Chapter Eighty: South

I stand there in shock, unable to explain what’s happened to me. I look back up at the Elder tree and the buzz I felt previously has now disappeared.

I look down at my hands and turn them over to check I’m not missing anything else. I try and check the rest of my body out but I am unable to see anything different. I look up to Nuria who has moved closer towards me but is still weary of my presence, and I can feel the confusion rolling off of her.

“What’s happened to me?” I ask out loud, not to anyone in particular.

“What have you done since coming around the corner? I heard a thud and came to investigate and all I notice is the hair and eyes have changed…..I thought something had happened and you were possessed or something!” She says still sounding unsure.

“My eyes?” I ask, not realising my hair wasnt the only thing that had changed.

“Well, you always had long, brunette hair, except from when you and Athena were merged as one, then it looked very much like it does now…..except you’re not currently merged, are you?”

I shake my head. I can feel Athena listening in curiously but we’re not merged as one currently.

“Well, now you have one blue eye, cool like the still water of the lake, and the other is golden, like a roaring flame. It’s strange to see.” She says whilst her eyes are darting to and from my hair and my eyes.

“I don’t understand. The only thing I did was touch the trunk of the tree.” I say, pointing to the part where I pushed my palm against the bark. “I felt what I can only describe as electricity coursing through it, pulling me towards it like a moth to a flame. I couldn’t help myself.”

She looks up at the tree and thinks for a few moments. She then shrugs her shoulders. “I’ve never heard of a tree giving power out before. And most definitely not a dead tree…..do you feel any different?”

I try and focus on my body to see if I can tell any difference from how I felt earlier today. I shake my head. “Except for the moment that I touched the tree and the power seemed to drain into me through my hand where I was touching it. However, I feel no different now.”

She scratches her chin, thinking for a second. “When we get to a clear, open space, we should train for a bit. For now, let’s go back and keep an eye on Elijah.”

We take off back the way we came, and arrive in minutes to where Nuria was sitting before. I look over at Elijah who’s in the same spot, but is now speaking in what I believe is high elven. I take a seat next to Nuria and place my back pack behind me, lying my head on top of it, as if using it as a pillow.

It doesn’t take me long before I start to drift into a dreamless sleep.

I wake up with a start, seeing Elijah hovering over me with a confused glare. I rub my eyes and stretch my arms.

“Are you ok? Did you finish your ritual?”

He gives a sad smile. “I did. Thank you both for allowing me to finish it, I know it took a while.”

I look to Nuria who chuckles slightly. “She fell asleep after twenty minutes. We’ve been here about four hours I’d say.”

I yawn and cover my mouth as I do, not realising how long I slept for. I guess I’ve not slept that well for a long time.

“So what’s happened to your hair and eyes Aliana?” Elijah asks, still gawking at me wondering what’s going on.

I go through the story of what happened to me around the corner, after I touched the tree. I see a smile peak his lips and I give him a questioning look as he does.
He looks up to the Elder tree. “The Elders used to always say that the tree held magnificent power. They once told us a story that the Moon Goddess blessed the tree, and that this was one of a few trees that was blessed and handed down to the elven children, knowing they would cherish these trees and defend them with their lives.

The trees were told to hold immense power, and that one day, when the tree was no longer surrounded by those wishing to look after it, or I guess in our case there was no one left to look after it, then the tree will find a worthy person to transfer its power over to.” He looks back at me. “I couldn’t think of a better person to hold the power of this tree.”

I smile and hug Elijah, knowing that he’s happy the stories of the Elder tree were true. I suspect that he managed to relieve some of his grief when he performed the ritual.

We sit and have something to eat and then pop our bags back on, heading towards the South side of the community.

We arrive around half an hour later, seeing the gate on this side is in the same state as the one on the other side. We push past the remains and walk a bit further, stopping after a few minutes to take a look back.

“I never thought I would leave this place.” Elijah says thoughtfully. “This is….was my home. I doubt I will ever find a place like this again.” He stops, and I see a shy smile play across his face. “My home is now with Lottie…..I miss her.”

I smile and pat him on the back gently. “Don’t worry, we’ll get back to her.”

He looks at me. “She’s going to be so angry at me for not saying goodbye.”

“I have no doubt about it. But I also know she’ll understand why we left. I’m sure she’ll jump into your arms as soon as we’re back.” I say.

At the corner of my eyes I see Nuria roll her eyes at our conversation, with a smile appearing on her lips after. I’d like to think that she was once in love, probably something similar to how our mate bond works, but I doubt she’ll ever reveal her past after she mentioned her lover betrayed her. I feel a sadness for her. Maybe one day she’ll find someone new who will fill her heart with love again, just like Lukas does for me.

As we push on South, my thoughts drift to Lukas and our time together. Although I’ve been at the pack for months, I feel like we’ve spent very little of our lives with each other. I recollect all the memories we have together, the runs we shared, enjoying each other’s presence along with our wolves. I enjoyed learning about his way of life, both showing a gentle and authoritative nature. I miss his attentiveness to my stubborn attitude, which makes me smile as we walk.

It takes us a few days to reach a large hill after heading south, which we climb up to get a better view of the surrounding landscape. We had finished all the food that was given to us at the pack, but Nuria has created a portal here and there to grab us some supplies when needed. We decided a while back that she wouldn’t go back to the pack in case she was questioned, so she’s been going to places she’s been to before, places she knows where she can hunt safely and wouldn’t take a toll on her.
We reach the top and stand there breathlessly for a few moments, before getting a good look at the surrounding area.

To our surprise, we can already see the sea, a bit further South in the distance. The glistening water calls out to me, enticing me to come its way. I look at the path down towards the sea and see a few patches of trees, but no large obstacles would be in our path on the way down.

I try to remember back a year or two when I first came up this way and ran into the Druida community. I remember coming across what used to be a small human settlement but it was abandoned by the time I saw it. I relay this information to Nuria and Elijah.

“Well, I reckon our best start is to head towards the sea.” Nuria starts by pointing towards the sea.

I nod my head in agreement. “I think going as far South as possible is best, then we turn East and head towards the settlements I came across before. I also want to look into something I remember seeing a long time ago.”

Elijah and Nuria look at each other, slightly puzzled, but I explain nothing more. I smile to myself, hoping that one of the things I’m looking for is still there.

“Right. Time to see the sea then.” Elijah says chuckling to himself and taking the lead. Nuria and I look at each other and laugh after him.