Chapter 8

The group of teenagers bond with their first Praestia. Shadow's plan to attack the group is nearly foiled when Laura discovers she's not alone. Glacird attacks the group.

Chapter 8

 

“Well, this is slightly awesome.” Tom commented, moving forward to crouch in front of the rather passive looking otter stood in front of him.  The group of six were in the woods of Pacaris, where Ethaniel had led them to bond with their first Praestia.  Lolly had already bonded with a monkey, a golden monkey to be precise, baring the power of wind, and now Tom had just bonded with a water otter.  It had been a dangerous task, as Tom had lost concentration as the otter suddenly attacked, which seemed quite odd considering the species.  Had the Praestia been an inch closer, it would’ve ripped the boy’s throat out.  But luckily, Tom’s reflexes allowed him to jump back quickly enough.  Now, the otter was bonded with him, and was... his.  Tom gave the otter a pat on the head, before looking back to Ethaniel.

 

“Well done, Tom,” Ethaniel gave a nod, watching the tall boy and his new companion, “There is first hand evidence that bonding with Praestia can be a dangerous task... but you managed to regain your focus and continue with it, which was the best thing you could have done.  Well done.  Alright... Josh.  Let’s find a lightning Praestia for you...”

 

The moon was now in the sky when Ethaniel eventually stopped, the five teenagers following suit.  Ethaniel pointed up into a nearby tree, where a rather untidy looking hawk was perched, head darting around for search of any danger or prey.  Josh frowned as he glanced up at it, “Well, he’s not the prettiest of birds... he looks kinda... well, weak.  I want it.”

 

“Wait, what?” Tom questioned, giving him a frown.  Josh simply shrugged.  “O...kay, then.”

 

Ethaniel stepped forward to Josh’s side, saying quietly, “I assume you know what to do.  Just direct the energy from your watch to the bird’s mind.  The hawk will attack... But now that Tom has his Praestia, he can help defend you if he wants to.  But it’s important you do not lose focus, or the bonding process will be broken... and either you or the hawk dies, being the likely scenarios.  Neither is preferable. So be caref-“

 

“Ethaniel... I made this world, I made the Praestia... I made the whole bonding thing.” Josh replied irritably, glaring at the old man, “Do you think I don’t know how to work my own... bonding thingy?”

 

“Well, if you call it a bonding... thingy, then I have my doubts.”

 

“Shut up, you’re an old man about to die soon that happens to rule the poorest region in Otellus.” Josh snapped, turning away from him, “What do you know?”

 

“Hey, I was the one that told you about the prophecy, which you didn’t know.”

 

“...Shut it.” Josh stepped forward from the Praedux master, focussing on the tatty bird of prey above him.  His lips thinned as he concentrated, and his watch immediately glowed yellow once more, and the beam of energy extended from his left wrist to the bird.  The hawk immediately snapped its head down, dark eyes glaring down at the teen.  The bird took off from the branch, swooping down towards him.  Josh’s eyes widened, and he lost his focus momentarily.  The bond wavered, and the bird’s descent became quicker.  Josh fought to regain control, but it was too late...

 

Until a certain otter dived at the bird, knocking it off course.  The hawk swooped up again, regaining direction before pausing, flapping its wings in mid air as it considered its opponent.  Josh grabbed on the opportunity, resuming his effort to bond with the hawk, already embarrassed by his mistake.  Tom crouched down beside the otter that had probably just saved Josh’s life, murmuring something.  The otter nodded, a look of determination on its whiskered face.  The hawk swooped again, and immediately a jet of water emerged from the otter’s mouth, hitting the bird dead on.  The hawk squawked, forcing itself free of the attack, fleeing to a nearby branch and fluffing its feathers.  Josh paid no attention to the battle, forcing himself to continue focussing on bonding.

 

And then, almost anticlimactically, the hawk remained still, tilting its head to the side as it examined Josh.  He then flew from his branch to Josh, landing on his shoulder.  And there it remained on guard, looking around repeatedly for any sign of danger.  “Well, that could’ve gone smoother... And if you make any witty comment, Ethaniel, I will... well, you know what I’ll do.” Ethaniel simply chuckled.

 

*             *             *

 

“I looooove my life.”

