Asmira

Chapter One: Sisters

The Council of Rulers was always right; they sat up in their tall tower above everyone else watching as the creatures in the land lived peacefully in towns, villages and cities. With no rules ever enforced chaos stalked every being like they were prey. Everyone was free to roam where they pleased, this caused more than destruction, and it created boundaries and broken societies that could not be undone. Rules and laws were created to settle the chaos and to create harmony. That was when everything and everyone fell apart.

The Council was carefully selected by The Gods, the only ones capable of taking over their power. They made sure that the ones that were chosen were worthy and wise, giving them the responsibility to watch over their world, to serve and protect in any way necessary; and The Council did just that. They furtively spoke about each member, they knew every name and every purpose, they were able to indicate their destinies and their journeys so that they may guide them to where they needed to go. They knew everything that was going on at every given moment; they were able to predict the future; while they, themselves, were erratic. They know who is ravenous, trouble, unintelligible, and powerful. They are the Rulers of Asmira.

Much further out of the city was a sneaky Elf and her Nightsaber who were troublemaking once again. She was in a place called Narlpine, home to creatures that were more demon-like than animals. They were known as Yursa bears and they were not the friendliest of beasts.

Hiding behind a large tree, Belledonna was hunting on the forbidden grounds of the Yursa bears, which were just like any other bear aside from the fact that they looked more rabid than any other living animal. A small smirk appeared on the corner of her mouth as her bright green eyes narrowed on the nearest light brown bear. Her grip on her strong bow tightened as she steadied her heart and got ready to strike.

"Are you ready, Meredith?" She asked her light black Nightsaber as she strummed her soft fur, listening to her growl softly.

As she gazed upon the ravenous Yursa bears, she streaked her fingers through the red feathers at the end of her arrow, pulling it slightly as she took her stance in the grass. She took in a deep, heavy breath and stood from her hiding place, aiming her arrow with one eye closed.

"Now Meredith!"

Meredith didn't hesitate when Belledonna shouted the attack signal. She pounced from the high growing grass and lurked into the field toward her prey.

Belledonna shot her arrow, making the angry bear lunge towards Meredith as they began clawing at each other furiously. Belledonna shot another arrow, finishing the attack. She drew another and aimed it for a second Yursa as Meredith followed the strike. The hunting continued until there were none left to kill, with Belledonna starting an attack and Meredith finishing it. Belledonna never missed a single shot.

She dislodged her bow from her left hand to her right as she hopped down from the green hill with a large smile, meeting up with her Nightsaber in the center of the field.

"Nice job, Meredith!" She said, patting her head gently as she giggled, kneeling beside her.

She stood and allowed the wind to blow her extensively long blonde hair in the breeze as her eyes shined proudly. Her red headband kept her hair even as her angled bangs tickled her face. Her long, blowing red skirt hung low as she watched the flowing grass.

Her obvious and visibly long, pointed ears heard the small nibble of yet another prey. She turned quickly, her hair slapping her face as she blinked in a flash, spotting a deer to her left. She grinned as she blinked downward to Meredith. "Shall I fix you some lunch? I'll make it the way you like."

Meredith began purring as she sat rigidly.

Belledonna's smile rose as her bow sprung upward slowly. She aimed perfectly with straight and strong arms; she then shot the speeding missile with intensity, killing it with one shot. She chuckled.

"Go fetch it, Meredith!" She announced, pointing.

Meredith obeyed, not lingering by her owner's side. She did not wish to dawdle while her lunch was getting cold. She threw the lifeless deer over her back and trotted back to Belledonna tilting her head as she scratched her ear.

Belledonna looked around the field of dead Yursa bears, taking in a deep breath. They had killed a field of bears in five short minutes. Their divine abilities were indeed incredible.

Belledonna chuckled "That'll teach them for trying to over throw our rights." She spoke of the law shot down on Elves about trespassing and hunting on forbidden land, Belledonna wanted to prove that no one could order her around and tell her what she can and cannot do.

Meredith growled loudly in agreement.

Belledonna laughed. "Come on girl, let's go."

Meredith followed her owner home.

Entering her dark house was comforting but lonely. She kept remembering the way she used to live and the home she left behind. Elves once lived together in harmony in houses that were all built the same in a city where no one ever left, known as Lenell. Belledonna once loved it there, how peaceful it was and welcoming; however, that changed when chaos struck. Elves were dragged from their homes and forced to become Soldiers under the name of Stone who was not an Elf yet somehow became their superior. He trained them under his wing and broke their humanity along the way turning them against their kind and driving the Elves into a sense of security. Along with this betrayal, Belledonna also lost her parents in a raid in which she no longer wishes to remember. After the event she fled her home and found another in the forest, alone and safe. No one knew she was out there, except one.

Belledonna then sensed something different as she observed her living room carefully while Meredith set down her lunch near the front door.

Meredith noticed her troubled owner and had a premonition that something was wrong.

Although she was alarmed, Belledonna still felt serenity within herself. As she rummaged around, her impassive face was indecipherable. She then froze in mid step once she got to her bedroom.

"Hey sis!"

Belledonna let out a sigh of relief once finding out it was not an intruder. "Lamari, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Meredith!" Lamari shouted as Belledonna's Nightsaber entered the room, utterly ignoring her question; she quickly jumped from her bed to hug her.

Belledonna sighed with her hands on her hips. She then angrily pulled on the back of her younger sister's shirt, pulling her up to her feet to face her. "Talk."

Larmari's smile never left, pushing past her as she answered. "What? I can't visit my sister anymore?"

"No, because you never have before. There's a reason you came," Belledonna spoke as she followed her younger sister to the bathroom watching as she combed her long brown, stringy hair. Her outfit matched her sister's only hers had a color of brown with tight brown leggings which matched her top. "You know that I'm right."

Lamari sighed as she passed her and headed back down stairs where Belledonna followed directly.

"Tell me, Lamari," she demanded

Lamari scavenged through her fridge, trying not to look tentative. She then turned to Belledonna's glowering eyes and surrendered. "Fine!"

Belledonna listened intently with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Bell, I need your help."

"With what?" She ordered.

"Casey got into trouble again," She admitted.

Belledonna sighed annoyingly, dropping her arms. "What did he do this time?"

"He's been captured."