Chapter 10: So Far, so Good

Just above the ground they shifted into human form and landed on a marble terrace. Exhaustion nearly making Celi’s knees give out. She was used to long flights, it had taken many days for her and her parents to travel from the place of the wyvern’s birth to Wyvern’s Court, but never had she been forced to fly during the night. The rising sun was both a comfort, and a sign of how tired she was. Celi didn’t notice the audience that had begun to gather, until somebody spoke in a language that sounded both familiar and strange. The young wyvern lifted her head, trying to make sense, but instead her gaze was captured by her surroundings. All around her were people, and the similarities were rather scary.

These people, falcons she quickly corrected herself, looked like they could had been crafted from the same mold, with subtle differences that could be seen upon a closer look. Most of them had creamy white skin, like that of fresh milk. Their hair was long and of various shades of blonde, but all had the fronts dyed a shade of blue, just like her father's...just like her own. All around she could see the wings of peregrine, gyrfalcon, Aplomado, and merlin, worn with obvious pride as the citizens moved around. And then she realized that the roads were singing beneath her very feet. But the beauty was lost to her. Celi's eyes darted from falcon to falcon, dread beginning to coil up within her body. Their features were somewhat like hers, but none of them were like her. For a moment the girl wondered how these people were seeing her at this very minute. She might pass for a falcon, but the streaks of ebony hinted that there was more to this stranger. Celi stared at the woman who was speaking, a gyrfalcon judging from the black specks on white wings. Faintly she realized that this was the old language, from the days of the Dasi, the realization did little to help her understand what was being said, and Celi could only blinked at the falcon. Lily placed a hand on her shoulder, she nodded to the falcon. “Follow her,” the peregrine said. “She will take you to your room.” Celi stood up, feeling the other falcons back up slowly, their expressions were hard to read. She could only watch Lily walk off, feeling the panic begin to rise again and it took every ounce of her being not to run to the woman and cling to her.

“Right this way,” the gyrfalcon instructed, turning to begin to head off. Celi could only follow.

The instant that she set foot in her room, Celi knew that this had been her father’s room when he was on Ahnmik. The room was still the same as it had been when the male falcon had left it. The massive bed was in the same place, the walls still glowed with their strange symbols, and she could hear the sounds of a distant choir. But one glance was all it took for Celi to feel out of place. This land was not for her, if it hadn’t been for her magic…the magic that she was supposed to NOT have, then she would not be standing here right now. “Why Me,” Celi murmured to herself, drawing in her wings with a sigh. Her father had once been tempted by this world, but he was a pureblood even if his parents were now just a crow and a sparrow, how would these people react to a person whose blood carried the lines of hawk and cobra? If Hai had been anything to go by…it wouldn’t be long before she would be unwelcomed.

Chapter 9 : Off to the White City

Did my mom ever have to do this?

The thought was comforting as Celi flapped her wings, but she felt so clumsy now. The wings were the same, but the body attached to them was not. Celi gave a slightly envious look ahead at her guide who was flying with grace, elegance, and not a hint of awkwardness and scowled slightly. This wasn't natural at all! A wyvern should be just that, a wyvern. While they did have extra forms that usually were singled out due to blood, they should always stick to the form that blended those traits. It was natural. Lily had said that this form could give her some protection, being at least one of the city would better raise the chances of it recognizing her and thus accepting her as kin, not attacking her. But Celi wasn't sure about that, just because she looked like a purebred falcon, though with slightly wonky colors, she obviously was not what she appeared...it didn't feel right that she would be trying to fool the other residents of Ahnmik. But there was the big one...

Would she be able to fool the Empress and Heir?

Chapter 8: Master of Time

Sheni~ time, a time or era

The figure was a spider, but yet also a woman. She was sitting on a small wooden stool, her four arms working on a loom that took up the entire wall of one side of her cave. Every once or a while one of the arms would pause to lightly pick up a pair of sharp sheers that glowed an almost cruel gold. She used them to clip one of the strands before setting them down once more, but all the while her other arms still wove. The woman paused, turning slightly. She four pairs of eyes, two were small while the bottom were almond shape, they all had a bright glow, like a star.

a-le'Ahnleh'teska-kaya'ga'la (By the will of Fate, My light).

