Was it Just a Dream? 1.0

[Caligo]

I wrote this story for a friend a couple years back. There are more parts, but it's still not finished. It probably doesn't make much sense, and it's not really supposed too. I'll get the second part up soon, but after that I'm still working on. XD Oh, and sorry for the length. ^^;



Was it just a Dream. 1.0



She stood underneath the gigantic tree at the never ending sea of grass in front of her. What made it so compelling to gaze at was not the way the wind caused a rippled effect across it, but its color. The meadow was blue. It looked like water…..on land. Pulling her eyes away from the weird landscape, Clariss turned around and looked to see what was behind her. Her jaw dropped as she stared ahead of her. Behind her was a vast ocean of some sort. But the ocean wasn’t the color it should have been. It was purple. Man, I’m eating too much candy, and this is some wacko dream. She couldn’t remember anything that had happened before her sudden arrival at the tree….as she just now noticed an orange leaved tree. It looked to be an oak tree, but fruits of all kind were growing on it. That’s when she noticed the sudden burning sensation on her arms. Smelling a strange burning scent she looked to find that her arms were burning, they had just started to blister. Scared, Clariss fell back against the giant trunk of the tree. The blistering and burning had stopped when she fell out of the rays of the sun, but her arms were still damaged. She gazed at her arms, holding them out in front of her. She couldn’t believe at what had just happened. The sun….just burned me….it BURNED my skin, what the heck is this? Hysteria was creeping into the edges of her mind, as she scooted herself against the tree trunk as much as possible, in an attempt to get as far away from the sun as possible.



Curled into a small ball, Clariss jerked her head when she heard the sudden noise of chirping. Looking up, she glanced from branch to branch until movement caught her eye. Finally locating where it had come from, her blue eyes rested on a strange looking animal. It looked like an oversized chipmunk, possibly a mix between a flying squirrel and chipmunk. What was even stranger was the small antlers that poked out on its forehead. It seemed to be looking down at her with its giant emerald green eyes, and was chirping at her cheerfully. Using the tree to help her to a standing position, Clariss continued to keep her eyes trained on the critter.



“You should watch out. You seem to have a strange sensitivity to the sun.” The voice was kind and deep. It took Clariss a few seconds to realize it had come from the creature that was chirping only a few seconds before. Her eyes grew wide in astonishment as her jaw dropped once again. No way did that thing just speak to me. This is most definitely a dream. The strange animal suddenly moved, jumping down from limb to limb until he landed in the blue grass in front of her. Clariss pressed herself up against the tree, feeling cornered. Suddenly a giant cloud appeared almost creating the typical POOF sound like in cartoons.



“I would like to say that I am not a thing but a living being thank you. And no, this isn’t a dream.” The voice now sounded deeper but still held the same kindness. As the weird cloud slowly started dispersing, the small chipmunk like animal was replaced by a very tall, young, athletically built man. All the muscles in her body seemed to be paralyzed as she stood looking at the man in front of her. His hair was a very dark green, being only one or two shades from black and his eyes were a vibrant violet color. His complexion was pale but not a deathly white color. But the part that stood out the most was the antlers on his head. Just like when he was in his….animal form, antlers poked out from beneath his hair. They weren’t massive, probably the size of a young male deer’s, and they looked velvety. Clariss had the odd feeling of wanting to touch them but luckily for her, her body was still not obeying her thoughts. Stepping closer to the frightened girl, the man’s face was blank; the only sign that showed he didn’t mean harm were his eyes. Nothing else on his face portrayed any emotion, his sparkling purple eyes almost grinning.



“You do not need to be afraid. I am not here to harm you in any way. If I had wanted too, I could have done it quite easily earlier. Now let me introduce myself. My name is Amser and I’m the guardian of time as well as God of the forest.” The blue eyed girl swallowed her breath and nodded. Suddenly she realized something. Furrowing her brow, Clariss looked around.



“….Where’s the forest then?” Her voice was tinged with confusion, not sure if her idea of a forest was the same as this world’s. Finally, the mask that Amser had been wearing broke, as he grinned openly at her. Stunned, she looked curiously at him noticing that her body was beginning to lose its paralysis. Holding her hands behind her back, she took a step closer to him and took his appearance in more closely. Amser seemed suddenly almost self-conscious with this young woman looking him over. Trying not to shuffle under her gaze, he too took in her form. Her hair was a light reddish color, and he knew that in her world her hair length had been extremely short but here, it had grown a significant amount. It came wistfully a little more than halfway down her back. She doesn’t seem to have noticed her hair yet. Looking at her clothes, he wasn’t all that sure of what she was wearing. This is what she wore, a short plaid red and black skirt, with suspenders over a white shirt with a logo of a picture of chopsticks equal love. To finish it off, she had black fishnets. Clariss was not wearing shoes because at the time she had mysteriously materialized in this world she hadn’t been wearing any, much to her dismay. Remembering that he had not answered her question, he pulled his eyes of her weird attire and observed her face.



