Hi everyone. I want you to know that this one will be kind of sad. If you are sensitive to blood I will let you know when it starts. Enjoy!😁

This song goese with this chapter because Craya is have a new beginning.

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 The night was clear with no clouds. The moon was high in the sky. I raced along the wind in my hair. Moonlight was streaming from in between the branches reflecting off of my jacket. I finally stopped to catch my breath. Looking up at the sky, I smiled to myself. This was my home. The wild.

I breathed in the cold air through my nose then let it out in a huff. I felt restless but also like I was being watched. I looked around continuously but couldn't see a thing. A huff escaped my lips as I flopped down on the ground. Perhaps I was paranoid. I tried to relax and leaned back so my face was skywards and I could count the stars. I stared up and just watched the stars twinkle above me. I didn't miss much, except being outside with my parents and watching the stars. My dad would point out constellations while also making up silly ones that had my mom chuckling. Me. I would laugh hysterically and hug my stuffed lion Leo closer.

I shook my head and silently scolded myself. Five years since I left them and I was still thinking about them. The good memories stung though I knew I had made the best choice. I had to protect them by going away. I didn't regret that. I just wish I could have told them why I have to go. I had tried to tell them about the trolls in the woods. They would just laugh, or my mom would insist she bring me to work so she could check on me (she is a doctor)when I tried to explain that I was the one who started the fire although I hadn't meant to.

I suddenly stood up to try to get the thoughts out of my head and running my hand through my wild hair. I looked like your typical street kid, except maybe I had more twigs then rubbish in my tangle of black hair. I thought how my clothes had changed over the years as I brushed off my Cameo hoodie with matching pants and a black T-shirt. I was surprised that people threw this stuff away. Sure, it looked a little ragged but really throw it away? Sometimes I can't even believe my own species. I shook my head a little still trying to get my thoughts away from my family. My heart slowing to a thump. The feeling had kind of gone away. I started to trot to a stream I knew was nearby, and bent down for a quick drink. I tried to relax again but I couldn't. It was strange because I am used to living in the wilderness. The woods that were my life were making me uneasy. That was NOT easy to do. Looking up I saw nothing, so I went back to my drink but almost sat up again. The feeling that I was being watched had returned. I stared intently into the darkness yet still saw nothing.

Trying to shrug it off I jogged out of the clearing and walked into my camp. Probably some type of animal, a cat or an owl. My camp wasn't much. Just a sleeping bag and a makeshift tent made out of branches and a tarp that I found. In the garbage. Again. Still useable. Humans are bizarre. I climbed under the tarp/tent and snuggled into my sleeping bag. I fell into a semi-sleep. Now I always slept with one eye open.

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A dull thump awoke me from my sleep. I sat up and quickly was out of my bed. With my hand reflexively over my necklace I bent over picking up a stick from the ground holding it like a sword. 'I really need to go dumpster diving for an actual weapon.' I thought bitterly as I scanned my surroundings. The night was as pitch black as ever. Still, I felt that something wasn't right as I held my stick, tighter and walked a little farther from my campsite. A rustling came from my right. Turning quickly to face a threat my sky blue eyes stared at.... nothing. Nothing appeared but the dark outline of trees. I crept towards it and held up my stick ready to strike. Biting my lip and staring at what looked like never-ending darkness. I squinted and begged my eyes silently to let me see something, anything.

Well not anything, but if it was a wild animal, I did not want to run in there and almost certainly get killed. However, if it was a scraggly teen, I did not want them searching through my camp while I was asleep.

Then something happened that changed everything. Something that hadn't occurred in a long time. My necklace began to glow. I looked down panicked stricken. What was happening? It had never done this before. Not since... "God no, please no. I don't want to hurt anyone else." I muttered at my necklace as though it could understand me. 'Yeah, now I've been in the woods too long. First paranoid and now I'm talking to an inanimate object. What could happen next?' If only I knew. I ripped it off and threw it into the woods. I turned my back from it and started to go back to bed. 'I should have done that a long time ago.' I thought smugly.

No sooner had the thought left my head then I felt something hit the back of my head. "Ow," I snarled and rubbed the spot where it had connected. I glared at the crystal lying on the ground. It only glowed brighter. I rolled my eyes and picked it up. It had the same words that it had that night. I took a deep breath and recited the words.

'Crystal of Alorahcon grant me the wings of fire' 

 I elevated off the ground and my chest raised in front of me I let out a gasp of surprise as three spheres of fiery red-orange and yellow light escaped my green crystal. Bright orange, yellow and red wigs sprouted from my shoulders.

Suddenly I was wearing a green dress with a brown and silver sash and metal band around my wrist. My pants were some kind of animal fur and my boots some that same mysterious animal hide. I landed with a slight thump. The thump would usually have been louder given how high I was off the ground. I marveled on how the boots I was wearing seemed to muffle my footsteps. They were surprisingly comfy and warm but cool at the same time too. I could barely feel my new dress and as I looked closer at my bands, I saw cute detailed designs of birds flowers and strange crystals. I raised my wrist so the pictures seemed to sparkle in the moonlight. I smiled to myself and lowered my wrist.

