The Source (Chronicles of the Elements #1)

Chapter 2

Aiden felt the magic press against her skin as the Tairseach transported her to wherever the battle would occur. The pressure built and built until it felt like it was going to split her into a million tiny pieces, but just as she thought she couldn't take it anymore, the forceful push began to ease as Aiden was shoved out landing flat on her face. What a great start she thought to herself as she stood up quickly placing all her senses on high alert.

She realized she was in a forest and scanned the moss covered trees and rocks. She listened but could only hear water running in a stream that must be nearby and birds singing in the trees. She felt a warm, gentle breeze and scented freshly fallen rain on top of the floral yet earthy smell of the moss. Nothing felt dangerous. This forest was beautiful and magical showing no signs of danger giving Aiden a desire to explore the wondrous place.

As she went to take another step, she realized her head was fuzzy with enchantment, so she shook it to clear the illusion taking over and reminded herself that magical can mean dangerous. She closed her eyes and took another one of those mind clearing deep breaths while focusing her other senses as they were all taught to do. When she opened her eyes, her head felt clearer.

She decided to follow the sound of the stream but watched every leaf that moved and listened for any snap of a twig. She took one of her throwing knives into her hand in anticipation of meeting the monster, but upon finding the stream, she was quickly mesmerized once more by beauty. The water sparkled like the rarest diamonds. The grass along the bank looked like crushed emeralds. She'd never seen anything like it, but a rustle of leaves put her back on high alert.

Ducking behind the nearest tree, she stealthily peered towards the sound assuring that she kept her breathing even and readied herself to throw the knife, but what emerged from the other side of the stream stopped her heart. It was impossible and definitely not right. It stood at the edge of the water and looked right in her direction smiling menacingly as if it had already won.

"Come out and play, Aiden. Or are you going to hide like the scared little female you are?"

Aiden felt frozen in place. She couldn't breathe, move, think, or speak. No one has prepared her for this. None of the instructors had even alluded to this. She didn't know how she was supposed to fight this thing and win. She reached over and grasped her right wrist feeling the thread of the bracelet from Fiadh to calm and center herself at the same time feeling the star on the necklace from Darren hanging heavily just above her breasts. They believed she could do this. Her parents believed she could do this. She knew she had to try.

She stepped out from behind the tree and began walking toward the bank stopping at the water's edge then looked towards the opposite bank and into silver eyes set into a face that she saw every time she looked in the mirror. She assessed the lightest of blonde hair, svelte yet muscular body, and skin turned golden as if kissed by the summer sun. It was her standing on the opposite side. It finally clicked that she was her own monster.

Everything all made sense now. Every sleepless night and every thought of self doubt and feeling of inadequacy had been her burden. No beast or mythical creature ever scared her as much as her own fears of failure.

"You smell of fear and regret. I guess we know who the better version is. When I kill you, I'm going to march back through the Tairseach and be every inch the female Darren deserves. I'll also be the strong queen that Siog Riocht deserves. Face it; you know you will never be good enough no matter how many names your parents give you. Are you ready to die, Princess?"

Aiden threw the knife with perfect accuracy right into the monster's left eye. She could tell it didn't expect that from the barely detectable surprise in its right eye, but it pulled the knife out with ease and laughed, "If you think throwing your little knives is going to kill me, then, this will be over quickly."