The Silent Era/Chapter 1: Begining of the Plan {Please read Author's Notes}

A soft murmur escaped from Jing's lips as he lay unmoving in a snow bank. His brow furrowed when a cold sensation cascaded down his cheeks, forcing him to open his eyes in both curiosity and disgust. He groaned as his chestnut eyes caught sight of drifting snowflakes. 1

"Another snowfall?" He never minded the white winters of the semi-mountainous country, but this was too much! It had just snowed harshly for three weeks straight and now another was beginning. It must be a harsh rain season back in the other worlds. That would be the only possible explanation, for the seasons differ between the worlds. Whether that was the reason or not this was bound to be one of the worst winters in this country's history. 2

The young man hoisted his sore body up. It wasn't wise to sleep in the snow for travelers that happened to pass by would think he's dead. He smirked at the very idea. "Me? Dead?" He thought to himself with a grin planted on his face. He only wished he was dead! To his dismay he was stuck amongst the living. 3

He could feel the worn brown leather of his pack as he dusted off the snow and pulled it over his shoulder. He was heading toward the Shadow Lands. Other then the country of Tyrre, it was the only place he had yet to look for special herbs to help heal his father.4

A few times he had thought of finding a working portal or gateway and stealing a few of the earthen medicines. They would probably work better with illnesses that didn't seem to have a cure. 5

He stared at the glistening snow beneath his feet as he walked. His furry cat-like ears tilted forward and a new scent filled his nostrils. Someone was actually walking about in the snow? Only he tended to be foolish enough to walk through the forest when a storm was brewing.6

He wondered if it was just another bounty hunter or soldier looking for hybrids and other creatures that didn't want to follow along with the new government. 7

Jing sneered at the thought of the government. It was made up of no one but those that hated the very sight of inhuman folk. They had set up rumors that hybrids' ancestors had been demons and that was why they had traits of animals and knew magic better then any regular human. 8

For the little information Jing was able to recall about his family, he knew that none had been demons in any way. To what Jing figured, hybrids had been created differently at the beginning of time. That made more sense then demons being mates to normal humans. 9

Jing pulled the hood of his coat over his head when he could hear the thud of footsteps through the thick snow. At least now his ears were hidden and he looked like any normal young man with rich black hair and lightly tanned skin. 10

The horrible scent of blood and death seeped in to his nostrils. Soldiers. They would probably question him about his coat for it looked like it belonged back on Earth and not in this world. But he could just show them how it changes colors whenever he wants it to coorespond with his mood. Hopefully, they wouldn't question him further or try to get him to take it off. Then there would be a problem. 11

Jing bit his cracked lip as he continued to walk through the forest. Every few seconds he could see a pair of eyes staring at him through the leaves but he merely thought of them as belonging to the wood nymphs. 12

The clank of metal and the groans of chains filled his ears but he continued on. He knew he would cross paths with the soldiers soon and he felt like getting it over with. 13

Soon enough he could see the bulky forms of two massive soldiers as they drug a girl in chains. She was yelling out curses and struggling but the soldiers didn't seem to take notice. 14

Jing studied her quietly as he neared them. She had short copper hair and maroon eyes that flashed wildly with rage. Her skin was sickly pale and her simple red dress was ripped along her waist. She was also about the same age as Jing, somewhere in her late teens. But what really got his attention were the white wings that had been tied down on her back. She must be an Incra, or in simpler terms, a bird hybrid. She glared at Jing when she caught sight of him. 15

He glanced away and felt terrible for having to move on. He wanted to help her but he couldn't risk being arrested again. Not when his father could die and he not know it. 16

"Halt!" One of the soldiers bellowed at Jing and he froze instantly. 17

"Please don't." Jing thought quietly to himself. 18

"Why are you in these woods, boy?" The soldier asked, making Jing's heart pang. 19

"Just lost." He lied. He forced a weak smile but the soldier didn't smile back. He beckoned for Jing to come near and he hesitantly did so. The soldier pulled a scroll out from under the armor on his torso and held it out for Jing to see. 20

There was a picture of a girl with long braided pale hair and a beautiful face smiling back at Jing. Under it listed the girl's name and Jing's heart gave another pang. 21

'Lucy L. Loveless' 22

He reread the name over and over but it stayed the same. His head spun dizzily for a moment and questions formed. The girl looked like his sister and even had the same last name. 23

Of course, there could be other pale haired girls running around with the surname 'Loveless', right? But a bitter fact came to him. Only his family had the strange surname. 24

"Have you seen this girl?" The soldier asked, forcing Jing back to reality. 25

Jing quickly shook his head. His mood from earlier had completely changed and now he seemed more cowardice and worried. He hated not being able to control his emotions as properly as others. Like with many other problems he faced, it had been caused by a curse. 26

"I have never seen her before." He managed to lie, only to get a skeptical look from the soldier. 27

"Good day, sir." He said hastily after a moment where only the girl's swears and insults could be heard. He gave a swift bow and headed away from them. He scrambled behind a tree when the soldier was no longer watching him.28

His mood changed again as he watched the two soldiers start to drag the chained girl once again. 29

"I will help her when night comes." He decided under his breath.30

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ 31

The few visible patches of sky had turned a soft shade of pink. The gray puffy clouds no longer leaked snowflakes but instead hung lazily over the descending sun. Nightfall would soon arrive. 32

Jing stepped lightly in the snow. He was trying to make as little noise as he could as he followed the soldiers. A few times he had to dart behind trees or duck in shrubbery when a soldier looked behind. Luckily they had yet to discover his presence. 33

He stopped in his tracks and shuffled near an evergreen tree. The soldiers had halted and were talking. He tore his gaze away from the group and began to climb the tree. He stopped only when he reached a high branch that could fully support his weight. 34

When he was sitting firmly on the branch he carefully leaned forward so his torso touched the rough bark. He smirked slightly when he squinted through the leaves and made out the figures of the soldiers and their prisoner. 35

His body grew stiff and tense as he waited patiently for the soldiers to finish setting up their camp. They had tied the bird girl to a stump and where now fixing the small fire they had started. 36

He waited a few more long moments before taking one of his hands away from gripping the branch. He connected his thumb and index finger so they formed a circle. He inhaled a deep breath and exhaled slowly through his fingers. A silvery mist took place as the fog from his breath and seeped from his fingers to the snowy ground. 37

He clung to the branch with both of his hands once again and his senses began to dull. The life in his eyes faded and his body slackened on the branch. He was now temporarily dead.38