บท 1: Five Years Ago
Wind whipped across my face and stirred me awake. It was cool across my heated skin. The ground underneath me was warm, almost inviting as I tried to move my stiff muscles underneath my body. They groaned and screamed at me, as I clawed my hands at the dirt, trying to push myself off the ground. My head throbbed and banged angrily against my skull, threatening to escape if I didn't stop moving. With my hands now underneath me, I pushed myself off from the ground and rose to my knees. I could feel my lungs tighten in my chest as I tried to inhale, and only managed to cough in rough fits. Each cough racked my body, and the only thing I could do was clutch at my chest.
I slowly opened my eyes, and was thankful that it was dark out. White dots scattered and clustered in the sky. The moon, a giant white ball, shone down on the ground, casting me in a glow. Where was I? From the abandoned houses that surrounded me, I would think I was in a village. A really old one by the looks of it. Maybe even a poor one. The dirt ground had many footprints imprinted into the ground, almost like they where in a rush. Amongst the small human footprints, where large paws, wide spread and scattered about. If this village was abandoned, then it had to be because of what ever monster that passed through. I don't think this attack was recent though, you would smell the blood in the air if it was.
I slowly roses to my feet, my body still screaming at me. A bright flickering light on the ground grabbed at my attention. Next to my feet was a large wooden staff. Metal vines climbed from the bottom of the staff and wove its way up and around a glass orb that sat at the top. Golden fleck blinked and bounced off each other. Dancing wildly amongst the other blinking lights. I slowly blinked in confusion at it. What was this doing? I don't recall having a staff. I don't recall what I was doing here either? Panic set in as I looked at my hands, and then the white dress that sat snuggly on my body. It was a thin silk fabric that fit to every one of my curves, and just dangled below my knees. White slippers sat upon my feet, still in decent condition.
Who was I? I couldn't even remember my own name. Why was I here in the first place? What caused me to forget who I was? I dusted off my dress that was now layered in dirt, and a small metallic clinking noise sounded from around my neck. I stopped dusting myself off and reached for my neck. My hand brushed against a small rectangular metal object that dangled from my neck. The surface was cold and cool in my hands as I gently flipped it over. Nova, was etched into the metal surface in fancy script. Was that my name? Was my name Nova? It would have to be for now. Until I could regain my memories, Nova would be my name.
Now I just had to get out of here. Where ever here was. I had a feeling that if I stayed for too long, I might become lunch meat. These big paws that imprinted into the ground told me that what ever was here, would be back eventually, and I wasn't about to become breakfast. With a heavy sigh, I reached down and grabbed the staff in my hands, and headed towards a dirt path that lead towards the edge of the woods. Maybe this would take me to a nearby village. They could possibly recognize me and tell me what I was doing here in the first place? Of course if I didn't pass through a village either on my way here, then I wouldn't be any closer to my answers. I would just have to play things by ear.
My heart rate picked up the closer I got to the woods, the orbs flashing brighter with each step. It was almost blinding now as it blinked faster and faster. I stopped walking to stare curiously at the Staff. What was it doing that made it go crazy? But then a low growl emanated from the forest tree line. Oh bother, this was not how I wanted to die. I took a few cautious steps back as a giant black wolf appeared from the tree line. Saliva dripped from it's maw, a tongue passing over it's lips. I swallowed nervously as I retreated slowly. The black fir on this wolf was matted and snarled as he came closer, one massive paw after another. The yellow eyes set into a hungry glare as it watched me retreat. regardless of how I was reacting, I felt calm. My nerves where humming with energy, and the staff was still blinking like crazy.
Well this staff has to be good for something right? Might as well try and figure out how to use it. I stopped stepping away from the wolf and stood with my feet planted slightly apart. It almost felt natural as I raised the staff globe into the air and pointed it at the Wolf. It let out a low growl, it shook the earth as it left it's mouth. With a deep breath I swung the globe towards him and a blinding flash of light left the globe. It struck the wolf in the chest and it yelped angrily. I had a sinking feeling all I did was piss it off. Well, I hope you had other tricks up your sleeve trusty staff, because I don't remember any spells right off the top of my head.
The wolf shook his head angrily as I let loose another flash of light, hitting it at the top of its head. It's ears flickered in annoyance, the tail swishing angrily through the air. Come one give me something that will at least stun in so I can get away. My attempts where useless, every time I would release an attack, the wolf would take a step in between and inch it's way closer. But I was saved when a cloaked man sprang from the forest, a long two handed sword clutched in his hands, and struck the beast. It howled angrily as it swiped it's paws through the air, trying to hit the new attacker. I watched as the black cloaked figure swung the blade towards the torso of the beast, moving faster than lightening.