 

Tom flinched as Anna flopped down beside him, sending a spray of sand right into his face.  He glared at her with irritation, moving away from her.  The group of five were sat on the beach a few miles south of Puteulus, by the southern sea.  Although it was late in the evening, the group of friends decided to stay up late before their journey began the next morning.  Tom had been lying down, hands behind his head and eyes closed, before Anna had decided to join him.  Josh and Lolly were sat nearby, talking quietly, while Molly was nearby playing with her Praestia, which happened to be a small mouse. Ethaniel had struggled to find any Praestia that had the power of ice, so a mouse was the best he could do.

 

Anna had luckily managed to find a single duck in the river that also flowed through the forest that coincidentally happened to match her element of psychic.  So, Lolly had a golden monkey, Tom an otter, Josh a hawk, Molly a mouse and Anna a duck.  It had been a successful evening for them, to say the least.  The group remained silent for a while, the only noise interrupting the calm being the waves of the ocean crashing against the sand.  Eventually, Lolly broke the silence, “...So, what do you think happened to Ryan?  It’s kinda been a busy day... I almost forgot about him.”

 

“I want to know the same about Laura.” Josh added, a hint of disappointment in his voice, “But... Ryan was here when I awoke, I know that.  I have no idea what happened to him... He probably woke off and wandered off somewhere... for some reason. I hope he’s okay, though.”

 

“I’m... really not sure about this, though.” Molly was next to speak, looking up from her mouse which was exploring the sand curiously by her feet, nose and whiskers twitching regularly, “Just... this whole... thing.  You lot seem to be acting like this is completely normal, heh... I mean, hello, we’re kinda in a world that came out of Josh’s damn head.”

 

“Is that an insult?” Josh questioned, eyebrows rising.

 

“No, you idiot, I’m just pointing out the truth.” Molly retorted, shaking her head at the boy, “I mean, hey, I’m all for having amazing adorable pets that can freeze people in seconds... but the fact that we’re actually here.  I’ve never actually read this whole Otellus thing, but isn’t that what the story is actually about?” There was no reply from the other four, so Molly simply shrugged, “Alright, fine.  If you’re fine with just being in this place... then I guess I am too.  But, just so you know, my mouse is more awesome than any of your... things.  I’m the best Praedux ever.”

 

Anna giggled, “You know?  Just before I got my duck, I prayed for a duck in my head... I was like... I pray... ducks!  And I’m a Praedux... and I knoooow you don’t say it like that, but apparently it’s spelt like pray-ducks.  I prayed for a duck, I am a pray duck, and I got a duck!  Yaaay!”

 

“Anna... Please shut up.” Tom replied, giving the girl a perplexed look.

 

“Speaking of which...” Molly looked to the dark-haired girl in the sunglasses, “Who the hell, are you?”

 

“I’m Anna!”  The girl waved enthusiastically as the duck at her feet began walking in circles for whatever reason.

 

“I knoooow that...” Molly sighed, rolling her eyes, “But are you even from... erm... Earth?  Are you even real?  That’s another thing that’s confusing.  That old guy we just spent half our day with... he doesn’t even exist.  How am I meant to react to that?  I could like... kill him, and it wouldn’t actually have any impact at all.  He’s fictional.”

 

Josh chuckled grimly, “Perhaps... but there’s still a law system in this world.  If you shoot him, you will end up in jail.  But lucky for you, I never wrote... wait... nevermind.” 

 

“But anyway...” Tom spoke again this time, pushing himself back up from the sand, looking to the four of them, “So... we’ve been sent on this mission to Industrictus, to find... what was the name?  Lenfei?  Josh... you wrote the story, who is this guy?  I really don’t like the name, by the way.  It sounds... I dunno... crap.”

 

“Thanks.” Josh replied with a sarcastic smile, before thinking, “Yeah... Lenfei is a scientist, he’s quite awesome.  He’s an archer, and he ends up joining us as like... a guide?  I mean, he’s not with us the whole time, but he saves us a few times... oh... crap.”

 

“What?” Molly questioned, looking to the oldest of the group.

 

“Yeah... uh...” Josh scratched his head awkwardly, before continuing, “I... kinda...”  There was a sudden flash, and Josh wavered, clutching his head in pain, “Argh...”

