Is everyone guaranteed a soulmate? A person who will devotedly love them with the entirety of their own heart? Compose a poem based off of the idea of destined love.

Do you know the language of the wind? How it sings with the morning birds? Or when it begins to storm, a solemn, harsh raging breath is released? I assume you do not, for wind reading has ceased from human literacy. I am the only remaining Wind Whisperer. I spent my youthful years studying the wind. It’s twirling shapes look like images of words. The speed of the wind many times emphasizes the wind’s mood. It’s a lonely craft; for the wind only has I to talk to. Did you know the wind is the most angered right now? I read it in the swift, rough twirls in the sky. _Anger. Rage. Punishment. _ The wind hates the toxic, suffocating toxins released from human technologies. More so often, I’ve heard the rants of the wind, and all I can ever do is offer words of wisdom and a listening ear. “_They have destroyed our breath!”_ The wind tells me each and everyday. “_They have taken our precious gift and turned it rotten!” _ Thunderstorms with furious winds threaten society, yet no one but me can understand the threats of the wind. I’ll have you know, the wind will destroy us one day. Soon our homes will be blown away, quite like how the wind’s home has been destroyed. Calming the wind is very hard, for sometimes it cannot hear my small voice over its strong, relentless tone. I am the only Wind Whisperer, and my only hope is that the wind and humans can coexist peacefully. No more should we destroy each other. And one last thing to ponder, next time you feel alone, remember the wind. It’s always listening, and constantly wishing for another soul to speak to.

In another life Our souls would intertwine, Like blooming blush roses Growing on an eternal vine. In another life Our hearts would synchronize, Beating a song of cheery love; A distinction not seen by the eyes. In another life Our love would be real; I could feel your beating heart And at last be miraculously healed! In another life You would love me, But that is not this life So I must set you free.

“In another life, our souls would intertwine, our hearts would synchronize, and our love would be real.” Compose a poem based off of this quote and theme of “in another life”.

