In a remote region-far away from the city, the people, and what little society the world left behind-there existed an earth untouched by human hands, where mountains stood tall and proud; resided in one of those mountains were Aven and Leah.Leah sat quietly, her legs hanging over the edge of the cliff. She watched the view of the mountains, which appeared tiny in her viewpoint, her hair being brushed against her face by the wind. From behind, Aven stepped forward, a gentle stare aimed at his sister. "What are you thinking?""Why'd you want to know what I'm thinking?" replied she, calmly, still watching the view."You've been sitting there for a while without saying much of a word."He stood by her side. "I know we've only been here for a short time," she said as an eagle's call echoed at the foot of the mountain. "I'm already longing for home."She locked her green eyes on the eagle, in the distance, as it gracefully kited against the wind."Remember, you've always wanted an advent
"I was just thinking, on our way here from the last settlement, I spotted a small town. We should check there, too, don't you think?" asked Leah.Aven stood. "Good eye. Where did you see it exactly?" "North of the settlement." She stood as well. "Are we going there now?""The sooner we find her, the sooner we go home." He looked at her with a smile. "Well," she said, stepping to the edge. "Let's get to it, then."She slowly moved one foot over the edge, the sole of her boot brushing grains of sand off the the cliff. She leaned forward, leaped off the mountain, and fell as she watched the ground below slowly approached. Leah smirked as the wind resistance blew back her hair. "Always trying to impress, are we?" said Aven with a smile, leaping down the mountain and falling.While Leah continued to fall, transparent blue flames formed and spread from her head to her feet. She stopped falling and flew slowly with the wind. The familiar sound of an eagle echoed, and Leah spotted it in t
Wallace opened the door for them. Aven and Leah stepped out, walking off the veranda. "Before I forget to ask, what do you call her by? Is she given a new name?" asked Aven."It's Alecia," replied Wallace."Interesting. That's her real name." Aven looked at Leah and back at Wallace. "So she didn't forget her name?""She responded when I called her by that name. I don't know how she remembered it."Aven smiled. "Thanks again for your help. Take care of yourself, Wallace."Wallace nodded. "Likewise. Good luck."The door closed behind them."Just like that?" asked Leah as she stared at the door, frowning."Never mind him. Focus on our search."-Aven closed the door of the town's wall and strode towards Leah who was waiting for him."Strange, this is. . .""What is?" asked Aven."How the bio of her description showed that she has black hair," Leah said, looking on the ground and watching every step she took."Why's it that it describes her with black hair. What's with the color change.
"Here's a place for you to sleep," Kellan said as she pulled the door open and entered into the room.Alecia was the first to step in. The room was larger than any room she had seen before. Six single steel beds stood against the cement wall. "You can choose whatever bed." Kellan grabbed the handle of the door and closed as the three stepped out. She walked with them further down the passage.Virgil sighed. "I appreciate what you and your father is doing, but we can't stay the night, we really need to be on our way."He took once glance behind him."I understand that," Kellan said with a reasonable tone. "I'm sorry, but you can't leave today."They turned a corner, entering into a place where people were seated near steel tables. Their clothing was all rotten and dull, small holes in their clothes. They were far too busy with their exchange of words, unaware of the visitors. Alecia scanned across the room, looking at each of them, intrigued."I don't really understand why we should s
Alecia stared blankly at the wall, still lying on the bed. Her eyes started to look pink, her pupils bluer than usual. Thoughts circled in her mind, so many questions.Why didn't they come for her after so many years? Did her mother even care, or did she think that she was dead?All her sorrow, sadness, mixed itself into a fit of building anger. Anger at herself for losing her memory, anger at this world full of evil people, and anger at them who left her to die on this planet all those years ago. A tear cascaded down her cheeks, no longer a tear that indicated weakness, but a tear of a bursting rage. She closed her eyes and waited till darkness swallowed her.-"Alecia!" A familiar voice woke her up. She turned on her back and spotted Virgil sitting at the edge of the bed, grinning."Good to see you awake.""How long have I been sleeping?" she asked, sitting against the frame of the bed."Couple of hours. How do you feel?""A lot better," she said. "I feel more relaxed now."He nod
Alecia stood, locking eyes on Virgil. Just then, Joel's voice echoed as he called Kellan's name from down the passage."Where is she?" Joel said in panic as he entered the room.Alecia stepped to the side, closing her eyes."No!" he cried out with a look of despair in his eyes. He walked passed Alecia, eyes drawn to the floor. "Kellan?" he muttered, lips trembling.Joel dropped to his knees and placed his hands on both sides of her face, looking into Kellan's lifeless eyes."No. . ." He began to cry uncontrollably as he sat her up and wrapped his arms around her."Don't worry, I'm here. Daddy's here now," he murmured, crying while rocking back and forth. He cried over his daughter's shoulder, his cries muffled by her hair. "Tell me, what happened?" Virgil asked quietly while looking at Alecia. She opened her eyes and looked at Virgil, her pupils still glowing. "Did you do this?" he said with a stern look. "Or was it them?"He stepped forward. Alecia drew her blade to him, slight
"So are you going to be okay now?" he asked with a cheerful smile."Hm?" He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. She nodded with a slight smile."Come," he said, taking her hands and helping her stand.He walked towards the buildings with her as he had his arm around her upper back.They strode within the city in silence. "So how is. . .?""Joel?" Virgil said calmly. "Still not okay."Alecia sighed. "I can't even imagine what he's feeling right now."She gave a downcast look as she watched her every step."This is all my fault," she said sorrowfully. "I watched them cut her throat right in front of me. They wanted me to join them, and I refused. In the end, Kellan died because of my selfishness."Virgil stopped and stood in front of her."Listen," he said, holding her shoulders, and looking at her straight in the eyes. "Kellan's death wasn't your fault, do you understand me?""And what if you joined them, hm? They might've let her go.""No!" he snapped, which startled her. Her ey
Virgil lay down on his back and used his bag as a pillow."What are you doing?" Alecia asked with a narrowed look. "Killing time," Virgil said, his eyes closed. "Out here? It's dangerous to sleep out here."He opened his eyes. "After everything that happened, I'm numb about danger at this point.""At least you got some sleep."He turned to look at her and stared at her blue eyes as the fire illuminated them. Alecia turned away from him and gazed at the fire. She gently leaned her head back against the wall and spotted Diana who was sitting behind the fire. Alecia closed her eyes, sighing.Diana tilted her head. "What's wrong?""Nothing, just trying to forget what happened," replied Alecia.Diana leaned her hand on one knee. "You'll never forget that. No one can.""That made me think of something.""Oh?" Diana muttered.Alecia frowned. "Why's it that I remember a lot of bad memories and a few good memories?""I'm no expert in people's minds," Diana said, "from what I've heard is that