|
|
|
My name is Terra. I live on the edge of danger, the border of a perilous place called Orosa Wood. It’s haunted and infested with terrible creatures and angered spirits of all kinds. I don’t know what caused such a hideous transformation. What I do know, however, is that I am the only one who can stop them, and return Orosa Wood to its former glory.
Once upon a time, Orosa Wood was a beautiful, magical place, abound with every variety of flower known to man, and some that were not. Inhabited by dainty creatures of every kind, Orosa Wood was a kingdom of dreams come true. There were faeries, satyrs, nereids, centaurs, and countless other now-mythical creatures roaming the forest. But the most beautiful of them all was the king of flame, the phoenix.
The phoenix was a majestic bird, and his name was Helios. King of Orosa Wood, Helios kept order and peace between the residents of the forest. He protected the forest from outsiders, and he built up a great fortress in the center of Orosa. It was called the Life Tree. All creatures of the wood loved Helios, and they loved the Life Tree. But the Life Tree was much more than a giant tree. It was the true thing that kept evil creatures out. It was a home for small creatures and a playground for the younger ones. It was shelter from the rain and security for those who were afraid. Most of all, though, the Life Tree was a companion for those who needed someone. Yes, once upon a time, Orosa Wood was beautiful, and safe.
But that time is long gone.
It started one morning, all at once, and I noticed it immediately. The song sparrows were not singing their early bird anthem. The creek wasn’t running, the cicadas not chirping. The forest was…stagnant. Like the calm before the storm, I thought. Softly, I walked around the Life Tree, examining it. Something was different. Was it lacking squirrels and chipmunks? Were there no jays perched on the branches? Were the honeybees lodging somewhere else? Then I noticed it. The leaves. They are all yellow, dying. It was true. There was not a green leaf in sight, not even a green speck. The Life Tree was suddenly looking, well, not so alive at all.
The loud crack of a twig resounded behind me. I whirled around just in time to see a shadowy figure dart behind a tree. That’s odd, I thought to myself. The creatures of Orosa have no reason to hide, and besides, there is nothing to hide from. Is there?
Feeling wary now, I wandered through the woods. Not a creature scurried underfoot, nor did a bird flap its wings. It was eerie, as if all the life in the woods was gone. I was so wrapped up in my concerned thoughts that I did not even notice the red, beady eyes staring at me. I did not notice the sharp, grasping claws reaching for me, getting closer and closer to my flesh. I did not hear the wail of my brother as he saved my life and, in return, sacrificed his.
Meandering through Orosa wood is a small creek, deep enough for frogs, minnows, and pixiefish to live in, but far too shallow for dangerous creatures such as grimlingfish, coelacanths, and, worst of all, the moonfish. It was this brook that I passed next. I peeked in the familiar little creek. I had every pebble of that creek imprinted in my mind. They each had their place, and that’s how it had been for some time now. But when I glanced at the stream today, my eyes widened in fear.
The creek, my little stream filled with pixiefish, was pitch black. The bottom was nowhere in sight. I lifted a fallen tree branch and set it down in the water to see how deep my baby river was. That was the biggest mistake I have made in a long time.
It began with a shake. The entire Earth beneath my feet seemed to be moving, all of the forest trembling with fear. Then it reared up, angered by my curious inspection of its home. A moonfish. King Helios’s nemesis. I stumbled backwards, hurtling towards the ground in my haste. As I tried to scramble away from the sandy banks of the creek on my knees, my ankle was caught by a vinebeast, a foul creature I’d only heard tales of before now. I screeched, my life flashing before my eyes. “Helios!” I cried, desperate for help.
Then I saw it, an ashy wing across the creek. Helios, the firebird king, had been extinguished.
The vinebeast was lifting me up, dangling me over the moonfish’s mouth. As I blacked out, I saw the shadowy figure darting out. To this day, I do not know how I am alive. But I know that the shadow must have saved me.