The day of the battle has come, yet the question of whether the war will cease is unknown. Artemis, the golden Warrior King of the Southern Kingdom, smiles as his guards ornate him in golden armor. Orion, the shadow King of the Northern Kingdom, shakes his head, annoyed with Artemis’ arrogance. A circle is formed by warriors. Everyone has come to witness the downfall of an ancient kingdom. Can the golden warrior of light win against the shadows? Grimoire, the keeper of the unifying crown, steps forward. His long cloak drags on the dusty dirt. He holds the Horn of Renea, the battle horn that signifies both power and defeat. With his mighty voice, he amplifies the rules, “Two kings will fight for one kingdom. Union, it seems, is non-negotiable. Blood can only pay the price for a kingdom.” Grimoire swallows his heartbreak. Two bloodthirsty kings raging for more power. He addresses the kings, “At the sound of the Horn, you two may begin your battle. No magic may be used. If I suspect any magic or outside aid, you will be forced to forfeit by the power of the Horn. The crown will be given to the king that still stands.” Orion ties back his black curls, and rubs his muscles loose. Artemis lets his blond hair loose, and sharpens his sword. “Kings, take your places.” The two step on either side of Grimoire, a fight brewing beneath their skin. Guards of each opposing side stand to watch. Some whisper prayers. Others place bets. “Ready yourselves.” Grimoire raises the Horn to his lips, and with a powerful blow, a mystical song sounds, and the battle begins. The two kings circle each other, waiting for one to make the first move. Artemis eyes one of Orion’s scars on his face and remarks, “Too bad you have such a beautiful face. I’ll have to ruin it.” Orion shakes his head, and makes the first move. His jabs his sword, aiming at Artemis’ side, but Artemis sees it coming and deflects. Orion tries the same maneuver, but on the other side, but again gets deflected. Under heavy breathing, Artemis laughs, “It seems you underestimate me, Orion.” Orion smiles and slashes his sword downward, catching on Artemis’ armor and pulling it from his leg. “Hardly.” He responds. Anger fills Artemis as he makes a series of moves, slashing and swinging his sword in all directions. But Orion deflects each blow. Each king is tiring. Deven, Orion’s trusted companion, shakes his head in worry. If Orion loses, their kingdom will face corruption and death. Artemis continues his rage swings, but quickly stops when Orion successfully knicks Artemis’ shoulder. A small cut erupts blood, but no pain is felt. Only a burning passion. Both heavily breathing, they stop their sword movements and circle each other. “You don’t deserve the honor of ruling over both kingdoms.” Artemis spits with hatred. Orion tilts his head, “Honor? You believe you have the honor to rule?” Orion steals a glance to the Northern Mountains and pang of grief pricks him. “Artemis, you cannot claim to be honorable when you slaughtered half my people.” When the grief washed from Orion’s face, disgust replaces it. Artemis’ brows knit in confusion. “You dare accuse me of such an atrocity! My honor would never allow me to commit such crimes.” Artemis screams in rage and makes a move on Orion. His sword slashes down Orion’s stomach. Orion’s face falls in pain. “Orion!” Deven yells from the crowd, but Grimoire holds him back. Blood gushes from Orion’s stomach, but he still stands. How dare Artemis hold such deceit! His own people: mothers, fathers, children! Dead! Orion holds his stomach, feeling life slowly drain away with blood, but vengeance keeps his heart beating. He drags his sword toward Artemis and makes an unexpected move. Orion knocks Artemis’ sword from his hands, leaving him defenseless. “You brute-“ Before Artemis can finish, Orion kicks him down on his back and points his sword to Artemis’ neck. Orion leans and whispers into Artemis’ ear, “The people deserve someone who is worthy.” But before Orion can slash his sword, magic erupts. Orion is pulled back and hits the ground opposite of Artemis. A loud aching noise escapes his lips. “Grimoire!” Orion yells. Grimoire immediately faces Artemis and accuses, “Artemis, magic is forbidden!” But Artemis pales at the sight behind, “It wasn’t me.” He points to the sky and screams explode. In the darkening sky, the evil warlock, Erebus, smiles with snakes of death swirling along his hands. “How nice it is to have both my enemies standing before me.” His wretched voice sounds fear in both the kings. Orion stands beside Artemis. Erebus’ cruel, pasty face causes the kings to grab their weapons and ignite their magic. Golden light warms Artemis’ hands. Cool shadows darken Orion’s. “It seems you two aren’t so giving. I suppose the only way to the crown is through death.” Erebus unshackles his raw power and knocks both the kings off their feet. Deven runs beside Orion, trying to heal his stomach wound. “Orion, you can’t win this.” Deven breathes as he sets his healing hands on Orion’s bloodied stomach. Orion glances towards Artemis and his mind begins to piece together a plan. “But we can.” Orion responds, heading towards Artemis. Desperate, Orion says, “Artemis, Erebus is going to wipe both our kingdoms out. We have to do something…together.” Artemis bows his head at Orion’s words. Grimoire stands and waits, hoping the two desperate kings will unite against the evil force. Artemis lifts his head and claims, “I didn’t murder your people.” Orion looks at Erebus and breathes, “I didn’t know another evil force existed. I’m sorry I accused you.” Artemis sticks out his hand, “Allies?” Orion takes it, “Friends.” Together the two kings shake hands of alliance and throw their power into Erebus. When Erebus laid dead, Grimoire came upon the kings and split the crown. The kingdoms reunited.

On a cliff We dare to dance, The stars are the only light As we prance He swings me like A shooting star, Smiling with his precious pearls, The stars so far The only music is the Quiet wind That sings a song So violent and blind One step closer And one look at him, He’s devastatingly beautiful Like a church hymn I follow his steps As I calm my breath, So close to the edge On the brink of death The stars shine brighter then But I’m too blind To see the warning As he pushes me off out of his mind There I fall Into Death’s hands, One last glance I look at the sky And ask the stars, “why?”

