Secret Discoveries (Part 11)

Secret Discoveries Part 11 BY: SEP

Michiko was angry. She had been transported to a different place, although that was not the correct word for the void she had visited. The mere memory of the vast, black, emptiness was scary, and there was so much she did not understand. She had experienced terror, confusion, and now, despite her Aunt's welcome, she still was not being told anything. Even now, minutes after they had sat down, Aunt Morgana was staring at her over the top of a cup a tea, which she had insisted on drinking before talking about anything consequential. The pregnant silence from before was nothing compared to the venomous resentment Michiko was feeling now.

Morgana smiled at the princess, sensing the turmoil within. Michiko had had enough. "Aunt Morgana, please wipe your self-satisfied smile off your face and be kind enough to tell me what is going on."

Morgana's shocked expression revealed the boldness and rudeness of Michiko's words. Serves her right, thought Michiko.

Morgana's sudden laughter filled the room. "I should have known you would be different from Crystal." Morgana placed her saucer and tea cup upon a side table, and looked up in time to see the mounting fury in Michiko's face, but she wasn't fast enough to stop
Michiko's torrent of words.

"What do you mean by all of this?" The fury in Michiko's voice was palatable, as though her anger were thickening and heating the air within the sitting room. "You scare me half to death while talking in a cryptic manner, clearly attempting to skirt a complicated issue. Who am I if I'm not Crystal? Why did you rename me? WHAT IS GOING ON?!?" Michiko had bellowed the last question, and her own fury and emotion alarmed her.

On the one hand, she had all the memories of Crystal growing up as princess for as far back as she could remember. Now, she felt a break between her childhood and present self. How could one person change so drastically in so short a time? She could feel the difference in her very being. Her demeanor was different, she was thinking differently, and certainly she was acting differently. When had she ever shouted at anyone? Suddenly, she realized that she never had shouted, never had lost control so badly. The sudden realization cowed her, and she barely repressed the sudden desire to run from the room and hide from this nightmare, her present reality.

"Calm yourself child." Morgana looked alarmed, making a jerky movement with her arm as though she wanted to comfort her niece. "I have some answers to your questions, but not all. However, you must calm yourself before we can speak."

Michiko clamped down sharply on her emotions, and the control must have been immediately apparent for Morgana began speaking. Her words came slowly, but built momentum as magic thickened around her, supporting the momentous words.

“You are no longer yourself, ” Morgana began. The statement was strange and hung in the air between them, but Morgana continued before Michiko could make a sarcastic remark. “In essence, this change began a long time ago, when you were still a child.”

Michiko felt confused but held her tongue, watching in wonder as the magic around Morgana grew thicker, and her Aunt’s words grew stronger. “I am sure that you remember your original meeting with Merlin. That day of your fifth birthday he tested you for magic. You see, magic should run strongly in the royal family, yet none of your siblings ever had even the slightest trace. Indeed, magic is your family’s right and honor. You being the youngest child, Merlin was sure that if your siblings did not have magic, you at the very least would have some magical talent.” A cold, sad, smile appeared on Morgana’s face. “Alas, Merlin has made one mistake too many I see.” Her voice trailed off as she remembered past events. “You never were the same after that meeting.”

Morgana tried to focus on Michiko, and Michiko felt as though a weight settled upon her shoulders as Morgana’s eyes locked upon her own. “The spell was too strong,” Morgana said simply. “I do not know what transpired between you both, but the result sits before me. You are a part of Crystal, and yet you are separate. Some recent event must have separated the already damaged parts of Crystal. Do not ask me what parts. Do not ask me what you are exactly. That is something I do not know. Presently we are not in the physical world, so I do not know if you have a physical manifestation. Here and now I can say that you both look exactly alike, but you are different in some fundamental aspects, different as any two people. This is one reason why I renamed you, although I also felt compelled by a magical force to do so. Your new name is Michiko, daughter of wisdom. You must help Crystal, for you are she, and she is you. Be wise, be strong, and may your journey be swift.”

