A Hunter's Story

I’m sorry for my long silence. It’s been quite a chore getting settled here in North Carolina. I’m happy to report I’m fully settled and have started working at a job that enjoy. I’m working at a privately own botanic garden and nursery. I work in the gardens. I’ve had a blast despite the ups and downs with the job. Thankfully my body has started adjusting to the environment here. I’ve lived in Utah for three years and lost the ability to handle humidity. I did grow up in Maryland which has some humidity but not as much as North Carolina. I truly love it here and could never imagine leaving it.

However, during my time after work and on the weekends I’ve been busily playing Destiny on my Xbox One. For those who don’t know Destiny is an online game that was made by both Bungie (the makers of Halo) and Activision (the makers of Call of Duty). The game takes place in the far future where humanity has been able to grow thanks to the help of an alien entity called the Traveler. With its help humanity expanded into other planets and this created a Golden Age. However, a few centuries later the Traveler’s enemy the Darkness attacked us and ended our Golden Age. When the game begins humanity is all gathered into a haven here on Earth to hide from the different alien races that hunt us. Guardians are those brought back to life by the Traveler’s Light and can wield the Light as a weapon against these enemies.

  With the advent of the second game in the series coming out in September the game has an event going called the Age of Triumph. As you complete objectives you gain rewards for your guardian. When I started in year One (or Vanilla Destiny to my fellow guardians) I began as a Warlock. However, as life closed in I wasn’t able to play as much and this year in order to help gain some of the class based awards I created a hunter and a titan. I found while playing out of the three classes I identified heavily with the hunter class.

Just like the hunters in Destiny, I enjoyed exploring new places and preferred a very free following life style. I also have an interesting sense of humor and often am found on my own. I may have friends that I care for deeply but I’m mostly found by myself. I’m curious and adventurous by nature. As I’m forging my own path by changing the course of my life now mirrors a hunter’s mastery of the wilds beyond the City.

So, to honor this and my love of Destiny before the next game comes out I’ve decided to work on the story of my hunter. The actual story will be set just before and during the Taken King expansion. With the help of the lore I’ve learned plus some experiences from my own life I’ll bring Krya Masters tale to life. I can’t wait to post it to wattpad for you to read. Also, I may put up some experts from various chapters here on the blog for you guys to preview.

Until next time!

~ChildofCourage~   

Finding the Words

            I often find that it isn’t easy to find the right words when I’m working on a story. I’m left struggling to come up with the right phrasing to convey my intentions for the scene. The effort to come up with the right combination can either flow easily like water from a faucet or, as it happens most of the time, feels like I’m bashing my head against a brick wall. I know what I want to happen in my writing but left stalled by the inability to write a single word.

            It is puzzling to know that you have an idea of what you want to happen but struggle to find the right way in which to say it. After all, the best writers show what’s going on rather than tell the audience. That is a hard balance to find, especially for an amateur writer trying to practice their craft before taking it to the professional scene. Perhaps, that’s often what stops me from finding my way even through my first draft of my novel. I worry so much about how bad it is currently that I forget that it’s a first draft.

            However, help has been found online. Trolling pinterest and other parts of the net has turned up several aids for writers looking for help on how to do certain things in their work. I found these sources very helpful even if I’m working on side projects like the occasional fan fictions that I work on. It is all practice no matter what form the writing takes. So with these aids at my fingertips I’ve begun working once more. If any of you want to find these helps for yourself I’ll leave a link to my creative writing pin board below.

            I hope to see you all again next week with more from either of my stories for you to read over.

~ChildofCourage~    

Creative Writing pin board

New Story and Characters in development

            Since setting up shop at home I’ve begun work on a D&D based story. The full story and major characters are still in development. I’ve also decided to do the same with my Lunar Revelations book as well. Some of the characters felt a little under developed and as the main vehicles of showing the worlds that I’m working on I wanted them to be a little more flushed out. I wanted them to feel more real to you as readers of my stories. However, some major edits will be underway with Lunar Revelations to cut out some of the backstory I placed in. I don’t want to hit my readers over the head with a ton of backstory from the beginning. The stories I aim to tell should focus less on the characters' backgrounds and more on the world they find themselves in and how the learn about it and learn to survive in it. 

            However, I wanted to give my readers a chance to meet my two newest characters. These two adventurers will be the main stars of my D&D story. First, there’s Leslie Williams. A 25 year old college student who finds herself pulled into an amazing but dangerous fantasy world and fights to return back to the modern world from which she came. As some of you may note, her first name is my own. It’s for three reasons I gave this character my name. One, I like the meaning of my first name. Boiled down it means strength and that’s the trait I want this character to have. Two, I identify with this character. To be honest on some level all my characters come from some part of my own personality. So, this is an acknowledgement of such a connection. Three, it’s also a little vanity. My first name is very rarely used and I love it. So, I at least wanted one character to bear that name even if nobody really gets to see my work.

