Author's Notes/Disclaimer/Ect.: First, I must start by apologizing to my authors. This introduction was due out over a week ago. I'm really sorry for the delay, but I was bombarded with real life issues *grimaces* All I can say is that I hope you approve of the introductions - slight alterations were necessary here and there (with the storyline itself)This turned out a lot longer than I would have dreamed. I even had to chop it into two chapters! This is why I didn't actually write out where everyone ended up...keep an eye on your e-mail to see where Fate has sent you. *smiles* Feel free to e-mail with any thoughts or questions.
All of the characters in this fic belong to their respective owners. You know how this works.
Anyone who is interested in participating e-mail me at: MagickofTwilight@aol.com
~*~*~*~*~*~
~Trista Madison~
Trista sat alone at the edge of the lake. She'd somehow survived another night at work, though how she'd done it was a small miracle that she had yet to figure out. With a weary sigh she pulled a black notebook from the backpack beside her and flipped to a blank page.
I saw my destiny in a dream,
surreal visions splashed 'cross
the canvass of my mind.
Vivid shades of red against
the blackest skies...
Her pen froze over the paper, " Damn, " she sighed allowing the implement to fall into the crease of the book. The words that had haunted her mind the entire night completely abandoned her the second she found a peaceful moment to write them down. Wasn't that always the case though?
She shifted her gaze to the water where slender ribbons of moonlight trembled across the glassy surface as she let her thoughts wander freely away from the drudgery of the day. Of all the places that she'd ever discovered, this was only one that truly brought any sense of contentment to the young woman. Countless nights had found her lounging on the massive flat rock by the lakeside; the cool dark water lapping gently against the stone where it slipped down into the pool.
Trista hadn't actually planned to stop here after work, since it'd been an incredibly long night. Her every intention had been to go home, jot down the verse that had been running through her head all night, and then go to sleep. Yet she'd somehow been side tracked by the thought of stars peeking through a canopy of leafy foliage and the soft whisper of water stirred by an evening breeze. It had been an irresistable call.
Setting aside her journal, she moved further down the rock until she sat only a few inches from the water. Somewhere in the distance a lone cricket chirped breaking the thick silence that seemed to envelope the area. Trista leaned down and trailed her fingertips through the blissfully cool liquid.
Something on the far side of the lake caught her attention - an animal or a person. Trista stood slowly; her blue eyes narrowed in suspicion as she peered through the darkness. The figure was entirely too tall to be an animal.
She leaned down to gather her things, intent on making a hasty retreat. As she did so, something struck her from behind sending her flailing head-over-heels into the lake. Gasping, the young woman fought to catch her breath before plunging beneath the surface.
Trista instantly began swimming upwards, and as she cut through the water, it became painfully obvious that she couldn't possibly be so deep under the water when she's been so close to the shore. Opening her eyes, she could just make out the moonlight across the top of the water. It seemed so far - so very far.
It was then that she felt the water begin stirring around her legs. She kicked as hard as she could against it, but the small whirlpool only increased in strength drawing her further from the air that she needed so desperately. Her lungs felt as though they were ready to explode, and soon she couldn't hold on any longer. The last of her breath passed her lips, and everything around her fell into darkness.
~*~
" She's the first. "
" Should we wake her? "
" No. We'll wait for others. "
Trista struggled to open her eyes. She could hear voices, though they sounded a million miles away. A few more minutes passed before she managed to fully regain consciousness, and as she sat up, she realized that she was alone.
Her gaze traveled over the room, and the sight that greeted it left her speechless with awe. On one side of this immense area was an archway detailed with an array of intricate engravings, and on the opposite side was a highly polished black door strewn with small metallic stars. The remaining two walls were made entirely of glass and looked out upon endless gardens blooming with exotic flowers.
She looked up and found that the ceiling, a massive dome no less than twenty feet above her head, was also constructed of glass - a magnificient skylight overlooking the fathomless heavens. Never before had she seen so many stars! This place was like nothing she had ever seen before.
Carefully she rose to her feet; the impact of her ordeal had left her somewhat dazed but otherwise unharmed. Three small couches and several chairs in rich, jewel-toned velvet were scattered about the center of the room giving it the appearance of an eleborate sitting room.
She wondered briefly who it was she'd heard speaking earlier. Where had they gone, and would they return? There were far too many questions spinning through her head. 'Well,' she decided finally, 'I won't solve anything standing here.' With an air of determination, Trista Madison went off in search of answers.
~*~*~*~*~*~
~Amaya~
" D...E...S..." a couple of the girls giggled nervously as the planche spun in figure eights across the board.
" T...I...N...Y. "
" Destiny, " Amaya announced with a tiny smile, and her friends whispered excitedly amongst themselves over the answer.
She'd arranged for her closest friends to come spend the night in her new home. She'd moved recently and was looking forward to making use of the larger rooms she now had. After they'd eaten some sushi and ramen, one of the girls had decided that it would be fun to play around with Amaya's ouija board. Kerri lit a candle as the other four teens gathered around the table.
After several failed attempts, Amaya and her friend Tara finally managed to get a response. The spirit said that his name was Raziel and that he had an important message for them. When they'd asked what the message was, the board had replied - destiny.
" What do you think it means? " Tara asked quizically glancing over at the girl who sat across from her.
" Guess we could ask, " came the hesitant reply. Amaya knew a lot about magick and spirits, and she'd used this very board a hundred times before this night. The supernatural was commonplace in her life, but she couldn't help thinking that this was different than anything she'd experienced previously. The little piece of plastic beneath her fingertips pratically trembled with energy; she could feel it trailing lightly into her hands and along her arms.
Tara shifted slightly and took a deep breath, " Raziel, whose destiny have you come to tell us about? "
Nothing happened at first. The planche remained motionless at the top of the board, and eventually the girls began to wonder if the spirit had abandoned them.
