spirals
She clutched the ground tightly, digging her claws into the solid earth. Sweat rolled down the side of her face, landing on the dirt with a quiet splash. A wave rippled throughout the land and caused her paws to shake with fear.
I'm never going to get used to this... A quiet voice sounded, the words deafened by a gust of wind.
Lightning sounded overhead, and the frail body of the young Kougra jumped.
Don't worry Maia. A less than comforting voice came from a pink Weewoo not too far away. It'll be over soon.
Another tremor, and Maia let out a cry. She threw her head back, glaring at the Weewoo and the hourglass he had under his wing. Fire sparked in her eyes as tears began to fall.
I hate you...
She thought it every time. Every time he forced her to do this. She longed for home, longed for the life that seemed so distant now.
The pull of the earth shifted, and she fell to the ground with a gasp. The wind whipped against her face, making it hard to breathe. The end could never come soon enough.
Lightning struck the ground next to her, sending her scrambling away. She started sobbing now, curling herself up into a ball against the moving earth.
Tem-Tem... Why is it worse this time...? She cried out with terror in her voice.
The Weewoo folded his wings closer to his body, ducking his head to avoid the wind. I'm not sure! He yelled.
The sky began to blacken and the earth began crumble. A cloud seemed to move towards the two, enveloping them with something akin to mist. The winds swirled around them, dragging them down into a darkened void.
They began falling now. The wind twisting them around in the darkness.
Maia screamed, and for the briefest moment, time stood still. The wind stopped blowing, the lightning stopped flashing, and the silence penetrated your very soul.
Eyes opened as wide as they could go, minds begging for the smallest whisper.
Set on the brink of insanity, Maia felt the urge to laugh. The unbearable quiet, the unforgiving darkness... It was too much for her to take.
But as soon as it stopped, time started up again. A violent tug pulled the two down to earth and back into reality.
Maia landed with a thud on the hard dirt, knocking the wind out of her. She gazed up at an eerily familiar sky, watching the clouds spiral around her. They danced around with a kind of grace that was not of this world.
A warmth spread over her body, and her mind drifted away from Temporis and all the heartache he brought with him.
She could hear someone laughing...
Memories started to rush back to her, and with a small smile she closed her eyes, giving into the darkness.
Home...
whispers
Wake up you stupid girl... Temporis seemed to growl, perching himself on the young Kougra's back. We don't have time to rest! The guards will be here any minute! He drove his claws into her side, careful not to draw blood. You can stop your frivolous dreaming! We need to GO!
Maia snapped her eyes open, jumping from her place on the ground and scrambling to her feet. The Weewoo fluttered into the air as she moved. Too dizzy to support herself, she tumbled to the ground again.
Tears pricked at her eyes as she shook the remains of her dreams from her mind. Those days were long since past, and Temporis was right. It'd do no good to dwell on them.
He flew ahead of her, settling himself on a low branch of a nearby tree. On your feet! He commanded.
Maia simply stared at the ground, mind going blank. He was yelling at her again... She wasn't good enough.
He screeched at her now, but she didn't bother to listen. She could hear the sound of approaching footsteps pounding in her ears. She didn't care.
She curled up now, burying her face in her paws and crying whatever tears she had left.
It felt like someone was pounding against her head with an iron rod, and her side throbbed from where Temporis clawed at her.
Her body was weak, tired... And she couldn't remember the last time they'd sat down to eat something substantial.
She heard the Weewoo land next to her with a disapproving sigh, muttering under his breath.
He was mad.
She had made him mad.
...She was always disappointing someone...
A rough paw grabbed her by the scruff of her neck and yanked her up from her place on the ground. She kept her eyes cast toward the ground as a gruff voice sneered at her. Well look at this lil' runt...
She glanced in the direction of the man holding her up. A fierce looking shadow Eyrie, at least four times her size. Another smaller blue Eyrie stood a ways off behind him. Both were adorned with chainmail armor, while the largest Eyrie wore a dark cape with a symbol Maia couldn't make out on it.
He snorted in surprise when she moved her head a bit, roughly dragging her up to face into his eyes.
Ayah... Lookie 'ere. She's got Queen Minerva's eyes, ain't she? He called the other Eyrie over to look.
Almost instantly, Maia shut her eyes. She wasn't something to be examined...
Her mind came to a sudden halt. She'd heard that name before.
Minerva...
She blinked her eyes open in surprise, and the Eyrie quickly threw her to the ground.
Get this thing offa me! He grunted, glaring down at the Weewoo that had bit his paw. It won't let go!
The blue Eyrie knocked Temporis aside with a quick swipe of his paw, looking incredulously down at the small pink bird.
You don't touch her. You don't speak to her. You don't look at her. Temporis spoke slowly, venom in his voice.
The Eyrie guards towered over him, and he flew up to speak with them on eye-level.
Your lorica hamata leaves your paws exposed... Perhaps you should take to wearing gloves. He glared, gesturing with a wing to the chainmail on the guard's back.
Maia watched on with wide eyes from her place on the ground as Temporis quickly whispered something in the shadow Eyrie's ear.
