Cry Of the Carniave
Laura seemed startled by the voice of Glen; I wasn't, for Glen often spoke like a thundercloud. Immediately I felt something rustling against my green cloak.
I pulled it out quickly, meticulously as to not damage the contents. It was a browning parchment, fractured with age, the torn edges fraying from overuse. Was it a message from Master Glen? I rapidly scanned the cracked ancient hieroglyphs of the manuscript. Laura bent over curiously, her frock crumpling.
The fraying quill of fuming fire,
Will not be of passionate desire,
But if this thing, thou inspire,
Thou shalt have thee heart dire
"What does it mean, Jay?"asked Laura, her amber eyes glistening. I did not know but could only guess the meaning of the rhyme.
What did it mean? Did it mean that it would bring awful luck? Or did it mean that the feather brought something else along with it?
"I guess it means that Fire's feather is not of desire, but brings awful luck?" I theorized. Laura looked thoughtful, her graceful hands under her pointed chin; she was quiet for a moment. The only sound around was the flames of the fireplace sputtering. They licked the iron grate of the furnace hungrily, like ravenous wolves… Speaking of wolves, I am the Carniave, am I not?
At least I had my companion Laura to help me. She was the prettiest vixen in the world. I didn't have much time to dwell on my thoughts though, we had only fourteen days to find the items, and then… My mind clicked together like a puzzle. If I failed miserably, I would be trapped in a Carniave's body for eternity. My heart sank. It was a two-way situation; either way was fatal. To be trapped or not be trapped? I would do this quest for the sake of Laura, no matter what the cost.
"Let's begin, now where shall we journey?" Laura queried, her eyes widened in shock.
"What is it Laura?" I whispered, bewildered by her sudden action. She pointed to the parchment, her finger quivering.
"The parchment… More writing is appearing…" she croaked, I peered at the writing. To my shock, she was right. As I watched, more words appeared as if an invisible hand wrote it.
The gates of Fearthin, thou shalt find,
Where lava spews and then combines.
The paths of wrath within the quarry,
Suggest that thou better hurry.
"We have to hurry, for the fiery gates of Fearthin are closing! They always close at sunset and they only open once a decade! Follow me, I know where it is!" Jay leapt to his feet as nimble as a cat. I followed too, only to stumble on my long petticoats. Jay helped me up, but I could see he was exasperated.
"We don't want to waste any time! The gates are closing at any minute-!" Jay stopped talking as he winced in pain. He rubbed his shoulder blades, I could see to my horror that wisps of feathery growths were appearing on his shoulders for the second time. Jay collapsed to his knees, his breath becoming ragged and short. He let out a cry of anguish as his joints twisted and bent. I felt sympathy for him, knowing how much it must hurt. Coarse white fur began to appear all over his body, pointed ears began to replace human ears and within a few seconds the transformation was complete. Jay was now the fearsome Carniave. Jay looked sorrowful, his wolfish face signifying grief. His green cloak was torn from his metamorphosis, tatters lying on the floor. I cried for him, fresh tears plopping onto the earth floor…
I watched Laura cry, her crystal tears trickling down. It broke my Carniave heart to see her like this. My conscious mind within knew that we had no time. We had to get to the gates by winged flight. But how to communicate to Laura when my human speech had gone, replaced by a wolfish howl? Just then, I had a great idea! My Carniave instincts yearned to feel the breeze on my face, to chase stags across forests. I used my wild urging instincts to my advantage, flaring them so they raged.
I swooped underneath Laura, feeling her weight slow me down a bit. Laura was surprised as she was picked up, balancing precariously. I then used my pure Carniave magic to project Laura and I outside Glen's dwelling.
"What the- Jay! Where are you taking me?" Laura cried as I switched on my gears, frightening Freckles as I speeded to the white fluffy clouds, faster than lightning. Laura was nearly blown away from the velocity, hanging by a hand. Her legs were dangling in the twilight air. Laura! I held onto Laura's sleeve as Laura regained her posture.
I continued speeding, until I saw a deep pit with fire billowing out of it. Lava spewed out of the pit occasionally as two blazing gates adorned the pit, preventing anyone from entering it. The shining gates were decorated with mysterious symbols and ancient languages. On the lock was an illustration of the Fire Guardian with its wings outspread. They were slightly open, about to swing close with a clang. Laura looked very nervous.
"Uh, Jay? You aren't planning to go there are you?" she whimpered.
This is it Laura! This is the Fearthin Gates! Or 'Hell's Gates' as it is often called. Just then I remembered that the flames could burn Laura because she was a mortal and I wasn't. I was in a dilemma. I wanted to rush though the gates before they could close, but if I passed through the inferno I could risk burning Laura. I wouldn't be hurt, because I was an immortal and could heal myself fairly quickly while I went into the pit. That's it! I realized, I could perform a spell to heal Laura, and then she wouldn't be hurt! I flapped my wings as I dove for the gates, I could feel Laura hanging on to my fur as the gates clanged behind us with a finality…
I could feel the wind rush past me as the smoking gates vibrated; I hung onto Jay's white fur as Jay dove into the scorching crater. Immediately, I felt like I was in an oven, my hands and legs had multiple burns on them as the scorching heat licked the hem of my frock. I yelled out in pain, for they hurt so much! Jay had blisters on his singed fur too, but to my amazement, his burns were repaired just as quickly.