“Glad of you to notice your surroundings. You are right. There is no forest located around here, it’s actually some distance away. I wanted you to come here because it was easier for the both of us on you not becoming alarmed and getting lost.” His tone was a matter of fact. Clariss stopped in mid-step and looked at him coolly. Forgetting her curiosity of him, she straightened her back and looked into his eyes.



“What are you trying to say? You’re making me sound like I’m stupid or something, an airhead who freaks out after seeing some trees.” Her voice was border lined with anger as she just stopped herself from losing it. Amser was taken aback on her reaction, having no idea what he’d said was insulting. He bowed, immediately causing Clariss’s anger to diminish replacing it with surprise. I’m not sure if I can take being surprised, shocked and stunned anymore. I’m going on an emotional overload here. Standing up again, he gave an apologetic smile.



“I’m terribly sorry to have insulted you. I did not believe what I said would have that effect on you. May I ask you your name since I cannot seem to find it in your thoughts?” Clariss liked the way he spoke, with an elegant air the words just seemed to dance off his tongue. Even though she did find what he said amusing. She refrained from laughing, unsure of how he would take it.



“Apology accepted. I don’t talk to myself in third person. So I’ll tell you my name. It’s Clariss, but you can call me Clare.” Clare held out her hand and smiled. Amser looked at her hand and then back to her face with an expression of mild confusion. A giggle escaped her lips before she could stop herself, regaining her composure Clariss explained.



“You’re supposed to grab my hand and then we shake. It’s how we greet new people.” Amser nodded his head and did as she said. Afterwards, both stood in silence, not sure what to do or say. Time passed by and Clare just stood there looking around still not quite used to the exotic colored surroundings. Amser suddenly started walking away towards the purple ocean. Making as to follow him she froze remembering what happened the last time she went into the sun. Fear of being alone gripped her as the antlered man got farther and farther away.



“Hey! Amser! Please don’t leave me!” Her voice was almost shrill as she waved her arms in his direction. Seeing him stop, joy leapt inside her watching him turn around halfway and for a split second she thought she saw him nod his head before turning around and continuing to walk away. Her hands dropped to her side as the only person or creature or whatever species he is left her alone.



Clariss continued to watch Amser’s figure getting smaller and smaller until it looked like he’d stopped. That’s when she noticed the change in lighting. The sun was casting a orangish glow on the meadow and ocean, giving the sky a collage of pinks purples and….green?. Gaping at the newest strange thing she remembered what the setting sun would do. Jumping to attention Clare ran to the opposite side of the ancient tree, away from the rays of the sun. She still had a view of the ant size Amser in the distance and tried to figure out what he was doing.



Time passed, and not seeing a change in Amser’s position she sat down and pulled her knees up under her chin. How the heck am I going to get out of this one. How the heck did I get myself into it to begin with. A frown danced across her pink lips as she tried to concentrate on what she’d been doing before finding herself here. Not getting anywhere Clare’s eyes slowly started closing and her mind began shutting itself down as fatigue took effect throughout her body. Resting her forehead on her knees she drifted off.



Amser walked around the side of the tree as twilight descended around him. Finally finding the girl he’d summoned he noticed she’d fallen asleep. Kneeling, he gently placed the dark purple cloak around her shoulders. It seemed to shimmer and create the illusion of water as it settled about her. Clare shifted in her sleep at the sudden presence of something warm around her. Opening her eyes slowly she looked around drowsily. Her eyes grew wide when they came to rest on the lone figure standing in the moonlight a short distance away. Glancing around Clariss noticed the cloak on her shoulders. Standing up she pulled her cape around her and slowly walked towards Amser.



She stopped a few feet from his side. Not sure if she should disturb him. Amser turned his head, so she could see half his face. Nodding his head, he gave her permission to approach. Shyly, Clariss made her way next to him, watching the long grass for any creatures that might be lurking. Standing next to him, she glanced up at his profile, his calm features looking around intently at the growing nightlife.



“You are safe now. The cloak was woven from threads of the ocean. I’m sorry I had to leave you for so long.” His voiced was hushed as Clare looked away, trying to find something more interesting to stare at. Simply nodding her head, she could feel her face getting warm.I’m like a little schoolgirl around him, this is rather annoying. Clariss felt stupid getting a crush on him, after all it was only a dream.



“So…how did you make a cloak from the water and how is it going to protect me from the sun?” Clare was feeling more confident again, getting over her middle school moment. She turned to face him, and at first it looked like he hadn’t heard her. Observing his face with surprising clarity, she saw a pained look in his distant eyes. I wonder what’s wrong. He looks like he’s hurt….



“Hey! Are you okay?” Placing a hand on his arm worriedly, she quickly pulled back when a loud roaring sudden echoed around her. Scared she swiftly looked around and tried to find out where it had come from. Glancing at Amser, she saw him alert and looking to his right. A split second later he grabbed her around the waist and took off running. Alarmed, Clariss wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head into his robes. A scent of flowers and plants filled her nose as she peeked up at him for a few seconds.





