Gifts of the Crysnix

by Lisa G. Shore

Overview

What if a simple wish had the power to change your life?

Beautiful creatures from a parallel universe watch over the humans in a small seaside town. A breathtaking new worldso perfect, so enchanting that we want to believeunfolds as we witness the journey of new friends, who lead us toward our own personal triumphs. They have harnessed the power to bend time and grant wishes.

Elixir will do just fine, Marsuveus said with conviction. He doesnt know it yet but he has tremendous power behind him. He is fulfilling his destiny.

At that moment, the storm hit full force, and the animals and Crysnix cowered for cover. The hurricane whipped and tore at Galvin Cove and shredded the young trees of Castle Forest. It seemed it was only a matter of time before the Dark Prince Onyx would win.

The king flew above them all on the back of Marsuveus and shouted to the expectant faces below.

Take heart! Remember our strategy! Fight the fear! Fight the fear!

All it takes is the will to believe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781504339667
Publisher:	Balboa Press
Publication date:	10/05/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	226
File size:	755 KB

About the Author

Studies in advertising art at Red River College led Lisa into the fields of television and design. The creative challenges of copywriting took a personal turn when she began to write for her young children. Inspired by the forest around her family island home, nature set the scene for the magic that came to life on the page. Lisa publishes her books to share with kids of all sizes who have big imaginations.

Read an Excerpt

Gifts of the Crysnix

All It Takes Is The Will To Believe

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By Lisa G. Shore

Balboa Press

Copyright © 2015 Lisa G. Shore
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5043-3965-0

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CHAPTER 1

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.

— Henry David Thoreau

Fidget the firefly was heading home. A flash here, a blink there, his trail enticed the eye with its teasing, luminescent dots and swirls. Over the hill at the edge of the small town of Galvin Cove, he made his way as he looked down at the rooftops and felt the fresh, evening breeze under his wings. He dipped toward the ground to see through windows as he sailed past on the soft winds of the early evening.

He saw a man turning out the lights to the hardware store, jingling his keys as he locked the door. Fidget noticed that he looked very tired as he slowly walked toward his home. Twinkling down the street, Fidget saw a pretty, blonde girl dancing in front of her bedroom mirror, and a few doors down, a boy was working on his bike in a dimly lit garage. An old lady, sound asleep in her rocking chair, marked the end of the street with rhythmic snores coming from her living room window.

The old lady lived at the edge of Galvin Cove and across the lane that bordered the edge of the wooded, lush, rolling hills and streams of Castle Forest. Fidget smiled as he turned toward the forest.

He was closer to home now, and the cool glades at the edge of the forest drew him deeper into the dark. Fidget could actually smell the dew settling on the green expanse below him like a sweet mist on velvet. As he passed the pond with the singing crickets and frogs, over the ferns and toward the trees, he strained his eyes to see the first hint of light from the Crysnix Kingdom. He wished his little friend Bonkalin would fly out to meet him, but he knew he would be tucked into bed by then. In the darkness, many fireflies blinked to him in welcome, and Fidget turned past the grand white pine as he dipped toward the magical glow of the kingdom beyond.

Fidget smiled his tiny smile as he finally caught sight of the Crystal Palace and its Grand Ceremonial Grounds through the dense ferns. It was the night of another Volare Solus ceremony and the Crysnix were flittering all around, decorating and preparing for the big event. From a distance, he could barely see the glow, so hidden from the human world it was. Now that he was past the camouflage of the forest, the beauty mesmerized Fidget once again.

The Crystal Palace and the grounds around it were pulsing with excitement. There were Crysnix everywhere. Some were setting out chairs row upon row, with a petal-laden path down the middle. Others were arranging flowers in crystal urns that marched up the many stairs of the palace at the end of the path. That was where the ceremony usually took place.