            Leaving the modern lead and going to the second, Kalandorl Rilynana is a drow warrior that risks his life to flee the life he’s been leading in the Underdark. For those who don’t know much about Drow or D&D, the Underdark is an underground realm that exists in Dungeons and Dragons where many evil, banished races live. The Drow are also known as dark elves. Their culture is cutthroat and violent. Most drow tend to live only a few hundred years or so due to the chaotic nature of their culture which is led by a tyrantical matriarchy that sees the males of the race as a step above slaves. Kalandorl wishes to leave this world of betrayal and bloodshed behind him.

            Both characters find themselves thrown together in an evil fey King’s dungeon and must try to escape but more dangers await them outside of the castle. However, to give you a taste of what these two characters are like here’s a little information on both of them.

Leslie Williams

• Age: 25 
• Race: Human 
• Height: 5’ 1”
• Build: Petite 
• Skin tone: ivory white 
• gender: female 
• ethnicity: White
• identifying features: pixie-cut dark brown hair and pixie-like features with extremely dark eyes 
• Profession: College student/Medical Assistant (her other world profession ends up a being a ranger)
• hobbies: writing, reading, gardening, video games, watching anime and tv, and art
• Habits: sleeps in late (isn’t a morning person), keeps clean and organized room, quiet person unless around the right person (ambivert tendencies)
• Faults: shy, pessimistic, often fights depression, has trust issues (especially with men)
• Clothes: At work: medical scrubs and tennis shoes; At school: jeans, graphic t-shirt, and converses; At home: loose t-shirts and shorts
• Body language: eye contact level: eyes constantly scanning or focused forward on her path or glued to her phone or writing journal; gait: smooth; carriage: slightly nervous; posture: upright with head held straight and often moving; hand movements: often flourishes hands when passionate, movements can be jerky or smooth depending on mood; nervous ticks: bites lower lip, often has a nervous laugh or messes with her hair when nervous

Kalandorl Rilynana

• Age: 126
• Race: Drow
• Height: 6’ 1”
• Build: slender but well-muscled
• Skin tone: Obsidian black
• Gender: Male
• Ethnicity: dark elf
• Identifying features: piercing lilac eyes that almost seem to glow in the dark and a scar on his right cheek from an old duel
• Profession: Drow warrior
• Hobbies: gambling, playing cards, training physically, and music
• Habits: Sleeps little (due to elven heritage), practices his fighting skills on a regular basis to keep them sharp for battles with enemies (often other Drow), often likes to gamble with fellows in his patrol to trick them out of treasure he wants, only does anything musical when he’s alone but enjoys what music he can find, constantly on the lookout for threats to him
• Faults: Distrustful of others due to the culture he grew up in, Defensive about his hobbies that aren’t in line with the life of a warrior, has deep rooted prejudices against other races from his upbringing
• Clothes: at “work”: black leather armor, belts, and weapons with all tools he needs; At home: a simple red tunic with leather belt and black cloth pants and leather boots
• Body language: Eye contact: Holds the gaze of anyone he sees as an equal except when it comes to women were he looks away or down to show respect; gait: long strides that are smooth and precise; Carriage: confident and proud; Posture: stands up straight with shoulders squared as if in formation, Proximity: keeps a fair distance between him and those around him; Hand movements: deft and flowing but almost minimal when not fighting; nervous ticks: glances around the room when nervous and often will mess with the hilt of his sword

Hope you guys enjoyed learning about these two! See you next week with another post!

~ChildofCourage~

Pardon My Dust

Sorry I’ve been away for so long. I’ve been going through a bit of an adjustment over the last year and now have made a permanent move back to my home state. I will soon be posting regularly again about my current writing projects and cosplays. I thank you for your patience and hope to post something more substantial soon for you all to read. Until next week on Thursday! Have a good weekend!  

Lunar Revelation Chapter Six Excerpt

It’s been a while since I posted any of my original writing. Live has just been so crazy. However, I wanted to give you a look at what I’m working on right now. This is still a first draft but it’s starting to take more shape the further I go with it. Please feel free to leave a comment on my work. Any little suggestion helps. Enjoy!

(Taken From Chapter Six)

I curled into a ball on top of the soft quilt and relaxed. It had been a rough day but the soothing silk of the blankets helped to comfort me. After a moment or two happy snuggling, I sat up and looked down at the spell book. The flutter of wings filled the air and Serafin swooped over to the night stand beside my bed.

