Secret Discoveries (Part 8)

photo source: http://www.markbeebe.com/Orb-Dark-Carnival.jpg

Part 8 by: SEP

The image had faded. Crystal was trying to stay calm as the light from the orb dimmed to a dull luminescence. The place was dark, and the darkness seemed to breathe and pull on her. Crystal looked around feeling small and helpless. She had not felt this way since she was five and had been presented at her first adult ball.

Crystal had been small for her age. Indeed, she could still remember the forest of skirts and breeches that had trapped her, bearing down upon her as she tried to negotiate crossing the enormous ballroom. On the verge of tears Sheeba had saved her, taking her hand and leading her to the edge of the room near the punch bowl. Smiling down at her young charge, Sheeba had said, "Don't cry Princess, the ball is only scary if you don't know who the people are. You'll grow, and you'll make friends, and one day you'll enjoy the dancing and talking. For now, you may stay with me." And they had played. Sheeba pretended to hide behind the huge drapes framing the balconies, and then, while both were laughing, Sheeba had pulled Crystal out onto the balcony and taught her how to search for and find constellations amongst the starts.

Crystal looked upwards into the black void wondering if some star would shine upon her and offer some light, comfort, or perhaps protection. 'Strange that Sheeba's words should come back to me now, in this place of horrible emptiness,' thought Crystal, shivering. "Hello," she said to the darkness. Her voice sounded feeble in vast emptiness. Something within Crystal hardened. 'I am no longer a child, and I refuse to fear the unknown.' Now, in a strong and steady voice she announced, "I am Princess Crystal, daughter of King Arthur who is ruler of Great Britain, and a niece of the great Sorceress Morgana. I pay homage to you. Please be so kind as to honor me with your presence."

Immediately the darkness seemed to change. She felt rather than saw the new presence, and although she suddenly felt fear wash over her, palpable as water, she stood tall and erect before the crystal ball and hourglass. Then, an omnipotent voice broke over her like a wave, high and shrill, yet deep with tones of malice, and hissing as though stone were melting from the presence of acid. "We both know you are not Crystal... You saw Crystal in this very orb before you."

Crystal's heart clenched. She had not wanted to consider the vision still playing before her eyes. She heard a chuckle float towards her, the voice mocking her thinly veiled panic. "Come, come child, let us discuss reason. Perhaps another vision from the ball will persuade you."

Immediately, dazzling light filled Crystal's eyes, half blinding her, and despite her wish to look away, to run in terror, she felt compelled to look within the orb.

NEXT --> Part 9

Ta-da! Look who's posting ontime.

Yes readers, as you can see, faith is well placed in us. I'm happy to say that this post is on time and more interesting than ever! We are falling deeper into the story, and shocking as it all may be, stick with us to learn more about Crystal and her arduous adventure.

“The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.” - Oscar Wilde

What will come next?!? Only time will tell.
:D

- SEP & SRS

Secret Discoveries (Part 6.1 - Bear With Us)

Reader Discretion Advised - Be forewarned that this is a little dark.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm sorry if this creates a bit of confusion, but part 7 was posted a little prematurely. This section of the story continues from Part 5 [to jog your memory]. Just to clarify, this is part of the same story you have seen. Everything will become clear later.

photo source: http://www.toweringflat.com/Juhi%20by%20the%20crystal%20ball.JPG

Part 6.1 - By: SEP

But Crystal wasn't fast enough. The darkness which she had spied twisting at the edges of the forest shot out to greet her. She screamed, but the sound mas muffled by the darkness twisting itself around her body, down her mouth, and into her lungs. She tried to breathe, but breath eluded her. Chocking, she clawed at the wispy darkness that could not be held, while her convulsing body fought the mist to no end. It was a nasty death, but when her body was silent and still, the darkness slowly crept back to the forest waiting for its next victim, while the dancing flames of grass caressed the once beautiful hair of the fallen princess.

THE END?!?...

Crystal was floating. She felt the sensation, but nausea did not rise withing her. Opening her eyes she saw a strange sight before her. She was in, a room perhaps? The area all around her was black, black as the darkest night where nothing could be seen. She could see no floor beneath her and no walls around her, yet before her, under a bright and focused light was a large hourglass with a massive crystal ball on top of it as though the hourglass were a pedestal holding the crystal ball above it.

Feeling a horrible weight of responsibility upon her shoulders, she floated, for she was not walking, towards the crystal ball to behold the sight within. What she saw made her heart skip a beat. Within the crystal ball she saw - herself. She saw herself running in the forest where she had just been attacked by the gray smoke. Her heart pounding madly, Crystal watched the ball intently, waiting, uncertain of what was occurring.

