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Water fountain in courtyard.

A/N: Make sure to read the end announcement.

S. A. A

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"Woah, loosen your grip, Hanna. The bow's not going anywhere." Ayla joked from the side and I spared her a mock glare before returning my eyes to the task at hand. I exhaled deeply, eyeing the target set out just a mere few yards ahead of me. Closing my left eye, I stilled for a few moments, putting my utmost concentration into my actions. Slowly, I released my hold, watching intently as the arrow flailed through the air towards its destination.

Miss

I sighed in frustration, hanging the bow back on the shelf. Ayla chuckled slightly to herself, sitting up from where she was sat.

"It's okay, Hanna, it's only been a half hour. Trust me when I say you'll get better." She comforted, dusting off her legs and I nodded gently at her words.

It was yesterday when I had ran to the cave in what seemed like an emotional breakdown yet all remained blissfully unaware. Well, all but Demir and neither of us had mentioned the events of yesterday. I sighed, thinking about the weight of my decision. I had decided to stay in Aaru and, in turn, to not go back home. The things I was giving up in this decision were too dear to think about, but I didn't know why I had made the decision that I did. A shameful part of me knew I had done it to feel significant. Back at home, I didn't exactly feel as though I was a vital part for anyone's survival, much less mine. But, here, I felt wanted. I scoffed internally at my thoughts. Clearly, I was important for one reason and for one reason only- the damned prophecy.

"So, where's Emut? Not that I don't love hanging out, but isn't he meant to be training you?" Ayla questioned, looking around and I followed suit. We were the only occupants in the big hall right now and I felt somewhat thankful that I didn't have to see Maya right now, after what happened. I grabbed the small towel from the side and patted it against my forehead.

"Negus needed him for something important. He told me to make do without him today." I explained and she nodded at my words. The memory of his words stayed fresh in my mind. Following the small subtle disagreement we had gotten into yesterday, I was still a little on edge with him. Of course, he greeted me with a warm welcome which reinforced what had been running through my head all night. The concern or friendliness that anyone extended to me here was only limited to what they believed I could do for them. Emut had apologised for not being able to train me and I had given a clipped 'okay' in response. At this, he had sighed deeply before making his way down the hall.

"Where's everyone else?" I questioned curiously, sitting down on a bench. I smiled when Ayla came and sat beside me. She leaned her head on my shoulder before speaking.

"You know the village we saved yesterday?" She let out, a tired tone to her voice. I nodded at her words, laughing when her head also moved as she was resting on me. She whined at this, nudging me to stay still.

"Well, it's actually made up a group of very small villages and is called the Penta Province. It's nearly the time of celebration for the Wag festival but, after what happened, the villagers are in fear. That's why we're going there to help. There's never been a year where it has gone uncelebrated and that's not gonna happen this year. Everyone's readying supplies to take to the village." She explained, a yawn escaping her mouth as she spoke and my eyebrows furrowed at her words.

"What's the Wag festival?" I questioned and I noticed the spark that lit Ayla's blue eyes as she spoke.

"Wag- it's a festival for the deceased. We do it to honour their journey to the afterlife." She said, standing up and pulling me up by the hand. She moved us towards the door and I smiled at her words.

"That sounds like a nice thing to be a part of." I murmured, but Ayla heard, turning to me as we exited into the hallway.

"Didn't you celebrate any festivals growing up?" She questioned casually yet to me it was anything but. Suddenly, the searing weight of the empty childhood I had spent back at home came crashing back and tears sprung to my eyes.

"All these for me?!" Sierra's voice was light and cheerful as she sat under the average-sized Christmas tree in the corner of the room. In her red and green striped pyjamas and ridiculously immaculate pigtails, she looked the epitome of cliche, given the time of year and I envied that. At a mere age of 7 and I had already begun to feel the emotion as it spurred through me as I sat on the couch. Now, my pyjamas were nothing to complain about. A pink and white barbie-styled pyjama set that looked as though it had just been brought. However, that wasn't the case. I had been sporting these nightclothes, from since 6 months ago, as I was taken from the foster home and into the arms of Debra and Steve. Sierra's, on the other hand, were just bought two days prior, fit for the occasion. And, what a joyous occasion it must have been for her.

