Almost Near The Truth

Celphi’s eyes dared to convey a pleading desire. A statement of vulnerability and willingness to do anything for me.

’Except for telling the truth!’ I followed up with a matching scowl. His eyes reminded me of my earlier whimpering over his touch. I yielded and hid my face in embarrassment.

‘Just say it. I’m yours.’

Oh my gosh is he not backing off anymore? I’d put myself in this position! I kicked him. I imagined… other things. Ugh. I mean what was I supposed to think when he cornered me?

A minute of shut-eye, and some prayers did me wonders in further slipping into embarrassing thoughts.

‘So, where are we going? What’s the plan?’ I asked, shifting in his arms, tucked securely in his bridal carry

‘There is a chance we lose him in this thicket. However, ever since childhood, Mede had a keen sense of hearing.’ Celphi’s voice was calm, thoughtful.

Relief! At least he’d stopped teasing me about being weak for him.

’What are our chances of escaping?’

‘Mede is a lover of nature. He will not set fire to anything he cannot control. We can hide and run for a while, but not forever.’

‘What is he even? Why is he on fire?’

‘He’s a phoenix.’

‘Excuse me, he’s a what now?’

Oh. My. Goodness. This is what I get for reading nothing but medical textbooks.. My imagination is not equipped for this. Wrong human for this world. Also, angry bird isn’t really a lot to go off from. Raiona’s journal should’ve come with a big bold note: “Mede is a freaking phoenix!”

‘What happens if he catches us?’

‘I would fight him until only one of us remains.’

‘Do you have to?’ I asked softly.

‘Are you ready to accept your princess role?’

‘Do I have to?’

‘Are you ready to go to the kingdom?’

My throat tightened. ‘Only if you’re coming with me,’ I whispered, my voice breaking.

I’m sick of it all. Of not knowing. Of running. Just get me back to earth. With this man. I am taking him with me. Ami, you’d just have to give us your blessing. He’s a bit of an idiot, but I don’t mind calling him my idiot.

‘Is there something you want to tell me?’ Celphi’s voice dipped, heavy with anticipation.

I’ll miss him if I ever make it home.

He paused and loosened his grip on me, just enough to look into my eyes and see my face unobstructed. There in the middle of nowhere, where the air was cool and still, where only pin-prick lights cast, I felt a new emotion rising within me. This time, I was ready to face him.

It was as if a jolt of electricity sparked between us. Celphi’s perfectly shaped lips looked soft and inviting. My mind was filled with thoughts of feeling them.

I mean, I already did, but it’s different now.

His lips turned up in a soft, gentle smile. His grip on me tightened, closing the gap between us. His body felt strong and reliable. Our excited hearts are jumping in sync. My gaze fluttered to his warm and vulnerable eyes. We were both filled with mutual affection and longing.

Mmm…ok…My real first one this time.

My eyes slowly shut. My arms coiled tightly around his shoulders, eager to reach him. To feel him.

*Swoosh*

Leaves shuddered violently as light tore through the canopy, ruining the moment. My heart lurched at the sound, like the forest itself was about to collapse

Is the ground going to eat everything again? I shuddered at the thought.

I shot Celphi a look of pure accusation.

This is your fault.

His laughter rang through the chaos.

How could he laugh? Why was I the only one irritated by the continued intrusion in our moments, huh?

‘He’s desperate,’ Celphi whispered. ‘He’s breaking through the trees.’

The aerial assault on the trees continued like a vacuum trying to suck out dirt from the carpet, and we were the fleas. Celphi carefully selected a secluded shelter under a massive root system that formed into multiple caves.

Any light barely touched the rocky entrance that Celphi selected. The cave entrance opened before us like a dark mouth of interwoven ancient trees and thick soil.

The cave yawned before us like a mouth carved into the ground. Its entrance was jagged, uneven, the gigantic roots below twisted like rotting teeth, gnashing silently in place.

Uhuh… This side would look like it would hold itself in case the world opened up and started sucking floods and land again.

Glistening purple mosses covered the bark of the trees and through to the of the cave, like strands of vines, swaying slightly in the breeze. The ground at the threshold dipped steeply, like a tongue pulling inward, slick with green mud and old red leaves.

Ok woah! This is too scary.

Stepping inside was terrifying. The light behind us faded quickly, swallowed by the walls of vines and roots.

‘Are we supposed to be here?’ I whispered.

Despite being in the dark, what I could see of Celphi’s face showed a hint of familiarity and adventure. Maybe relief?

The sound of the forest dulled, along with the constant swishing of air that followed us. Muffled by layers of ground and roots. We moved deeper until all I could hear was our breathing and  the faint drip of water echoing in the dark.

