• Have you ever had that strange feeling, that a ghost as watching over you? Well I have, and it feels like spiders clumsily crawling up your back. Slowly, but surely, they inch to your neck, and make you flail your arms everywhere to swat them off.
    I should really stop getting off topic. My name, is Alyssa Duvarn. I live in the town of Natil, which sleeps right next to the so-called "haunted" Gremder Forest. I live on my own, which isn't so hard, since I've gotten used to it.

    I was just outside of the Butchers meat house, waiting for the moment to steal a huge slab of steak to cook when I heard the Baker, whose small, cramped building camped across from the Butchers, yelling so loud that the people scuttling in the streets nearly stopped in their tracks.

    "You stupid fool! You burnt the bread again! Go! Throw it in the trash now!" I quickly finished off my fragment of badly burnt chicken and then hopped up to my feet. My legs felt tight and sore, but there was not time. If I didn't get the loaf soon, the other thieves in the town would get it before me.

    I snuck into the crowd of bustling townsfolk, and then got into the alleyway behind the Baker's where the mound of trash lay. I mounted a way to not be seen then pressed up against the the wall, and let its cold fingers pressurize my ticklish skin. I waited. And waited some more. Suddenly, the loaf was chucked out of the window and I immediately lunged for it.

    I caught it in mid-air and landed in the trash mound, creating a wave of disposed things and a loud ruckus. "What was that?!" I heard the baker yell violently. "Go find out now!" I stumbled back up to my feet and clicked my heels to break into sprint, and press back into the crowd of people, causing a slight commotion by bumping into others. I felt the bread with my hand, and it was still mildly warm, and it created a radiating odor that made me drool madly like a dog. I knew it would definitely last me awhile, and I was set to go.

    My best option was to try and get something else to go along with it, but I had finished off my chicken, so I wasn't sure. On occasion the richer people in town who had the fancy homes would toss out some higher-quality grub, but usually older thieves-- and in rarer chances, bandits -- prowled around there constantly. It wasn't hard to get swarmed off by them, but if you were quick and sly enough, you could get a scrap or two.

    I noticed that a trader had set up a stall just next to the library, and I checked my low funds. They were selling nice slabs of lettuce, for 3 coins. I had 6 coins, and so I skipped over to the stall. I pressed the coins onto the table and smiled. The trader smiled back and then gave me two slabs that I pressed between the thin crack in the middle of the bread. I grinned then walked off through the town.

    The afternoon felt good and calm, the way I had always missed when I lived in the capitol far away, Bartiaes. Bartiaes was a peaceful and fun place until evil had befallen over the kings son, who murdered his sister because she had been bestowed with a gift by a “sorcerer”. Some say that she wasn’t killed, but a royal guard was because he had put her in a basket, and sent her off on the river.

    After eating a little bit of bread, I knew my best choice was to go into the forest to hide. Even though towns-folk say it’s haunted, I’ve been there many times and have never seen anything strange or peculiar that seemed out of place in an area like that.

    Townsfolk always say that I am the “non-believer”. They say this because I don’t believe in the past, the history and legends of this land, which was so-called “ruled by rich and evil kings, and wizards performed magic and necromancers and sorcerers gave children destinys and prophecies to complete”. Why should I have to believe that? There is no such thing as “Magical humans who have powers to create the impossible”. They don’t have proof about such things, now do they?

    I followed down the dirt path that led to the crossroads, in which the ones on the left and right dragged on wearily to the other nearby towns. On the left, it went to Ernte Stadt, a town where we get crops from, and on the right, Bärenhöhle, a mining camp where we get the richest of jewels from. I opened up my leather bag that slung on my right shoulder, and pulled out my precious amulet. Without it around, I feel this unlatching in my soul. The gem was a diamond, that had a honey hazel glow-- and oddly enough, the color of my eyes --that made it look even more amazing. I decided to tie it around my neck for good luck, just incase I might find something nice in the forest.

    On occasion I would go to either town, because sometimes I wanted to see what was in season in Ernte Stadt and maybe work for a low profit, and sometimes I would go to Bärenhöhle to get some jewels to sell for money and for some better food as well. There are other towns beyond both, but I never dared to go any farther because Natil was my home, and also because the towns beyond Bärenhöhle and Ernte Stadt lead to the path to Bartiaes. However, sometimes I longed to go back to Bartiaes, because it felt like my home as well. Something about Bartiaes made me think when I was a kid that I was the lost daughter. If I was though, I would be a lot older. And of course, I knew that wasn’t possible.

