The Lightwielders

I felt a sense of gloom in the air. I looked up at the sky, seeing the dark gray clouds, not a bit of blue anywhere as I continued sweeping. I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. I would be getting married tomorrow. Then I'd be safe from the curse. My family had been cursed ever since...well, no one could remeber...except perhaps Old Ra. Oh, shoot. I always forget the intro. I'm Flare. My parents named me that because they said I shine so brightly, like a Flare from the sun. Doesn't stop the town boys from teasing me though...Anyway, My family is the Ra family, because we are supposedly descended from the great Sun god, Ra. I consider us lucky that we have no priests here. BACK TO THE STORY. Sorry. (Can we get a reminder for me to stay on topic, producer?) Where were we? Ah yeah! Old Ra, the oldest member of our family. We have no idea how he managed to live to 200...He's my great-great-great....30-something great grandpa. The curse always strikes the women of the Ra family on their 20th birthday. Terrible things happen. It's only happened once I can remember when I was really young. Shadows, screaming, hisses, like a giant serpent. A cold chill falls across me as I sweep. I had a week until my birthday. I'll be 20...One week until the curse comes for me.

BUT! I'm getting married, and for whatever reason, the curse doesn't take married women...I have no idea why, so don't ask. Footsteps behind me snap me out of my thoughts...great. My soon-to-be-husband. I get married tomorrow. To a pale, black-haired, 25-year-old man named...Far(Placeholder, maybe. Give me name suggestions!) Darkwell. Because he's the richest, eligible bachelor, looking for a wife. Needless to say, in a classic story like so...I was A, not marrying for love, B, I got a bad feeling about him. He smiled as I straightened and turned to face him. It wasn't a nice smile, more...triumphant. Like I was married to him already. Arrogant butthead. "Hello...Far." I said, making an effort not to glare, as usual. "Hello, dear Flare. Hard at work, I see?" he said, still with that smile. I took a couple of deep breaths to stop from slapping that smile of his face. My fingers itched to give him a good right hook to the jaw, followed by a nice left uppercut. He smiled like he knew what I was thinking. his eyes darted to my hand and I saw his eyes suddenly tighten, an expression I knew well. He was irritated, but...was that...fear in his eyes? It was. "Dearest Flare...Honey. Why aren't you wearing your ring?" I gritted my teeth. ''The nerve! I'm not your wife, not yet! I thought, not liking already being called 'Honey'. I imagine you can't wait, to have me, your beautiful, meek little housewife.'' I couldn't help it. My eyes narrowed and I took a step forward. He didn't seem to have noticed my sudden hostility. He was focused on something else...His eyes snapped back to me. "I hardly imagine you'd be very meek, but yes, I do think I'll enjoy it. Having you, Flare Ra, at my every beck and call, forced to do my orders. Yes. I imagine that'll break your...free...spirit nicely." He smiled. Wait a minute...did he...did he..."Yes, I did. Your thoughts are so very interesting, even more so compared to the others." "Stay out of my head!" I hissed at him. "Or? I hardly think it'd be wise to hit your husband." "I'm not your's yet!" I snapped. ''Of course, he wins every argument, reading my thoughts...like now for example. GET OUT!!!! ''I thought. He reeled back, surprise on his face. "How did you do that?!" he snapped at me, anger and surprise the most dominant on his face. He grabbed my arm and I couldn't help it. I reacted instinctively.

My left came up and boom! Left hook. I felt the savagery of the blow. His hands flew up to his mouth as he stepped back. They came back with blood. He glared at me. "You little wench!" he smiled. "Oh...you'll regret that! I can assure you!" he smiled, taking a step toward me. I smiled. "Bring it on!" I turned and ran, my bare feet racing across the grass as I fled. I glanced back and saw he hadn't moved, but I kept running, feeling the air rush through my hair, and I went into the woods. My feet thudded on the dirt as birds chirped around me. I made my way to a small sheltered area and sat down. I listened to the birds and squirrels, admiring the light on the green leaves. I thought back to the confrontation. ''"How did you do that!?" he snapped, angry and surprised. What was he talking about...wait. I feel that presence, didn't realize he was reading my thoughts before but that's probably what it was...I shouted 'get out' at it...right? Did I...Force him out?! Really! Cool. ''I tried to avoid the whole, you'll regret that part'. I took a couple more minutes to relax and then headed back for dinner or something. As I fell asleep that night, I couldn't suppress a feeling that bad things would happen tomorrow. Bad, bad very bad things.

I stood in front of the mirror and looked at the big white poofy dress, lace and pearls and...pins. ''Ow. ''I thought, wincing as one stabbed me. "I still don't realize why I have to wear white, not green," I said. "It's tradition, honey, every bride where's white." My mom responded. "You look beautiful." ''Like that helps. ''I flinched, thinking about his nasty, cold lips touching mine at the end of the ceremony. I took a deep breath. ''Blue skies, sunny days, sunshine, warmth, happiness. Happy thoughts, come on, I can do this. Flare Ra. Come on.'' I thought, readying myself. Mom didn't seem to notice as she handed me my bouquet of pale pink and peach colored roses. Not my choice, of course.

---More coming soon!---