#bkjohnsen | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

beforeyoufall-bk · 2 years

Text

Into The Bright Sky — Act IV: Revelations

Act IV: Revelations

Autfaer Forest. The 30th of Dratma. Noon.

Fol Drakvrend Jihra

-Jahréim Greihart

Eigyys sat calmly.

To a dragon, three years felt shorter than a single human season, and the note he had received from his beloved son was a perfect opportunity to reminisce on the past.

Sitting silently in the glade where they’d first met, Eigyys allowed his thoughts to wander, alternating between wistful joy and fatherly concern.

Why a dark place, with a dark message in secret? He wondered.

What sorts of trouble might James be getting himself into, if stooping to secrets and shadows with his own father?

It was all quite unbecoming for a member of the Bright Sky… Though, Eigyys knew better than to reveal the note to any others. By ritual-law, his son’s life would be put under harsh surveillance if word of this meeting reached his kin.

As the noon chimes rang from Eigyys’ time-dial, James appeared from the forest shadows.

“Father… Thank you for coming.”

“What is the meaning of all this?”

“I… wish for a reckoning.”

“After three years… you now decide to break ritual-law? Explain.”

“I can’t… focus.” James sighed, shifting uncomfortably on the balls of his feet, “Not until the rift between us is repaired. I miss our talks. I miss… you.”

“J-… Son, the rift between us is only within your mind. I am proud of you, my son. And I always shall be. Of that you need no words or rituals to attest.” Eigyys assured, patting James’ shoulder lightly with his tail.

“Then… why?”

“The bonds of trust. The bonds of caring, of love. All more powerful than anything born of words, physical touch, or ritual. This lesson I tried for years to teach you, but perhaps our time apart was needed to get through that thick skull of yours.” He smiled, gently puffing out a halo of grey smoke.

James grinned at his father’s jest, ruefully nodding.

“What now, father?”

“ Abide by the code of the Bright Sky. Burn each law into your heart. Return to Heimlock. He is your Drakvrend. Until the gods allow, he and I shall never meet.”

“The gods allow? What do you mean?”

“A golden mount… Has a task from the gods. None may interfere. None. Under any circumstance.”

“Wait… I’d been told it was ritual-law we must remain separate.”

“And so it is. But your steady inability to focus on the ‘why’ of all things is troubling . Do you still doubt that I love you with all my heart?”

“But Heimlock said-”

A roar of rage pierced the sky from the west. Heimlock’s form came crashing through the trees like a thrashing juggernaut.

“Enough! No longer shall I bear this mockery!” He roared.

“Heimlock! In shadows you hide?” Eigyys gasped incredulously, “Have you no sacred honor? So carelessly do you break your oath to the gods!”

“Hypocrisy to its core.” Heimlock spat, his teeth bared menacingly, “You should not have met with James. My oath to the gods is now to slay you where you stand!”

“Heim, no! How did you know I was here? Talon…?” James cried out in disbelief.

“Do you think me a fool? I saw the moment you left you weren’t seeking comfort but action. Seeking a reckoning. I merely waited, praying you would change your mind and not take part in such foolishness… Or, that your father would have the sense not to show.”

Heimlock shivered, his eyes reflecting deep sorrow while a grin spread across his gaping maw.

“Now… All is lost. I am sorry, James. I’m oathbound to forces greater than I.”

Bellowing a mighty roar, Heimlock charged Eigyys, spewing out a sizzling ball of blue flame. Instantly Eigyys took to the skies, letting out an enormous cloud of crimson light, enveloping Heimlock in smoke and flames. Out of the inferno, Heimlock’s claws and fangs snaked out to strike, forcing Eigyys to return to earth.

“Stop! No!” James cried out desperately.

For a moment, Eigyys paused as if he’d heeded his son’s call. But in reality, it came from a peculiar change in his adve rsary.

“Deceiver!” Eigyys roared out in fury, slamming his foreclaws deep into the ground.

Heimlock’s scales now shone a dull copper, every inch of his form no longer bearing the unique luster and sparkle of gold.

“Copper!!! You dare deceive all Thunderborn?” Eigyys fumed, his eyes flashing in indignation, “And worse, you’ve stolen three years of observing my child’s growth!”

“Three years?” Heimlock snarled, whipping his spiked tail around in invitation, “What of the countless years lost for whelps of the tributes? Come, and we shall decide this in blood! Yours or mine!”

Smoke, fire, and earth erupted all around as the two dragons ferociously battled. James screamed, throwing his arms up into the Drakvrend sign of “ceasefire,” but they had become oblivious to his existence. A stray blast incinerated the ground beside him, forcing him to take cover under an outcropping of rock.

Stop, please stop…

In vain, the sad mantra repeated over and over in his mind.

As the combat rapidly approached conclusion, his father and Drakvend became possessed by thousands of years of strife, pain, and dragon history. Two titans faced off, each intending to rend the other to shreds.

James sensed the next strike would be the last. Whichever side won, he would be lost. With tears streaming from his eyes, he opened his mouth to scream one last protest, but all that emerged was a raspy wheeze of sorrow.

Powerless, he watched as his only two true friends and mentors in life flashed through the sky, colliding into an explosion of light, sparks, and flames.

Scales of emerald and copper erupted from the enormous impact, pelting James and knocking him unconscious.

The bright sky overhead burned like a blue-lit candle at midnight.

James yawned as he stood and stretched over his rucksack bed, camped at the mouth of the large cave. Gathering his things, he reviewed the past week of failed treasure hunts into Barratry Den.

It seemed he had had quite the streak of beginner’s luck the first few weeks on the job, successfully adding several relics to the treasuries of the Amity clans, keepers of the Outer Borders. They knew not of his past, and had blessedly accepted him without any demands or expectations.

As the days turned into months, more and more he felt that this was where he could forge a new path; a new destiny.

Just after he’d finished packing for the day’s expedition, he noticed from the corner of his eye an intense glimmering light. Glancing back to the campground, he saw it was coming from Alluin. The round-shield’s spotless face peeking out of his rucksack, seemed to be playfully reflecting the sun’s rays through patches of clouds drifting across the sky.

Above him, the tell-tale roar of a drake’s entreaty rang out from the heavens. Lifting his head nervously, James saw a full-blown thunder of whelps circling high above the clouds.