Chapter 7: Vision of the White City

Celi was in an unknown city of whiteness that radiated magic. The road below her feet sang. In the distance she saw three towers and caught a glimpse of a violet building. She took just one step and the scene blurred out to whiteness before it returned in a different location.

A tall, lithe woman suddenly formed before her. Her tightly braided hair was silver with the front strands a light blue that had been singled out. Her eyes…they were the same blue of Celi’s, of her father’s. Something about this woman spoke of confidence, cunning, and arrogance, but Celi thought she could detect some fear, like the woman was scared of something. There was also sadness. Celi stared at the woman and found her lips moving;

“What happened long ago?”

The woman, the imposing lady who seemed like she could make the bravest of souls cower, lowered her gaze. As if she couldn’t bear to face a question to an answer that the woman didn’t want to think about. The scene changed once more. Celi was staring into twin pools of mercury. Two woman stood in the room with her, judging by the black mottled coloring on snowy wings, she knew they were both gyrfalcons and one glance told her that one woman was extremely powerful, the figure dressed in a gown of violet. The question passed through her lips though Celi did not hear her speak it this time, nor did her lips move. The violet-dressed woman looked at her with gray eyes that seemed to have no real focus, then she looked away. “That past…does not matter now.” The girl glanced at the other gyrfalcon and she knew who she was, Darien. The falcon looked at her with pitying eyes that were darker silver and sighed before she turned away. This time Darien would not be of any help. It hadn’t been her that Celi saw that day…but the falcon Empress...Cjarsa.

The scene shifted once more and Celi found herself in a large room that was nearly empty saved for a bed in one corner, a kitchen in the other, and several chairs around a single table. She wasn’t alone either. Yet another woman had appeared before her. “You seek answers,” the falcon said, apparently not finding it surprising that a strange wyvern had suddenly appeared in her…home? “What happened all those years ago?” Celi found herself asking, expecting the falcon to be unable to meet her gaze, but she was wrong. The lady’s steel-blue gaze locked onto Celi’s. “Something that should had been prevented,” she answered gravely. “If we had did things differently than maybe things would had been different.” Celi felt her heart pounding and stared at the woman, waiting to hear more but the woman gave a small smile. “Talking in dreams is nice, but it would be better if you granted me an audience on Ahnmik."

The dream changed once more, this time Celi was gazing at three triple arches and she blinked when she saw a familiar figure hovering above where the arches just barely met, her mottled-black wings were spread, her wrists locked and back arched, Keyi seemed to radiate with energy as she began to dance the daraci’Kain and Celi could feel the force of the storm. It was terrifying but yet beautiful. But suddenly the air began to crackle around her, like sparks flying off a blade being forged. Once moment Keyi was dancing, then the next she was falling. Her wings seemed to lock, become helpless. The bottom of the triple arches suddenly rippled into a pool of dark black water that swallowed the dancer. Ahnmik suddenly shattered and there was just darkness, nothingness, the void.

