Laeni_Solaris: Faded hope in night's darkness.
The stars danced within the sky of the planet Volnar as a lone figure dashed across the blue grasses of the plains. It wasn't that big, but then what could you expect from a child of twelve summers? A passing breeze stirred the grass along with the nocturnal insects hiding within it. Once the wind died their soft droning seemed to spur the child to move even faster. Not even noticing the knee-high grass' tugging at the pale green dress or the leggings while the navy blue sneakers continued to pound upon the ground.
Nothing was noticed at all as tears streamed from azure blue eyes. Some sixth sense stopped her from running into the Tchula tree, however. Its large silver leaves rustled as the breeze passed again, and soft chiming filled the air as if a thousand wind chimes were going off.
Taking a moment to actually notice where she was, she then moved to curl up by one of the large roots out of the wind. The tears resumed after a few moments, and the entire body shook because of them.
The day had started out so bright and wonderful. The twin suns peeking over the horizon one after the other as if playing tag, and the sky it's normal blue brightness for summer. Her parents getting ready for work as normal after a wonderful breakfast cooked by mom. Then she'd slipped out quickly before dishes could be assigned...and gotten away with it while the older children didn't. The lake a mile away had been the morning's destination, as the flying parfin were starting to mate. Watching them leap from the water had always been fascinating...
But when she'd returned home near dusk there'd been nobody there. The front door was only held on by the one corner and had been bent inward. Inside all the rooms had been messed up, like a fight had broken out...there'd even been a few holes in the walls that had burn marks around them. She guessed weapons had made them though what kind and why definately wasn't apparent. It wasn't even evident who had caused it.
As soon as there was clearly nobody there she'd started running as fast and far as possible just in case a bad guy returned to check up on the place. Somehow each footfall had avoided possible tripping even while most of her attention hadn't been anywhere near such concerns. Faces of her family as she'd last seen them kept sweeping through the young girl's mind.
Now that she'd stopped here, they returned again, and the tears flooded out even more. Mental cries asking why were sent out to an apparently uncaring universe without any effect. After several minutes sleep claimed her with it's calm embrace. Surprisingly no nightmares marred it, just memories of various good times the family had had together.
Some time later the dreams shifted again, and the images of family seemed to fade a bit. In their place stars formed and it felt like she was floating amongst them, and could even spin around or roll if she liked. Just after she'd stopped from one of the latter, a bright light floated up before her. Various colours danced throughout it, but overall a carona of white radiated outward...and slowly it embraced the young girl.
Greetings, Laeni Solaris. The words floated serenely over the mind. Not spoken, but sweeping through the body without pause and without hurting a thing.
A frown formed upon the little pink lips. "Hello...I don't know you, but are you a seraph?"
A sense of amusement swept out from the light, and the words that followed were tinged with it. No, child, I'm not one such as that...though I suppose some might call me it by mistake. My powers are far different than such beings as I've met in the past. I know about your family, and I am here to help you, them, and millions more. However, I cannot do it alone, and need your help in return.
Laeni_Solaris: Faded hope in the darkness of night.
A perplexed look settled upon the young girl's features. "But how can I help you? I've only seen twelve cycles. I'm not big, strong, or any of that stuff..." Then part of the light's statement registered. "You could help my family? Then they aren't dead?" This thought alone caused a large weight to lift from those tiny shoulders.
No, they certainly aren't dead, though at some point they might... A mental shrug can be felt before it continues. While I can know things such as this, I can't act on it for many reasons. However, you can. As for your being young, not strong, and so forth there's been many a man strong as a talarn that trembled in fear due to a mouse crossing his path. At this point Laeni would swear the gentle touch of a hand - very similar to her mother's - touched her right cheek. It is not the mind or body that makes one truely strong, but the heart and soul. These you have in great amounts already, Laeni Solaris, and you've barely started tapping into them.
Laeni_Solaris: Soon to be amongst the Chosen...
One of the strongest principles that her parents had been sure each of their children learned was that of helping those that needed it. The fact that her family would be part of the group helped, of course, but still...something within the girl shivered as this sounded like events far bigger than those she'd ever imagined. Yet curiousity and youthfull determination also swelled up. After all this light-person had come to her and said she could help. Glancing down at her feet for a few moments while the right foot kicked as some non-existant piece of dirt.
"Well I still don't know how much help I can be, but if my family needs me..." Those azure blue eyes lifted upward to stare at the ball of light with the resolution of someone far beyond her age. "then I'll help you."
Again the feeling of a hand seemed to settle upon the young one's head of light green hair. In that case, Leani Solaris, it is time to begin our journey together. You are now one of my Chosen, and as such will find the powers of healing and hope within you. Combined with your natural skills that will come in time...well, you'll see. There is another thing you should know, however, and that is that a part of me will bond with you so that I can offer some protection and advice when needed. I'll answer what is needed, and offer some hints but more than that would be more hindrance than help. Do you still wish this?
