Griffin

Airal was free to soar, above everything else, when she flew. No body bothered her, no one interrupted her, she was free. But today was different. She noticed it as soon as she lifted into the sky. The air seemed to hold her back, something that had never happened before. Airal looked around cautiously, beating the air with her eagle-like wings. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something. Gasping, she spun, but not quick enough. The odd thing slammed into her, shoving her roughly to the ground. Airal choked, then tentively pulled a deep breath into her lungs. As soon as she felt she was able, she stumbled to her feet, golden feathers falling to the ground.

Airal spared them a sad glance, then twisted her neck around to see what had slammed into her. Nothing. She spun around again, thinking it might be sneaking up on her, but still there was nothing. She sat heavily, straightening her ruffled feathers, smoothing her tangled fur.

Finishing her quick grooming, she stood up and looked around. Airal felt as if cold water was trickling down her spine. Something wasn't right...

There was darkness here, and it was coming for her.

Chapter One
Lila absolutely adored the world she lived in. The word was all around her, nature was beautiful, and the animals were alive. The nature spirit spun delightfully, golden bleached hair spinning around her. Her light cloth dress billowed around as well, the green standing out only barely from the vibrant grass. She shivered in delight, briefly wondering where the day would take her. Yesterday, she had met a dear family of squirrels, and the day before that, she had ridden a hollowed out log to the middle of the lake, with her best friend Rose.

Thinking of her friend, Lila spun around, looking for her choclate skinned friend. After a couple of moments, tight brown curls bobbed out of the trees behind her, hazel eyes gleaming.

"Rose!" Lila said, beaming as if she hadn't seen her friend in days. "Where were you?" She playfully set her hands on her hips, mimicing anger.

"Sorry," Rose said, shrugging as she bounded up to the hill Lila was standing on. "But I found the most beautiful flowers! I simply had so get some!" In her fist, where a cluster of pink flowers tinged with purple on the edges.

"Beautiful," Lila agreed. "You carry a talent for seeing such things!"

Rose posed dramtically. "I do, don't I?" The girls kept it togethor for a moment, then burst into laughter.