A familiar voice lightly penetrated his thoughts.

It is easier for humans to let go of the past, since there is such little of it.

“For a human… yes,” he muttered to himself, “But I am no longer fully human, nor am I fully Thunderborn…”

Uncertain of what to do next, James began to pace back and forth before the mouth of the cave, pondering whether a response was required or deserved.

Stopping to stand in full attention, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

For a dragon, it is much harder to give up the past. So much history. Too many painful memories.

Humans were blessed with a shorter life, granting a chance at happiness. A chance to move on. A chance to progress towards the future. To build a new future apart from the past.

…And that is what I shall practice doing for the time-being.

Farewell, old friend.

Taking one last deep breath, James opened his eyes, bracing himself for a day of adventure deep into Barratry Den.

Before taking his first steps into the darkness, James stopped, staring up at the tens of dragons playfully roaring and snapping at each other.

He wondered…

This is the extended unedited version of a short story I previously submitted on Vocal for a writer’s challenge by Christopher Paolini.

To see the edited to-fit-5000-words version of the story, click here:

***

BK’s responses will be delayed from November 18th-30th. He is roaming around Japan on vacation.

0 notes

beforeyoufall-bk · 2 years

Text

Into The Bright Sky — Act III: Sacrifice

Act III: Sacrifice

Three years… One for each egg… James brooded wistfully.

As if on cue, his dragon subtly bucked, warning him they would soon be descending.

“It is time, young master!” Heimlock roared.

“Easy, Heim. Three Thunderborn souls at stake here. It would be wise to exercise caution over emotion.” James commanded.

“May the Draken-gods look favorably upon us!” Heimlock confirmed, banking left into a smooth looping glide to survey the forest below.

They’d been tasked to recover three whelp eggs of the Bright Sky, stolen by the Warsharn tribe. A particularly vicious gang of dark elves, they provided nearly one fifth of all dragon boons on the black market, known to the underworld as The Pitch.

All dragon riders worked tirelessly to disrupt every poacher who supplied The Pitch. But since James had joined the Bright Sky, it seemed for every band of villains they stopped, two more rose in their place.

It had been three years since James had completed his Sacrament trial. Three years since James last spoke with his adopted father. But that was not by his choice.

To this day, James clung to the last words Eigyys had spoken to him.

You must become accustomed to working with Heimlock. I shall not interfere.

According to Eigyys, they could no longer speak due to the bylaws of the Drakvrend twelfth amendment. And while James trusted his father, he was eternally skeptical of how often his father used ‘ritual’ and ‘tradition’ to do whatever he pleased whenever times got tough.

Three years… James thought to himself in sad frustration.

“Three eggs!” Heimlock boomed, “There!”

A few leagues away, five silhouettes surrounded a campfire. A band of dark elves preparing for another night of celebration. Their successful heist had scored three perfectly intact whelp eggs plus many other dragon artifacts and trinkets.

Suddenly, the movements in the camp below became frantic and stiff. They moved about like frenzied ants preparing for a harsh rainstorm.

A silent alarm had been raised.

“A ward has detected us! Orders!” Heimlock growled in disgust.

James closed his eyes and took a deep breath, half in annoyance, half in concern. After the mission, he was certain that most of the night would now be spent listening to drawn out apologies from Heimock for being so careless on this approach.

“I see them!” James shouted, “Keep going!”

Close to the campfire were three eggs. Each one of them the size of a giant’s head; one blue, one white, and one green. Upon seeing the green egg, James froze.

Eigyys…

“Orders! …Young master?!” Heimlock blared, snapping James back to attention.

“You take the three elves to the south, I’ll take the two north. Blue and white are yours. Mine, green. Dive now, quickly!” James howled, steeling his mind against his emotion.

With a flap of wings and a sudden burst of effort, their approach went from free-fall, into dive, then became a blur. The flames radiating from every orifice on Heimlock’s arrow-like head gave them the appearance of a shooting star falling rapidly to earth.

Elven shouts of command were the last sounds James heard before Heimlock reached ground. The dragon slammed his entire weight down between the two encamped tents, ready to engage. In one smooth motion he whipped his head to the left, a blaze of sapphire flame leaping from his mouth while his tail wrapped protectively around the blue and white eggs behind him.

Caught in the blast, one of the elves let out a scream of agony before his vocal cords turned to char. What was left of him crumpled into ash on the ground.

James heard more than saw his Drakvrend’s opening volley.

A few feet before Heimlock touched down, James had leapt from his saddle, aiming for the elf closest to his egg. Flying through the air, he angled Alluin to slam the round-shield straight into the dark elf’s neck, extinguishing its life instantly.

Immediately, James sprang into an athletic crouch, shifting his stance towards the egg less than 40 yards away. Blocking his path was a particularly nasty looking elf, with teeth sharpened to sharklike points and blood-smeared armor flashing in the firelight.

“Yield! Let us go and you can salvage these drakelings!” He snarled, menacingly pointing to the egg with his battle axe.

As the elf spoke, James saw out of the corner of his eye that Heimlock was already finishing his half of this bloody work.

It was too late to yield.

In a flash, James drew a dragonfang dagger from his belt and flung it with all his might. His foe felt more than saw it heading straight towards his throat, reflexively raising his weapon in defense. It struck forcefully into the flat side of his enemy’s axe, causing both elf and axe to careen backwards.

The dark elf lay prone in a daze as light red viscera began to stream from the egg.

“No! Juuk! No!!!” James screamed, with Heimlock crying out simultaneously in anguish.

Their screams shook the dazed pirate out of his reverie. Sensing the fury building in James’ shuddering form, he bolted for his tent to the north. As he disappeared into the shadows of the tent flap, James turned to Heimlock.

“Burn him…” he croaked through tears of rage, “Torch it all.”

Heimlock’s eyes flashed as he took a deep intake of breath, his belly becoming fully engorged. A thunderous roar shook the entire camp as he let loose with all his fire and fury. A white stream of flame engulfed the tent, a dragon blast the likes of which James had never seen before. He continued the onslaught for almost a full minute, then abruptly laid his head to the ground in mourning.

The confrontation was finished. But for the Bright Sky, any loss of dragon-life was unacceptable. This mission was a failure.

