Fly to Sunrise

3
A Life Sentence

We were suddenly slammed with the strong stench of moist dirt. I felt Ryder’s hand searching for mine as we fell; I grabbed it and held on for dear life. I could see the light of our rings flicker through the chunks of wet falling dirt. I tried to keep my mouth shut to keep the dirt out but I couldn’t help but scream. I could hear Ryder scream muffled cuss words all the way down. The tunnel curved catching our weight as we began to slide and a light appeared at the end of the tunnel or what I hoped to be the end of the tunnel.
“Hold on Jade!” Ryder yelled before we reached the light.
We flew out into the cool night air,
“Oh shit cakes!” Ryder screamed.
We fell into a pool of water letting go of our held hands. I reached the surface and sucked in deep breathes from shock of the sudden cold.
“Shit cakes? Really?” I laughed at Ryder as he caught his breath swimming next to me.
“What?” he replied defensively.
I giggled and began to take in the surroundings. There was a waterfall a few feet away falling into the pond we were in. I could feel a slight pull from the water current; I turned to see a flat ridge where the water pulled to and fell off into I assumed another pool. There was a single flat stone that sat just above the water in the middle of the pond. Moving light caught my eye from under the water.
“Ah!” Ryder screamed, “What is that?! You see that?”
“Yeah!” I said wading in the water and watched the glowing lights swim closer. The shape of the light took form of a fish, glowing blue!
“They’re fish!” I yelled.
“Glowing fish!? ... That’s actually pretty cool.” Ryder said, “They don’t sting do they?”
“I don’t know you chicken!”
“Hey… Someone here has to be the cautious one!”
“Oh yeah…. Real cautious,” I laughed.
We swam to the flat rock in the middle of the pond and got out. I was surprised to see Ryder still holding onto the sword.
“Holy cow, you haven’t let go of that thing?”
“Cautious! Remember?” he said.
I laughed. We tried to wring out our clothes without actually taking them off. I took off my shoes and shook them and Ryder copied. Not that it helped so much they still made a squishy sound every time I took a step. Ryder took off the backpack and took out all the wet supplies to let them dry. I secretly checked out Ryder never seeing him drenched before. His hair was going in all sorts of directions, his cheeks were bright pink, and his shirt clung to his chest. He looked even cuter and definitely more attractive. He looked at me quickly realizing I was staring,
“What?” he blurted, “Are you staring at me?”
“No! Why would I do such a thing?” I countered.
He looked away and continued wringing off water from the backpack.
“When do you think these rings will stop glowing?” he asked.
Our large diamond rings kept a constant light, almost like the fishes swimming around us.
“Why do you think the fish are glowing?” I asked.
“Good question…” he said.
I noticed the moon light was stronger here. Directly above us the full moon sat in the clear sky with no tree branches to block its view. We were safe here in the light. Tall trees hugged tightly around the edge of the pond and I couldn’t see beyond the ridge where the water fell from. Leaves fell silently from the trees and danced in the moonlight.
“It’s very pretty here,” I said, “this must be another sanctuary where the darkness cannot come.”
“I hope so.” Ryder said.
“Darkness is not welcome in my presence.” A deep voice boomed.
I jumped automatically latching onto Ryder’s arm as he shoved all the supplies back in the backpack and pulled it on. We stood and he had the sword at the ready.
“Whatever you do… do not cuss.” I whispered to Ryder.
“You got it Dr. Jones.” Ryder whispered back giving me a funny smile.
“How are you being funny now?!”
He didn’t respond but looked ahead of us toward the ridge. The glowing fish were gathering together and getting brighter. The fish had become one large light moving slowly to the surface; once it reached the surface it exploded like a massive firework you would see hundreds of feet up in the air. Both Ryder and I flinched back letting out a scream. The light particles flew back above the ridge and slowly but surely the light began to take shape. Four foot prints began to glow on the water’s surface.
“Okay…” Ryder said, “I don’t about you but those look like talons. Tell me you see talons.”
“Yep… those are definitely talons.” I whispered pulling tighter on Ryder’s arm.
Then unexpectedly Ryder pulled his arm out of my grip and wrapped his arm around me with his hand on my other shoulder pulling me close. He didn’t seem nervous or awkward about it; he looked confident which only made me like him more. I put my arm around his waist and held it there. I was so okay with this I had to focus on breathing letting another wave of giddiness pass.
The light continued to form and the footprints had grown so big I could sit inside them.
“Those are big…” I said.