" Raziel? " Amaya repeated, " are you still with us? "
Another minute passed before the board came to life once more. " M, " Tara stated as the planche paused before gliding over to the next letter, " O. "
" Two O's, " Elaine pointed out as she jotted down the letters on a sheet of paper.
" Moo? " giggled Morgan.
Everyone hushed her as the pointer came to rest on the letter N. " The destiny of the moon? " Tara asked wrinkling her brow.
'Yes' the spirit replied immediately, and the young women looked at one another questioningly. What could the spirit mean by such a thing? How could the moon have a destiny, and what did it have to do with them?
Amaya tensed and tried to clear her mind. She feared that her own thoughts were intervening with the spirit's message. Of course, the only way to determine if it was genuine or a fluke was by asking more questions. " What is the destiny of the moon? " she demanded with a ferocity that made the others stare.
They watched in stunned silence as the triangular platform flew from letter to letter in rapid succession across the board. Tara and Amaya could scarcely keep their fingertips in place as Raziel gave his fevored response to the question. A S C E N S I O N.
" What kind of answer is that? " Morgan huffed and grabbed the board off the table despite the exclamations of the others. " Let's watch a movie, " she suggested and tossed the spirit onto the couch.
Tara wrinkled her nose and pouted, " You're no fun. "
Morgan rolled her eyes, " Don't tell me you actually buy into that stuff, Tara. "
" It really works if you take it seriously, " interjected Kerri as she gazed into the candle flame, " but if you treat it as a joke, you'll obviously get nowhere. "
The other girl shook her head and grabbed a DVD from the pile beside the television, " Whatever. All I know is that thing wasn't making any sense at all. "
" Amaya? " Elaine said quietly when she noticed her friend staring blankly out the window. " Are you alright? "
Amaya didn't reply. She hadn't even heard the girl say her name. Her attention was focused on the image of the full moon peering down on her from the heavens. Her fingertips absently brushed the silver cresent hanging at her throat.
The destiny of the moon is ascension; her mind pondered the meaning behind the words. What could it mean? Her heart knew there was some important meaning hidden there, but how could she find it?
" Amaya? "
This time the young woman heard her friend call noting the panicked edge with which she spoke. She tore her gaze from that celestial orb only to find that her friends were literally fading before her eyes.
She could hear them calling frantically for her, but when she tried to go to them, she found that she couldn't move.
" No! " Amaya cried desperately trying to break whatever force restrained her. The light of the moon grew brighter, engulfing her in it's brilliant glow until she could see nothing beyond it.
She felt as though she were floating in sea of moonlight; her fear disspating in the familiarity of its gentle embrace. The warm soothing touch comforted her in a way nothing else in the world could. She knew this feeling...recognized it in the deepest recesses of her subconscious mind.
Eventually the light began to fade until it was nothing more than a faint beam in the darkness. She glanced around and found herself in a strange, exotic garden. Large blossoms in shades of deep burgundy and violet grew along the stone path upon which she was sitting. Their intoxicating scent was heavy in the air making her feel momentarily lightheaded.
When her head cleared, she stood brushing her silver locks away from curious azure eyes. Ahead on the path stood a solitary figure. She had long hair as black as the sky above them, and her attire was also entirely black - a startling contrast to her pale complexion. Amaya ran forward a few steps hoping to get some answers about where they were, but she faltered when she noticed the cold indifference with which the stranger regarded her.
Several minutes passed as they stared at one another; neither quite certain how to approach the other. Finally the dark-haired woman spoke, " I don't know what's going on so don't bother asking. There doesn't seem to be anyone else here, but if you follow me, there's a building of sorts not far from here. " Without another word she turned and walked away.
Amaya frowned a bit at the other's attitude wondering why she found it necessary to be so harsh, but she soon decided that was something which could be dealt with later. For now, she followed the strange woman hoping to find out what this place was and why they'd been brought here.
~*~*~*~*~*~
~Umino Sakura~
" No! No! What's happening? " Sakura screamed trying to break through the invisible wall that separated her from the others, but it was useless. It was too strong, and she was far too injured to fight any longer.
She grew weaker with each passing second, and the world around her faded little by little into a numbing gray fog until she could no longer hear their cries...no longer feel their presence - his presence.
" Why? " the question echoed in her mind. " Why did They take us away now? "
Sakura bolted up with a breathless gasp; strands of indigo stuck to her tear-dampened face. It had been so real that she could actually feel her hands tingling where they'd touched against the barrier in the dream. The faces of the people who'd been shouting for her were so familiar; she knew that she'd dreamed of them many times before. But the most troublesome thing was that this one particular dream had plagued her every night for the last week.
With a heavy sigh she laid down once more and pulled the blankets up to her chin. The shadows of the trees danced in patches of moonlight on the walls, and down the street a neighbor's dog barked cutting the eerie silence of the night. Her thoughts drifted back to the dream; every detail still vivid in her restless mind.
There had been a terrible battle, and Sakura had fought side by side with her friends. The tide of the fight had shifted time and time again, and eventually the air itself with thick with the scent of blood. They were all exhausted nearly to the point of collapse, but not a single member of their team would relent to the enemy. There was too much at stake to allow for failure.
At that point the dream skipped ahead to a scene where Sakura stood silhouetted against the brilliance of the Hunter's Moon. To her left stood a man; his long mane, the same stunning silver-white of the moon, stirred slightly about his lithe form as a chill wind swept the field. On the right, poised and ready for this final strike, was another young man and woman. Both were dark haired, but the growing shadows hid their faces from her sight.
There were others there - others prepared to finish what had begun countless hours before. The presence of these people was strong, but no matter had hard she tried, Sakura could not recall a single detail about any of them. She only knew that their desire to win was as strong as her own.
The remainder of the dream moved as though stuck in fast forward. Blinding flashes of energy exploded with ear-shattering roars amidst the echoing screams that wove the timeless melody of war, and though she had never actually envisioned the deciding blow, something in her knew that their side had won.
The celebration was short lived though as the very ground below their feet began to tremble and crack, and a blanket of darkness devoured the sky plunging them into a pitch black oblivion. Sakura struggled to find him, blindly seeking out his form, and though she could hear him call her name, he was nowhere to be found.
Some invisible force began to draw her away; it choked her in its merciless grasp taking her from all that she had ever known and loved. Somewhere in the confusion she could hear the frantic calls of another, screaming and cursing at the same nameless presence, but she could see nothing - do nothing. It was like a nightmare.
It seemed as though an eternity passed before she could finally break free from its hold, but the moment she was able to move of her own accord she stumbled forward in the direction from which she'd come. A desperate panic overwhelmed her when she realized that some manner of wall blocked her path.
Sakura yelled and attempted to force her way past the energy barrier, but it was useless. She was trapped! The thick shadows began to lift; a faint blue light illuminating the darkness. On the other side of the barrier she could see him and hear him shouting her name, but this foul magick that separated them hid her from his view. He was so close...so close...but the dense fog was slowly enveloping her...
As she pondered the dream, Sakura drifted once more into that frightening vision. Again the fog rolled in to claim her, swirling menacingly around her body and drawing her back into that place - the place that, even in her dreams, she'd forgotten.
The first thing that met her gaze when she opened her eyes was the endless expanse of the night sky. Countless stars sparkled brightly against that black velveteen backdrop, and the sight was so amazing that she forgot to question where she was or how she'd gotten here. For several long minutes she was content to merely lay and stare at the infinite beauty of the heavens.
" Ah, excuse me? "
Sakura was startled by the voice and, in the blink of an eye, she was on her feet, her body instictually assuming a defensive position. " Who are you? " she demanded.
The young woman who'd spoken had long silver hair that tumbled over her shoulders in soft waves. She wore a silky pale pink tank top with pants to match and silver slippers. A soft smile touched her lips, " Just follow me, " she said turning towards the glass door behind her, " and we'll both go find out what's going on. "
~*~*~*~*~*~
~Stacey~
Stacey was on her way home from her latest audition. They'd hired her on the spot assuring her that this part would be the start of something huge in her career. When this movie released, her agent proclaimed confidently, they'd have to beat the casting directors off with a stick!
" I still can't believe you got it! " Kelly squealed excitedly for the tenth time since they'd left the director's office.
" Well, my agent insisted that I was perfect for the part. I just didn't think it would be this easy. "
Kelly arched a brow and glanced at her best friend with a mock serious frown, " You're not going to forget me when you're rich and famous, are you? "
Stacey pretended to contemplate the question for a long moment, a mischievous glint in her light brown eyes, " I can't make any guarantees. You know I'll be living life in the fast lane with all the biggest names in Hollywood. I'm sure I could find five minutes to give you a call here and there though. "
" A phone call? " the blonde huffed indignantly, " After everything I put up with from you? If you try anything like that, I'll send those pictures of you from my last birthday party to the Enquirer. "
" You wouldn't! " Stacey gasped.
The two young women looked at one another for a moment then dissolved into a fit of laughter. They turned and walked down an alleyway chatting happily about Stacey's upcoming role.
'The time has come.'
Stacey's head snapped around searching for the source of the voice, but she could see no one in the lengthening shadows of the alleyway. " Who's there? " she demanded; her tone ringing with a boldness that belied the sudden unease she felt rising in her chest.
" Um, Stacey? " Kelly stopped, a puzzled expression crossing her features as her friend shouted out unexpectedly.
The other girl turned with a worried frown, " Didn't you hear that? "
" Hear what? "
" Ah, I thought that I heard someone talking. "
Kelly chuckled a bit and shook her head, " You probably just heard someone yelling from the street or one of the apartment buildings. Geez, from the look on your face, I thought you saw a ghost. "
'Do not fear child,' the ominous voice spoke, but the words brought no comfort to the frightened young woman.
Her heart raced, and her steps hastened as she rushed towards the open end of the alley. A sharp pain exploded in the center of her forehead causing her to stumble and nearly fall, but somehow she managed to stay on her feet. The lightheaded sensation that claimed her made her vision blur increasingly until she had to stop running or risk injuring herself.
Her friend's voice screamed her name repeatedly begging to know what was happening, but it was so distant and grew fainter with every ragged breath Stacey took. Even if she did have some answer to give, she couldn't seem to find her voice. It was trapped deep down in the tumultuous storm of fear, anxiety, and curiosity that raged within her.
There was a sudden building of pressure closing in from all sides, and a dull ache throbbed in her head beating in a steady rhythm with her pulse. Despite that discomfort, her entire body buzzed with an intense, though not upleasant, tingling sensation. It felt as though a constant flow of energy was being passed through her body making every cell come vibrantly alive.
As suddenly as it began the pain in her head subsided allowing her to open her eyes once more. The graffiti-littered bricks and overflowing dumpsters that lined the alley were no longer visible, instead her gaze met with the sight of two long rows of doors along a narrow hallway.
" K-kelly? " Stacey stammered with a tenative glance around her new surroundings. It didn't take long for her to realize that her friend was nowhere to be found. She was alone - alone in this strange and mysterious place. It was frightening yet exhilarating all at the same time.
She stood at the beginning of the hall and couldn't help but marvel at the simplistic beauty of the place. The floor was a highly polished black stone with flecks of silver that sparkled in the flickering light of torches hung on the black mirrored wall between the doors.
