Hunter pulled me along as I grunted in protest and tried to pull away. However, Hunter was stronger than me and held onto my hand. He led me down the stairs and out the door, and was about to jump to another floating island, but Ria called us back. "Let the poor girl grab her pack first, dummy!" We turned around to see her holding up a strap of my pack, a 'you are so dumb' look upon her face. Hunter chuckled sheepishly, blushed, and let go of my hand so I could grab my pack. I slipped it over my, er.. Ria's sweatshirt and walked back over to Hunter. I had a sudden thought, and turned around again.

"Aren't you coming with?" I asked. Ria drew back slightly, then sighed and hesitated before answering. "Nah. I'm gonna get ready myself. Hope it goes well!" She waved, then walked back inside. When she passed through the glass doors, she broke into a run. I raised an eyebrow in confusion and faced Hunter. He shrugged, then grabbed my hand and suddenly we were in the air. I prepared myself for the sudden landing. We jumped from island to island, and finally, we landed on a huge island holding a tremendous castle. I barely got a chance to look at it before Hunter pulled me into a small, white room. I managed to see a big, white dome with a gold roof. It looked pretty snazzy. As soon as we were past the guards, Hunter grabbed my shoulders gently and turned me toward him. The look in his eyes was serious.

"Talyn is a pretty strict leader. Only speak when spoken to or asked a question. Kneel when she makes eye contact. Don't make eye contact with her voluntarily. Got it?" I nodded, thinking that this girl was pretty ridiculous, but hoping she would help us. He took my hand and led to another guard. He stated who we were and what we were here for. The guard shook his head, and told us he couldn't let us in, Talyn was with another person at the moment. Hunter led me away and we waited in silence for about five minutes.

After those five minutes, a sad looking young boy walked out of the large gold brass doors behind the guard. He couldn't be more than eight or nine. His thick, red hair fell over his green eyes, and his small lips were turned downward. His hands were stuffed in the pockets of the white jacket he had on. He glanced at us, then looked at the ground, continuing forward. He reached the edge of the island, and I wanted to see where the young boy would go, because I was worried about his safety, but we were called in, and I couldn't see where he jumped. Hunter led me through the brass doors, and I gasped at the sight inside.

This room was the dome I'd seen before. The gold was see-through, letting sunlight stream in. The whole room was white, with a gold carpet leading to a throne in the back of the room. Servants, I guessed, were running amok into other rooms. Hunter led me forward, and I noticed a person sitting on the throne, and I couldn't help it; I stared in amazement. This girl looked about 20 or so years old. She had long, flowing red hair that reached her knees. She wore a long, flowing purple skirt with a gold band around the waist. The shirt only covered her breasts and armpits down, the same deep purple as the skirt and the same gold decorating the edges. The sleeves flowed outward as they ran down her arm. Her striking blue eyes matched, and here was the weirdest part, her large, bright blue wings. They were almost as tall as her, and they curled around her body slightly, as if protecting her. She wore a necklace around her neck, but I couldn't tell what it was.

As soon as we got close enough, Hunter pulled me downward into a kneel. I stared at the gold carpet, waiting for something to happen. There was a snap, and the sound of feet running around stopped suddenly. I looked through my hair, and realized that the servants running amok moments ago were gone.

"Welcome, my faithful children. What brings you to my presence?" A soft, graceful voice asked. I noticed through my wavy hair that Hunter looked up at the girl, who I realized must be Talyn. I didn't look up, for fear of upsetting the goddess in front of me. "Look up. It's okay." I heard her say. Cautiously, I looked up into her baby blue eyes. She looked over to Hunter as he started to explain our predicament. I took the chance and looked down to her necklace. It was a small sun, with a rainbow center. It was lovely.

"So." I heard her say, and I looked up in fear of her being mad at me staring at what could be misinterpreted as looking at her breasts. Instead, Talyn was staring at me, a smile on her face and her eyes playful. She got up, her wings unfolding and fluttering in the wind as she walked toward me. "Stand, please," she spoke. I slowly stood, our eyes locked. Despite what Hunter said earlier, she seemed fine with me making eye contact with her. She circled me, and I took the time to stay still. Her wings flapped once, and I shivered from the cold. She reached my front again, and she playfully put a finger to her cheek in thought. After a pause, she turned to Hunter and told him to stand as well.

"So, you're the chosen one, huh?" Talyn spoke. She put a hand on her hip and smirked. I got the feeling she wasn't a good leader. She acted like she was ten! I knew better than to say that though. Hunter was tense beside me. "Prove it. Give me a inspiring speech as to why I should give you the necklace that protects everything my world knows and loves." The goddess in front of me spoke, her wings curling and twitching as if they were laughing. Out of the corner of my eye, Hunter tensed even more (I didn't know he could do that) and glanced over to me in fear. I clenched my hands into fists quickly, in fear that I would say the wrong thing. I relaxed, and took a deep breath. I started speaking a couple words. Once a few words were out, the whole thing just started pouring. I didn't even know what I was saying until they'd already left me mouth. However, I just rolled with it.

"Talyn, I'm Lyra. However, you know that. I'm an average girl; no father, abusive mother, protective sister. Dragged into this, I have no idea how I'm going to do this. But, with the help of Hunter and another girl, I believe I can save us all. I would sacrifice my life if it meant that other lives wouldn't suffer. I would do everything to make sure that my home, and everyone else's homes are safe. I may be an ordinary girl, but even an ordinary girl can do extraordinary things if they try hard enough. I believe in myself, in him, my other friend, and others who will help us along the way. Please, Talyn. Let me keep the worlds safe. Let me have your necklace, and protect everyone."

I paused to take a breath. Hunter stared at me, an incredulous look masking his features. Talyn's playful eyes were now serious, and her smile was gone. Her face was contorted in thought as she listened my, very improvised speech. I gave her a sheepish smile.

She smiled, a genuine smile for once, instead of a playful one. She spoke no words, instead, only reached around her neck, and took off her necklace. She grabbed my hand gently, and placed the necklace in my hand, charm side up. I felt the sun pulse in my palm, and I knew it really did hold the life in this world. She then reached her hand to my shoulder an grabbed my backpack strap. She slid the strap down my arm, and I realized she wanted it. Confused, I slipped off the other arm and handed the pack to her. She opened the big pocket, and, without looking, reached in and pulled out the doll. She held it gently in her hand, then pressed its forehead to hers and whispered a strange chant in words I'd never heard before. She then put the doll back in the pack and zipped the pocket back up. She handed the pack to me, which I held in my hands and stared at her in confusion and astonishment.

"I believe you." She spoke only these three words, then spread her wings, and flapped them. She flew upward, and the dome opened. She flew through the opening, and disappeared. I stared upward, clutching the charm in my palm. I looked over to Hunter, and he only stared at me, his face saying all the words unspoken. 'What just happened?'