I have no idea how to explain this. If you’ve ever read the book, ‘The White Stag’, then you’ll get that it’s basically the same thing, only with more modern settings. If you don’t know what that book is and never read it, then never mind. Just read.

Ethereal

Chapter One

The First Encounter

‘I never should have trusted Jim and Kenzan to go get water by their selves. They’re probably making out.’ Bastion thought bitterly as he poked at the fire before him with a stick. He sighed. ‘I agreed, as a friend and as an archaeologist, to come with them and help them on this little paleontology expedition, but now look, it’s almost dark and they’ve left me quite alone at camp.’ Bastion sighed again, dejectedly. ‘Well, it is almost dark, but since they’re not back yet and I have nothing else to do, I’ll explore a bit.’ He decided.

Bastion grabbed a flashlight from his pack and a still full canteen of water before heading out. There were several trails, and he chose one that went seemingly straight, no hills at all. A few fireflies were already out and they lighted the trail before him. Bastion began to regret taking the path he had because the trees quickly started to close tightly at the top, blocking out any remaining daylight. ‘I guess I can always head back. I’ll just have to come back when there’s more light out, so it won’t be quite so dark.’ He reasoned.

As Bastion started to turn around, a flash of white caught his attention. He turned back, and discovered a white stag not far from him. ‘Oh, what a magnificent creature! And me without my camera.’ Bastion thought, staring awestruck at the stag. It looked right at him, and then started to walk away, although it stopped not far away and looked back at him. Bastion understood that the stag wanted him to follow, and thought it was pitch dark and he should have headed back, he did follow.

The stag never left his sight, but it never got to close either. Bastion received a sudden shock when it turned quickly and disappeared. Before he even had time to start to panic, he saw a light and heard music that was coming from somewhere off to his left. Bastion pushed his way through the brush and hanging tree limbs and discovered something more magnificent than the white stag. A fairy ring. ‘Amazing! I had heard of these, but I thought they were only myth.’ Women and men in robes of white danced, graceful as swans.

Others sat around the edges, playing strange instruments and producing beautiful music. But one caught Bastion’s attention almost immediately. Bastion couldn’t tell whether the gorgeous creature was male or female, but that didn’t stop him from falling in love at first sight. The creature had brunette hair that framed his face, deep chocolate orbs that glowed in the light of the fire, and perfect, unmarred skin. The white robes that it wore cascaded around it’s body, accentuating his looks.

Bastion, unthinkingly, stepped forward into the clearing. The music stopped almost immediately and all the fairies looked at him, startled. ‘Now I’ve done it.’ Bastion thought as whispering started between the creatures. A hand on his shoulder startled him. It was the fairy he had been staring at before. Bastion could tell that the creature was male now that he was up close. The brunette beauty was staring up at him curiously. He brought a hand up and experimentally placed it on Bastion’s cheek.

Bastion raised a hand and laid it gently against the fairy’s pale, slender hand. The brunette smiled brightly and spoke to the others, in a language Bastion couldn’t understand. All the other fairies went back to their light mood and the music started up again. The brunette entwined his fingers with Bastion’s and pulled him into the circle. “Um, I can’t dance, if that’s what you’re wanting.” He told his smaller companion. The fairy looked up at him questioningly. “Oh, dear, you can’t understand me, can you?” Bastion murmured.

The brunette seemed confused for another moment before he smiled and leaned forward, standing on tiptoes and pressing his lips to Bastion’s. Bastion was so shocked that he just stood there until the fairy pulled away. “What-?” The fairy cut him off by delicately pressing a finger to his lips. “It’s okay. I did that so we’d be able to understand each other.” The brunette explained. Bastion was momentarily shocked again. “Oh, well, um, like I was saying, I can’t dance.” He finally said.

The fairy just smiled brightly at him. “Nonsense. Anyone can dance.” And he started pulling Bastion into a series of movements along with the beat of the music playing. “Um, do you have a name?” Bastion asked. The fairy thought for a moment. “Well, my real name would probably be too complex, and I’m not sure if there’s even a way to say it in your language. But I was given a human name once, many years ago by another human that accidentally stumbled into not just this place, but fairy world itself. He called me Jaden Yuki.”

Bastion smiled. “Jaden Yuki? That’s beautiful.” He said. Jaden blushed softly. “What’s your name?” He asked. “Oh, it’s Bastion. Bastion Misawa.” Bastion told him. “I like that name.” Jaden said happily. After dancing for a little while longer, Jaden pulled him away. “It’s almost dawn now, so we must leave or be trapped here in this world. Will you return?” He questioned. Bastion gasped. “Nearly dawn? But it was nearly dusk when I left my camp. It’s impossible!” The raven-haired man exclaimed.

Jaden laughed. “This is a place enchanted by our magic. Time flies fast here. But, that doesn’t matter. Will you return? I want to see you again.” Jaden said, repeating his question. “If I can. Are all of here every night?” Bastion questioned. Jaden nodded. “Don’t worry about getting lost. The white stag will make sure to guide you the right way.” The brunette sighed and leaned against Bastion. The taller male wrapped his arms the brunette’s slender waist. “I must go now. Please, don’t forget me and your promise.” Jaden said sadly, pulling away.

Bastion watched as Jaden and all the others disappeared into the dark confines of the woods. “Damn, it’s nearly dawn. Jim and Kenzan are back by now, and have surely noticed my absence.” He cursed softly. The walk back to the camp seemed shorter than the walk up into the clearing. And he was right, Jim and Kenzan had noticed his absence. “Good lord! Where’ve you been mate? We were worried sick!” Jim exclaimed when Bastion walked into camp. “We thought something bad had happened to you.” Kenzan added.

Bastion sighed and sat in the chair that he had vacated many hours before. “No, nothing bad. But I am having a hard time believing what I saw was real.” He told them. “What? You come across a leprechaun and his lucky pot of gold or somethin’.” Kenzan joked. Bastion chuckled. “You have no idea.” He said, confusing his two friends.

TBC…

Wow, that was different. Well, please review and let me know what you thought.