[center] [h1]Sometime in the future[/h1] [/center] [hr] [color=lightblue]”Aella…? Do you remember... What father looked like?”[/color] Arwen asked, her voice soft and absent. Hollow. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes were dimmed considerably behind her hair. Tired eyes, and behind those baby blues, a sadness dwelt, endless and shackling. Threatening to swallow her up completely. She almost wished it did. Her face was lean and gaunt, when was the last time she had had an appetite? Her hair was being brushed by Aella, one of the only good constant things in her life. She opened her mouth to speak again, her lips seemed to move slowly. [color=lightblue]”Or the taste of the sun?”[/color] she asked, moving her eyes to gaze upon Aella in the mirror. There was the rustling of leaves, followed by Aella setting Arwen’s hairbrush down. She ran her fingers through the soft hair and sniffed a few locks. [color=tomato]“The sun has a taste? What’s it taste like, sis? As for dad...”[/color] Aella pursed her lips and embraced Arwen from behind, resting her fern-colored face on Arwen’s left shoulder. [color=tomato]“... He was reaally tall! And strong. He smelled kinda funny whenever he got back from the city. Um… I can’t picture his face, though. Has it been that long already?”[/color] Arwen sighed and leaned into Aella. [color=lightblue]”That smell was the reason he left you know. Or as… Or as the Queen Mother likes to say. But yes… It has been that long. Do you, do you ever miss him? The thought of him?”[/color] Aella chuckled, [color=tomato]”I do! I miss his hugs and kisses and whenever he patted my head.”[/color] Her leaves rustled again and she rubbed her cheek against Arwen’s affectionately with her eyes closed for a moment before stopping and pouting, [color=tomato]”Mom never told me that the smell was the reason she kicked him out… She never really tells me much, I guess. Sometimes I think she sees me like she sees the potted plants in the rec room.”[/color] Aella said with a sigh. Arwen blinked out of her daze and turned around in her chair, taking Aella’s soft face within the palm of her hands. She looked at her with a serious expression, her eyes glowing brighter. [color=lightblue]”Don’t think such things Aella. You are so much more than a potted plant. It’s the Queen Mother who does not see you for the beautiful being you are. And that, sister, is her loss.”[/color] Aella stared at Arwen in surprise, before grinning and bouncing a little on her seat. Of course, she stopped quickly. [color=tomato]”What about you, then? You’re beautiful and nice too but every time Mom summons you, you come back in a daze all sad! Tell me sis, what does she say to you? I will convince you of the opposite, you know!”[/color] Aella said with a nod to herself and fiery determination in her shiny black eyes. At once the small bit of light in Arwen’s eyes faded again, and she quickly looked away, her face growing flushed with embarrassment. There was silence between the two for a moment before Arwen murmured, [color=lightblue]”I c-can’t tell you, Aella. You wouldn’t understand. I’m sorry.”[/color] Aella’s own spark faded and she looked down, her leaves lying flush against her skin. [color=tomato]”Sorry. I know you don’t like to talk about it, but she’s doing something to you and I worry about you... You’re not eating and we all know non-plants have to eat to remain healthy, right? I don’t… You’re not sick, are you?”[/color] She looked up at Aella, taking one of her hands and said, [color=lightblue]”I’m… Fine, Aella. Don’t worry about me.”[/color] she said, giving a gently squeeze, while feigning a small smile. Inside… her heart broke a little more but she couldn’t… Wouldn’t put her sister through knowing what their Queen Mother did alone to her. Aella squeezed back and showed a smile of her own, relaxing and closing her eyes, [color=tomato]”I can picture all the smiles you’ve shown me right now, Sis. The big ones, the small ones, the weird ones and the subtle ones… What you just showed me however, wasn’t a smile.”[/color] Her smile faded but she kept her eyes closed and leaned forwards to lean her forehead against Arwen’s, [color=tomato]”I’m here for you, sis, I might not understand what you and Mom talk about half the time and I may not be very smart, but I’m here.”[/color] She fought back tears as she whispered to Aella. [color=lightblue]”I know. I know, and I love you for it. With all my heart.”[/color] she said, eyes shut tightly as she pulled away, and turned around. [color=lightblue]”N-Now could you go see if there has been any more discoveries from the Hollow? I’m sure Elebeth would like you see you again.”