"Hey! I didn't know you had healing powers!" Jay growled gruffly.
I guessed that it must be his attempt of a laugh. I could smell burning flesh, but as I held up my hands, they were restored to their former appearance, the burns slowly shrinking. I felt gratitude to Jay for healing me. I hugged Jay's furry back, feeling his heartbeat.
"Thank you Jay," I breathed…
I swooped in mid air, my airborne wings barely scraping the dark rock ledges. Scarlet lava flowed out of several crevasses before they cooled down in the lower regions of the pit, the burning molten rock cooling with a hiss. I felt the heat of the thermals rise, lifting me upwards towards certain danger. A birdlike screech shook the cliffs, sending sagacities tumbling into the lava. I felt (for the second time this day) fear striking my heart. What was there in the pit that caused that inhuman shriek? Laura tightly held onto me, her fists white with dread. I could see everything in the darkened pit; even the energy sources of the lava, for my night and magic vision were combined to be multi-dimensional.
And Laura, I couldn't wait to cuddle up and kiss her…Why did I keep thinking about Laura, even in the most crucial moments!? I wanted to slap myself but I couldn't. If only I had hands! Another birdlike screech echoed in the fiery pit, making the lava fester furiously. I landed on a rocky ridge, my Carniave legs absorbing most of the impact. Laura leapt off my furry back in a single bound, her slender feminine legs barely touching the floor.
"Let's go Jay! Let's go kick that Fire's big butt!" she yelled. Talk about being so bold; she was really scared a moment ago! I thought to myself. Luckily she couldn't hear my thoughts! Laura glared at me. Huh? Why was she staring at me like that?
"Jay? Did you say something about me being a sacredly cat?" she asked me. I could feel my transformed face turn red.
Errrrr… No, I didn't. I thought you couldn't hear me!
"Yes I could! I could hear your voice say something about me!" she yelled back.
Before I could reply to Laura's comment, a stream of fire interrupted our argument. The fire was coming towards us! Laura screamed out of terror as a reddish majestic-looking bird flew at us!
The bird seemed to be entirely made of fire, burning a route through the hellish pit of doom. The fierce fiery bird screamed in fury as it launched another attack, melting rocks with the blast from its beak. I knew I would be a goner against this wrathful creature. Compared with this bird, I would be a useless attacker.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! WHAT IN HELL WAS THAT?" Laura screamed as she dodged another fireball from the bird.
It's the Fire Guardian! The Phoenix of Fearthin! This fierce bird had guarded the Fire of Fury for centuries! It was created by Master Glen to protect the gates of Fearthin forever! It is supposed to attack stealers of the Fire with blasts of fire!
"Like that is going to make me leap with joy?" asked Laura with sarcasm.
Err… No. There's more bad news coming up. I cannot win against this Phoenix, cause every immortal has his weakness right? Well, I have mine. Plus, this bird is 2000 times stronger than me, and even my magic powers can't match with its fire abilities.
"That is so not good," groaned Laura.
At least I could try, I replied softly. I concentrated really hard on the Phoenix, so hard in fact that my form started glimmering.
Harder, Laura is counting on you! Laura started cheering for me, like a spectator at the games. I summoned the energy within me, the magic I had since I was a child. A flicker of reddish light raced across my wings, creating a laser-like beam forming between my reflecting feathers. Finally, it reached a point where enough energy was released. I prepared to launch a beam of destructive power at my target, which was circling in the air.
I hope this works. For the sake of Laura, I'll risk this quest all for her, even if it destroys all my hopes to be human! "You can do it!" cheered Laura.
I released the powerful beam at the Phoenix, hoping… hoping that the bird would be destroyed to allow a feather to drop down. My Carniave ears could hear the bird squawking as it orbited us. SSSSZZZZZ! The laser struck the bird in the belly.
I was going to celebrate, but to my horror, the bird absorbed the beam and sent it back 100 times stronger than before! It collided with the cliff's edge!
NNNNNOOOOO!!!!! I cried as an earth-shattering explosion sent lava and rocks flying all over the place. I sank into an eternal blackness as Laura was tossed several metres…
I groaned as I tried to stand up, feeling burns covering all over my body. I was standing on a rocky edge for some reason, instead of being in my warm bed. I didn't know how long I blacked out for. Two hours? Seven hours? Where was I? Immediately my memories came flooding back with what happened before. Jay! Where was he? I panicked, feeling desperate. I stared around the area, calling Jay's name.