Ryder nodded his head, “Uh huh.”
The night wind had picked up swirling the lights around and the legs began to form. The front two looked like they belonged to a bird and the back legs looked like they belonged to a lion. Soon we could see the body of a lion with a long lion’s tail; its mane was a mix of fur and feathers, then the light spanned out to the trees forming great glorious glowing wings.
I gasped and Ryder squeezed my arm. The wings fluttered and its feet shuffled on top of the waters surface. I could see the outline of the head and the light start to fill in the curled eagle’s beak, defining furrowed brows with feathery ears that pointed high, and finally the eyes. Its eagle eyes were fierce and penetrated right through me. I felt Ryder stiffen beside me.
“It’s a griffin…” I whispered realizing what it was or what my imagination knew it to be.
The blue glow faded and the creature became solid white like the last creature we encountered. A tremor of chills hit me like a brick wall from both shock and the very wet clothes I had on. Only then I realized Ryder’s teeth were chattering.

“Hello young Ryder and Jade,” the griffin’s voice boomed, deep and wise, “I see the light has chosen you for a very important task.” he said but his beak did not move,
“My comrade you met a few moments ago gave you wise information and I encourage you to remember it. The light has selected you two very special individuals to help save the lost souls trapped in this forest. Beware of the Rakshas! These demons are who you must save and bring into the light. Once you have surpassed this feat you will attain ability to then save the creatures of light. Be forewarned, the Rakshas are not what they seem! They feed on human flesh, they desecrate graves, possess human beings, have venomous claws, and shape shift. Only a few Rakshas are powerful enough to take the shape of a human. Until your powers have fully developed will you be able to fight these Rakshas.”
“Powers?” I said bewildered and confused.
“Fight?” said Ryder with a hint of excitement in his voice.
“Yes young Jade and Ryder. You will be warriors, equip with abilities that will help complete your task. You will fight to save us all trapped within this forest realm, including myself.”
“Who are you?” I asked.
The griffin stood tall on top of the pool of water with his chest out,
“I am the Commander of the Legion of Light.”
“Whoa…” Ryder whispered in awe.
I couldn’t help but smile at the huge griffin.
“I will fight! I will save you!” I cheered.
“Me too!” Ryder yelled.
“It gives me great joy to hear those words. Do not fear little ones, though you are young, your souls are strong, wise, and contain more power then you know. You must remain together through this. The only way to complete this task is with the both of you together. My comrades of Light will be there to guide you through obstacles and when you are surrounded by the thick shroud of darkness, call upon the Light and it will come. Now… raise the sword together with the hand that bears the ring and repeat after me.”
I turned to Ryder who pointed the sword toward the sky. Both our jaws were chattering uncontrollably. He looked at me and smiled,
“Come on Jade! We can do this!”
I smiled back and my heart exploded knowing he was just as excited as I was. I raised my hand with the glowing ring on my thumb and held the sword hilt with Ryder.
“Please intertwine fingers.” The griffin ordered.
“Oh.” I said and I knew I was blushing amidst the glowing light from the griffin and our rings.
Ryder carefully separated my fingers with his and we secured our grip around the hilt of the sword.
“Ready?” Ryder smiled.
“Ready.” I blushed back.
“Very good, now repeat after me….”
I was caught off guard when I noticed Ryder did not look away but kept staring at me. Instead of looking up at the sword I held his gaze with my nerves going crazy inside.
“Fly as I may…” the griffin’s voice boomed.
“Fly as I may,” Ryder and I said together and went on to say,
“Shine as I might, may first morning light pierce the dark shroud forthright, bring alight the soul within, and let light THEREIN!”
We looked up to see our rings shine brighter and the light like a beam shot straight up into the clear night sky. The light got so bright we both flinched away. It felt like the ring on my thumb was getting hot as the light grew stronger. I gasped to the searing sensation of the ring on my finger,
“Do not let go!” the griffin demanded.
My reflexes reacted to the pain and I held onto Ryder’s arm. He put his arm around my waist and I saw him grimace too. We held each other as we fought through it. The pain then tripled like my thumb was being cut off and I let out a scream. Suddenly the light exploded rippling out into the treetops and a wave of heat passed down our bodies drying us completely. I looked up to see our rings gone! In place of my ring was a white glossy scar and looked as though the ring exploded leaving white scorch marks in my skin. The white glossy lines then began to glow and move down my arm weaving intricate designs like the one’s on the sword we held.