[/color] she said, covering her mouth as her tears began to flow. Aella stretched her hand toward Arwen but, at the last second, hesitated and let it rest on her lap. It took her a while, but eventually she stood up and left Arwen’s chambers. When she heard the door shut, Arwen slowly got up from her chair and made her way to her bed. Where in she layed down and cried. She hated herself for what she had to do, but it was the only way to keep Aella safe. Right? [hr] Li’Kalla gracefully went down the ornamented stairs, almost gliding through the air as she did so, and regarded the view of the Manor’s foyer with a self-satisfied smirk. What used to be a drab, unassuming foyer she had turned into a magnificent Hall, with a throne befitting her between the two curved stairs leading up to the second floor of the Manor. Gold coated the armrests, and cushions made with textile fibers mixed with gold were built into the headrest and seat, while the rest of the throne was made of silver-coated stone. Light reflected off it incessantly, and whenever Li’Kalla sat on it, the brightness would be enough to keep any mortal from looking at her too long. Over time Li’Kalla’s hair had grown brighter. What had begun as simply white hair now actively and boldly emitted light. The same went for her skin, eyebrows, eyelashes and most importantly, her eyes. Her irises had grown so intense lately that a single look had once sent a lowly Vallamir into a coma for three weeks. So she walked down the stairs, her eyes moving from her throne to look at the figure kneeling before the throne. [color=ghostwhite][b]”Elebeth.”[/b][/color] Said the Goddess Li’Kalla. The female kneeling twitched under some unseen weight placed on her shoulders by the words. Her own white hair seemed to glow slightly, a mere imitation of Li’Kalla’s. Slowly and deliberately, Li’Kalla sat on her throne and lifted her chin up slightly. Elebeth let out a small gasp of relief but did not lift her head. [color=ghostwhite][b]”You may speak.”[/b][/color] Elebeth nodded with her head down, “Queen-Mother, the Vallamir named Oli has reported the existence of a rather interesting item in the Hollow. He says that after descending for half a day and reaching the lower level of the catacombs, he found a shrine dedicated to a golden artifact. Upon touching it, several predators were drawn to him immediately. Not unusual, of course, but when he and his team dispatched of the beasts and one of his subordinates picked up the blood-coated item... they…” Li’Kalla raised an eyebrow, [color=ghostwhite][b]”Continue, Elebeth.”[/b][/color] “I-I apologize. When one of his subordinated picked up the item, they seem to… Have turned into an ‘abomination’, and had to be put down.” Li’Kalla perked up, [color=ghostwhite][b]”Oh? And where’s this item?”[/b][/color] Elebeth kept silent for a moment, “He decided to leave it where it fell, in fear for his other team members’ safety. He requests guidance on what to do.” [color=ghostwhite][b]”It should be evident. We must retrieve the item and bring it to the Capital for experimentation. It might be extremely useful if we can find a way to control the result of its apparent shape shifting capabilities.”[/b][/color] Before Elebeth could speak anymore, a young Valthumir girl wearing a simple white dress walked down the stairs and lowered her head as she spoke to Li’Kalla, “Queen-Mother, the bath is ready for you.” [color=ghostwhite][b]”Beautiful.”[/b][/color] Li’Kalla then turned to Elebeth and nodded, [color=ghostwhite][b]”Thank you for your report, Elebeth. I trust you and your people will find a way to retrieve the artifact safely. You may go now.”[/b][/color] “Thank you, Queen-Mother.” Elebeth said as she stood up and walked out of the Manor. The massive front doors creaked closed behind her, and Li’Kalla stood up from her throne and went up the stairs once more with the young girl in tow. [hr] Minutes later in the Manor’s luxurious, divine-sustained hot springs with artificial waterfalls and fancy fragrances wafting through the air, Li’Kalla relaxed. She exhaled a deep breath and watched with icy eyes as the steam from her breath mixed with that of the hot springs and eventually became one with it. The water was deep enough that if she took a seat and relaxed her postune on the stone shelves along the edges of the springs, she would see most of her modesty covered. Eventually the unassuming door to the rest of the manor opened and from behind the form of the young girl who had prepared the baths appeared. And trailing behind her… Arwen. Her daughter took an unassuming pose, back slightly hunched as she walked, eyes downcast, face devoid of any emotion. Her hair was tied in a bun and she wore a loose robe of white satin, tied at the waist with a black string. The two entered the bath area, and Arwen said nothing as she silently derobed and went into the water. There was hesitation in her movements as she quickly sat down opposite of her mother, legs folded and arms crossed over her chest. She avoided Li’Kalla’s gaze. [color=ghostwhite][b]”Arwen, you must walk with your back straight and gazing forward. It is the most attractive gait, and if you desire a worthy mate, you would do well to heed my advice.”