The doors themselves were something to be admired; each crafted in a dark wood of reddish hue and engraved in silver with cryptic symbols and intricate designs. For a long moment she stared at the etchings on the closest door pondering their meaning and what mysteries they hid. Her fingertips traced the delicate curve of those words, scripted in an ancient and foreign text. They were unknown yet oddly familiar...like something from a nigh-forgotten dream.
She reached out to turn the silver-gilded knob, but the faint echo of voices distracted her. She looked down the hallway squinting curiously, but there was no movement save for the trembling shadows. She was certain that someone had spoken though, and with scarcely a second thought, she began walking.
It seemed an eternity passed as she made her way down the hall seeking some indication of where she was or where the voices had originated, but there was nothing but the endless line of doors.
Just as she was about to give up, the hallway curved to the right. Her pace quickened as she rounded the bend, and seconds later she found herself in an elaborately styled room and under the scrutiny of several pairs of eyes. She halted in her tracks uncertain what she'd stumbled upon and was tempted to run in the direction from which she'd come.
" It's about time you got here, " said one young woman who was sitting on an overstuffed burgundy chair. Her sapphire eyes gleamed in the dim light of the room, " maybe now we'll find something out. "
~*~*~*~*~*~
~Mill~
Music droned in the background - just another one of those redundant pop music songs that the station played at least twenty times daily, but Mill was too lost in concentration to be bothered by it. She had a big tournament coming up in three days. Actually, it was the biggest tournament of her life so far. She'd be participating in both the martial arts and weapons areas of the competition, and if she did well, there was a chance of advancing to the national team. That was her dream.
With a deep breath she swung her practice sword in a graceful arc as she spun then swept it quickly upwards once more cutting the air with a sharp hiss. Her form was flawless, her strength enviable, and few could hope to achieve the exact precision with which she wielded the weapon.
An appreciative round of applause from the corner of the dojo caused her to pause in her efforts. She lowered the sword slowly and glanced over her shoulder with a glint in her dark eyes. She wasn't fond of being disturbed while she was working out, but when she saw who was there a smile touched her lips.
" Nicky, what are you doing here? " she exclaimed dropping her practice sword and rushing across the dojo to embrace her older brother.
He chuckled and swept her into an affectionate bear hug, " I heard a rumor that you have a big competition coming up. I didn't want to miss it. "
Mill lifted her gaze to his with a look of surprise, " You flew all the way here just to watch the tournament? "
The previous year her sibling had moved out of the country, taking up residence in a small village in Africa. He was a doctor who'd dedicated his life to helping those who, more than others, needed his care. On the day he'd left, she'd overheard him telling their father that it would probably be at least a couple years before he'd make it back for a visit.
He laughed, his green eyes bright with affection, as he set her carefully back on the mat, " Well, I had a little money stashed away when I left, and a new resident arrived in the village last month. When I talked to Mom and Dad and found out that you had a shot at the national team, I knew that I couldn't pass up the chance to come see it. "
" How long will you be back? "
" One week. That was the longest they could spare me. How much longer are you planning on practicing? "
" Well, I should have been done half an hour ago, " she grinned, " but you know me. "
Nicholas shook his head, " That I do, kiddo. Why don't you go get cleaned up, and I'll take you out for dinner. We'll go to that little diner that you always liked so much. "
" You don't have to tell me twice, " she ran over to put her equipment away before rushing to the back room to shower and change.
When she returned, her brother was studying the awards in the trophy case, many of which bore his sister's name. She watched him silently for a long moment, ecstatic that he was actually here. They'd always been close, and his effort to come see her tournament touched her very deeply.
" You ready, kiddo? "
His deep tone broke her reverie, and she gave a sheepish grin tossing her gym bag over one shoulder. " Yes, and I'm starving, " she warned.
A playful grimace crossed his handsome features as he pulled his wallet from a pocket. He pretended to count the money before glancing up at her once more, " I think I can handle it. Er, I hope. "
Mill wrinkled her nose and swatted at his arm as they walked out of the dojo. Across the road a small group gathered outside an unmarked doorway, and the young woman couldn't stop herself from averting her attention in their direction. One girl in particular caught her interest, and Mill would have sworn that she knew the other teen from somewhere. But before she could figure out where they'd met, the girl with the black and silver hair vanished inside the building.
***
Three hours later Mill and Nicholas were finally leaving the diner. They'd had burgers and fries with apple pie for dessert - just like they had done practically every week before Nicholas had gone to Africa. Following dessert, they'd chatted continously over coffee refills, joking, laughing, and catching up on everything in their lives.
They walked for several blocks before Nicholas finally fell silent. After several minutes passed without a word from her brother, Mill glanced over intending to ask if something was wrong but stopped when she noticed an odd expression on his face. " N-nicky? " she said hesitantly.
" I hope you can forgive me for this, " he muttered grabbing hold of her arm.
" What're you... " Mill's question died on her lips as she felt the cement beneath her feet shift, and it seemed briefly as though she were suspended in mid-air. She started to panic fearing that she'd fall, but a split-second later she could again feel the reassuring sensation of solid ground below her.
" Nicky, what are you thinking? " she shouted at her brother, but he was gone. Not only that, but she didn't recognize where she was anymore.
The place in which she stood was immense. Mirrors lined two of the walls, and black mats covered the floor on the far side of the room. The two walls which weren't mirrored were adorned with every imaginable weapon - and some unimaginable ones. What caught her attention though was the door.
Mill stormed out of room with a single intent...finding the person responsible for this! She ran down a long hallway paying no heed to the
elaborate murals adorning the walls, all the while cursing everything under the sun.
At the end of the hall she came to a large black door emblazoned with silver stars. Furiously she yanked it open and strode into the room beyond. " What the hell is going on in this place? " she demanded.