NEXT --> Part 6.2

photo source: http://www.uniquegiftsnmore.com/34885.jpg

PLEASE FORGIVE US!!!

Dear Loyal Readers,

Please forgive our errant ways! The past two weeks have been extremely busy for both SR and myself (SEP). While this is no excuse for our late posting of chapters, we ask that you be patient as we enter the rocky time known as "finals/test-storm/monsoon-exam" season. Thank you again for your loyalty, and G-d willing, Part 8 will be posted on July 22nd without delay. Have a great week and be safe. It is the 9 days after all.

Sincerely,
SEP an SRS

Secret Discoveries (Part 7)

photo source: http://www.teresalayman.com/images/miniature-cottage-doll-hous.jpg

I"M SORRY THIS WAS LATE>>>>

Story #7 SRS

The slam of the door aroused Crystal from her wonder. With her shock and confusions still prevalent on her face, she looked around her. The mound looked much larger from the inside, then from without. The door, which appeared from the outside to be as tall as a child, was a foot taller then Merlin. The circular hall that Crystal stood in was two times bigger then the outside structure of the mound. Additionally, there were several corridors branching off from the hall that she was in, indicating that the hall was no more then an appetizer to prepare one for the majority of the building that lay unseen behind the walls.

These disproportions only added to Crystal’s confusion. Her head range with questions and no answers. The five W’s played in her head, what, where, when, why, and how? They danced about, controlling her thoughts and keeping her to ponder and search for the answers. Merlin’s words convinced her that this was another test, as he called it, like the one she had ‘taken’ on her 8th birthday. But that test had left her scared and afraid of herself. She had departed the experience perplexed and with no one to ask her questions to. Maybe now she was meant to ask Merlin her questions? Though that seemed strange? If he wanted her to ask questions, why hadn’t he stayed with her after her last test and given her the opportunity to ask him? He had left her as quickly as Sheeba had, and since then he had not come back?

After many minutes of silence, Crystal turned to Merlin and asked, “Am I to know and induce what all this means, because there are many questions that are bearing on my mind? None of which, I fear, I will be able to answer on my own. Am I free to speak my mind and ask them to you or must I hold my tongue?

NEXT --> Part 8

Secret Discoveries (part 6.2)

Part 6.2 By: SRS

After ten minutes of running, which was very difficult to do in a gown, Crystal spotted what looked like a hut on the edge of the horizon. She couldn’t make out the details for the domain, since she was still far away, but the hopes that there was help within made her run faster. As she got closer, Crystal began to see that it wasn’t a hut at all. Rather, it was a small mound of dirt, like a hill, with a door in it. The door seemed short as an entrance into a home, surely not big enough to hold a grown adult. Poking out the top of the hill, with billows rising from it, was a stout chimney. The mound of dirt was obviously an inhabitance, though Crystal had never seen the like of it before. This didn’t surprise her much, since everything in the land was new and original.

Oddly, there was no fence surrounding the property. Nothing marked the end or beginning of the owned land around the hut. This made the mound look inviting and welcoming. If the dwellers were opposed to visitors, surely there would be a fence or sign warning company from entering. This realization made Crystal a bit more confidant to knock on the door; as, she was minimizing the short distance that remained between her and the mound.

Finally, just as the last sun touched the horizon, ready to follow its mate beneath the planet, Crystal walked up to the door in the hill. She glanced behind her to see the twisted shadows and obscured movements of the night. They were almost on her now, about to engulf her in their murky embrace. She hadn’t realized how close they were, her concentration being fully on that task of reaching the door. Now it surprised her to see them so close. The shadows were unlike those of earths, if this was a different planet. They swirled like smoke and were composed of all the hues that black and gray could emit.

Assured now that she must leave the night, Crystal raised her hand and knocked on the door. Immediately following her knock, the door swung inward. Standing in the doorway was Merlin. He filled the doorway to its max and was garbed in the same robes that he wore on her 5th birthday. He looked pleased to see her, his red eyes bright and sparkling. Softly he spoke, “Welcome Crystal, you have passed the first test. You’ve done well. I’ve been expecting you for some time now, please come in before the night does.”

He stretched out his arm and encouraged the shocked Crystal into the mound. His touch was gentle, yet firm. He did not want to completely frighten the girl but it was necessary that he close the door very soon. He could not allow the darkness to penetrate his back door. Fortunately, Crystal followed his lead and entered. Instantly, the door shut when she cleared the entrance.

NEXT --> Part 7