[/b][/color] Without looking at her, Arwen spoke, her voice small. [color=lightblue]”Yes, Queen-Mother.”[/color] Li’Kalla huffed and stood up, the water gliding off her body as it was immediately replaced by her usual cold, rainy water. She spent a moment messing around with her hair to make sure it obscured none of her features, and then walked up to Arwen, looking down at her. [color=ghostwhite][b]”You must put more spirit into your speech, as well. Truly, you’ve become quite the disappointment. As a living being you were given the best start one could ask for. With my blood running through your veins, granting you the beautiful body you live in… Giving you that smooth voice, those striking divine features… And yet you choose to act like a simple mortal. Afraid, weak...”[/b][/color] Li’Kalla sighed and sat down next to Arwen, her gaze never stopping its quest to meet Arwen’s even as she wrapped one arm around her daughter’s shoulders. Arwen seemed to shrink and constrict at her touch. [color=ghostwhite][b]”That’s what you are, isn’t it? Weak. Sometimes I wonder if you are at all capable of...”[/b][/color] Li’Kalla slowly brought her free hand close to Arwen’s belly and started tracing circles around her belly button with the tip of her index finger in an unnaturally cold and gentle set of movements. [color=ghostwhite][b]”... Further refining our blood.”[/b][/color] Slowly Arwen looked at her mother, eyes hardened, face cold. [color=lightblue]”It is not an act, Queen Mother. I am only [i]Mortal[/i]. I apologize for being weak, Queen Mother. I am nothing compared to you, after all.”[/color] she said, blinking back tears as Li’Kalla’s radiance before she looked away out of discomfort. [color=ghostwhite][b]”Oh, Arwen...”[/b][/color] Li’Kalla smiled sweetly. [color=ghostwhite][b]”Indeed, you are mortal. However, that does not mean you should act like one, especially when you are the daughter of a Goddess. You have so much potential...”[/b][/color] The Goddess almost whispered, bringing her hands up to either side of Arwen’s head and forcing the young girl to face her mother. Li’Kalla could barely hold back her elation as she observed Arwen’s mixed expression. [color=ghostwhite][b]”Such a perfect musculoskeletal structure… The symmetry, even when on the verge of tears… Yes, you may be only mortal, but you’re the best specimen I’ve seen, and you’re [i]mine[/i].”[/b][/color] The girl struggled at first but stopped, holding her mother’s gaze again, her pupils becoming but pinpoints. She gritted her teeth, [color=lightblue]”I’m [i]his[/i] too.”[/color] she said with defiance in her voice, but as soon as the words came out of her mouth and Li’Kalla’s expression hardened, she seemed to pale. Li’Kalla squeezed Arwen’s face and her nails started to dig into her skin. [color=lightblue]”Q-Queen M-Mother I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”[/color] her voice faltered. Li’Kalla’s eyes seemed almost ablaze with pure white flames, but she froze for a split second and then removed her hands from Arwen’s face, small beads of blood oozing out of the spots where her nails had penetrated the girl’s skin. She broke the unending eye contact with Arwen and looked into the mist again for a while, before standing up and wordlessly moving to the exit. The young handmaiden next to the door attempted to follow Li’Kalla, but was stopped by a dismissive hand gesture, and so she stayed behind… And as she went through the door, Li’Kalla stopped one last time and spoke over her shoulder, [color=ghostwhite][b]”I might have to begin molding Aella into a proper lady. It is an undesirable situation, but with enough time I will ensure she can take your place as a viable female, Arwen.”[/b][/color] And with that, she was gone and the door closed behind her. Arwen touched her face, looking at her fingertips, at pinkish blood. It made her stomach churn, but she was numb to the pain as her only thoughts turned to Aella as she sunk deeper into the water. She had failed. [hr] Her heart beat quickly as she made her way through the hall. She thought it so loud it would alert the guards that she was there, but it was all in her head. The manor was dark, save for only the glow of distant lights. She arrived at the door and opened it quietly, being careful not to allow the hinges to squeak. Once she was inside, and the door was left cracked, she made her way over to the bed, a sleeping figure residing underneath the sheets. She placed her hands on her sister’s shoulders and rocked her back and forth. [color=lightblue]”Aella! Wake up!”[/color] she whispered loudly. Aella groaned and groggily reached for Arwen’s face, running her hands all over it before opening her eyes. [color=tomato]”... hey… are we doing a sleepover or something…? Niice sis, it’s been so long, I wanna cuddle… Pet my head ok...”[/color] She said with a big yawn. Arwen tugged at Aella’s hand. [color=lightblue]”No no no, listen we have to go. Get up and grab your things.”