The exchange took but a few seconds, and with darkened eyes the Eyrie turned his back, marching toward a castle in the distance.
The blue Eyrie quickly followed, and Temporis landed on the ground after they were a few yards away. His back turned to Maia, he called her forward.
She trailed after him reluctantly, wondering why they were following the Eyries.
She didn't ask questions though... She knew it'd only upset him.
~~~
The guards ushered them into the castle without a second glance, marching them to the far end of the first hallway. A door on the left side was left ajar, and the shadow Eyrie nodded for them to go in.
There was a wall of windows on the left side of the room, a variety of potted plants set beneath them. Books lined the other side of the room, and a table and chairs set were sat in the middle of the room.
The smell of roses assaulted Maia's nose, and she let out a small sneeze.
The door shut behind them, leaving Maia and Temporis alone in the room.
The small Weewoo grunted. Have a seat, I don't know how long we'll be waiting.
Maia ignored him, wandering over to the books and admiring the elegant writing on the spines.
Hey Tem-Tem... She started, quiet. Do you think when this is over you can teach me how to read?
He winced, forgetting how much she had yet to learn. I thought your mother-
No. Maia said quickly. I remember some... But I... She wasn't really... She trailed off.
I'm sorry... He said, honest remorse in his voice. I miss her too...
Maia only nodded, sinking to the floor.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Temporis eyed his wings, picking out the smallest pieces of dirt. Maia sat curious, wondering what they were doing here. She knew better than to voice her questions though, just a waste of breath. He'd never say anything.
The door squeaked open a while later, quiet paws padding against the floor. A Kougra of no more than a few years older than Maia walked in with confusion set firm on her delicate face. Light pink fur was covered with a pale cream robe that trailed to ground. She glanced up with bright blue eyes, looking over the rooms occupants.
Ave...? Whispered the pink Kougra.
Temporis gave her a sad smile. How is your hearing dear...?
She blinked in surprise, wondering how he knew. Well enough for now. She said, and bowed a bit in greeting, her bangs falling over her eyes. Princess Despierre, second daughter of the late Queen Minerva and King Atticus... How may I help you?
lies
Maia winced, the name of her mother still ringing in her head.
No questions...
She knew it was coming. She knew she'd end up here eventually. But this soon...? What was Tem-Tem thinking?
She looked at the cup of tea that was set before her. Steam swirled out from the middle of the cup, slowly fading into the air. Letting out a sigh, she pushed the cup back away from her.
She felt her stomach cramp from hunger, but couldn't find the desire to eat. She wanted to cry, she wanted to run.
She wanted to go home...
The conversation from earlier darted around in her mind. Despierre had long since gone to bed, at the request of the castle healer.
Father was right... She was royalty...
Maia never knew much about her mother, or where she came from. Her childhood was so full of innocence that she never realized how many secrets were actually kept from her.
She never remembered her mother talking much... Growing more and more deaf as the days went by. She always acted strong, and Maia never knew she had a problem until her and dad had to start yelling in order for mom to hear them.
She cringed and cast her eyes down toward the floor. Her mind flashed to a few hours earlier, vividly remembering the exchange between Despierre and Temporis.
~~Despierre~~
I'm sure you know the basics of what is to be said here, but the child does not, correct?
Yes... She needs to learn too, I suppose.
Though I'm not quite sure what you're doing here... I trust you. I hope you know what you're doing.
My sister, hm? Yes... I suppose I can tell you a bit about her. Iyozia.
She's set to become Queen soon, she is the oldest after all. And with my... Condition, I won't be fit to rule. After mother died, father had chosen to retire his throne. It won't be effective for a few more years though, not until after the kingdom has been informed, and the necessary preparations have been made.
Zia will not be taking a King with her, however. The first time in ages since a female has ruled over this Kingdom.
I can't say she'll be doing it alone though... No. The royal advisor, Annirea. She's going to take over a lot of the work, from what I gather.
...It's no good. It's not going to work. Zia, she's... Lately she's been tampering in things she shouldn't. Dark magic, or something similar.
It's Annirea's doing... I know it! I just... No one will listen to me...
Oh... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone off like that...
Mother actually wanted me to take the throne you know... She knew what Zia was getting herself into, and she was scared... But she passed away before she could make that idea public.
Father is too tradtional. The oldest must take the throne. The sickly younger child must be erased from the memories of everyone in the kingdom.
The title of "princess" is completely meaningless when you're talking about me.
Zia didn't used to be this way... We used to be close you know. I looked up to her.
Oh Tem... I don't know what you're planning on doing, or why you're here... But please...
If Zia becomes queen, something bad is going to happen... I know it...
The flowers... They told me the wind was shifting in the wrong direction...
~~~
Maia sighed, wishing Despierre could have stayed longer. She glared at the cooling tea on the table.
She knew Temporis... She knew about his abilities...
Most of all, she expected him to show up one day.
I want answers... She growled under her breath.
In time. The Weewoo's voice called out from the other side of the table.
