[center][h1]Marred[/h1][/center]

“Tiana! Tiana! Wait for me!” came a shout through the bustling undergrowth of the jungle. Light footsteps followed quick, raspy breaths as the footfalls broke twig and crushed plant alike as they ran after a figure out of sight.

The only reply was a high pitched laugh, mocking in tone, followed by a feminine voice saying, “I thought you faster than this, Vadik! Or was that only in the water when you’re hungry?” The insult, subtle as it was, did not go unnoticed by Vadik. The selka cursed under his breath before shouting, “Oh yeah! Well… I’ll show you!” and he quickened his pace.

More laughter as Tiana said, “Come on! We’re almost there.” 

Up above, the distant roar of waterfall could be heard. And as Vadik caught up to Tiana, that roar became thunderous. The two selka, now running side by side, carried with them youthful expressions of laughter and play. They were some of the youngest in their tribe, only babies beat them in that contest, but they were not yet adults. Neither of them would admit it, but adulthood was nearing each passing day, prompting them to become creative with their pursuits. 

And now they stood before a crystal clear lake, across from which stood a mighty waterfall, rising well above their both their heads. Vadik looked down at Tiana, who was shorter than he, and with a playful wink he said, “First one to the waterfall wins!” and without waiting he jumped in the pool. The water was cool here, and refreshing and there was no way Tiana would be able to beat him. He was, by far, the best swimmer out of the two. 

He swam as fast he could, his streamlined body providing little resistance. The current was pushing down once he neared the waterfall. So Vadik broke the surface, clearly the victor but to his great surprise, Tiana was there laughing.

“You should see the look on your face Vadik!” she said holding back tears, “You look like old Yimbo!”

A scowl appeared on Vadik’s face as he said, “No fair! You cheated, I’m the faster swimmer!”

Tiana broke out into a howl of laughter now, saying through tears, “You said first one to the waterfall wins, you didn’t say how we had to get there.”

“I meant through swimming!” Vadik said grumpily. He swam closer to Tiana, who bobbed in the current as she laughed at him. “You know what Tiana, you win! Here is your award!” Vadik said as he jumped at her. Once their bodies met, a playful struggle ensued as Tiana fought to break Vadiks grip. They screamed, and giggled, and laughed as Heliopolis sank behind the trees. 

At the edge of the water, they both laid side by side on soft sands. They watched as the sunk sank lower, and the stars began to twinkle. They talked and talked, about past times, the good and bad, and what the future held. Slowly but surely, two hands met in an embrace, cheeks turning red but with smiles on their lips.

“Hey Vadik?” Tiana asked in a low whisper.

Vadik turned to look at her, and so too did Tiana turn to Vadik. “Yes Tiana?”

“We should probably head back. Our parents are probably worried, don’t you think?”

Vadik let out a soft sigh, “Yeah, you’re probably right, but… first…” Vadik whispered as he moved in closer, giving a quick peck on her lips. He pulled away, embarrassed. 

Tiana’s smile grew wider and she said, “Come on silly.” 

As they both stood up, something small and white descended above them, prompting Vadik to exclaim, “Look Tiana! A spirit!” as he pointed at the orb. 

Tiana followed his gaze, and saw two more spirits following the first. She grabbed on to Vadik’s arm and got behind him, whispering, “Aren’t spirits bad? You heard the elders…”

As the spirits drifted closer, Vadik turned to Tiana and said, “What happened to all that fire Tiana? Scared of a little spirit?”

Now the spirits were closer, drifting on some invisible current of air. With them came the sound of a small hum, faint but alluring all the same. 

“They’re whispering Tiana. Aren’t they beautiful?” Vadik said, having turnt back to watch the descent. 

Tiana gripped his arm tighter and hissed, “Vadik let’s go, something is right here. I don’t know why, but I feel it.”

“One second Tiana… I just want to touch it…” Vadik said absentmindedly. The spirits were floating closer now, almost within length as Vadik outstretched his hand. 

Impulsively, Tiana yelled, “No!” and hit Vadik’s hand away before he could touch it, but the spirit instead touched her. She screamed at the icy touch as her hand started to blacken. Before Vadik could do anything, the other two spirits launched themselves at Tiana and disappeared inside of her. 

The small selka girl’s skin began to turn inky black, and she lost her footing, beginning to fall, but Vadik caught her in time. He cradled her in his arms, watching as his best friend faded before his eyes. 

“No! No no no! Tiana! Tiana! What have I done!” he cried out. As the inky blackness began to flow up her neck, Tiana’s face went blank and she began to speak nonsense from her lips, before slowly being enveloped. Her eyes glassed over, before glowing a pale white. Then her body grew still, leaving Vadik alone.

He held her body, shocked at the sudden turn of events. Before he could even grief, movement caught his eye and he looked up to see hundreds of motes, drifting lazily down from the sky, absorbing into anything they came into contact with. Fear kicked in, but before he ran, he set Tiana in the water, and watched the black waters became her grave.

Then Vadik ran, tears streaming down his face. He had to get to the village. He had to warn them. 

[hider=Summary]
Young Selka friends swim at a waterfall, only to be attacked by Mar Motes. 
[/hider]