James and Heimlock worked in awkward silence to prepare the surviving eggs for transport. James’s face was a mask of grief and he could not look Heimlock in the eye.

“It was not your fault.” Heimlock said, though he sensed something else was not quite right with James.

“It was… my… responsibility…” James sniffled.

“Your thoughts and feelings are muddled. You must release some tension before taking on any further duties.” Heimlock bristled, unaccustomed to his rider being so emotionally vulnerable. Especially while on duty.

“Perhaps you should visit the Paramour. A clever courtesan always wipes away the past to start anew.”

James was in no mood for any services the Paramour could provide. He’d never felt comfortable covering up grief with passion or lust. He had never felt comfortable covering up grief with passion or lust. But he could not deny Heimlock spoke true. He was not fit for duty until he took care of one thing.

“You’re right. I need to clear my head.” James mumbled, fastening the two remaining eggs to Heimlock’s undercarriage and firmly slapping the side of the saddle.

BK’s responses will be delayed from November 18th-30th. He is roaming around Japan on vacation.

0 notes

beforeyoufall-bk · 2 years

Text

Into The Bright Sky — Act II: Born Into Slavery

Act II: Born Into Slavery

The woman’s scream echoed throughout the misty forest.

For a brief moment, Eigyys raised his head in alarm, tracking the distance from his location. He was duty bound to investigate the sounds of struggle that technically lay within his protected zone. Letting out an annoyed snort, he silently wondered if he would ever have a peaceful lunch in this cursed forest.

He had already devoured three wolfsteins and one very large orc, the commander of a poaching band that had the misfortune to stumble upon Eigyys’ territory. A very fortuitous find for an elderdrake of the Bright Sky.

It was rare that such a clumsy band would be brave or foolish enough to pillage Autfaer Forest. Only once or twice a year would a band of orcs, wolfensteins, or trolls take on the heart of the forest, where most of the dragon boons and whelps were to be found. Furthermore, tales of exaggerated dangers lurking within the forest were spread all across Lilephar. All of dragonkind made sure of that.

By the time Eigyys gulped down the final bite of his meal, the shouts of panic and clashes of steel-on-steel could now be heard within a two-league radius. Stretching out with his two front claws, he let out a long yawn that ended in a belch.

It is a good thing dragons are not easily embarrassed, he grinned to himself, as he debated delaying longer for takeoff.

A small boy’s squeal followed by more shouts snapped Eigyys out of his lethargic reverie. He shuddered as his mind idly speculated on what sorts of fools would bring a family into such a dreadful place.

“The greed for riches far outweighs the intelligence of these cursed creatures of Lilephar…” he growled under his breath, taking one last stretch before launching into the sky.

When he arrived, the battle was nearly over. Human carcasses littered the ground with two kobolds also slain. But three particularly menacing kobolds remained, hemming in the remaining survivors against a giant tree trunk.

Their prey was a large man brandishing a broadsword in protection of a crying boy, no more than 4 years of age. Eigyys instantly determined that the warrior was already a dead man walking, bleeding heavily from a vicious wound on his side.

But the boy had no understanding that his protector was already beyond hope, and jumped in front of the man with an unintelligible scream of fury and sadness.

The warrior quickly snagged the boy by the scruff of his neck and pulled him back as the trio of kobolds moved in for the kill.

One kobold came at them from the left while the other two flanked right. In a flash, the man flicked the tip of his blade and skewered the charging beast to his left, surprising another on his right with a hastily thrown dagger from his boot. But the third kobold pounced, taking advantage of the man’s imbalanced pose, and shoved his dagger straight into the man’s throat.

Eigyys expected the boy to crumble, but instead the little one swiftly plucked the dagger from his protector’s throat and lunged toward the kobold, striking him in the thigh. He had never seen such fire in a human so young.

The kobold cried out in pain, backhanding the child who went flying, air exploding from his lungs as he slammed to the ground.

Eigyys had seen enough. Without warning, he slammed down with full force pinning the remaining two kobolds underneath his foreclaws. Frozen in place, he patiently waited for their muffled death rattles to fade out. Once satisfied that all threats had been permanently silenced, he looked down curiously at the small boy.

The human was small, even for his kind. But he stood tall, almost defiant. There was something different about him, something Eigyys could only describe as… holy.

This one might be worth saving.

“What is your name, little one?” Eigyys asked softly.

“J-J-Jahréim… Jahréim Greihart.”

“You did a brave thing, lad.”

“B… b-b-but… Pa-”

“I witnessed all. We must let go of dark deeds that no longer exist. Evil has taken enough lives this day. Do not let it inflict pain on another like yourself.”

Jahréim tried to get his emotions under control, but failed. The ragged breaths between sobs continued to fall, echoing throughout the dark glade.

“Hush now. Hush, Jarhe… Jahah… Jayhe…” Eigyys snorted in frustration as his forked tongue struggled to repeat the child’s accented name.

Finally, he decided to just rename the boy. “James,” he finished.

Eigyys’ discomfort calmed the boy enough to regain control and he began staring up intently, waiting for what might happen next. Bringing his head down to the forest floor, Eigyys looked him deep in the eyes until James met his gaze.

“There is only one thing to fear and that is not being true to yourself and your feelings. Fearing anything else, besides the war you must wage upon your own self every day, is a waste of time and energy. That is the way of the Bright Sky.”

“The… Bllight Skai?”

“Bright, yes. My thunder. My brethren.”

James crunched up his face in thought, “More like you? Can I be like you? Strong to help protect?”

“Hush James… I shall return you to safety, to your brethren so that you may put this all behind you.” Eigyys promised.

“But I have no where… no one else… sir.”

“I’m sure there are others of your kind who will help.”

“No sir. No others to go. I’m alone.” James said, bowing his head.

From what the dragon knew of humans, the boy spoke true. They were not likely to take in nor care for this small one. He would be a slave at best, a tool for dark deeds at worst.

The dragon once again noticed something different about the boy. James did not plead, did not cower. He waited. Then and there Eigyys made up his mind. He would care for the boy.

“Very well,” Eigyys said aloud, “I will look after you.” James’ head shot up, his puffy eyes glimmering fearful with hope.

Heimlock watched the dragon and boy from the shadows, his wings held close to his back.

