Writing Contest [1]

[Penguiduck]

New contest, anyone? ^-^ Here's how it works: read the passage that I have provided to you. After reading the passage, write a second part which continues the story.

I will judge your entry off of the following: literacy, post length, grammar, creativity and sheer uniqueness.

Also, please keep in mind these regulations:
- Your entry must have a maximum of 1000 words. I don't care how short it is but if it is any longer than 1000, I will not read it.
- I am only allowing one entry per person.
- The due date will be April 25th, which gives you a few weeks to complete this challenge.
- All members who participate will earn my gratitude and love. XD Not that you guys don't have it already.
- Your entry does not necessarily have to complete the story [but it can if you wish it]. I just want an intriguing excerpt.
- Feel free to identify the characters, give them names, personalities, etc.
- As for prizes... normally, when I host contests, I draw for the winners but, unfortunately, my scanner has been unhooked from my originally computer, which is the only one in the house with the software to scan things. Thus, I cannot provide art for people, especially since I'm horrible with computer manipulation and while I can draw with a mouse, it's terribly difficult and time-consuming. For right now, there will only be a first place. If I am impressed with the entries, there will, perhaps, be more awards. ^-^ Here's the deal.

[x] The winner can receive a complete and thorough critique from me, one which addresses every aspect of his or her piece [the plot, the characters, the writing itself]. I will answer any questions and work one-on-one for however long the author needs my advice. However, I am limiting the critiqued piece to a single post or else I'll be at it forever.

Or...

[x] The winner can discuss a situation with me; if he or she would like me to write something particularly for another purpose, I would be willing to do that as long as some consensus is reached. For example, if he or she wants me to write a description for a certain aspect of a piece, then I will do so, if and ONLY IF, I receive credit for my writing. Of course, it also depends on what kind of writing it is [if it is beyond my knowledge, skill, willingness, etc.]

Or...

[x] The winner can suggest a character which I will introduce as a dedication to that particular person in my series, Jaharaan Love. For those of you who actually read the story on Quizilla, you know that it is in second person, where the reader is the main character. As long as I approve, and the character fits into the plot, etc, I will dedicate a character to the winner, who will star in one of the upcoming chapter editions. Click here for the first chapter.

Finally, good luck and have fun! Feel free to ask questions or post comments in this thread.

There she stood, her hands closed into small fists. All of her life, she had been taught about this moment, this task that she was trained to accomplish. But now, she was unsure of whether or not she had the courage to continue. “Be strong,” she whispered to herself, though her own voice quivered. She knew what had to be done. Taking a breath, she approached the altar, bowing her head toward the single ray of light which shined upon the center of the offering table.

The statues from the temple were as still as ever, their stone eyes focused upon the girl who had dared to set foot into their domain. Their eyes were not unkind, however. They simply stared, never averting their gaze, which only made the guest uncomfortable. From her neck, the girl removed a necklace—one with a metal charm set heavy upon it. The charm itself was shaped like that of a scorpion, its claws strong and the stinger tail wrapped around its body. It was threaded onto a steel chain, which appeared to be thin but was, in fact, quite strong. The charm was elaborate, jewels of diamond and ruby sealed onto its body, while the curves were intricately carved out.

She fingered it for a short while, eying the medallion cautiously. Her mind flitted back to the task to which she was appointed, and her heart fell. Still, she remained loyal to her people, those who needed her the most. She would do it for them, for her family, her friends, those future generations. With a deep sigh, she stared at the medallion as though taking the time to face her fears. Finally, she grazed the medallion lightly with her fingers one last time, opening her mouth to chant the spell which would allow the evil to be destroyed forever.

“Wait!”

The girl turned around to see a young man running toward her. “Rhoeic!” She had both hoped for and hoped against his arrival. “What’re you doing here?”

Rhoeic stopped as he neared her, a look of disbelief upon his face. “What am I doing here? You can’t be serious! Don’t expect me to believe that you don’t know already. I can’t let you do this, Arlistum! It’s not worth it.”

Arlistum blinked. “What do you mean? I have to do this…”

“No, you don’t. Arlis, listen to me. You don’t have to do this. You won’t save the world by destroying yourself! I don’t care what the priests say. We’ll find another way around this ordeal.”

“What if there isn’t one? Rhoeic... please, this is the only way.”

The young man’s eyes narrowed slightly, not in anger but in frustration. “You don’t know that! No one has ever tried finding another way because they’ve never had to! Think about all those people out there—their lives aren’t at stake. Yours is! Are you really ready to die?”

The girl paused, thinking about his words carefully. What he said did make sense, and she knew for a fact that she didn’t want to leave the world at such a young age. Death was a frightening prospect but Arlis would have suffered through any tribulation as long as it would save her people. She had never considered another option because, in her mind, this was the only alternative. It was what she was raised to believe. She glanced at the medallion within her hand. “What am I supposed to do with this? Everyone is depending on me—”

Rhoeic interrupted, “—that doesn’t matter if we lose you.”

From the halls of the temple echoed more footsteps. “Arlis? Rhoeic! Oh good, you found her!” A man, older than the other two by, perhaps five to seven years, rushed into the room, a small girl trailing behind him. He looked at the Arlis' face, finding his tongue. “Arlis, I know that you want nothing but the best for this world but please understand that we do too. To die in order to distinguish evil is a good cause, yet, I do not want to see it end this way…” His voice trailed off eventually and the younger girl was left to speak.

“We don’t want to see you die. Please don’t leave us,” she pleaded, her eyes on the verge of being wet with tears which threatened to spill.

“We’ll figure something out,” Rhoeic said, his voice finally calming after the arrival of the other two. “We promise. We got you this far, didn’t we? I know that we can push a bit harder and end this journey somewhere else… somewhere else where you can enjoy life too.” He held out his hand for the medallion.

Arlis stared at Rhoeic’s eyes, her gaze averting then to his outstretched appendage. Slowly, she lowered the metal charm into his hand, though the scorpion medallion never touched his skin. They were interrupted by someone.

“What a charming reunion!” a dark voice boomed, its owner stepping from the shadows. “I’ve come to claim something that belongs to the master. Hand me the medallion.”