A Crossing of Planes, CH1

A soft breeze swept lazily through the trees, birds filling the wood with their song. Everything was ambient and perfect. In an instant, the symphony of calls had stopped, as if someone had pressed the mute button. A dark haze filled the air, becoming purple in color. In the center of the thick fog, two figures materialized in deepest black forms. The first of the two began to stretch and shake it’s limbs back to life as wildlife reappeared.1

“Jeez,” the young male sighed exhaustedly, “I didn't know the jump from our realm was so tiring.”2

“Every demon has different physical and emotional reactions as they switch planes, and that feeling changes with time, According to Professor Jameson” The second figure, a female of nearly the same age commented, sounding downtrodden.3

The “young male” was myself, aged 19. Jet black hair and dark brown eyes. I wore a Jade Cloak, reaching down to around a foot from the ground. Exposed in the front were a carpenter’s pair of dark blue jeans, frayed and worn at the edges.4

“Oh really? What was your feeling, Luna?” I asked, intrigued.5

“My feeling… It’s guilt, I guess. ” she replied.6

I understood, and decided to change the subject. 7

“It’s best we get to work here, and set up camp.” I spoke with a renewed voice, “The other demons can’t directly follow us, can they?”8

“No, I don’t think so. Beowulf,” Luna suspended, looking through the items they had brought with them, suddenly realizing something, “We only brought enough materials for a single tent.”9

That’s my name. Beowulf. Original? Not exactly.10

“Oh,” I thought for a second, then finished: “I suppose I’ll sleep outside in wolf form. My fur should be enough against the wind”11

Luna smiled. If it was any of my guess, she appreciated it. 12

Luna took to setting up camp, while I took up my stolen axe and went searching for firewood. I soon found a cluster of dead oak trees, which would do fine. The group of tees were sort of alone, surrounded only in dry forest ground. Fifty meters away was a small stream. I used my animalistic finesse to cut even lengths of log, soon having enough wood in my homemade rucksack to last for about a week cut in under an hour. As I returned to the campsite, the sun was slowly falling past the horizon. The sky was embarrassed, it’s face blushing pink and orange.13

“Hey, welcome back,” Luna said, writing out an inventory of goods we had brought with us, “We have enough supplies to last us about a week on this side, provided we don’t overeat. We’ll need to find a job in a nearby village to sustain ourselves for when the supplies run out. You didn’t happen to notice a lake or stream nearby where I could bathe in the morning, did you?”14

“Actually, I did. If you go-" I said, pointing northward “-That way, you’ll reach a stream about waste deep. That should work fine, I guess.”15

There were a few minutes of silence, followed by: “Beowulf, do you think it was right for us to run from the other realm, to leave our families behind?”16

I thought for a moment, then came out with “Well, I think so. We put up with so much back home, I think it’s completely justified. Besides, we’re perfectly capable of handling ourselves!”17

“But what if we get attacked or run into trouble?” Luna asked worriedly.18

I laughed lightheartedly, replying, “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you. We’re demons, anyway.”19

“Our powers aren’t fully developed, though, and mine are useless in a fight!” She sighed, “Well, I trust your judgment.”20

It was dark by the time we were through chatting and discussing what to do the next day.21

“Well,” Luna yawned, “I’m off to sleep now. See you in the morning, Wulf.”22

I said “good night” to Luna, and watched as she went inside the tent and closed the flaps, smiling sleepily at me and returning my “good night.” 23

I stood then in the open and stared at the dying fire, closed my eyes, cleared my thoughts, and imagined myself floating in the air. 24

I did.25

My body came up off the ground, my chest leading my body like it was being pulled by a magnet. In a sudden flash of dark velvet, I became my alter ego, a grey wolf. My paws touched the ground softly, and once more I stretched out my limbs. I haven’t been in my wolf form for over a week. I thought to himself idly. Just like any other canine, I circled around myself a few times and then laid down next to the fire, thinking.26

Were we right in all of this? I feel as if we’re just ditching our problems instead of dealing with the ones who made us miserable… My mind debated with itself a good while, ending with: No. What we did is right. I’m sure now. I have an obligation to protect Luna. I knew this from the first day I met her.27

My mind at ease, I began to drift to sleep.28

A Flash,29

An Explosion.