"Jay! Jay, where are you?" I felt like I was about to cry. What if Jay was tossed off the cliff into the lava? Then I couldn't see him again! Jay would be killed!
Just then I saw Jay's battered body… Jay was human again, except he wasn't wearing any clothes! I could see scorch marks and burns slowly recovering over his body. Jay's eyes were closed, so he couldn't see me. He looked more dead than alive, his breathing regular. My face turned a pale colour.
"Oh, Jay…" I whispered, "What has that Phoenix done to you?" I looked up to see the fearsome firebird feasting on a recent victim, cooking the meat as it ate. I felt angry at the phoenix for hurting Jay. Furious to be exact.
"Phoenix of Fearthin! I challenge you to a rematch for hurting my boyfriend!" I yelled at the bird. To my amazement, the phoenix screamed back its answer, nesting on the ledge as if it was protecting its territory. What? I thought, being surprised. I didn't know the fiery bird could speak!
"Here I am trying to get some sleep and you interfering mortals come and trample my territory! Can't a Guardian get some peace and quiet around here? Why have you meddling mortals come? Nobody comes here unless the Master commands him or her to. Anyway, they can't survive the intense heat! But I can, this is my home and it's nice and cosy. I could finish you off anytime, so there's no need to hurry. Surely you are a thief out to steal my Fire? One false move and it's roasted mortal for dinner!"
It spoke in an angelic voice, sounding really annoyed. This wasn't the time to get on the Phoenix's bad side, seeing that it could turn me into ashes in a second. I had to bide my time, at least until Jay wakes up. I tried not to annoy the Phoenix, but the furious bird grew angrier, no matter how hard I tried.
"I was sent by Master Glen, Phoenix. I'm not a thief and not going to steal your Fire. I was commanded to get one of your tail feathers by the Master, so please can I have it?" I said politely. The Phoenix looked insulted at this remark. Taking flight with its colossal wings, the gigantic bird opened its beak- and a column of fire poured out of it.
"NOOOO!!!!!! You can't have my feathers! You must be lying!" the Fire Guardian screeched, sending huge rocks crashing down into the lava river with the sound of its voice.
I narrowly dodged the flames, leaping nimbly onto another ledge. I could feel the heat from the flames burning my frock a bit. I didn't know how long I could keep this up, but sooner or later I might be barbeque! Hurry up Jay! I thought.
I woke up groggily, rubbing my head as I stood up. Where am I? I wondered, where's Laura? For a moment everything I remembered was a blur. But then my memory returned sharply. I was turned into my Carniave form and attacked the Phoenix. But then Laura must be hurt! OH GOD, NO!!!
Just then I heard Laura scream, flapping wings and fire crackling. I ran towards the noise, fearing what was happening. But my nightmare became true. Laura was being attacked by the Phoenix!
"NOOOO!!!" I yelled angrily. With an outraged cry I landed on the Phoenix's back. Which gave Laura just enough time to run away. The burns scalded me and it hurt a lot, believe me. But they healed as quickly as they came. Of all the dangerous and crazy things I've done, this event takes the cake! The phoenix wasn't happy about this situation however.
"HOW DARE YOU MORTAL RIDE ON MY BACK!!!" It bawled. "GET OFF, I SAY!!! GET OFF MY BACK!!!" The magical beast bucked like a horse at the rodeo. It was tough hanging on, but I made it eventually and managed to pluck out a burning feather.
Immediately I was thrown off the Phoenix's back onto the ledge that Laura was on. The Phoenix began to radiate brightly like the sun, becoming more human like in appearance. I had to close my eyes from the shining light because it was so bright. In a flash of light, the Fire Guardian stood. Laura and I both looked awed.
"Wow," Laura whispered to me, "She looks so beautiful." I agreed.
The Fire Guardian was no longer the Phoenix; she looked like a teenage girl with flaming red hair, artic blue eyes and a friendly face. Her hair was literally flaming, made of fire as it flared. Her eyes were like ice, a sparkling azure colour. Long red robes were worn, covering her body. She was holding a scroll in her delicate hands.
"I am Vestra, the Fire Guardian. Since you had officially defeated me and I lost my Guardian powers, I have no choice but to give you some useful items to help you on your quest. Take them."
A sword and a box of powder materialized on her hand. With trembling hands I took the sword and Laura took the powder. The handle of the silvery blade felt burning hot against my hand. A streak of fire ran across the hilt, I felt more powerful.
"But how do we know when to use these items?" asked Laura.
"You and Jay will know when the time comes… I wish you good luck on your journey and I have an urgent warning for you two: Beware of the Shadow Guardian, for evil comes in many different forms!" sang Vestra mysteriously in her ethereal voice as she was consumed by a pillar of purple flames…
What did Vestra mean by the warning? Will Jay and Laura figure it out? Do they stand a chance against the Water Guardian? These questions will be answered next time in Water's Wrath!
