Chapter 4: CHAPTER 2
SIX YEARS AGO
COME CLOSER, the voice repeated as she broke into the woods, away from the noise of the children, and from the comfort of the yellow torches. It was not her first of course, and certainly not her fifth. Like always, the haze of white smoke animated the moonlit forest, drilling a chill that could send one running for the blanket. Somewhere, the voice of an owl reminded her of Granny's creepy stories. She was not afraid of the night creatures, or those dog-face men. Even the barbarians could not faze her now. Those stories were for sucking babies or toddlers who were still learning the ways of the people. She was twelve. She was an adult. A brave one.
"That's enough." Said a voice that sounded like a whirlwind.
Oma clenched and unclenched her fist as she studied the fog. It was floating with the gust, crisscrossing the vacuum of silence as though the eternal darkness was its rightful throne.
There were no trees here, at least, as far as her eyes could see. It was a forest of white stones, hunching over each other and forming a circle by themselves. Maybe the giants of Zubada had traded this path in the past. The orderliness was too great to have occurred by chance. Those giants must have sat on the white stones for their meetings, just as the legend said.
"It is time to leave, and you know it."
Oma rubbed the moist air from her nose as she perused the fog that was beginning to take form. She could not make out the body, but she thought she saw long flowing hair, with eyes that were blood red. The lips were the same as the night but lined with long smoky fangs.
"Leave? You mean I should return to the village?"
"She is so naïve. Who gave her Flesh? This one is strange" Another voice said from the fog.
"Flesh of Flesh. Eaters and flesh. Oh, I miss my earthly form." Came another voice.
"Silence," The first voice that had spoken said.
Oma cringes and tries to take a step back. She thought she was brave, but for the passing moment, she could only hear the pounding of her heart as it thumped quickly in her chest. There was something about the voice. Something which had suddenly taken her braveness and left her with a chill that has nothing to do with the moist evening.
"It is time, Oma." The first voice continued, "It is time to leave earth. It is time to leave your parent. Your mission is over."
"My mission? What mission are you talking about?" Oma asked and was grateful that her voice had not betrayed her. Her legs were already wobbling and she could feel a thump at the back of her head. The pulse was so great that it made her wonder if her heart had suddenly migrated to her head.
"You have forgotten? Well, your mission on earth is over. It is time to return or face the consequences."
"I really don't know what you are talking about."
"Arrogant," A rustling voice said from the fog, "Do you take us for fools. You will pay for your stupidity."
Oma held the helm of her pelt, and looked back, towards the way she had come. The village was far behind, covered by the dark. Coming here had been a mistake. She should not have wandered far. She should have listened to Granny's warning and remained within the village. How could she be so foolish?
"The guardian will not tolerate such indolent," Another voice said.
Oma took a step back as the fog swirled towards her. It smelled like a decayed egg, and it took all the discipline in her not to cover her nose. She wanted to run too, to get far away from the forest, as far as her long legs could carry her. But she couldn't. It was not fear or surprise that rooted her feet to the spot, no, there was something greater, a force which she could not place a hand on.
"Let me go," Oma cried.
Her scream was met by the red-eyed mist as they swirled about her, whispering some silent words which could only pass as gibberish at the moment.
"Return home and live." The voice from the mist said.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Oma held her ears, trying with failed attempt to shut the many voices. But every effort seem to sap the little energy she had. Her lungs had started to burn too, and her world was beginning to spin.
"Let her go," Someone said.
The voice sounded feminine, not that Oma cared, she was desperate to get away from the force that was choking her and was grateful when it finally released her.
"Who are you?" The fog asked as it swirled away from Oma.
"Your nightmare," the feminine voice repeated and pull out her sword.
Oma coughed as she gulped the air greedily. But despite the near-death experience, she couldn't help but admire the woman that had come to her rescue.
Her hair was woven with white light and her belt shone like gold. The sword in grip was also glowing like the sun, leaving no place for darkness to rest.
Oma has never seen anything like it before, not even the stories had such majestic creatures.
"Are you alright?"
Oma blinked herself back to reality and her jaw dropped when she realized that the woman was standing in front of her. The mysterious fog was gone and now replaced by silence and the hooting of the owls.
"I think..." Oma nodded but did not break her gaze from the woman.
"Good," the woman nodded and returned her sword to its place, "Never return to these woods. Now hurry home before Buchi gets worried."
Oma nodded again as she watched the woman who was walking away to the other side of the stones. She also had a shield on her back and a dagger that...
"Wait," Oma jumped from where she was sitting, "how did you know my Granny's name?"
The woman paused in her wake but did not turn to Oma.
"I know everything about you, girl."
"What?" Oma's eyes widen, "how did you know my name? Who are you?"
"Who am I?" The woman smiled as she turned her attention to Oma, "I am your friend. I am the Pride of Alaocha."
"By the heavens," Oma fell to her knees, terror holding her captive, "You...you...you are my great grandmother, you are Queen Ada."
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