The nightmares never rested. They were always the same. Snow’s father always punced only this time I don’t move away. His fangs rip through my juglar effortlessly. I was lucky if I went a week without having this dream. It woke up me in a cold sweat one particular night.

As I took deep breaths to calm down, I heard Claire moving around her room in the darkness. She left the house shortly after. Curious, I got up and looked through a window to see where she was going.

Compared to the complete darkness of outside the Garden, inside the stars in the sky light it a dark oxford blue. Sometimes I was lucky enough to be bless by beautiful auroras; shades of green, pink or purple. For whatever reason, that night’s aurora was a deep red that faded into maroon. It made it possible to see where Claire went.

She entered the forest where Frie rested. Out of all the days we spent together in this Garden, Claire never left the cabin at night. My curiosity got the best of me and I followed behind. Luckily, Claire never noticed or perhaps she did and didn’t care. Either way, I hid a few meters away behind a tree when I caught up. They were already in mid conversation.

“Don’t you think it’s irresponsible for Rae to join you?” Frie asked. “She’s still a child.”

“It’s what she wants in the first place. I can’t keep her here forever anyways. It won’t be good for her.”

“Bellas’ words got to you, did they? Tell me, what were you hoping to find out by keeping her here?”

“It was better to have my eyes watch over her.”

“And now you’re going to put her in danger again to confirm your silly suspisions. She’s just a regular little girl, blessed for being born in The Garden.”

“Don’t lie to yourself. When was the last time someone like her was born?”

“Yes. I know. And if she dies?”

“Then problem resolves itself.”

Hearing that crushed me. My knees caved in and my heart felt like it was being squizzed. She wasn’t the most affectionate person but to not even care if I died? That was too cruel.

“But that won’t ever happen,” Claire continued. “I have complete faith in her. If she’s who I truly hope she is then it’s all the better.”

“Hmm. If you say so.”

“I know so, Frierenlus.”

“Train her well. I’ve grown fond of the little girl.”

There was a moment of silence. Knowing she had faith that I could defend myself lifted my spirits a bit, even more when said she has hope for me by her cryptid words.

“I’m sure you’ll both have your hands full. The day that we awake is fast approaching. How long has it been? I was hoping Fluerenlus to take my mantle before that day comes.”

“Don’t talk about it like it’s a certainty. I’ll stop it. I’ll stop it time. Only then can I be freed.”

“Can such a thing even be killed?”

“I have to.”

“Claire,” Frie paused. “You alone can’t do the impossible. Don’t place all that weight on your shoulders. Trust in your comrades. Trust in The Goddess. Don’t forget that you yourself are human.”

“Funny,” Claire chuckled. “Bellas told me the exact same thing. You old men just like to lecture.”

“Old age does that to you.”

“I’m jealous.”

“Will you be gone long?”

“I don’t know. History is repeating again. The world won’t ever change. For all that talk of superiority, all the same mistakes are being made.”

“Do you regret the one you made?”

“I won’t make it again.”

“I hope you find the answers you’re searching for, my friend.”

-

On my eighth birthday, Claire broke the news that we would leave that day. She called it part of my birthday present. It’s a tradition most cultures do as a celebration of one’s birth.

Before I could gather my things, she commanded me to hang my head down backwards in the bathtub. A tower was laid down around my shoulders.

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“What are you doing?” I asked once she rubbed a cold and thick liquid through my hair.

“I’m dyeing your hair. I can’t have people seeing your white hair.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want you to stand out.” I felt that she was lying. Claire was keeping something from me again but I didn’t press it further. I just had to trust her.

After what felt like an eternity, Claire began to wash my hair. She used her magic to blow hot air to dry my hair. My curiosity of why she can use magic without consequence and I can’t popped up again.

“Does using magic really kill you?”

“Yes. And before you ask, I’m able to because I’m blessed by The Goddess.”

“If I get blessed too, will I be able to use it too?”

Claire roughed her fingers through my hair. “Of course but when you’re much older.” She stood. Ever since I found out about magic, she’s been more liberal using it around me. Crystals appeared in front of me and formed into a mirror. “Do you like it?”

I didn’t look at myself through a mirror often. There wasn’t a need to. I looked like a completely different person. It’s like the black hair completely changed the shape of my face. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t like it either. I knew it was going to take time to get used to.

Snow, who has been watching this entire time, climbed on my shoulder. She lightly tapped my cheek a couple of times with her paw.

“I don’t think she likes it,” Claire giggled. “You lost the only thing you had in common.”

“Then let's dye her too!”