            He cocked his head to the right in an almost comical manner. A tiny chuckle escaped my lips. He was just so cute that way. Most hawks did when they made that classic expression. However, he didn’t take it so well. He puffed up in indignation at my giggle fit which only made things worse. He looked even cuter with his feathers all ruffled up. He looked like a soft stuffed animal not an intimidating hawk.

            “What is so funny?” he demanded.

            After settling down from laughter that shook my body, I replied, “You just look so cute.”

            “Cute!” he exclaimed, his feathers ruffling more. “I am not cute!”

            I laughed even harder at the sight of how puffy Serafin had become. My stomach was starting to hurt from the pain of laughing so hard. It took a while for my laughter to subside. Laying on my back, I stared up at the canopy that hung over my bed. The sheer fabric sparkled in the candle light.

The translucent cloth almost seemed to twinkle with little stars that had been woven inside of it. Closing my eyes, I let out a sigh. My body now felt more relaxed than before. The laughter had relieved the tension from everything that had happened. Perhaps I laughed a little too hard, I pondered, looking over at Serafin. He still looked very perturbed by my sudden outburst of laughter. Sitting up from the soft blankets, my hand brushed across the soft leather of the spell book.

Wrapping my hand around the binding, I picked up the book and set it down in my lap. I played with the latch a little before looking up at Serafin. He had unruffled his feathers a bit but still looked upset. I stretched out my hand to pat the top of his head.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

He pushed his head up against my hand and nuzzled it softly, “It is alright. You needed it.”

His feathers were extraordinarily soft. They felt almost like my favorite fuzzy blanket, fluffy and smooth to the touch. The feeling of touching animal was a comforting sensation. The last of my worries left as I continued to stroke Serafin’s head. Pulling my hand back, I glanced back down at the book in my lap. The soft leather that bound the pages of the book reminded me of a simple journal.

My fingers flicked the latch open and pulled the cover open. The scent of paper and leather filled my nostrils again. Inhaling deeply, I grinned and relaxed. That smell always made me happy. It was better than the smell of my mom’s chocolate, butterscotch chip cookies and was twice as addictive. How anyone could just read on a kindle was beyond me.

Haunted Mansion Fan Fiction Cast

 I've been doing a lot of introspection lately. So, it was time to shake it up. In an effort to do that I'm showing you some of what I've worked on with my newest Fan Fiction, Lost in the Mansion. Mostly the things that have been going on is figuring out the cast of my little story. Currently, the main cast has started to take shape. Below is the list of my current cast of  main characters. I still have some kinks to work out. Here's the list!

·         James

Age: 22

gender: male

Star sign: Leo

DoB: August 11, 1988

Appearance

Height: 5’ 10”

Hair:  Dakr sandy Blonde

Eyes: Light blue

Build: Well-muscled but not excessive and a fair weight for his muscle

Face: gentle, well defined jawline, and athletic in appearance

Nature:

Brave, adventurous, stubborn, passionate, kind, vibrant, jock/closet geek

·         Jack

Age: 21

Gender: male

Star sign: Aries

DoB: March 2, 1989

Appearance

Height: 5’ 10”

Hair: Black/brown

Eyes: Dark Brown

Skin: Fair (white)

Build: Bean pole, but has hidden muscle

Nature:

Thoughtful, jock/geek, prankster, reckless at times, funny

·         Karen

Age: 18

Gender: Female

Star Sign: Taurus

DoB: May 13, 1992

Appearance

Height: 5’ 2”

Hair: Very Dark Brown

Eyes: Brown

Face: Rounded, large eyes and mouth but gentle and intellectual by appearance

Build: Very skinny with large chest but no real other types of curve

Nature

Kind, can be apathetic at times, smart but has low self-esteem, artsy, bookish, geek, gamer

·         Velein

Age: 18

Gender: Female

Star Sign: Aquarius

DoB: January 24, 1992

Appearance

Height: 5’ 1”

Hair: Dark Brown

Eyes: Blue-green

Face: Pixie-like with small, delicate features

Build: Hourglass figure with a fair sized chest

Nature

Curious, kind, restless, intelligent, creative, inventive, artsy, playful, rebellious, geek, gamer, has some self-esteem issues

I'll get in last names soon and start working on art of the characters as well. Hurry back for the next update!

The March of Time

I can’t believe how fast time is moving. It seems like it was just yesterday when I first got to Salt Lake and started in my college program here. Now, I’m graduating from my program and have started my internship. I’ve currently gotten Sixty-three hours and 70 minutes under my belt. Hopefully that will be finished by the end of this semester.

This is how it feels right now with my graduation looming over me

It’s feels like time is moving at a blinding speed now that the end of my time here is approaching. At the beginning of this final semester I felt like time wasn’t moving fast enough. Now I’m constantly looking for a break to slow time down. It feels like I’m in a speeding car heading on a straight course for my next destination.

