Fern and the Elements
We know that this is not COM related but just a little something in case you get bored.
Chapter 1. Fern: The Library
It was strange to think that on a stormy night, with a heater and such luxuries providing a small little girl with a disdainful look would ever sleep so finely. Instead she was tossing and turning murmuring of monsters and magic rather than sleeping peacefully... I stumbled over in my night gown as I followed the moans that Mei uttered noisily. The wax lamp I held in my hand warmed my cold fingers as I felt my way towards the doorknob beside me. I turned the doorknob quietly and peered at the dark room. The girl instantly jerked awake but after observing that the person was only her sister she slumped grumpily in her soft cushions.
"I can't sleep," groaned Mei who was propped up in bed rubbing her eyes. I cautiously made my way, careful not to make any sound, to the small figure which seemed to be illuminated by the candle's flickering light. Mei clutched her plush toy koala pitifully.
"Tell me a story Fern, PLEASE?"insisted my little sister.I glared at her intently and I began to frown.
"Seriously, can't you pull off one night without calling for us?" I said. Mei snapped.
"I managed to not call Mama at least. Unless you want me to go call for her?"
"Oh no. I think waking her up for the fourth time will get us killed!" I shivered picturing my mum stalking angrily with red eyes as Mei wailed for her.
"Than tell me Fern," demanded Mei. I looked from the clock which read midnight to the fierce eyes Mei seemed to reserve specially for me. Sighing, I pulled a mahogany chair near her bedside table. Mei glared at me eagerly with sickly red eyes searching my tired face. I had to tell her a story. There was no way I was going to anger my mum. Breathing heavily, I began.
Once upon an ancient time, there was a forest which lay on the borders of the Blue Mountains. The gum leaves were of a crimson blood red. Not a shimmer of sunlight reached the dull forest floor. No creatures inhabited this desolate woodland. However, nearby residents of the Blue Mountains then and often spoke of a dread that would haunt the woods for eternity. They described it as a vicious mutated koala. It was no koala of any ordinary size. No, it was HUGE. This savage koala wielded a monstrous axe clutched in its furry paws. No soul who dared enter this haunted forest ever returned. The residents lived in never-ending fear. Except for one. And soon that one being was going to start the grand history which branched into scriptures in books to carvings on the wall made by worshippers in time to come. Her name was Fern.
Fern was the most cunning child in her age. She was in spite, very beautiful and she held a special instinct of sensing bad omens coming. People said it was her emerald green eyes that were partly magical as they always seemed to change shade whenever she shifted emotions. Fern enjoyed the wild adventures of being chased by the school staff as she always found one way or another into bludging school lessons. During the time when Fern was supposed to be at school, she visited the library and learned there instead. If the library was closed she would practice her skilful archery before returning home and helping her mum Felicity with preparing dinner. Fern lived with her sister Mei and they were unfortunately fatherless.
The town where Fern grew up was called Baylintown and it held no grudge against other nearby towns. It was a peaceful town that was located near the Blue Mountains. Down below was a path travellers never took because that leaded to where the forest of the evil koala inhabited. Fern was always the curious type and she wasted no time investigating the forest as close as she could inspect it.
The old blue-robed librarian watched silently from the library's window as Fern was trying to outrun her mum who had found Fern trying to enter the forbidden path. It was certainly not pity but anxiety as he beckoned Fern, who had successfully escaped her mother. She hurried over, her green eyes blazing in the sunlight. Hurrying her inside, he quickly took her to the towering lectern which stood in the centre. It was carved basically out of stone and it stood on the circular platform which was also carved only this time out of black marble. The old man led Fern to the platform and perched a large book on the lectern. Written on the book was what looked like a story. After one quick glance at the story which started with 'Once upon a time..' Fern scowled.
"Oslen, you old man, I told you a million times that I hate fairy tales," frowned Fern studying the poor old man's face. The old man shook his head as though he was hurriedly trying to make Fern understand.
' Fern, you mistook this book as a fairytale book. This is a history book," said Oslen. Fern folded her arms.
" So what if its a history book?You know I hate history too," growled Fern. Oslen shook his head even more restlessly.
' Don't you see?! This history is muddled up. It has no ending! And I want it to have an ending and a happy one too. For all the books I have read, they all have depressing endings and I want to make sure this one is a happy ending!" Oslen's eyes were glinting excitedly and Fern gawked at him, thinking he had lost his wits.
"And?" she whispered.
" And! And I want you to help me finish this particularly interesting one."
Fern suddenly leapt. "How? Do I have to help you give stupid imaginations?" Oslen rolled his eyes.
" Girl, you know history is based on fact. So obviously things that happen have to be real. You have to actually do the actions to make it a fact." His eyes glinted once more as Fern jumped to her senses.
