Chapter 85: Elma's warning.

Kaya's pov.

The brave sourjourner has refused to tell me what her name is, she preferred to remain anonymous until we get to her orphanage. I think it's because she still doesn't trust me. I won't blame her for it.

Elior had slept and I had carefully strapped him to my chest, I didn't want him at my back this time around. The sourjourner and I were slowly making our way through the dark forest, the sun had set already and we could hear howling from a distance.

“We need to rest for the night. We shall continue our journey in the morning.” She stopped walking and looked around, as if surveying the environment.

“Is it safe to camp here?” I asked, looking around and noticing that were we were standing was an open space. It was surrounded by tall trees but the the center was a large clearing.

“Yes, this site belonged to some of the soldiers who were on a stake out a few years ago, during the war with Axel. I was one of the maids who brought them food and supplies.” She smiled, reminiscing about old times. I smiled back at her and found a stump to sit on.

“What are we going to eat?” I questioned, knowing that Elior would soon wake up hungry again.

“Don't worry about that, I have enough food to last us two days here in my bag. I don't mind having the smaller share to accommodate you and Elior.” She smiled and tears gathered in my eyes.

“You're willing to help a stranger, you are indeed one of a kind.” I sighed.

“It's fine.” She got up from where she was sitting. “Come on, we have to look for twigs and make a fire. The night us growing cold and we have to keep ourselves warm and keep other wild animals away as well.” She said and I nodded, getting to my feet as well.

We went in search of dry twigs and any other thing that could make a fire. Then, we took them back to the site and laid them out. She pulled a lighter out of her bag and lit the fire.

“There we go.” She said proudly, her hands on her waist.

“I only have one sleeping bag, but you can have it. I'll gather some of those big leaves over there and make a bed from them.”

“Oh no, you don't have to do that. You can have your sleeping bag, Elior and I will be comfortable on the leaves.” I said. I didn't want her to sacrifice any more for my son and I, she had done enough already.

“Don't be silly child, I insist.”

Seeing that I could not get her to agree with me, I went ahead to help her assemble her bed of leaves. Once we were done, we settled down to eat and I fed Elior before leaving him to sleep in the sleeping bag.

“Thank you for all your help… sorry, I still don't know your name.”

“Like I said, that's not necessary for now.” She smiled and yawned. She must have been walking for days, she looks so tired.

“I think it's time for bed.” I said.

“I concur.” She replied and we laughed before settling into our beds.

“Goodnight Kaya.”

“Goodnight.”

I shut my eyes, placing my hand over Elior and before I knew it, I dozed off.

My eyes fluttered open when I heard someone giggling. The bright lights that pierced my orbs forced me to shut them again.

How is it morning all of a sudden?

I tried to open my eyes again and slowly adjusted to the light. I almost had a panic attack when I looked around and realized that I was no longer in the forest. I was not lying in the sleeping bag anymore, neither was Elior beside me. The sourjourner was nowhere to be found, I was confused and scared.

My heart raced in my chest as I tried to wrap my head around what was going on.

I slept in a sleeping bag and woke up in a feild of dandelions. The sky was blue and bright.. brighter than I've ever seen it. The scent of dandelion and milk filled my nostrils, and when I looked around, I couldn't see the end of the dandelion field.. it went on for miles!

I heard the laughter again, and I turned my head swiftly only to find a woman running through the feild, giggling.

She was draped in a long, silky, pure white gown. It flowed behind her as she ran, her curly, long hair bouncing along with her. I could not see her face, but I followed her regardless.

“Hey! Wait up!” I called out and she suddenly stopped. She briefly turned to look at me, and I immediately taken away by her beauty. Her bright blue orbs gazed into mine, and then she smiled softly and started walking away again.

I followed her, until we arrived at a pink river. I've never seen a pink river, where in the world am I?

“Where am I? Where is my baby?” I questioned, watching her dip her fingers into the beautiful, pink river. She sat down and gestured for me to sit next to her which I immediately did.

“You're far from home Kaya.” Her soft voice came, like a marshmallow falling on a pile of feathers.

“What? What about my baby?” I was afraid.

“Don't be afraid Kaya, I am not your enemy, I'm your protector.”

As soon as she said that, I gasped. A shocking realization hit me. The person I was talking to was no other person but Elma!

“Elma?”

“Yes, Kaya.”

“What are you doing here? Why did you bring me here?” I questioned, tears threatening to fall from my eyes. I had so many questions for her, I didn't even know where to start.

“I know you have a lot to ask, but there's no time Kaya. Very soon, you'll have to fight, so I must deliver my message.” Her eyebrows became slightly furrowed as her eyes bored into mine.

I wonder what she means.

“Elior's destiny, will start to manifest soon, and I will guide you every step of the way. But believe me, it won't be easy as the road is still very tough. I want you to be prepared for anything, you have to remain strong.”

The tears I was struggling to hold back started to fall freely down my cheeks. I have had enough already, I have suffered for too long! How much more do I have to bear?

“No Elma, I can't. I'm tired, I do not have the strength in me.” I sniffed, bowing my head in front of her.

“Elior needs you to be strong, Kaya. You have to pull through.”

She paused abruptly and got to her feet, she looked rather disturbed.

“Kaya, it's time to go. Danger is approaching.”

“Wait… what?”

Darkness loomed over me all of a sudden, and when I blinked, I was back in the forest, next to Elior. I was confused, was that a dream?

“Kaya! I can hear soldiers coming!” The sourjourner stood with widened eyes above me.

“We need to leave now.”