Chapter Six: Training Boys

Celi winced as she shifted position, her calves aching from holding a crouch much to long for her liking. If Aleya or Keyi had any problems then they both were doing a good job at hiding the discomfort. The golden cobra was focused on the young men who were sparring and she looked liked she was perfectly enjoying herself. The quemak didn't seem to be paying the young men much mind. Her gray eyes slid over each figure but Celi couldn't read what was on her mind. Even after all these years the falcon was just as mysterious, and just as closed. She never spoke about her thoughts or her dreams, and rarely did the wyvern see her around Wyvern's Court. "Look, there's Tabby and Veli," Aleya spoke suddenly making Celi jump as the loud tone registered. Discretion was not part of the cobra's vocabulary, so no doubt the wyvern guards knew that she was there, spying on them as they trained. Celi followed Aleya's gaze and she saw them, her breath catching slightly in her throat. Tabassum was huge, plain and simple. He had grown broad of chest and shoulder and his darkened from all his time in the sun. The liger and wolf looked almost out of place amongst the serpiente and avians, but it was thrilling to watch them spar. The two boys were in human form but they shifted into their animal form and Celi saw the other pairs pause to watch. It was a ritual that was like a dance, but way more exotic. The liger and wolf circled each other, blue and amber eyes locking and watching their opponent carefully. After several circles a move was made; sometimes it was Veli who moved first and other times Tabassum did. This time the wolf made the first move, darting up to give his opponent a light nip then danced out of the way before the liger could retaliate. Tabassum was massive beside the wolf, although Veli had told that he was one of the largest wolves of the Frektane pack. Celi thought that his idea of large meant the fact that he was tall, his legs long and slender, obviously good for running. They were a good match Celi knew one had the power while the other had the speed and stamina. The liger didn't respond and Veli braved another slight nip, but this time the liger was ready and a light swat of paw bowled the wolf over with a yelp of surprise. Veli wasn't hurt, everyone knew that while Tabassum had the power to cause massive damage with his muscular build, dagger like claws, and sharp teeth. But he was gentle when training with only a few accidents popping up and none too serious. Veli didn't stay down for long, the wolf hoped back onto his feet and seemed to consider his next course of action. His head tilted then he started barking and bounced around. He was using his barks to confuse Tabassum and moving around would make him less of a target as the liger couldn't move as fast. The older boy watched the wolf with a bemused expression but kept the canine in his sights. Veli swung around then went up to nip at the striped cat tail. The liger spun around and pinned the blue-eyed pooch with one paw. It began to get faster, no longer a simple game. The pair had tested each other's mettle, now they were getting serious. Dirt flew as the animals wrestled, each being careful with their teeth and Tabassum made sure his claws were sheathe. Celi watched the pair in awe, admiring the way that the sun fell on her friends' pelts. Veli's dark fur seemed to shimmer with patches of gray and blue-black, Tabassum's fur was like fire, bright orange with bands of cinnamon. It was like the sun and moon were fighting. Suddenly Celi felt a chill and shivered, her gaze drifted up to look at the sky where the sun was shining in all its glory. Her attention returned to the two boys who were finishing their match, but she was distracted. From the corner of her eye she thought she saw Keyi tilt her head, as if the quemak sensed something had just happened. But Keyi didn't look at nor did she speak. She watched the liger and wolf part and sit down to regain their breathe before the two shifted humans. The sight of sweat running down Tabassum's heavy chest made Celi flush, even more so when he lifted his head and locked eyes with her. The wyvern quickly diverted her attention but she knew that Aleya had saw and that the cobra would tease her about it later on. But Celi didn't mind at all.

Chapter 5: Awakening

Note: Celi is now seventeen as two more years have passed.

Celi was a lovely wyvern. Her serpent body was that of a cobra and was patterned with black and cream-ivory scales. Her feathers ran down her back from hood to wings were violet-black close to her body before they gradually faded to a red. Her eyes were the crisp ice blue of opals and radiated with endless energy. The feeling of the breeze that was carrying her home was delightful. It was calmer than the delight that she felt after a success dance, there was nobody around to crowd the space, she could be free.

Was this what Bianca and Ainra were feeling?

Celi felt a rush of sadness. Bianca had left one day with no warning and no evidence to where she had went. She just left a short note and was gone, searching had resulted nothing. Bianca had just vanished, pure and simple. It hadn't been long before her half-sister also followed suite. Nobody knew what had made Bianca leave, but Ainra's reason had been a falling out with her father. The wyvern hadn't left anything, not even a note.