I watched sadly as she cuddled the new baby set she had just received, pram and all. It was the 5th present she had received so far and I waited in anticipation for it to be my turn. But, when she went greedily searching for more, I couldn't take the wait any longer.

"Mommy?" I let out tepidly, tugging on Debra's sleeve. She turned to me with a sickly sweet smile on her face before placing her hand over my own.

"Honey, I've told you this. You can call me Debra, sweetie." She said, her voice as thick as honey and I all but drowned in it.

I gulped slowly, nodding my head before tugging at her sleeve yet again.

"Um, D-Debra, when will it be my turn?" I let out, pointing a tiny hand towards the tree where Richard was rejoicing with Sierra. Debra sighed heavily at my words before pulling my hand off her sleeve and into her chubby hands. Her small eyes scanned me as she spoke.

"Hanna, we got you the best gift of all." She breathed out and I smiled at her words, tears of excitement springing to my eyes. This would be the first time I had received a gift.

"Oh really? What is it?" I let out, my squeaky voice filling the air and Debra chuckled warmly, her rounded body shook with the action.

"Oh, Hanna, the best gift we got you was adopting you. Taking you in when no one else wanted anything to do with you. Always remember that."

"Aaru to Hanna! Are you okay?" Ayla swatted a hand in front of my face and I shook myself out of my reverie, plastering a forced smile on my face. Ayla looked at me suspiciously as I nodded my head.

"I'm fine, honestly." I said, cursing the wavering tone to my voice. Ayla pursed her lips at my words and nodded. I was almost about to thank the lords that my sadness had gone unnoticed, but stopped when Ayla reached a hand out, touching my cheek.

"Usually when people say they're fine, they're not crying." She spoke gently, folding her arms. I looked away from her expectant gaze with a sigh. I couldn't help but cry. All these years I had bottled it up, thinking that life would somehow be better if I finished university and got a job far away. Now, I knew that option was out the window and there was no hope keeping me upright. There was nothing left. I turned to move when a sob escaped my mouth, but Ayla stopped me with a hand on my arm before pulling me into her. I relaxed into her warm embrace and let a few cries leave my mouth. Her hand gently patted my back.

"Hey, it's okay, I don't know what you've been through and I can't change it either. But, I'll always be here to listen, if you need me." She reassured and I stepped back, wiping my face. It was very unlike me to act as vulnerable as I had just done. I shook my head, politely declining the offer and Ayla smiled at this. I wanted to cower away after just acting like a weeping child in front of her, but she paid no heed to this. Clearing her throat, she walked slightly ahead and I watched her through now-swollen eyes. She smirked my way, her hand on the arrow satchel on her back.

"Well, in the morning, you were pestering me about my abilities. Wouldn't you like to find out?"

*****************

I wiped at the dampness on my forehead with the back of my hand. Currently, I was in the courtyard, squatting as I pulled potatoes out of the fertile soil. I had agreed to Ayla's offer and she had told me she would show me in due time. First, supplies needed to be readied for the visit to the village and that was why I was doing just as she had instructed. I groaned tiredly, putting the potatoes into the sack which looked rather heavy now.

"Hanna, is it?" Came a gruff voice from behind me and I squealed in surprise, falling forward onto my knees. Looking back quickly, I saw none other than Abrax in the same attire he had donned the first time I saw him- a chainmail sort of material. I nodded at his question, losing the ability to speak. For a moment, a small but professional smile etched into his dark face and he bowed his head slightly.

"An extra pair of hands will only better the cause. Welcome Hanna." He said, his voice serious and distant. I noticed how he held a large clenched fist as he spoke and, with another small bow of the head, he walked out of view.

