The monotonous rumble of the carriage wheels as they rolled over rocks and gravel littering the broad dirt road, droning on as she was pitched from side to side. Tilla’s eyes drifted lazily over the landscape that passed them by until an immense white wall rose into view. Her neck craning backwards as she surveyed the tall blank expanse, which stretched up towards the sky. There appeared to be only the sentries bordering the thick boundary’s top that separated Plentar’s outer wall from the hanging clouds above. Like stony gargoyles along the parameter’s rim, the guards stared down from their lofty positions to observe the caravan that approached. Remaining unmoving from their posts, they regarded the wretched cargo the platoon of Hunters had brought with them in the manner of cold impartiality that would have been expected from them as the wagon crept closer. The rudimentary transport, fitted with metal bars, which had been strengthened against any magic or abilities that any of its
The high pitched wail heard throughout the Yard. There seemed nothing between the blank earth and sky that could stop its incessant cry as those within it turned to see the woman crumpled upon her knees on the dirt. Her palms clasped against each ear tightly as though the sound of her own shriek was too much for her head to endure. Tilla paused to observe the wretched figure, who still trembled on the ground some thirty paces from where she stood.Indifferent towards the mysterious cause of the woman’s suffering, Tilla could only regard the woman who had impeded her attempt to hobble away with the injured man with partial curiosity. However, not finding herself in such a state of overwhelming fascination that would have otherwise implored her to linger longer about the potentially troublesome scene than was necessary. Tilla had again begun to wade through the crowd, which had amassed around her when the guards marched forward to seize the panic-stricken woman.The inhabitants of the Y
Matching the dismal containment cell, the little patch of sky Tilla had once compared to Luther’s vivid blue eyes took on a forlorn gray color. Its somber shade almost indistinguishable from the walls of the cell, it was counted as just another stone amongst the many others that surrounded her that day. The window placed safely out of her reach, serving as a reminder that freedom was merely a happy delusion she had previously enjoyed. Tilla could no longer derive any comfort from its subtle presence in the cell after having endured nearly two weeks of relentless interrogations at the hands of Commanding Officer Swelhelm. Interactions with the Officer, remaining predictably repetitive and painful experiences. Tilla still preferred these encounters compared to the days where she was allowed to rot in her prison. Since it was these days of solitude that she was left to confront the haunting voices that accompanied her within the cell. Unable to shake the feeling of another presence invad
There would be few times in her life that Tilla would truly experience the exhilaration of a free fall. Launched out into the unknown with no certainty of what was to await her at the end, it should have been an undeniably terrifying and wholly unpleasant ordeal. However, everything in Tilla’s life that she was running from or heading towards seemed irrelevant in this moment where only up and down existed.The air whistling as it rushed past her ears and the lengths of her matted flaming locks flailing in the wind as she fell, Tilla knew of an odd peace here. Caught somewhere between heaven and earth in that brief instance, she forgot the demons that tormented her mind and of the vengeful past that haunted her. In this short moment in time there was only the sky as it shrunk away from her and the dreary facade of the encampment as Tilla hurtled towards the ground relentlessly. Catching a glimpse of the window Tilla had just expelled herself. It seemed distant from her now as her d
No time for her to gracefully sweep away the webs of sleep that still clung to her eyes, Tilla sat starkly upright upon the forest floor. Peering out into the obscure light of a late rising sun, she could see the gleaming orbs of their eyes observing them as they circled. The beasts’ formidable size and imposing presence became more pronounced with each step. Their motions slow and measured as they sized up the bare skinned pair in the midst of the forest. Tilla glanced towards her companion with great uncertainty as the sound of their heavy paws crept increasingly closer. Hunched protectively in front of her in his Lycan form, Luther stood guard against the hoard of wolves. His attention, not wavering from the pack that had encompassed them. Tilla flinched as she heard his clear address enter into her mind unexpectedly. ‘Don’t move.’ he warned. Pausing to survey the remarkable stature of the wolves, who nearly rivaled Luther’s impressive build. Tilla still chose to defy his instr
Unable to avert her eyes from the lifeless wolf lying in front of her, Tilla felt an ache within her chest. The shock of her crime, causing tiny ripples of pain to emanate from her heart with each staggered beat. Tilla could tell that the old fissures upon her heart had opened. The cracks, which had once been patched together by the sheer ignorance of her past and the stubborn denial of her powers, now raw open wounds on her soul. Tilla buckled at the knees. Falling onto the ground despondently, there was a sting within her knees. The pain accompanying the throbbing in her head, she begged forgiveness for the irreparable damage she had caused to others and herself. Whether it was the redemption of a merciful god or herself, Tilla could not say. However, she knew that the latter would never quite absolve her of the guilt and anger she felt in this moment. Lamenting the fact that she was still too feeble to stave off the violent forces within her, Tilla shook from the frustration of he
Oblivious towards their solemn mood, the birds continued to chirp happily in the treetops. Their song, carried to them by a pleasant breeze, the vibrant winged beasts hopped carelessly from the limbs of the surrounding trees. Their merriment, the sole noise that seemed to penetrate the pair’s thoughts as they progressed further from Mater Luna territory. There was no conversation between them, only unanswered questions.The world around them, completely impartial to the experiences of their tumultuous journey thus far and the agitation of the pair’s emotions, Tilla almost felt resentful towards it as they continued to walk.The thick carpet of moss and leaves upon the forest floor, giving way underfoot in a manner that made Tilla doubt even her steps. She forced herself to trudge forward in the direction that the sun and the stars dictated as she contemplated the consistent mess of upheavals that seemed to rule their lives. The uncertainty recent events had instilled in her in regard
Tilla’s outburst eliciting a crumpling of dead foliage and the frantic scurrying of four pairs of tiny feet. The startled spies scrambled over one another as they fled from their hiding place. Flying in different directions from the hollow trunk of a fallen tree. They did not pause to look back, for fear that they should be caught by the fiery red headed woman they had been surveying curiously before.However, in doing so, the smallest and less agile of the bunch was left behind. Too occupied in his haste to see adequately his surroundings, the child had fallen victim to the upturned root of a large oak. Subdued by the rogue appendage, the boy tumbled spectacularly head over heels onto the ground. His hair left askew and nose covered in dirt, the child took hold of his wrist. Cradling it to his chest, he began to cry pitifully as he sat alone on the forest floor. The child’s face distorted by pain and the fresh anguish of his friends’ abandonment, it evoked a sympathy within Till