~I am so sorry it took me so long to update...I wish I could post these stories quicker...but I always seem to have more important things to do. *sigh*~
Chapter Two:
Melody paced back and forth, restless. The adults were talking in the other room, but she had no interest in what they were saying. All she could think about was her Joining ceremony tomorrow. Contrary to what she had told her grandfather, she was still worried.
((What will happen if I don't get chosen? If I fail tomorrow, during the ceremony, Mom and Dad will be so disappointed...and they always wanted the best for me. What if...))
The sound of her father's voice echoed, interrupting Melody's thoughts. "So how are things in town, Elix? Anything interesting happen at work in the last few days?"
"Oh, you know, the usual. Kids with broken arms, babies with skin rash, and worried mothers certain that their children are coming down with the latest epidemic. Yesterday there was even one mother convinced that her son had malaria. How often do you hear about that these days?"
Shaking his head and laughing, he went on. "Since she was so insistent, I went ahead and tested him. The poor kid didn't seem to have any symptoms, but he kept moaning about a Dark monster running through town like a Sonic Duck. He said the creature was ranting about the Millennium Items and an evil spirit with white hair."
"The things kids come up with...white-haired spirits...Millennium Items...riiight. Everyone knows that's an old wives' tale."
"I told her the kid must've hit his head or something. I mean, what would a beast from Noctele be doing here, of all places?"
"Yeah," Melody's father agreed, his laughter fading as Melody headed outside.
The afternoon breeze whipped her hair around her face, framing her deep brown eyes. She stared out across the plains, wishing that her mind was as clear as the skies, like it had been before she had learned that she would be graduating with the upper class.
Suddenly she blinked. She squinted her eyes, unsure of what she was seeing. Far away, near the Djinnti mountain, there was a lone figure hiking up the ravine toward the sacred temple. His long white hair rippled like a flag in the wind as he made his way up the treacherous path. He seemed…unusual, somehow, but Melody couldn't figure out why. She watched him enter the temple, wondering why anyone would want to go there, when she heard a voice behind her calling her name.
She turned around, laughing, as she saw a short, black-haired girl running toward her. "Ayamia!" she cried, embracing her best friend.
Ayamia grinned, returning the gesture. "What are you doing out here, all by yourself, Melody?" she asked, gesturing around her. "It's such a nice day...you should be enjoying it. Come on, let's go play in the dragon pond!"
Melody agreed, grateful for her friend's timely arrival. She ran across the plains, forgetting all about tomorrow. Her long red hair flowed freely in the wind, the golden sunshine creating a rainbow that trailed behind her.
They arrived at the cave entrance in no time at all. As they entered the tunnel that led to the hidden lake, they moved as silently as they could. But as they rounded the first bend and saw the lights dancing on the walls, they froze.
"Umm...what's going on?" Ayamia whispered, her eyes wide.
"I have no idea," Melody answered, keeping her voice low as well. Taking soft, shallow breaths, she moved forward even slower than before. Ayamia followed closely behind her.
When they had gotten as close as they dared, they hid themselves behind the rocks. To their surprise, there were Fairy Dragons hovering over the tranquil water, dancing gracefully with the Petit Dragons that frequently played here.
"Wow," Ayamia breathed. "Aren't they beautiful?"
"Yeah," Melody agreed. She stared at the weaving dragons, transfixed by the magic dust that trailed behind them, reflecting the light that came in from outside throughout the cavern. Their movements created a solid mass which twisted and flowed like a river, unpredictable and filled with the glory of dragonkind.
The two girls stared at the breathtaking display, oblivious to anything else. As a result, they were completely unprepared for the high-pitched squeak that echoed loudly in the partially enclosed space.
The girls jumped, shocked, and gasped as they saw something bright green darting towards them. As Ayamia watched in horror, the figure wrapped itself tightly around Melody's neck, squealing wildly.