" So...so you want me to make it real?" mumbled Fern. Oslen nodded quickly. Fern was obviously still in doubt but the thought of school and washing the dishes being abandoned sparked in her mind.
"Okay then, I'll do it," agreed Fern. Oslen gave her an awkward grin.
" If that's so then I'll give you a quick summary of what's recorded in the History Annals," said Oslen. He peered at the page and murmured some words which Fern hastily took note of in her mind.
"Ah yes..... lets see. Hmmmm. There was a man who split his soul using powerful magic.... and.... and the soul fragments were scattered in different parts of this land.... And they formed into deadly monsters that had a purpose.... where was it?... Aha! Yes and the purpose was to feed on people's souls by attacking and killing them. Each of the four had their own way of killing using their surrounding elements. See there was Monolithia.... Marinus... Cyclonius..... and our own, Foresteria."
"Foresteria?" said Fern, looking puzzled.
"Foresteria in other words, is the vicious inhabitant of the nameless forest down that forbidden path which is downtown. Yes Fern, its that koala," smiled Oslen. Fern bubbled with excitement.
"Okay I'm in for sure!!!" exclaimed Fern eagerly. Oslen grinned again and handed Fern the ancient book. He also pulled a book under his robes and also handed it to her.
"This history book is very ancient so take care. If ever in doubt look at this book. It was once your father's." Fern looked up quickly at Oslen and saw Oslen reliving a memory of Fern's father.
"I'll protect both books from damage," promised Fern but she felt more care towards her father's old diary. She didn't know what was written in it so she thought of reading it at night.
" I think you should leave for Foresteria instantly. We can't afford it stealing travellers' souls any longer. Make sure you leave tonight," murmured Oslen. Fern thought of all the wonderful things she would tell her family but now she would never say it as Oslen seemed to be asking illiterally that it was to be a secret for now. Feeling as though tonight had given her a massive blow on her heart, Fern exited the library.
I looked unhappily at Mei who had slept halfway through the story. I knew abandoning Mei and Mum was painful but I had to do it for the good of bludging school. With heavy regret I left Mei's room and blew out the candle. I hastily shoved my supplies and clothes in my bag before dressing silently. With a dull horror in my shaky heart, I walked unsteadily out the house, knowing I wouldn't be in there for the next few months.
*Note from writers: dear readers we are only givings you guys a sneak peek so unfortunately we won't be continuing this until we have a confirmed agreement to publish it as a book and on this website for those who can't afford it.
Chapter 1. Fern: The Library
It was strange to think that on a stormy night, with a heater and such luxuries providing a small little girl with a disdainful look would ever sleep so finely. Instead she was tossing and turning murmuring of monsters and magic rather than sleeping peacefully... I stumbled over in my night gown as I followed the moans that Mei uttered noisily. The wax lamp I held in my hand warmed my cold fingers as I felt my way towards the doorknob beside me. I turned the doorknob quietly and peered at the dark room. The girl instantly jerked awake but after observing that the person was only her sister she slumped grumpily in her soft cushions.
"I can't sleep," groaned Mei who was propped up in bed rubbing her eyes. I cautiously made my way, careful not to make any sound, to the small figure which seemed to be illuminated by the candle's flickering light. Mei clutched her plush toy koala pitifully.
"Tell me a story Fern, PLEASE?"insisted my little sister.I glared at her intently and I began to frown.
"Seriously, can't you pull off one night without calling for us?" I said. Mei snapped.
"I managed to not call Mama at least. Unless you want me to go call for her?"
"Oh no. I think waking her up for the fourth time will get us killed!" I shivered picturing my mum stalking angrily with red eyes as Mei wailed for her.
"Than tell me Fern," demanded Mei. I looked from the clock which read midnight to the fierce eyes Mei seemed to reserve specially for me. Sighing, I pulled a mahogany chair near her bedside table. Mei glared at me eagerly with sickly red eyes searching my tired face. I had to tell her a story. There was no way I was going to anger my mum. Breathing heavily, I began.
Once upon an ancient time, there was a forest which lay on the borders of the Blue Mountains. The gum leaves were of a crimson blood red. Not a shimmer of sunlight reached the dull forest floor. No creatures inhabited this desolate woodland. However, nearby residents of the Blue Mountains then and often spoke of a dread that would haunt the woods for eternity. They described it as a vicious mutated koala. It was no koala of any ordinary size. No, it was HUGE. This savage koala wielded a monstrous axe clutched in its furry paws. No soul who dared enter this haunted forest ever returned. The residents lived in never-ending fear. Except for one. And soon that one being was going to start the grand history which branched into scriptures in books to carvings on the wall made by worshippers in time to come. Her name was Fern.
