Sorry for the long delay folks. Here's the third chapter!
The area was lush, with vast green fields like oceans, with the fresh grass waving in the cool breeze. Foamy waves collided into the golden sands of the beach, not far from the rolling green fields. The ocean lay to the west, the huge, blue body stretching as far as the eye could see. Brown mountain ranges lay to the east, where adventurers and risk takers would travel and climb the large mounds, scaling rocks and steep slopes. There was a small spot populated by people, their village located on the green fields, not but a few feet from the golden sand of the beach and soothing sound of the crashing waves. It was relaxing here and peaceful, and the people had decided to name the village based on how they felt when they lived here – Kalm.
Kalm was made up of houses constructed from dirt, wood, and mud. The fishermen lived in the houses closest to the beach, while the men who enjoyed traveling lived nearest to the mountains. Those who just preferred a quiet life, living off the fat of the land were placed in the middle, with their crops situated in the back of their huts. The people were prosperous and happy, for they were finally settled into one spot and could simply take what they needed without the need to commune with the planet. They had learned to take from the planet without giving in return. Of course, these people allowed the Cetra to pass through their village and stay for the night if needed, but they would not listen to the old teachings and they would turn their heads away when a Cetra spoke of the planet and its needs.
So the people were baffled when a large ball of flames roared in the sky overhead, darting by them and vanishing from view. A sudden blinding light gave the indication that the rock had hit somewhere far to the north. People had rushed from their huts to watch the brief spectacle. When it was over, they gazed at where the light had shone momentarily, before turning to each other and shrugging. Then they were back in their huts, tucking in the young and sleeping with their spouses. There was only one, a small girl that remained outside to continue watching. So she was the only one who noticed the long green strand beginning to flow from the turf, erupting from the earth quietly and floating through the air much like a river would flow downstream. Voices seemed to whisper from this strand of green essence, creating an eerie sound of hundreds of tiny voices speaking incoherently. The next morning, when the girl told her parents, they believed her to have had a dream.
Yet it was much more different for the Cetra at the Knowlespole. Those who had managed to stay conscious after the meteor collided with the planet watched with eyes as large as marbles. The green essence, the Lifestream, gushed from the snow covered ground, flowing up to where the meteor had impacted. It was apparent that a very large crater had been made, as the sides of the mountain were now pushed outwards, a rim of rocks and dirt left darkened and burnt by the crash. The Lifestream flowed up the sides of the mountain effortlessly, disappearing over the rim of earth. The Cetra, recognizing this as an act of healing for the planet, all dropped to their knees and began to focus on helping to heal the planet's wound. The old man, who had been lucky enough to avoid all of the falling debris, leaned on his walking stick for support and began muttering prayers.
All the information was overwhelming. It was gathered at the site of the wound and the planet's energy was flowing all round It and even into It. The viral cell began to absorb the information contained within the ethereal green essence. The Lifestream held the secrets of the planet, and now It was ready to learn it all, though It had neither a brain nor a conscious. It simply wanted to infect other cells, use them as hosts, and spread until there was nothing left on this planet. A segment of data registered into It's being and suddenly a new form began to take shape. The simple viral cell began to glow a bright color, similar to the hue of the Lifestream moving about. It's height increased and It took on the shape of a human female. There was no sign of the former microscopic viral cell; only a tall, slim woman stood in its place. She was bathed in green light, her naked form taking on the hue of a bluish color. Her hair fell down to the mid of her back, and she waved it from her face with an azure-colored hand.
Down below, the old man ceased his praying and chanced a look up at the crater. The Lifestream continued to pour into the bowl of earth, the reflection of its color dancing in the distant ocean water. The old man took his grizzled beard in his hand and began stroking it as he mused. What were they to do now?
As if answering, a silhouetted form stepped from the other side of the rocks, crawling up onto the rim of the earth. It was in the shape of a young woman, with long hair and a perfectly curved body. The old man gasped silently as he stared up at the darkened figure, emerging seemingly unharmed. It took a tentative step forward and nearly stumbled as a few rocks gave way and tumbled down the side of the mountain. The figure held its arms out to the side to steady itself, her feet finding their way back to steady ground. The old man continued to stare in disbelief and shock. By now the other Cetra had noticed and now stood, watching the figure, their defenses up and their minds alert.
It had seemingly contemplated a better way to traverse down the side of the mountain, for now the form stood quite still, her arms held stiffly at her sides. The Cetra down below watched in tense silence, the men's fists clenching and the women drawing close to their husbands and children. The howls of wolves in the distance began up like a chorus, all of them baying at the moon, cutting through the thick air. Another pack of wolves answered in another direction, their cries melting into the quiet whispers of the wind. Then all was quiet for a moment, as the people below watched the thing above.
