I've uploaded again! Please make sure to like and comment if you enjoyed it!

I will be updating weekly now so make sure to add to your library to get the notifications!

S. A. A

                               °°°°°°°♧°°°°°°

I brushed my hair, looking out the window and admiring the moon that shone brightly. I had blown out the candles a few minutes back and, now, the only light was that of the moon that illuminated the room in its ethereal glow.

Standing up, I made my way to the door. Midnight has just passed 20 minutes when Ayla had walked in to say goodnight. I had hugged her before she left, but instead of going to sleep, I looked into the book Negus had given me, practicing yet again.

Walking through the hallways in the dark was both frightful and calming. Light streaked through the arches of windows as I stepped lightly to the stairs.

I had told him to meet me in the courtyard and I feared, after the long day, he may have forgotten. Nevertheless, I continued down, the sound of the trickling fountain reaching my ears. I walked into the open courtyard, looking around with squinted eyes, but the darkness shrouded everything, making branches look like fingers and tall plants to look like human forms. I ignored it as best I could, but the fear rose with every passing second of dark silence.

I let out a small sigh of relief, smiling when Emut's familiar silhouette came into view, suddenly feeling more safe. He neared me until I could see the golden hues of his eyes as he looked down at me.

"I'm here." He said gently, making sure not to wake anyone and I nodded at his words with a smile.

"I'm glad." I said truthfully, feeling the fear dispel with his presence. He smiled at my words before gesturing to the door and I smiled widely before moving to the door and ushering him over.

He moved without question, opening the courtyard doors effortlessly. I could still recall the direction it was and I ran slightly, reveling in the feeling of the cool night air as it touched my face.

Emut kept in pace with me despite the fact that he was walking fast and I recalled how he had the ability of speed.

"Show off." I muttered, trying to push myself further. He laughed at this and I winced at the ache in my legs as the oasis came into view. I had never noticed how large it was, until now and I edged closer to Emut as we walked. He looked ahead as we walked through, leading the way even if he didn't know where we were going.

I directed when we needed to turn and he did as asked, walking us through. It was only when the cave came into sight that I hurried past him and towards the cave, reaching it with heavy breaths.

"Hanna, don't run away like that." He said sternly, nearing behind me. His breathing was steady and I cursed at my lack of fitness skills.

He looked around then, not even noticing the familiarity of this place- the one where we had met. I rolled my eyes at this, looking to the cave in awe. This was the place where my life had changed completely. He followed my gaze, listening as I spoke.

"This cave is the way I came into your world." I whispered, resting my hand against the wall. I wanted to stick my hand in to see what would happen, but refrained from doing so, in fear it would take me away.

Emut looked at me then back to the cave, his eyes curious.

"This is the way to Earth?" He asked, amazed and I nodded, watching as he hesitantly raised his hand to touch the wall, but stopped mid-way, putting his hand back down, seemingly uncertain about the dangers of the unknown.

I smiled before slowly reaching down and grabbing hold of his hand, surpised at the warmth it exuded. He turned to me at this, watching as I raised our hands to the wall, lying his hand flat against the wall with mine over it.

"This is the way to Earth." I confirmed with a nod as he stared at our hands against the cave. He turned to look at me again, a burning look in his eyes- one that made a feeling of heat spread through me.

"Are they all like you?" He murmured, his gaze not leaving me. My eyebrows furrowed at his question.

"What do you mean, 'like me'?" I asked to which he blinked slowly.

"Are they all beautiful like you?" He said without hesitance, his gaze burning into mine and I blushed profusely at his words, looking down.

My lips twitched as I tried to fight the smile making its way to my lips. He watched every action intently and I nodded at his question before raising my eyes, trying to calm the blush.

"Yes, I think everyone is beautiful in their own way." I answered honestly, glad my voice was unwavering. He smiled, processing my words and I smiled back before we both moved our hands down.

A minute of silence descended after this as I looked around, but this was interrupted by Emut who backed away from the cave, a small smile on his face.

"I guess, it's my turn to show you something."

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

"Okay, now open." Emut's deep voice rung out from behind me as he guided me to what he wanted to show me.

I opened my eyes, letting out a small breath at the sight before me. We were still in the oasis, that much I could tell from the trees and, in a small clearing, was a small lagoon of blue water, sparkling as the moon hit it. I neared it, looking around at the blooming red flowers hanging high in the trees.

"This is so beautiful." I let out and Emut nodded with a smile before seating himself down. I followed and sat beside him, listening as he spoke.

"I've been coming here for years. I was here when I heard footsteps and found you for the first time." He explained and I looked around in awe. Seeing the memory from his perspective was strange- the life he had before I had become a part of it. If I had stayed home, I'd probably have still been slaving away, making food for Richard who always came home late. And, everyone here would have continued on, unaware of my existence.

"What are you thinking about?" I turned to Emut at his question, watching as he leaned back on his palms, waiting for an answer.