Terrible events continued to happen, becoming more frequent in Orosa wood. The forest continued to deteriorate, constantly changing from the kingdom of dreams come true to a dangerous place of fear, a nightmare world. A Shadowland.
I shouldn’t stay, and I know I shouldn’t, but some part of me is drawn to the horror story I call my home. There is one other reason I stay.
My name is Terra. I’m a three thousand year old dryad. And I am going to save Orosa Wood.
 Theatrum Est Diligo · Thu Aug 05, 2010 @ 03:29pm · 0 Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based off the song “Castle On A Cloud” from the musical Les Miserables.
“Cosette! Go fetch some water from the well!”
“But… it’s very dark outside.”
“You think I care? Your mother, Fantine, hasn’t sent your rent, so you’ll do as I say and get the water! And when you come back, sweep the floor and clean the tables!” Madame Thenardier shouted.
Cosette trudged out the door of the inn, afraid of what might happen in the dark. The well was far back in the woods. And at night, the woods made scary noises. Cosette shivered, hearing a howl from the trees. To take her mind off things, Cosette thought of her special place, of the room with toys, and the castle with no floors to sweep.
But thinking of her castle did not make the howls and cries go away. Her voice trembling, Cosette began to sing of her world. “There is a castle on a cloud.” In the distance, a wolf sang along with her. “I like to go there in my sleep.” The trees shook in rhythm. She began to tell her story to the forest. “Aren’t any floors for me to sweep, not in my castle on a cloud.” An owl cheered for her. The crickets asked her to continue. “There is a room that’s full of toys. There are a hundred boys and girls.” Now the frogs began to hum along. Cosette noticed how the animals had joined her, but had done so quietly. “Nobody shouts or talks too loud.” She closed her eyes blissfully. “Not on my castle on a cloud.”
Cosette sighed. “There is a lady, all in white, holds me and sings a lullaby.” Mice squeaked along to her tale of a faraway place. “She’s nice to see and she’s soft to touch. She says, ‘Cosette, I love you very much.’”
Cosette had just reached the well when her forest symphony stopped. A loud growl resounded from the nearby trees. Cosette stood still for a moment, and, when the growl came again, she started to run, the empty water bucket clattering behind her. She ran and ran until she was lost, and finally collapsed under a tree, weeping.
“I know a place where no one’s lost. I know a place where no one cries.” She wiped away her tears. “Crying at all is not allowed.” Cosette managed a smile. “Not in my castle on a cloud.” The growls came yet again. Cosette shrieked and the tears returned. Heavy footsteps started her way. Shivering, she tucked her head between her knees and tried to hide. “Not in my castle on a cloud.” She whispered.
“Cosette!” A voice called. Cosette whimpered. “Cosette!” The footsteps got louder, and then stopped. Cosette looked up. A tall man stood before her. “Come with me, Cosette.” He reached out to Cosette. She took his hand and they walked back to the inn.
“Cosette, where is that water? I sent you out for water!” Madame Thenardier yelled.
The man spoke up. “I found her alone in the woods.”
“And who, pray tell, are you?”
“My name is Jean Valjean, and I’ve come to take Cosette to live with me.” Madame Thenardier started to protest, but Jean continued. “Her mother is now with God, and Fantine’s dying wish was that I’d take care of her daughter, Cosette.”
“Well, there are fees to be paid! We’ve been raising the little brute, you owe us!”
“How much could I possibly owe you? The way you’ve been raising her? As as slave?”
“Fifteen hundred or she’ll be going nowhere!”
“What?”
“You heard me, fifteen hundred or no deal!”
“Here are fifteen hundred francs! Take it all, take the lot, but leave me Cosette.”
Madame Thenardier shoved Cosette towards the man and snatched the money from his outstretched palm. Then he took Cosette by the hand, and together they walked out to a carriage that was waiting outside. Jean gently lifted Cosette up into the carriage. Cosette slowly fell asleep dreaming of her castle on a cloud and the woman in white.
Theatrum Est Diligo · Thu Aug 05, 2010 @ 03:28pm · 0 Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
