Audrey ran for her life. Her enemies were gaining on her. She ran up the wall of dirt next to her, parkour style, and notched her last arrow. She only had one shot at this. She heard the monster rounding the corner, it’s long tail dragging over the leaves. She caught a glimpse of it’s green scaly skin. Audrey pulled her bowstring taut, ready to fire. She took a deep breath. The monster came into view. It was a huge dragon, green and scaly, with fire for eyes. It lunged. Audrey fired her arrow wildly and ran. She heard it gaining and. felt the heat on her back. All she knew was she needed to save the metal tube in her pocket. Rounding the corner she saw a stone archway with guards stationed next to it. She lengthened her strides, hoping, longing to get there. She actually thought she might make it. 

Wham! The dragons paw slammed into her, sending her flying about thirty yards. Audrey landed hard, tasting blood in her mouth. Her hand flew to her pocket. There was only seconds before the dragon got to her. Pulling the tube out of her pocket, she looked at it. It wasn’t much. Just a bronze cylinder. She heard yelling from the direction of the doorway as the dragon charged towards her. She was ready. She sat up, her body aching in protest. Audrey fought her way to her feet, and threw the tube at the archway guards hooping they found it and got inside. Turning she faced the dragon as fire consumed her.  

“Ms.Perry, if you’d be so kind to join us for class,” Mrs.Gatssen’s voice jolted her back to reality. Audrey opened her eyes to the classes’ laughter. She didn’t know what happened. She’d fallen asleep in school before, but this was different. She wasn’t even tired. The vision had abducted her right in the middle of Mrs.Gatssen’s lecture on the Pythagorean theorem.

“Ms.Perry, if you fall asleep in my class one more time, I will personally ensure you are suspended,” Mrs.Gatssen said, her hawkish eyes boring into Audrey’s head. What else was new? Audrey was threatened with suspension all the time. 

“Yes ma'am,” Audrey muttered, annoyed. It’s not like she hadn’t got in trouble before. She was sent to the principal’s office so much, he had gotten a special chair with a cup holder for her. The funny part about it was, Audrey was never ineligible for anything. Her grades were straight A+ 's. She was in all the ‘smart’ classes, and got all of her homework in on time. 

She didn’t look like a delinquent, but every teacher in every school she had gone to had pegged her as the trouble maker. She had curly auburn brown hair that cascaded down her back like water. Her skin was fair. She looked like the stereotypical popular girl that every guy would go head over heels over. Except her electric blue eyes. One look into those cold eyes, and people would back off.

Audrey practically ran out of the school when the final bell rang. She dashed into the woods, weaving through trees and branches. She had to find some answers. She ran for a long time before she reached her destination. A small clearing with a crystal clear pool in the middle. 

  Audrey had read about pools of water left from the lost island of Atlantis that had magic qualities if you drank it. This pool definitely qualified. It spoke wisdom into the mind of the one who drank. Audrey took a sip. It was as cold as ice.

“Ask for wisdom seeker, and I will give,” the voice spoke in her mind. 

Audrey launched right into her story, “In the middle of Geometry I had a vision,” she told her vision, explaining every detail.

“You saw your destiny,” the voice said, “that event will happen to you one day. The dragon of fire will seek you out.You cannot change that.” Audrey’s head drooped. 

“There is something you can change,” it continued, “you will have a choice to either stand your ground and fight death, or you can let it claim you.”

“How can I fight death,” Audrey wondered aloud. The voice sighed in her head. 

“I’m afraid I cannot say,” the voice said, “but I can give you a clue. Audrey Perry. Do you know what your name means?” Audrey shook her head.

The voice continued, “Audrey means brave, strong, and powerful. Perry means lonely wanderer. And names give people power. You are powerful, strong, and brave, but you wander alone. There are more Atlantian warriors, but they are a group. To prove yourself worthy of Atlantis you must find your own way to New Atlantis. That is all I can tell you today.” The voice went silent.  

Audrey sighed and walked away. She understood the wandering alone part. Her father had died five years ago, and she had never met her mom. But she didn’t feel powerful, strong, or brave. 

Ever since her dad had died, Audrey had trained herself in weapons, parkour and martial arts. She knew how to use just about any weapon. She read about the monsters that inhabited the woods, but had never seen or fought one. She wondered if she’d have any experience fighting before her final battle with the dragon. Thinking about the dragon led to questions about her vision. What was in the tube? Where did the stone archway lead? Without realizing it, she reached her house. 

Audrey lived in the house her dad had left her when she was ten. It wasn’t a big house, just a two bedroom-one bathroom flat. Audrey went to bed without bothering to even change clothes. She fell asleep and immediately plunged into a dream almost as vivid as her vision. 

Audrey saw a girl running. As she got closer, she realized it was her cousin Thelea. They had gone to school together at one of the schools Audrey had got expelled from. That was so long ago, Audrey didn’t remember what she got kicked out for. Thelea was Audrey’s best and only friend. Thelea had olive skin and eyes so hazel they looked gold. Her curly black hair was bouncing as she ran. Thelea saw Audrey next to her, and her gold eyes widened. She skidded to a stop and hid behind a climb of bushes. 

