Keeper of Life - NaPoWrMo Entry

Magma dripped like rain as the leaves fell around her. Their charred edges glowing, throbbing, as if they were fighting a plague. The maelstrom continued despite her cries, her tear streaked face. Wind swooned as she summoned it, and it did naught but fan the flames. All the water she could conjure up only trailed into the air as steam. Laughter filled the grove as a shadow figure+ crept along the ground. The crescent moon in the sky a mocking sneer.

Solar ran toward the tree, toward the burning alter. There was no refuge against the cindering bark but her legs moved themselves. The darkness spread until she was covered, until the tree was covered. The stonework that surrounded the grove crumbled as if it had suddenly just given up. The city followed suit, windows splintering before they fell allowing the fire to dance off the reflections.

Her screams filled the room as she shot awake, sweat drenching her body and bed. She whimpered slightly and shut her eyes as tightly as she could. It did nothing but bring the images back.

“Solar, solar?” A voice cried out. Her father came up the stairs with haste, but respect knowing instantly what had happened. He dropped beside his crying daughter. “It's okay, everything is going to be okay,” he said as he rubbed her head.

“It was horrible dad, they... The Tree, there was...” she trailed off.

“Nightmares happen honey, you're just under a lot of stress, and pressure and...” he too trailed off. “It'll be okay,” he finished.

“I want Mom to come back home,” she said as she buried herself in her father.

“I know honey, me too, me too,” he said laying his head against her. “We'll visit her tomorrow, okay? She'll want to know how your tests go.”

“Yeah,” she responded.

“But for now you need your rest, you have a big day coming up.”

“Dad?” she asked.

“Yes?” he responded.

“Can you sleep with me, just for tonight?”

“Of course,” he said. She didn't reply and fell asleep under the light of a crescent moon.