Suddenly the form spread her arms and threw her head back, indigo hair becoming illuminated in the glowing color of the Lifestream. Slowly her body began to levitate above the earth, her legs drawn tightly together and her feet pointing downwards. She was spread in a cross shape, her form perfectly held together, as if bound by ropes to a cross. Yet, as the Cetra watched in fascinated horror, it was plain to see that she was indeed moving in closer, held up by an invisible force. The women began to scoot away, the men holding their arms out protectively and beginning to form a circle of where the form would land.
Then through the minds of all the Cetra ran a voice. It was a different voice for each individual, but each voice saying the same thing. The voices spoke in calm, relaxed tones, each murmuring in voices filled with sweet honey: "Calm yourselves, my children. I am an ancestor, your ancestor, and I mean you no harm. Welcome me with opens arms and I will help you to understand my means of entrance to the physical realm, and what I hope to accomplish to aid you all against the dwindling number of Cetra."
Erik, who by this time had awakened, recognized the voice inside his head instantly. It was that of his mother's, the same voice who had spoken to him just half an hour ago, whispering words of her coming. Unaware of himself, Erik smiled at the form, which was almost completely visible through a gap in between the circle of men. And it seemed that the figure turned her head just at that moment and Erik could imagine the smile of his late mother placed upon the silhouetted form, soft eyes twinkling with joy. Unconsciously Erik began to move towards the woman with his hand outstretched, impatiently wanting to hug his mother. The figure returned the gesture, extending her arm out in waiting. Erik was no more than a few seconds to contact before another man, far more larger than Erik, pushed the young man aside with a hasty shove and broke through the ring. The man kneeled down at the figure's feet and bowed his head in respect.
"Oh, Melody!" he cried out, his voice breaking in sobs. "Melody, I thought you'd died!" Erik watched on a propped elbow with anger and confusion, lying prostrate after being shoved. This was obviously his mother, not somebody else's relation! Yet the figure bent down gingerly, cupping the man's chin and lifting his gaze up to her own. Erik choked in bewilderment, his mouth hanging agape and small gargling sounds issuing from within his throat.
The man now grasped the woman's hand and placed a tender kiss on the hand. "Melody, I thought you'd died," he repeated. He placed another kiss on her hand and then rose up, wrapping his large arms around the woman in a tight squeeze. Suddenly there was a yelp from near the back of the gathered Cetra and those not entranced by the touching scene gazed back. The old man shuffled as quickly as possible, shaking his wooden staff high above his head.
"This thing before us has told us a lie! Quickly, Antony, bring yourself away from that creature!" Some people began to mutter, unsure of what to make of the old man's words. Hearing their disbelief, his voice grew stronger and more determined. "This foul thing came down, hovering above the ground with no wings and spoke to each of us without moving its lips! It told us it was our ancestors and loved ones, our brothers and sisters, our fathers and mothers, yet how can this be so? How can one being have so many identities? This creature is false and an evil, vile thing that should be sent back into the heavens from which it came!"
Antony seemed to begin to take heed to the old man's words, for he slowly began to pull away from the form. Yet the woman did not let him go; her arms suddenly wrapped around his large waist and squeezed with such strength that even the large Antony began to gurgle and choke. Then a horrible scene was witnessed by all: a single finger started to scratch at Antony's tunic, ripping through the cloth easily and tearing at his exposed skin. Antony began to yell in anguish, his body writhing in extreme pain as the alien's finger finally pierced itself into the man's gut. Soon the whole hand followed, a torrent of blood flowing from the wound as the azure arm disappeared into the back of the man. Everyone pulled back in terror, yet too terrified to move away. There was a small crack and then Antony became still. Blood flowed freely from his wound and down his open mouth, his eyes unmoving and unseeing. He hung limply, suspended only by the creature's hand. Slowly, the figure extracted a crimson stained arm and let the corpse hit the dirt with a dull thud.
The worst of it was, Erik noted as he stared at the gory scene, was that it wasn't over. Antony stood up then, yet his eyes were still as lifeless as they had been a moment before. A terrible change came over him, and his body began to mutate, his skin taking on the color of the female form next to him. The hair on his head suddenly began to grow and lost its hue, becoming a bleached color. Antony, or the thing that had been Antony, threw its head back and gave an inhuman screech before lashing out at the nearest person. It had swiped a woman, and she was hurled back with a cry of surprise and pain. It was then that everyone seemed to realize the danger they were in and began to panic. Everyone ran in different directions, yet the old man, who shuffled his legs, ignoring the pain of his stiffened body, knew it was all in vain. These creatures would catch them and kill them.
Erik dashed away from the camp, tumbling down a small slope of snow. Behind him, more screams and cries erupted, and Erik knew he had to run quick. He took only one look back at the calm, green river of Lifestream before his legs carried him faster and farther than ever before. No more than five seconds after he'd disappeared from view behind another large boulder, a dark form appeared at the top of the slope. It stood still for a few minutes and gazed at the tracks left by the panicked teenager. And this time, the creature did actually smile, a smile full of anticipation and hunger.
The virus had now been spread.
Yay, blood and killing! Read and review and I'll try to get the next chapter up much, much quicker!