There were four young women who turned curious glances in Mill's direction, but that was the extent of their reaction. No one seemed the slightest bit surprised by her spirited entrance.
" You know about as much as we do at this point, " Stacey offered in reply, " so you may as well pull up a chair and wait for someone who does. "
~*~*~*~*~*~
All of the characters in this fic belong to their respective owners. You know how this works.
Anyone who is interested in participating e-mail me at: MagickofTwilight@aol.com
~*~*~*~*~*~
~Trista Madison~
Trista sat alone at the edge of the lake. She'd somehow survived another night at work, though how she'd done it was a small miracle that she had yet to figure out. With a weary sigh she pulled a black notebook from the backpack beside her and flipped to a blank page.
I saw my destiny in a dream,
surreal visions splashed 'cross
the canvass of my mind.
Vivid shades of red against
the blackest skies...
Her pen froze over the paper, " Damn, " she sighed allowing the implement to fall into the crease of the book. The words that had haunted her mind the entire night completely abandoned her the second she found a peaceful moment to write them down. Wasn't that always the case though?
She shifted her gaze to the water where slender ribbons of moonlight trembled across the glassy surface as she let her thoughts wander freely away from the drudgery of the day. Of all the places that she'd ever discovered, this was only one that truly brought any sense of contentment to the young woman. Countless nights had found her lounging on the massive flat rock by the lakeside; the cool dark water lapping gently against the stone where it slipped down into the pool.
Trista hadn't actually planned to stop here after work, since it'd been an incredibly long night. Her every intention had been to go home, jot down the verse that had been running through her head all night, and then go to sleep. Yet she'd somehow been side tracked by the thought of stars peeking through a canopy of leafy foliage and the soft whisper of water stirred by an evening breeze. It had been an irresistable call.
Setting aside her journal, she moved further down the rock until she sat only a few inches from the water. Somewhere in the distance a lone cricket chirped breaking the thick silence that seemed to envelope the area. Trista leaned down and trailed her fingertips through the blissfully cool liquid.
Something on the far side of the lake caught her attention - an animal or a person. Trista stood slowly; her blue eyes narrowed in suspicion as she peered through the darkness. The figure was entirely too tall to be an animal.
She leaned down to gather her things, intent on making a hasty retreat. As she did so, something struck her from behind sending her flailing head-over-heels into the lake. Gasping, the young woman fought to catch her breath before plunging beneath the surface.
Trista instantly began swimming upwards, and as she cut through the water, it became painfully obvious that she couldn't possibly be so deep under the water when she's been so close to the shore. Opening her eyes, she could just make out the moonlight across the top of the water. It seemed so far - so very far.
It was then that she felt the water begin stirring around her legs. She kicked as hard as she could against it, but the small whirlpool only increased in strength drawing her further from the air that she needed so desperately. Her lungs felt as though they were ready to explode, and soon she couldn't hold on any longer. The last of her breath passed her lips, and everything around her fell into darkness.
~*~
" She's the first. "
" Should we wake her? "
" No. We'll wait for others. "
Trista struggled to open her eyes. She could hear voices, though they sounded a million miles away. A few more minutes passed before she managed to fully regain consciousness, and as she sat up, she realized that she was alone.
Her gaze traveled over the room, and the sight that greeted it left her speechless with awe. On one side of this immense area was an archway detailed with an array of intricate engravings, and on the opposite side was a highly polished black door strewn with small metallic stars. The remaining two walls were made entirely of glass and looked out upon endless gardens blooming with exotic flowers.
She looked up and found that the ceiling, a massive dome no less than twenty feet above her head, was also constructed of glass - a magnificient skylight overlooking the fathomless heavens. Never before had she seen so many stars! This place was like nothing she had ever seen before.
Carefully she rose to her feet; the impact of her ordeal had left her somewhat dazed but otherwise unharmed. Three small couches and several chairs in rich, jewel-toned velvet were scattered about the center of the room giving it the appearance of an eleborate sitting room.
She wondered briefly who it was she'd heard speaking earlier. Where had they gone, and would they return? There were far too many questions spinning through her head. 'Well,' she decided finally, 'I won't solve anything standing here.' With an air of determination, Trista Madison went off in search of answers.
~*~*~*~*~*~
~Amaya~
" D...E...S..." a couple of the girls giggled nervously as the planche spun in figure eights across the board.
" T...I...N...Y. "
" Destiny, " Amaya announced with a tiny smile, and her friends whispered excitedly amongst themselves over the answer.
She'd arranged for her closest friends to come spend the night in her new home. She'd moved recently and was looking forward to making use of the larger rooms she now had. After they'd eaten some sushi and ramen, one of the girls had decided that it would be fun to play around with Amaya's ouija board. Kerri lit a candle as the other four teens gathered around the table.
After several failed attempts, Amaya and her friend Tara finally managed to get a response. The spirit said that his name was Raziel and that he had an important message for them. When they'd asked what the message was, the board had replied - destiny.
" What do you think it means? " Tara asked quizically glancing over at the girl who sat across from her.
" Guess we could ask, " came the hesitant reply. Amaya knew a lot about magick and spirits, and she'd used this very board a hundred times before this night. The supernatural was commonplace in her life, but she couldn't help thinking that this was different than anything she'd experienced previously. The little piece of plastic beneath her fingertips pratically trembled with energy; she could feel it trailing lightly into her hands and along her arms.
Tara shifted slightly and took a deep breath, " Raziel, whose destiny have you come to tell us about? "
Nothing happened at first. The planche remained motionless at the top of the board, and eventually the girls began to wonder if the spirit had abandoned them.
" Raziel? " Amaya repeated, " are you still with us? "
Another minute passed before the board came to life once more. " M, " Tara stated as the planche paused before gliding over to the next letter, " O. "
" Two O's, " Elaine pointed out as she jotted down the letters on a sheet of paper.