    I had finally reached the intersection when I noticed the sun pinpointing so high it nearly reached the top of the skys blue hand. Brush covered the path to the forest thickly and made everything more dense and stuffy. None, not even the bravest of the brave, would go into the forest, for they feared getting mauled by a rabid animal. Theres been stories in which even destined heros went in and never ever came out. Nothing ever attacked me when I was in there, but sometimes I’d get stung by a wasp or two. Still, that seemed not much of a big deal to me, because they were little bugs that could hardly do me any harm.

    I finally got through the challenge and thick trees that tried to guard the entrance with their mossy hands. Upon stepping in, some would say it was like walking right into hell, because its so hot and dark in here. I will admit it does though, but I knew deep down in my heart, in my soul, who exactly I am. I am Alyssa Duvarn, 15 years of age and on my own. And I am not afraid. The sentence repeated itself, like an echo, and I grinned and walked on.

    As I continued to descend through its boggy structure, I could see something glistening far off. I covered my hand over my eyes to shade and possibly see it better, I tripped over something and landed in something wet. “Oh dear,” I murmured, and then poked back to look at what I had tripped over. I had tripped on a couple of rocks that formed a clash, and then bellowed on as a wall, and I had fallen into water. But it wasn’t muddy water, no, it was fresh, clear water. And it created a beautiful stream.

    I looked back up at the sky and saw the most beautiful thing: clear sky. But there was much more! The stream descended of a huge break in the land, creating a waterfall, and carried on down below in a canyon! But way above that canyon, in the blank sky, floated a huge relic-like castle that made everything look like I had just died and gone to heaven! Even more, it made the forest look less and less scary! Birds of a rainbow of colors showered the skies and made licks and streaks of majestic paintings that told stories! And the grass -- it was the greenest I had ever seen in my life!

    But I had to stop myself from getting any closer. As much as I would love to explore it, I knew it would be a Tücke, a danger to me. But -- in the name of the gods, something valuable could be in that castle! Who knew, I could become the most richest person in town! I couldn’t help it, and it was hard to decide what to do. The evil and greedy side of me said “Go,” but the good and fair side of me said “No”. I couldn’t help it really, ever since I knew the only way to survive was to become a thief I had become greedy. Danger was aloft and the thick, inducing air was ripping my mind out every second.

    “I MUST get it!” I yelled out abruptly. The echos of my scream caused stirring in the bushes as animals scurried around in panic. With quick instinct, I pressed up the staircase of land-like plates. They weighed down a little with every step I had made. A few times they would shudder like they were about to collapse into pieces. After a while I had reached the top where the entrance was. I was about to step forth boldly on the large plate when --

    CHSSHH!

    The plate underneath me had swung down like a trap door and collapsed. Without even thinking, my hands swung to latch onto the edge, my breath swelling up and out into coughs. I screamed out panic as I clenched on harder and harder, but that did me no good, because it made my hands feel more and more sore. What was I to do?! I couldn’t even think and all I did was try and find a hanging vine with my foot that became two extra eyes for me, but there was nothing to clip onto. Was it really the end of me? No. The words I had repeated echoed out again. I am Alyssa Duvarn, 15 years of age and on my own. And I am not afraid. I pulled out my knife abruptly and the swung it into the plate above, pulling myself up slowly. I then finally got up, and sighed in relief. I was exhausted from that Teufel Fahrt, or devil ride.

    I could feel my heart continuously beat frantically as I finally got up and brushed the dirt of. I swung my bag back onto my shoulder and then walked in. As I peered around some of the rooms, the moment continued to repeat in my mind. I could easily feel like every step in the castle would cause it to collapse, like the plate itself. No matter, I couldn’t have any more distractions.

    The castle thickly reeked of grassy and mossy-like smells. They smelled both good and bad, and sheets of vines coated the walls and the roof. They dangled and brushed my face, and on occasion I would sneeze because dust piled high in here. However, something -- I never knew what -- felt very homely in here.

    I skipped through the corridors until I reached the longest hall that was designed by mixes of colors. However, it was hard to tell since it was faded out, but I could see a red here and a green there. At the end, red lettering hung above the entrance to the big room. I couldn’t make out all of the words, but what I had identified had said, “Thou who art impure, shall be ---- by the ----- god, ------.”

    What was it supposed to mean? Ignorantly, I stepped into the room to find a stone placement that held the most beautiful thing ever. A crystal orb slept on a silkened pad that was downed with dust. But this orb -- it was no ordinary orb -- was blue, with a lick of green in the middle, then red, and finally, a speck of black. I knew for sure that this was going to be worth I something. I opened up my bag and stepped forth to quickly grab it. But as I got closer, I had this connection in my soul. With one reach, my vision went white, and I was knocked out cold.

