Jo Mccarthy

To my amazement, I open my eyes, to find myself floating above the clouds. I feel the breeze brushing against my face and I hear the chirps of the birds as they fly on by.

I was surrounded by this air of serenity, that made me feel so alive, which was ironic, considering the fact I was now dead.

Or so I thought.

Because, all of sudden, from bellow the clouds, I hear a familiar voice calling out my name.

Her blend of Authority and Royalty resonated with my mind, as I dive through the clouds, towards the woodland clearing I had been lying in just moments ago.

I feel the wind swishing by, as I soar through the clouds.

When I reach her voice, I perch myself on a nearby tree branch.

Her appearance of Emerald Fantasy, now held me captive.

I let out a gleeful chirp, as I go giddy with excitement.

My beady eyes open wide with a romantic gaze, fixed on Princess Neptune, the Queen to my heart.

My heart flutters in admiration, not just for Neptune, but Abrina too.

In fact my admiration extended to the entire world.

A black tinted Eagle of sorts flies by and I feel mesmerised by its grace.

I couldn't understand these feelings, I had never felt anything like it before. Okay, that was a little bit of an over exaggeration. I mean I felt love, just never on this scale.

I loved the warm embraces of my wife, getting dirty with the boys and dressing up with my little girls. I loved my daughter Regan, who was now flying out of the nest.

I remember her first steps and her first word "Dadda." I remember her first pet, a golden furred hamster, named Furball. I remember her first boyfriend, Jordan, a cute, sweet and lovable guy. Nothing compared to the arsehole that she's dating now.

I wish she could stay my little girl forever, but I knew, along with every other parent, that I had to make that sacrifice, to let her take her own journey of self discovery.

I would await for her return, however long it takes. I will listen to her tales of life and the valuable lessons that she has learnt along the way.

I just hope her return is before, I lay alone, on my deathbed, wishing I had accomplished more with my life.

I feel myself floating of again, my wings flapping, wait I have wings, where did they come from?

Then, it all made sense, how I survived the Monty Pythos, flew through the air and how my odd behaviour came to be.

For when I lay scared out of my wits, the snakes warm, venomous breath, pressed against my neck.

I closed my eyes and in that moment, I transformed into my cursed form, a Pigeon.

Well, I say curse, but, everything Abrina said did not resonate with me. I mean, yes, I only transformed, when I felt a negative emotion and yes visible scars were beginning to show.

But, other than that, our reaction to this curse was completely different.

Abrina claimed this curse rooted through your mind and forced you into becoming your worst nightmare. But, I didn't fear pigeons, in fact I rather envied them. Their ability to fly of with no care in the world, their ability to appear and blend in with the ever changing world, just made me feel entrapped in my own personal life.

Feeling this state of emotional depression, I spread my wings, take of to the sky, just simply letting that taste of freedom linger on the tip of my tongue.

While I swoop through the air, Abrina calls out to me, but I don't hear her, for I'm to busy caught up in this exhilarating thrill of being able to express myself, without any personal circumstances there to hold me back.

I head up into the clouds again, tucking my beaked head into my feathered chest.

I dive through the clouds again, this time looping through the air, so I shape the clouds into a heart of passion.

I then dart forward.

Stopping about 3,000 feet from the ground.

Abrina calls out to me again and this time I hear her. Her warning "Be Careful" now striking me with deep concern.

But, before I could get any answers, I feel my small, twiggy, pigeon legs, become the legs of a chunky, fleshy man.

I can feel the gravitational force, pulling at my legs, but regardless I engage those small, but powerful wings, as a an attempt to stay afloat.

I did this because I knew falling from such a height, would undoubtedly result in serious injury or even death.

Although, thankfully, there was a pond, just 2 metres to my right. So, I paddle my miniature wings towards this transparent pool of comforting water.

I can feel the wings burning, as they attempt to carry the weight of a man 10 times the size of them.

Then, to make matters worse, the light feathered chest, turns into my obese, infected self.