 

“...You alright?” Lolly asked in worry, putting a hand on his shoulder in concern.

 

The pain in his faded, and Josh looked back up in confusion, “W-What?  Yeah... I’m fine.”  There was a silence, as if the others were waiting for something, “So... anyway, Lenfei will help us out a few times.  He’s not exactly key to the story though, I guess I added him in for an actual... reason for why we should leave Pacaris.”

 

Molly appeared confused as she exchanged looks with Tom, “But what were you saying just before?  You said you kinda... and then went all weird.  And also, if you wrote the story... then surely the actual characters... us... get home eventually?  Can’t you just tell us how?”

 

“Well, yeah...” Josh ran a hand through his hair tiredly, “We can... by denying the prophecy, and defeating Xagraver. And... what?  I dunno... I... I forgot what I was going to say.”

 

“...Right, okay. Well... whatever.”

 

*             *             *

 

The sun was rising as Shadow proceeded hastily through the forest, seeming determined on reaching something.  He’d left Laura behind, still asleep.  He doubted she’d wake up for another few hours anyway.  She didn’t seem like the type of girl to wake up at the crack of dawn.  When he was sure he was far enough to avoid being heard, he pressed a button on the device attached to his arm, and Xagraver’s face appeared.  “Good morning, Xavy... Sleep well?  Well, with the look you’re giving me right now... well, somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”

 

If looks could kill, Xagraver would be a far bigger mass murderer than he already was.

 

“...What is it, Shadow? You have your orders.”

 

“I just wanted to fill you in.” Shadow smirked, shrugging lightly, “The children have left Pacaris already... they will reach Industrictus by dusk. Glacird will ambush them in a few minutes... I have no intention of hurting them, this is merely a warning that just because they are part of a prophecy... they are not invincible, and never will be.”

 

“...Fantastic.  Report back to me when you’ve actually done something worthwhile.” Xagraver sneered, before immediately disconnecting.

 

“He’s just lovely.”

 

“...Shadow?”  The timid, gentle voice that broke the silence caused Shadow’s eyes to widen, before he turned around.  There stood Laura, appearing still half asleep and tired, seeming very confused, “What’s going on...?  Who are you ambushing?”  She suddenly seemed afraid, as if realising she may have just stumbled upon something very dangerous.  Shadow said nothing, nor dared he, for the sound of other voices now filled the air.   Laura frowned, eyes narrowing, stepping closer to the path that Shadow was hiding next to.  Those voices... that voice.  “Is... is that...”  Shadow cursed silently, before clamping his hand over Laura’s mouth, forcing her silent.  The girl’s eyes widened, before Shadow forced her behind a tree, holding his own breath.

 

Josh, Lolly, Tom, Molly and Anna passed by, seeming unaware of the two’s presence.  Shadow’s eyes swivelled upwards, making contact with the osprey that was waiting in a branch opposite him.  The Praestia gave a nod, understanding her master’s message, before taking off silently into the air...

 

Laura’s head snapped up as she felt something cold land on her head.  She seemed confused... For it was snowing.

 

*             *             *

 

“What the...” Tom came to a halt, his four companions doing the same, all looking up to the sky. “I thought it was June?!  We were... well, it was hot a moment ago!  Why the hell is it snowing?”  Josh’s eyes widened, and opened his mouth to speak, before suddenly stopping, frowning in confusion.  Lolly shivered, moving closer to Josh almost instinctively.  Anna, meanwhile, stuck her tongue out and tilted her head back, allowing the snowflakes to fall onto her tongue.  Molly seemed unaffected, though that was likely due to the element she possessed.  The sky was now a thick, solid white, and the snow grew heavier.  Though the temperature had been warm only seconds ago, it had now plummeted to below freezing point.

 

“This...” Josh murmured, almost inaudibly, staring up at the sky, seeming incredibly confused, “I... I remember this...”

 

Lolly looked up at him, arms wrapped tightly around herself, “J-Josh, I hate to be naggy... but if you know anything, I’d really appreciate it if you... y-you tell us right now!”

 

“I...” Josh continued, seeming momentarily oblivious to the current temperature, “I remember...”