To Clare, it felt as if they’d been running for ages. Amser hadn’t said a word to her since before they’d started fleeing. I wonder from what… She was becoming stiff and beginning to think that maybe it would have been better to just stay and fight whatever beast had made that disturbing cry.



“I don’t think it would have been such a grand idea. You see, I would not have had a problem killing it, but the creature that was hunting it might have been a little more difficult to kill while protecting you.” His voice caused Clariss’s heart to skip a beat. Swallowing his words, her anger flared slightly.



“Are you saying if I hadn’t been there you could have taken care of them, but I got in your way?” Clare refrained from yelling at him just barely, realizing that if she got him too mad he’d just drop her and leave her by herself. Glimpsing up to his face again she saw he was giving her a look of exasperation. He slowed down, and Clariss got scared that he was going to leave her. Her anger diminished and she tightened her grip around his neck.



Amser nearly choked when she tightened her grip on his neck. Wincing, he slowed down faster and finally came to a stop, gasping for air for his oxygen deprived lungs. Soon he did go in a slight choking fit. His arm let Clare go, as she realized she’d been strangling him. Stepping back she held her hands to her throat and watched as he gasped for air. I…just nearly killed him…. Shock sparkled in her blues eyes, as the eerie glow Amser had noticed from her eyes began to twinkle. Leaning over, his hands were planted on his knees as air finally filled and replaced the carbon dioxide. He looked at her through one eye, still breathing heavily. He saw her gradually backing up farther away, the distance growing between then faster than he’d like.



Before Amser could say anything, Clare quickly bowed and turning ran off. She couldn’t believe she’d nearly killed him. I’ve never had the strength to do anything like this before. What’s going on? First I can’t go into sunlight, then I can see in the dark and now I have super strength. I just want to go home. Tears fell down her cheeks as she blindly ran as fast as she could, not realizing that she also had the ability to run incredibly fast.



Alarmed, Amser ran after the upset girl. He grumbled to himself for being so quiet and not speaking to her or for that fact respectfully. He hadn’t known that yet again his words would anger her. These otherworldly women are extremely touchy. He had not expected Clare to have all these abilities. It caught him off guard when he soon realized she had super speed to top it all off. What else can se do? She seems to have the powers of a god. I need to research this when I get back to the Divine Gates. If I get back, at the rate we are going it might be some time. Sighing heavily, Amser pushed himself to go faster, he could see the girl ahead of him and deciding to meet her from the other side leaped into the air.



Clare saw Amser standing in front of her only a couple yards away. Surprised, she tried to slow down before running into him, but the cloak got tangled up in her legs and she felt herself falling. You have got to be kidding me. Can things get worse? Amser ran up to catch her before she hit the ground. He kneeled in the waist high blue grass holding the cringing form in his arms gently. Opening one squinted eye, Clariss looked up to see Amser looking at her worriedly. Sighing she pushed away from him and looked away.



Suddenly movement caught both their attention. Looking in the direction it had come from, Clare focused on what looked to be a small bunny. A smile crept across her lips as the cute furry animal hopped towards them.



“Aw, look it’s a bunny!” That’s when Clariss noticed the tail. It had a cat tail and sharp claws. Strange…it must use the claws to dig or something. Amser looked at her like she was crazy.



“Yea, maybe to dig into people’s bodies…it’s not so innocent.” He kneeled in front of her ready for an attack and Clare could only stare at the green haired man surprised. It’s a carnivore?! A horrified expression replaced the look of surprise as the bunny was suddenly swallowed by a much larger beast. Looking him over quickly, Clare came to realize it looked like a mutant mouse. It’s teeth razor sharp and eyes glowed red. The size of the monster was larger than Amser as it gave the same bestial yell she’d heard earlier. Clariss scooted back her eyes locked on the creature she didn’t want to be there, she didn’t want any of this happening. All she wanted was to go home and sleep. And maybe eat some nilla wafers. Please, I just want to go home. Please just let me go home…





Clariss woke up sweating. Her sheets were tangled around her as she looked around frantically. Looking at her clock she noticed her alarm was going off. It was ten o’clock in the morning, a quick glance at the calendar telling her it was a Saturday. Untwisting the blankets from around her, Clare looked into the mirror at her vanity table. Sitting down heavily, she ran her hand through her hair. What a dream that was. It wouldn’t have been so bad if there weren’t any mutants furry animals and my sensitivity to light and so on. At least Amser was hot. Haha. Clare felt sort of stupid about the last part. Looking in the mirror again she gasped. Her eyes glowed a faint blue color and she saw her arms were still burned from the sun in the dream. She let out an earth shattering scream. Maybe it wasn’t a dream after all.

 

[Princess]

Cool. I hadn't seen this before--it was good. You say there is more? Good deal.

 

[Caligo]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Yes, there is one more finished part so far. The original idea was to make it three parts, but it'll probably turn into four now. I'll post up the second one eventually.

Thanks for reading!