Timpani

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly down on the forest, its rays piercing through the clouds. The sky was an aqua landscape filled with an abundance of light, wispy clouds.

But not all was bright. In the corner of the sky lay dark grey cloud. It loomed over the wilderness, making the forest appear dark. Some might think the cloud promised rain, but it did not. The dark cloud always covered the forest. Some say it is the magic of the dark ones, while others weren't so sure.

A castle was placed within the forest. It was painted in dark, monotone colors to blend in with its surroundings. None knew if any inhabited the castle, for no one was brave enough to venture that deep into the woods. And because of this, the castle and the forest were shrouded in mystery.

But for some reason, the castle and the forest that protects it had always sparked my interest. Just something about it was so dark, yet so beautiful… Something about it drew me closer to its grounds every time I was in the forest. Perhaps it was magic? I'm wasn't sure.

I looked up at the castle in the distance.

I had come into the forest looking for some flowers for my sister's birthday. Every year for her birthday I picked her favorite flowers and placed them in a vase. It was an old tradition, I suppose.

She was at her friend's house for the weekend, and I was left home alone. Ever since mom and dad went away, she's been my caretaker. And since I was ten, she's told me the same thing: "Now, when I leave you by yourself, never, ever go in or near that forest, okay? There are bad things in there…"

I knew I was disobeying her, but I couldn't help it. My curious nature drew me into the forest. It was a beautiful place where I could escape reality.

I suddenly remembered a place were I had gone as a child. I headed toward the place, often stopping to make sure I knew where I was going. It was very easy to get lost in such a place.

I soon found myself in a clearing. The sun wasn't shining anymore, for it had been covered by the dark cloud. I turned my gaze toward the east, and found myself staring at the black castle. It loomed over the trees. A thin ray of sunlight then peirced through a crack in the cloud, causing the castle to cast a long shadow across the clearing.

"I wonder what goes on it the castle?" I thought out loud.

As I walked away, I shot one last glance at the castle. Just something about it was so intriguing…

Meanwhile…

Blumiere

I slowly walked through the corridors of the castle, for my father had called for me. With each step the dread grew. Whenever he called me, it was always a complaint concerning my behavior. He's always so cruel to me, despite myself being his only son and his only heir.

I gulped and opened the door to his room. He was sitting in his old chair, reading a novel.

"Blumiere," he said with his hoarse voice, "What took you so long getting over here?"
"I just took my time, father," I replied.

"Well, you shouldn't be wasting time, boy," he rasped, "I have a job for you."

"…What is it?" I asked.

"Kalysta hasn't been here in three days," he said, "I want you to go out and find her."

"Do you think the Ancients captured her?" I responded, "You know how they hate us.."

I shuddered at the thought of the Tribe of Ancients. Since I was a mere child, father and other tribe members had told me tales of the Ancients. They installed a fear for them within me.

"It very well could be the Ancients," he replied, "I wouldn't doubt it. They do seem to be envious of her power."

Kalysta was a fortune teller for our tribe. Many, including the Ancients, coveted her power. It didn't surprise me for her to disappear like this, especially not long after a dispute with our rivaling tribe.

"I am trusting you to fine her," Father retorted as he closed his novel. "Think of this as your first task as a future tribe leader."

I nodded with uncertainty. I still wasn't fond of being his heir. The thought of me leading the tribe one day was extremely uncomfortable.

Suddenly, there was a flash of purple and black in the room.

"Hello Lord Kronos!"

"Dimentio!" my father exclaimed, "Don't sneak up on me like that! I hate it when you just poof in here with your magic! Next time you want to come in here just knock on the door."

"Forgive me, my lord," said Dimentio, "Oh, and your breakfast is ready downstairs."

"Well it's about time," my father spat.

Lord Kronos arose from his chair slowly and headed down stairs. He was walking at a very slow pace, and I sighed.

Despite his hatred for me, I loved my dad. He's been worrying me, for I don't know how much longer his old bones can last. He's getting slower and slower as each day goes by, and I don't want to lose him.

I'm afraid of losing him. I'm not ready to become a leader.

I decided to obey Kronos and go search for Kalysta.

I left the castle and headed out into the forest.

Dark clouds covered the sky, and a heavy rain shower began to pour down on me.

"Kalysta!" I shouted.

There was no answer, just the sound of rain beating down on the ground.

I wanted to go back to the castle, but I knew I must find her. The entire Tribe of Darkness is counting on me to find her. And if I was going to take my father's place one day, I couldn't let them down.

After searching for Kalysta for what felt like hours, I came to the edge of a cliff.

"Kalysta!" I exclaimed once more.

Before I could yell again, my feet began to slowly slide.

I glanced down and I caught a glance of mud. In a split second I realized I was slipping.

