First off, thanks for at least taking a look at this. biggrin I appreciate it. Well I've been working on this story when I've had free time.. which is never. xp I'd say I've put about 6 hours into this. The plot line and things need to be adjusted a little more, seeing how I haven't much decided what I'm doing with it. But I wanted to get some outside opinions from a literate group. Please, give your criticism, (harsh if need be) even if you read the first word and get bored, judge that! Thank you. sweatdrop

The story is centered around Zak Hallows. He's a teen in high school living in a world mostly like ours (I'll tweak it of course.) Zak has developed the ability to summon his spirit guardian*, Gën. A spirit guardian is a physical representation of your soul. Gaining this gift, he transfers school into Spirit Academy*, an exclusive school where only teens with spirit guardians can attend. Any other info will developed later. Enjoy!
*Name may change in future


A smile crept across the shadows putrid face, tearing at the seemingly endless darkness. “To be consumed by the shadows... this is your fate,” he hissed.

His eyes glowed with a hellish red that seemed to burn through Zak’s soul. He tried to run, but in an instant the shadow had appeared in front of him. He heard something piercing his chest, and felt the sickly mixture of warmth and pain as blood poured from is body. Zak coughed, spraying the crimson liquid onto the floor.

The shadow just continued to show his twisted smile, as he jerked his claws upwards. The tearing pain became almost unbearable. Zak let out a scream of pain, but all that came out was emptiness, drifting into the void. The shadow ripped its claws from his abdomen, causing Zak to kneel, unable to stand any longer.

So… weak... He looked up, his eyes blurring from agony. Again the beast laughed as he licked his claws. “You cannot protect her...” Then he fell, like time had slowed as everything faded to darkness. He barely formed his lips to form her name… then nothingness…

Zak awoke in the dark, his heart pounding and his body sweating. He shot up, grabbing his stomach in fear, but all he felt was his skin, covered in a thin layer of cool sweat. It took him a while to calm down. It was just that dream again…but why did it feel so real...? It wasn’t the first time he had had this dream. The dream, with the same menacing shadow, had come to him many times before. And each time he ends up dying… but this last time… felt so… real.

He looked outside his window, the sun barely rising from the horizon. Zak got up, and ran his hand through his short black hair. Knowing he would not be able to go back to sleep, he got up and checked the illuminated clock on his wall. 6am. huh? Perfect…

He quietly crept through his small 2 room apartment, not wanting to wake anyone. He let out a yawn and opened the refrigerator. Nothing. There was always nothing. “Why do I even bother…?” he asked himself after grabbing an apple off the table. “Because, you humans have a chronic obsession with checking the ‘fridge knowing there’s nothing in it.”, a small voice chimed in behind him.

Zak let out a sigh. “You know how to brighten my morning don’t ya?”

Gën floated to the table and grabbed an apple. “Blame yourself. I didn’t just acquire this lovely persona all by myself.” He bit into the apple with his small saw like teeth, munching loudly.

Gën was his spirit guardian. He was small, only about 3 feet tall. He looked like an imp really, with jet black skin, small bat-like wings, dark blue eyes, and a matching set of razor like teeth and claws. “Is my soul really as dark and annoying as you?” he said with a sarcastic tone. Gën just glared at Zak, before continuing with his breakfast.

It was only recently that Gën appeared, surprising everyone, but Zak the most. Usually considered average among others, no one really expected anything like this from him. “Only those with high levels of spirit energy can summon their spirit guardians,” his teacher had told him with a smile. “You are very fortunate to have this gift...” Zak looked back at Gën, who had just reached the core of his apple. Taking a second to examine it, he popped it into his mouth, and began the search for another one. Yeah, some gift…

Zak went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. He stood there for a while, letting the water run off of him as he closed his eyes. The hot water was relaxing, and his mind felt at ease. He used this time to get ready for the day ahead. My time. It was nearly 7am when he got out and dried off.

“Good morning, dear.” He mom said as she passed by, starting her daily morning routine. It was always the same. The monotony would drive any normal person into insanity. Zak could picture it in his head now.

Open the cabinet…

An old oak door squeaked open.

Get the coffee...

A bag of beans rustled from the kitchen.

Get your mug…

The clank of a cup being taken from the cupboard.

And last but not least…

A scream broke through the house and a cup shattered on the floor. Zak smiled as he entered his room.

Find Gën… followed by a display of general hysteria…

“OH MY GOD! WHAT IN THE HELL…YOU AGAIN! I THOUGHT I WARNED YOU BEFORE! GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN! OUT, OUT, OUT, OUT, OUT!!!!

Another crash and Gën floated in rather quickly. He seemed quite scared too. “You would think after doing this, not once, not twice, but eight times already,” he said panting, “that’d she’d learn… I'M NOT A FREAKIN FLYING RAT!” Zak laughed a little while he got dressed. Gën just stared. “I’m glad you find amusement out of this.” Zak just kept laughing. “I have never seen you run that fast from anything… but to think… you scared… of my mother!” he said. He couldn’t help falling on his bed laughing.

Gën just stood there, glaring at him. “That’s interesting you find this so hilarious…”

More laughing.

Gën smiled. "…as I seem to remember a certain girl you were equally scared of..."

The laughing stopped. Zak got up. It was his turn to stare. “Oh… that’s funny is it?” Gën laughed, but it was short lived, as Zak started to strangle Gën.

This continued for a while until the phone rang. Snapping out of his rage, Zak walked over to the phone, leaving the withered body of Gën lying on the ground, twitching slightly.

He picked it up. “Hello?”… Oh, hey Blair… yeah I’m doing fine… how’s Gën?...”

Zak turned around, and Gën put up his thumb, moaning slightly.

“…oh he’s fine…. Yeah I’ll be right over… ok bye.”

He hung up, and walked over to pick up his bag.

“Come on Gën, stop lying around.” Gën twitched again, and moaned a little louder.

Zak got out to the kitchen where he mom was sweeping up the broken glass, with a slightly startled look on her face, hands shaking a little. “I’ll see you later mom.” She gave a strained smile. “H-have a g-good day dear…” she managed to get out before he left.

He walked out and the sunlight hit his eyes. The summer had just ended, and with it the scorching summer heat. It was replaced with the cool, crisp autumn air. The leaves were turning from bright green to a golden brown. He loved this time of year. No one was out yet, the street remained silent. No rush of people, no cars, just silence. It was perfect.

Of course this was also short lived. A little down the street, he heard his mother scream again, this time Gën flew out, followed closely by Zak’s mother, and a blur which seemed to be the broom she was using. God, my mom really does have it out for the poor little guy… Another curse could be heard, and then the door slammed shut. Zak just sighed and continued his walk.

Gën eventually caught up, and they both walked in silence. It was too peaceful of a day to start any arguments or snide comments between them. They at least agreed on that.