Celi sighed and let her gaze drift to the world below. Watching the scenery change as if it were a giant quilt. Her gaze drifted up to the sky, a brief glance at the glowing orb that the sun before she scanned the clouds, easily picking out somewhat familiar shapes... Suddenly Celi felt a burning sensation in her body before she was sent plummeting, she forced her wings up, slowing her descent and managed to land on a soft pile of squishy moss. The wyvern panted, her wings hanging limply at her sides as she struggled to calm her rapidly beating heart. There was a small stream close by and Celi dipped her mouth in and drank, the cool water working its soothing power on her body. But it was not for long. She could feel the presence, something was there with her, something that hadn't been there before. Celi lifted her gaze, her feathery hood spreading in a feeble display. Her heart was pounding and her breath caught as she turned to look at her visitor.

A woman stood on the other side of the stream, smiling but somehow it was far from comforting. Her skin seemed to be crafted from black ice, dark but pale and looked cold to the touch. Her hair slid down to her waist, perfectly straight, blacker than a raven's feather. A long black gown flowed down her lean figure forming pool of what seemed to be silk around her feet. But what really chilled the wyvern's blood was the woman's eyes. They were nothing but pools of intense darkness. A voice suddenly filtered its way into her mind and Celi was unable to do anything to block it.

Poor little child, you are so young to face the horrible truth.

"What truth?" Celi found herself asking with her mind. The woman seemed to laugh without moving her mouth.

The civil war that split the Dasi could had been prevented, the magic of Ahnmik and Anhamirak could had been kept in balance.

A breathy sigh seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time, but yet the being's face still didn't move, not even a flicker of change on her unearthly face. You can change that child of destiny...but you must come to Ahnmik, to me...

The woman vanished suddenly, the eyeless sockets suddenly were replaced by pools of silver. They were stretched wide in surprise but unlike the woman the vision didn't last long. The silver eyes were dappled by flecks of deep green which turned into a pair of stormy green eyes in the face of a white viper who looked so helpless, so defeated.

Beware the black sun little wyvern, I wish that you didn't have to pay this price...

Celi was trembling as she landed, shifting form unintentionally and pressing her palms against the warm sand of the training field. The sounds of practice weapons and the grunts of men and women around her was nothing but white noise and did nothing to calm the rapid beat of her heart. A gentle hand on her back suddenly made her jerk and a slight trickle of something suddenly lashed out drawing a grunt of pain. The wyvern lifted her gaze and suddenly felt a rush of guilt. Tabassum stood over her, his amber eyes were neutral but obviously concerned. Celi felt a rush of fear and embarrassment. "Sorry," she murmured, carefully drawing the tendril back within herself. Tabassum didn't respond but he helped her to stand up. She felt another hand touch her shoulder and she looked to see her father. Nicias had been drilling with the other wyverns, but apparently he had noticed that something was wrong. He offered her a cup and Celi carefully wrapped her fingers around it. The liquid within burnt her mouth and throat, but it instantly calmed her breathing and heart.

"What happened?"

Celi looked up, into the matching gaze of her father. For some reason the dark woman and mercury gaze popped into her mind, but she didn't want to tell him what she had saw. "Just a little fright is all," Celi said, giving what she hoped was a convincing smile. She didn't know if her father and friend was fooled, but she carefully gave the cup to a crow that had been Tabassum's sparring partner. Celi hesitated, their gazes making her nervous. She didn't want to blabber out what had happened, she didn't want to worry them. "I'm going to the library, see you later?" Celi said as she spun around, making her coin belt tinkle and her anklets chime. The soft sounds usually gave her some comfort, but today they didn't seem enough to sooth the burn that the spell had caused.

Seven people were gathered around a single woman, their actions spoke of delight. The woman seemed like a sharp contrast to her followers. Her skin extremely pale, a sharp contrast to her brown gaze and mahogany hair. Celi immediately recognized Kiesha, the high priestess of Anhamirak, and the baby that was in her arms was obviously the first Diente. There was a eighth person who was watching the celebration from the shadows. The woman was pale with short blonde hair and stormy green eyes. The woman turned away from the happy scene and for some reason the wyvern followed her into the temple. A small group of people were in the temple, watching her with sympathetic eyes. The woman dropped to her knees and the arms of the Rsh wrapped around her. Her attempt to be calm went to waste and Maeve wept.