I felt like I could run a mile, my energy level complete. Another thump woke me out of my trance. I turned and held my hands up in fists. Whatever it was I could take it. I felt sure of it. Not only had my crystal given me new energy and new clothes. It had also given me new courage — a new sense of purpose. I slowly crept towards a particularly dark corner of my campsite where I had heard the sound. I saw a glimmer of light. Squinted my eyes trying to see better a movement caught my intention. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a faint glow. I turned my head sharply. The night was still. I let out a huff of air I had not realized I was holding. I turned my back relaxing at last. A growl emitted out of the bushes from the right. My heart started to beat faster as I turned to meet the sight before me. It was hideous with four arms and but only three hands as one arm was missing it. And six eyes, six hate filled blood red eyes. Stone skin that was midnight black. Its limbs were skinny, and his smile was devious and hungry. My courage failed me.

I screamed and tripped over a log. It gave a mirthless laugh and stared hungrily at me. It started stalking towards me licking its lips and pulled out three long sharp swords. (BLOOD STARTS HERE.) He smiled one last time before he lunged. I screamed in agony as I felt them slice at my body. I crawled away from him feeling my blood splatter my clothes. I looked down terrified that I would see blood soaking the ground. I didn't. I stared astounded. When I should have been dead, I only saw three long scratches. It should have been so much more than just scratches. The thing came closer smiling still. "The crystal won't protect you forever fleshbag." His voice was husky and rough and as cold as his smile. I whimpered and tried to back up further. He leaped closer. On instinct, I used my wings to cover my face. He stopped and paced out of reach of my wings growling. Suddenly I knew. He could not touch my wings. I felt new courage as I stood up shakily winching from my fresh wounds.

I tried to put on a brave smile. "I am Carya Lake, and I'm stronger than you think."

He laughed louder and colder that time. I winced again because it was heartless and cold. I felt fear grasp my heart yet again as he stalked closer dragging his swords on the ground, so they made a terrible screeching noise. I tried not to show it though.

I gave a forced nerves simile and tried to look brave. Or at least slightly braver than I felt. I raised my fist ready to counter the next strike. A gasp emitted from the bush next to me. As I turned towards it I saw a small creature hiding behind a bush on my left. When our eyes met his widened in fear. He whimpered and started to back up. I began to walk towards him completely forgetting about the other thing. He came up behind me and pushed me to the ground. I yelped, completely overwhelmed and fell hard. My wings disappeared as I hit the hard ground. He walked closer and his smirk became colder the closer he came. He knelt and cupped one hand under my chin forcing it upwards. 

"Shame, I expected more from you fleshbag. Alorahcon should never have chosen a weakling like you." He backed up and raised his sword.

Something jumped out of the darkness over my head and pushed the four-armed thing away from me. I heard it yell. "Run! Run Carya."

It was the voice of my father. I couldn't move. "D-Dad?" My voice cracked.

It was his voice yet. He looked...different. His skin looked stony and red. He had horns on his head, and his ears stood straight up. But as he turned to me, his eyes were still the same. And so was his hair. Black and wild. He turned his back from me and stood between me and the thing. He spoke "Please Carya. Run." He lunged.

I felt paralyzed. But I stood up shakily and backed away slowly. Every molecule in my body was screaming RUN but I couldn't. My dad was sacrificing everything for me. I had to stay. I had to know if he was going to be okay. I ran to a bush and lept behind it to survey the battle. My father had pulled out two daggers and fought like he had done it his whole life. Dodging and stabbing. Deflecting and jumping back and in. I gasped quietly as he got a nasty gash on his side. He gasped but bit his lip, bore the pain and kept fighting. Sparks flew and I smelt blood and sweat. I winced as I heard yells and grunts. I shook violently and pressed my hands over my ears trying to block out the terrible sounds of the fight. But something came toward my covered ears that made me uncover my ears and start to listen closer. "You can't protect her forever." The four-armed thing laughed. His voice contained the sneer that was undoubtedly on his face.

My father answered in a growl. I looked out just in time to see him lunge at the beast yet again. The thing dodged him. My father turned back panting. "I will do anything for my daughter, Kereptus." He growled.

They started circling each other growling and snapping like a pack of wolves. Neither one moved. Neither one dared to take their eyes off of the other. I held my breath as they just kept circling. Again and again. I heard a crack above me. Startled I looked up just in time to see one of the branches fall. I dove aside just in time as it hit the ground inches from my foot. I stood shakily and backed up forgetting about the threat behind me. The one my father called Kereptus tackled me from behind. He sneered and his foul breath smelt of dead animal and something else. I could not remember what the something else was, however, it was not the smell you'd want on your breath. I cough slightly as he held the knife to my throat. He pushed the blade deeper into my throat making me whimper and a thin line of blood trickled down my neck. "There you go little girl." Kereputs laughed coldly. "Cry. Cry. I assure a slow and painful death for all the trouble you have caused me." He raised his sword and prepared for the final strike.