[/color] she said urgently, desperation in her voice. At this Aella sat up and rubbed her eyes. Her leaves were sticking out in all directions and her nightgown was barely hanging on by one shoulder. She was a very active person even while sleeping. [color=tomato]”W-What’s going on, sis?”[/color] Aella asked as she scooted off her bed and stood up. [color=lightblue]”I-I’ll explain when we’re out of the capital. Just know that we can’t stay here any longer. The Queen Mother is… She’s going to hurt you. I can’t let that happen.”[/color] she said, pulling Aella to her wardrobe. The fern-colored Foreas winced, but went along with Arwen and opened her wardrobe. There wasn’t much inside, apart from a couple nightgowns and two different, relatively simple and slightly revealing dresses. She quickly changed clothes right there and into a brown-colored dress that left her midriff, arms and neck bare, then she quickly swept her leaves into proper position and nodded before taking Arwen’s hand. [color=tomato]”Okay! Lead the way sis, my eyes don’t work too well in the dark.”[/color] She smiled faintly and said,[color=lightblue]”I love you, Aella.”[/color] Arwen then squeezed her sister’s hand and into the dark of the manor they went. Only once they were outside would they be free to truly escape and run, but until then, they had to take it slow and methodical. There was no room for error. They knew the Manor like the back of their hands of course, but at the end of the day it was essentially a part of Li’Kalla. Any foreign noise and unusual activity would alert their mother and if that happened at all, then they would have no chance to escape. It was very late at the time. Outside, the strong reflections of light coming from Veradax barely shone through the thick cloudy skies. Chilly fall winds blew through the trees, around houses and down empty avenues… As the young girls walked down the dark corridors, a faraway whistle reached their ears, followed by muffled steps and a closing window. Aella quivered a little and felt her knees go weak and her leaves start to shiver excitedly, so she stuck closer to Arwen. They went straight down the corridor after leaving Aella’s room. Then it was a right as soon as they could and eventually, after sneaking down the cold corridors for what felt like an eternity, they reached the one lit place in the entire Manor. The Foyer, or recently, the Throne Room. The staircase was as clean and beautiful as ever, and below. On the ground floor, waited a very young girl, barely of age, wearing a simple dress and holding a bag on her arms. She seemed to have been asleep standing up, and as the girls stepped down the stairs, she gasped and looked up at them in fear. Quickly, however, she relaxed and sighed out her stress. She had brown mousey hair and silver eyes, and her complexion was… Not the best, but that was natural considering her age. So when Aella and Arwen went down and stood on the same level as her, she took in a quivering breath and extended her arms towards Arwen with a small grunt of effort, offering her the heavy looking bag. [i]”I-I was asked to umm… Give t-this to you two, m-my lady.”[/i] She whispered. Arwen froze. [color=lightblue]”B-By W-Who? Talen?”[/color] she stammered while gripping Aella tighter, who cooed quietly in interest. The young maid gulped and nodded, eyes shut tightly as soon as she heard the name. She let go of Aella to grab the package, and walked around the girl, but stopped to say, [color=lightblue]”This exchange, never happened. But all the same… Thank you.”[/color] The little girl looked down at her feet and twiddled her thumbs. The last they saw of her as they left through the conveniently ajar front doors, was her yawning while not moving an inch from her spot. [hr] Some time later, after running for longer than ever, Aella gasping for breath stopped and pulled Arwen’s arm. They were in a dark alleyway and the day was about to begin. Rays of light broke the horizon ever so gently… Not that they could notice it with how preoccupied they were. [color=tomato]“Sis... ! Tell me… Why? Why are we running? … This place is scary..”[/color] the Foreas asked in between breaths, looking around at the simple, slightly battered huts towering over them on either side. Arwen quickly scanned the area, and opened the sack to see… plain clothing. She looked to Aella and held her face, [color=lightblue]”Listen… I will explain everything to you, but first, we need to get out of the city, okay? Here, bless Talen’s heart, she packed us clothing. I don’t know how she figured out I would be leaving, but we don’t have much time, knowing mother. So come on, let’s get changed.”[/color] Arwen said, unbuttoning her cloak. Aella pursed her lips and squinted her eyes, but sighed and shrugged and did the same. Eventually she managed to get into her new oddly itchy and dull clothes. Her outfit consisted of a pair of trousers with rough patches on them and a long white blouse that reached her mid-thighs, as well as sandals made of wood and plant fibre. The latter made her shiver in disgust as she put them on, so she immediately tossed them aside. [color=tomato]”I’m itchy. Like when Laven rubs her leaves against me, but it’s not the good kind of itch, you know?”