Abnormalities
To be one of them was to be forced into darkness or hunted for any small flaw. Once an almighty, powerful, and loved kingdom, now long forgotten and hated. It’s only strength that now remained; faith and courage.
The kingdom of Awetony was once ruled by a loving king, Unantis, and his son Flyte. Their beginning was never known nor recorded and their battle against the now overpowering Legiance of Goldous was hoping never to be defeated. One by one, the shining peoples of Awetony were lured to Goldous’ side and their light extinguished, never to return. Those who remained were the strongest. Their light blinding those against them but filling hearts and souls who were like them, and rejoiced with them with love and warmth until they too, had a glow of their own. This was their true identity. A character of humble care. Why this was despised so, nobody could understand. It started with rebellion and continued with rebellion. This is a story of light and it all begins with Taseaya.
Walking through a part of the kingdom I have never been to before, the looks I receive do not surprise me. Yes, I glow a blue light, an aurora of cool water unlike the rest who have a pure white light. Why, I just don’t know. It’s as big a mystery to me as it is to all who spot me in the streets and valleys of Awetony. But, I like my blue light. I like to be different... in a good way I hope.
“Good morning Mrs.Woods, I didn’t expect to see you here.” My eyes lock on an older lady, around the age of 60 who runs a bakery just around the corner from my house. Standing in the doorway to a grocery store to my right, and holding a bag of flower that seemed too large for her to hold without being able to see ahead of her, I jogged over to her and took it from her arms.
“Taseaya! I’m just buying some supplies I ran out of. You wouldn’t want me to tell you I ran out of your favorite muffins now would you?” She replied with a wink of an eye.
Dreamily sniffing the air as if full of the scent of fresh bread I started towards the bakery alongside Mrs.Woods.
“Dark chocolate and strawberry muffins? Of course not!” I replied with a smile.
The way back to the bakery seemed to take a much shorter time than it should have. That’s what being with Mrs.Woods was like, time flew by like a bird.
The day, about half past noon, was very sunny without a cloud in sight and a delicate breeze was carrying a scent of flowers, possibly roses and cookies, my way as we neared our destination. The thought of eating my favorite muffins momentarily made my head spin with delight.
“Put those eyes back in your head and shut that mouth of yours after that tongue gets back where it’s supposed to be. You’ll get your muffins soon enough.” Mrs.Woods chuckled behind me as I ran ahead of her to the doors of the bakery.
Being the heart of Awetony, this part of the kingdom was never touched by Goldous so it was not surprising to see how beautifully the bakery appeared inside and out.
The petite, beige, square building with a red peaked roof had flowers lining all sides of all variety, including those roses I could smell a little while ago. Two large, arched windows stood tall next to a small wooden door decorated with intricate carved flowers in wood. The inside was a mix of mint and rose colors. Rose being the paint on the walls and accents of mint on the pine wood tables and chairs. The room inside was very open and clean. Delicious baked goods filled the glass covered shelving in the left corner of the room and the silky morning breeze continued through the open windows.
This was my favorite place to be.
“They’ll be ready in just fifteen minutes Taseaya.” Mrs. Woods stepped through the the back door behind the counter into the kitchen. I was just about to go admire the other treats when she stepped right back out again. “Silly me, Ill need that flour.”
It took me a moment to understand. When I noticed I was still holding the large bag of flour in my arms I nearly dropped it. “Oh! Sorry, I must have been mesmerized by those cupcakes you keep on display. How could I have not realized?” I handed over the flour and headed straight for my favorite spot; a seat right beside the front window nearest the beige counters.
I peered outside and watched people pass by on the brick-laid street. Some people were chatting with friends as they admired the menus listed by restaurant doorways, or shopped in the stores across the street. Every so often a bicycle or the rare water powered vehicle drive by. Personally , I preferred walking or riding my bike. There was always something new to discover if I just slowed down.
Mrs. Woods was right. It seemed as though only a few minutes passed by once she sat down across from me with a muffin for each of us. “Your glow just gets brighter everyday Taseaya, It’s Beautiful.”
I lifted my hand in front of my face. My hand itself appeared it’s normal pale color but I could simultaneously see the bright yet soft aquamarine glow come off of it. The colors seperate but one. “I don’t see a difference.” I lowered my hand back to my muffin and looked back up at Mrs. Woods once again.
“It’s slight but it’s there.” she smiled. Her glow was one of the brightest in the kingdom and just like others born or who gained a brighter light than others, she was asked to join the army of Awetony at a younger age but she declined. Her heart was in serving others with her bakery and that was completely fine. Joining the army was always a choice. Powers of those with brighter glows were helpful inside and outside of the kingdom. Mrs. Woods’ power was of health and growth. She helped the flowers thrive and sometimes people visited the bakery not only for baked goods but also for help with anything from a cut to cold.