“Whoa Ryder do you see that?!” I yelled.
He was gawking at his own arm, “Awesome!” he exclaimed.
We watched in awe as the lines weaved down to our elbows and disappeared into our skin and the intricate designs held a steady white glow.
“Will they always glow like this?” I asked.
“No my little ones…” the griffin’s voice boomed. He was standing closer to us with his head lowered to our level, “When you leave this realm the tattoos will vanish leaving your scar as a reminder… that you must return here to complete your task.”
“Very cool.” Ryder said. I thought the same.
Ryder lowered the sword and we let go of our intertwined grasp. I went to look at my hand and realized the same glowing tattoo was on my other arm!
“Wow! What does this mean? Do we have special powers now?” I asked the griffin.
“Yes you do. I must leave you now so that you may begin your journey,” the griffin rose and spread his massive wings, “Stay close to the light little ones. May darkness learn to gravel at your feet.”
Light exploded from the griffin and he disappeared into the light. The light then shot up into the sky and vanished leaving us in the moonlight with a rain storm of falling leaves.
“Wait! Geez…” Ryder shouted. He looked at me,
“He didn’t tell us how to use our powers against the Rakshas. Did you hear him? They possess humans! Poisonous claws! And EAT humans!! That’s a little extreme don’t you think?”
“Yeah, just a little.” I said sarcastically.
I looked at my hands again,
“I think we’re supposed to remember that thing we said that made the light go all crazy. How did it go again?”
“Fly as I may…” Ryder said.
“That’s right. Are we supposed to fly!?” I said excited.
“That would be sweet!” said Ryder.
“Shine as I might,” I said, “May first morning light pierce the dark shroud forthright.”
“Bring alight the soul within, and let light therein.” finished Ryder.
“Huh…” I pondered, “First morning light? Sunrise…. We’re supposed to bring these Rakshas into the sunrise? How in the crud are we gonna do that!”
Ryder laughed, “I have no freaking clue!.... I kinda just wanna get outta here and go home before we get into some heavy duty fighting with these Rakshas.”
“Jade!” A voice whispered startling me.
I jumped and looked to my right to see a glowing white owl perched in a tree, I gasped.
“Ya know I don’t wanna get in the water again either. It was freezing!” said Ryder apparently not noticing the awesome glowing white owl staring right at us.
“Ryder! Pay attention.” I said.
“What?” he looked up and saw the owl, “Oh! Whoa…”
“I don’t think we’re suppose to swim out of here….” I said and looked at Ryder.
“We are supposed to fly.” I said seriously.
Just then I got goose bumps and knew I had to be right. The owl gave a hoot,
“Jade… Ryder. Follow me.” The owl said.
The owl spread its beautiful wings and jumped into the night air over us and circled above the drop-off where the water fell into.
“We’re supposed to follow him?” Ryder said disbelieving.
“There must be a way….” I said.
I held my hands up clenching and unclenching my fists wanting to feel the power within them. I wanted to fly! I always did! Now I actually had a chance, like a bird but without wings.
“How!? Owl, tell us how!” I urged.
“You must will the power to your arms….” the owl said.
“WHOA!” Ryder exclaimed.
I looked to see Ryder’s tattooed hands and arms not only glowing but light falling from his arms.
“Come on Jade!” Ryder said with backpack on and holding the sword in hand.
He took a couple steps and jumped from the flat stone we stood on toward the owl ahead. It looked like he would belly flop into the water but his hands barely grazed the water’s surface and flew higher into the air!
“No way!!!” I yelled.
“Just do it already!” Ryder yelled back.
“Urg!” I grunted.
I took a couple steps back, ran and jumped just as Ryder did. Just before I hit the water my arms came alight and I torpedoed up barely missing Ryder by a few inches,
“Yikes Jade!!” Ryder yelled dodging out of the way.
I came to a sudden halt right before face planting into a tree with my arms spread out. Ryder flew up behind me and took my glowing hand in his,
“Come on Dr. Jones, I’ll show you how. Just hold on okay?” he said with a smile.
“Okay.” I said while my heart jumped with giddiness.
The owl circled around us with a hoot and began flying in another direction. Ryder pulled me with him and we followed the owl into the night trees. The owl began to gain speed and so did Ryder.
“Stay close! Keep your arms in! Do not stray from my path!” The owl warned.
I began to laugh as we flew through tight tunnels within the tree canopy. As odd as it sounds I could feel the pull and tug from Ryder’s power, like I was magnetized to him.