Path of Shadow

Chapter 7: A True Trial

Glaseron and I sit under the high carboniferous oak tree that stood in the the middle of the grassy field. I figure it was time for Glaseron to really face fearful.

"Glaseron," I say.

"Yes, Tankra?"

"Come here."

Glaseron walks toward me, and I grip the front of his shirt with both hands, a wild smirk on my face. His eyes widen with startled curiosity, and I wheel him around, breaking his stance and pushing him to the ground. He tries to fight back, hissing in my face. I struggle to gain control, and I trap one arm with my elbow, holding his other wrist in place with my black leather boot. My other knee presses against his thighs, making him helpless.

"Tankra! What are you doing?!"

"Testing you, of course," I whisper evilly.

Taking out my pocket knife, I press the side of the blade to Glaseron's cheek, cutting it a tiny bit.

"Time for me to know just how strong you are, Glacey..." I chuckle at the stupid name. Smiling widely, crazily, I raise the knife above my head. Glaseron shakes his head violently.

"No! Tankra! Please!!!" My smile becomes much wider.

"Let's see how long you survive THIS!" I thrust the knife as hard as I can into his heart, and I can see tears slipping out of Glaseron's eyes.

"Men aren't supposed to cry!" I snapped at him, and his glazed eyes tremble in his eye sockets. He slowly, slowly, closes his eyes, squeezing out the last of his tears as he dies. Just as he does, I telepathically take hold of his life-force, and hold my right hand above my head, bringing the spirit into the physical world. It's a bright ball of lightning blue light, and I telekinetically hold it in place. I channel a thread of energy into the blood-stained rip in the t-shirt.

"You really are strong, aren't you?" I whisper to the thread of life healing the wounded heart of Glaseron. The thread glows a little brighter in response, as if happy. The wound heals slowly, but once it does, I slowly lower the little ball of light that is Glaseron's soul into the mouth of his cold body. It goes in, and the light dies. Glaseron's eyes shoot open, and he draws breath once more. I help him to his feet. He grabs my shirt, and screams at me, "What the hell did you do that for?!"

"Now, you really are a part of these fields, Glaseron," I say in a higher, more giddy and excited tone with every word. "And now..."

My fingers guide his chin towards me, and our lips slowly meet.

I pull away, and once I see him open his eyes, I playfully bite his lip.

"Hey!" I stick my tongue out at him as I turn away from him and walk along the grasses.

Moonlight shines above me as I stroll through the woods and sit at the Crystal Pool, watching the stars reflected from the water.