You always say that. She raised her voice. Always! She held back from crying this time, though frustration was getting the better of her. I'm not stupid you know Tem-Tem! We both know that if Mom becomes Queen instead of Iyozia, she'll never meet Dad! I'll never be born! Is that what you want!?
Temporis dropped his gaze to the ground, staring at a crack in the floor. You knew from the start there would be sacrifices...
Sacrifices!? She started screaming now. First I lose my mother, then you drag me away from home! Draging me to places that scare me, people that scare me! And shoot, Dad's probably gone now too! I don't even have my actual body anymore! Do you know what it's like to look in a mirror and see someone else's eyes staring back at you!? What do you know of sacrifice!?
I know that unless we figure something out here, everyone you ever cared about is going to die! Wouldn't you rather take that fate then let hundreds suffer the same!?
I know it's hard... Temporis sighed, trying to calm down. But we have to, Maia...
There is no "we", Temporis. She growled. I'm just the pawn.
The young Kougra stood swiftly from her place at the table, looking far older than her actual age. She stormed out of the room, leaving the Weewoo to rethink his actions.
She hid her tears as she marched down the hall, wanting to be as far from him as possible.
A shadow fell over her, and she let out a low growl.
Hush child... It's alright. A sickening voice dripped with sweetness as it called down to Maia. Let Aunt Zia make it all better...
For what had to have been the third time that day, Maia lost her train of thought, and darkness seeped quickly into her mind from somewhere unknown. She fell to the floor, unmoving.
Why won't they stop laughing...?
grains of sand
Maia woke a while later, finding herself seemingly alone in a dimly lit room. She rolled her shoulders, preparing to stand. He feet refused to agree with her though, and only twitched on her command.
She blinked her eyes, growing scared.
What happened...?
She tried to stand again, and found she couldn't move an inch from her place on the ground.
She shook her head now, trying not to cry.
Shutting her eyes, she growled to herself. The growl slowly started to grow louder, and echoed off the walls.
Get me out of here! She screamed to no one, but hoped someone would hear regardless.
My my... You sure picked up that Weewoo's temper, haven't you? A cold voice muttered from behind Maia.
A young purple and cream-colored Kougra walked around Maia silently, eying the small child.
Iyozia. She said swiftly. Sweet little child you are... You look like your mother.
Before Maia could voice any questions as to how Iyozia knew that, a knock sounded on the east wall door.
Come in Annirea... It's fine. She's just woken up. Iyozia said.
A white Kougra strolled in, one of her eyes bearing a nasty scar that ran from forehead to cheek.
That stupid Weewoo is a hard one to shake... He won't stop questioning me. The white Kougra growled. So Zia, what is he planning on doing with this kid?
Tch... Iyozia started. I honestly haven't the faintest clue. But I know that this kid is Depierre's daughter, just look at the hair... A result from that stupid bird's hourglass, I'm sure. She growled, and turned her attention to Maia.
Why are you here?
She was sick of being pushed around. She was sick of everyone giving her orders. Maia couldn't take it anymore, and simply spit at the ground by the future Queen's feet.
Anger flashed in Zia's eyes and she smacked a paw against the younger Kougra's face.
Maia looked up, grinning. You didn't say please.
Ann snorted in disgust and made a clenching motion with her paw. The invisible binding that held Maia to the ground tightened, and she cried out in surprise.
That's enough! A new voiced called out. The shadow Eyrie guard from earlier stood by the doorway, casting glares of death to the white Kougra.
Ah Maia... Temporis began calmly, walking out from behind the Eyrie. So that's where you have been. Come now, enough games, we have much to do.
He gave her a small nod, he knew of the dangers here.
Ann glared back at the Eyrie, but waved her paw reluctantly to dispel the magic that held Maia down.
The young Kougra scrambled to her feet, and didn't spare the Kougra pair a glance as she walked past them to stand behind Temporis.
You best be gettin' to bed, mis' Iyozia. The King 'ill start to worry. The guard said in a hard voice.
He nodded to Temporis when he felt Maia was close enough to him, indicating they could leave.
The two left in silence, leaving the guard to deal with the Kougra pair.
They exited the castle unnoticed, and Temporis didn't speak until they were a few hundred yards away.
We're leaving. He said, blunt.
Nooo... Really? Maia glared at him. And before you tell me how I slipped up again, how about you tell me what exactly is going on!? Maybe I wouldn't keep "slipping up" if I had a clue of what to do!
She growled at him. They all knew about you. They all knew about the hourglass. You can't tell me they didn't.
Before I go any further with you, I want you to tell me everything.
You're too young. He said, and waved off her questions.
Old enough for actions but too young for words? She sat herself on the ground. I'm going to die anyways, right? Then I'm perfectly fine with sitting here until I do. Either that, or you tell me all that you know.
The Weewoo glared at the stubborn child. He hated reciting this story...
Fine! He gave in, knowing he had to tell her eventually. She didn't know just how hard this was on him...
Tch... No questions until this thing is over.
She nodded, and looked on curiously as he began.
~to be continued~
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-Strawberries-
-Confusion-
he added a new star for every trial that was completed. There would be 10 stars total at the end of her story, and Omaia never understood why he kept track of them.
