Shattered Truths [HIATUS]

Shattered Truths (3)

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This chapter was originally twice as long, but I wanted to post something. So, instead of publishing one super-long chapter, I broke it in half. And it's still pretty long. Enjoy it, and PLEASE COMMENT!!! I love getting feedback and constructive criticism, and I need to hear from my readers if I ever plan on becoming a professional writer. Voting is also appreciated. I don't want to sound like a beggar, but all you have to do is click the little orange button off to the left. That's not too hard, right? Thank you for your time, and enjoy the story. :)

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~CHAPTER 3~

　

While Ravyn was just succumbing to sleep, the Aegyls were waking at the first hint of sunrise.

Mizu Sapphrina's eyes fluttered open. The watery world around her teemed with life. She stretched out in the murky sand and yawned, spewing a trail of bubbles from her mouth. Blinking a few times, she sat up. She thought she saw a tiny fish swim by, but she quickly dismissed it as a remnant of a dream.

Sapphrina shook herself, stirring the dome of weeds she had constructed around herself before paddling out of her hut. The abstract glints of sunlight reflected off her translucent dragonfly wings. Only the higher ranked Aegyls had spirit wings, and they were nearly invisible and only allowed for brief flights. The higher the rank, the more visible and useful the wings became.

Sapphrina glanced around. So far, she was the only Water Aegyl awake. She fanned out her wings and floated up to the surface, scanning the banks of the creek. The Air Aegyls were hopping around in the treetops. Because they were the most powerful of the four elemental divisions, even the lowest ranked among them had fully functional wings. Earth Aegyls were tending to the human farmers' fields. Because they were the lowest class and often treated as servants, they were stuck with the most burdensome chores. Fire Aegyls were scouting for fire pits to amuse themselves with. They always thought they were the highest and caused trouble on a regular basis, but they were actually only one class above the Earth Aegyls. Still, the everyday hustle and bustle had not yet fully taken hold.

A glimpse of bright orange caught Sapphrina's eye. Gingerly, she swam over to investigate. It was a huge monarch butterfly wing, exclusive to royalty and breathtakingly beautiful. And there, sitting on a rock with her feet in the water, was Jazlyn; Queen of the Air Aegyls, High Queen of all the Aegyls in Mapleton.

Jazlyn didn't even look up. "Good morning, Miss Mizu," she said.

Sapphrina knew a response was imperative. She stumbled onto land, bowing awkwardly. "Greetings, High Queen." She paused. "Please, just call me Sapphrina."

Jazlyn nodded absently. "A beautiful name, fit for one of the upper class."

"Praise is unnecessary, High Queen," Sapphrina replied in a hushed voice. "You are distressed. What is the matter?" One did not usually engage in idle conversation with the Queen of a separate division; but Sapphrina was one of the more thoughtful Aegyls, regardless of her high status.

The Queen shook her head. "I sense a disturbance in the peace, as if our race is about to come unraveled. Eryck feels it too." She sighed, deeply troubled. "I fear the prophecy is about to come true."

Sapphrina blinked. "How so?" she asked, hastily adding, "High Queen."

"I feel I can trust you. A proper title is not required."

"Thank you," Sapphrina breathed. Addressing the Queen as anything less than her title was a rare and intimate honor. "Anyhow, why would that particular prophecy fulfill itself now? Vampyres hardly stop by here anymore." She thought that she shouldn't speak so casually about such matters, but Jazlyn was surprisingly easy to talk to.