"Origins 3" by Alicia (Vixen) Brown

Brushing the gravel from his knees, he slowly rose. For days he’d been flying through the wilds. He’d left the castle in the dead of night whilst everyone else was celebrating. Nothing had ever angered him as much as all those impervious fools celebrating that night. The whole thought of them banishing his little sister and then celebrating it made a growl rise from deep in his throat.

That was over a week ago. He’d tracked his sister this far by night, and found safe places to turn to stone in the day. It was no easy task. His sister’s magic enabled her to fly for most of the night, and with her turning human during the day her tracks were jumbled with other humans. Luckily, however, the gargoyle sent of her was still fresh enough to be used for his tracking her. Plus the undeniable feel of her magical presence helped him too.

His thoughts trailed off as he bent to collect his pack and gear. He was so lost in thoughts as he worked that he did not hear the strangers approaching behind him. He did feel the sword point to his back, though.

"Turn," a deep masculine voice told him. Alarmed and not wanting to anger his captures he rose slowly and turned, feeling the razor sharp tip of the sword lift from him long enough for him to turn before resting on his chest. Once turned, he looked over his captives. The one with the sword point to him was a massive male gargoyle. His tannish/brown skin and silver and black armor shimmered in the moonlight. Blaze noticed a sliver amulet with a single dragon emblem dangling from the male’s neck. He turned his gaze to the other whom had a cross bow strapped to one arm and a knife in the other hand, incase he got past the bigger one he supposed. This ones skin was a medium blue, like the color of deep water, and his black leather outfit creaked when he moved. He had weapons hanging form every where possible. Both of his captors had the same dark black hair and crystal blue eyes. The tannish was the bigger of the two, but the blue one was almost the other match in size.

He looked back to the tan one and met a petrifying gaze. A growl rose from deep in the others throat and his eyes glowed white. " Who are you, what are you doing in this place?"

Blaze did not move his gaze from the other, even when he heard the blue one come up to stand beside them. " I am Blaze, formally of the Stone Mountain Clan," he replied smoothly. " What business is it of yours that I am here?"

The other growled again and his companion rested a restraining hand on his arm. "My brother and I have lived in this place for a few months now and all the travelers we have seen at night are dangerous or vile creatures. Forgive his impetuousness but the last one to past through here tried to kill him. I see you carry no weapons," he nodded towards Blaze and nudged his brother in the ribs. Both moved their weapons but did not yet lower them completely. In truth Blaze did carry a weapon, but he was not about to tell these two this. "Blaze I am Avalanche and this big oaf here is my brother Psyche." Avalanche extended his hand and Blaze clasped his forearm in a friendly manner. Once Psyche lowered his sword, he repeated the gesture.

Seeing as how the night had just begun and he needed rest Blaze took the invitation when the brothers invited him to sit and talk a while. "Sorry for pulling our weapons on you," Psyche told Blaze. " But every other creature we have come across since we were children just about, isn’t worth trusting as far as you can throw ‘em. I hope you prove us wrong. So what brings you here anyway?"

Blaze pulled the dried meat out of his pack and offered the brothers a piece, they gladly took it and he took one for himself. He took a bite then after a moment said, " My sister actually."

"Your sister?" they both said at once and began looking around as if they expected her to pop out of the tress. Blaze could not help but chuckle. " So," Psyche began while still watching out of the corner of his eye. " What brings her out here?"

Blaze chuckled again. " You wont find her fellas, she’s been gone from here for at least 2 days, but I am getting closer to her. I’ve been tracking her for well over a week.

Both the others had puzzled looks on their faces. They looked to each other and back to him. " So you’re tracking her?" Blaze nodded. "Why?" Avalanche asked.

Blaze sighed and went into the long story that led him up to tracking his sister. The two only looked startled when Blaze mentioned how powerful his sister was. Both had the same look of anger he knew he had once he finished the tale. " So you see that’s why I’m tracking her. To protect her and just to get my family back."

The other two nodded and looked at each other, almost as if they were reading each other’s thoughts. Psyche turned to him, "We’d like to go with you and aid you in your search that is if you wouldn’t mind the company."

