I know for a fact there are a few spelling mistakes but my computer is doing something strange and has a hard time finding them at the moment. Comments and criticism would be great. Thank you! ^^
Flashback * These events began to occur when I was 9 years of age. It all started one dark night; I was watching the rain, feeling miserable of what happened the night before. I layed in my bed drifting in and out of slumber. As I finally fell asleep, two strong hands grabbed me, I felt a piece of clothing cover my mouth and eyes, I blacked out still hearing a sweet and gentle voice. That morning I awoke to find strange markings on my hands. I shrieked, my father entered my room with a concerned look and approched my bed with caution. * end of flashback *
Now, that I am 15 years of age, I feel deprived of freedom and liberty. I’ve always wanted a life filled with adventure and excitement but my father disapproved of ever leaving this town. He was scared that I would never return. It was a beautiful day, I decided to have a short nap near a tree. I woke up in surprise to find Sumi, my fox lying right beside me. Then, Rei appeared.
“ Hey! Kasumi! I finally found you!” His smile was filled with joy.
“ Hey Rei…..” I pretended to be overjoyed to see him.
“What took you so long, I was waiting for you!”
“ Sorry I was busy….” I replied as I looked at the ground.
“ Doing what?”
“Nothing that should concern you. I just want to be alone….” I stood up and walk away, leaving Rei standing alone, baffled. As I left Rei, I felt a bit confused about how my life became a mess. That night I had bad pain in my back, my father called the doctor. I listened through a small crack in the door. But all I could hear was “come as quick as possible”. His voiced had a concerned and disappointed tone.
Once the doctor arrived, my father escorted him to my bedroom. The door creaked as they opened it. My father left, leaving me alone with this stranger. The doctor approached, he ordered me to sit as he examined my back. That’s when he noticed something.
“A symbol? Quite strange, I have never seen this before.” As the doctor touched it, a bright light shined and a pair of wings immerged.
“ Oh my!” He backed away, in case another unexpected phenomena would occur. My father ran up the stairs frantically, only to see feathers scattered before the door. As he anxiously opened the door, he noticed the doctor stared in shock.
“ What's the problem doctor?” As the doctor turned his head, my father read his expression and it made him uneasy.
“ This is rare, I have never seen this…. did you put an alchemy symbol on her back?” My father was now outraged and snapped.
“HOW OBSURD!!! I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT SYMBOL IN MY WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE!!!” The doctor stood up, disappointed by his reply and puzzled by the symbol.
“ Ok then, all she will be needing is a little bit of rest, which should be good.” He sighed in relief.
“ Thank you doctor.” The next day, I awoke, only to find feathers dispersed around my bed and just outside the door. Last night was another mystery I had yet to solve. Then, I thought about my father, perhaps he would know what had happened the night before. I dressed into warm clothing, as it was very cold inside the house. The silence inside the house, created an awkward atmosphere. Then, I noticed the door to the basement was open. Carefully and silently, I walked down the stairs, making sure not to stir whoever was down there. As I reached the base of the stairs, my father slept quietly on his desk. I approached his desk, avoiding all the papers scattered amongst the floor and desk. After getting a glimpse of the papers, I noticed some had symbols written on them. They appeared to be transmutation circles. By accident, I stepped on a sheet of paper and awoke my father. He awoke in surprise.
“ Kasumi! What are you doing here?! You shouldn't be here while I'm doing my research!!” I leaned forward to see the other sheets of paper on his desk.
“ Father what are you researching?” He sighed and rubbed his face, fatigue had done a number on his complexion.
“ I'm researching on special symbols, those that have been imbedded on your hands and back.” So many mysteries shrouded the symbols that have been embedded on my flesh. But, I looked forward to discovering and solving its secrets.
“ What are the symbols used for?”
“ Their used to invoke alchemy.” Well, that was quite a quick reply I thought.
“By tomorrow, Kasumi, I want you too study and practice alchemy.” I raised my brow, baffled and astounded to hear such news.
“ Okay.”
As days passed, I read and practiced alchemy. As I continued, my father was amazed at how much I progressed. That day changed my life. My father finally began to accept my dream for becoming a well-known state alchemist. Then, my father fell ill. The doctor said he had an incurable disease, he couldn't do anything. I sat near his bedside, soon to be his deathbed.
“ Kasumi, I know I rejected your dream of becoming a state alchemist but I know now, that you are capable of succeeding. I only wanted to protect you because you were all I had.” Tears rolled down my cheeks, like a glittering river. He smiled, I knew it would be his last smile he would wear upon his face.
“ My cherished daughter, be quick and fetch me a map.” I rushed to the basement. Once I reached the end of the stairs, I searched the shelves. After finding the right map of the area, I ran back to see my dieing father. It was a race against time, I had to hear my father’s final words. I sat where I was earlier. I unfolded the map and placed it on the bed. He pointed out the directions, with his cold and shaking hands.