I breathed a sigh, listening to the sound of his attire as he walked. When the sound faded, I let out a small breath to ease the nerves and returned to the task. By this point, the brown sack was full and I sat it upright before knotting it shut. That, in fact, was the easiest part. I heaved a few long breaths as I tried picking up the sack but to no avail. It didn't even budge. I tried a few more times, but when I garnered the same result, I resorted to just dragging the bag out of the courtyard, the sound of it emanated around the area.

"What did the potatoes ever do to you?" I stopped in my actions, turning to Emut entering from the outside door. He walked in powerful strides, donning a white tank top and I turned my gaze when I felt as though my eyes were lingering a little too long on his tanned biceps.

"I can't carry it." I murmured, embarrassed and Emut let out a small laugh at my words. I held in a breath as he came closer, his hazel gaze burning into my own.

"It's fine, I'm here." He said simply before grabbing the sack out of my hands and effortlessly slinging it across his back with one arm. He turned to me as he walked ahead, a look of nonchalance on his face.

"You're coming too, right? To the village?" He questioned casually and I followed behind him to the hallway. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Why does it matter? I'm not really any help, am I?" I said quietly and Emut nodded his head as he processed my words.

"You will be." He let out, his voice deep and then we were in front of Negus's office and he came to a halt. I followed suit, looking around to see Abrax carrying a basket as he talked to Arun, who carried a few books in his hands. On the right, was Demir and Maya who were busy filling up a cart of some sort with glass bottles.

"Booze. The Penta province is known for their drunken celebrations." Emut explained, kneeling down to talk into my ear and I nodded at his words.

Maya scoffed, turning to glance in our direction.

"They're more than just known for their drunken celebrations." She let out and then her gaze was on me. I cowered back slightly from the glare she threw in my direction. Her eyes filled to the brim with a loathsome heat.

Demir huffed as he crouched near the cart.

"Maya, can it wait? My back's killing me." He said and Maya rolled her eyes before looking away from me and crouching near the cart. Negus came out from his office, Ayla beside him and I smiled as she approached me.

"We're taking all of this?" I questioned, gesturing towards the cart-load of things and Ayla nodded. I watched as Emut moved forward, putting the potato sack into the cart as well before going to Negus.

"We're taking it to the central village. It's about a 35 minute walk from here." She explained and I looked to her in confusion.

"How are we gonna carry all of this?" I asked and a smirk made its way to Ayla's face.

"Oh, that's the fun bit." She commented and before I could ask what she meant, Negus cleared his throat and the hallway fell into silence.

"As you all know, we are heading to the Penta province to help prepare for the festival that occurs in 2 months time. Word has come that the Chigaru are planning an attack in the midst of the festival and that is what we are there to do. We will help with setting up the festival, all while doing the most vital thing of all. Giving the villagers hope. The hope that they could all live in joy so long as we exist." Negus explained, his eyes glancing at all of us briefly before he turned his passionate gaze to the distance.

Maya tutted loudly, folding her arms dramatically.

"Hope? We're warriors, father. And you think the top thing on our to do list is to play 'party '?" She questioned indignantly and Negus shook his head slowly, a wisp of a smile on his face.

"You will soon understand." He said solemnly.

"Shall we leave, Negus. The villagers must be waiting." Arun let out eagerly, tucking his long blonde hair behind his ears. I almost laughed as Maya rolled her eyes in distaste at his words.

Emut answered instead, glancing towards Negus as he spoke.

"We should be leaving now. Ayla?" He called, turning his gaze to Ayla, who all but strutted forward, a wide smile on her face.

She turned her eyes to me, mouthing 'watch', a glimmer of amusement in her crystal blue eyes. I responded with a questioning look of my own, but she merely ignored me and looked forward, smirking.

"Hold on to something." She announced aloud and I watched intently as everyone drew themselves closer to the festival items. I gingerly followed their movements, taking hold of a basket of fruits.

Then there was silence.