This was it. He could not have asked for a better trap to be set.

For Heimlock, the scene exhibited the most prominent weaknesses of all Thunderborn: Empathy. Charity. Compassion. And of course, the only weakness that mattered in the eyes of him and all his brethren: Hypocrisy.

Each Thunderborn whelp quickly buried any deficiencies deep under their scales in embarrassment, like unplanned whelp eggs ready to burst. Eventually, they would hatch and give birth to centuries of pain and failure. And because of that shame of imperfection, their weaknesses would only continue to multiply.

In contrast, the moment a Dark One hatched they would focus solely on their weaknesses. They labored to understand and accept them. And because of this, they would never feel ashamed to use them to their advantage.

On all fours, Heimlock gently pushed himself backwards from the scene on his outstretched talons. He could not wait to inform all Dark Ones of this most precipitous event.

From the beginning, the Dark Ones thrived in shadow. Watching, waiting, and seeking out weaknesses to exploit. Unparalleled grifters. Professional murderers.

It all began when the war on dragons had reached its peak of anarchy. For what seemed an eternity, dragonkind ruled over all land and sea and the smaller, lesser races had had enough.

Lilephar’s war of all wars lasted over 700 years: The Dilatory Wars. After almost eight centuries, the dragons realized that if the war continued, all life on Liliphar would cease to exist. So, a thundercry was made for a truce.

The negotiations were long and bitter. In the end, the lesser races would accept only one avenue for peace: sacrifice. Each mating season one whelp, the first whelp hatched, would be caged and presented to each race that managed to preserve order through seven centuries of strife: The humans, the dwarves, the elves, the kobolds, the orcs, and the giants.

Over centuries, hundreds of drakes were chained, muzzled, and treated as slaves or playthings by a bitter aristocracy. After three hundred years, the pact was finally abolished, and peace without sacrifice once again reigned across Lilephar. They had hoped that once all dragon slaves perished, an imperfect fellowship would spread throughout the land. But all it accomplished was the birth of a greater threat to peace: the Dark Ones.

With generations of pent-up wrath pushing him onward, Heimlock swiftly made his way back towards the bowels of Mount Geokeiss. To his secret home.

To all in Lilephar, Mount Geokeiss was a barren place that even the toughest of dragonkin believed uninhabitable. But the first dragon to survive and escape slavery had no choice but to moot deep within its core.

Acrid toxic fumes permeated every inch of its caverns, ensuring only the strongest and most stubborn dragons would survive to call Geokeiss their home. Over time, its fully populated caverns had become an intimidating underworld fortress none knew existed, allowing them to plan and operate in stealth.

Upon Heimlock’s return to Geokeiss, hissing wails of joy echoed throughout the dark catacombs as he gave news of an elderdrake adopting a young boy into the Bright Sky. As word spread the celebration grew louder and louder, shaking the bedchamber where M’atraav, Heimlock’s birthmother, resided.

Shimmering copper scales twitched as she awoke from deep slumber. She raised her head in irritation, until she came to recognize the future implications of what her son had discovered. Grinning to herself, she sank her teeth back into the folds of her lover’s bosom, allowing sweet rest to return.

As sleep again overtook her, the sacred words echoed in her mind as she dreamt of the battles and triumphs quickly approaching.

Finallime vedui mín liwo gar-tan tur ilya Lúggwaith. Na gujat yallume, vedui ammen gar-tan min fuin-mornië

“At last we shall lay bare our dominion over all dragonkind. At long last, we shall have our revenge.”

BK’s responses will be delayed from November 18th-30th. He is roaming around Japan on vacation.

1 note · View note

beforeyoufall-bk · 2 years

Text

Into The Bright Sky — Act I: Thunderborn

Act I: Thunderborn

The gold is a trap.

The vivid words flashed inside the young man’s mind, providing a silent warning as he slowly scanned the enormous cavern.

Ancient artifacts, rare paintings, glittering jewels, and stacks of gold littered the floor in all directions. A single swipe of a greedy dragon talon would be worth more than a king’s ransom.

For the young man, there was nothing left to do but contemplate and then make his choice. So that was what James did.

Raising the hook of his thumb to cup his chin, James gently sat down cross-legged and probed the recesses of his mind for what could guide him through this ordeal.

Few on Lilephar knew of the Drakvend Sacrament, a test of endurance, cunning, and loyalty. Those who proved themselves worthy would be honored, uniquely rewarded, and accepted among all dragon-kin. And James was sure what awaited him would surprise even his father.

As often was the case, his inner search for wisdom eventually led him to pore over the lessons he’d learned from his adopted father: Eigyys.

His father… Most would not assume Eigyys served such a role in his life. James was a slender young man, with long limbs and nimble steps. Eigyys was also slender among his kin, but was a towering dragon with emerald green scales, golden eyes and white whiskers surrounding his maw of dagger sharp teeth.

As he recalled his father’s countless lectures, the first morning of this Drakvend Sacrament echoed in his mind’s eye.

“What if I’m not ready?”

“None are ever ready. If you were ready, you would be better off dead. Life without challenge or struggle is found only in the heavens, where those above await the few who come to terms with this cruel reality. The wise, who dwell in both heaven and on earth, simply get back to work. You shall do fine, my son.” Eigyys replied in a deep gravelly voice, with a tenderness that only those who knew him could sense.

“Always remember: There is only one thing to fear — “

“-and that is not being true to myself. Fearing anything other than the inevitable war you wage upon your own self each day, is a waste of time and energy.” James recited by heart, closing his eyes in frustration. There would be no way around the hardships to come.

His eyes flashed open, snapping his mind back to the present. There was a new energy pulsing from within the cavern, tugging at his very being.

Out of the corner of his eye, a glimmering light invited his full attention. The pattern of its energies was like a blade of verdant grass swaying over a lake of shimmering silver and gold ice. As he made his way towards it, his mind began to race.

Fear not. From this day, no soul shall judge you as not dragon. That you were not Thunderborn.

James’ cloudy vision grew dimmer as he made his way towards the mysterious light. He had not eaten or slept for two days in the Sacrament Cave, surviving solely on the Jatoba Tree dew he’d brought with him.

Keep going Jahréim… For Eigyys… For the Bright Sky… he thought to himself, searching for every last drop of strength he had.