Blaze sat and thought a moment while chewing the salty meat. Extra help would be nice and maybe it’ll cut my searching time in half. He nodded to himself. " Yes, I could use the help, you both are welcome to accompany me, but we must leave immediately."

" Then what are we waiting for? "Psyche asked. Restowing all the food in the pack and finishing what they had, each leapt to a tall tree. Climbing it, then propelling themselves off with their feet and unsnapped their wings taking flight.

~

She twisted again in the cool, crisp night air. Every bank and turn bringing her closer to a brush with death. She spun as a searing bolt came down nearly charring her hide. Ducking, spinning, spiraling, the immense heat and sharp crackles surrounding her. Thunder sounded all around her deafening her to all but it’s monstrous roar. She laughed as the tiny tear drops bouncing off her smooth skin illuminated as another bolt shot passed. The thrill rose in her chest, her heart pounded with every pass. This is what she lived for. Her calling, her passion. Another bolt and a twist, then another speedy turn as she nearly collides with the stone wall before her. Curious she swoops down...

~

With a sigh she slowly turned the door knob. The large wooden door creaked open revealing yet another luxurious and empty bed chamber. The silks and velvets colored in a bright red were thick with layers of dust. Sadly she closed the door, hearing Demonis curse across the hall.

" This one’s empty too." she called. Demonis stepped out of a room decorated in golden petals, " So are all these. Shall we press on?"

"Indeed," Vixen nodded. They’d been searching the castle since the night they met. For some odd reason she had the funny feeling they were searching for something, though neither could say what. Oddly enough the deeper they went the colder the castle became. She’d lost count of how many levels down they were. Lost in thought she slammed into a suddenly still Demonis. " Hey!" she snapped.

"Sorry..."

"That’s alright, look.." she nodded, indicating the right. Vixen looked up at what Demonis had been staring at. It was a huge iron door, suddenly a terrible chill spread up her spine settling in her toes and fingers.

"Feel that?" Demonis asked shiveringly. Vixen was shocked at seeing the white cloud puffing from Demonis’s breath. Normally gargoyles didn’t feel the cold, but she felt this to the hollow of her bones. "Yeah, what’s going on?"

" I don’t know." With a shaky hand Demonis tested the no handled door, it didn’t budge. Determination set in her eyes she shoved the massive door, once again nothing happened. With a huff Vixen joined her. They pushed until their muscles strained from the effort. Neither could discern why getting this open was so important, all they knew was that this was what they had been looking for. At last the door edged painfully slowly open. Both shivered at the arctic blast that assailed them.

Vixen looked around in awe. She was standing in a vast ice covered cavern. Dazzling displays of ice crystals shimmered from the vaulted ceiling. Great glaciers sprouted from the floor. Pale light greeted them seeming to dance through the room. She heard Demonis exclaim beside her. " Tis wondrous!"

"Aye!" was all she heard from her companion. Her eyes drifted slowly, taking in the scene before her. She noticed two gigantic columns reaching the ceiling seeming to burst with dancing light. She edged casiously toward them and gently laid her hand on one. She noticed Demonis doing the same to the other.

Within a heartbeat she felt searing pain throughout her body and screamed as it seemed the very core of her being was being ripped form her. Demonis too was screaming. The columns flashed and the dark spots within cleared to reveal a male gargoyle, staring blankly at her from the ice. She felt water trickle down her arm as her power slammed back into her and she gasped for sweet air. She quickly glanced to Demonis, noticing too the column in front of her trickling water and a seemingly fierce female staring out form the ice.

"What now?" she asked her friend, her brow creasing in puzzlement.

" I don’t know." The columns were melting rapidly. The one with the male was now just above his head. Vixen searched her mind frantically... What if these two don’t approve of us? Will they attack us? Will they banish us?

"Should we do something?" she asked.

Demonis shrugged, her gaze still fixed on the ice prisons. Turning back, Vixen’s eye widened. Both prisoners head’s were free, but they still appeared to be in some kind of suspended animation. The ice was melting even quicker then she could think.

Demonis seemed transfixed as the ice melted. A slight glow formed around each captive. Now at each ones waist, the ice melted rapidly, at this rate they’d be meeting their hosts in a matter of seconds.(to be continued).....