    ***
    Part 2: The Truth
    ***

    I woke up more drowsy than ever. My head had started pounding again, but more violently. I looked up slowly, noticing that I was still in the castle, but the orb was missing from the stone placement. Did it fall off? Clumsily, I tried to stumble upon my feet, but there was a glitch in it. I fell back down, but I landed on all fours, and it was alarming. I blinked and peered down slowly to look at my hands. But -- they weren’t hands, at all.

    “Ahhh!” I screamed, falling onto my back creating a sharp pain in my back. I had claws, and they were like, front feet! I quickly got up, back onto all forevers and dragged over to an old, crooked and jarred mirror. In disbelief I was what I was: I was a dragon! I felt my stomach drop as I slung my claws deep into the mirror, causing pieces to shatter and fling everywhere. This couldn’t be true! This had to be a dream, and I had to get out. But -- but what if this wasn’t a dream? I couldn’t think of the crazy right now, my only thought was to get out of this castle.

    I quickly rushed out of the room, down the long hall, and swung through the corridors. The vines were thickly layered in my way and I constantly tripped and landed on my side. My stomach bounced everywhere and I knew it meant I was hungry. But, did I leave my food back there? No, there was no time to think. I finally had reached the end where light glittered on the entrance. I stumbled out into the fresh air, but I was really too late.

    The stairs of plates began to crumble in order and my stomach sunk once again. I wanted to jump, but I knew that would suicidal. My back swiftly flexed something tight, and I looked. I had wings. But I didn’t know how to fly! I needed to get back to town, and sometimes I had looked at flight patterns of birds, but was that going to help me?

    Press back, test your wings, and jump to soar! myself said calmly. I nodded a little, still shaking violently, when I weighed down onto my haunches and then fluttered my wings. It felt kind of odd to have wings, because it was like having two extra hands. I then trusted all the courage I had welded up inside me, and sprinted, and then jumped.

    But it wasn’t working! I was falling down, my wings whistling in the wind. I panicked, and tried fluttering my wings restlessly. That wasn’t helping either! Was this the end of me? No. The calm words echoed out yet again. I am Alyssa Duvarn, 15 years of age and on my own. And I am not afraid. I was still scared, but now I knew this wasn’t a dream, because it was all too real. But I was still afraid!

    Calm down, and let the wind give you a lift. Thats why they call it Windbreeze Canyon, after all. myself said, giving an even more hearty and lifting tone. I shuddered, and closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly pulled my wings out. Suddenly, I couldn’t feel anything! I slowly opened my eyes to find that I was gliding on thin air. And with my dragon instinct, I gracefully flapped my wings. It was the most amazing thing I had ever experienced. But was it possible? I didn’t believe in the past, but it was a choice worth believing in.

    Now, I didn’t fully believe in the past, but I believed in dragons. But what I longed to know was; would I ever become a human again? I was having fun flying, and I definitely had fervor in flying. Every playful n** of the cool air made my more excited. The air brushed across my underbelly, but the hard scales covering the rest of the body shielded me from becoming cold. I lingered slowly over the forest, imprinting a stamp of my shadow on the forest floor. Fear was coming back to Gremder Forest, there was no doubt about it. Fear seeing a creature of distinct probability come back again.

    I wasn’t exactly sure how the townsfolk would react to me, and since I needed to find a way to change back, I had to consult the towns librarian, even if it meant pinning him down and making him faint from total fear. I continued to glide over the forest until I finally reached the entrance where the crossroads was. The sun was going down, and this had to be the best time for me to go in.

    Welp, I told myself, here I go. I beckoned down to where I was at a height so I could easily n** a human off the ground. I continued to heave up and down until I got to the perfect angle to swoop on. The sun had finally disappeared, when my first human had spotted me, because he was going for a midnight walk.

    “To the great gods, its a devil spawn!” He cried, looking threatened, while backing quickly away, and slowly reaching in his pocket to pull out a dagger. Devil spawn? That stupid fool thought I was devil spawn? Why I oughta --

    Unluckily for me, his commotion caused Sylvia, a shoemaker to come rushing out, as well as a few others. I continued to swoop around him in the air when she said,

    “Harold, how many times have I told you -- Oh goodness! It really is devil spawn!” The other townsfolk were almost commanded by her piping voice.

    “Kill it!” A man said sharply, and then retreated to supposedly get back up.