The sweeping intensity of Morgana’s odd words pierced Michiko, and she mentally recoiled, reeling backward within herself in response to all she had just been told. Abruptly, Michiko found herself floating in the black void once more, circling the hourglass and pedestal. The familiar terror filled her, but, before she was paralyzed with fright, Morgana appeared next to her – a surprisingly calm force within the pressing silence.

“My niece, I hate to leave you in this state, but I feel a pull I can no longer withstand. I must heed this call. Yet, lastly, know that you need not fear this place. It is only the void within your torn soul now empty with the loss of your other half. Crystal does not yet realize this place exists… You can help her….” Morgana’s body and voice were fading now.

“NO, Aunt Morgana, do not leave me! There is still so much I do not understand.” Michiko was trying to suppress the hysteria in her voice, but it was not working.

Softly, Morgana’s voice responded out of the darkness. “You shall know what to do child. Think. Access your innate wisdom… Michiko.”

It was then that Michiko realized she was alone. The tears upon her cheeks were as comforting as they were troubling.

*****

(Note to reader: These asterisks will signal that the story is shifting back to a different topic. Since we don’t have chapters, this is the best way to signal a change in subject.)

Next--> Part 12 Coming Soon!

Correspondence from a missing writer

*SEP runs into the room shame-faced and flings herself in prostration before the angry masses.*

I'M SORRY!!! I've been errant in my ways. SORRY! SORRY! I'm trying to write, but juggling my new job and life just isn't leaving me with much time for other stuff. OK, it's the time of year for new starts - let's see if I can keep my writing deadlines. Here one should note that I, NOT Sarah Rutti, is responsible for the late update this week. OK, let me go fix this...

- SEP

P.S. I hope the long post makes up for the fact that it was late. Thanks for your understanding and patience! :D

Secret Discoveries (Part 10)

photo source: http://www.castles.org/castles/Europe/Western_Europe/Spain/Madrid%20Royal%20Palace/madrid4.jpg

Secret Discoveries Part 10 By: SEP

The scene of Crystal and Merlin faded within the orb as both wandered into the darkness of the hallway. As the vision within the glass ball disappeared, the Princess who, had been watching the orb, felt the darkness and uncertainty break her resolve. “But, but, who am I then?” Her voice wavered in the darkness, and the response was unnerving.

“I am glad you see sense child,” came the unearthly voice, “you cannot be Crystal, for one person cannot exist in two places at once. Yet, come child, do not fret. We shall rename you to avoid confusion, and then I shall tell you things your other half does not understand.”

“My other half?”

“Do not interrupt me.” The voice sounded cold, calculating, and distant. Then power exploded from the darkness. Its tendrils seemed to permeate the nothingness and struck the young princess with force. “Hence forth you shall be known as Michiko, my ‘child of beautiful wisdom.’ I expect you to live up to this name. Become wise my child… Michiko.”

“Michiko?” The princess said the name slowly, feeling the taste of it upon her tongue. “Daughter of beautiful wisdom? Is that what this name means? My name?” She felt confused. The power of her naming filled her and she felt her very essence tingle in response to the new name. Now, she was Michiko. She felt the correctness of this naming resound throughout her being.

Michiko’s resolve returned, her nerves soothed by the infusion of power from her naming. “Tell me friend; please explain my situation to me, for I find myself confused and unsure of my standing.” Her voice was strong again; fear of the ownerless voice had vanished.

“Ah, child,” the disembodied voice was gentle, so gentle one might weep at its tender inflections, “come, let us discuss your past, present, and future.”

Suddenly, the orb and hourglass disappeared, while simultaneously a grand throne room materialized out of the darkness. Indeed, the room was massive. The walls were gilded, covered in gold paint and partially hidden behind large red velvet curtains that hung throughout the room. The floor was covered in marble and the ceiling painted in frescos that moved slowly with the stars and sun like a huge clock. On a dais at the back of the room sat a woman of perfect beauty who seemed to glow with inner power. In fact, Michiko noticed that it was hard to look at the woman. Her features seemed perfect from afar, but if Michiko looked closer the woman became less distinct.

Michiko was curious now, and walked forward to better look at her host. When she was within fifty feet of the dais she stopped to curtsy, and as she raised her head, the woman’s features were discernable at last.

“AUNT MORGANA?!?” Michiko cried in surprise.

