The Journey

“Argh! It's morning already,” Rose growled as the sun shined on her. She tried covering her face with her palm, but it did nothing to save her from the scorching sun.

“Where the hell are we? And why does the sun scorch on a freaking morning?” Jay asked rhetorically, as he stretched his body.

“I think you should ask the dragon goddess that question, she created us and the sun after all," Marcus replied and swiftly stood up from the floor, he dusted the sand on his body, and when his eyes fell on Arianna, he smiled broadly.

Arianna was seated beside Anita, and they were both giggling. Anita whispered what Jacob told her into Arianna's ears, and Ari teased her.

Jacob and Bobby were watching the two playful ladies from a distance.

“Arianna said she wants some space away from me,” Bobby confided in Jacob, his eyes filled with unshed tears.

Jacob looked concerned, and he gently patted Bobby's back.

“Anita, I am sure you heard Marcus's words, do well and ask your mother when next you see her," Amira said to Anita playfully.

Anita furrowed her eyebrow in surprise. “Don't worry, let's rescue the world first, then you will be able to ask my mother– I mean the dragon goddess yourself.” She replied.

“You're still unable to refer to her as your mother?" Jay asked with squinted eyes.

Anita sighed, “How am I supposed to call a woman I have never seen in my entire life mother? I grew up in the city, back there I had a mother and two siblings. Suddenly, I realized that the woman I grew up with is not my biological mother, and my siblings and I are not blood-related. I still don't understand how the dragon goddess, a woman who is old enough to be my first ancestor, is my mother.”

“Hey Anita, calm down. I think you're chewing more than you can eat. Relax for a moment, and everything will become crystal clear to you," Arianna assured her with a broad smile on her face.

Anita looked at her, unconvinced, but on seeing her smile, she took a deep breath.

“As much as I don't just agree with anything, I think Arianna is right. No, I don't think so, ‘cause she is right. You are the dragon goddess reincarnated daughter, when we see Elijah, we’ll figure out what to do next, and I think you will know more about your family in the city,” Amira chipped in.

"Thanks, Amira,” Anita appreciated.

"With that being said, let's move forward, it wouldn't take up to an hour before we get to Elijah's,” Marcus informed them.

They all picked up their bags. Rose brought out snacks and gave some to Jay and Arianna, while Marcus exchanged his water for snacks. The interesting fact was that they were all trying to shield themselves from the sun.

As they journeyed on, the scorching sun beat down relentlessly. Anita pulled out a scarf to cover her head and neck, while Arianna and Amira shared an umbrella.

"Marcus, how much longer until we reach Elijah?" Jacob asked, squinting against the sun.

"Less than an hour," Marcus replied, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

Bobby walked alongside Jacob, his eyes still red from earlier.

"Hey, Bobby, you okay?" Jacob asked concern etched on his face.

Bobby nodded. "Yeah, just…thinking about Arianna's words. I mean we've been together for decades."

Jacob nodded sympathetically. "Give her space, Bobby. She'll come around, and try to stop acting like her father, she needs a partner, not a boss.” He said playfully.

Bobby faked a smile and turned to look at Arianna. She was having a conversation with Marcus, and they were both giggling happily like a child.

As they walked, Anita pondered her connection to the dragon goddess and her city family. Questions swirled in her mind. ‘Does this mean I have two mothers? But who was that woman I met on the bus? It can't possibly be the Eclipse Messenger.’

"Amira, can I ask you something?" Anita said, turning to her friend and companion.

"Of course, dear, fire away," Amira replied cheerfully.

"How did my biological mother… the dragon goddess ensure my safety while in the city? I mean if I was magical, people were supposed to exploit me, right? Also, do you think I have a biological father? Because that would be weird. I've never had a father, not even in the city, and I don't think I’m ready to have one." Anita moaned with a sad expression.

Amira's expression turned somber. "I sincerely don't have answers to any of your questions, but Anita, those answers will come with time. Know this: your mother's love and protection have always been with you. Although I was never able to experience it, I do know that a mother's love is unreplaceable."

Anita nodded, though uncertainty lingered. “You're right," she agreed, trying to convince herself to agree with Amira’s theory. “Oh, goddess! I am so sorry for asking you those questions, we are both foreigners after all.”

"Oh, it's fine. Sometimes we all need someone to talk to, and trust me when I say I have the best-listening ears,” Amira replied cheerfully, and they both hugged.

It was as though Jacob knew what the two ladies had discussed, because the moment Amira excused herself, he jumped to Anita's side. His hand found hers, offering comfort. "You're not alone, Anita. I'm here to help you uncover your truth, and so are the others."

Anita chuckled and wrapped her hands around Jacob's, she couldn't explain why she felt so free around him, but after he spoke to her back at the storehouse, she felt safe around him.

“How come you've always known about my reincarnation, or should I say rebirth?" She asked curiously.

Jacob seemed surprised, he wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her closer to him as they walked. “I don't know what you're talking about, sweet," he replied.

“You should!" Anita deadpanned childishly, “When we first met, you spoke about reincarnation.”

"Oh, sweet, that's nothing new. The first thing we ask foreigners is if they believe in reincarnation. It's just a harmless test,” Jacob explained with a smooth voice.

Rose was standing beside Anita, and she smiled at Jacob's explanation. “I am proud to say that I am not a foreigner, because I wasn't asked that question," she chipped in playfully. “Tell him to lie again, baby girl," she whispered into Anita's ears, making sure that Jacob heard it.

“Hey, Rose! Mind your business!” Jacob growled at the young lady, and it erupted a laugh from Anita's throat.

"Why do some men like lying?” Anita asked Jacob sarcastically.

"The same reason why women believe any bullshit a man tells her,” Jacob replied. Anita nodded her head thoughtfully, before bursting into laughter.