    “Burn it!” Said a woman who was wearing thick silken drapes for a nightgown. I roared mildly, which summoned more people to come barreling over. I quickly whipped to my side because Harold had just thrown his dagger at me. With sudden charge, the townsfolk gathered rocks and tossed them at me. But my hard scales had deflected them easily. The rocks actually were soothing, oddly.

    “Immortal devil spawn!” Someone had screamed, and that startled them to retreat and hope that I would leave. This was truly hopeless for me. No librarian had come out. My best option was go go back and sulk in the forest. I gridded down onto the dirt and then looked up at the moon. It was full, and the wolves began to howl to make euphony. I tried to smile but it was hard to, because I was on the edge of crying. The moon glistened in such a way that, it staring into the soul of a god.

    I continued to trudge on my padded feet until I squirmed into the brush entrance. The forest was always so pretty at night. The air was filled with fireflies and it made a spectacular show, and --

    “Alyssaaaaa...”

    I stopped in my tracks. What was that? Maybe I was just hearing --

    “Alyssaaaaa...”
    No, this was real. I quickly jogged through a branch that filtered to the right, where a pond lay glistening motionless. Above a figure, like a ghost, stood suspended in mid-air. I shudder violently.

    “Thou who art impure, shall be cursed by the bear god, Dööne.” It said, its shadow flickering through air. The figure -- it knew the riddle? But how, did this thing know?

    “Well done, well done Alyssa. Surely you should’ve been praised earlier.” A creature of bizarre figure steps out from behind the late. It -- it was a griffon! He was fairly good sized at the most. “I’m kidding, really,” he continues, padding slowly around the lake, “you are foolish to go into town. You're putting your life at great risk.” I can see him grin and it makes me want to run. But I can’t possibly run away from my fears.

    “Who are you?!” I retort loudly, showing my wide collection of fangs, “and what do you want with me?!” He snickers and then replies,

    “Oh darling, I only want your life. After all, you are the non-believer.” His swings fold out and he mutters a chant, with spins a fireball at me. With great screaming, I jump to my right, causing the fireball to split into a tree, but it doesn’t catch on fire. Then, he fires a huge windstorm at me and it slams me against a giant trunk. I try and heave to get off, but the wind is like two sharp hands clutching my body to a wall. He then teleports up to me and smiles, but I swing my claw across his face, which creates a terrible mark across it. He yelps in pain and the winds stop. Nows my chance.

    I swing my wing into his face, and he falls backwards onto the ground. I snort but my defiance to notice him causes him to catch me off guard. His sharp teeth cut off an inch of my sharp tail, and it makes me yelp. I retreat a little into the brush to press a leaf against it, maybe use some sap and tie it up. Your forgetting you don’t have hands. Darn. Plus, he had given me no time. His other comeback had sliced of a tip of my wing, as well. He then started laughing hysterically, and then he yelled,

    “See?! I can take your like so easily! Just wait!” His once lovely coat was now tattered and stained with thick, red blood. My tail wasn’t gushing as much but the pain felt like fire. He then covered himself with four colors, red, blue, green, and brown. He then bellowed out in the loudest voice, “I am Jeddur! Wizard of the past, of evil! PURE EVIL!” Jeddur bellowed out all of the colors into a fireball but I dodged it. It hit another tree, causing a huge explosion. I finally charged up at him and sliced into his side, causing him to shriek in pain and topple down. Blood began to lightly pour out of his mouth.

    “F-fine! Kill me! Do it, Dööne!” He cried. Dööne simply nodded, and with a click, Jeddur disappeared without a trace. I felt my head spin around as I fell, and squirmed over to the pool.

    “Dööne...please..” I whined, and I noticed him glare down at me with angry red eyes.
    “Alyssa -- look down at the pond -- what do you see?” I stared down at it, trying to figure out what he was meaning. I could only see a dragon but then it hit me.

    “A -- a monster...” I replied hoarsely, my head getting lighter and lighter by the second.

    “Do you understand the past, now?” I nodded as quickly as I could. He muttered some chants, and I passed out again.

    ***
    Epilogue: The Renewal
    ***

    I woke up and the first thing I checked was my hands. I was human again! I looked around for Dööne, but he wasn’t anywhere to be see. My amulet hung from my neck and radiated a beautiful glow. I smiled, and understood. The past was important to us. It brought us to expand the future, and make things happen.

    I stood up, brushed off my clothes, and walked out of the forest, to start a new beginning. And the words of myself echoed out once more.

    I am Alyssa Duvarn, 15 years of age and on my own. And I am not afraid.

    The End