Wading through heaps of priceless artifacts he briefly stumbled, almost knocking over the altar from which the light resonated. Forcing his weary eyes to focus, he stared squarely at the treasure before him.

On the altar lay a dragonscale round-shield about the size of a toxophily boss. The stain of it perfectly matched his emerald cap that slung snugly over his thin sandy hair. This was surely the boon meant for him. Whatever his dragon-attunement was to be, this artifact would guide him straight to it. Of that he was now sure.

Suddenly, the room spun and darkness threatened to overtake him. He had to act quickly or risk spending another half-sleepless night of terror within the Sacrament Cave.

A strange voice filled his head in warning.

I am Alluin, the Emerald Protector. Take me up. Wield my power! But do not tarry. Only twelve hours remain and you do not wish to be the last of your new kin to take their liberation dive! Rise and soar as you’ve been trained, Thunderborn!

In an instant, James instinctively scooped up the shield and slung it across his back. It tingled to the touch, clearing his vision and filling him with newfound vigor and energy.

Closing his eyes, he focused his mind to seek out the path. The path that would lead him out of this hellish test. The path to his new life.

Alluin responded immediately to his call. A green bolt of energy exploded from the shield, shooting through his chest and down to the heels of his boots.

A green bolt of energy skittered madly across the stone floor, with each skip setting off a sharp crackling hiss that echoed throughout the cavern. The course shown from this guiding light zigged then zagged, rapidly climbing and illuminating one of the hundreds of basalt staircases.

Not wasting a moment to breathe, James sprang to action, sprinting full speed across the bolt-lit path. His newfound surge of energy from Alluin continued to pulse through him and sore muscles were forgotten. Step by step, sometimes two at a time, he surged higher and higher. His eyes fixed forward, focused intently on reaching the summit.

Keep going, keep climbing.

He could now make out lush trees peeking out from under frosted snow in a distant opening ahead. Wispy fog curled around branches, dancing in a mesmerizing swirl above the tree tops. Reaching the last step, he leapt onto the plateau.

The sky flashed and crackled. Six strikes of lightning in rapid succession welcomed his arrival. He was the seventh of ten riders to reach the top of Mount Terrarmoor.

He had done it.

Abruptly, a chorus of deafening roars filled the sky, buffeting him from all angles and dropping him to his knees. Terror and agony racked his body as he lifted up Alluin above his head in a futile attempt to dull the ceaseless waves of unseen forces, pelting him from all directions.

As if in answer to his suffering, a recognizable voice flooded his ears, snapping him out of his torment. A roar he’d heard countless times throughout his life rang louder than all the others. Eigyys was there.

Feeling the passion from his adopted father, James rose to his feet defiantly. Slowly lifting his head, he glared intensely at the final step of this trial. One hundred paces ahead lay a plank of obsidian stone, extending a good ten feet off the mountain’s edge.

Ignoring the raucous cries from above and the anguish built up over two days in darkness, James rushed forward, leaping off the plank with all his might. Tumbling into the deep ravine he closed his eyes, channeling all his focus and will into Alluin.

The call has been made. Fol Drakvrend Jihra!

Fear no longer gripped him.

Floods of dragons dashed towards his falling form, each ready to welcome their new rider. The race to intercept him and become one with his liberation dive had begun.

James was certain that Eigyys would not be among them. His days of serving as a Drakvrend had ended centuries ago.

Just before his plummeting silhouette met the treeline of verdescent pines, his dragon-mount reached him. A bevy of muffled high-pitched growls pierced the cold air, as all of dragonkind in attendance looked on in shock.

Glistening scales reflected their stunned gazes: James’ mount was golden.

It had been centuries since a first-time dragonrider was blessed with a golden mount. But this momentous event was exactly what James had known would happen. In fact, he did not even need to ask the name of his new Drakvrend, though he would anyway for the pretenses of ceremony.

His name was Heimlock.

BK’s responses will be delayed from November 18th-30th. He is roaming around Japan on vacation.

0 notes

beforeyoufall-bk · 2 years

Text

Celebrate Courage

Courage is confident compassion — comely convivial chaperones

Courage is coalescing with copious contribution, cordial caretaking, curious conductors

Courage is criticizing cruel controllers, cunning criminals, crafty cutthroats

Courage is cursing clowns, craven clods, covetous culprits

Courage can calm, can center, can cajole

Courage can charm crazy cocky CEOs

Courage can change countries, cure cancer, cue cheers

Courage can captivate, cultivate, challenge chaos

Courage creates careers, co-workers, cosmic chance

Courage creates charisma, corpulent charity, candid class

Courage creates creators, courteous connoisseurs, collaborators

Courage creates cherubic champions from children, chic commanders

Courage could culminate in cataclysm, colorful characters, or comical caprice

Courage shall coerce codebreakers to crack concealed ciphers — coy conquerors

Courage will cull conspirators, censor cretins, confound cowards — cheaters

Courage is crucial, confirming Christ’s covenant — Choice communion — Celestial

BK’s responses will be delayed from November 18th-30th. He is roaming around Japan on vacation.

またね

I hope these thoughts are helpful. Thank you so much for reading. I Agape-Love you all.

Until next time, God bless.

***

If you crave more… nay, NEED more, then click below for more poems by BK Johnsen:

https://vocal.media/poets/when-will-you-fly

1 note · View note

beforeyoufall-bk · 2 years

Text

Bevy o’Beauty

Bold blood born into beautiful brainy bodices

Breathtaking — Beguiling — Bewitching

Bad baronial blindfolds breed bias, blame, and bedlam

Blabbering boycotts, burning beliefs with bellicose bombs

But then bright beaming beacons bring back benignant bliss

Brilliant bosses with blazing badassery bestow bountiful blessings

Bunkers of bubbling benevolence become our bedrock

Bestselling ballads of bravery beshrew backsliding beldams

Beloved books begetting bionic bulwarks

blithely bundling our brains into balance

Belespirits and bibliophiles blamelessly besting boorish benefactors

Begin to believe beyond the broadminded!

Blossom briskly and brazenly, brimming with benediction

Banzai BK-san! Banzai!!!

BK’s responses will be delayed from November 18th-30th. He is roaming around Japan on vacation.