I feel myself drop through the air, as the wind resistance against my wings becomes relatively ineffective.

But, with one last act of desperation, I frantically pedal those wings forward, feeling the damming burn with every flap.

I sense the Natural tranquil aroma, as I draw nearer to the pond.

Then, I'm there. Hovering above this pool of water, just in the nick of time, because seconds later, my wings change back into man and I'm plummeted into the water bellow.

Abrina Bloom

Isn't it funny, how something so simple, can go drastically wrong?

We were currently on the run from the corrupted law, who desperately wanted to have us hung and quartered for crimes, that on a fair trial we will have been found 'Not Guilty' of.

It was only supposed to be a simple 5 minute rest, but with Jo nearly getting bitten by a snake, turning into a pigeon, turning back into a human and then splashing into a pond up ahead, one thing just led to the other.

So, me and Neptune gather ourselves, before then planning to head further into this Woods Of Nightmares.

Neptune darts ahead and I'm about to follow suit, when I hear a slight hiss from behind me.

Now, I didn't speak snake, but then again you don't have to understand the language, to know when someone was crying out in pain.

I turn behind me and see the Monty Pythos, with a thorn now sticking out of its side, burying itself in the ground.

Blood drips from its wound and into a puddle of pain. It wails like a infant child, who craves nutrients to grow.

I feel overwhelmed by this sudden urge to help it.

So, I kneel down beside it, placing my right hand upon their textured skin, just above their wound.

They flinch at my touch but, don't attack. It sensing that I'm not a predator.

I knew man's science couldn't save it, only magic.

But, it had been decades since I had practised my Floral Craft.

Regardless, I push all my energy into my left hand, hoping on hoping, there was still a slither of power left in me.

Unfortunately, after about 20 mins, all I could get was a slight spark of emerald light.

I can feel my mind sinking into the ground, just as a leave lands on my face.

Instinct tells me to grab it and I was right to, because it wasn't just any ordinary leave.

It was a Fermdusian Leave.

A leave with the power to cure any ailment.

Fermdusian Leaves are red in colour, with a pink pigment at the centre. This very pigment is where the magic's stored, or as it's more commonly known, Floresance.

I tuck the leave within one of my materialised pockets (Oh how Sika would hate me!), before then moving my hands, to touch the thorn.

The Monty Pythos lifts it's head up and I can sense its understanding.

I begin to hum a gentle tune, which sends the Monty Pythos into a peaceful rest.

Then, I slowly began wriggling the thorn free.

It wasn't easy.

But, in the end, I pluck it out, flicking it into some twigs behind me.

Then, last, but not least, I cover the leave over the wound, holding it there, until the Floresance has sewn the Monty Pythos back to health.

Jo Mccarthy

My entry into the pond was less than graceful, with a huge splash, that leaked water all over the bank.

All the marine life seem to scatter at my arrival, well except for one.

A sunlight yellow duck, with one eye bigger than the other.

It comes closer and begins pecking at me with this sense of curiosity.

It quacks at me in a tone of innocence and because my mind has now relaxed, I talk freely to the duck.

"The names Jo, what's yours?"

The duck spins around in the water, quacking gleefully at my rough, countryside accent.

Although, neither of us could understand what each other said, it still felt as if we were having a full grown conversation about our life's.

I loose myself in the ducks presence, simply lulling myself into a sense of safety and security.

I desperately wish to leave this pond and natures life. Forgetting about the vulnerability that I have shown and getting back onto the task at hand.

But, try as I might I can't get my body to cooperate with my mind.

And just when I think things can't get any worse.

A tentacled creature emerges from beneath me and begins wrapping itself around me.

I shift all my energy and weight to my arms, as I try to carry myself away from this pond of death and towards the banks of haven.

I am about a quarter the way there, when the creature tugs at my legs. I keep swimming forward, but with each stroke of progress I make, the creature just pulls me right back to the start.

It was like a game of Tug of War.

The only difference here, was the stakes weren't a trophy but, rather my life.

Neptune Glazier

This woods was not any place for a princess.