I tried to grab something to pull myself up, but there was nothing.

I was now barely hanging on to the cliff, digging my hands into the mud, trying to get a grasp.

My hands could hold on no longer, and I felt myself plummet down to the wet ground below. And that was when all went black and I drifted into nothingness.

Timpani

I had taken shelter from the unexpected rain shower in a cave. I pity any poor soul in this storm, I thought to myself.

Once the storm had passed, I exited the cave.

I better head on home…

On my way home, I happened to notice something lying on the ground. It looked like a person. I immediately rushed over to it to examine it.

"What in the worlds?!" I exclaimed.

The figure was a person.

I can't leave him here to die, I thought, I must take him with me..

Blumiere

"Are you feeling better?" I heard a voice whisper softly.

I was aching all over. Pain surged through my body, and I had an awful headache.

"Do you feel any better?" repeated the soft voice.

I glanced around the room, taking in my new surroundings.

"I suppose so…" I replied drearily.

I looked up and noticed a human. A human!

"You…you're a human," I said.

"Yes," she responded.

"I don't understand…."

"You don't understand what?"

"You know what I am, yet you are not afraid…Don't I…repulse you? I thought all humans were afraid of my kind..."

"No. Human or not, only a heartless person would leave someone else to die.."

I still couldn't believe it. I was from the Tribe of Darkness..and she is from the Tribe of Ancients (I'd seen her before with the other Ancients). The Ancients always seemed to be disgusted by us from the Tribe of Darkness, but she had actually taken pity upon me.

"What is your name?" I asked the human.

"Timpani," she replied.

"That's a pretty name," I said, "My name is awfully horrid..."

"Oh," said Timpani with a calm tone, "It can't be that bad."

"My name is…Blumiere," I replied with disgust.

"I like that name," she responded. "Why would you hate it?"

"I hate it..every time I hear it, I just want to say…bleck!" I exclaimed.

There was not a word said for a few minutes, then I broke the silence.

"How long was I asleep?" I asked.

"For a couple days," Timpani replied, "I found you at the base of a cliff. I believe you fell."

"A couple days!?" I proclaimed, "My father must be worried sick! I must go back.."

I tried to get out of the bed, but Timpani stopped me.

"Wait!" she exclaimed, "Are you well enough to go back? Maybe I should come with-"

"No," I hissed, cutting her off, "My father loathes the Ancients. We would both be dead if he caught you with me. Trust me, I'm fine by myself."

"Are you sure?" she asked, her cyan eyes glistening. Those pretty, vibrant eyes glittering...

"Are you sure you'd be okay?" she repeated.

I suddenly snapped back into reality, for I had caught myself staring at her eyes.

"Yeah," I said, sort of embarrassed, "I'll be okay."

I made my way to the door, and Timpani followed me to it.

I turned to her and said, "Thank you. I could have died if you hadn't found me.."

"Like I said," she replied, "Only a heartless person would let another's game end."

As I walked out the door, I heard her say something.

"I guess we'll never see each other again…" she said.

"Yeah," I muttered, "Tribe rules, I suppose."

"Goodbye, Blumiere. Take care of yourself," she muttered before closing the door.

I left, and said nothing more.

I soon arrived back at the castle, limping into my room. I lied to Timpani; I really wasn't okay. I still hurt immensely.

"Blumiere!" my father exclaimed when he saw me, "Where in the worlds have you been!? Kalysta came back to the castle two days ago! I demand to know of your whereabouts!"

"Oh…" I stuttered. He couldn't know about an Ancient taking care of me..

"I..fell off a cliff, and I was knocked out for a couple days," I replied.

My father didn't say anything. He just returned to his chamber.

"So Blumiere," said a familiar voice.

I spun around and saw Dimentio.

"What is it, jester?" I asked.

"You wouldn't have survived if you really were out in the woods for that long," he grinned, "I know someone took care of you, didn't they?"

"Yes..someone did," I replied, "And you better not tell anyone, especially my father. Understand?"

The jester nodded.

"A member from the Tribe of Ancients took care of me," I whispered to him.

"Oooh," said Dimentio as he raised his eyebrows, "How shocking..If only Kronos knew of this.."

"If you tell my father," I snarled, "I will slaughter you myself and give your body to children to use as a play thing. Got it!?"

Dimentio nodded.

"Ah ha ha," he laughed, "Oh Blumiere, I love it how you say these evil things and never fulfill them. It just proves that you're too soft. A future lord cannot be nice, you know."

I didn't say anything.

"Go away," I demanded, "And entertain my father. You are his jester, after all."

I slowly returned to my room and glanced out the window. But no matter what I did, my mind was filled with visions of Timpani.

EDIT: Edited 7/19/2014.