Kiatana's Journey: Creatures of the Lands, #1

CHAPTER ONE

THE BEGINNING OF MANY MEETINGS

Lilja pounced. He knew his sister must be somewhere behind the blueberry bush. She couldn’t escape him this time. His black tail flew behind him as he jumped, ears up and teeth bared, huge paws flailing in front of him.

To his surprise his sister was not behind the large plant. He fell through the air, rolling onto the ground.

The wolf pup stood up expectantly. He scanned the forest, realizing he had been tricked. He froze, and all his training leapt out of his mind.

At that precise moment a silver mass flew at him, pinning him to the ground with white fangs at his throat.

He felt the mockery of defeat looming. If it had been a real battle she would’ve already delivered the killing blow. But he hadn’t been beaten just yet. Lilja pushed his sister off of him and tumbled into her, swirling in a mass of fur and fang.

Lottie may be smarter, he thought. Craftier and faster too. But when it comes to the real rough fighting, I can win. I’m stronger than her.

He pushed Lottie to the ground and had his teeth at her neck. But he got too cocky, and Lottie could sense it. She flailed her legs and kicked Lilja’s paws out from underneath him and he fell onto the ground. Within seconds she was up, and the position had switched yet again. They scrambled for a bit longer, but it was no use. Lottie had gained the upper hand.

When he surrendered, she backed off slowly and let him up. He sat up, a little sour from being beaten twice.

That was low, tricking me like that, Lottie said, staring disdainfully at Lilja. I had already beaten you.

Lilja smiled, baring his white teeth in a way so he looked like he was laughing. I saw an advantage, and I took it.

It was still low. Lottie shook her head and started walking up the path to a large clearing ahead. Around her, trunks with many colors clambered to the clouds, hundreds of feet high. Uneven paths were marked by yellow grass and spring shoots. The wolf pups had to jump over patterned seedlings such as acorns that were the size of their heads. They tried not to step on the massive flowers as they passed, enjoying their sweet scent.

Spring was beginning to bloom. The air smelled like fresh pine and rain. They crawled under a fern the size of a normal tree and slid down a purple rock, skipping over a few mud puddles.

Lilja followed Lottie, walking to her right and being ever watchful. It wasn’t safe for two wolf pups to be alone, even if the Verinian Forest was the best place that they could be. Lilja wondered what could’ve happened if they had stayed near their own territory. Maybe their missing pack would have come back. They would have been taken care of by all those older than they.

But they chose to run away in the darkness of the night. Little ones, the adults had always called them...

But we’re not so little anymore, thought Lilja, gazing at his sister. Soon, we’ll be fully grown. No one will dare challenge us, and we won’t have to hide from our enemies, for they will hide from us. We will be the strongest wolves in all the Lands.

That happy thought was enough to swell him up with pride. He thought of the hard first days of their escape from the pack. They were always hungry. Hunting was hard without an elder there to teach them. There were too many nights where there was barely enough to eat. He remembered licking his wounds after he and Lottie had failed to hunt well. There were many nights they wondered if they should go back home. But they were so lost that they couldn’t go back, even if they truly wanted to.

Even so, the pups were skilled hunters from having to learn on their own, and they knew things about the prey that few other wolves did. Their coats were thick from the harsh weather, and they rarely ever lost a battle. The siblings were amazing in combat together. Apart, wolves were formidable, but together they worked as one, joining together to become a force that was to be reckoned with. Despite their strengths, the two pups were still fighting for their lives out here. Everyday, each pup awoke wondering if they were still going to be alive the next morning. They still hadn’t found their place in the world, and they were still unsure of where it could be.

They came to a little creek and stopped for a drink. As they quenched their thirst, Lottie looked into the water and stared at their reflections. Gazing back at her were two wolf pups of the same size, with very large paws and two very bushy tails. Lilja’s midnight fur was sleek and shiny, and glistened in the morning light, while her silver fur stood out against the forest brush.

Lilja’s brown eyes were cast down into the water. Lottie peered into her own, pondering the strangeness once again of the deep brown of her right eye, and the odd pale blue of her left. Two differently colored eyes. Ones that marked her as special… or an outcast.