In a way I’m happy for that but at the same time I wish things were taking a much slower pace. It’s definitely bittersweet leaving this place behind me in five weeks. There are people and places I’m going to miss. Yet, I’m ready to start something new. I can’t wait to see what Rexburg has in store for me.

The prospect of seeing new sights, meeting new people, and finding more exciting places to frequent does often have my imagination running wild. I look forward just as much to the major that I will be doing. Biology with a Zoology emphasis is going to be a fun challenge. My mind is ready for it. I know that I can do it and my dream is to one day earn a doctorate in that field. Wither it be Zoology or Marine Biology is a hard choice for me. Either one has its merits and gives me different career paths to choose from.

However, that’s a ways down the road from here. I’m just getting started and I know it’s a long road but as long as it one day leads me to my goal destinations to live I’ll be happy. I refuse to let my dreams be dreams. I will follow this path until I reach the end. I know it certainly will be an adventure and hopefully my chosen career will be just as adventurous as I hope.

See you all in the next post!

~ChildofCourage~

A Spirited Story

            During a recent bout with the disease known as writer’s block, I got an idea for another story. This story would harken back to my oldest and most beloved fandom. “Which fandom is that?” you may ask dear reader. The fandom I’m speaking of is my deep love for Disney. You may start wondering which movie I might be doing. However, I’m not writing about a film but one of Disney’s well-loved rides from the parks.

            This ride is my personal favorite and will come as no surprise to my family that I’ve chosen this as the subject of my newest fan fiction. The ride in question is known for having “999 happy haunts that are just dying to meet you”. The one and only Haunted Mansion. This ride has been a favorite of mine since I was nine years old when I first rode the Florida version of the mansion.

            Now, with the 60^th Anniversary Disneyland past, I decided to throw my hat into the hatbox of this mysterious and spectral mansion. I love this ride and the story and imagination that went into creating it. Also, I’m really happy that they finally put the Hatbox Ghost back on the ride. If you don’t know who he is I recommend you look it up. Especially since Guillermo del Toro back a few years ago announced that he’s going to redo the movie of the mansion. He’s reported to be a huge Haunted Mansion fan and he was partly responsible for the Hatbox Ghost’s return since he said he was going to make him a main focus of the film.

            So, to get in the spirit of both these events, I am writing my own creepy rendition to the tale of the mansion. I won’t be posting it until Halloween but keep an eye out for art from the story and excerpts from it on my Tumblr and here on my blog.

            In parting I leave you with the cover art of my story. Its working title is “Lost in the Mansion” and a little greeting from the ride itself. Happy Haunting!

"Hurry back! Hurry back! Be sure to bring your death certificate, if you decide to join us. Make final arrangements now! We've been dying to have you!"

Little Leota 

(from the end of the Haunted Mansion Ride)

The End of an Era

As some of you on Facebook already know, I’m leaving the art website known as Deviantart. I’ve been on that site for four years. Two of those years was during a hard time in my life where I could do little more than lie in bed, watch T.V., write, and draw. This was due to my (at the time undiagnosed) condition known as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (or POTS).

The site was an escape for me and allowed me to maintain my sanity during the two years I was bound to my bed. However, after I got my condition under control I still continued posting on the site. It was mostly due to the emotional ties I had to the site and the friends I’d made there. Problems soon arose during the next few years that made it hard to want to stay.

Most of those problems were due to the community on the site, especially some of the fandoms I was participating in. Particularly, the Legend of Zelda fandom. They were the most obnoxious and mean group if you didn’t conform to the status quo in the clubs. Many of the character pairings were what cause the most grievance. However, the worst group were the ones demanding that Nintendo give us a timeline. Eventually, the company did give us one but it was obviously thrown together.

Other issues I’ve had with the site had to do with how it was run. I drove me crazy when they made different changes that made no sense. Also warning users that if you weren’t active enough that they’d shut down your account. That was scary. However, it’s unclear if that ever really went through. Either way, I’m now leaving the sites so that I can protect my work from being stolen by thieves on the site.

I’m sad to be leaving a site that has given me a lot of joy over the years but it’s time to move on to other places where I feel that my art will be viewed by a better class of people.  

A Father's Day Tribute

            This week I waited until Sunday to post in honor of Father’s day. This is my present to my dear father. In my personal opinion, he is the best dad this planet has ever known. He is kind, gentle, a guiding hand and everything a father should be. He has helped me so much over the course of my life. From helping me edit school papers to giving me sage advice for when I’m down.

            My father has always been there either in spirit or physically to guide and support me. Often when I was growing up his work kept him from being around a lot but he made up for it the best he could by sending letters, skyping (or what later became skyping), and talking with me even when he was tired from work and I needed him.

