Chapter 53

Orb

"Shadow! Shadow where are you?" I screamed.

The I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach and it wasn't from the moldy taco's I had for lunch an hour ago.

I circled the cliff again, frantically calling Shadow's name. She wasn't on the cliff, I could feel it.

I ran to the island though I knew I was forbidden. This was the only way I could find Shadow. I knew she was in trouble because it had been 8 hours since I last saw her and she's never been gone for more than 30 minutes.

I stepped into the water that instant repealed me. I knew the star's wouldn't let down the red carpet for me. I would swim if I had to.

To my surprise the moment I was full underwater it parted like the first time I had gone to the island but quicker and they didn't wait for me to get back out. They must be in a hurry. That made me more determined. I ran onto the island, forgetting to be respectful as it burst into the clearing and grabbed the orb desperately. Suddenly my mind was filled with thousands of worried voices.

'Nova! My dear boy! You're still here!' Beta's voice called in relief.

'Beta, he is not the one we need for the job. He has been-'

'I know, I know Gamma. But he's the only one we have left. We need to trust him to save Shadow and the others.' Beta argued.

'Trust him! The boy has broken most of our rules. Even the most sacred of them all, not to kill another chosen! For that he should be a shadow by now!' Gamma shouted.

'He is not like the other's Gamma. If he was he would be a shadow by now.' a kind voice soothed.

'He is too filled with anger, Canis, the darkness would take him in moments, just as they have taken the others. The others where as pure as Star and yet they were turned to the darkness.'

'He wasn't raised like the others. We should give him a chance, he's the only chance we've got left.' another voice put in.

'Eta, me and you both know that that has nothing to do with this. Just because he was not raised like the others does not mean we should give him a leeway.'

'Is someone going to tell me whats going on?' I fumed.

'See!' Gamma said like a stubborn child.

'We believe the darkness has kidnapped Shadow. We are unable to see into her mind but I do not feel as if she has become a shadow. We believe the darkness must have some hidden purpose for her.' Beta explained gently.

'Become a shadow?' I asked.

'When a chosen goes dark he/she turns into a shadowed soul.' Eta said sorrowfully.

I instantly remembered the ghostlike figures in the forest from when I first came to the cliff.

'Yes, those were chosens.' Canis sighed.

'What do I need to do to get Shadow back?' I questioned. If they didn't tell me I would have to find out on my own.

'Fine.' Gamma growled. 'When you let go of this orb you will find The Necklace of Stars has replaced this orb. It will lead you to Shadow and aid you in your darkest moment, don't fail us.'

The intensity of the quest ahead was overwhelming as I held the orb. I let go then, it was easier to cope with without them all pressuring me.

As Gamma had told it would, the orb was gone and in it's place was a necklace with a star charm on it.

I put it on without hesitation. As soon as the clasp was lock the necklace floated up and pulled me towards the north.

'Shadow, if you can hear me I just want you to now that I will save you.' I silently vowed.

Shadow, here I come.

The necklace had taken me away from the island. I've been weaving through the trees for hours now. Every once and awhile I saw a few of her footprints but the necklace wasn't following them, it was going on a more direct path.

I noticed that we were now now following her footprints. We were close to where she was, I could feel it.

The necklace fell limp and the footprints stopped. I knew I had reached my destination but Shadow was nowhere in sight… Oh shadow, where are you?

(end of chapter 53)