Where is this? This isn't the prison floor that I was on. What happened? the floor and the surrounding was all white.
"Aurra."
It can't be...
"Simul?" Raising my head I can see that for sure it was him.
"How... I thought you were..."
Without realizing it my arms wrap around Simul embracing him with all my might.
"It's all right now."
I feel his hand caress the back of my head trying to soothe the pain inside. I want to stay like this for a while. Until Simul said:
"I know you have a lot of questions... But right now we don't have much time."
He gently pulled me away. This is unbelievable I can't stop shaking!
"Aurra... before I died I used my remaining energy and put a spell on my pocket watch. And I slide it into your pocket."
He reached into my pocket and pulled out his watch.
"What you are seeing right now is just a piece of me I left within that spell and something extra that is coming soon."
His mouth smooths into a smile. But I don't understand any of this.
"But, you're not dead... you're in front of me..."
"Aurra... My princess, you need to know when to let go. I lived a nice fulfilling life, especially with you, and now it's your turn to live your life the way you want to."
"But.. I can't live without you!"
Who turned on the waterworks again?
"But I am not going to be in your world forever."
"I don't want you to go!"
Sniff Sniff
"Listen, the people you love won't be with you forever. As painful as it gets, you have to live your life, even when it feels like it's pointless without your loved ones. You have to face your life, giving it a hundred and ten percent. Even though I will not be next to you on your journey doesn't mean you can't make me proud by using what I taught you for yourself."
I don't want to let go! It has been a few months since I saw him and now this happened! It's not fair!
"Life isn't fair, Aurra. When life knocks you down get up, learn, and keep moving forward."
"What do I do next... I don't know Simul."
"Follow your heart, Aurra. I know that you can be a great person. You can meet more people that love you as I do."
"But-"
"No Butts! Now my magic won't last long so once you wake up you are going to be transported to a different place. There's a sweet old lady there she will take care of you for now. After that go on a journey to find yourself."
His body started to glow a beautiful white.
Why does it feel like my time with Simul is quickly being taken away from me?
"When will I see you again!"
"When you need me the most." White light shone all around me and I felt my body jerk towards one direction.
Oh man, I think I'm fainting again. As the silhouette of Simul drifted away from my consciousness...
-----------------
"AH!"
My head still feels weird. What happened? I look down at my body covered in bandages. There's also this calming scent coming from the bandages.
"Seems like you're awake?"
Who's that?
I turn my head and it seems like I'm in someone else's bed in someone's home. Turning until I see an old lady is sitting on a chair beside the bed.
"Where am I?"
"Sweetheart you're in my house! Hehe, don't worry I don't bite"
Her smile made me feel at ease.
"What happened?"
"That damn Simul! I told him to come home, but he wouldn't listen!"
Her smile seems to relax and then it shines again.
"My dear, you don't have to worry. I know what happened and Simul teleported you here to me. I treated your wounds so after you rest we can start your training."
"Training?"
Teleport? Simul never told me he knew teleporting magic?
"You want to learn magic right? Then get better quick!"
Magic? Hold up I'm going to be learning magic!? This was Simul's plan all along?
Sigh
Flopping on the bed I feel as if I am safe here. Mom, Cordelia, I want to go home. But I want to get stronger too! The old lady got up and went to another room as I waiting in the room.
Magic huh? Why couldn't Simul teach me? When he was a-
Why...
Even if he told me to let go! I can't, I won't! Curse those royals! I will get my revenge one day when I get stronger!
The old lady returned with a tray of food. Mm smells good.
"Need some help getting up?"
Her lips lifted as she placed the food tray on the table.
"Yes, thank you."
I moved to the side of the bed as she came and helped me off. Carrying me towards the table and seating me.
"Wait, I didn't seem to get your name yet."
"Oh, my name is Ming and yours?"
"My name is Aurra, Thank you for everything Ming."
"You have beautiful purple hair, Aurra."
"Thanks."
Mmm some chicken noodle soup. It smells so warm! The porcelain bowl and spoon have strange but majestic designs on them.
"Ming, where in the world are we?"
I have never seen these designs in Gregordian. Especially the use of porcelain in dining utensils.
"We are in the Kingdom of Cultivation, Qingming."
Wait, What! Isn't this place like a billion miles away from Gregordian?! Why didn't Simul tell me he was powerful enough to send me all the way here? And why here for training?
"I know you have a lot of questions, Aurra. But right now finish eating and we can actually start part of your training."
"Already?"
"Yes, it is pretty simple breathing exercises."
Breathing huh? This chicken noodle soup is already making me feel like I am healing. It's now the middle of spring and the weather is really nice outside. Through the window of the room, I could see beautiful trees outside. The pink and white blossoms dancing with the breeze and the petals floating in the air drifting across.
"As you're eating why not get closer with me?"
I hear Ming say as she watches me stare at the miraculous scene outside.
"What do you want to know, Ming?"
"Hm, what is your birthday?"
"My birthday is May 21st."
"Oh, it was yesterday?"
Was I knocked out for a whole day?
"Stay here Aurra I have a present for you."
She stood up and walked out of the room. I wonder what present she has for me. Though after all, she has done for me I'll be happy for whatever she gives me.
To clean the bowl I lifted it up and slurped all of the good soup. Mmm, haven't had a good meal in a long time. This tastes much better than bread every day. I wonder if mom is alright. I don't think she'll be too happy to see me just disappear from Gregordian. I have to get back soon, or at least tell my mom that I am okay and Ming is a great person.
Ming comes back with a dark oak box with glorious designs and carvings on the sides. The box can probably fit my forearm.
"Happy belated birthday Aurra!"
"Thank you so much Ming!"
She really didn't have to give me anything else. But I can't stop feeling excited about receiving a gift.
"Open it."
I carefully start lifting the lid of the box, hoping I don't ruin the designs, and to my amazement, the thing inside of the box is even more extravagant than the box itself.
"A knife?"
"Not just any knife. It is a dagger made of a special forging Jade and the scabbard is made of Mahogany wood and obsidian filled carving designs of a dragon."
Cooool! And it looks super expensive!
"Are you sure you want to give me this? It's so expensive!"
"I'm sure, also you can defend yourself with it just in case someone tries to rob you."
"Wait, but won't this make people want to rob me?"
"Hahaha, yes that is true. Just conceal it when you're outside."
My very own dagger. Picking it up I can feel that there isn't much weight to it and the wood has been polished and made without imperfections. holding the handle I slowly pull out the dagger.
The sea-green blade sort of transparent with cloud-like designs in side of it replicating a roaring dragon.
"This is so cool!"
"I am glad you like it."
Like it? I love this dagger, but I don't know how to fight with it. Putting the dagger back in the scabbard I realized that I'm not actually wearing anything. The bandages are covering my body like clothes.
"Um, Ming, do you have any clothes I can wear?"
"Oh, of course! Follow me as I get the clothes and we can start your training."
Both getting up and walking to the doorframe in the room. All I can think of is...
Here we go!