7 July 2012
Not quite sure whether this is any good, but I had an idea and had to put it onto paper. (or, in this case, put it onto Opuss)
My fingernails dig into my palms, drawing blood, releasing the tension that has been building up inside me. It's just another ritual. That's all it is. I repeat this, over and over, trying to calm the raging sea of nerves. Amber glances at me, biting her bottom lip, eyes wide in fear. I know it is only just another ritual, but I want to get it right. And, anyway, having stones thrown at you whilst underwater is not the most appealing idea in the world. I take a step forward, watching Heather, Isadora, Amber and Gwyn do the same. Ellen waves over to the pool, gesturing for us to get in. I glare at her, then step into the natural spring, feeling the soothing effects of it's waters right away. The depth surprises me, taking me off guard, causing me to sink below the surface much faster than I anticipated. My long, floaty top billows out as I dive deeper, creating a teal cloud around me. The others soon follow, hair floating and swaying to the gentle current of the water. I hear a bell ring above, sounding the beginning of our trial. One last look at my best friends, before the pool is filled with stones and precious gems of all shapes and sizes. They fall from above, the elders flinging them into the water, chanting loudly, leading me into a trance-like state. I look around, Gywn's emerald eyes widening when she sees me. She lets out a stream of bubbles, a grin spreading across her pale face. I float out of the way as her hands close around a bit of quartz, immediately forcing her into a deep sleep. She sinks gently to the bottom, eyes closed, peaceful, movements graceful even when she's deep in a vision. Heather is the next to find hers. Wild brown hair, lightened slightly by the sun, swirls around her, her hazel eyes darting in all directions. She dives up, grabbing some jade, then falling into a vision just like Gywn. I manoeuvre through the water, trying to see in the dark, trying to see with my heart not my head. Trying to find the stone that sparkles to me, that beckons me over. Nothing. Not a single shimmer. I turn around to see Isadora sinking, clutching a piece of jet to her chest. Her violet eyes slowly close, as the darkness overwhelms her. Just me and Amber now. She twists and turns, blue eyes scanning the waters, looking through the jewels and gems, looking for something. Then I see it. A dark pearl floating down, sparkling in the light. I swim towards it, muscles aching from the bumps and bruises created by the stones. I don't know why I never noticed the pain before, now it is almost unbearable. My eyes water, and my lungs scream, oxygen desperately needed. One last stroke, and the pearl lies in my hands, cold and smooth. A tumbling cloud of darkness emerges from the corners of my vision, closing in just after I see Amber's hands close around a blood red ruby. My thoughts fade away, mind sinking along with body, the water holding me in it's arms, singing me to sleep.
* * *
I open my eyes, still clutching the bit of quartz close to my chest. The cave is dark, quiet, empty, without all of the ritual equipment and shouting village elders. I heave myself out of the pool, completely drenched, my hair clinging to my neck and back. Something stirs in the shadows, causing me to jump, hair standing on end, quivering. A growl resonates from the back of the cave, drawing me closer. I take a step towards it, confident that nothing can hurt me in a vision. A wolf pads out of the darkness, teeth bared, hackles raised, emerald eyes darting around. It softens when it sees me, lowering it's defensive stance. I scream. The quartz glows red-hot in my palm and every instinct tells me to drop it, throw it away, let it go. I don't. I stay strong, watching it melt in my hands, flowing around my fingers. It shimmers, changing colour, from green to blue to teal. I glance up. The wolf is gone. Where though? There is nowhere to go. Distracted, I do not notice the quartz slowly take the form of a wolf, perfectly recreated in my palms. A cloud of darkness closes in over my eyes, blinding me, leaving me falling through a never ending sea of blackness.
* * *
The fog recedes, leaving me alone in the cave, the jade still tightly enclosed in my hands. I stand up, taking in my surroundings, before wandering around, ready to sprint at a moment's notice. My bare feet protest, wanting to be washed and pampered, looked after. I ignore them, instead drawing wisps of hair away from my face, into a messy-looking bun. I sniff the air, trying to pick out something that might help. I shudder, feeling the presence of another creature. A doe moves towards me, ears pricked up, hazel eyes wide. It trots gracefully around me, elegant but alert, waiting for the slightest thing to set it off running into the distance. I suppress a shriek, the jade in my hands burning, melting, flowing. The puddle of molten gemstone moves in my palms, slowly forming the shape of a deer, detailed beyond anything a human could create. I look up, no longer seeing the doe, slightly disappointed at it's disappearance. The fog comes back, clouding my thoughts, until I am nothing but a shell travelling back to reality.
