Foolishly maybe, but after Celina disappeared, the group had managed to break into the main hut. There was little inside but a few supplies..An eclectic mix of weapons,clothing and potions...former belongings of all kinds of people it seemed..whether abandoned or taken, Zephyr urged everyone to take what they could carry and with that they travelled north out of the eerie village.
The hours of trudging through dense undergrowth in the heat of the day were beginning to take their toll on all of them, even Byron stopped to wipe his brow often, leaning against the thick dark tree trunks. Jassu , Mikki and Malandra were still confused...hung-over almost...but lucid enough to keep up with the unaffected...another small group of huts loomed ahead as the sun dipped low through the branches.
..the dwellings there were raised off the forest floor..connected by rope bridges...it seemed long deserted, Luna lifted her face and closed her eyes.....”It is safe here.......we can rest easy”
Byron squinted up at the huts...”You can’t know that” he retorted...
Luna opened her eyes and smiled serenely at him...”I do”
“I believe her....come on...let’s get up there before the light goes “ announced Zephyr.
Luna moved around the edge of the clearing, softly repeating a strange melodic phrase and touching trees and rocks as she went....
Malandra stood watching her beside Byron and the others, from the balcony of the larger hut...
“She is performing a protection ritual....all will be well here ....nothing can approach with ill intent now”
Malandra sighed out the words, rubbing her temples...
Byron snorted...”I don’t get half of what you people are talking about”
In spite of that, he felt oddly comforted by Luna’s soft murmuring...it was soothing and haunting...she turned and looked up to him...she seemed stronger now...he hoped Malandra was right about the ritual.
Mia stood on the balcony quietly...it was hard to see anything at all now...the faint glow of the torches cast just enough light to make out the walkways. The water from the pool below glimmered softly.
“You haven’t spoken too much...I was wondering how you were doing” Kai was suddenly standing beside her. “You OK?”
Mia had been almost trance like, gazing into the dark...images were flitting through her mind...what was real and what was in her head seemed hard to separate. “I don’t know who I am Kai....I mean....I thought I did...”
“Still don’t remember much huh? It will come back...really...you know it will soon...maybe you swallowed too much sea water....it’s cool the other three are back with us huh?” Kai smiled, referring to Malandra, Mikki and Jassu.
“Oh yes....definitely...yes “murmured Mia...she was gazing ahead again..at nothing in particular.
Kai sighed heavily; he squeezed her hand warmly and disappeared back inside.
Mia was aware of Luna then, standing silently beside her.
“You said something before...about being ready.....what did you mean?” Mia asked
Luna smiled up at the moon...”Ready for the fight....and you ready for the truth..”
Mia frowned again..”I wish I understood”
“Then I will explain.....if you are sure you are ready”
Mia took a deep breath and nodded...over the past few days her world turned upside down several times. She felt nothing much would be a shock now.
“The men Byron, Zephyr and Kai.....we are not like them....”
“What do you mean?...I mean we’re all lost here right”
Luna smiled and shook her head. “No Mia....you are closer to home than you realise”
Silence again as Mia struggled to figure out what Luna meant.
“Where in the world are we then....I mean, like Byron said earlier..wherever this is it’s not going to be too far from civilization”
Luna stifled a yawn..All of them were so ready for sleep now.
“Mia, we are so far away from their civilization it is impossible for them ever to return,...whereas you....you are of this world....like Allora, Malandra....Jassu..me”
Mia felt her head spinning....”That can’t be...why do I feel like the guys....I don’t understand at all”
“That’s easy” Mikki strolled out, looking much more alert
“Survival instinct,....your powers were affected...so you imprinted the first being you came into contact with....in this case , the human ....Zephyr...absorbed his knowledge of his world and customs so you could communicate peacefully...an inbuilt reaction to extreme forces....geez I can’t believe you forgot that!!”
Mia’s jaw dropped.......”But....I look like a human...I mean I must be ...I am right??”
Malandra joined them now...followed by Jassu...
“Similar in appearance but not the same” Malandra added “Even your clothing appeared familiar to them...but now your powers are returning , we all now see your true form”
Jassu smiled...”You are one of us Mia....more than that...you are our leader”
