Elinsian Dreams

[amithea]

Hi, I'm Amberwonder and I hope you enjoy what's to come! You can find out more about most of the characters here. I'd like to request that you don't post; this is a W.I.P, after all! Just be warned that the probability of me littering this thread with illustrations to go with the writing is quite high... Don't say I didn't warn you. I'm not the best writer, I just wanted to share this story with you!

Yeah... I'm not likely to update that frequently either... Hopefully I'll post here soon! I'm not really sure what to call this, so the name might change a few times as well...

[amithea]

I awoke. Light blinded me, so I lay there for a while, adjusting. A mocking grin. The first thing I saw.
'Hey mister, you really took your time!'
A laugh. But... It was... friendly? What?!
'Who are you?!' I sit bolt upright, awake now, 'What do you want?'
'Umm... I'm Penelope!'
My vision comes into focus, although at first all I can see is a shock of violet, then all the colours of dawn. And, finally, a young girl. But... A mere name can't answer my question, can it? Who is she really, and how did she find me here? Why is she here? Will I ever be left alone? All I want to do at this point in time is lash out, to wipe that stupid expression off of her face... But that would be submitting to Him; the last thing I want to do. So I restrain myself, trembling.
'A-are you ok?' She smiles idiotically, offering me her stubby hand.
'I'm fine.' I push her away, 'Ever heard of stranger danger?'
'N-no...' She stammers, not taking the hint. 'But you can tell me all about it, right!' She beams. She's starting to annoy me now...
'Get lost!' I sneer, agitated, 'Just leave before I hurt you!'
She stands her ground. I'm surprised. I draw myself to my full height, hoping to scare her off, even though it's clear she's not going anywhere anytime soon.
'Wow... Your cloak looks SUUUPER old and tattered!' I quake, fuming now, my anger threatening to overthrow me, but she continues... 'Why don't you burn it and get a new one?' She giggles. Doesn't she understand? The cloak I stand in... It's more than just an item of clothing... It's a part of me. I raise my hand to slap her... And she runs away. So I stand, feeling strangely light-hearted, my hand raised as if waving goodbye. And I retreat.

[amithea]

A few weeks later, I was awoken again. I just want to sleep, for all eternity. There is nothing left for me in this world. Slowly, reluctantly, I sit. Only to see the same ridiculous brat as last time. I sigh, flopping down.
'Leave me alone.'
Above me, she grins. 'What if I refuse?' She smiles, seeming more mature than before... But... that didn't make sense... Did it? Unless... Maybe I have been sleeping for longer than I thought...
'...' I chose not to respond. She offers me her hand. For some reason, I take it this time. It is covered in scars and small scratches. What has she been up to? She helps me up, and I stand to face her, 'What do you want with me?' I stare at the ground, resigned to my fate. She blushes.
'I... I uh, I made you something...' She hands me a carefully wrapped package. Do I open it? I've never been given anything before... Unless you can count hatred. I eye her warily.
'How do I know I can trust you?'
'I don't know!' She grins. I sigh.
'Idiot. You shouldn't waste your time on me; I'm a bad influence.'
'Really? What makes you say that?' Now I go red and turn away.
'I've... I've done some bad things...' Wait... Why am I telling her this? Why am I even putting up with her?!
'Huh? What do you mean by that?'
'Just leave me alone!' I cry, feeling a torrent of emotions welling up inside me. The last thing I want to do is take them out on her, no matter how annoying she is. Suddenly, I feel another pair of eyes boring into me. And I bolt. Surely... Surely she can't have found me already! I turn back. I'm being chased. Aria. She must have seen me and thought I was up to no good. I know I shouldn't, but it's the only way... I have to do it... I have to fly. Risky as it is, I have to do it. It's not like the current sky spirit will recognise me, is it? I leap into the air, defying gravity and taking off. Good. I've lost her. But then, a shimmering figure joins the chase. A thunderstorm swells into existence. No way! The spirit did recognise me after all! She must be really mad at me, because she seems to have chosen a side; freedom.
I have to land. I know that Aria won't make a move against me unless I decide to obey the Puppeteer, which is NOT going to happen. Never again... I catch a glimpse of a small village below... I have to land there. It will be safer than hiding in the forest at least... Aria would never start a conflict when there were other people around who could get hurt by it. And... I wouldn't either.

Suddenly I realise that I'm still clutching the package that this 'Penelope' girl gave me...