Lottie looked around. She was always sure to check her surroundings. As she did so, something caught the corner of her eye. She took a closer look at the sky, then gasped as she noticed something plummeting to the ground. It was a small dot in the distance, and it seemed to be falling fast.

Lilja, Lottie said as the dot faded into the trees. What do you suppose⁠—

There was a colossal BOOM which sent shock waves through the earth. Birds started screaming as animals everywhere ran for cover.

The two wolf pups bolted. They ran as fast as they could until they were far away from the small creek, hurrying to take cover under a few large bushes.

Panting, Lottie turned to Lilja and exclaimed, "What was that?’

I don’t know, said a perplexed Lilja slowly. Maybe a sky-rock?

Or something more dangerous, she suggested.

The twins gazed at the sky. It wasn’t until Lottie suggested they keep moving that Lilja tore his eyes away.

His paws clattered along the dirt as the giant trees weaved around him. Lilja led the way this time, his tail dragging along the small boulders they climbed over, his fur ruffling with the wind.

They walked for a while until Lilja’s stomach started to rumble.

Hey, he said, turning his head towards his sister, You hungry? I bet I could fetch us a quick bite.

She nodded. I’m starving. It feels like we haven’t eaten in days.

That’s because… we haven’t, Lilja said. He hated how defeated he sounded, but such was their life. He looked around for something to hunt. His eyes widened when he saw a huge brown rabbit that was trying to hide in the bushes— and failing, because of his massive size.

Hey, he whispered to her, Let’s get that rabbit. He’s almost as big as us! We might not need to eat until tomorrow if we catch him. He’s so big he won’t have time to run if we spring on him.

Lottie nodded her agreement, and they both slunk into a low crouch. They assumed the usual hunting formation; Lottie would creep up behind prey silently, and then she would scare it into Lilja’s jaws. It was a common trick, one that worked more often than most.

The wolves moved closer, every step placed as if known by heart. The rabbit stiffened, his nose sniffing the air, but Lottie and Lilja paused. They remained still until they were ready to move.

Lottie sprang. The rabbit ran right into the sharp fangs of Lilja. He proudly clenched the rabbit in his jaws, raising his head high.

You got it! Lottie said in excitement.

Lilja chuckled. But then he felt his jaw begin to open, and not of his own accord. He wondered what was going on. Lilja looked down at the rabbit and realized that it was growing.

He dropped the rabbit in alarm. The twins stared with widened eyes as they watched the beast twist and turn in the air. The rabbit’s cotton tail soon grew long and spiked, growing a tip in the shape of a menacing arrowhead. His furry body stretched and became enormous and scaly, the trees uprooting around them as the creature’s back reached the heavens. His head became reptilian, his long ears turning into two elegant horns, the four legs growing claws that looked sharper than swords, with piercing yellow eyes. Lastly, the rabbit’s back began sprouting giant, bat-like wings with a spike at the tip. Lottie and Lilja quivered in fear at the humongous creature. The rabbit had grown into a formidable green dragon.

The dragon gave a roar that shook the trees, demanding silence. The pups couldn’t run, for they knew the dragon would easily catch up. Their only option was to surrender. Lottie and Lilja bowed their heads as low as they would go, hoping that the dragon would spare them.

The dragon growled, showing its sharp teeth. "Arise," he mumbled, smoke furling out of his mouth. Shaking, the pups got to their feet and looked up at the dragon.

"Why did you try to catch me?" He asked in a deep, male undertone. His voice was mysterious and powerful, and it echoed around the clearing that the dragon had created. Lottie and Lilja stayed silent.

"Why did you try to catch me?" he asked again, louder this time.

It took all the courage Lilja had to stammer; We...we were hungry.

Hungry? echoed the dragon. "Can’t you feel the life of the prey around you? Why did you hunt me, going against your own instincts?"

You’re a Changer! Lottie burst out. I can’t believe it!

The dragon smiled, showing his pearly daggers. It is as you say.

Lilja was filled with awe. A Changer! A being of the skies, Changers were creatures that could change into any animal at any time, though most Changers stuck to one main form. They were stronger and more intelligent than any other creature alive. Changers were very rare— even rumored extinct, and for anyone to see one in their lifetime was miraculous. Lilja was amazed by the great privilege that had been bestowed upon him and Lottie.