“I’ll rather not die. Pack your things, we’ll be leaving soon. Don’t forget to say your goodbyes, we won’t be back anytime soon.”

I only packed a bag with a few of my toys and a change of clothes. As I got my sword ready, I was told to leave it behind. I wasn’t going to need it. I was perplexed but left it alone. I was sure she was going to give me a better one later.

Heilari was the only one excited and jealous that I was leaving, everyone else wished for my safety. My friend always wanted to leave the island and explore the world. Like me, he too dreamed of having adventures. I promised him that I’ll tell him all my stories when I returned.

I said goodbye to Frie last.

“Stay safe, Rae. The journey you will face is extremely dangerous. Don’t let the world bring down your smile.”

“It wont! When I come back, it’ll be my turn to tell you a story.”

The old dragon laughed. “I’ll happily wait. Child, do be careful. Remember that not all people share the same kindness as you do. Don’t believe everything that someone tells you. Always look for their intentions.”

“When I leave, will all the other animals come back to their homes?”

“Yes.”

“Then can you tell them I’m not a bad person? I want to meet and play with everyone when I come back! They don’t have to be afraid of me!”

Frie laughed, “I’ll pass along the message.”

-

Fluer was waiting outside. He sat me down on his back and Claire jumped on.

“Both of you ready?” the dragon asked.

“Wait! What about Snow?”

“She’s not allowed, Rae. Don’t worry, she’ll be comfortable here. You don’t have to worry about her.”

“Won’t her family try to kill her if we leave?”

“I told them not to. And if they try again, Hlyae is there to protect her.”

“Okay…”

“Here,” Claire handed me a pair of goggles. “Put these on. Fluerenlus, let’s go.”

In an instant, we’re in the air. I wasn’t even given time to put the goggles around my head. Claire had to help me out as I struggled to figure out how. She picked me up when she stood and moved us to where Fluer’s neck met his back. The wind was slicing through my face aunderstanding why I needed the goggles.

“Look,” She pointed ahead.

It was nothing but the vast ocean of blue. It’s nothing how it looks at ground level. It’s endless. There was nothing else around. Empty. I looked behind and got to see the size of the island for the first time. It was tiny, like looking over an ant and it was fading away. A ball of sadness rolled inside me. I was finally leaving it behind and I didn’t ever get the chance to explore past the plains. There were all sorts of magical creatures that live in that island and I only met a few.

Fluer ascended even higher. We went through the clouds and I found that they weren’t solid like I thought. They were more like a dark fog. Claire put on a clear mask around my nose and mouth the higher we went. I hadn’t noticed just hard it was getting to breathe until my next breath instantly filled my lungs. Then we cleared through the clouds and only a hollow pillow of white was below us. An ocean of clouds that looked like they could be bounced on.

“Where are we going?”

“A city first. We have you get you prepared first before we do anything else. I have people expecting me there.”

“Okay!”

“And do not, under any circumstance ever mention the island, got it? Promise me.”

“I know already!”

“Promise me.”

“I promise.”

Fluer laughed at our conversation. “Don’t be so worried, Claire.”

The trip was long. The empty and endless ocean eventually got occupied by dot size islands. It was hard to believe there were other lands besides the one I grew up in. Other places with new things I haven’t seen yet.

Eventually, the ocean was overtaken by land that felt just as massive. Endless like the water before it. I saw just how massive this world truly is. And this was just one chunk of land. All across the globe, there are many more continents just like this one.

We came to a stop.

“We’re here. Rae, have fun.”

Claire picked me up, “Hold on tight,” and jumped without even giving me a warning.

This woman is crazy, were my first thoughts.

I buried my head into her chest as we fell. The wind was screaming in my ears and only got louder as we accelerated. I thought Fluer was going to land somewhere and drop us off. No, this is how he keeps his existence hidden.

Claire rubbed my hair to signal me that everything was fine. The wind was too loud to hear what she was saying. After a few minutes, the fall slowed down enough and felt like we were floating. I was able to look down and see how close the plains were. Claire landed on the tip of her toes as if she was getting out of bed.

“See? Nothing to worry about,” she held me up like she does with Snow. “Oh. I didn’t think you would get that scared.”

I tilted my head, confused about what she was talking about. Her eyes were looking at my crotch. It was only then that I noticed I was warm and wet.

“This is your fault! Who jumps out of a dragon?!”

I made Claire laugh, “Mmehehe.” It was loud and energetic. For a second she acted like a different person. And behind that laugh followed a smile. A smile that was bright. A smile that didn’t carry any weight. A smile that told me I wasn’t just a kid she was babysitting.

A mother’s smile.