            He also worried about me from behind the scenes. He would pray for me and often call just to talk with me. Even now he still does that. I am eternally grateful for everything he has done for me. So, every Father’s day to document these classic moments and my love for my dad I usually make him a new slideshow. However, this year I felt it would be more appropriate to write up this blog post and repost an old (and arguably my best one) slideshow. It was the first one I ever made. Enjoy!

Happy Father’s Day Dad!

My Own Personal Looking Glass

            I recently saw the film, Alice Through the Looking Glass. I loved the film and overall message of the film. However, I’m not going to spoil it for you. If you want to know more about the actual events of the film you have to go and watch it. It’s well worth the money to watch.

            With that out of the way I can begin. As I watched the film I couldn’t help drawing parallels between myself and the main character. How my own nature is much like Alice. However, as the movie went on I began to wonder. What is my own version of Wonderland and the looking glass Alice uses to get there? And what can I draw on when I enter my personal looking glass?

            I went on an exploration through my own life and found that my looking glass is my own wild imagination. My ability to make up vivid fantasy worlds and bring them to life is my Wonderland. It’s a place I go when I need to escape from the pressure of the world around me. However, unlike many who disappear down the rabbit whole never to return my Wonderland helps me. Often times, when I escape to the other side of the Looking Glass my own mind helps me to work out the problems I face without making me feel so stressed in the process.

            I, much like Alice, am a headstrong, independent and peculiar person. However, my personal Wonderland holds not just my own thoughts but often the voices of others who have guided me along my own path. Each person filling the roles of the caterpillar, Cheshire cat, March Hare, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, White Queen, etc. All of them have a lesson to give me and guidance to share.

            Yet, just like Alice, I often forget about this little place and forget sometimes in my hardest moments to step back through and listen to my old friends. I think it’s about time I went back and perhaps fixed the problems that my own Wonderland may be currently experiencing. Honestly, I’ve already started on it. Let’s just say I’ve let the Queen of Hearts have too much control. It’s time to set things right and just like Alice in this newest movie I can use the lessons of the past help me shape my future.

            So, don’t worry too much about me. I’ll be back from Wonderland very soon and perhaps heading to my own real version of Wonderland in real life. I’m referring to my upcoming transfer (after graduating) to BYU Idaho. This Wonderland will be full of new twists and turns that I’m very excited to see.

See you next week!

~ChildofCourage~  

When You Know You’re Crazy

             

                 I pride myself on being different from the crowd. That I don’t always stick to the norm and often challenge it. However, there is a difference between following your own path and having gone completely off the deep end. Often times I’ve noticed that some of us, including myself, stray from the path of slightly abnormal and take a hard left into crazy.

                Yet, being crazy isn’t all bad. Often times being crazy gives you an advantage over others. It allows you to think outside of the box and challenge the boring norms that most people impose. There is a line between good crazy and bad crazy. Good crazy, is what I consider my friends and I. Where you can be silly and off the wall in public and not care about the weird looks you may get from the average Joe on the street.

                Being good crazy opens doors that being “normal” doesn’t allow. You can find even the simplest things amusing. This allows for endless hours of fun with you and your friends. Where being “normal” keeps you to a rigid set of things and doesn’t allow for much creativity. However, bad crazy is not what you want to shoot for. Those who are bad crazy often are only amusing to themselves and harm others in the process. I’m sure you know a few bad crazies in your life. So, I’d recommend finding some good crazies to balance it out.

                Now, you might be asking how can you tell if you’re good crazy? Well, I can give you a general guide. First, to be good crazy you have to want to have fun and not care what others think. Often this point is a bit of a struggle. You have to strike a balance with this so that you don’t end up in the bad crazy territory. Second, find what you love and do it. Don’t be afraid of it just do it. Third, being open to new things and ideas. Often the most enjoyment a good crazy person finds is doing things that they’ve never done before just to do it. Fourth, find enjoyment in simple things. Sometimes the nicest part of being good crazy is finding fun in things that are simple and don’t cost much money. It makes life easier. Fifth, enjoy the occasional laugh at weird things. This one is hard to explain but being able to laugh at almost anything can help ease tension.

                Those are just a few signs/suggestions I can give to you about being good crazy. How I know that being good crazy is fun is because like I said I am crazy. I can’t imagine being anything but. That’s something that will never change and if you are that way I suggest learning to love that side of yourself. Being happy with who you are is a step closer to being happy in general. Good luck learning how to be crazy!

~ChildofCourage~  

Excerpt from Lunar Revelation

                Recently I’ve been working on a different section of my book. It’s a more horror in nature. In fact, the genre of my book is more of a dark fantasy book. I combine the fun of fantasy with the suspense of horror at different parts of my book. This excerpt is to show my command of how horror feels. I hope I pulled it off well. Please feel free to leave a comment. Any type of constructive criticism helps. I really want to publish this someday. Enjoy the reading!

