Chapter 1
I walked home the same day, the feather still in my pocket. When no one was looking I took it out and marveled at its softness, its strange markings, and its delicate look for something that can survive a day crumpled in my pocket and my fingering it all day.
Reaching home, I tossed my stuff down and yelled to my parents that I would be in my room. It was Friday, so I didn't have to get right to my homework. A warning not to shout in the house came from my mom, and I locked my door.
I wish this feather could talk... I thought. Maybe it could tell me about itself.
"Um, hello?" came a small voice. Looking around, there was no one there. I looked down at the feather in amazement. "You're name is Zoey, right?" it asked. The red marks were glowing softly.
"Uh, yeah. That's me." I said. Had I gone completely insane? I was talking to a feather! "Do you have a name?"
"Well, I'm not sure," it said. "I am simply a carrier of great power, and a memory from my body. You mad a wish on me early, right?"
"I guess you could say that," was the only thing I could think to say. Was this all real?
"Oh, good! It was you! Well, your wishes on me will come true, just like your wish for me to talk did." It gave a small giggle. "You will soon meet the owner of my body, along with a few people in strange clothing that claim to come from other worlds. These people will change your life, if you choose to accompany them. But the journey won't be easy. Tell me, will you choose to journey with them, even if it means giving up the one thing you value the most?"
"O-of course!" I stuttered out. "I would do anything to change up my life from this dull one."
"Well, then I have some gifts for you. It won't be possible to make this journey in your simple form right now." I looked at the thing questioningly. Now I was really questioning myself. What was in my lunch, and where can I get more? "My first will be the simple ability to fight, a long with a weapon." Suddenly, it was like someone opened a faucet into my brain, and information poured in. Suddenly, I knew some really complicated fighting moves, and very well how to use them. On my bed, a long bow materialized with some sparkling into existence, along with a pouch full of arrows. "My second, a type of magic not often found in many that use it for good. But, just like your appearance, darkness is not always as bad as some make it to be."
I felt a strange sensation fill me. If sparkly was a feeling, this is what it would feel like. Random sparks of cold and heat went through my body. Drawing a deep breath, I released it, and could almost swear I saw small sparkles appear in the air.
"That is it for my gifts. Now, the people are starting to appear in this world. I will draw them as close to here as possible, but I cannot tell you exactly where they are until they end up here." I nodded, then I remember the feather didn't exactly have eyes.
"O-okay. Just tell me when they're here." I said. Then I closed my palm and grabbed my black leather jacket and the bow and arrows, and walked toward the front door.
"Where are you going, Missy?" called my mom from the kitchen.
"For a walk. I feel sore from sitting all day." I called back.
"Can't say I didn't tell you to take P.E."
"Whatever. Be back for dinner." And I walked out the door into the brisk air. The sun was just setting. For once, I actually appreciated the colors that it splashed across the clouds.
"They're here!" came the voice from the feather. "Keep going strait!"