There was a huge banquet being prepared at the far end of the ceremonial grounds, and everywhere, there were butterflies, hummingbirds, dragonflies, spiders, ants, and caterpillars helping with their many hands. He caught sight of his friend, Windalee, helping her mother. Her brother, Drummond, was to be the guest of honor. Fidget flew over and waved at Windalee.

"Have fun tonight!" he called as he whirred into the darkness.

"See ya later, Fidget!" Windalee called after him.

Windalee was so excited. She couldn't wait for the party to begin. She was having so much fun helping with the decorations. She was helping her mother, Althena, with the final touches of what she thought would be the most beautiful Volare Solus she ever saw. Spiders strung webs that would soon be dotted with dew, creating a canopy over the entire expanse of the ceremonial grounds. Butterflies and young hummingbirds strung garlands of flowers, and in the background, ants and caterpillars marched in with the food for the feast.

"Mother, when can I have my Volare Solus ceremony?" Windalee said and turned to her mother with a longing look. "My wings are almost starting to shrink, and I am working so hard at school."

"Dear Windy, you know it's not for me to determine such things." Althena smiled over at her young daughter. "I think you may still have a few years to wait." Windalee's mother stole a glance at the size of the Crysnix wings that were on her daughter's back and chuckled to herself as she went back to arranging some flowers.

Althena, like all adult Crysnix, glowed with a faint, blue translucence to her skin. The ancients say it is the visible glow from the power of the universe hidden deep within the pure of heart. Her beauty was heightened by the deep wisdom in her violet eyes that complemented the flowing, auburn hair cascading over her shoulders. Her tastes were simple; she wore the flowing, white robes of ancient Greece. With her gowns crossed with silken ropes of spun gold and seed pearls, she looked more like a goddess, although her humility would never allow her to make the comparison.

One can never rush the Volare Solus process. A Crysnix must earn the right to the ceremony by not only growing older but also by learning to be wise and honorable. With each life lesson, their wings shrink and, eventually, the Crysnix can fly without them.

Windalee knew this. She worked hard at school and was one of her teacher, Miss Aderra's, star pupils. However, one lesson she had not yet learned was to enjoy her youth. Windalee, like so many adolescent humans, kept wishing she were older. She sighed audibly, which made her mother smile again, and she went back to her decorating.

Across the forest, Elixir looked up at the fading wisps of daylight. Twilight. He could smell it. He breathed the evening air in deeply, enjoying the cool and fragrant freshness. He picked his way through the fiddleheads on his way toward Drummond's home. He was one of his closest friends. Drummond and Elixir had grown up together, and when Elixir remembered his nervousness before his own Volare Solus ceremony, he had offered to give his buddy some moral support.

Elixir had been in a weird mood all day. He had tried to keep himself busy and distracted, but somehow, all the old memories kept worming their way into his thoughts. He was so proud of Drummond. He was like his little brother. Now he had grown into an adult. Elixir didn't know it yet, but this night was going to be a turning point for both of them.

Elixir winced as the memories wound into his brain again. Tragedy had made him grow up fast. He was devastated when his father, Sir Mercury, disappeared. His mother had died in childbirth, and Elixir had adored his father. They did everything together. When his father had left Elixir on his own at a young age, Drummond's family had taken him in and raised him. What was even more unbearable than becoming an orphan was the shame he felt at his father's weakness.

His father had been so strong, so respected as one of the Good King Lucent's favorite knights. He had belonged to the Royal Order of the Crystal Knighthood. A fatal flaw had been the catalyst to his end, and the end of Elixir's confidence as well. Elixir always wondered if he possessed the same weakness as his father. Would he cave under pressure and let others down? Throughout his childhood, he felt the eyes of his neighbors on his back. He thought they were judging him, when, in reality, they felt so terribly sad and sorry for him.

As he grew up, Elixir fought the loneliness with the acquisition of knowledge. When it came time for his Volare Solus ceremony, he was the youngest member of his community to shed his wings.