Lunar Revelation Excerpt

Tentatively, I put my hand into the blackness. The sensation that could be sensed from this was one of complete nothingness. Not hot or cold but total emptiness. I pulled my hand back and felt unsure about stepping into the portal. The hollow feeling of the portal made me nervous. It seemed like I could potentially be walking into a trap. I can’t turn back now. Fin needs me but I can’t help but feel scared of this portal. It doesn’t feel right. Come on! You can do this! I steeled my nerves and put one foot into the portal.

            The feeling of vacancy engulfed my body as the rest of me came into the portal. Part of me wanted to go backwards out of it but I had to press on. Moving forward through the portal the sensation persisted for a few moments. When I emerged on the opposite side of the portal my hands touched cold metal. Torch light greeted my eyes and I could see the wrought iron door that stood in front of me. Putting my shoulder against, I shoved the door open.

            The heavy, iron door was reluctant to move. It made the horrible metal on metal screech as it slowly opened. Once it was finally open, I was able to see where the portal had taken me. A haunting landscape was now spread out in the eerie light of the half moon. Mist choked the tombstones that line the field in front of the building I was now standing in front of. The mist itself seemed to move about like spectral hands clawing about for living flesh. It was completely silent. Not a sound could be heard in the surrounding area.

            I shivered a bit from a chill breeze that swept through the yard. Scanning the gloomy headstones, it was obvious that this would not be as quite as it first appeared. I was standing in a real haunted graveyard. A feeling of dark dread wrapped its icy fingers around my heart. This isn’t what I was expecting. I feel like I’m walking into a horror film…

            I stood frozen for a moment, not sure if I should step out into the cemetery. The graveyard had mostly remained in its state of unnerving silence as I'd started making my way through the ghastly fog. I could barely make out the outline of the huge French château. It made Coşmar mansion seem tiny by comparison.

The burial grounds were an immense morass. Normally, I liked the challenge of navigating a maze but this was a cemetery. A haunted cemetery at that. Who knew what terror awaited me around the next row of tombstones. This was worse than getting the sword back at Avalon Island.

I picked my way through the rows of headstones. My nerves were as tense as piano wires. Any step could be my last. The ground shook the minute my feet stepped over a certain grave. I fell on my side as the earth beneath my feet started to rise. A coffin was revealed from under the rubble. A moment later the sounds of groans and scratching came from inside.

I sat there a moment, staring at the grisly sight in abject horror. Then the wooden lid of the coffin exploded. The stench of rotting meat and decay met my nostrils. A corpse shoot up out of the coffin. Wasting no time, I ran at full speed away from the zombie. That wasn’t my best idea. As I ran down the row more graves burst open. Soon I was surrounded by zombies. I had no choice but to stand and fight.

I drew my sword and began hacking my way through them. There weren't too many but there was less ahead of me than behind. After a moment a path was cleared and I ran for it. When the groans and gurgling faded I relaxed. I collapsed on the steps of a mausoleum.

Heaving in huge gulps of moist air, I leaned against the cold stone of the building. My heart began to thud less and less in my ears. It was quiet again in the cemetery. Quiet was good. Quiet meant it was safe. I breathed a heavy sigh and slumped further back against the chill stone of the mausoleum.

Once I'd calmed down enough to try again another nasty surprise caught me off guard. I was looking out at the fog trying to make sense of where I was when someone spoke.

"Lost?" asked a dry, raspy voice.

"Yeah," I sighed. "I ran so far from where I started I have no clue how to get back. Or to where I want to go."

"Where do want to go?" The voice asked.

"The mansion," I replied. "You wouldn't know how to get there would y-" I had turned to look at the person I was addressing and saw a hideous skeletal face behind me.

I screamed and scrambled backwards. I raised my blade at the specter and glared at him. The ghost wore clothes from the Victorian era. His wispy hair stuck out from beneath a large top hat. He was almost six feet tall and the skin that remained on his bones clung to them like tightly stretched taffy. 

My Next Cosplays

My Next Cosplays

            It’s been a while since I talked about the cosplays I’m planning on doing. I currently only have one in the works but have ideas for more down the line. I wanted to share them with you. The current cosplay that I’m working on is one that has been long overdue for me.

            I am not ashamed to admit that I am a Disney girl. I was raise on Disney and will always love their films. However, few outside my family know what my favorite Disney film is. I’ve loved it since I was three years old and have heavily identified with its main character for years. So, to finally go back to my fandom roots. I am finally cosplaying as the main female protagonist from the film.

            I’ll give you who don’t know me a few hints about her. First, she wears blue for much of the film. Second, she lives in a small town in the country side. Third, she loves books and reading. Can you guess who she is?