“What are you doing here,” Thelea asked in a whisper.

“Wait...you mean you can see me? This is weird,” Audrey said.

“Shhh! What do you mean it’s weird,” Thelea breathed, “and please keep it down, I don’t want it to see me.”

“You don’t want what to see you,” Audrey asked, her voice fell to a whisper as Thelea gestured to be quiet. 

“There is a monster chasing me. Now how are you here? I haven’t seen you for six years,” Thelea said quietly. 

“I honestly don’t know how I’m here,” Audrey whispered, “I fell asleep and ended up here,”  

As she talked, the monster rounded the corner. It was a huge snake with glowing green eyes. Audrey looked into its eyes and saw it’s look of hatred.

“Don’t look into its eyes,” Thelea hissed, averting her gaze, “It will turn you into dust.”

“I just looked into its eyes, and I’m ok,” Audrey said confused.

“You are?! Is there anyway you can take out it’s eyes,” Thelea said, hope in her voice. Audrey smiled. 

“Do you have a bow and arrow?”

Audrey loved shooting a bow. She felt like it was an extension of her sword. It was her favorite weapon. She was surprised and delighted when her dreamlike form could hold the bow. As the serpent got closer, Audrey stepped out of the bushes. It lunged, but a well placed arrow pierced it’s eye. It fell back howling. Another arrow lodged in it’s other eye. Thelea jumped out of the bushes and cut the serpent’s head off with her sword. It disintegrated into a pile of scales. 

“Yeah good teamwork,” Audrey said, high-fiving Thelea.

“I don’t know how you are able to do that given that you are technically sleeping.”

“It’s weird,” Audrey agreed, “I don’t feel like I’m sleeping.”

“Do you think you can stay in your dream-vision for any longer? I want to show you something,” Thelea said, walking. 

“I don’t know, but I’ll try. What do you want to show me,” Audrey asked, following Thelea’s lead.

“New Atlantis. It’s a secluded area in the woods that has bits of the magical island Atlantis in it. We built a city around them to keep them safe,” Thelea said as they walked.

“The Atlantis pool of wisdom said something about New Atlantis,” Audrey remembered.

Thelea stopped, “You know where the Atlantis wisdom pool is! It’s the only one missing from new Atlantis.”

“It’s in the woods by my new house,” Audrey said, “There are other Atlantis pools?” 

“There is a strength pool, a beauty pool, and a pool of mysteries,” Thelea listed off the pools of New Atlantis, “but the pool of wisdom would be the most powerful and valuable, if that is really what you found.” They continued walking. 

After walking for a while, a stone archway became visible in the distance. Audrey stopped. It was the archway from her vision. She looked behind her expecting to see the dragon chasing her, but she saw nothing. 

“What’s wrong Audrey,” Thelea asked looking concerned. 

The voice of the Atlantis wisdom pool spoke in Audrey’s head, “your choice will come.”

“Thelea, I think I have to go,” Audrey said, her hands turning into vapor. Thelea said something, but it was lost as Audrey floated away weightless.

She woke up to the sun rising. So many questions had been answered. Her mind was buzzing with information, so she got up and took a walk. Audrey walked to her favorite coffee shop and ordered a hot chocolate. She sipped it as she walked back home. 

“Audrey Perry.” Audrey jumped violently. The person who spoke was a tall woman with black hair cascading down her shoulders. Her pale skin made her electric blue eyes stand out like daggers.

“Mom,” Audrey guessed, staring at the woman’s eyes. The woman’s expression softened. 

“Yes. I am your mother. I am Atlanta, the spirit of Atlantis,” Atlanta said. Audrey must have had a look of confusion on her face because her mother sighed in exasperation.  

Her mother continued, “Atlantis is named after me. Since the original island is no more, I am now the spirit of New Atlantis.”

“Are all the warriors of New Atlantis are your kids,” Audrey said alarmed.

Atlanta laughed, “No my child. You are special in that way. Which makes the task ahead of you very difficult.”

“By any chance, does this task ahead include bringing a tube to New Atlantis,” Audrey asked, dreading the answer. Her mother winced and held out her hand, which contained the bronze cylinder from Audrey’s vision. 

“Will you do it,” she asked. Audrey didn’t need to think about it. She had decided what to do. 

“I will,” she said bravely. Atlanta smiled.

“Since you are so brave and willing, I have some gifts for you that will help you achieve your goal,” Atlanta said. She snapped her fingers and a shining bow and a quiver of arrows appeared in her hands next to the bronze cylinder.

Audrey caught her breath. The bow and quiver were smooth and sleek. She reached out, letting her hand hover over the weapon. 

“I don’t know what to say,” Audrey said.

Her mother smiled, “a simple thank you would suffice.”

“Thank you,” Audrey said picking up the weapon and the bronze cylinder. She looked at the cylinder closely. It didn’t look like much.