Elixir's dreams of becoming a knight were buried deep beneath his quest for knowledge. He yearned for the chance to serve King Lucent and somehow make up for his father's shortcomings. His Solus Volare gift to the community was a communications laboratory that rivaled any in all of the Crystal Kingdoms throughout the world. He loved the king, and the high point in his life occurred when he was made the royal communications officer to the Crystal Kingdom. Elixir vowed that day to never let the king down as his father had done.

Despite the shame, he still loved the memory of his father. He had been loving and kind and so excited by life. Elixir mirrored his handsome features and was fueled by the same passion for justice.

Through the darkness, Elixir could see, in a towering oak tree, a warm glow of welcoming lights that rimmed the base. Three arches with tiny, leaded windowpanes flanked each side of the carved oak door, and nine round windows above indicated the second floor. A small balcony topped the home, with French doors from a small office opening to the vista of the forest beyond.

Elixir smiled to think of his talented friend, Drummond, always dreaming up the most beautiful architecture from that small office. Inside, Drummond paced the main floor living room and thought about the ceremony; he was looking forward to getting some advice from Elixir. He smiled with relief when there was a knock at his door.

"Hey, I'm so glad you're here. I can't believe how nervous I am," Drummond said, opening the door and stepping aside to let Elixir in.

Drummond was a bundle of creative energy — always had been. His eyes usually danced with excitement at the prospect of a challenge, but this night, he looked a little overwhelmed.

"Don't worry, Drum. It's tough at first to stand in front of the whole kingdom, but just remember, we are your friends," Elixir said soothingly. "We want you to have a good ceremony just as much as you do."

"Thanks," replied Drummond. "I just hope my granted wish will be worthy enough. I've been watching Josh. You know the guy I'm talking about? He's going through such a struggle."

There was a gang of teenagers in Galvin Cove who hung out and got into serious trouble. A dropout named Mitch Benson headed it up. He was a couple of years older than the other kids and somehow had a sordid charisma that drew them to him. Josh was lonely and wanted to be cool, but he was looking for acceptance in the wrong places.

"I know who you mean. Poor kid. His parents are never home. I saw him out late the other night. That tough kid, Mitch, was trying to get Josh to throw mud at old Miss Hart's door as a kind of initiation into the gang." Elixir shook his head sadly.

Drummond sat down and leaned closer to his friend. With a serious tone in his voice, he said, "I've been reading his mind and I know he doesn't want to be a bad person. He just needs acceptance in the worst way. For my first granted wish, I want to be there to help him make the right decision about being in the gang."

All of a sudden, he leapt up and started pacing and wringing his hands.

"What pressure! This Volare Solus challenge is harder than I thought. First, I have to recite my understanding of the Laws of Light and then read from the Ark of Quintessence ... whoa, that's huge! ... and then present my gift to the kingdom ..." He sat down with his head in his hands. "Then I have to grant the first wish. What if it doesn't go the way I expect? What if Josh really just wants to be bad and I have misjudged him?" His voice started rising. "What if he makes the wrong wish? I'm freakin' out man!"

"Okay, hey! Chill. I'm supposed to be giving you moral support here." Elixir sat across from him and put his hand on his shoulder. "Listen, you have to trust the process. You wouldn't be having a Volare Solus ceremony unless you were ready. I know it's hard now, with everything looming ahead of you. Just trust yourself, Drum. Keep your head. Remain in control and always see the end result in your mind. You'll make it happen."

"I'm so intimidated by the Ark," Drummond said miserably.

"Oh, man! That's one of the best parts! It is so cool to even touch it. And when you read those words — the ones to reveal the power of the ethereal transfer," Elixir paused and took a deep breath, "you feel like, like your moment has come, like everything you have ever known and wondered about, finally makes sense."

"Awesome. Still, I'd be so nervous to have to perform an ET. To turn back time is so huge."

"Don't be. Remember, an ethereal transfer is the power of the universe. It is all-knowing and perfect. You are just the catalyst to set it in motion when you say the ancient words. It is the power of the wish that is in control."