            If you guessed Belle from Beauty and the Beast then you are correct. I’ve decided to cosplay as my favorite Disney character. I figured it was about time that I did her. Especially, since I know I can pull her off. No wigs or face paint for this cosplay. However, for the skill level that I have I’ve decided to do Belle’s blue town dress. It’s actually my favorite dress that she wears.

            I’m very excited to do this one. In a way it’s completing my fandom circle. I started cosplaying with a pokemon cosplay (my third fandom). Then I’ve done several Legend of Zelda cosplays (my fifth fandom). I’ve done one Kingdom Hearts cosplay (my fourth fandom). It was about time I did one from my very first fandom.

            However, after Belle is completed I’ve been debating who to do next. The next fandom I could think of because I was now doing American made fandoms was that of either Marvel or DC comics. The two superheroines that came to mind were Rogue from the X-Men or Batgirl from Batman.

Perhaps you guys can help me decide. I love both of these girls but I’m not who I’d do better at pulling off. So, I’d like for you to cast a vote in the comments to help me. That way once my current project is finished I can start working on figuring out the next cosplay I’m going to do.

          

              Looking forward to who you think is the better of these two ladies that I should do. Until next time.

~ChildofCourage~

Lunar Revelations- Chapter Four Excerpt

I recently changed the name of my book. I liked how the new title fits with the theme of the novel better. Here's an excerpt from a chapter that I'm currently working on enjoy!

It took almost until sundown to find the river inlet. I actually had to ask for directions. When I stepped out onto the veranda the sunset had begun to paint the sky with strokes of red and bands of gold and dark orange. “Wow!” I breathed. “This is what I’ve been missing in the city.”

I heaved a deep sigh. It was good to see a full sunset again. The crowed buildings of the city often choked the beauty of the sunsets. The only thing that would block the view here were the clouds and a forest that sat on the opposite bank of the river. The leaves of the trees danced in the dying light of the sun. As it began to darken small lights began to flicker among the trees.

The lights moved about in a way that seemed like they were alive. They threw their glows haphazardly across the bark of the trees. Sometimes a light would land on a limb or a branch and seem to pace around. After the sunset, sound soon drifted across the water towards me. It was playful and happy in its tone. It was entrancing. I wanted to find the source of the music.

Screw looking for clues! I’m going to find that music! I raced down the stairs of the veranda and into the inlet. The moment my feet touched the water something strange happened. My head began to spin and my legs turned into jelly. Losing my balance, my body twisted as I fell. My body slapped the surface of the cold water and the force of the hit caused me to pass out.

The next sensation that I remembered was a feeling of warmth, burning almost. I opened my eyes to find myself hovering several feet off of the water. My clothes were soaked but I couldn’t feel the weight. My body itself felt completely weightless. The warmth that I felt flowed over my back. It almost seemed liked I was close to an open fire.

I glanced up and saw a pair of burning blue wings stretched out over my head. I could feel claws holding onto my shirt. Whatever creature had pulled me from the water was now flying me back to the veranda. Above us the stars in the sky glittered like a jewel box. I enjoyed the feeling of flight as I was carried back to the earth.

Placing me on my feet, the winged creature loosed its hold and swooped over to the railing. I followed its movement and when the being came to rest I saw what it was. An azure phoenix rested on the railing. It preened its feathers carefully and plucked a damaged one from its wings. It floated gently away when it was plucked and came to rest lightly on the floor of the veranda.

“Were you trying to drown yourself?” said a voice.

I looked around but saw no one but the phoenix. The magnificent bird was the size of a red tailed hawk. Despite the fact that the bird was not on fire its plumage shimmered in such a manner that it appeared to be on fire. I took a step towards the bird when the voice came again. This time I saw who spoke. It was the bird.

“It’s very rude to not answer a question,” it squawked.

I almost tripped backwards over my own two feet. It could talk! I was in shock. I’d assumed that phoenixes were like normal animals. This one was apparently intelligent enough to speak. I gripped the railing, just staring at the bird with wide eyes.

“You can talk,” I quavered, my body shaking from the adrenaline now pumping through my body.

The phoenix ruffled up its feathers in indignation, “Of course I can talk.” It seemed to deflate a bit as he added, “But only to you.”

“Why?” I inquired, tilting my head slightly.

The phoenix shifted nervously and then replied, “Because I was born from your spirit.”

“Huh?” I blurted, not sure if my ears were working right.

The Phoenix launched into the air and flew over towards me. It circled once and came to rest on my shoulder. I was expecting for its claws to clench down and hurt me but there was no pain. It must not have been gripping my shoulder very hard.

“You heard me right,” it urged. “I was born from your soul.”

I blinked and looked into the sapphire eyes of the creature, “Does that mean you’re my spirit guide or something?”