“That container holds great power,” Atlanta’s expression grew grim, “it is of utmost importance. Without it, I fear New Atlantis will not survive. The original Atlantis was destroyed because of a similar power used wrongly.” Audrey suddenly felt queasy. The power to save a kingdom was in her hands. 

“I will not fail you,” Audrey said, trying to steady her voice. Her mother smiled, and started to disappear. Audrey walked away.

“Oh and Audrey,” Audrey turned and looked at Atlanta as she continued to disappear, “I love you.” Atlanta disappeared completely. Audrey stood rooted in the cement. 

“I love you too Mom,” she said. Audrey turned and headed back towards her house weighted down with her new weapon and the power to destroy or preserve a great kingdom.

“I’ve got this,” Audrey told herself as she walked through the woods. She had quickly changed at home before coming to the woods. Her bow and arrows were slung over her shoulder. The container of power was safely stowed in her pocket. Only when she reached the woods did Audrey realize she had no idea where to go. As she walked, she constantly glanced behind her expecting a dragon to appear out of nowhere. 

She walked for what felt like hours. Eventually, she started looking for a clearing in the hopes that there was a pool of water. Finally, she reached a clearing, but she wasn’t alone. The dragon from her dream stood staring at her from across the water. It looked even more terrifying than she remembered. It had glowing emerald green scales, and where the eyes would be, small fires burned showing it’s hatred. It emitted a low growl from its throat. Audrey drew her bow and rained arrows. Arrow after arrow she fired. The arrows made no dent whatsoever. The dragon lunged. She turned and fled, randomly firing arrows behind her. 

Audrey ran for her life. The dragon was gaining on her. She ran up the wall of dirt next to her, parkour style, and notched her last arrow. She only had one shot at this. She heard the monster rounding the corner, it’s long tail dragging over the leaves. She caught a glimpse of it’s green scaly skin. Audrey pulled her bowstring taut, ready to fire. She took a deep breath. The monster came into view. It lunged. Audrey fired her arrow wildly and ran. She heard it gaining and felt the heat on her back. She felt for the metal tube in her pocket. It was still there. She had to get it to New Atlantis somehow. She rounded the corner and saw her goal: the stone archway with Thelea and another guard stationed next to it. She lengthened her strides, hoping, longing to get there. Knowing what was coming didn’t make it any less painful when it happened.

The dragon’s paw slammed into her, sending her flying about thirty yards. Audrey landed hard, tasting blood in her mouth. She had definitely broken a few bones. Her hand flew to her pocket. There was only seconds before the dragon got to her. She pulled out the tube that her mother had given her. She heard yelling from the direction of the doorway as the dragon charged towards her. She was ready. She sat up, her broken body aching in protest. Audrey fought her way to her feet, and threw the tube at the archway guards. She only hoped they found it and got inside. Turning she faced the dragon as fire consumed her.  

Audrey was standing on an island that glowed gold in the light of the setting sun. Her mouth hung open in awe. Everything she saw was perfectly shaped and spaced. It looked like a place that could last forever. 

“Beautiful isn’t it,” Audrey jumped in surprise at the sound of Atlanta’s voice, “Do you know where we are?”

“Atlantis,” Audrey knew immediately. The feeling the island gave her reminded her of the feeling she got every time she was around her mom. 

“Why am I here,” Audrey asked, “did I die?” The question felt weird on her lips. Atlanta pondered. 

“That is your choice. Do you want to fight death, or let it claim you,” Atlanta said.

“The Atlantis wisdom pool told me the exact same thing,” Audrey remembered. To her surprise, her mother laughed.

“My child, I am the voice of the Atlantis wisdom pool,” said Atlanta.

“How do I fight death,” Audrey asked. 

“Before you choose, let me tell you that if you let death consume you, you will be able to stay here forever with me,” her mother said. 

“I’m sorry mom, but that dragon is still alive, and my friends need me. How do I fight death,” Audrey repeated her question. Atlanta smiled sadly. 

“That is a noble choice. You must simply will yourself to wake up. Before you do that, I must tell you that if this is your choice, you will not see me until after your death,” Atlanta said, grief in her voice, “but I know you need to go. You will find a home at New Atlantis.”

Audrey hugged her mother. She felt tears dripping off her mother's face into her hair. 

“I will miss you Mom,” Audrey said, “but I have to go back. I love you.” Her mother nodded. Audrey closed her eyes and willed herself to wake up. 

She was laying on the ground feeling hot. The fire had passed over her without leaving a mark. She stood up and found her quiver full of arrows. Notching six arrows at a time, she fired at the dragon’s face. Charging forward, she continued firing arrows until the dragon looked like a green porcupine. It disintegrated slowly leaving a single scale behind. Audrey relaxed. During her battle, she hadn’t felt her injuries, but now they were returning in a wave of pain. Tears fell down her face from the grief of leaving her mother behind. She wondered if she’d regret her choice. Shrugging that thought off, Audrey turned and limped towards her new home.