(Emily) Prologue of my book.

Prologue of the book I'm working on. I'm personally very happy with it so far. The first chapter is nearly done as well, I shall post it when it's finshed and editedededed =D

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EndNight:

The Last Prophecy

Prologue

A hawk flew soundlessly through the night sky, over an immense forest. It was late, and the moon was high in the sky, brightly glowing. It was nearly full and seemed especially beautiful on this particular night.

It may be late…

But it was finally time…

We’re almost there now Wolf…

She sent the telepathic thought to her nervous companion on the ground.

…Is there anyone following us?

I don’t think so, Hawk. But we should still hurry.

I know. This may be the last chance we have before the Guardians meet…

Hawk flapped her wings again, lifting her higher into the sky to catch a new air current. She filled her lungs with the crisp night air, absently worrying about what news her old friend would bring. Probably nothing too pleasant, not after everything the prophecy had stated…

A few moments later a small cottage came into her view, exactly what she had been looking for.

I see it. I’m going to land… Wait for me Wolf.

Hawk started her descent, watching the ground for her companion. It took her a minute to spot the cloaked figure through the thick foliage of the forest. She shifted into her human form as she gracefully landed beside him, and she too wore a hooded cloak now, in this form. They walked in complete silence for awhile, both knowing the potential importance of this journey.

“It’s strange without Tiger…” whispered Hawk softly, after awhile.

“Yes… But her death will be avenged my friend.” replied Wolf, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. His face grew somber as well, remembering his old friend.

“But at what price?” Hawk shook her head. She looked up, catching a glimpse of the moon through the tree branches. Oddly enough, most of the leaves covering the branches were dead or already fallen off, though it was nearly mid-spring. One of the leaves blew into Hawk’s auburn hair and she absently pushed it out of the way.

“You know as well as I do that he must be killed anyway, for the safety of both the Cross-worlds and Elan’mer…”

“Yes, but how many lives will it take to do it? But still, if it’s not done the entire universe could be at risk, if he really has found a way to take the Cross-worlds...” Hawk sighed. “Nevermind about that for now, we’re here.”

A cottage stood in the center of a clearing, vines covering most of its exterior. The windows were lit up; someone was obviously up even at this strange hour.

“He must have known I was coming.” said Hawk, glancing at Wolf. “Are you coming or staying here?”

“I’ll stay back and keep watch. Don’t take too long…”

“I won’t.” promised Hawk, starting across the clearing towards the cottage. She glanced over her shoulder at Wolf, not being able to shake the feeling she was being watched, followed. No… it’s only paranoia, she told herself, though her uneasy feeling remained.

Hawk took a deep breath as she approached the front door of the cottage, hoping nothing would go somehow wrong... Before she could knock the door burst open, revealing a man appearing to be somewhere in his late 40’s, his clothes ruffled like he had dressed hurriedly.

“Hawk… So you really are here. I was starting to think you wouldn’t come, it’s been so long, I thought maybe something-”

“I’m fine Gareth.” she interrupted, “We don’t have much time though…” She checked over her shoulder one last time, just to be sure.

“Yes… yes, of course… Here, come in.” he said, opening the door wider and stepping out of the way. Hawk walked wordlessly into the sparsely furnished cottage.

“Have you had any more visions?” she asked, glancing around. Neither of them bothered to take a seat.

“Not many, unfortunately… They come less and less frequently as time goes on. I’ve only had two of importance. I saw you coming obviously, that was the first, and the other one…” Gareth’s voice softened. “There’s some good news and some bad. The good news is that two of the Guardians will meet at the full moon.”

“It’s about time… they should be ready by now.” murmured Hawk. “What’s the bad news…?”

“The bad news is that one of them might die. In fact, the other Guardian might kill him or her. I never saw the Guardian that got killed in the vision, but it could be any of them…”

“That… can’t happen! Can we do anything about it…?”

“Maybe. I need your help though.”

“Of course… What do I have to do?”

“You must go to the place where Tiger started the army against the Saridan Empire. The Rebel army… You know where that is, yes?”

“I believe so. Wolf knows anyhow…”

“Alright… The Guardian that Tiger was looking after is leader of the army now, but he obviously won’t trust any of the other Guardians since their all Saridanians,” continued Gareth.

“So, go find him, tell him I was a friend of Tiger’s and to trust the traveler that comes on the full moon…?” said Hawk uncertainly.

“Something like that. Also, I believe she was going by the name Misty there... and it might be best not to mention your own name. Also if it’s Sarina’s daughter…”

“She’ll recognize me in an instant, I know. I’ll leave before anyone comes.” Hawk sighed, pressing her hand to her forehead. This was going to get complicated. “If this is so difficult with prophecies, what are we suppose to do after this, if it is truly the last one we have…?”

“I don’t know Hawk… Something must change, I don’t know what but… something will. But that’s the Guardians work; we can do nothing but make sure they meet and hope they don’t get killed.”

There was silence for a minute, both dreading the uncertain future of their world.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do after this whole ordeal, there’s no need for an Oracle if there’s no prophecies, and if my visions are disappearing as well…” said Gareth, shaking his head.

“Actually, I have evidence that Xenophon is messing with the Source to try and find the last stones, it could be interfering with your visions…”

“You… You’ve been to the Cross-worlds then. Hawk, you know it’s to dangerous to-”

“Gareth, it doesn’t matter… I … don’t have much time left. The agreement…” her voice faltered.

“…Hawk… how much time do you have, exactly?” asked Gareth anxiously. Hawk said nothing for a moment, hesitating to tell him.

“I have a year left.”

Gareth squeezed eyes shut for a moment, repeating her answer.

“A year…”

He re-opened his eyes, looking up at Hawk.

“Do you think it will be enough?”

“I honestly don’t know…” she answered, staring down at her feet. “If I die… rather, when I die, as it’s enviable… please just make sure Xenophon doesn’t fulfill his plans.”

“…Of course.” whispered Gareth solemnly. “I know as well as you do what would happen if he succeeds.”

Hawk nodded slightly.

“I should leave then, if that is all. Wolf is waiting…”

“Yes... Right,” murmured Gareth, watching her turn to leave.

“…Take care for now, Hawk. No matter what your future is…”

She nodded, glancing at him sadly before she silently slipped out of the door again. Wolf was waiting outside already, gazing up at the sky.

“I was going to come get you if you took much longer,” he growled. Hawk shrugged.

“We had much to speak about. Come on, we’d better leave quickly, before we’re found.”

They headed back into the forest; the first bit of sunlight illuminating their way.

“The greatest danger yet, as the prophecy stated… we will face it soon.” sighed Wolf, turning to his friend. “We could lose everything in this reckless battle for power.”

“Yes... But there is hope yet Wolf,” whispered Hawk, “There is hope yet…”