This story is set in an alternate dimension, and takes place on a version of earth very different from ours.

• 🌷 • Dedicated to those of you reading this. Every journey, no matter how difficult it may seem, begins with the first step. So don't give up on your dreams. • 🌷 •

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"I died last night in my dreams." 

Glancing up, Jonathi blinked, dumbfounded by his best friend's words. "For a shaman, you always say the most bizarre things." He commented before sinking his knees into the cool mud next to a gently flowing stream to refill his bottle.

"It's a gift," came Perry's sarcastic response. "But no, seriously, I'm not even joking. I did die in my dream; it was almost as messed up as this darn atua bottle!" She grunted in frustration, attempting to pry open the lid but to no prevail. 

One of the many disadvantages of being a shaman was that she was forbidden to partake in simple activities of tribe life, such as warrior training. That, of course, would come in handy; it would certainly help build muscles and keep fit. To be completely fair, her difficulty in getting the lid off wasn't because she lacked strength. In reality, Jonathi's sister had playfully tightened the lid as a prank.

"Why not ask the spirits for help?" Jonathi casually suggested.

Perry tossed her bottle at his head; it missed and landed beside him. She grumbled in dissatisfaction. Oh, how she would've enjoyed the sound of it coming into contact with his hard head. 

"I could always ask the spirits to drown you." 

Laughter erupted from the back of Jonathi's throat. "Not sure how you'd explain that one to my father." 

He had a point. 

Being the unfortunate son of the Sidious tribe's chief meant that Jonathi was untouchable. 

Perry slumped in defeat against a gnarled dead tree, its rough bark pressing into her clothes. Her icy blue eyes focused on her best friend as he knelt by the sparkling stream, filling his bottle. The gentle sound of flowing atua filled the air, a moment of calm amid the tension surrounding them.

Her thoughts lingered on the previous day when the tribe searched the parched land for refuge from the relentless heat. They crossed dry stretches of the earth until they found a hidden cave with a small stream of fresh atua nearby. The sanctuary was discovered by Master Tamarni, the tribe's shaman and her mentor. 

A soft shadow surrounded Perry, pulling her from whatever daze she had been in.

Looking up, her breath caught. 

Jonathi stood above her, tall and striking against the bright sky. His deep brown eyes sparkled like polished mahogany, reflecting the sun's rays and making her heart race. Not in a good way. She hated how he always did certain things to irritate her.

For a moment, silence filled the dry, hot air, that is, until he held out her atua bottle, which was now full. 

Huh?

Since when did he fill her bottle? And, more importantly, why?

"Regardless of your drowning threat, yours is full. You're welcome." He smirked, flashing his perfect white teeth. 

Stretching out her hand, Perry took her bottle from his grasp. "Thank—"

"Ah, there you two lovebirds are!" A familiar voice called out, causing both Perry and Jonathi to sigh.

Perry failed to notice Jonathi's cheeks had a gained glimmer of pink to his tanned complexion. Glancing to the right, she instead saw his sister, Ayara, jogging towards them. Just like her brother, she was strikingly perfect in every way. Her long, black hair flowed effortlessly in a high ponytail.

"Dad sent me to find you, Perry. Apparently, he and Tamarni want a word with you." Ayara stopped next to her brother and swung her arm over his shoulder. "If I were you, I'd not keep Dad waiting."

Ah, yes, chief Xale was a man who contained very little patience.

"What'd you do now?" Jonathi directed his question to Perry while pushing his sister away. "Ask a spirit to drown someone?" He lightly chuckled. 

Ignoring him, Perry forced herself upright and adjusted her wristbands, tightening them. "Where are they now?" She asked, after placing her atua bottle in its holder on her belt.

"I last saw them at the entrance to the cave. Dad was giving warriors hunting instructions." Ayara watched Perry nod, then walked by Jonathi without saying a word to him. 

"See you both later," Perry waved before walking hastily away.

When the apprentice shaman disappeared beyond their view, Ayara turned her attention to her brother. "Did I interrupt something?" she playfully asked, wiggling her brows.

Her brother slapped the back of her head. "As if I have time for anything like that, so keep those thoughts to yourself." 

Jonathi didn't even think of Perry in that way. 

How could he? She was training to take over Master Tamarni, a path that meant Perry would never partner with anyone. Yet, no matter what, she was his best friend and second sister, and he would always cherish her as such.

"Whatever you say, brother." Ayara knew her brother well. Someday, he may be chief, but at the moment, he lacked brain cells in the romance department. "I'm going to go see what our father and Tamarni want with her." And with that, she left her older brother alone. 