またね

I hope these thoughts are helpful. Thank you so much for reading. I Agape-Love you all.

Until next time, God bless.

— -

If you crave more… nay, NEED more, then click below for more poems by BK Johnsen:

https://vocal.media/poets/the-truth-hurts-08fbcp0bn8

https://vocal.media/poets/the-man-with-no-name-nj25f00yy9

0 notes

beforeyoufall-bk · 2 years

Text

The Flight of Moon Jellyfish

Sea-crossed Lovers

Act I — Aurelia’s Circadian Whirlpool

It’s getting late. I’m wide awake and my mind is racing again.

Aurelia waited and watched, wondering if sleep might take her before he arrived.

For the past three weeks she’d decided to let the currents inside this large tank take her wherever they may. Floating weightlessly in darkness comforted her. And through this nightly meditation, she’d discovered these journeys had become strangely consistent.

Every night she’d be pulled to the east. And every night, at around midnight, he would come. The ruler of The Pitch.

The Pitch was where all her friends and family resided. Generally peaceful, but still rife with enough danger to keep things interesting. Overall, Aurelia enjoyed her life in this large, strange tank.

Although, she had heard many tales of a larger tank. A tank so vast that none could ever fully explore its four corners. So large it had predators and beasts of all shapes and sizes. And in that tank, none would ever provide feed to any of its inhabitants. You would have to hunt.

But in The Pitch, food was never a concern for all who lived there. Aurelia was now a 10-month-old veteran of the community, and through it all had found her bestie for life: a silver darling herring named Chloe.

By the time Aurelia had fully matured into an adult on her 6-month birthday, she and Chloe had both given up on finding a new tank to explore. Instead, they would focus on living a life worth living within The Pitch. Chloe chose to focus on family. Aurelia just wanted to love and to be loved.

“Hey… Don’t you think you oughta call it a night?” Chloe asked, sidling next to Aurelia as she glided aimlessly through dark waters.

“Something’s different this time.” Aurelia stated firmly.

“You say that every night hon’…”

“No. I feel more anxious than usual… Something’s gonna happen, I can feel it!”

“It’s called menopause.” Chloe shuddered, flicking her tail in a flutter to circle around Aurelia’s translucent form.

“Scyphozoans don’t get menopause.”

“I know. Neither do we silvers, darling. It’s just an old herring-wife’s tale.”

“Seriously, my synapses are pounding!” Aurelia exclaimed, pulsing her bells nervously.

“You seem a little more fatty than usual, maybe that’s what you’re feeling.”

“My momma always told me putting on a few helps attract the bigger fish.”

“Okay then… Well, I’m gonna turn in for the night with Opie. I leave him alone with the school too long and he’ll start swimming into the walls.”

“Alrighty. G’night, Clo’. Thanks for thinkin’ of me.”

“Anytime, dearie. Swim safe.”

“I’ll go wherever the current takes me.” Aurelia smiled, flashing her rhopalium in a soft, silent farewell.

Aurelia was waiting for Truah, the biggest catch of The Pitch.

In the darkest hours of each night, he would take many laps around the tank for exercise and to forage before bed. Aurelia was one of the few within The Pitch still awake enough, and brave enough, to observe the lone alpha Orca during his private midnight swims.

A burst of tidal energy rippled to her left, signaling his approach.

He’s early… Must’ve had a rough day to turn in so early tonight.

A gigantic shadow enveloped Aurelia, spanning across her whole view of the sandy floor below.

This time… he’ll notice me…

Beaming her best smile, Aurelia’s rhopalium flashed bright, illuminating Truah’s underbelly as he surged by.

“Hi Truah!” she yelped out nervously.

Another burst of energy tossed her about as Truah pushed onward, flexing his pectoral fins. His shadow vanished in an instant, leaving Aurelia spinning round and round, five, six, seven times; caught in his eddy-fied wake.

Where would his wake push her this night?

For Aurelia, this moment of uncertainty was the best part of her midnight constitutional. Though it also served as a bittersweet reminder of how badly she dreamed of something different happening one of these times. Something. Anything.

You must be blind… Believe me, I have tried. But nothing that I do gets you to see me… She lamented as the force from Truah’s eddy dissipated, gently propelling her towards the east wall of The Pitch.

East it is…

Aurelia closed her rhopalium tightly, holding back her tears as she waited for sleep to take her. When surprisingly, she heard a faint call from the west.

“Goodnight Aurelia.”

Act II — Taking Leaps

I have always been in love with you, but you are unable to see that…

Aurelia awoke to flashing lights and shrieks of warning: it was last call for evening feeding time.

Ignoring the frantic noise that erupted each morning, noon, and night, she blankly stared at the west wall, daydreaming about this night’s midnight constitutional.

Strange eyes moved to-and-fro in all directions, as seal-like and walrus-like beasts scanned all life within The Pitch almost every day. Chloe had once told her they were called humans. But the differences between each were so startling, she could never believe they were all of the same species.

Another warning shout for last call echoed among the masses. The enormous crowd of humans would now raise their eyes in unison to the sky’s surface, appreciating the vast amounts of plankton, crustaceans, and fish carcasses cascading through the heavens down into The Pitch. An amazing sight to behold, if it didn’t happen each and every day so consistently predictable.

The feeding frenzy was on, as all sea life ate whatever fell their way. Schools of herrings darted in chaotic spurts, collecting their spoils. Goby, damselfish, and hawkfish playfully snapping at scraps that fell deep enough to reach their tiny homes.

Every evening, Chloe and Aurelia would share supper together before last lights out. Mysida and arrow worms were Chloe’s favorites. Plankton and mollusk larvae made up Aurelia’s preferred diet. Or on occasion, small fish-bits, whenever Chloe wasn’t watching her closely.

“Truah knew my name.” Aurelia blurted out through a mouthful of plankton.

“Huh?” said Chloe.

“Truah knows my name!” Aurelia sang with excitement, flashing a smile only she could see.

Chloe stopped mid-nibble on her mysida tail to excitedly flitter once around Aurelia before returning to her meal.

“Okay, tell me what happened.”

Aurelia relayed the previous night’s happenings with all her angst-ridden thoughts and emotions that had came with them.

“But now… I don’t know what the heck I’m going to do tonight!” Aurelia bemoaned.

