Running To You

As terrifying as the sounds of destruction from the land whirlpool swallowing the trees and the ground were, the sounds of fighting between Celphi and Mede were just as horrific. It was a cacophony of roars, screeches and the constant beating of giant wings.

I was busy running frantically to nowhere, and no matter where my feet took me, the battle between the two formidable magical creatures seemed to follow me in echoes whispered in the forest. It’s like they’re everywhere.

Speaking of following me, pairs of wings flapped loudly and hardly just behind trees above me. Yellow eyes peeked through the thinner parts of the canopy. Taunting me as if they were playing a game of who catches me first.

This is so offensive.

When Celphi was carrying me, there were no sounds from our pursuers to hint at their presence. They just came down at the right time to stop and ruin moments between me and Celphi.

With just me running, they sound like they have to slow themselves down intentionally by flapping around the same vicinity.

Oh, they’re definitely judging.

I just annoyed myself thinking that. I am a human, no magical powers whatsoever. But the mere thought of magical creatures laughing at me just sparked something violent within me.

‘You should pick on someone your own size! Or skill. Or type of creature!’ I screamed at the void that is the forest, hoping those meant to hear it did.

The thicket served as a divider between me and the skies on which my pursuers flew in. The air was growing warmer. Too warm. I could smell fire even from here, sweet and sharp like burning petals. I could almost feel the heat pricking at my skin. Like little sparks whispering warnings.

I didn’t know if I was making the right choice. But my heart just kept pulling me back toward Celphi.

That’s when I found it.

If the earlier one was subtle, this one was hard to ignore. A more intricate cave root system twisted out of the ground this time. I stepped inside carefully, hoping that somewhere, somehow, there would be a path that led back to Celphi.

After my rushed entry, the world changed. The air grew still and hushed, battle cries sounded far and few, the darkness hugging me, instead of Celphi.

It did not last long, I followed faint light from inside the cave which lead me to a chamber that greeted me with an indoor garden of the lighting plant. I took a dozen as if they were flowers and sped in the direction I thought I heard Celphi and Mede were last.

After just a few minutes of navigating the cave, I heard it. Leaves rustling, and then two heavy thuds on the soft ground above me. My heart jumped to my throat.

They had followed me!

The birds, or whatever they were, must have torn through the canopy once they realised I’d gone quiet.

Just when I thought I have successfully pulled two layers of separation between us, first the layer of dense forest and secondly the layers of ground and roots, they close it.

So they really were giving me the head start. Why am I so annoyed at being underestimated? How can I simultaneously feel angry and scared at the same time?

Footsteps. They were walking. Human again. I covered my mouth with both hands and stilled my body. My heart is the only thing that is moving and making rapid thumps.

How can mere footsteps scare me so much?

The footsteps above me eventually faded into the distance. Or into a halt? Sensing, listening, scoping on my whereabouts. I looked around me for a weapon to get ready for anything. Wouldn’t you know it. I still had the poison succulent tied to me. How it got dragged with me THE WHOLE TIME, I don’t know. But no complaints.

As I lowered down to pick it up, a scream echoed.

Celphi?

My body moved before my brain could stop it. I sprinted toward the pained source without any hesitation. Like I would run to a hospital code. Not a second to spare. My lighting plant showing the way as I follow the path with the increasing warmth and chaos.

*thud*

I tripped over something gnarled and invisible in the gloom. My fast running pace sending me hurling down some dark inner chambers. Surprisingly into something soft.

Feathery like, warm… mattress? 

Shit.

With my light source scattered into tiny leaves within two chambers, I was truly in the dark. I scrambled, blindly grabbing the first thing I could, my weapon!

Celphi’s the only creature I will lie on top of!

I untied it from myself and hurled blindly it into the dark. A yelp, a thud. One down. Massive regret set in just as quick as I threw my succulent.

‘Oops… Sorry! I really am not one to attack!’

I put both hands in front of me, feeling for any obstacles in the dark.

‘Sorry I panicked!’ My face contorted horribly. Not that anyone could see. Or maybe my assailant in the dark could.

No response?

I continued feeling my way through the cave, one arm forward, one hand scaling the wall, one feet forward, feeling the flooring.