Perry had almost made the journey back when she felt an unfamiliar feeling wash over her. She quickened her pace. Her leather sandals hit the rocky ground with every step. All she ever wanted was to be seen not as a gifted shaman but to be normal. However, it was situations such as this when she knew normal was far from her reach.

"Perry!" Ayara somehow managed to catch up despite Perry's head start. "So...About my brother." 

The young shaman came to a stop near a large boulder to catch her breath. "What about him? He's an idiot?" She tried to ignore the unfamiliar feeling creeping over her.

"Tell me something I don't know."

Pausing momentarily, Perry suddenly heard a voice inside her head. The voice was different to her own, deeper, but at the same time, it was gentle.

It spoke one word.

Danger.

She glanced over her shoulder, taking in the horizon where the two suns sank lower, their light fading into the dusky sky. A gentle breeze stirred, bringing a surprising chill that felt refreshing as twilight approached.

"What?" 

"I said, tell me something I don't know," Ayara repeated herself, unaware that Perry wasn't talking to her. 

Danger.

There it was again, the same voice. 

Shaking her head, Perry turned to Ayara, who raised a brow in return. "What is it, Perry? What's wrong?"

"I don't know," she spoke the truth. "I thought I heard a voice." 

Ayara's hazel eyes scanned the rugged terrain for any signs of movement. The sidious tribe was powerful and had made many enemies, but as she surveyed the area, it became clear that they were completely alone, the silence heavy around her. "I didn't hear anything?" 

Of course, she didn't. 

Unlike Perry, Ayara was not attuned to the spirit world. Despite Tamarni's attempts to train her, Ayara lacked certain qualities of a shaman. 

She watched as Perry knelt on the ground, a small rock digging into her right knee. Undaunted, Perry placed her hands on the earth, preparing to connect with the energies around her.

"What are you—"

"Shhh!" Perry shushed her. "I'm listening." Straining to listen, she could make out a faint sound in the distance—the relentless crunching of stones being ground underfoot, echoing softly like whispers through the stillness. "Someone's coming!"

Ayara's warrior instincts erupted, and she quickly yanked her friend up from the ground. She positioned herself in front of Perry, ready to confront the looming threat.

"Stay behind me," she told Perry. 

"I can fight!" Perry protested, her voice a blend of determination and frustration. She tried to step closer to Ayara, but Ayara's firm hand held her back. "You know I'm capable," Perry insisted, defiance sparking in her eyes. 

"I'm aware, but shamans are forbidden to fight, you know that." She was correct; of course, she was. Ayara studied shaman law more than Perry did. "Which way?"

"What?"

"Which way are they coming?" 

Perry listened as footsteps softened, each step growing more deliberate and cautious. A chill crept down her spine; this change meant one thing—they were getting closer. Glancing to the right of the boulder they were near, she held out her hand and pointed to the direction they had just been. "That way."

Both girls exchanged glances as relief of realisation washed over them. "Jonathi," they said in unison.

As anticipated, Jonathi appeared in the distance, striding confidently towards them. The wind ruffled his shoulder-length black hair, emphasising his tall and broad frame. When he neared them, dissatisfaction was present in his facial features. 

Sighing in relief, Perry moved to stand beside Ayara. "It's just your brother," she lightly laughed.

Danger.

Her laughter cut off when that same voice spoke again.

"Why did you both run off? You didn't wait?" Jonathi questioned, now meters away from them. "Don't tell me spirits told you to abandon me?" He said to Perry. 

"Nah, this time they told her to push you off a cliff," his sister joked. 

Perry opened her mouth, ready to fire off a clever response, but that icy chill returned, abruptly silencing her. She instinctively rubbed her lightly tanned arms as if seeking warmth against the sudden cold. Turning toward the sound of approaching footsteps, she quickly realised they didn't belong to Jonathi, who stood beside his sister, unaware of the unsettling presence nearby.

The siblings began bickering amongst themselves, shouting impolite words at each other. 

"Guys?" Perry tried getting their attention, but they continued to argue. "Guys! Will you shut the fuck up and listen!"

Ayara and Jonathi paused, both turning their attention to the young shaman, who seemed startled and was pointing in the direction of the stream. Seconds later, a deep rumble resonated through the earth beneath them, sending vibrations up their legs and causing the ground to tremble.

"Earthshake!' Ayara moved as fast as lightning behind her brother, not that he would be much protection against the moving ground.

Perry, however, sensed this was not an earthshake. Oh no, this was something way worse. 

"Stampede!"

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Atua: A rare, vibrant, indigo-hued liquid that gives life to the lakes, rivers, and rain, playing a vital role in sustaining life in diverse ecosystems.