" Moo? " giggled Morgan.
Everyone hushed her as the pointer came to rest on the letter N. " The destiny of the moon? " Tara asked wrinkling her brow.
'Yes' the spirit replied immediately, and the young women looked at one another questioningly. What could the spirit mean by such a thing? How could the moon have a destiny, and what did it have to do with them?
Amaya tensed and tried to clear her mind. She feared that her own thoughts were intervening with the spirit's message. Of course, the only way to determine if it was genuine or a fluke was by asking more questions. " What is the destiny of the moon? " she demanded with a ferocity that made the others stare.
They watched in stunned silence as the triangular platform flew from letter to letter in rapid succession across the board. Tara and Amaya could scarcely keep their fingertips in place as Raziel gave his fevored response to the question. A S C E N S I O N.
" What kind of answer is that? " Morgan huffed and grabbed the board off the table despite the exclamations of the others. " Let's watch a movie, " she suggested and tossed the spirit onto the couch.
Tara wrinkled her nose and pouted, " You're no fun. "
Morgan rolled her eyes, " Don't tell me you actually buy into that stuff, Tara. "
" It really works if you take it seriously, " interjected Kerri as she gazed into the candle flame, " but if you treat it as a joke, you'll obviously get nowhere. "
The other girl shook her head and grabbed a DVD from the pile beside the television, " Whatever. All I know is that thing wasn't making any sense at all. "
" Amaya? " Elaine said quietly when she noticed her friend staring blankly out the window. " Are you alright? "
Amaya didn't reply. She hadn't even heard the girl say her name. Her attention was focused on the image of the full moon peering down on her from the heavens. Her fingertips absently brushed the silver cresent hanging at her throat.
The destiny of the moon is ascension; her mind pondered the meaning behind the words. What could it mean? Her heart knew there was some important meaning hidden there, but how could she find it?
" Amaya? "
This time the young woman heard her friend call noting the panicked edge with which she spoke. She tore her gaze from that celestial orb only to find that her friends were literally fading before her eyes.
She could hear them calling frantically for her, but when she tried to go to them, she found that she couldn't move.
" No! " Amaya cried desperately trying to break whatever force restrained her. The light of the moon grew brighter, engulfing her in it's brilliant glow until she could see nothing beyond it.
She felt as though she were floating in sea of moonlight; her fear disspating in the familiarity of its gentle embrace. The warm soothing touch comforted her in a way nothing else in the world could. She knew this feeling...recognized it in the deepest recesses of her subconscious mind.
Eventually the light began to fade until it was nothing more than a faint beam in the darkness. She glanced around and found herself in a strange, exotic garden. Large blossoms in shades of deep burgundy and violet grew along the stone path upon which she was sitting. Their intoxicating scent was heavy in the air making her feel momentarily lightheaded.
When her head cleared, she stood brushing her silver locks away from curious azure eyes. Ahead on the path stood a solitary figure. She had long hair as black as the sky above them, and her attire was also entirely black - a startling contrast to her pale complexion. Amaya ran forward a few steps hoping to get some answers about where they were, but she faltered when she noticed the cold indifference with which the stranger regarded her.
Several minutes passed as they stared at one another; neither quite certain how to approach the other. Finally the dark-haired woman spoke, " I don't know what's going on so don't bother asking. There doesn't seem to be anyone else here, but if you follow me, there's a building of sorts not far from here. " Without another word she turned and walked away.
Amaya frowned a bit at the other's attitude wondering why she found it necessary to be so harsh, but she soon decided that was something which could be dealt with later. For now, she followed the strange woman hoping to find out what this place was and why they'd been brought here.
~*~*~*~*~*~
~Umino Sakura~
" No! No! What's happening? " Sakura screamed trying to break through the invisible wall that separated her from the others, but it was useless. It was too strong, and she was far too injured to fight any longer.
She grew weaker with each passing second, and the world around her faded little by little into a numbing gray fog until she could no longer hear their cries...no longer feel their presence - his presence.
" Why? " the question echoed in her mind. " Why did They take us away now? "
Sakura bolted up with a breathless gasp; strands of indigo stuck to her tear-dampened face. It had been so real that she could actually feel her hands tingling where they'd touched against the barrier in the dream. The faces of the people who'd been shouting for her were so familiar; she knew that she'd dreamed of them many times before. But the most troublesome thing was that this one particular dream had plagued her every night for the last week.
With a heavy sigh she laid down once more and pulled the blankets up to her chin. The shadows of the trees danced in patches of moonlight on the walls, and down the street a neighbor's dog barked cutting the eerie silence of the night. Her thoughts drifted back to the dream; every detail still vivid in her restless mind.
There had been a terrible battle, and Sakura had fought side by side with her friends. The tide of the fight had shifted time and time again, and eventually the air itself with thick with the scent of blood. They were all exhausted nearly to the point of collapse, but not a single member of their team would relent to the enemy. There was too much at stake to allow for failure.
At that point the dream skipped ahead to a scene where Sakura stood silhouetted against the brilliance of the Hunter's Moon. To her left stood a man; his long mane, the same stunning silver-white of the moon, stirred slightly about his lithe form as a chill wind swept the field. On the right, poised and ready for this final strike, was another young man and woman. Both were dark haired, but the growing shadows hid their faces from her sight.
There were others there - others prepared to finish what had begun countless hours before. The presence of these people was strong, but no matter had hard she tried, Sakura could not recall a single detail about any of them. She only knew that their desire to win was as strong as her own.
The remainder of the dream moved as though stuck in fast forward. Blinding flashes of energy exploded with ear-shattering roars amidst the echoing screams that wove the timeless melody of war, and though she had never actually envisioned the deciding blow, something in her knew that their side had won.