[amithea]

And that's when I discover just how much of my energy was used up in escaping. My knees buckle, and I fall to the floor, exhausted. But wait. What if... No. I won't think about that. I should disguise myself. As I struggle to pick myself up, I can feel my vision fading. I'm losing conscious. The world goes dark and it's too late to do anything about my situation... I just have to hope and pray that the history books round here aren't illustrated.

I have no idea how long I lay there, unconscious, but I'm awake now... And... I'm not outside anymore. I've been discovered. I move to get up when a voice calls, 'No!'
'Who's there?' I mumble, my curiosity aroused.
'I'm Jem... You really need to rest...' A boy, who I'm assuming is this 'Jem' approaches me. And then I notice that I'm in a comfortable bed, and not on the floor. I glare at him, defiant. I don't deserve this comfort. Not after what I've done!
'Why?' I demand. I feel perfectly fine. He gently rests his hand on my shoulder, averting his eyes.
'We found you unconscious in front of the bakery... And... You're injured. So, for now... It's best for you to rest awhile.' He's so quiet. Hmm... I could get away, but where would I go? Besides, he's probably right... So I reluctantly lie down and close my eyes.
'Whatever...' I can feel him watching me. It's annoying, but I understand how much I must have worried everyone here. I don't want to cause any more chaos, and it doesn't seem like anybody knows who I am... For now... I suppose I could stay... Just for a little while. Maybe I'll start to truly live again. I drift off to a gentle sleep...

[amithea]

A little while later, I feel something warm and heavy on my chest. I continue to doze for a few moments longer. And when I awake once more...
'Aaaaaaghr! Get off of me!' I cry, finding that this 'Jem' had fallen asleep on me. He started, blinking. He sits up and rubs his eyes.
'Ah! I'm so sorry!' He gasps, seeming surprised. I glare at him.
'Get off.'
'I'm really sorry,' He goes bright red. 'It was the middle of the night and I didn't want to leave you alone! You were injured!'
'Well, I'm not injured any more.' I get up, and make my way to the door. Hesitant, he gently taps my shoulder.
'Here.' He hands me Penelope's package.
'I don't want it.' I push it back.
'I don't believe you.' he whispers. Reluctantly, I take it.
'...Thanks...'
'Aren't you going to open it?'
'Fine,' I sit back down, deftly tearing open the coarse paper. A silky white cloak slides out. I pick it up with a sigh, rolling my eyes. I should have known. Stupid girl. I can see how much time went into this. The intricate gold embroidery is... something else entirely.
'Wow,' Jem stares beside me, completely lost for words.
'I know,' I begin to fold it away.
'You're not trying it on?'
'No,' I give him the evil eye. He moves closer. I just sit there, ignoring him. Until he unclasps my cloak. I grab his hand. It's warm and fragile. Tightening my grip, I stare deep into his soul. He meant well. Jem winces, tears springing to his eyes. I release him, my point made. Picking up the black tattered fabric on the floor, I realise just how old it is, just how long it's lasted. Just how much it's been through. I put it back on. And then I see that it does nothing for me. It doesn't keep me warm. It doesn't hide me. It just flutters uselessly in the breeze. I could restore it easily, but... Jem can see my inner struggle. It's written all over my face. He looks at me. His eyes shimmer with understanding and empathy. He can tell how much I love this thing.
'My sister made it for me. She died long ago...I miss her...' My voice cracks. Tears threaten.
'It's old, and worn. You want to preserve it, right?'
'Right,'
'Then let it go.'

But I can't. Because I'm afraid. Afraid that I'll forget her.

[amithea]