Elixir went on slowly. This was powerful stuff he was telling his friend.

"When a human wishes for something not to have happened and you have to turn back time, the power of the new wish takes over and time moves forward again. It's like a second chance, not only for the person who wished, but also for the whole world. The Volare Solus process makes sure you have the maturity not to tell anyone because only you know the future. Also, only you knows the ET ever happened."

"Thanks." Drummond took a deep breath. He tried to sit still, but his long curls bounced as his foot started to twitch. Elixir smiled at his friend.

"You know, Drum, this is a big night for both of us." Elixir began. "When I came to live with your family, I was a mess. You were like my little brother, and I felt I had to get myself together for you."

"You have always been there for me, Elixir."

"Just want to say I'm really proud of you, Bro. Your first wish will go fine." Elixir smiled.

"So how did your first wish go? I mean, really," Drummond asked him. "We all know that Sarah Silver started to believe in herself. But how did you actually know when she was going to make the right wish?"

A shadow crossed Elixir's face and he stood. Slowly, he crossed the room to the window and looked out into the night. His back remained to Drummond.

"I had been watching Sarah for a long time. I was fascinated with her." Looking into the night, Elixir became lost in thoughts that echoed from the past.

CHAPTER 2

Friendship is a slow ripening fruit.

— Aristotle

Elixir's father had disappeared when he had been a young Crysnix, about the equivalent age of a six-year-old human, and Sarah was a toddler. Shortly after it happened, Elixir couldn't help himself. He had to get a look at the daughter of his father's nemesis.

There were so many confusing forces drawing him to her. At first, it was a compelling curiosity. Her mother had been the woman his father had lost his reason over.

Dealing with the grief, loneliness, and loss, he had felt a combination of accusation and sympathy toward the little girl. After all, she had lost a parent too. Finally, one afternoon, he invisibly flew through town, following the tug of energy that had confused him for so long. When he finally arrived at her house, he saw a young girl playing hopscotch by herself.

There was something about the tilt of her head that reminded him of his own loneliness. The determination to play alone for hours feigning contentment was held tightly in her clenched little fists. The sun danced through her white-blonde hair as she hopped and turned, hopped and turned. He hadn't expected to be mesmerized by her beauty and was filled with compassion for the girl who had lost her mother.

Over the years, Elixir kept a protective eye on her. They grew up together, although she felt only the tiniest tingling of his existence as her hair rose on the back of her neck when he was near. He knew what was in her heart and could feel her spirit rise above her fate, as did his.

As time went on, they got strong together, burying their grief and immersing themselves in their passion for life. She spent hours at dance classes and was able to relieve her pain with the ability to express herself silently. But, even after all the hours in pursuit of knowledge and ability, just as Elixir fought for the feeling of acceptance, she never thought of herself as worthy of knowing success.

Elixir knew that although her father loved her very much, he was not there for her enough. He was one of three overworked doctors in the whole town. He would comment on her dancing as being beautiful, but he never taught Sarah to believe in herself. There was a difference. Sometimes a child just has to hear the words, "I'm proud of you," rather than "I love you," often by rote. Although the words were well meant, they lost their meaning when he mumbled them with his eyes in a book rather than looking into hers. Elixir had vowed to help Sarah. She would be the one to make his Volare Solus wish.

All of this, Elixir felt in an instantaneous rush of sadness, longing, and resignation. He felt a pang in his chest and shifted his weight to his other foot as he looked up at another Volare Solus full moon.

Drummond went into the kitchen to get them both a drink of water as Elixir's memory drew him back to that fateful night and his memory became real for him, as it had done so many times before. As Drummond handed him a glass of water, Elixir recalled the evening as if he were in a trance

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Gifts of the Crysnix by Lisa G. Shore. Copyright © 2015 Lisa G. Shore. Excerpted by permission of Balboa Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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