A small bit of hesitation formed at this point. After all this wasn't exactly a game of Guardians and talarn rustlers. However, once one's word is given..."Yes, I'm sure."
In that case... Multicoloured light flowed from the floating globe and surround the girl. With it came energy which flowed through every cell of her being. Changes were made here and there within the genes. Some left physical marks visible outside - two white streaks like lightening bolts running through her hair, and a few inches added to her height - while others only changed what was within. The strangest part was that Laeni could feel each one, and had a sense what they were for. More than that she'd have to learn with practice.
This seemed to go on for minutes, but was only a few seconds. Finally one last burst of white light flowed down and inside her to settle within an empty corner of her mind. A moment later she "heard" the same voice within. I'd suggest you go back to the house now and prepare as much as you can for the journey ahead, Chosen. It is going to be a long one.
Laeni_Solaris: Newly Chosen, and starting the journey...
A moment later the first of the two suns split the sky with its bright light. Azure blue eyes blinked a few times to get used to it and chase away the last bit of sleepiness. Surprisingly she felt very well rested despite having run so far last night, and not a single muscle ached.
A soft breeze swept its aethereal fingers through the grass. Joining the rustling sounds as the blades rubbed one another was the song of the Tchula tree's silver leaves chiming against one another along witht the song of a yellow breasted Pica bird.
For a few seconds the thought that the events of the day before were all a dream flitted into the young girl's mind. However, the light touch of the presence within her mind dissolved them just as quickly.
Laeni_Solaris: Newly Chosen, and starting the journey...
She stretched out for a few moments upon the ground, and then slowly rose to her feet. Making sure to test a few muscles but still they didn't give any hint of protest. A small smile forms at this first sign of benefits from being Chosen. Moments later she's up among the tree's branches picking a few of the multicoloured melons and eating them carefully to be sure none of the juices land on her clothes.
Dropping down to the ground easily from the lowest branch, and then barely pausing before starting to run back the same way that she'd travelled the day before.
It didn't seem to take very long until her house came back into site. The first sun was only two fingers over the horizon with the second just peeking out now. She put this down to the fact that her legs had benefitted from the added height as well.
Now, though, caution was taken on the final bit of ground to reach the house. An eye kept on the building while sweeping the area constantly with sight to be sure there wasn't any sign of people around. Even so she peered slowly over the bottom edge of the living room window. The mess within looked the same with things strewn about and no new burn marks in the walls or furniture. Several minutes passed without any changes, so evidently the people that had flipped her life upside down hadn't returned. Not like they'd left anything behind, anyway...other than her.
Laeni_Solaris: Newly Chosen, and starting the journey...
After hesitating for a short while longer the back door was approached. It at least hadn't been blasted off its hinges and slid open easily after being unlocked. Finally she stepped into the kitchen...and stopped. The silence was the first thing that hit her as someone in the family always had music playing somewhere. Usually at this time her siblings where all in front of the vidscreen watching the morning cartoons. It brought home the fact she was alone. However, any dispair was banished when a light 'touch' from the fragment reminded her that wasn't true. Determination flowed in its place.
The ransacking had continued into this room as well, along with the struggling from all appearances. Stepping through it carefully to the stairs and thus up to her room. Suprisingly things here were barely touched.
"Probably didn't think I'd have anything worth taking." The words were softly spoken, and then forgotten as she moved to open a few drawers and pull out some clothes. Shirts, sweaters, underwear, and a couple dresses all were piled on her bed.
Next the closet was opened and a black backpack and a navy blue suitcase taken out along with another set of shoes plus a pair of boots. These were also placed on the bed before the clothes were all somehow fitted into the suitcase. Luckily it came with a built in anti-grav device so it stayed the same weight no matter what was put in it.
Laeni_Solaris: Newly Chosen, and starting the journey...
The backpack is slipped up into place while the suitcase is lifted in one hand easily. For the next stop the kitchen is returned too. Some sandwhiches are taken, along with some fruits and vegitables. Everything is packed away in bags with climate control so they'll stay fresh until opened and then stored in the backpack. Finally a canteen is filled with cold water - and will stay that way due to it also being climate controlled.
A final trip is taken through the house to be sure nothing is missed, but nothing else is touched. Shortly thereafter she stepped out into the morning sunlight again, and then without a backward glance started upon the journey that would save her family along with many more.
Plot Background - so far. (Under Construction)
The Protectors. (Under Construction)
The Chosen. (Under Construction)
Species in this Reality. (Under Construction)
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