And, in my moment of weakness, I feel Him strike. I clutch my chest, paralysed by the agony. I let out a shriek. Jem looks at me, concerned. I fall to the ground.
*You should get out of here. Now. Before it's too late.* I project my thoughts to him, desperately hoping he can hear me. Nothing will stop the puppeteer from possessing my body now, from pulling the strings. I knew I could only hold him back for so long.
'What's going on?! Your eyes... They're changing colour... From red to... blue?' Jem looks at me, evidently confused.
*Seriously, leave! He'll wreak complete HAVOC now that he has his 'puppet' back! It's dangerous here...* I let loose another shrill cry. The pain is unbearable... I'll have to leave my body before the anguish and fear engulfs my soul. The real question however, is for how long? Focusing my energy, I manage to escape my body. And just in time from the looks of things. My physical form straightens. I'm sprawled out on the floor, exhausted. I look up at Jem. At first, it seems like he cannot see me in this state, but then we make eye contact. He can see me. Clearly, he's been gifted. Because I'm nothing more than a spirit now. If he's been gifted with the sight, then I will make it my duty to protect him. With a slight gesture, I conceal him from the puppeteer. I stand, ready for a confrontation. The puppet grins at me, crystal blue eyes gleaming.
'So... I have reduced you to being a mere spirit. How does it feel? Anyone else would have died. But not you. You'll never die. It's a pity... Your punishment wasn't thought out terribly well, was it? To be honest, I was expecting more resistance from you.' He's mocking me. I glare at him.
*How could you do this to me?! Haven't you done enough? Haven't you used me enough?!*
'No. You see... I rather like this body. It just needs a little... Refining.' He laughs.
*You mean...*
'Precisely. This is no longer your body. It's mine.'
*I know this must be blatantly obvious, but I despise you with every fibre of my being.*
'Of course you do. By the way... I'm surprised nobody recognised you. But... It HAS been over a thousand years since then, so...' He's messing with me. I tremble, my shimmering form drifting just above the ground. *Shut up.*
'Okay. I suppose you don't enjoy being reminded of your terrible 'wrong doings', do you? No matter. I have a village to torment.'
*I won't allow it!*
'You don't have a choice.'
I sink to the floor, beaten. He's right. There's very little I can do like this. He strides out of the room, victorious. For now at least...

But... I suddenly remember the boy hidden next to me. I wait a while. Only when I'm sure that we're alone do I release the illusion and sink to the ground. Jem sits beside me.
'So... Who are you exactly?' He has a right to know. I sigh. He would've found out sooner or later.
*I'm known as... Erin.* He gasps. I can feel myself going bright red.
'As in... Erin the Tyrant?' He hesitates. 'You're the one from... That time...?'
*So they did teach you about me after all...* I look him in the eyes.
'Yes...'
*I'm not the greatest, am I?* I smile, helpless.
'Actually, you're not as bad as I thought you'd be.' He grins at me. Does this mean... He's accepted me for who I am?
*Well... This is a first* I laugh nervously, unsure of what I should think.
'What is?'
*Nobody has ever accepted me as readily as you before.*
'You're a good person at heart. I can tell.'
Tears spring to my eyes. I blush. *So... Does this mean we're... Friends?* I tentatively ask the question. But almost as soon as the words left my mind, I could tell from the look in his eyes that the answer was yes.

[amithea]

A connection is made. An unbreakable bond has formed between the two of us. Jem. My first ever friend. I'm filled with a peculiar glow... Happiness? I drift to my full height. He clambers to his feet.
*We have to do something.*
'But... What?'
*True, the puppeteer weakened me quite severely, but...* An insane plan had found its way into my mind. Aria might be able to help us.
'You know what we can do?'
*I have an idea... But... It might not work. After all, I am a fugitive.* I grimace. Jem gives me a look.
'We have to try it.'
*I agree. Just so you know, this could be potentially dangerous.*
'It's okay,' He smiles at me, 'We're in this together, right?'
*Right.* I float towards the window. Peer out. The drop isn't too great. I could survive it, but I'm not sure if Jem could. He probably won't manage it. And there's a risk that the puppeteer might come back. I could disguise him as me, but... If Aria attacks me... I'll need all of my power to defend myself... No matter. Jem needs protecting. I don't have much choice.
*I'm going to go and find someone who can help us. I'll have to exit from the window- that way it's less likely the puppeteer will notice us- he's been dormant for a while, so he should still be a little drowsy. I can escape. The drop is too much for you, so you'll have to stay here. I'll disguise you as me- that way you're less likely to get hurt; pretty much everyone knows of my immortality- nobody will even bother attacking you. If the spell fades... it means Aria has killed me, breaking her predecessors curse.*
'I don't understand...'
*Aria is the current spirit of nature. She's the second one. I'm going to ask her for help.*
'But that's suicidal!'
*If I'm right, she'll understand.*
'If you're wrong-'
*I know. But think about it. Even if I've been sleeping for pretty much the entire time, I've already lived my life.*
'You haven't though. You haven't had a chance to right your wrongs, to make the right choices. It can't end like this!'
*I don't have a choice right now,* I smile sadly, preparing to make an exit. I flick my hand, putting the illusion in place. After all, the best place to hide something is in plain sight, *Remember, the only differences from me as I am now, and the puppeteer masquerading as me is that I have red eye and I'm a projection of thought. He's solid, and with bright blue eyes.*