pushed
again and I tumbled east. The smoke was catching up. It pushed again, my wings
gave in... and this time, I tumbled into the dark oily smoke…