[/color] Arwen turned to her, now wearing a long brown peach colored dress, brown cloak wrapped around her shoulders. She handed another one to Aella and put her hood up. [color=lightblue]”We’ll find better clothing, I promise. Now come on.”[/color] she said hurriedly, grabbing Aella’s hand. It wasn’t until the crack of dawn while people were just beginning to come out of their abodes that the sisters managed to find their way out of the city and got on the main road, leading west. By then Aella had been quiet for a while, and was beginning to flag. It got to a point where she was falling asleep while walking and stumbled every few minutes. Arwen was adamant about leaving as quickly as they could, but when she noticed Aella flagging she went to her sister and began to support her. [color=lightblue]”Would you look at that… Aella? It’s beautiful.”[/color] Arwen said pointing at the sunrise. [color=lightblue]”You’ve done a really good job today, Aella. Let’s go rest for a bit yeah?”[/color] and she led her off the road for a ways, until the found a nice clearing of grass. She helped Aella onto the ground, laying her sister’s head in her lap as she stroked her leaves. Aella mumbled happily as she lazily took off her blouse and went to sleep on Arwen’s lap, soaking up the light of the early morning. It wasn’t meant to be a peaceful day, however. Eventually, a voice piped up from the treeline, somewhere around them. It was a gruff, deep and sort of hollow male voice. “The Queen-Mother’s daughters alone in a forest without an escort. Quite the sight. Especially the plant…” The voice echoed, and leaves rustled and twigs broke all around the sisters. “I’ve heard rumours about the plants’ blood being valuable. Maybe I should take her to my friends up north and get myself some land in exchange for her life.” Arwen sat up straighter, now on edge as she frantically searched the forest edge. She shook Aella, trying to get her to wake up but to no avail. She was out cold. [color=lightblue]”W-Who’s there?”[/color] she said in a small voice. “I,” Said the voice of the male, as a mountainous shape walked out of the shadows of the overgrowth opposite Arwen. He was wearing several layers of clothes which made his overall build and appearance uncertain and each of his steps seemed to shake the ground. Not even his face was visible under the massive, conical hat he sported made of weaved plant fibers. “Am,” Echoed a second voice, this one younger, more energetic, but with the same hollowness. Out of the overgrowth to Arwen’s left walked out a much more average sized shape, wearing a heavy cloak and sporting black bandages covering his entire body except for his eyes, which shone a bright golden through the shadow cast by his cloak. “To’Reya.” Said one last voice. Female and sweet. She walked out from behind the sisters, and was, similarly to the mountainous person, wearing an incredible amount of layers and a flat rounded hat as wide as her shoulders which obscured her face. Arwen looked between the figures and took in a deep breath. Though she was incredibly afraid, she knew she had to be strong. [color=lightblue]”And what do you want, To’Reya? I will not let you take her from me. It’s out of the question.”[/color] she said with a bit of defiance in her voice. “Is that so?” Asked the female. “If it is so, draw your weapon.” Mentioned the smaller male, hunching over slightly and reaching inside his coat. “I shall see how skilled the daughter of a Goddess is.” Rumbled the massive one, kicking up some dirt and stalking closer to the sisters, balling up his fists. Her eyes went wide and time seemed to slow down as she realized just how naive she was being. There was no way she could save Aella, even herself. This was not how things were supposed to go. And as time began to speed back up she knew what she had to do. [color=lightblue]”AELLA! RUN!”[/color] she shouted, getting to her feet and stepping in front of Aella to shield her. She could buy a little time for Aella to escape, couldn’t she? And yet in the blink of an eye all three broke into a dash toward the sisters, the very air starting to shimmer and weave and shake, and then… “STOP! To’Reya!” Shouted a new female voice, hoarse. She burst through into the clearing wearing a coat and several heavy leather items of clothing as well as belts and accessories. She was a full on Valthumir, with white hair and silver eyes and a commanding aura even while panting. To’Reya stopped its advance immediately and turned its heads toward the mir woman. “They aren’t combatants, remember what Elebeth mentioned. Stop scaring them or you might actually kill them out of fright, you complete idiot.” The woman said before sighing and recovering her breath. A moment later, the three shadows turned away and disappeared into the forest. It was then that the woman turned to the sisters. “Well? Are you two okay? Did they hurt you anywhere? Any stab wounds to take care of, any broken bones?” At this point Aella stirred and crawled up to Arwen. She was breathing rapidly and her eyes were wide. [color=lightblue]”Now you wake up?”