I sighed at this, turning to look at the water. Usually, I'd keep all such matters to myself as I had done with Ayla, but I couldn't bring myself to stop the words.

"I'm thinking about family from back home." I said quietly, watching as he lifted himself closer, a look of concern on his face.

"Do you miss them?" He asked and I let out a small laugh to which his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Why should I? They wouldn't be missing me." I bit out honestly, knowing all too well that they wouldn't shed a tear for my absence. I had gained that sense now and was glad to have made that revelation.

Emut sighed at my words, brushing his hair back.

"You weren't close?" He asked and I tutted, closing my eyes at each passing memory of home.

"I wanted to be, but they didn't consider me family." I finally let out the words that I had tried to bury deep within. He didn't speak at this, listening and I was thankful for the opportunity to vent.

"I didn't call them my parents, but by their names as per their request. That should have been the first sign that I was an outsider. I guess, I just wanted to belong, so I tried to please them with everything I did." I recalled, recounting each and every pain I felt at their impassive glances and malicious words.

Emut picked mindlessly at the grass as he spoke, his gaze fully on me.

"Belonging is not the same as tolerating. Love shouldn't be dependent on what you could do for them." He said and I sighed heavily, pushing my hair back with a hand.

"I just don't understand why they'd take me in though, if they didn't care for me." I asked, pondering the question that haunted me for years now.

Emut nudged me softly with his shoulder and I turned to look at him.

"Don't trouble yourself over unanswered questions; it'll only make you restless." He advised and I nodded, knowing he was right. There was a small silence before I shook my head to clear my thought and nudged him back, smiling.

"I do, however, miss going to the movies." I reminisced, changing the subject swiftly and Emut frowned, shaking his head as I laughed.

"I think you have an obsession with watching me get confused over Earth speech." He said with an airy laugh and I shook my head, smiling widely.

"No, it's just- I don't know how to explain it. You watch other people live their lives through a screen, I guess?" I said stupidly to which Emut shook his head.

"And that's entertaining?" He asked, genuinely confused and I nudged him in the arm. He only laughed at my effort before raising his hands in surrender.

"Okay, what else?" He asked and I turned to him properly.

"What else what?" I asked to which he smiled at me.

"What else did you like doing?" He asked curiously and I bit my lip in thought, drawing my knees closer to my chest.

"Hmm, if I had to say, I think I enjoyed some sports, like running a lot." I said, remembering how I wished there was an extracurricular group in university to do that.

Emut's eyes lit up at this and he leaned back again.

"That's hardly something you'll miss; we have a track course here. Perhaps, we can indulge your hobby during a training session." He mused, a playful look in his eyes and I rolled my eyes, leaning my head against my knees.

"Yeah, compete against Mr. Speed. I'm completely up for that." I mumbled sarcastically to which he laughed, ducking when I threw some ripped grass at him.

I glared as he successfully avoided all of it before folding my arms.

"What about your family? Do you miss them?" I asked intrusively and he nodded his head with a smile.

"Of course, but they understand that I need to be away. This cause is important for all of Aaru." He explained and I leaned closer, suddenly curious.

"But still, since you were 7? You've been away for 15 years. Do you ever visit them?" I asked and he shrugged at my words.

"Sometimes, if I'm in the province for work, I will. I'm lucky that they're close, living in the Salix province. It's a day's ride from the Penta province." He said and I raised my eyebrows at his words, slightly shocked at how casual he sounded at the distance. It was as though they were all used to giving up their lifestyle for the cause.

"Well, point them out, if we ever do go to the province." I said playfully to which he let out an airy laugh before nodding.

"They'll definitely want to meet you." He joked and I could imagine they probably had a shrine for the prophecy.

I laughed slightly at his words, cursing internally when a yawn escaped my mouth.

Emut smiled at this before looking to the moon and then back at me, a hesitant look in his eyes before he raised himself up and offered his hand to me.

"I guess that's our cue to head back." He playfully said and I placed my hand in his as he effortlessly pulled me up and we walked alongside each other.

I looked upwards at the tall trees and the blooming blood flowers, a look of awe on my face at the impossible beauty of it all.

"So amazing" I muttered under my breath.

I could feel Emut's gaze on me and, suddenly, he jumped high, making me stagger back. I watched as his hand grabbed hold of a thick branch, his bicep flexing, whilst the other plucked a flower from the leaves. He landed effortlessly with a soft thud before handing the flower in my hands and I stroked at the petals, eying him with a raised eyebrow. He shrugged at this, a smile on his face.

"You like red." He answered simply before turning to walk and I followed after him with a wide smile, feeling the heat crawl to my cheeks. I couldn't help but recall the time we had previously walked out of this oasis and back to the house together.

How things have changed.

                      °°°°°°°♧°°°°°°

Hope you guys liked it! Let me know how it was!

I will be updating weekly now so make sure to add to your library to get the notifications!

S. A. A