Fern was the most cunning child in her age. She was in spite, very beautiful and she held a special instinct of sensing bad omens coming. People said it was her emerald green eyes that were partly magical as they always seemed to change shade whenever she shifted emotions. Fern enjoyed the wild adventures of being chased by the school staff as she always found one way or another into bludging school lessons. During the time when Fern was supposed to be at school, she visited the library and learned there instead. If the library was closed she would practice her skilful archery before returning home and helping her mum Felicity with preparing dinner. Fern lived with her sister Mei and they were unfortunately fatherless.
The town where Fern grew up was called Baylintown and it held no grudge against other nearby towns. It was a peaceful town that was located near the Blue Mountains. Down below was a path travellers never took because that leaded to where the forest of the evil koala inhabited. Fern was always the curious type and she wasted no time investigating the forest as close as she could inspect it.
The old blue-robed librarian watched silently from the library's window as Fern was trying to outrun her mum who had found Fern trying to enter the forbidden path. It was certainly not pity but anxiety as he beckoned Fern, who had successfully escaped her mother. She hurried over, her green eyes blazing in the sunlight. Hurrying her inside, he quickly took her to the towering lectern which stood in the centre. It was carved basically out of stone and it stood on the circular platform which was also carved only this time out of black marble. The old man led Fern to the platform and perched a large book on the lectern. Written on the book was what looked like a story. After one quick glance at the story which started with 'Once upon a time..' Fern scowled.
"Oslen, you old man, I told you a million times that I hate fairy tales," frowned Fern studying the poor old man's face. The old man shook his head as though he was hurriedly trying to make Fern understand.
' Fern, you mistook this book as a fairytale book. This is a history book," said Oslen. Fern folded her arms.
" So what if its a history book?You know I hate history too," growled Fern. Oslen shook his head even more restlessly.
' Don't you see?! This history is muddled up. It has no ending! And I want it to have an ending and a happy one too. For all the books I have read, they all have depressing endings and I want to make sure this one is a happy ending!" Oslen's eyes were glinting excitedly and Fern gawked at him, thinking he had lost his wits.
"And?" she whispered.
" And! And I want you to help me finish this particularly interesting one."
Fern suddenly leapt. "How? Do I have to help you give stupid imaginations?" Oslen rolled his eyes.
" Girl, you know history is based on fact. So obviously things that happen have to be real. You have to actually do the actions to make it a fact." His eyes glinted once more as Fern jumped to her senses.
" So...so you want me to make it real?" mumbled Fern. Oslen nodded quickly. Fern was obviously still in doubt but the thought of school and washing the dishes being abandoned sparked in her mind.
"Okay then, I'll do it," agreed Fern. Oslen gave her an awkward grin.
" If that's so then I'll give you a quick summary of what's recorded in the History Annals," said Oslen. He peered at the page and murmured some words which Fern hastily took note of in her mind.
"Ah yes..... lets see. Hmmmm. There was a man who split his soul using powerful magic.... and.... and the soul fragments were scattered in different parts of this land.... And they formed into deadly monsters that had a purpose.... where was it?... Aha! Yes and the purpose was to feed on people's souls by attacking and killing them. Each of the four had their own way of killing using their surrounding elements. See there was Monolithia.... Marinus... Cyclonius..... and our own, Foresteria."
"Foresteria?" said Fern, looking puzzled.
"Foresteria in other words, is the vicious inhabitant of the nameless forest down that forbidden path which is downtown. Yes Fern, its that koala," smiled Oslen. Fern bubbled with excitement.
"Okay I'm in for sure!!!" exclaimed Fern eagerly. Oslen grinned again and handed Fern the ancient book. He also pulled a book under his robes and also handed it to her.
"This history book is very ancient so take care. If ever in doubt look at this book. It was once your father's." Fern looked up quickly at Oslen and saw Oslen reliving a memory of Fern's father.
"I'll protect both books from damage," promised Fern but she felt more care towards her father's old diary. She didn't know what was written in it so she thought of reading it at night.
" I think you should leave for Foresteria instantly. We can't afford it stealing travellers' souls any longer. Make sure you leave tonight," murmured Oslen. Fern thought of all the wonderful things she would tell her family but now she would never say it as Oslen seemed to be asking illiterally that it was to be a secret for now. Feeling as though tonight had given her a massive blow on her heart, Fern exited the library.
I looked unhappily at Mei who had slept halfway through the story. I knew abandoning Mei and Mum was painful but I had to do it for the good of bludging school. With heavy regret I left Mei's room and blew out the candle. I hastily shoved my supplies and clothes in my bag before dressing silently. With a dull horror in my shaky heart, I walked unsteadily out the house, knowing I wouldn't be in there for the next few months.
*Note from writers: dear readers we are only givings you guys a sneak peek so unfortunately we won't be continuing this until we have a confirmed agreement to publish it as a book and on this website for those who can't afford it.