What do you mean, instincts? asked Lottie, looking at the Changer.

The Changer dropped his head until his glassy eye was staring into their souls. If you had paid attention to your feelings instead of listening to your growling bellies, you would have felt that a Changer was nearby. You would have strayed somewhere else.

Oh, said Lottie in a small voice. We’re sorry.

The dragon looked amused. Do not worry yourselves. You are very young.

He went to move on, but before he could do so, Lottie yelled, Wait!

The dragon paused and looked back at her. Yes? he asked.

Lottie bowed once again, and Lilja had a feeling she was being a bit of a show-off. Without looking up she said, With deepest respect, may I ask what your name is?

The dragon looked a little surprised that she would bother to know. He quickly hid it behind a strong mask of indifference and said, Ionan.

Ionan, whispered Lottie with small wonder. She rose to her feet as she said, Where is your Accompany?

The breeze tickled his tan skin, which was strangely warm for such an early spring. The wind ruffled both the tall emerald grass and his black hair. He sat up, trying to get his bearings as his head swam around him. His strong muscles contracted and his bright golden eyes opened slowly. He put a hand to his head slowly and winced.

Ouch… that was a nasty fall. Good thing he had managed to grab that branch on the way down, or he could’ve broken his neck.

Couldn’t say the same for the tree though… his strength had uprooted the thing on the way down.

After he was sure nothing was broken, he rose to his feet. What exactly had happened? He looked down and moaned as he saw the state of his clothes. His pants were now even dirtier than they had been for the past few days. His weathered boots were scuffed from the branches, and his baggy, long-sleeved white shirt was the worst for the wear, as the trees he had hit caused it to snag on the way down.

As he stared at the empty forest, he frowned. It looked like there was nobody around, so he was going to have to fix the shirt himself. It would look terrible, but oh well. He’d worn patched clothing before. It was only for the past few years he had nice things. Ionan wouldn’t like it very much, but he would live.

He was over six-feet tall, so he thought he would be able to survey his surroundings easily. But everything in this forest seemed to be huge, as indicated by the giant trees. Each and every plant was oversized and massive, along with profoundly colorful.

He peered through the trees and saw the outlines of crumbling buildings. As he realized where he was, a great wave of dread ran him through. Of all the places to crash... only one human settlement in the Lands, and he had to land right by.

Or was it really a human settlement? He had never really paid that much attention in class back home… Ionan had always been the smart one.

He started walking, taking steps in deep strides. If he was silent, he could quickly find his Changer before he was discovered. He thought he could make it without being caught. Four years of military training had to count for something. Then he heard the brush crackle nearby, and before he could halt, something crashed into him.

Still, he stood. He didn’t stumble, but the thing he’d slammed into was sent sprawling onto its back. He looked down at it and gasped. Lying on the ground was a creature with a pair of brilliant eyes that stared intensely into his.

CHAPTER TWO

STARING AND SICKNESS

The eyes were pink. It was a strange color for a human, but he thought nothing of it. He had spent little time in the Lands, so he had no clue on how to tell the difference between male and female humans. The creature was a lot shorter than him, and it was wearing a brown dress hemmed unusually low, with no shoes on its bare feet. Their hair was a vibrant green and was cut in layers around its small ears, with snow white skin and a curvaceous body. They were around his age— twenty two— but they could’ve been as young as nineteen. Butterfly-like white wings flickered once from the creature’s back, and then vanished. He couldn’t remember if humans were supposed to have wings or not.

The human got off the ground and brushed off their dress. Watch where you’re going! Didn’t you see I’m walking?

No, he answered truthfully. He was at least a foot taller than the human, so he had looked right over the creature’s head. Who are you, and what is your name?

What kind of a stupid question is that? They snapped back angrily, eyes flashing.

He was taken aback. This creature had an attitude. Well, I uh… I don’t… uh… what is your name? he repeated again, stumbling through his words.

Kiatana Abrilion Shaman, they said. And if you think you can come in here and whack me around you’ve got another thing coming. The creature placed a hand on the dagger tied to its belt.