Right now, I could be dressed in a glittering gown, dancing the night away.

But, due to my father, I was here.

Now, I loved my father, I really do, but yet still I can't deny the hate, that occasionally crept in.

The hate for my fathers weakness.

He once was a triumphant leader, now fallen, due to his trust in, the Lady of Deceit.

All he was now was a cowering shepherd, who served the General and her every whim.

But, I wasn't worried, for me and my team, had a plan of our own.

Speaking of my team, as I take a moment to catch up with my breath, I look over my shoulder and notice Abrina's not there.

I could have sworn she was right behind me.

But, truth be told I had lost my mind to adventure.

She could have stopped for a rest and I would have been none the wiser.

Oh my, I can't believe I lost my way.

Because now, I stood here at the junction of dilemmas, torn between two possible paths.

To go forward with the search for Jo or turn back and retrieve Abrina.

On one hand there was Jo, an adult, a bumbling oaf on an adult, but an adult nonetheless.

And on the other hand there was Abrina, a girl who in terms of years was older but, in terms of appearance was young and although she tries to hide it, in mind as well.

It doesn't take me long to reach a conclusion, planning on turning back and retrieving Abrina.

But, as I turn to head back, an unwelcoming wildlife creature, known as a Zelphermorve, emerges from the trees and now stands blocking my path.

Jo Mccarthy

When I dug inside my brain for answers and unearthed that passage of knowledge, about a stone, that I couldn't recall. I couldn't help wonder, where this knowledge had stemmed from.

I hadn't learnt it in school and had no recollection of reading it in a book that I picked up.

So, it led me to believe, it had something to do with my being here and these unexplained powers that I now carry around with me.

I assumed that if I could learn about this Tri-Endis Stone, then perhaps I could uncover more hidden secrets from within my brain.

So, I close my eyes and focus solely on my thoughts, hoping on hoping, there was an answer, to get me out of this mess.

A short while later, a spark of thought enters my mind, pushing all others to the side. It was not as long as the knowledge on the stone but, regardless I zone my mind in on it, patiently listening, to what it has to say.

"Etterpuses are Octopuses that are known to devour flesh. Unfortunately, that is all that is known, since no one has ever lived to tell the tale."

Reading that last line causes me to lose hope.

And in that moment of weakness, the Etterpus takes advantage.

Dragging me down bellow.

Abrina Bloom

A short while later, I peel the Fermdusian leave off and discover there is no gaping wound or blood spilling out. In fact the only blood in sight was the blood that had already been spilled. Which of course, will be washed away by the natural drops of rain.

Despite curing the Monty Pythos, I still feel this sense of unaccomplishment, like a climber only reaching the halfway point and not the full summit.

My summit was of course granting my new reptilian friend here with sight.

But, that of course required a magical science, that I have long since abandoned.

However, I knew of a way to grow back into my roots.

So, I rip of my clothes, rise from the ground, standing , so I faced today's horizon. My hands held together in prayer, as I call out for my Goddesses forgiveness.

5 minutes pass and I receive no sign of response.

I didn't know what I really expected, to just waltz back into my old life, after so many years away.

But, rather than ending my call, I fall to my knees, letting out a desperate plea.

"Dear noble Sika and noble Vearni, hear my plea to grant this creature here with sight. But, don't do it because I ask, do it because you know it's right, because it fits with our core values. Regardless of what your verdict is to be, I shall return to my roots and stay forever fixed, no intentions to ever leave you again, for you are my great counsel, who could have helped me through all those hardships, if only I had asked. So, I shall pray to you every night, continue your legacy and as much as I can, I shall remain unclothed. Though, I know you see this as a permanent state and by no means do I wish to undermine you but, my companions, in which I travel with are not accustomed to our ways. So, as my human friend would say, I don't want to 'weird them out.'

The waterworks begin to come, as I kneel there, waiting, praying, for a response.

But, no, my mind remains an empty silence.

I'm just about to give up, when...

The great Goddess Sika appears in front of me.

