Jay Myers

I opened my eyes and saw a different view to what I had seen over New Zealand. Wherever I am, it isn’t the small island surrounded by the ocean we had previously been. Instead I saw large mountains and rolling grasslands as far as the eye could see. My eyes widened as I saw what looked to be cities and towns scattered across the valleys and peaks of this bizarre land I was flying towards. Lost in thought I saw the ground rapidly approaching, getting closer and closer, I realised that I was still freefalling towards the ground.

I hurriedly opened my parachute and floated towards the ground. As I slowly lowered to the land below, I felt a visceral touch inside of my being. I felt a presence inside and outside of my body. Unsure as to what to think, I panicked and watched as light ran through my veins and felt the light permeating throughout the rest of my body. As the light started to fade an immense burning sensation rocked my body, I felt an explosion go off from within and I started coughing blood. Blood? Swirling shadows entered my vision, began to circle me and enter my body. I heard voices that weren’t my own yelling and arguing, but I couldn’t quite make it out. I felt lightheaded as the world turned to black.

My eyes snapped open and heard someone screaming. I shot up and raised myself into a sitting position. I shrugged off my pack and shakily stood up, I started to lean to the side but something caught and held me upright. I looked to my left and saw Jade smiling at me. “Thanks Jade.” I started making my way towards the source of the screaming and found Cal holding his leg, rocking back and forth. “Move away everyone” I calmly directed and moved towards Cal. “Let me have a look mate.”

I examined Cal’s leg and suspected that he might have a fracture, but without any medical supplies there was little I could do. I ran and picked up a solid stick off the ground and cut off some rope from a discarded parachute. I held the stick parallel to Cal’s leg and tied it together with the rope and fashioned a makeshift splint. Two friends walked over and helped Cal to his feet and supported him so he could walk. “Thanks Damo and Zack” I said to the two friends helping out Cal. “No worries mate, nice work on the splint.”

Satisfied, I began to walk over to Jade when I heard a howl from behind. I spun around and saw a group of animals poke their heads over the hill. I stared at the animals slowly stalking towards our group, their bodies low to the ground and making little sound. They advanced slowly, their eyes never leaving us. I walked to the front of the group and told everyone to get behind me, I saw my sister’s eyes full of fear. I smiled and told her “There’s nothing to worry about, I fought my fair share of dingos back home.” Everyone thinks dingoes are harmless, but I’ve had a few encounters that say otherwise.

I pulled out the knife that was tucked away in a holster attached to my lower leg and held it out, at the ready. I had seen pictures of wolves online and what advanced towards me had a lot of similar features. The animals, which I dubbed wolves stopped moving and sniffed the air. Perhaps sensing the fear of our group, a wolf let out a snarl and charged towards me.

I let the wolf approach and as it jumped to take a bite out of me, I ducked and punched the wolf’s underbelly with a closed fist. The wolf whimpered as it landed on the ground. Before it could move, I jumped on it and stabbed it through the underside of its jaw. The knife easily slid into the wolf’s head and as it breathed its last breath, it slumped forwards onto the ground. I stood up swivelling to face the other predators. The wolves watched me cautiously, not ready to jump in recklessly. One of the wolves looked like it was preparing to charge, when I heard a shout from behind as well as the sound of hooves smashing against the grassy plains. I glanced over my shoulder to see four horses galloping towards us.

Horses? Not a buggy or a four-wheel drive? Atop the horses was a man in what looked to be full metal armour with a large sword hefted in his left hand while his right guided the steeds' reins. To the right, there was a thin man with a wooden bow in his lap. To the left, a older man with a long stick sporting a shiny gem at the top lay resting in his hands and behind the armoured man, a woman with two knives strapped to her waist held the reins with both hands. Coming to a stop beside us, the mysterious and armed people slid off of their horses and hurried over to stand beside me. The armoured man nodded to the dead wolf I had previously killed and stated “Nice work, please allow us to assist you with these beasts.” I nodded and faced the wolves again.

I fought briefly with the armed warriors before it had turned into a very one-sided battle. I watched as the armoured man swung his sword with ease slashing through wolf after wolf. The thin man with the bow shot arrows with deadly precision, often immobilising his targets so the woman with the twin knives could run in and dispatch the wolves who were unable to move. I looked to the man with the shiny stick and was disappointed to see him waiting for his companions to finish off the wolves. In a very short time, the remaining wolves whimpered and fled towards a line of trees in the distance.

“The name’s Jorik, a pleasure to meet you!” I stared as the armoured man held his metallic hand out to me. I quickly shook it off and grasped his hand. “Thank you for the help Jorik, I doubt I could have defended all of my friends on my own.” The thin man shook my hand next, smiling “Ah a man with skill and who knows his limit, a rare combination these days. I’m Faendal, a pleasure.” I nodded and smiled back at him. The woman with the daggers as she had called them approached next and shook my hand “Fine work out there, I am Avella, but please call me Av.” I nodded and smiled “Thanks Av, my name is Jay. Thanks for the help out there.” Av smiled and walked over to her companions. Lastly, the man with the shiny stick held out his hand “Eomur, at your service.” I smiled and thanked the man for his help. I knew the man hadn’t done anything but was grateful nonetheless. I noticed a couple people shoot me dirty looks but thought nothing of it.

Maybe they wanted to shake their hands too, well there will be plenty of time to do so. After the introductions had been completed, Jorik stood in front of our group and said something unexpected. “I am extremely happy that we arrived in time to find you all. You must have questions but I beg you to hold them until we arrive at Altheim.” I heard many of the group whisper amongst themselves but respecting the armed man’s wishes withheld any questions they might have had. Thus began the long trek to the city of Altheim.