P-Seasonal Garden Chapter 53

Read Table of Content | +Kyla Scurchio
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      I was exhausted, sore and hungry, but I had made it. The Island floated high above the choppy water, just out of reach. I called out to Zugzwang, and I heard nothing but waves. As I sat watching the island a small piece floated down to me. Cautious, I called upon my power reserves just in case.
The small land mass stopped in front of my little row boat. It appeared deserted so I abandoned the small vessel and climbed on top of it. I wobbled a bit as it lifted me into the air. It was a strange feeling but I smiled enjoying the short ride. It stopped just shy of the larger Island. I calculated the distance and dubbed it safe to jump. I cleared the distance and landed on the other side. I looked over the edge at the ocean below, not really sure how I’d get down or if I ever could again.
     A small breeze touched my skin and I shivered. It was then that I realized something wasn’t quite right. The trees were losing their leaves and the air was chilled, almost as if Fall had set in. I was
confused for a moment but then I remembered the Soothsayer’s warning about this place. I could feel the magic energy in the air and I realized I wasn’t prepared for it. My traps would be next to useless here, so it was hand to hand combat I would expect if I had to face the enemy. I seriously hoped that wouldn’t have to happen.
     I spotted a bridge that connected the largest piece of land to a smaller one. The tree on it was massive. The bridge swayed back and forth in the wind and I didn’t fancy crossing it. I also noted a large tower, connected to mechanisms of all sorts. It was the large floating crystal that caught my attention most. I was mesmerized by it for several minutes when a voice behind me sounded.
     “I suggest you leave this place hunter!” the mouse was tall holding a scythe in one hand and a glowing orb in another. The magic floated off of him in torrents of power. He must have been the cause to the sudden change in seasons. A leaf from a nearby tree floated down to him and he caught it in his paw.
     “You hunter’s don’t belong here.” He said as he crushed the leaf into tiny bits. He glanced at me from the corner of his eye.
“So I’m not the first?” I asked him cautiously.
     “No, but you are the last!” he waved his weapon in my direction and it sent me spinning to the ground trying to avoid it. I kicked out my leg to trip him but he jumped over it and landed gracefully beside me. I rolled as he sent energy blasts my way and tried to swipe at me again. I called to my power, and my tattoos glowed bright just as I was to release my magic on him.
     The sudden blinding blue light radiating off of my skin was all I needed to catch the mouse off guard.
“Another magician!” he spat angrily. He sent another orb of magic my way before disappearing across the island. I let the magic fade confused by the whole encounter.
     At least I knew for sure Zugzwang was on the Island, or at least had been. I couldn’t see him anywhere in the open so he had to be in the tower. The shadows over the place sent me on edge. I didn’t like the look of it. Even from across the island I could sense a dark power over it. slowly i made my way towards it.
     The tower loomed over me. I had jumped the island and landed safely near the bottom of the winding steps. As I took to the stairs I felt the seasons start to change on me. It wasn’t possible, how could they change so fast. Unprepared for a winter as cold as this one threatened, I reached for the handle on the door at the top of the steps. The knob turned, it was unlocked. I pushed the door open and heard a collision of sounds inside. Stepping into the shadows felt like a bad idea, but I saw no other option. Once inside the door slammed behind me. I was left in darkness.
     Worried of the unknown dangers within the tower I called upon my magic, and then regretted it almost instantly. As my markings began to glow I realized I stuck out like a beacon in the dark. I heard a shuffling in the shadows and a few blasts hit a pillar a several yards away from me. I ducked and skirted around the room.
     The floor was checkered surrounded by a circle of pillars. From behind one of the pillars I watched as a mouse floated across the room. It was soon surrounded by mice of the same type. They looked just like Rook pieces and I stared in awe at them. Their palms glowed as they circled around; winding their way towards something I couldn’t see. All at once they let a blast of magical energy shoot into the dark. Their small bodies flung backwards to the other end of the room. A blast from and unknown enemy shot after them, before it too took off into the shadows.
     All was quiet for a time but I kept the power within my reach just in case. suddenly movement was all around me but I couldn’t see through the different blasts to tell who was shooting at what. When I turned to find another pillar to hide behind I was surprised to find I wasn’t alone.
     His fist took me by my throat and slammed me into the wall. I couldn’t speak the spell I had on the tip of my tongue, but the magic pulsed within me, sending off threatening waves of power. The light from my skin was blinding me and I couldn’t see who had their hand on my throat squeezing the life out of me. I squirmed and kicked out with my feet trying to loosen the grip of my attacker.
“HOW DID YOU GET IN HERE?” he shouted in my face. “What sent you?”
He didn’t loosen his grip enough to let me speak. The air was not getting to my system and I was seeing spots. The corners of my eyes began to black out and just before I thought I’d lose it, I gave one last push at my attacker then groaned out.
“Z! It’s me!”