People say being friends with your enemies is hard, but not for Laya. Laya is the princess of Astera. Her family has ruled over Astera for hundreds of generations. She’ll rule when her time comes, and she’ll be ready. The Deven Family has something against Layla’s family-the Sylas. The Deven and Sylas families seemed to be rivals for decades, always fighting over power and the Astera title. But that wasn’t the case between Laya Sylas and her best friend Damien Deven. They have been friends for years, since childhood. Laya and Damien never really cared about the generations long rival between their families. They honestly didn’t understand it. Damien never seemed interest in power and Laya was born for power. Many days the Deven Rebels rallied in the village and protested against the Sylas family. Damien never understood why his family does it, and Laya doesn’t understand why villagers join the rebellion. The kingdom seems to be running correctly, why protest against it? Both Damien’s and Laya’s families didn’t really mind their friendship, but one thing Laya’s family did forbid was love. Laya could not fall in love with Damien, because that could lead to marriage and then the Sylas family name could be lost. Laya was the only child after all, and through marriage, Laya’s name would be changed to Deven. But love never really crossed either of their minds, not until an attack where they almost lost each other. Laya was walking through the streets, as she always does, when a young boy approached her. “Madam, would you help my father, he has seemed to fall and I can’t get him up!” The little boy cried. Laya’s kind heart couldn’t resist such a request and she immediately set out to help the little boy’s father. But when she arrived at his home, rebels kidnapped Laya and brought her to their base. For days Laya laid in constant agony in an unknown cellar while rebels beat her and called her names. She wondered where the royal guards were and if she’d ever be found. Finally, Damien found the base through his parents and located Laya. “Damien, oh Damien is that you!” She cried. Damien grabbed her in his arms and carried her out. He put her on his horse and rode her back to the castle. When they arrived back to the castle, Laya’s family cried in joy. They hugged and kissed her and called for a celebration. Laya couldn’t thank Damien enough and asked what she could do for him in return. “Love me. Marry me. “ Damien pleaded. Laya was shocked. “Damien you know we can’t-“ “Laya, are you going to betray your heart because of some stupid family title?” Laya was silent. Could she betray her heart? As she started thinking, she did realize she loved Damien, maybe even more than her title. But could she betray her family? Her heart and mind were at war. She loved Damien, but she loved her family. If she chose one then she’d lose the other. “You have three days to give me your answer, Laya, or our friendship will forever be lost.” Damien said. That night Laya laid in bed and tried to reason on each side. If she married Damien, then her family would be lost. If she didn’t marry him, he’d be lost. “Why must I choose!” Laya screams into the silent room. “Why must I choose?” Laya cries. The three days come to an end, and it’s the day Laya must choose. Damien and Laya agree to meet at the edge of the forest. When Laya arrives, Damien sees how destroyed she looks. She still has bruises from her kidnapping , but her eyes look heavy and she looks to be in both physical and mental pain. “Laya, love, are you quite alright?” Damien dares to ask. Without meeting his eye, Laya says in a whisper, “I choose you Damien. I want to marry you.” A priest steps out from the forest and marries them right there. Damien insisted, not wanting all the attention of a royal wedding. The two say their vows and exchange rings. At the closure of the ceremony, rebels storm out of the forest and into the castle, taking down the Sylas family and capturing the Astera title. Laya looks up at Damien and feels utter betrayal. “How dare you!" Laya screams. Damien smiles and says, “Love was never greater than power.”

The twilight was her favorite time, stars dotted above, Guiding her somewhere to love. The soft long grass brushes her, And her steps lead to the center of the field. She couldn’t ever recall just when she saw it. The deep blue creature, With spikes along its back. The long white tail wagged in the air, Like a flag on a fine windy day. Pure full moonlight shone on it, Detailing the creatures soft black eyes And tall pointed ears. To her it almost resembled a panther, Large in size, but soft in features. It found her eyes, and stared in gleam. Its ears perked up, And followed the sound Of her soft short breaths. She could feel fear wrapping its arms around her, Awaiting till the time she would pick up her feet and run. But she discarded that thought. Because the creature started making its way To greet its visitor. Soft long strides, And then the creature was there, Right beside Her. It did nothing but tip it’s head Till its soft round head touched her shaking hand, And closed its eyes. She slowly ran her fingers through its smooth blue coat, and felt fear dissolve and love appear.