After I helped clean up and payed for my muffin I thanked Mrs.Woods and headed towards the Valley. My best friend and I often hung out there (and I mean that literally). The Valley was a very large plot of land of open space as well as orchards of fruit trees, gardens, and forests. Ponds scattered the area and were always full of fish and wildlife.
The Valley was located in the center of Awetony. There were many others like it but much smaller and scattered around the kingdom. This valley however was surrounded by a large golden fence and the gateway stood about four stories tall, and was covered in a variety of glittering stones and jewels.
The moment I stepped through the gate I sprinted towards the forest, half a kilometer away. by the time I got there my legs burned and all I could hear was my heart racing and my breath heaving but it was always worth it. In front of me stood the tallest tree known to Awetony. Looking up at it, I could never tell you how tall it is because from the base you could not see the top. Usually Gloria, my best friend, and I watched the sun set at least twice a week from the peek of this tree but about a month ago she left for a vacation in Southern Awetony. It was going to be another long month for me before she would return. in the meantime I watched as the sunset every night without her. I placed my foot boldly on the lowest branch and continued to climb. The journey was never easy but I learned my ways up this tree and knew them like the back of my hand. My climb was experienced and quick.
I perched on the top, the branch thin beneath my feet, and leaned against the trunk.
The ember sun lit up the golden sky, the leaves shone a neon green. Just as the sun dipped into the horizon I looked upwards to see the night sky awaken billions of small bright lights that appeared to be just in my reach, floating right above the trees. The stars were always this magical at this height.
I stood, quickly yet steadily, and , with the sturdy support of the trunk beneath my hand , made my way around the tree peering down onto Awetony.
My eyelids began to droop and reminded me of my growing fatigue. I made my way to the ground taking leaps and swinging from tree branch to tree branch. I had done this so many times,my actions became almost silent.
Half way down I saw a glow form the corner of my eye and hesitated , crouching on the tree branch I landed on. Through the foliage I confirmed what I momentarily thought I imagined when I did see the faint unmoving white light at the base of my living tower. Maybe someone got lost, or decided to rest beneath the forest leaves as they headed home? I would never know . Seeming that there was no real danger I continued my descent only to find that the stranger was gone.
It didn’t take me that long to get down did it? And even if I did, this person couldn’t have gotten far. But as I scanned the forest floor, there was no glow but that of my own.
Trying to forget about the mystery I left behind at the tree, I continued through the woods towards my home. I wasn’t taking the easy way out; through the gate and past the bakery , but this way was much more interesting . There was always something new to discover whether I just never noticed them or the forest was alive and recreated itself some nights. I always thought true of the latter.
From a far distance I spotted the glow once again. Bright and dazzling , my curiously took over and carried my legs swiftly over fallen branches, rocks, and roots protruding from the damp ground. as I neared I grew more disappointed with each step seeing as the source was only a small lake. This proved my theory of a living, powerful forest. I have gone through this area of the forest many times and never came across such a large body of water. I kept this a secret though, aware that people might think wrongly of me.
Surrounded by tall grass and covered in water lilies, this small lake was much more like a rather large pond at second glance. The water was completely still and reflected the night sky like a mirror which must have caused my confusion as it sent a hazy shimmer of light around itself.
Strangely but not surprisingly the water lured me close to it’s edge. I discovered my powers later than everyone else, discovering that I could breath underwater a year ago after I was accidentally pushed off of a wooden dock into a lake in Western Awestony.
Plunging head first into deep waters during a windy day when waves threw themselves at the shore was never easy to get out of, and as I panicked , tangled among the aquatic plants, I realized my screams for help were clear and not muffled. Not only that, but my lungs never burned or longed for air. I remembered being able to untangle myself and slowly reach the surface which wasn’t at war with the winds anymore but as curiously calm as I was. This was also the first time I had been able to control water.
The sound of the waters movement brought me back to the present. A moment later something broke the surface and swam back down again sending small ripples in all directions.
Hoping that it was only a small fish, I crouched down at the water’s edge and placed my hand , fingers outstretched, on the rippling liquid.
My powers still amazed me.
The moment my touch broke surface, my mind instantly created an image of the layout of the pond.
Sloping steeply downwards along all sides, there was a sudden drop down descending at east ten meters before turning into a narrow tunnel on my right. Before I saw any further I jerked backwards catching myself with my other arm before I hit the ground.
I questioned myself rather than the odd shape of the ground beneath the lake as I drew my legs back beneath myself and stood up.
“That has never happened before.” I thought to myself as I turned and jogged away from the plummeting hole now behind me.
Several minutes later I spotted the golden fence between the trees, reflecting the moonlight off of the curved, delicate , yet strong design. An old tree grew tall and twisted with age just beside the barrier, its long, thick branches stretching over it. Just as I grabbed a branch and was about to pull myself up to reach my backyard beyond the fence, a hand grabbed hold of my ankle and pulled me towards the ground with great force.