Morning

Maeve stood with the Rsh, staring at the woman she had once loved, still loved. "Leave," Kiesha's voice was cold, her brown eyes were equally the same. There was nothing, no sign of the love that had once been there. Maeve didn't beg, she didn't cry. Her tears had came and passed. The look that she gave the mahogany-haired woman was one of pity. "I will, but I hope you'll be prepared for what will happen next." Maeve turned away and walked off, the Rsh following her on their own free will, ignorant of the sneers and snickers coming from the other serpiente.

Midday

Celi sat with the founders of the Obsidian Guild and watched Maeve. The former priestess gazed around her with a tired smile, but her eyes were sad. But suddenly her attention snapped to the sky, eyes wide in horror, her mouth working but yet no sound came out. Celi followed the woman's gaze and her own mouth dropped open in alarm. The sun which was now at its highest point was joined by another orb. Slowly a piece was being taken away from the life-giving orb. The sky was beginning to darken...then it went out. The air exploded with thick power; screams echoed, the smell of blood was heavy, flames roared into the sky while ice chilled all that it touched without mercy...the world was now truly chaos.

Chapter 4: A Vision of the Past

Note: Celi is now 15 years old, she was thirteen at the start and two years had passed.

Celi carefully opened the book that she has slipped from the library. The words were in the old language, but she had no problem understanding what had been written by some long ago writer. But the meaning was confusing.

The sun is the eye of Anhamirak, the moon is the eye of Ahnmik,

both watch over their realms peacefully in the sky.

The Dasi worshipped the sun and moon, two perfect examples of balance.

But the two gods were not predictable,

their abilities quickly proved that.

The day it happened.

Celi blinked as she pondered the piece that just had been read. It sounded confusing, the why she couldn't quite grasp. Now that she thought about the world, the wyvern could believe that the sun and moon represented the dual powers. But her biggest wonder was from the last line...what happened? Were they talking about when Leben came? Or was it something else entirely? She read onward.

It was the job of Ahnmik's followers to watch the moon, to interpreted what would come based on the shape and color. A moon with a slightly orange tint like a mango would signal the harvest, that would be good information to tell the Rsh who would relay the news to the people. The rare blue moon would bring a grand celebration of Ahnmik's power, for its color would one day be stained on the falcons. But there was one type of moon that brought fear to the Ahnmik priests, the Blood Moon. When it came it always seemed to bring misfortune on its heels. The four main worshippers of Ahnmik were tasked to watch for the dreaded red-stained orb. It had appeared after Leben had departed... Perhaps it was a sign that should not had been ignored, had the Dasi knew what would come next.

The book ended. Only a few pages and nothing more. The information gave more questions than answers and for some reason it made her feel uncomfortable. Celi reread the pages a few times, trying to understand, to read between the lines. But her efforts were fruitless. There was nothing to explain further and she doubted that the library would offer any more knowledge.

So what had happened?

Celi had learned the story. Leben had came and Maeve had seduced him, in return he gave her the form of a white viper. Maeve also had demanded that he gave forms to the other priests and priestesses. After that Maeve had been exiled, followed shortly by the falcons. But for some reason that never seemed to be enough, there some feeling within that there was more to this story than what she had been told. The wyvern peered out her window, her gaze going up to stare at the moon. "What happened all those years ago?" she whispered. But the moon held no answer.

She watched the people. There was four standing at a distance, obviously dancing and prayer around an altar. The flames of torches bathed the site with light, but was weak compared to the vast blackness that spanned above them. Stars flickered, but were pale compared to the full moon which was the color of milk. Two ladies lifted their gaze to the moon, the light illuminating their obviously pale features. Celi gazed at the glowing ball in awe, but then in pure horror. The pearly surface looked like it had been bathed in blood. The red was an eerie contrast to the crisp radiance which had been present only minutes before. Her attention fell back on the people, but this time nobody lifted their gaze to look. It was as if they were struggling with something, something so important that their duty was meaningless. But then the world feel into a darkness that couldn't be explained but it made her body be racked with intense pain that seemed to burn with fire and ice. And around her was blood...