I would never dream of hurting you. What have you done to me? he said in surprise. He saw the anger in the human’s eyes vanish, only to be replaced with wariness. "My name is Keota Morimoti. I must know; are you male or female?’

I’m a girl, she said, in a tone that implied he was an idiot for not knowing.

Thank you. That was very informative to me, he nodded, smiling at her.

She looked at him blankly, and then started to walk away.

Hey! Where are you going? Keota asked, starting forward.

Away from you, she retorted. She began to walk a little faster, but her short legs were no match for his long strides. She moved away the instant he was next to her.

What do you mean? he said in a confused voice. I’m stranded! I might need a little help⁠—

Too bad, she said in a sharp voice. The farther apart we are from each other, the better. Strangers aren’t welcome here.

She really seemed to mean it. Why are your eyes pink? he questioned abruptly.

Excuse me? She turned around and met his gaze, her one hand on her hip. Her eyes were almost hypnotizing. He couldn’t pull away from her stare, but even so, he backed away.

Your eyes are pink. They look kind of funny if you ask me.

The same reason that your eyes are gold. They just are, she said.

A small bird came zooming past his head and landed on Kiatana’s shoulder. Hello, Scarlet. She greeted the small animal and gave it a few seeds from her pocket, ignoring Keota completely.

Hello, Kiatana, the little bird said anxiously, hopping up and down. I don’t have time for seeds today. The forest needs you! Some strange dragon has moved in and is prancing around like he owns the place. You have to put a stop to it. If you don’t, the wolves are going to kill the thing!

Kiatana sighed, as if a dragon crash-landing in her forest was something she dealt with on a regular basis instead of a one-time occasion. She rolled her eyes and flung out her hand carelessly. Lead the way Scarlet.

She paused to look at Keota. She sighed once again. Well, are you coming, or are you just going to stay here? Heaven knows every straggler that comes along into my forest I’m volunteered to look after.

Keota ran after her. You could understand him? The bird?

Of course I could. I understand all the animals. They’re my only friends in this pathetic place that I am forced to call home. Kiatana spat into the bushes.

You don’t like it here? Keota said, even more surprised that she didn’t like living in such a beautiful place.

When’d you figure that out? Kiatana said as they climbed over logs and streams. I’ve been stuck here since before I could wipe the drool from my chin. I just wish I could fly away to somewhere new and never have to see this stupid place again… but why does it matter to you?

Ignoring him once again, she called out to Scarlet, "So what is this thing’s name, or does the beast simply not have one to our knowledge?"

"I don’t know. Those little wolf pups found him and keep calling him a Changer, but I highly doubt that. Changers no longer exist. They went extinct hundreds of years ago," Scarlet said snobbishly.

I have to disagree with that one, Keota said. There’s about a million of them back where I come from.

"Where do you come from? I’ve never seen you around," Kiatana asked suspiciously. Her hand was on the dagger again.

Keota looked away. I needed to get away from home. I don’t think I’m going back.

Why not? Kiatana said.

I was in the army back in Nesting’s Haven. That’s where I live. Ever heard of it?

Not really, she said quickly. I don’t want to hear your life story.

Scarlet continued to lead them until they came to a large clearing. In the clearing were many animals from all over the forest. They were all circled around an emerald dragon that seemed to be telling a story of some kind.

Ionan! There you are! Are you okay? Keota said instantly as he recognized his friend. He ran to the dragon’s side and instantly began checking him for injuries.

I fare well. Do you? Ionan asked. It was quite a nasty fall we had.

I’m fine, Keota said, but Ionan looked him over as well.

You know this monster? Kiatana asked Keota, her face turning red.

Of course. He’s my Changer, Keota said, laying a hand on Ionan’s side.

Your Changer? Her eyes widened. You’re an Accompany?

Yes. What did you think I was? He smiled quirkily.

Accompanies were very tall individuals with massive strength that had a magical bond with Changers. They could telepathically communicate with the Changers they were bonded to, and were skilled in battle. Keota believed everyone knew such things, but perhaps this girl did not.

Kiatana’s face convulsed into such a snarl that Keota couldn’t believe it was possible for a person to look so mean. She gnashed her teeth and said, "Then that changes everything. You don’t belong here, and you’re a threat. All