‘Can you see fine without proper light?’

I felt his nod in the dark.

Ah! So the underground root system is where all the water could go to flood and take chunks of land with it. This side looks like it would hold up in case another one of those happens. What it happens again while we are down here?

‘Huhu.’ A valid excuse to hug Celphi tighter.

Travelling in the darkness made it hard to determine how long we’ve been pushing on, maybe hours, maybe only 15 minutes. Despite the erratic terrain, Celphi’s grip remained unchanged as he carried me effortlessly through it all. He slithered with ease. Now and then, he would pause to adjust his grip on me, pulling me closer and shielding me from obstacles in the path.

We’ve passed through some wide passages, squeezed through huge bizarre rock formations, slowed down just a bit when passing bizarre shining plants, giving me a chance to see things in the dark.

I hope there’s more of that light. It’s scary and damp in here. Smells very muddy and herby.

He snipped one with luminous leaves and handed it to me.

There he goes reading my mind again.

His grip on me tightened. I didn’t mind, in fact, I welcomed it. As Celphi raced into further darkness, my mind raced even faster into a realisation.

Put me down.

‘You must be very tired.’ He stopped to put me down gently.

Did I say that out loud?

I clung stubbornly to his shoulders. The dark was terrifying, and I didn’t want to let go.

He pressed an orange glowing leaf into my hands. My grip slipped, and he tricked me into finally releasing him.

Please don’t let go…

‘I will never leave you. Ever.’ His voice was firm as his arms encircled me from behind.

No doubts. He can clearly hear what I am thinking.

‘How do you hear the words in my head?’

‘I do not hear words. I feel your feelings, as long as you allow it.’

Alrighty, must be a skill thing you get when you’re mythical and all.

The rush from continued running, paired with the fear of being away from Celphi, plus the intimate moments on the top, made it easy for me to speak.

Breathless, I spilled my heart. ‘Celphi, after this week with you, after surviving the flood, poisoning you by accident, you saving me again and again, I’ve realized I wouldn’t have lasted this long without you. I don’t know why I’m here, but if I’m stuck, I wouldn’t mind… if it’s with you.’

The words left me like a rush. Just pair me with a beatboxer and I would’ve rapped it. The darkness swallowed my embarrassment. I waited for a response but Celphi didn’t answer with words. He transformed, coiling his vast serpentine body around me, layer upon layer of affection.

Sly. He wanted to show his feelings without showing his face.

I hugged him back. As much as I can hug layers of a massive creature wrapped around me like a tinsel on a Christmas tree.

Ok, now you. Tell me. Everything.

Serenity lasted for a few seconds before we both got startled by a deafening squawking, almost a warning, from above us.

‘Birdie knows we’re here,’ I muttered, raising my leaf light to the root ceiling above. 

Celphi chuckled. ‘You sound like Raiona.’

‘Maybe I am her. Maybe she’s inside me.’ My voice was bitter. ‘She’s what you want, isn’t she?’

’It doesn't matter anymore. You showed me that you are your own person. You are Ina. You are living a different life now. You decide who you want to be.’

‘I want the truth.’ I raised the leaf, forcing him to meet my eyes. ‘Tell me everything. Tell me why you can’t be truly honest with me. I will understand your reasons.’

Celphi’s shoulders lifted with a heavy breath. He was about to answer…

*Snap* 

*Crack* 

*Whoosh*

Light blinded me. A violent gust slammed into us. Roots trembled.

I was pinned to the ground, helpless, while Celphi was ripped from me, carried high into the canopy. When my vision cleared, I saw him above. Furious and unharmed.

To my right hovered Mede. His fiery wings blotted out the sun, casting a golden halo around his silhouette. Shades of red, blue, orange, and a hint of pink exude from him like an aura. He looked like a divine being. Majestic, noble, terrifying.

His eyes found mine. He gestured sharply. Before I could react, two winged figures dove for me.

‘It never fucking ends!’ I shrieked. Nuns or no nuns, I was allowed to curse at this point.

I ran towards Celphi.

Protect me!

Celphi leapt to intercept them, but Mede blocked him. I had no choice but to flee deeper into the forest.

If they uprooted a whole tree or two, then there is little reason for me to run and hide. They can just uproot the entirety of the forest until I am left with nowhere to hide.

And still, one question burned hotter than any phoenix flame.

What if I wasn’t being hunted… but rescued?

‘Argh! I don’t even know why I’m running!’ I screamed as I plunged into the dark. ‘Why won’t anyone just tell me the truth?’

But no one answered. Only the sound of wings chasing me down.