The final mission
Chapter 1
World between eternity and death
Thick, black clouds and thunder rolled from the west and rain pelted down from the skies. The wind thrashed in the treetops. Aya?s spirits sank. Now, she would not be able to compete in the race she had been looking forward to. Actually, the race was going to be held in a sheltered area, but Aya?s parents told her that she could go only if it was a sunny day. Aya?s mind raced, the competition would begin in only an hour. Would she think of an idea in time?
?I know! Since the venue of the competition is only a short walk away, I will run there. Of course, I will bring an umbrella and extra clothes just in case. If mum asks me why I went, I will tell her that when I left, it was still sunny and when I arrived there, it started pouring. Yes! It?s a brilliant idea! I will leave now!?Aya exclaimed.
Without a moment?s delay, Aya set off with an umbrella, extra clothing, snacks and a sword for the fencing competition. As she ran, the rain seemed to be alive and did not want her to get to her destination. The raindrops kept on getting into her eyes, preventing her from seeing where she was going. She used the umbrella to shield her eyes from the rain. However, a strong gust of wind blew in from the east. The umbrella slipped from her grip and was blown away. Aya broke into tears.
?Why does everything happen to me? The rain seems to hate me; the wind seems to despise me!?she wailed.
Just then, Aya spotted lights in the distance. To her delight, it was the place where the competition was held! Aya sprang forward. However, in her excitement, she did not see an on-coming car. The next thing she knew, her surroundings disappeared, she lay motionless on the ground, she tried to lift her hand, but nothing moved. She did not feel any pain; all she could hear was the sound of her heartbeat.
?Am I dying? My heartbeat seems to be slowing down. Why didn?t I listen to my parents? Now, fate seems to be punishing me. I guess I am supposed wait till I fade away from this world. It is peaceful here, quiet, and warm. I don?t want to go back?After all I don't have anyone who cares about me...?
?Aya, what about the ones who care for you? Are you going to let them suffer? Don?t you want your life anymore? Because if you don?t, you will be trapped between eternity and death! And being trapped in the world between eternity and death, is worse than dying, it is like being eaten from inside your heart. Chose you path wisely, its your choice??
She gained consciousness with a fright, had it been only a dream? Or was she now in the world between eternity and death?
The final mission
Chapter 2
Terror strikes
?Where am I??Aya got up. She found herself lying on the ground of a strange place, the ground was covered with cherry blossoms, the birds were chirping merrily, and the clear river?s water shimmered under the sun.
?This couldn?t be the world between eternity and death! It?s so beautiful!?Aya gasped as she looked at her surroundings. Just then, she realized something; she looked at herself in the water. It did not show her reflection; instead she saw a cartoon character of herself. How could it be? How could a real live girl just turn into a cartoon?
At that very moment, a lightning flashed across the sky, but no rain came. A man with a scar across his left eye walked forward threateningly.
?You will die and feel the wrath of the god of lightning. You killed my brother, you shall pay dearly with your life.?The man?s voice echoed with vengeance.
Aya screamed, ?What have I done? I?ve done nothing of the sort!?
?Don?t lie to me! I was there when you killed him! Take a look at that sword in your hand, the blood of my brother still remains, Miori the killer! Wherever you are blood would always be shed. I will never forgive you!?the god of lightning yelled.
?I am not Miori of whom you speak of, you have been mistaken!?Aya whimpered.
?Enough of your lame excuses. Shinne!?with that the man muttered a chant, ?With all the forces of the earth, I summon thee, lightning bolt, destroy this pathetic, murdering Miori! The god of lightning commands you!?
At that moment, something stirred in Miori, her hand grasped tightly on her sword, her eyes burned with anger. She removed the sword from it sheath and shouted ?Don?t you dare accuse me! You are the murdering one! I am Aya, I am alive and will never admit defeat! Take you best shot!?Just then, the ground shook, lightning flashed and thunder roared, a curtain of rain pelted down. Aya remained burning inside her, she cried, ?Sword of fire, change!?The sword she was holding changed into a bigger sword surrounded with flames, she strike the ground.
Flames surrounded the man. The flames that she created could never put out, not even with rain for the flames were purple, rising as high as a mountain. The man summoned his lightning he tried to fight fire against fire. Unfortunately for Aya, she could not control the flames in her sword; it began burning the forest?s trees one by one, tree by tree.
The god of lightning decided to retreat and clamed that the next time they met, she would surely die. He flew up towards the sky and disappeared behind a huge black cloud.
Meanwhile, Aya screamed for help, an animal, half human, half bird, flew down from the sky and carried Aya on its back. The beast spoke, ?Princess Miori of all swords, I, your humble servant shall bring you to my master?s house, whom anticipates your arrival.?
Who was the beast master? Was it her enemy? Where did all her power come from? Was she really Miori or was she Aya? Why was she a cartoon character?
Check back next wednesday for the next chapter!