“Yes,” it nodded. “I am your spirit animal.”

Excerpt from Chapter One of The Defender of Legends

I closed my eyes and sighed. I had to stop beating myself up for what was going on. It wasn’t good for me. I had to let go of it and try harder to leave it behind me. As I was trying to quiet the myriad of questions and worries that often filled my mind before sleep banished them, I heard someone call out to me again. My eyes popped open and I looked around the room.

No one was there and my phone was off. I opened the door and called out into the darkened apartment. “Diana? Are you home?” I called into the blackness. I got no answer. I shook my head and closed the door once more. “I have to stop jumping at every sound I hear,” I muttered and turned back to the window.

I stood frozen to the spot when I saw what was in the glass. A beautiful woman had replaced my reflection in the window. She wore a high crown of stars and moon phases. She called out to someone but I couldn’t make out what she was staying. I’m dreaming…this can’t be real. My sleeping meds must have screwed with my perception of reality. I can’t actually be seeing this!

I rubbed my eyes in hopes of banishing the vision but it didn’t work. The woman was still reflected in the window. This time I could hear her. “Please,” she pleaded, her voice sounding like it was coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once. “Please, come back. Help us! We need you!”

Her cry was repeated at least three or four times. As I listened to her I looked around the room. The place seemed to become liquid. Everything in the room looked like it was melting away. I tried to reach for my bed but my arm could hardly move. It felt like I was trying to swim in deep water. The next thing I knew, I was sinking beneath the floor. Not like sinking in quick sand where it’s slow but the fast sinking that happens when you’re going underwater.

I kept my eyes on my room until it faded and all I had left was the dancing light of the moon that was refracted in the water around me. Soon, that faded too and I closed my eyes. I couldn’t fight what was going on so I surrendered to the current. I prayed that this was just something generated by the medication. Yet, it couldn’t be. I felt the wetness around me and it saturated my clothes and hair. That sensation couldn’t be faked or at least I didn’t think it could.

I remained in oblivion until I felt my head break the surface of the water. I gasped for air and took in huge gulps of it. Once I felt satisfied that I was alive, I opened my eyes. The first sight that caught my attention was that I was standing in a shallow river inlet. I heard the sound of running water and looked behind me. A great river flowed just a few feet away. The far bank was a good twenty or thirty feet from where the inlet and the river connected.

The far bank had tall grasses that waved emerald green in the moonlight. Just barely visible above that was a line of trees that formed a forest. I shook my head and tried to make myself wake up. You’re dreaming. Come on, wake up! As I was trying to do that a shout rang out.

“You here! Stay where you are!” cried a gruff voice from behind me.

I spun around and saw a heavily armored man standing on a stone veranda. Steps led from the veranda down into the waters of the inlet. The man looked like a medieval knight but one thing made him stand out. He had large, translucent, blue, dragonfly wings that jutted out of his back. I also noticed that his features reminded me of elves from the Lord of the Rings films. He had the hair and pointed ears to match.

“I’ve got to be dreaming…” I muttered under my breath. What I was seeing couldn’t be real. I couldn’t actually be speaking to a fairy. There was no way. I was rooted to the spot just staring at the fairy guard.

He fluttered down into the water and grabbed my arm roughly. “We’ll see how the King and Queen deal with you, spy,” he growled and began hauling me up the steps into the massive palace that lay before us.

As we got within the walls, my mind just stopped working. This can’t be real. I can’t be in fairyland… I just can’t be.

The Blaze

A spark ignites it,

Flames begin to grow,

The fire burns everything,

I need to let go.

It dies out,

Leaving ash and pain,

It serves as a nest,

I shouldn’t complain.

It nurtures me,

Helps me to grow,

Pain is never wasted,

And I should know.

Time passes,

Things form anew,

The feathers come back,

I’ve lost nothing that I knew.

Finally ready,

I spread my wings,

The ash falls away,

I’ve learned a few things.

I take to the air,

Leaving the ashes behind,

My pain and sins gone,

Yet some regret remains in my mind.

I feel terrible for those I’ve hurt,

For the pain I’ve caused,

But little is served by looking behind,

So from my course I cannot pause.

The old me lies in ashes,

The new flying free,

I will not return,

For that is simply not me.

The fire didn’t destroy everything,

The good qualities remain,

The bad has been cleansed,

I keep the wisdom but leave the stain.

The future is far away,

To reach it is my goal,

And to never look back,

However life is not a stroll.

I hope to keep these lessons with me,

So no mistake may be repeated,

Once a change is made it cannot be undone,

A wound once healed does not need to be treated.

Hope burning bright,

Everything is ahead,

And nothing left back,

I have little to dread.

My time is now,

My wings are open wide,

Now is the time to fly.