Sika was the Goddess of nature and her appearance most certainly showed that, with leaves, twigs and flowers growing out of her arms and legs. However, she wasn't just a women but, also a home, to the birds and the bees, the slugs and the snails and many other small, some big insects and animals. Her eyes were an oceanic blue and her hair a grassy green. She wore a flowery, ivy crown to show both her significance to life and commitment to nature.

She speaks with a naturally soothing voice ( Earths Voice by CrazyGirlVids), that would put even the grumpiest of men to sleep.

"I shall grant this reptilian here with sight, whose given name is Nathaniel, if you can prove to me, you are still committed to the worlds nature."

"I shall do whatever is needed." I state in a responsive and obedient manner.

"Excellent!" she replies, before then pointing to a puddle of mud and requesting I "roll in that."

Neptune Glazier

Zelphormorve's are a predatory species, that are alike earth's tigers. But, rather being Sandy brown in colour, with black stripes and elements of white on the chest and the legs, a Zelphermorve was all black and white, like that of a zebra. Their also twice the length of an average tiger and another main difference, that separates from traditional tigers, is the fact, their tail is less tiger, more Scorpion.

But, the most troubling fact of all is, that Zelphermorve's always travel in packs and never alone.

This becomes much more of a reality, when several more, come from all sides, growling and clawing at my feet.

Abrina Bloom

I walk over to the puddle and lay down in it, without any reluctance, for I knew if I debated on it, then I would dig myself into a hole of anxiety, where I search for any excuse to get me out of this. Which if was the case, would prove nothing to the Great Goddess Sika and she would not see it fit to grant this snake here with the chance to see.

I roll around in the mud slowly at first but, on the command of Sika I speed up, until I'm so caught up in the moment it comes naturally.

I feel the good memories of my childhood come rushing back. I see my parents smile, as mother cradles newborn me in her arms. I see myself in the arms of my second mother and father, who raised me as if I were their own. I remember what it's like to be happy.

My body tingles with excitement and my mouth hurts from all the laughter.

With Sika now satisfied, she blows and sprinkles natures rewards onto the Monty Pythos's head.

The Monty Pythos opens it's eyes for the first time, hissing delightfully, as he basks in the wondrous existence of nature.

"Now I leave you this moment, that will act as a reminder of the joy and magic contained within Mother Nature." Sika comments, before floating back up to the heavens.

My new friend Nathaniel, slithers over to me, his mouth hanging open in a lasting grin of glee.

He slides into the mud beside me and I feel a hint of alarm, beside this marvellous moment of joy.

I worried, that although unintentionally, he may roll, catching me with the venomous poison, stored within his mouth.

But, it was not my life I needed to fear, for as I adjusted to the idea of sharing this moment, twisting and turning with ecstatic exuberance, while still being observant of the Monty Pythos presence, a second shot rings out.

However, this time the sound had an origin, with the very bullets hitting Nathaniel squarely in the chest.

He keels over, his blood staining both the puddle and my heart.

But, that was part of my curse, to always be snatched away from my glimmering moments of hope. 

Standing over the shadow of the Monty Pythos, with a rifle cocked in their hands, was a gruff, broad shouldered, muscular man. 

His clothes weren't old school or retro but, more a casual survival, marked with dirt and blood. He had a deep gashing scar running down the right side of his face. His teeth were a rotted yellow, chipped and half of them missing. 

I felt enraged at his cruel acts of merciless killing and so desperately wanted to make him pay.

But, he held a grip on a rifled weapon of death.

"Ah, I could do with a new servant girl." he states in emotionless hoarse voice, as he coerces me out of the puddle, ordering me to stand in front, facing away, from his trigger set hand.  

A/N: No, it has been a while but, I decided to take a little break. P.S, this might be the longest chapter so far, as I had lot to pack in. But, stay tuned for the next chapters where I will be introducing some new characters. Oh and P.P.S, I will be only updating this story for now, as I want to finish, so I can enter it to that competition @Anunimouse9 6 mentioned me in.