Welcome to Gaia! ::

Well, here is my entry for this month's contest! I hope you all like it. smile

~ Lupin Drake: Head Diplomat

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Dragon's Smoke

Opening my eyes, I let out another sigh. It was the middle of the night, and today had been tiring with all of the events surrounding Zel and her condition, and that sword… Shuttering once more at the thought of it, I was glad that it was gone now, and that the spirit of that tortured blacksmith had been sent on its way to the afterlife. I truly felt sorry for him, but even more so for the lives he had taken.

What a world we live in… I thought to myself.

Getting up to take a walk in hopes that would lull me to sleep, I found myself wandering outside of the barracks where a thin forest was located. All though I knew of the dangers that obviously lurked within even innocent woods like these, something compelled me to go into them – deeper into them until I located something.

For a while, as I walked, the woods were like any other woods at night. Occasionally, there would be the scuffle of some nocturnal creature, the hoot of an owl and the wind blowing through the leaves. With my eyes and senses open fully, I was not afraid like most humans would be. No… I felt perfectly safe here.

Then all of the sounds stopped. I stood still for a moment, looking about myself to see if there was something nearby that could pose any threat to me. I felt nothing, but instinct told me that I was not alone. Suddenly, a gust of wind with the heavy scent of smoke blew, and seemed to wrap around me for a few seconds. When it left, I decided that it was best to turn around and head back to the barracks.

However, some sort of higher power (or even destiny, should I dare to think it exists) has other plans in mind. I came to this deduction when I suddenly stumbled over a tree root that was not there before. Landing on the ground and now facing where I was going before that odd wind blew, it was too obvious to ignore – I was to continue into the forest against all logic, thought and reasonable thinking.

So I continued walking, and I did not see anything for quite some time. Once in a while, I could try to change directions or turn around, but that wind with smoke blew once more, and forced me to continue on that same pathway.

Finally, all was still once more, but the wind did not return.

I looked around myself and saw that I was in the woods still, but I was also a few feet in front of a large rock with a flat top – a miniature plateau, if you will. The stone looked as if skilled artisan hands had cut it. The sides were smooth and clear, but I got the feeling that this was a product of nature, not man, with how smooth it was and simply how aged it looked. Other than this, there was nothing too noticeable about this location.

Tentatively, I touched it with my hands, and felt nothing for a moment. But focusing a little bit more on the rock itself, I felt a small surge of power. It was enough to make my remove my hands from it, and feel a slight burning sensation – and I knew that was just a small taste of whatever this rock held within itself. But if this power was good or not, I did not want to find out. The night's events were starting to scare me…

"So… I was correct in my assumption." A voice said from behind me.

Spinning around, I saw a being made of smoke. They had no distinct features from what I could see – other than the lack of features, two large eyes of a solid glowing red, and long hair that was pulled back into a braid. I could also not tell if it was male or female; its obscure and undecorated robes hid such features as well.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Just a passing spirit…" they said softly. "But I had a purpose when I saw you and the legion you are a member of. I just wanted to test something."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, stepping closer. I wanted answers, and I would not allow this spirit to leave me thirsting for knowledge only it had. "What does this rock signify?"

"I mean only what I mean," it replied to me. "But as for your other question, that was the one I was hoping you would ask. This stone is as old as this land – it is actually much larger than it seems, most of it deep beneath the surface of the earth. My people call it such: The Stone. As it is as old as this land, it has seen many things, and has become wise in this way. Those who can are able to "read" it if you will."

"You are physic." I stated.

"Yes." I imagined that if it had a mouth, it would have smiled. "And this wonderful formation has told me that this land is in good hands." It then turned around and began to walk away from me.

"What are you talking about?" I exclaimed. "Come back!"

Turning around quickly, I could have sworn that I heard a roar of thunder in my ears, and a gust of very hot air blow onto me. Clutching my ears in pain, I noticed that anyone could have mistaken that air for fire.

"Just take my word for it," it said with a growl. "This land is in great danger from the amount of evilness that is seeping up from the pits of Hell. Your companions are part of the small amount of humans and other creatures that are actually on a correct path! Stay true to yourselves, and this world just might live."

My eyes widened, and I felt myself fall to my knees, its words had that much power behind them. And I do not mean just what the entity said – there was actual magical power behind them – forcing meanings and pictures to come into my mind. This being was much more powerful than I originally though.

If it were still alive, if it was young once more with all the power and skill it had when it was fully mature… this would be a force no evil being would want to recon with.

"Be brave… little kitsune." It whispered before leaving.

It was only after I had calmed down and come to my senses did I realize that when it turned, the spirit was not in its featureless form. Standing before me in a shadow of all its former glory was the spirit of one of the most powerful dragons that had ever walked this earth. But how or why it was still bound to this earth, I did not want to know…

Thanks. smile Yours is pretty cool as well.

Thanks. (: