The Secret is Just One Whisper Away…
Maryam Ahmed
Tundras. Nothing but sleets of vast, treeless ice. Glaciers glitter in the distance and snowy summits can just be seen above thick, malleable clouds. The turbulent, tumultuous seas of consuming waves sprayed water everywhere. Then, sunset arrived, and the night billowed up to swallow the sky. Black bled into the canvas and a tropical, serene sunset curled into a tight ball before disappearing. Night seized the sky rapidly.
Suddenly, a mixture of ethereal teal, vivid purple and luminous turquoise began to paint the firmament, streaks of colours dancing gracefully. They curved like sound waves, playing a mellow, melodious melody of harmony. The twinkling stars (which played hide and seek) quickly flashed a gleaming smile. A skulk trudged towards hills that rolled gently into an icy slope. They trekked upwards fighting against the all-powerful whispering wind. They howled as one…
The immense, spherical moon seemed to shatter as the blood curling yowl stretched up to howl a sonorous sound. Crystal shields fell from the sky, like a mother leaving her child alone: it was unprotected, vulnerable even. There was no mistake. Tonight was the night.
The north star cheekily winked twice, and the Aurora shot down like a ray of sunlight only mesmerising, vibrant and flamboyant. It snatched the formidable skulk up. The world held its breath. They flew up, up, up into the velvet, kaleidoscopic sky and into the moon….
“What do you mean, Master?” a surly man inquired.
A booming laugh rang out. “They are here. And they are about to face a punishment,” a hoarse, raspy voice whispered, standing from his opulent, plush throne which loomed above the peasants below him. Gasps. Then, furious, and excited yells.
“You better be ready, Fortis. YOU BETTER BE READY!!”
They had arrived. Insula Lux. Named by an ancient wizard, Insula Lux is Latin for Island of light. A dazzling, bright light blinded sight, for the foxes vanished, and in their place were… humans?
“Ah, we are home! What a joyful occasion this must be!” the leader of the skulk, Oswald, cried, tears smudging his face.
Each person wore shiny armour made from pure silver and diamonds.
The joy did not last long, for a sneering remark allowed them to acknowledge a disturbing presence: the lost king of Insula Lux.
“Yes, I, for one, certainly agree.”
Baleful looks were cast. Wrath filled the intimidating silence. Battle cry. They charged. Poison-tipped arrows were shot. Jagged swords brandished. Long knives sliced. Pools of blood smeared the dirty, craggy ground.
Panting, Oswald stumbled towards his skulk. Death came fast for the betrayers. And it came soon after for the King. They had won. But still, there were evil eyes lurking. They knew what impenetrable, occult secrets Insula Lux held. And they were sure to try take them. No matter, the skulk of lupus ballators, wolf warriors, were here to protect Insula Lux.
They always would.