Ayla breathed in, tucking her blonde hair to one side before closing her eyes. She muttered to herself quietly and I watched how her slender fingers twitched unnaturally at her sides.

Something was happening.

I could feel it churning in me, making my insides crawl uncomfortably and I held in the urge to retch. I chewed on my bottom lip anxiously, allowing the sound of the running fountain water to ease my thoughts, but to no avail. It was at this point that Ayla's muttering had increased in pace, until her voice was nothing but a frantic whisper and her fingers were writhing eerily at her sides.

My body was lurching forward now, my blood heating up at every single second that passed until I could hear it so vividly, pounding against my ears. The small serenity of the fountain water was all I had left to cling to my sanity and I scrunched my eyes close, listening intently as it decreased in volume until it reached a monotonous hum.

Silence.

I opened my eyes slowly to find myself in unfamiliar surroundings and looked around to see a village much like the one we went to yesterday. I looked down hurriedly, inspecting my body for injuries, but everything seemed intact. I turned my startled gaze to the others, but was met with looks of normalcy.

They were used to this.

"Surprise!" Ayla cheered, jumping up and down energetically, clapping her hands.

"What just happened?!" I shrieked ungracefully, my arms flailing at my surroundings. This only made the smile on her face widen as she giggled profusely before nudging my arm gently.

"Well, I did say I was going to show you my powers." She let out with an airy shrug of her shoulders and I huffed and stuttered in response.

"Well I- yeah, y-you did, but I didn't think you meant transportation!" I reasoned, but I did not know why I was shocked. I mean, what was I expecting when she said powers? I had seen too many abnormal things, in the past few days here, that the logical course of action would have been to presume the craziest thing because- in Aaru- the impossible was most definitely the infinitely possible.

Ayla opened her mouth to respond, but the sound of footsteps made us turn our heads and I recoiled into myself as Maya's towering 5'8 figure hovered over us. She kept her fiery glint on me as she grabbed a bottle of liquor from the cart Ayla was gripping. She pulled her dagger from its sheath and I watched her expertly take the cork out with a resounding 'pop'. Arun whined gently in disapproval at this, but if she did hear it, she chose to dismiss it.

"If I'm playing 'happy family' with these villagers, I'm gonna need sustenance." She drawled in a cranky manner before tipping her head back and downing the contents. I grimaced visibly as if the liquid was rushing down and burning my throat.

Demir rolled his grey eyes in distaste.

"Well, if it makes you less like your grumpy self then- by all means- take the whole cart." He quipped and I smiled at how Emut's lips quirked upwards slightly before he quickly recovered, folding his arms.

"Play nice, Maya, I mean it." He advised, brushing a hand through his hair as he spoke. Maya nodded in resignation before glaring at Demir.

I could hear the sound of commotion from further in the village and I walked alongside Ayla as we walked through towards the noise.

"Oh, I can't wait to help set up! I love festivals!" Ayla squealed, looping her arm through mine and I laughed at her giddiness.

Arun nodded his head excitedly, his thin lips stretched into a boyish smile.

"I love it so much! Especially all the food! Oh, Hanna, you need to try the pheasant!" He chimed in, a melodic tone to his voice. Maya tutted loudly at his words, but chose to say nothing as she walked in stride with Abrax.

And, by walk I mean stomp.

"I'll be sure to try it, definitely." I said with a smile, my mouth watering at the prospect of a fulfilling meal.

"So, what do you want to be assigned to do, in the village, Hanna?" Arun asked, his eyes squinting from the glare of the sun that scorched down.

I bit my lip in thought as I walked slowly and thought about what I could do that played to my strengths.

"There's no need." I heard Emut as he came from behind and I tilted my head curiously.

"Why not?" I questioned, surprised when he responded with a small yet breathtaking smile, his hazel eyes comparative to the heat of the sun.

"Because, you're coming with me."

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Hey, guys! Thank you for reading.

I will update the next chapter when this reaches 30 votes.

So, please vote if you enjoyed it and comment on what you would like to see!

Much Love,

S.A.A