“Honey, just tell him how you feel.”

“I couldn’t!”

“Hon’… listen to me.” Chloe purred, taking another quick lap around Aurelia, “You’ve only got a few good months left in that beautiful subumbrella of yours. You’ve gotta’ live a little and take that leap!”

“I don’t know… How could I go on if he hates me for it?” Aurelia cried, shyly curling the edges of her subumbrella.

“Why do the flying fish fly?”

“’Cause they have wings. I don’t. I don’t even have gills!”

“No… They are fish. Fish don’t have wings. Flying fish grew wings.”

“What?”

“Confusing, yes.” Chloe snapped, “But a better question might be how or why do they now have wings?”

“… Why? How?” Aurelia whispered lightly, almost too afraid to ask.

“Because they took the leap.”

“You mean… If a fish leaps to the sky surface, they just grow wings? That doesn’t make any sense! Only flying fish have wings!”

“Good. Now you’re finally getting it!” Chloe laughed, “They never stopped leaping. They never gave up. They went for their dreams over and over and over again, no matter how impossible it seemed. Until finally, they sprouted wings! But it took countless failures for it to happen. Us little fishies forget that part of the story at our great peril…”

“Hmm…” Aurelia quivered thoughtfully in fear. Could she? Should she take this leap?

“I said peril, Aurelia.”

“Oh… What?”

Chloe bolted three quick laps around Aurelia before coming back to a smooth glide alongside her friend.

“How many generations of flying fish do you think kept leaping, but never grew wings?”

“How could I know that?”

“Yeah, exactly. No one knows. But there were definitely more than a few!”

“So what are you saying? I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t?” Aurelia glowered, sick of these riddles.

“No… I’m saying that it would be wise to not take crazy leaps unless you are sure that that was how you want to spend your life.”

“Well, I’m not sure.”

“Just think,” Chloe giggled, twirling around ’til her scales flashed brightly at Aurelia, “Think… of all the flying fish who to this day, don’t understand or appreciate what their great-great-great-great-grandparents did for them?”

“Hmm…” Aurelia quivered again, this time out of half-excitement and half-fear.

“But now, everyone just thinks flying fish were born that way…” Chloe continued, “It’s tragic, really. The lack of gratitude and appreciation for those who had greater courage than us all combined.”

Chloe stopped, staring at her friend to emphasize the importance and finality of her next questions.

“So… is it worth it for you to leap? Or is it better for you to avoid being the first Scyphozoan brave enough to take perilous leaps? Leaps that may, or may not, being building a new future for your species?”

Aurelia turned a deep navy hue as she silently contemplated her choices. Then, in a flourish her entire exumbrella suddenly glowed a warm blue, rhopalium sparkling in optimism.

“Thanks Clo. I needed that.”

“No prob hun’… But I’ll miss our angst-filled chats over krill dinners.”

“Yeah… me too.”

Act III: The Pitch

I have felt this way every night and day, wishing that you would just come a little closer.

Those words repeatedly pounded the corners of Aurelia’s mind as she drifted gently with the current.

As she floated weightlessly along, Aurelia began to wonder more and more why she was going through with this “leap” that would no doubt end in catastrophe. However, with those feelings of dread also came intense longing and desire.

How do you feel? I need to know! ’Cause my heart just wants to scream out!

As if on cue from her yearnings, a sudden burst of tidal energy came from her left, enveloping her in his familiar shadow.

“Truah! Wait! I need to speak with you!” Aurelia yelped out, bells pulsing in rhythm with her twinkling rhopalium.

His shadow swam on in silence, shrinking smaller and smaller until completely fading into the darkness. Relief and despair fought over Aurelia’s heart, until another burst of energy came from below her. He had returned.

This can’t be real…

Swimming in bobbing gallop, Truah matched her speed, smoothly gliding by her side.

I can’t find the words… They all seem wrong! Like a meaning that’s lost in translation…

“Well?” He remarked while keeping perfect pace.

“I… Is there anything I can do to help?” Aurelia trembled, unsure of what she was actually saying.

“What???”

“I mean… I’m here every night anyway. And… I just thought — ”

“I am king of The Pitch, Aurelia.” He boomed, blinking in confusion.

“Yes…?”

“If I were in need of any assistance, I’d surely ask of you… Respectfully,” he bristled, “But until then, I do not need assistance with anything. Goodnight.”

Aurelia felt him gradually picking up speed.

“Wait!” She gasped. To her surprise, he stopped. And waited.

“I… love you.” She whispered, closing her rhopalium tightly, praying this would not be the end of her midnight adventures.

Truah’s eyes briefly widened in shock, before gently swimming past Aurelia’s now quickly darkening form. The glow of her entire subumbrella faded to a dark and dull bluish-grey.

The following night, Aurelia waited for Truah again. Her entire day had been spent in depressed silence. Even Chloe could not get her to crack half a grin. But her friend had left her with many words of encouragement and comforting clichés.

Don’t give up, Aurelia. Each leap makes it easier…

Those words continually raced through Aurelia’s mind, repeating over and over and over again. Giving her strength. Reviving the small shards of hope bottled deep within her diminutive frame.

In a flash, Truah was there. Once again by her side. She did not even notice or feel his approach. He was… hunting?

“I am an Orca King. You are a Scyphozoan Serf…” Truah abruptly declared, “What was the meaning of last night’s outburst?”

“I… was tired of holding in my truth.” Aurelia whimpered, “I have always been in love with you… but you were unable to see that.”

“Love is truly blind. From all sides and angles.” He mumbled glibly.

Minutes passed as they both floated along. Aurelia frightened what would come next. Truah matching her slow pace in silent contemplation.

In truth, he was quite lonely. None dare spoke to him, and when they did it was nothing like talking with Aurelia. He suddenly felt compelled to match her courage. Afterall, she was the one in danger, not he. What courage did it take for him to express what she already was so bravely admitting to him?

“I care greatly for you too, Aurelia…” He whispered.

Aurelia’s entire form began to glow an intense turquoise hue.

“In truth, you provide light when all is dark. You bring a sparkle to my times of solitude each night in The Pitch. But we should not speak of such feelings. It just… can’t be. What do you expect to get out of this?”