 

“R-Remember what?!” A loud, high-pitched screech filled the air, causing all five heads to snap up simultaneously.  “J-Josh?! What’s going on...?  Snap out of it, for god’s sake!”  Lolly’s wide eyes filled with panic, teeth chattering as she forced her eyes open to stare through the ever-increasing blizzard.  Moving was near impossible at the present, for the falling snow was so wild and powerful that they could not see a foot ahead of them.  The wind howled, drowning out Molly’s orders to her mouse, who was trying in vain to block the snow relentlessly attacking.  Still, no answer came from the oldest boy, who continued to stare up at the sky in confusion, desperately trying to remember whatever it was troubling him.  Anna gave a whimper of fear, before cuddling up close to Tom, who even hugged her back.  Molly continued to desperately command her little mouse, but the tiny creature could make no difference at all on the terrifying weather.

 

“...Glacird...” Josh whispered. Although quiet, the single word managed to reach every ear.  And as everyone turned to stare at him, a second screech sounded, louder than before.  Five heads returned to the sky as a shadow descended from the thick, unbreaking clouds.  The bird of prey continued down towards them.  The teenagers remained unmoving, before Josh shouted in panic, “Glacird!  Run!”  Although four of them had no idea what ‘Glacird’ was, they immediately began running ahead.  The ground where they had once stood exploded in snow an earth as a beam of ice struck.  Molly led the way, followed by Tom and Anna, and Josh and Lolly at the rear.  Another shriek sounded from the bird, and if the group were to look behind, they would see the beautiful, yet terrifying osprey close on their tail.

 

None of them could see, and it was pure luck that the path they were currently treading was straight, and even more so that neither of them tripped on a branch or large stone.  But then... the screeching stopped, and Tom dared look behind him... Glacird was gone.  Tom came to a stop, panting, before gasping, “I...It’s gone... I-it’s gone.”  Molly came to a stop ahead of him, turning on her heel to stare at them.  Josh seemed speechless, eyes wide as he looked back to where the bird had been.  Lolly looked at him uncertainly, before pushing past him to join Tom, hugging close to him much like Anna. 

 

“...I...” Josh stuttered, turning to face the group, “I-I knew that happened... y-yet... I was unable to tell you... I-I couldn’t...”

 

The three snuggled close simply stared at him, almost in anger, while the short girl ahead of them simply turned away, shaking her head.  “We should move, before it returns.” Molly announced, before walking forward.  Tom, Anna and Lolly went to follow... Before another shriek.  Josh gave a cry of surprise as Glacird suddenly descended from the sky, landing right in front of him.  It almost seemed anticlimactic, the now small-appearing bird in front of him.  Back home, he wouldn’t be threatened... but now, as the beam of ice grew larger in the osprey’s beak, Josh remained frozen to the spot... frozen, before being frozen...

 

Before suddenly, something rammed into him, sending him flying to the floor.  The beam of ice left Glacird’s beak, vanishing behind where Josh had been stood.  The five teenagers, and Glacird, looked to where the rescuer had come from, in time to see a dark-haired boy emerge from the woods.  He wore dark clothes, and his fringe covered his left eye, while the back of his hair was slightly spiked.  Gasps came from four of the five teenagers, everyone except Anna.  There was a brief silence, before Glacird shrieked, taking off into the air and disappearing above the clouds.  And then... the snow stopped, and the temperature returned to normal.  The expressionless boy in front of them merely looked at them, before walking past them down the road.  “You really ought to move out of the way yourself, you know.”

 

“...I like him!” Anna exclaimed in a chirpy voice.  “He saved us, and he has awesome hair!”

 

“Was... that Callum?” Lolly gasped, now pulling away from Tom, as she now felt very hot as opposed to freezing like a moment ago.  The five remained in silent shock for a moment longer, before all at once jogging to catch up with the long-haired saviour. 

 

*             *             *

 

Shadow’s lips thinned as he watched the group of now six continue down the road.  He re-connected to his watch, and Xagraver almost immediately appeared, “...Some kid saved them. But don’t worry, the Praedux are shaken up enough... For now.”

 

He disconnected, glancing up at the group a second time, eyes narrowing.