* * *
Sweat drips from my forehead, breathing heavily. I sit in the cave, jet in hand, black hair swaying in the breeze, tickling my waist. Everything is so... Real. Like I'm not really in a vision, like this is reality. I stand up, brushing myself off, adjusting my purple vest top's straps. I preen myself for a bit, making sure every hair on my head falls into place. The pool ripples slightly, the crystal clear waters being disturbed by something. I look up, a crow sits there, cleaning it's feathers, staring at me with it's violet eyes. I want to run, cheat, escape this vision. Anything to rid myself of it's cold gaze. The crow flits up to a rock, and cackles, glossy black feathers shining in the light. My eyes widen, my jaw clenches, as an intense burning sensation spreads from my hand. I look down to find a pool of molten jet flowing around my fingers, as if gravity suddenly doesn't apply. A caw echoes from the back of the cave, and I glance over to realise that the crow is nowhere to be seen. Instead, a small jet crow sits in my palm, intricately formed and detailed. I cough, feeling the darkness take over, smothering my mind. My ankles give way, and I am falling, in mind and body.
* * *
I'm in the pool again, only this time I'm alone. The dark pearl remains in my hands, shimmering slightly in the light. I feel an urge to dive deeper, so I do, the water rushing over my body, comforting, soothing. The beat of tribal drums sings in my ears, blonde curls billowing out behind me. Something silver darts behind me. I twirl around, heart in my mouth, eyes wide. A small grey seal swims around playfully, with what can only be described as a grin plastered on it's face. I flinch, resisting the urge to throw the now red-hot pearl into the pool. It starts to vibrate, shifting between colours, the surface melting, turning to a liquid. I look up. The seal is gone. In my hand, lays a small, grey seal, carved out of the dark pearl that I found a few minutes ago. I take in it's detail, the intricately carved eyes, wafer-thin fins. My sight begins to blur, the vision fading away, leaving me tumbling in an never-ending ocean of dreams.
* * *
My eyes burst open, realisation hitting me head on. I made it. I'm going to find my spirit guide. Finally. The ruby sits in hand, and I stand up, imagining the many possibilities. I could escape now, run away, leave this complicated life behind. I could get my guide, then use it to outsmart the elders, introducing my new methods. That don't involve being stoned and almost drowned. I push away these ideas, resolving to outsmart people after this is over. A strand of rusty-red hair floats in front of my face, and I bat it away, laughing, sharp teeth visible. My laughter is cut short as a vixen pads into the cave, tail swishing. Her blue eyes are mesmerising, locking me into her gaze. She sits, tail tucked neatly beside her, ears pricked up in anticipation. I glare at her, trying not to weaken as an incredible pain sweeps up my arms, the ruby melting to a blood-like puddle. The fox smiles knowingly, then vanishes, a single rust coloured hair the only evidence that she ever existed. The pain subsides and I glance down to reveal a small red fox sitting in my palm, eyes sparkling mischievously in the light. My mind fogs over, and knowing what is to come, I don't protest as I fall to the floor, exiting this vision, head filled with a thick smoke-like fog.
* * *
One by one, they awaken, smiles and frowns on their faces. I smile, pleased to see a spirit guide by each of their sides, a reflection of their personalities and thoughts. Around their necks, the guardian pendants, formed in their visions. I run over their names in my head, not wanting to forget; Jade, pearl, seal Gywn, quartz, wolf Heather, jade, deer Isadora, jet, crow Amber, ruby, fox They grin when they see me, giving me multiple hugs and shouting my name. "Ellen!" I grimace, feeling overcrowded, my spirit owl shuddering next to me. They move away, talking amongst themselves, comparing pendants and guides. I feel proud, knowing that the next generation of our clan will go far.
Spirits • Opuss № I