“I don’t care what I get out of it!” Aurelia snapped back passionately, “I care what I experience in this life and what I feel through those experiences! And… I’m tired of holding back my true feelings. I love you, Truah. Down to the deepest depths of my gastrodermal heart. I love you.”

“Aurelia…”

“I just need you to know and accept that. Nothing more.” She finished, synapses still firing bright.

“…Thank you.” He sputtered, “I… love you too.”

Aurelia’s rhopalium now burned a bright sapphire. She could not stop smiling from mouth to exumbrella.

“See you tomorrow?” She beamed.

“…Yes. Every night we can.”

“Thank you.”

“Goodnight Aurelia.”

“Goodnight, Truah.”

I did it! Her mind screamed out in disbelief.

Aurelia felt so euphoric she almost believed she’d sprouted flying fish wings. Aurelia no longer knew nor cared whether she floated east, west, or into the arms of a strange human. She had leapt and survived.

“Goodnight, my love.” she whispered, as a warm comforting sleep took her.

Act IV: Destiny

It’s getting late. I’m wide awake and my mind is racing again…

Something was wrong.

Three months had passed since that fateful night, and Truah was never late nor early since then. At the strike of midnight, he would find her, and they would chat almost ’til dawn.

However, this night Aurelia felt different, out of place, and uncommonly flustered. Her subumbrella had been curling considerably higher lately, and her bells were seemingly no longer under her command, moving in an erratic ripple without notice. Yes, something was very wrong.

At dinner, she felt a cold darkness raking over her entire exumbrella. By midnight that night, she instinctively knew what was happening.

“Truah…”

“What’s wrong, my dear?” Truah gulped. He’d been biting his tongue all night.

“I’m… dying.”

“What?!”

“I’m sorry…” Aurelia mumbled, swerving left and right as they glided through the darkness.

“I noticed your struggles my love… But you did not say, and I did not wish to ask.” Truah shuddered, matching her errant sway.

“I should have told you, but I did not want our last night together to have shadow hanging over it.”

“Aurelia… I… Of course I knew this day would come. But oh, how I wished fate would grant us more time together.”

She sighed, “You… made my life complete. I’ll always be grateful for your love.”

Channeling her remaining strength, she illuminated her rhopalium and pulsed her bells in a smooth ripple one last time.

Truah lowered his head, crying out in an incomprehensible whistle of sorrow.

“I have one last request for you, my dearest…” She whispered.

“What is it, my love?”

“I wish to be with you… forever.”

“And so you shall.” Truah crowed, his strength returning. This was a task he knew he’d fulfill.

“I will never forget you, nor will I ever stop loving you. You have my word as ruler of The Pitch… your faithful husband.”

“Yes… But in all ways I wish to be with you…” She whispered in pain. “When I pass… absorb me.”

Truah never expected such an odd request. It didn’t feel… right.

“I’ve consumed Scyphozoan flesh before… but not since we’ve met,” He muttered glumly, “And after spending such fond moments with you, I never wish to again. Though it pains me greatly, I do not think I can fulfill this request…”

“Please… my love… for me.” She gasped out, her exumbrella now completely void of its bluish-violet glow.

Truah drifted helplessly alongside Aurelia’s still form in complete silence… As he felt his glide begin to descend towards the sandy floors of The Pitch, he bellowed out a whistle of pure anguish.

He was alone.

Truah sped through the darkness.

It was the darkest of nights he’d ever spent roaming The Pitch. Quickly making seven laps through the entire tank, he silently mourned his lost love which he carried deep inside him.

It’s getting late… I’m wide awake and my mind is racing…

Ever since I met Aurelia, I have felt this way every night and day.

Always wishing that she could just come a little closer to me… And I to her…

He had one more stop before bed. A visit to a family he knew quite well, but never had spoken to before.

“Excuse my sudden incivility, ma’am.” Truah gulped, suddenly realizing just how exhausted he was from the night’s dramatic events.

“Oh!” Chloe exclaimed, “Opie, get up! It’s the king!”

Truah flashed a wry smile.

“That isn’t necessary miss, but… You are the silver darling known as Chloe, correct?”

“Yes, that’s me. What can I do for you, your majesty?” Chloe grinned, twirling in a polite curtsy.

“Call me Truah.” He said, gently smiling at the silver darling herring he’d heard so much about these past three months.

“Aurelia…” He stopped, unable to find the right words to explain.

“I see…” Chloe sighed, dropping her eyes in understanding.

“She — ”

“What is it dearie? Oh! Evenin’, your majesty. To what do we owe this honor?” Opie blurted out through sleepy gills.

“It’s okay love, go back to bed. He just came to ask me ‘bout Aurelia.” Chloe said numbly.

“Oh, yes, yes. Goodnight then… your majesty.”

Truah politely waited as Opie flittered back to bed. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, he continued.

“She told me what you did for her… For us. I just wanted to let you know that. And, to tell you ‘thank you’ …from both of us.” Truah breathed softly.

“She was a great friend, and an even better Scyphozoan. You made her very happy…”

“Yes, and she, I.”

Aftre a few beats in uncomfortable silence, Chloe met his gaze and cracked a sad smile.

“Thank you for helping her fly, your majest — — Truah.”

Truah’s entire body tensed up as he suddenly felt an odd tingling sensation from his belly. It rose in intensity more and more, as if someone was lightning sparklers from his insides. Then, abruptly disappeared.

“Well then… Goodnight, ma’am.” Truah smiled, promptly pushing away towards home.

I had always been in love with you, but I was unable to see that… Thank you Aurelia, Truah wistfully thought to himself, as he settled into his smooth glide encircling his seabed.

“What was that about?” Opie asked, as Chloe sidled up to him.

“Oh nothing, love. Aurelia’s gone. But… well… she made history is all.”

“I’m sorry to hear that… Whatcha’ mean she made history?”

Chloe wriggled deeper into the cold sandbed to rest her eyes, but found it too difficult to sleep. Letting out an annoyed snort, she suddenly twirled into a playful loop around her husband before stopping to stare deep into his eyes.

This is the extended half-unedited version of a short story I’ve recently submitted on a Vocal writer’s challenge.

To see the hastily and horribly edited-to-fit-3000-words version of the story, click here:

BK’s responses will be delayed from November 18th-30th. He is roaming around Japan on vacation.

1 note · View note