‘I threw a poisonous succulent to you’, I spoke into the darkness. ‘You’d better get Tincy or any fairy come see to it. The effects are quick and lethal. It even got Celphi within seconds. Go.’

I am still a caregiver after all. I am not a fighter by any means. 

A deep grumbling voice responded. I didn’t catch what they said. I couldn’t see him clearly. I only heard the scratch of his claws tearing at the roots above. He carved an exit with swift movements, dim light from the dense thicket gracing my sight with a gentle wake up.

‘Princess, if Commandant Mede or Celphi gets gravely injured, or worst, you would be most hurt by this.’

‘What~’. I didn’t get to finish my sentence. He moved with accuracy and great haste.

He hoisted the other unconscious man, cradled him, and transformed. Feathers exploding outward in a burst of magic. He looked like an eagle, his wings igniting a light as he soared away with the other safely held in his talons. 2 appendages on his front carried his comrade, 2 back legs pushed him forward.

At this point, I shouldn’t be surprised with whatever creature I meet now. 

I whispered, mostly to myself, ‘Sorry. A girl has to survive’, as I looked at the unconscious state of my poor victim being airlifted by yet another mythical creature.

I truly hoped I hadn’t caused anything fatal.

Remorse was eating at me as looked around for a way out.

‘I am really very sorry. Also what do you mean I would be hurt the most?’ I still finished my sentence even if they’ve long gone.

I know I was just acting in defense, but still. I have mortally wounded someone. That’s really bad.

Using the tangled roots, I climbed with ease towards the opening.

Emerging from the cave felt like being reborn. Leaving the cool, secret hush of the underground and emerging into a harsh, heated breath of the forest. The air out was thick and sticky. Smoke hung in the air. Forest to my right, an expanse of sand to my left.

Everything looked unfamiliar. Like I’d stepped into a new part of this world. If I relied only on my eyes, I’d be hopelessly lost. But my ears still caught the crashing, the shouting, the magic clashing like thunder.

If I followed the chaos. I could find my way back to Celphi. But what do I really want?

For a moment, I stood frozen. 

I could run. Escape them both. Start over somewhere quiet. No more fire. No drowning. No more confusion. Maybe I can find someone who will talk to me normally. Not someone who will princess me this or princess me that. 

It wasn’t such a bad idea. Forget about this nightmare ever existing and go back to earth like nothing happened.

I miss everyone. The kids would be biting the heads of the volunteer carers by now. I would be very late on my thesis too. What else is more important than that.

I was standing at the opening of the cave, unmoving. My mind completely absent from my body. 

While I was still, my mind not present, two powerful, magical creatures were tearing each other apart fighting for me. For their own reasons. For reasons I didn’t fully understand.

I understand Mede has now become a commandant level, not just a friend to Raiona. He’s got a mission to fulfil. But what about Celphi? Is it from loyalty to Raiona? Or for me. Just Ina.

Sigh. I couldn't run from that. Not yet.

How did I manage to get attached to him in just a week’s time. Just because he let me cry in his shoulders and lulled me to sleep. For hours. For days. Rest that I did not have the luxury of having in earth. Complaints that only appeared as form of silent tears before I go to bed and continue my routine of being a student nurse and caretaker.

I sat down on the ground for just a second. Just one. On a patch of land so soft it felt like powdered snow without the cold. I sank into it, letting my thoughts catch up with me. My fingers traced swirls into the silken sand.

*Boom*

A thunderous bang tore through the air and snapped me back to reality.

The patch of sand-like soil that felt like snow, soft, dry, comforting, has changed into something warm and crumbly. I took a handful of the sand and let it pass through my fingers, its texture not soft anymore.

Did I run towards the end of the forest?

Before I could finish contemplating, the sand behind me rustled. A silhouette of something suspicious moving underneath the ground. Multiplying in number and getting too close. The structure of the sands changed with their move. Changing it from soft to coarse. As if sucking the life out of it.

My body decided before my mind could. Another common theme today. I jumped to my feet and ran.

Running might kill me. But staying away might, too.

‘Not today, random creatures!’ I shouted, half panicked, half determined.

I would decide how I face this. I would choose what kind of girl I wanted to be. And right now?

‘Right now, I run for the truth.’