The wolf was just as fast though as he brought his paw around and made contact with the mysterious warrior. Flying through the air, it's back made contact with a tree and let out a hefty grunt. It was a man! Knowing that he was stunned and in danger, I brought my staff up again and let loose a few flashes of light, hitting it's head to temporarily blind it. Watching it shake its head with annoyance, I ran towards the injured warrior and knelt beside him. He was breathing heavily, three gashing wounds had ripped his chest open and they where oozing badly. I felt my stomach churn at the sight ,but I had to help him. I raised my hands over his chest, but he stopped me.
"I am here to help. I promise I won't hurt you. Please you are loosing a lot of blood." I spoke hurriedly as I glanced over my shoulders to eye the giant wolf. With a small grunt he let go of my hands and I placed them over his chest once again. A bright white light came from the palms of my hands, and hit the man's chest. The wounds had started to close back up, slowly stitching themselves together. While he was healing, I took a moment to look him over. He wore black leather garments and a black cloak which he was currently using to hide his face. Underneath his black garments, he was fairly built. Thick muscles bulged on his arms, almost like thick boulders. He wore heavy combat boots that had wear and tear marks from many battles.
The angry howl of the wolf tore my attention away from my savior. I looked over my shoulder to see that it was now glaring at us, tongue licking its lips as more drooled spilled out. I looked down at the wound anxiously, hoping that it was almost done. But I didn't have a chance to examine it before he lunged at me, toppling me over in time to avoid a heavy paw swipe. It passed over our bodies, just barely missing us. The wind from the swipe made my hair fly into the air. The fact that this man survived and attack like that was really impressive. I was sure I would have died it he didn't knock me out of the way.
Without missing a beat, the Warrior rolled off my body and grabbed for his sword. Rolling to his feet, he ran towards the large wolf. An angry war cry ripped from his mouth as he brought the blade towards one of the Wolf's legs. The blade passed through the fur and flesh, making blood spatter everywhere as it ripped it apart. The stamina alone made me stop and stare. He was so fast on his feet I became envious. But stamina alone wasn't going to help this warrior. I needed to distract it long enough so he could kill it. I reached for my staff and jumped to my feet. I swung the staff towards the Wolf and released another wave of light, hitting it in the shoulder, the chest, any where that could cause a distraction.
It was starting to work, the wolf was angrily jumping about as he tried to avoid my attacks. A deafening growl came from it's mouth as it tried to lunge for me, but it was cut short. Falling to the side, a large sword protruded from its chest. I watched it's eyes roll to the back of it's head before letting a low whine escape it's mouth. I fell to my knees, shaking with fatigue as the warrior pulled his sword from the wolf. My vision swam around the edges as I buried my head in my hands, trying to make the world stop spinning. The headache I had earlier, now returned full force. I must have used to much of my mana trying to fend off this beast. That and healing such a deep wound as well. I needed sleep to replenish my mana.
A heavy hand laid upon my shoulder and I looked up surprised. I stared into the darkest green eyes I had ever seen. They reminded my of a dense forest. His skin tone was a dark olive color. A single scar passed over his eye, giving him a fierce look. But his warm smile upon his lips told me that he was a gentle man. He knelt before me, his eyes searching my face. I couldn't help but sit there and stare as well.
"Are you alright Miss?" He asked, his voice deep and smooth. I swallowed nervously and nodded hesitantly. I wasn't really sure how to respond to him. He was a complete stranger to me. I wasn't entirely sure I could trust him.
"I am just...tired." I said rubbing my forehead. "Thanks by the way. I don't think I could have taken that beast on my own." I watched him grin as he rose. He stuck his hand out towards me, offering a hand to help me up. I cautiously accepted it, and yelped when he yanked me to my feet. A deep throaty chuckle emanated from him as he steadied me on my feet.
"You would have been lunch meat for sure. But you handled it pretty well. Why are you out here to being with Miss. These woods are very dangerous." His face turned serious as he let me go. I swayed a little but found my balance. I wasn't even sure why I was here or where I was.
"Sorry if I seem facetious, but I really don't know what I am doing here. I-I can't remember." I said staring at the spot I had woken up from. "I just came too and found myself in this abandoned village with nothing but this tag around my neck." I said showing him my necklace. He examined it carefully in his hands and nodded.
"Nova is it? How about you join me until you can remember? I could use the company, and you are very strong with your magic. I could use the help." He beamed brightly at me. I stared at him in surprise, but found myself nodding my head slowly in agreement. It would be best to not travel alone until my memories came back. I wouldn't be too much at risk for death that way.
"Come then Nova. Let us set off!" His voice rang out through the abandoned village as he turned on his heel and back into the forest where he leaped from. What a strange man, but nevertheless I was happy he was nearby in time to save me. I just hope that I could be as useful to him as he made me out to be. At least I hoped that my memories would return just enough to learn some more spells. If not, maybe I could pester him into maybe stopping by a mage's library and refreshing my mind.
"What is your name young Warrior?" I asked, barely a whisper. He flashed his pearly whites over his shoulder.
"My name is Michael."
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