"No." my father gasped weakly as he stood shakily.

With one final move of desperation, he put himself in between myself and the blade a split second before Kereptus drove the blade down. Right into my father's chest. Kereptus eyes glowed with triumph before my father stabbed his dagger into Kreptus's stomach. His eyes widen in surprise and fear as my dad's blade pierced him. He then burst in a glow of blue light. I stood dazed for a few seconds. I was staring at the place where Kereptus had stood. I snapped out of my daze as I remembered. Dad. I rushed over, but I was too late. He was already glowing. He smiled weakly as I walked over to him. The ground was soaked from his blood where he laid.(BLOOD STOPS HERE) "Dad." Tears leaked out of my eyes. "D-Dad, I'm s-so sorry. I should've never r-ran away. I should've tried to h-help you." I sobbed uncontrollably. I didn't even think to be angry about him lying that he knew about the creatures I saw in the woods. He must have known. He was one of them. "T-this is all my fault." I shut my eyes trying so hard to stop the tears from coming. I only opened them again when I felt a hand rest on my arm. I opened my slightly stinging eyes and looked into my father's baby blue ones. "Carya. I don't blame you for any of this." He said shakily and weakly. "Just promise me one thing. When you are ready, promise me you'll tell your mother and brother how sorry I am."

"Dad I-."I said

"Please, promise me Carya."He whispered squeezing my hand.

"I-I. I promise."I whispered and lent over to kiss his forehead.

My father let out one final sigh of content, and like the Kereptus his vanished in blue light. I let my tears fall. "No," I whispered. Anger crowded all other thoughts. I was mad. Mad at Kereptus. Mad at the world. "WHY!" I shouted throwing up my head angrily at the sky. My voice breaking the silent night. "WHY?! HE NEVER DESERVED IT! I WAS THE ONE WHO RAN AWAY! WHY ARE YOU PUNISHING HIM?" The stars twinkled, looking too beautiful for tonight. The sky should be black and cloudy. It should not look this beautiful. Tears clouded my vision again as I looked down again and sobbed.

"Hello?" said a small voice behind me.

I wield around to see. One of them. Except this one was purple and only had two eyes. It just had two arms too and wore a pair of overalls with a wrench in his pocket. I backed away terrified that this one was after me also. My necklace reacted to my fear and without me saying anything. My fire wings sprang to life on my back, and my clothes appeared on my body. The other thing cringed away from the light. I raised my hands defensively, but there was no need. His eyes filled with fear and flinched looking at my hands. He was no threat. I slowly lowered my hands to turned away and looked at the ground. A glint of red light caught my eye as I turned. It was my father ruby ring. I looked at it, and forgetting that there was something else there, felt tears coming to my eyes. I clenched it to my chest and let the tears fall. "I promise. Dad, I will return to them when. I'm just not ready yet."

The thing behind me coughed gently. Startled by the sudden noise, I backed up and tripped. The creature stood there awkwardly and fiddled his hands. He looked more like my father. Not like the monster that killed him.   

"Hi." I said trying to act friendly and happy. But at the same time wiping away tears.

He looked surprised by my kindness but gratefully smiled. He appeared to be a kid, or whatever he was, that didn't have many friends. I could see that he was unsure about me. I mean I had just been crying over my dead father's body. He had seen him die too. He was the thing in the bushes I was sure of it. How did I know it was a boy. Well, I didn't, but I was pretty sure it was one. Did his kind even have genders? I decided it would be pretty offensive if I said that out loud. When his eyes caught sight of the necklace, his eyes softened and glanced at me with newfound respect. "The necklace of Alorahcon chose you." He said

"You know what this thing is?" I asked with rising interest. If he knew about it, maybe he could tell me a few things about it. Like why it flew back at me when I tried to throw it away.

He nodded and motioned him to follow him. "Come I know a place where you will be safe."

I looked at his outstretched hand. I was hesitating. Should I trust this strange thing? But a place where I can be safe. I'll find the creatures that killed my Dad. But not yet. I was not ready. I needed to train, learn to control the necklace and become safe. I grasped his outstretched hand and nodded. "Lead the way," I said with a smile.

I put down my pencil and looked at my work. I wrote it because I need a reminder. Of the promise. "Carya." It was Solis. I turned. "You ready?"

I smiled. "As ready as I'll ever be." 

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A special thank you to my personal editor and one of my best friends and my mom for making this chapter the best it can be. I hope you enjoyed it. If you are looking for the trollhunter characters they will come in the next chapter. I need to write this so the rest of the story makes sense. 

                                         Chow,

                                                    Corah 😁