The celebration was short lived though as the very ground below their feet began to tremble and crack, and a blanket of darkness devoured the sky plunging them into a pitch black oblivion. Sakura struggled to find him, blindly seeking out his form, and though she could hear him call her name, he was nowhere to be found.
Some invisible force began to draw her away; it choked her in its merciless grasp taking her from all that she had ever known and loved. Somewhere in the confusion she could hear the frantic calls of another, screaming and cursing at the same nameless presence, but she could see nothing - do nothing. It was like a nightmare.
It seemed as though an eternity passed before she could finally break free from its hold, but the moment she was able to move of her own accord she stumbled forward in the direction from which she'd come. A desperate panic overwhelmed her when she realized that some manner of wall blocked her path.
Sakura yelled and attempted to force her way past the energy barrier, but it was useless. She was trapped! The thick shadows began to lift; a faint blue light illuminating the darkness. On the other side of the barrier she could see him and hear him shouting her name, but this foul magick that separated them hid her from his view. He was so close...so close...but the dense fog was slowly enveloping her...
As she pondered the dream, Sakura drifted once more into that frightening vision. Again the fog rolled in to claim her, swirling menacingly around her body and drawing her back into that place - the place that, even in her dreams, she'd forgotten.
The first thing that met her gaze when she opened her eyes was the endless expanse of the night sky. Countless stars sparkled brightly against that black velveteen backdrop, and the sight was so amazing that she forgot to question where she was or how she'd gotten here. For several long minutes she was content to merely lay and stare at the infinite beauty of the heavens.
" Ah, excuse me? "
Sakura was startled by the voice and, in the blink of an eye, she was on her feet, her body instictually assuming a defensive position. " Who are you? " she demanded.
The young woman who'd spoken had long silver hair that tumbled over her shoulders in soft waves. She wore a silky pale pink tank top with pants to match and silver slippers. A soft smile touched her lips, " Just follow me, " she said turning towards the glass door behind her, " and we'll both go find out what's going on. "
~*~*~*~*~*~
~Stacey~
Stacey was on her way home from her latest audition. They'd hired her on the spot assuring her that this part would be the start of something huge in her career. When this movie released, her agent proclaimed confidently, they'd have to beat the casting directors off with a stick!
" I still can't believe you got it! " Kelly squealed excitedly for the tenth time since they'd left the director's office.
" Well, my agent insisted that I was perfect for the part. I just didn't think it would be this easy. "
Kelly arched a brow and glanced at her best friend with a mock serious frown, " You're not going to forget me when you're rich and famous, are you? "
Stacey pretended to contemplate the question for a long moment, a mischievous glint in her light brown eyes, " I can't make any guarantees. You know I'll be living life in the fast lane with all the biggest names in Hollywood. I'm sure I could find five minutes to give you a call here and there though. "
" A phone call? " the blonde huffed indignantly, " After everything I put up with from you? If you try anything like that, I'll send those pictures of you from my last birthday party to the Enquirer. "
" You wouldn't! " Stacey gasped.
The two young women looked at one another for a moment then dissolved into a fit of laughter. They turned and walked down an alleyway chatting happily about Stacey's upcoming role.
'The time has come.'
Stacey's head snapped around searching for the source of the voice, but she could see no one in the lengthening shadows of the alleyway. " Who's there? " she demanded; her tone ringing with a boldness that belied the sudden unease she felt rising in her chest.
" Um, Stacey? " Kelly stopped, a puzzled expression crossing her features as her friend shouted out unexpectedly.
The other girl turned with a worried frown, " Didn't you hear that? "
" Hear what? "
" Ah, I thought that I heard someone talking. "
Kelly chuckled a bit and shook her head, " You probably just heard someone yelling from the street or one of the apartment buildings. Geez, from the look on your face, I thought you saw a ghost. "
'Do not fear child,' the ominous voice spoke, but the words brought no comfort to the frightened young woman.
Her heart raced, and her steps hastened as she rushed towards the open end of the alley. A sharp pain exploded in the center of her forehead causing her to stumble and nearly fall, but somehow she managed to stay on her feet. The lightheaded sensation that claimed her made her vision blur increasingly until she had to stop running or risk injuring herself.
Her friend's voice screamed her name repeatedly begging to know what was happening, but it was so distant and grew fainter with every ragged breath Stacey took. Even if she did have some answer to give, she couldn't seem to find her voice. It was trapped deep down in the tumultuous storm of fear, anxiety, and curiosity that raged within her.
There was a sudden building of pressure closing in from all sides, and a dull ache throbbed in her head beating in a steady rhythm with her pulse. Despite that discomfort, her entire body buzzed with an intense, though not upleasant, tingling sensation. It felt as though a constant flow of energy was being passed through her body making every cell come vibrantly alive.
As suddenly as it began the pain in her head subsided allowing her to open her eyes once more. The graffiti-littered bricks and overflowing dumpsters that lined the alley were no longer visible, instead her gaze met with the sight of two long rows of doors along a narrow hallway.
" K-kelly? " Stacey stammered with a tenative glance around her new surroundings. It didn't take long for her to realize that her friend was nowhere to be found. She was alone - alone in this strange and mysterious place. It was frightening yet exhilarating all at the same time.
She stood at the beginning of the hall and couldn't help but marvel at the simplistic beauty of the place. The floor was a highly polished black stone with flecks of silver that sparkled in the flickering light of torches hung on the black mirrored wall between the doors.
The doors themselves were something to be admired; each crafted in a dark wood of reddish hue and engraved in silver with cryptic symbols and intricate designs. For a long moment she stared at the etchings on the closest door pondering their meaning and what mysteries they hid. Her fingertips traced the delicate curve of those words, scripted in an ancient and foreign text. They were unknown yet oddly familiar...like something from a nigh-forgotten dream.