“ We are currently far West. Central is where you must take the exam. I know you will make me proud.” He coughed then, reached for his dresser’s top drawer. Inside, was a deep blue stone, which shined like silver in the light. He handed the stone to me but I held onto his hand, with the stone inside.
“ Here, take this with you. It was once your mother’s and now it is yours. Guard it with your life and do not let it fall into the wrong hands.” He coughed and gasped for air then, he suddenly stopped. Tears now streamed down like a waterfall. The doctor covered my father face with a white sheet.
“Kasumi, I know this will be a burden. But I will take care of everything from here.” My eyes, now red from shedding sorrowful tears, stared into his eyes.
“Thank you for all you’ve done. But I’m afraid my words cannot express my gratitude. I do regret that, my life was saved but his was not.” He walked towards me, patted my shoulder and whispered.
“Doctors can only do so much. And it was his time, but you are a young soul, you have not lived life to the fullest.” He left, his words inspired me to continue on. I clutched the stone, with my shaking, warm hands. My father’s last words were more of a warning than his last goodbyes. But I took his warning seriously. It was very mysterious, “do not let it fall into the wrong hands”. Perhaps, this stone held a secret, a secret so dark, it could destroy and annihilate all civilization off the planet. The perfect place to find all my answers, was right below my feet, in my father’s basement. I began to search and read every book, paper, and file, anything that was left at my disposal. Hours of reading, and I had only information and none of it was connected too the symbols. Then, I came upon a black book. A title less book, nothing written on the cover, no picture. When I opened the unknown book, detailed pictures and writing filled its once empty pages. My intuition sparked, this book had my answers but it would take days to decipher it. I cleaned and arranged the sheets of paper neatly on the desk. Then, I fumbled and stumbled over books, which I would soon place into its rightful place on the shelves where they once were. After the basement was cleaned, I placed the stack of papers beside the wooden furniture, to create a working space on the desk. I unfolded the map and outlined the shortest route to take to Central However, I thought about the time and duration of the trip. Days perhaps weeks by foot, that’s what it would take to get to Central from this small and cheerful town. My eyes searched for a quicker route then, I spotted a train station in a town perhaps a few days walk away. I grasped a pen and circled the town and wrote Take the train. So far, I had most of my route planned out. Oh no, I thought. Rei would search or pursue my whereabouts. I quickly took a blank piece of paper and wrote where I was off too and my reasons. After, I found an envelope and closed it with my father’s seal. Time was short and I needed a bag of some sort too keep my belongings in. I searched the closet nearby and found a backpack. The black book and the map were placed neatly inside the bag but, I needed some books to decipher that book. I scanned each shelf and found only 3 particular books. One about stones and catalysts, chimeras and mysterious creatures and the last one, still remains a mystery. I read the book, it only mentioned of an ancient, mythical place where angels resided. Anything is plausible when you’re an alchemist I thought. I packed those three books, took the letter then, I took the bag and ran up the stairs to finish packing. Once I reached the top, I placed the bag near the entrance. Without warning, I tripped over Sumi, dropped the letter then, she growled in pain. I picked her up off the floor.
“Sumi, I’m sorry.” She looked up to see my face, she was puzzled. I placed her on the couch.
“Be patient, I promise I’ll be done soon.” She whined as I ran towards my bedroom. Everything seemed to be happening so quickly. The pain, my father’s death and the test…his sudden change of heart was so strange and shadowed. My mind was unfocused at the present moment but I desperately needed to hurry and leave. I had chosen some clothing out of my closet, a book I loved too read and the stone, which I left on my dresser. The stone had no string attached to it, which meant I would probably lose the object quite quickly. Minutes after searching for string, I found a long strand of leather, thin but strong. I wrapped it around the stone then tied it around my neck. Sumi jumped eagerly as I appeared before her.
“You ready?” She closed her eyes and meowed joyfully. I clapped my hands together, which formed a transmutation circle. Then, the door turned to metal, one that was strong enough to keep all intruders out. I picked up the letter I dropped and placed it on the stand close to the door. After folding, placing and picking up my bag, I picked up Sumi. The memories, the moments, all won’t be forgotten. Everything was still and quiet, no sound from the outside or from the houses within. I closed the door as I left. Dawn was soon approaching, I knew I had to hurry. I paced down the road about a mile. Once I was over a small hill, I looked back towards the town, reminding myself of all the times and memories I had. Sumi jumped out of my arms and onto the ground. She stared at me.
“We’ll come back soon.” She was quiet as she walked around my legs, wrapping her tail around them. I continued to stare at the town.
“Father, I will make you proud.”
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