[/color] Arwen whispered under her breath to Aella as she hugged her tightly. She then looked to the woman. [color=lightblue]”We are… Fine, thank you for calling them off. Um… Who are you?”[/color] she asked inquisitively. “Ja’Sanna. I’m Master Elebeth’s second in command and she assigned me the task of ensuring your safety. It looks like Master Elebeth the Cardinal of Exploration is interested in your particular situation. Enough so that she saw it fit to keep me around here while she went off on a suicide mission to retrieve a Curio in the Hollow.” The woman, Ja’Sanna, rolled her eyes. Arwen furrowed her brow, [color=lightblue]”How did she know I- We were going to leave?”[/color] Arwen asked suspicious. Ja’Sanna shrugged, “All we were asked to do was to watch you and ensure no foreign factors threatened your safety. We just followed you once you escaped.” Still suspicious she asked, [color=lightblue]”So what now?”[/color] “That’s a good question,” Ja’Sanna tapped her chin, “I would suggest making your way somewhere the Queen-Mother wouldn’t be likely to look for you in. A dangerous place, for both mortals and immortals.” Arwen seemed to pale a little. [color=lightblue]”Y-You don’t mean… The Hollow… Do you?”[/color] she said, taking hold of Aella’s hand, who by now was awake enough to look around in confusion. “Who knows. What if I did indeed mean the Hollow? Would you feel comfortable heading to such a place? A place filled with Mir who are so loyal to the Queen-Mother that they’d brave the world’s throat never to see the light of day again? You would be wise to think twice, and even wiser to get rid of anything that could expose you as a member of the Divine Family.” Ja’Sanna looked around and then put her hands in her cloak’s pockets. Arwen looked at Aella, her fears doubling, if not for her own life, but her sisters. By now their Mother probably knew they had run away. It was only a matter of time until someone came looking for them. Still. The Hollow was too dangerous and unpredictable. They would not survive. [color=lightblue]”I… We can’t… It’s too dangerous.”[/color] she said looking at Ja’Sanna again. Aella blinked and her leaves rustled erratically. “What’s dangerous, sis? Who is she?” Ja’Sanna furrowed her brow, “I’ve strayed far from my orders already… But,” The woman stared at Arwen and walked towards her, hunched over and with her hands in her pockets until she was at arm’s reach, at which point she pulled out a little orb made of a translucent material. Inside there was a blue cone pointing off in a direction just a little bit off from north. Attached to its surface was a tiny, rusted, and half broken hook that gave away its original use as part of a necklace. Ja’Sanna held out the orb in an open hand for Arwen. “Take it. It’ll always point toward the Hollow, should you change your mind. Master Elebeth owns an institution there which may prove useful in hiding from the Queen-Mother’s eyes.” Arwen took it gently in her hands, eyes going wide as she looked at it curiously. She handed it to Aella so she could see and said, [color=lightblue]”Thank you, Ja’Sanna. We have… Some things to talk about, Aella and I.”[/color] she said, looking away. Ja’Sanna nodded, turned around and started to walk away. “In that case, goodbye. I would continue watching your movements, but keeping To’Reya in check in the wilderness is difficult even for me, so this is as far as we go. We may or may not see each other again.” And with that, the cloaked woman disappeared into the foliage. A moment later, Aella made a sad little whimper. [color=tomato]”She ignored me, too.”[/color] She looked at Aella, with a kind smile. [color=lightblue]”It’s okay, Aella.”[/color] Arwen said, rubbing her sister’s head. [color=lightblue]”How are you feeling? You didn’t sleep long… Will you be good to continue on?”[/color] Aella looked at her body, stretched, and slowly stood up. [color=tomato]”... Yeah. I’m good. I should get more energy as the day goes on… Where are we going?”[/color] Arwen looked out at the blue sky before them, endless opportunity on the horizons. Then she looked at the orb and then to Aella. [color=lightblue]”Come on, will talk as we walk.”[/color] she said, pulling her hand. And off they went, aimlessly, but at least they had each other. For in the end, family mattered. [hr] [hider=Summary] Ten years have passed on Li Land as we see and older Arwen and Aella. Rau’Lien is gone and Li’Kalla has gone abusive. In a bid to get away from their mother, Arwen and Aella run away. This is just the beginning. [/hider]