Chapter Seven: "VISTERIA"

Cara listened as the Aereis spoke.

“Visteria’s spirit is still here, and I can help you find her.”

Tears began to form in his masked eyes. A single drop fell, bouncing off the cave wall. He looked harder, not believing anything they said. He decided now he would reveal himself. The Athulyth stepped out, showing all his golden stone plumage. They were all shocked. He stood in the middle, all creatures circling him. He bent down in front of Oracle, putting his wings down and lowering his head. He made a soft whirring noise and churred. “Please. Show me…please. I must speak to her.” He cried, and a sob came in his throat, forcefully he swallowed it down.

Being Oracle having no clue who this was, she calmly replied, “Of course. It seems your request is more...urgent, so you may go first. Oracle led him to a tunnel-cave, and began to speak. “First we must gather something…”

A mist swathed the cave, and a white, ghostly Equenix appeared. Rounded and soft, she stared at Cara. Oracle nodded and left, showing the others how to reach Visteria.

“Hello, my dear.” Visteria looked at Cara with love in her eyes. “By the stars…my Wardens it is really you!” Every perfect detail was there. Her glinting eyes, the smooth scales, the prefect colors, even I little flower she like to wear in her horn.

Fluffy clouds floated with her, propping her into the air. “I-I don’t know what to say…all I can think is why? Why, why did you leave me? All I have of you is…is the book.”

She circled around him. “Ah, but that isn’t all. There is…something else.” He cocked his head. “What? Please tell me! Oh, do tell now!” She nodded. “You know where I lived, go to house. There a little surprise awaits you.” He began to cry again. “But...but I want YOU! Why did you have to go? Why didn’t I come with you?? Why’d you go to the meeting in the first place?” He sobbed out all of his questions. “All you can know is I am here now, and now is all that matters. I love you, Cara, I really do. And I think you’ll find someone else will, too.”

He hugged her. “Please…please don’t leave again. Please!” She whispered in his ear slit, “Remember, I am always with you.” She began to fade as her voice echoed around the room. Cara cried and cried. “Come back! Please!!!”

Cara laid down with Visteria. Her bed was soft and warm, the wooden frame supporting up the pillow. The leaves laid over providing to the comfy. Rabbit’s ear moss was lain over the side, creating a soft rim.

Cara yawned and blinked. Visteria giggled. “Goodnight, Cara.” “Goodnight, Visteria.” Cara put his wing over her and pulled up the mossy blanket. She rolled over, putting her back to his chest. He looked at her, smiled and rested his head on the pillow. This was what heaven felt like. The two knew they were in love. Cara moved and closed his eyes, falling asleep.

The moment flashed through his mind. If only he had more of these…he should have. Well, he must go now. But now that he knew how he needed to see her more. He would summon her here a lot, if Oracle let him, which indeed she would.

The Zofs flew from the mountain, and had been doing so for around a day now. In the distance was the faint outline of the Salt Flats, and that’s what they were flying towards.

As they got closer, they began to realize something. The ground was strewn with creatures, throat-slit creatures. Pools of blood, organs ripped out and bones scattered the area. “Woah…what happened here?” Ora looked around. “A massacre. Its safe to land, the creatures of the killing left about a few minutes ago. Be quiet, and no one will know we’re here.”

A tiny golden and red Ani stood in the blood, covering her eyes. Her hands shook and her legs trembled. Around her, golden blood was splattered. The ground around her was covered in sand-colored Ani. Her eyes flickered back and forth. Her tail waved and shook.

She looked up. She cowered and hid. “Please don’t hurt me!” The four kneeled. “Don’t worry. We are friends.” The Ani came out. “Oh, then never mind. I’m GoldenRose, though some call me Gold or Goldro. And who might you be?” Zela spoke. “I’m Zela, and these are my friends Ora, Flower and SunDrop. Together, we are the Zofs. We are part of the prophecy. Now, what happened here?”

Gold looked down. “This…this is the Battle of the Salt. My f-family died here…so did everyone else. T-they wanted me but…I escaped…” The Ani looked up with fear in her eyes. Her ears went down and her pupils shrunk. The Zofs decided not to talk about it. They explained why they were here and what had happened. Hope sparked in the Ani’s face. “There’s a prophecy? Well…I’d like to help you!”

Next Chapter: Chapter Eight: "SALRAHNS"

Previous Chapter: Chapter Six: "THE PROPHECY AEREIS"