“I’m glad you recognized me at last child. Yes, we have much to discuss.”

Michiko was stunned. She stood, staring, as her aunt slowly rose and walked the last fifty steps to greet her. Morgana kissed Michiko on the cheek then slowly walked Michiko past the throne to a small door behind a velvet curtain where a sitting room was revealed. The two sat down facing each other as the silence between them swelled, unanswered questions creating a chasm between them.

Next --> Part 11

Update: HELLO!

*Walks in straight backed and proud.*

Yes, we are no longer ashamed to admit that life is getting the better of us (or perhaps here I should speak in the singular). All in all, we're (I'm) working on it. How does that sound? I'm in the process of working on an update, so if you wait patiently I'll have something, that you'll find worth reading, ready by tomorrow night G-d willing. Have a good one!

- SEP

The Suspence!

Crystal's Future

Sorry (again)

Sara and I have been having a GREAT time on vacation. Unfortunately, we have been unable to write the next part of the story. Please sit tight and have patience while we try to post it soon. Thank you. :-D

Secret Discoveries (part 9)

Secret Discoveries Part 9 SRS

Crystal slowly approached the object, drawn toward the white light that was being emitted from the orb. As she reached the ball, the light faded and the scene with her and Merlin resumed. Her previous questions still hung in the air, “Am I to know and deduce what all this means? Because there are many things that are bearing on my mind, none of which, I fear, I will be able to answer on my own. May I ask them of you or must I hold my tongue?” With a polite inquiring look, Crystal finished her statement and gazed up at the tall figure of Merlin, waiting. He tilted his head slightly to the right and smiled down and the girl.

“Child,” he said. “You do not know what you ask of me, or you would have lessened the burden of these statements. For me to explain all that has transpired and all that will, would require me to be the G-d I am not. However, you are right to ask about the past. Though I may only reveal some of it at a time, you must be patient. Speak your questions to me now and I will answer a few for the time being. It may be that you will come to realize the others in the near future.”

Shuffling her feet, Crystal thought about what Merlin response, “Very well,” sighed Crystal, “I will unleash my tongue to questions.” With that she stood up strait and attempted to carry herself like the princess she was supposed to be. Crystal shifted through the many questions in her mind and decided on the ones that were most prevalent and of the broadest scope, so that she might spawn new questions with their answers. “Firstly, where am I? Secondly, why have a come here? And thirdly, what am I to do here? These are three of the many questions consuming my mind, I will continue when these are dealt with.”

With a content smile Merlin responded, “Honorable questions, my girl, I will try to answer them to your liking. As of now, you are in my house, this is the back door. As you have notice, you are not in Camelot, you are in my Isle, though you might be leaving very soon. Why have you come here, why not? You have been summoned to prove your abilities in wit, intelligence, and self dependence. It is necessary for us to know what your strengths are and if we might trust you with future tasks. To deduce this you must be tested. So answers your third question, you are here to be yourself and find the balance within your characteristics. After accomplishing this you will be able to reach the heights you were born to.” With a twinkle in his eye, Merlin finished, turned to his right, and started into the tunnel to the far right of the entrance way.

Crystal had not expected his abrupt departure from the room, and had to collect herself before fully realizing what he was doing. By the time she could move her body in response, he was half immerged in the shadows of the tunnel. Running after him, afraid to be alone again, Crystal followed Merlin into the dimly lit tunnel.

Link to photo http://blogs.indiewire.com/twhalliii/hallway.jpg

Next --> Part 10

Ehrm - Oops...

*Shuffles in, peaks around looking shame-faced.*

Ahem, we apologize everyone. There was a little misunderstanding between SRS and myself, and this story wasn't posted on time as a result. We do profusely apologize. BUT! Since it looks like no one has been around to check the story, there's no harm done, eh? Anywho, we'll see if the next installment is up and running on time. It's my turn to write, but since I'm off vacationing with SRS, we haven't had much time for anything, let alone writing. So, on that note, have a good night, and we'll be in touch!

- SEP

Sara and I on Vacation!

Sorry that we were late, and had a huge miscommunication about weather or not the story was posted. We were having too much fun ;-D