She reached out to turn the silver-gilded knob, but the faint echo of voices distracted her. She looked down the hallway squinting curiously, but there was no movement save for the trembling shadows. She was certain that someone had spoken though, and with scarcely a second thought, she began walking.
It seemed an eternity passed as she made her way down the hall seeking some indication of where she was or where the voices had originated, but there was nothing but the endless line of doors.
Just as she was about to give up, the hallway curved to the right. Her pace quickened as she rounded the bend, and seconds later she found herself in an elaborately styled room and under the scrutiny of several pairs of eyes. She halted in her tracks uncertain what she'd stumbled upon and was tempted to run in the direction from which she'd come.
" It's about time you got here, " said one young woman who was sitting on an overstuffed burgundy chair. Her sapphire eyes gleamed in the dim light of the room, " maybe now we'll find something out. "
~*~*~*~*~*~
~Mill~
Music droned in the background - just another one of those redundant pop music songs that the station played at least twenty times daily, but Mill was too lost in concentration to be bothered by it. She had a big tournament coming up in three days. Actually, it was the biggest tournament of her life so far. She'd be participating in both the martial arts and weapons areas of the competition, and if she did well, there was a chance of advancing to the national team. That was her dream.
With a deep breath she swung her practice sword in a graceful arc as she spun then swept it quickly upwards once more cutting the air with a sharp hiss. Her form was flawless, her strength enviable, and few could hope to achieve the exact precision with which she wielded the weapon.
An appreciative round of applause from the corner of the dojo caused her to pause in her efforts. She lowered the sword slowly and glanced over her shoulder with a glint in her dark eyes. She wasn't fond of being disturbed while she was working out, but when she saw who was there a smile touched her lips.
" Nicky, what are you doing here? " she exclaimed dropping her practice sword and rushing across the dojo to embrace her older brother.
He chuckled and swept her into an affectionate bear hug, " I heard a rumor that you have a big competition coming up. I didn't want to miss it. "
Mill lifted her gaze to his with a look of surprise, " You flew all the way here just to watch the tournament? "
The previous year her sibling had moved out of the country, taking up residence in a small village in Africa. He was a doctor who'd dedicated his life to helping those who, more than others, needed his care. On the day he'd left, she'd overheard him telling their father that it would probably be at least a couple years before he'd make it back for a visit.
He laughed, his green eyes bright with affection, as he set her carefully back on the mat, " Well, I had a little money stashed away when I left, and a new resident arrived in the village last month. When I talked to Mom and Dad and found out that you had a shot at the national team, I knew that I couldn't pass up the chance to come see it. "
" How long will you be back? "
" One week. That was the longest they could spare me. How much longer are you planning on practicing? "
" Well, I should have been done half an hour ago, " she grinned, " but you know me. "
Nicholas shook his head, " That I do, kiddo. Why don't you go get cleaned up, and I'll take you out for dinner. We'll go to that little diner that you always liked so much. "
" You don't have to tell me twice, " she ran over to put her equipment away before rushing to the back room to shower and change.
When she returned, her brother was studying the awards in the trophy case, many of which bore his sister's name. She watched him silently for a long moment, ecstatic that he was actually here. They'd always been close, and his effort to come see her tournament touched her very deeply.
" You ready, kiddo? "
His deep tone broke her reverie, and she gave a sheepish grin tossing her gym bag over one shoulder. " Yes, and I'm starving, " she warned.
A playful grimace crossed his handsome features as he pulled his wallet from a pocket. He pretended to count the money before glancing up at her once more, " I think I can handle it. Er, I hope. "
Mill wrinkled her nose and swatted at his arm as they walked out of the dojo. Across the road a small group gathered outside an unmarked doorway, and the young woman couldn't stop herself from averting her attention in their direction. One girl in particular caught her interest, and Mill would have sworn that she knew the other teen from somewhere. But before she could figure out where they'd met, the girl with the black and silver hair vanished inside the building.
***
Three hours later Mill and Nicholas were finally leaving the diner. They'd had burgers and fries with apple pie for dessert - just like they had done practically every week before Nicholas had gone to Africa. Following dessert, they'd chatted continously over coffee refills, joking, laughing, and catching up on everything in their lives.
They walked for several blocks before Nicholas finally fell silent. After several minutes passed without a word from her brother, Mill glanced over intending to ask if something was wrong but stopped when she noticed an odd expression on his face. " N-nicky? " she said hesitantly.
" I hope you can forgive me for this, " he muttered grabbing hold of her arm.
" What're you... " Mill's question died on her lips as she felt the cement beneath her feet shift, and it seemed briefly as though she were suspended in mid-air. She started to panic fearing that she'd fall, but a split-second later she could again feel the reassuring sensation of solid ground below her.
" Nicky, what are you thinking? " she shouted at her brother, but he was gone. Not only that, but she didn't recognize where she was anymore.
The place in which she stood was immense. Mirrors lined two of the walls, and black mats covered the floor on the far side of the room. The two walls which weren't mirrored were adorned with every imaginable weapon - and some unimaginable ones. What caught her attention though was the door.
Mill stormed out of room with a single intent...finding the person responsible for this! She ran down a long hallway paying no heed to the
elaborate murals adorning the walls, all the while cursing everything under the sun.
At the end of the hall she came to a large black door emblazoned with silver stars. Furiously she yanked it open and strode into the room beyond. " What the hell is going on in this place? " she demanded.
There were four young women who turned curious glances in Mill's direction, but that was the extent of their reaction. No one seemed the slightest bit surprised by her spirited entrance.
" You know about as much as we do at this point, " Stacey offered in reply, " so you may as well pull up a chair and wait for someone who does. "
~*~*~*~*~*~