‘When I think back to the time when I first opened my eyes.
I remembered the light coming from the sky.
The light...
Such a mesmerizing light....’
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In her early memory, as far back as she can remember, it was almost as if she had been born into this world, just as the flowers bloomed on the first spring morning. The sensation she felt—the feeling of being immersed in the heavenly scenery. For the child, it was as if she had always been cherishably welcomed in the illusory garden.
The child had a hazy notion of her frame of mind, for it was the day when her consciousness slowly awakened and her senses perceived the world around her for the first time. As she sleepily lifted her eyelids, the light of the world penetrated her vision of nothingness and she hesitantly moved her face to the patch of grass. As she turned her face to the grass, the child could see the fluttering butterfly wings on the white petals of the flowers beside her, swaying in the hazy, gentle breeze.
In the cooling atmosphere, she felt the texture of the grass against her right cheek and a gentle breeze ruffling her silver, loose hair. The child found warmth and solace in her breathing, living body resting under a willow tree, comforted by the shade the tree provided. It was so comforting that she did not want to leave her position; it was as if she was at peace with the tree under which she lay. There was nothing that could disturb her peaceful disposition, which she assumed would last forever.
*Thump*
It was only at that moment that the sound of grass and flowers being trampled nearby could be heard.
Instinctively, the child groaned and moved her body to block out the intrusive sound, only to hear footsteps coming closer, trampling on the grass and disturbing her peaceful sleep. As the sound became clearer, she sleepily lifted her heavy eyelids and turned to see the source of the noise.
The child briefly saw the flocks of black birds flying through the air and heard their calls before they disappeared into the distance. Then she turned her vision around and saw a tall humanoid figure approaching her: the figure had the appearance of an older lady and seemed sophisticated and feminine. The lady wore a wore a long, dark coat and a wide-brimmed hat adorned with flowers. She had her chestnut-brown hair tied into a low bun. Her emerald green eyes were especially striking as they looked down at the child.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Barely awake, the child was not sure whether to return to her peaceful sleep or act on the unfamiliar, intrusive variable. Her frame of mind was still unclear to her, so she had no choice but to observe instinctively and without reaction.
That said, the child did nothing but stare absentmindedly at the lady. At that moment, she felt something in her right hand. She turned her attention to it and unfolded her fingers to see a keyhole-shaped stone. She didn't understand why she had this object in her hand, but for some reason this stone she was holding must had a connection to her.
"Tsk, pesky birds," the lady said flatly, who was visibly annoyed at being disturbed by the dark-feathered birds. She clutched a wooden intricate staff in her gloved hand and continued, "If I hear any more birds squawking and coming toward me, I'll blow them all away."
She continued to walk through the branches, brush and leaves, ready to meet anything that came her way, until she came to an open grove in the middle of which was a large willow tree surrounded by a field of white flowers. The lady paused in her steps when she noticed that the child was awake and looking at her. Her surprise lasted only a moment, then a friendly smile graced her features and she walked slowly toward the willow.
“Oh dear…”
The child watched as the older woman's figure grew closer and more intimidating, larger and more dominant, until she was looking into her eyes like mother and child.
Gently and humbly, the lady bent down, lowered her staff, held out her hand and brushed the child's hair from her face. She had a wise disposition, as if her attitude was sincere.
She greeted her gently and with a welcoming smile, "Good morning, little one. Did you sleep well?"
The child idly rubbed her weak eyes and looked at her more closely. The lady gave a light chuckle as she moved her lips and spoke in a mutually respectful tone, “It’s good to see you slept well. Do you know your name?”
She tilted her head to the side in bemusement and opened her mouth, “My… name?”
"Yes, sweetie, do you not have a name?"
After a second or two of registering the question, the child lowered her head, covering her eyes as she delved into her thoughts, drifting through her mind’s collection of information and memories. ‘My name…’
"Ely… sha…"
"Elysha?" The lady nodded with a smile and continued, "That's a beautiful and lovely name for you, Elysha. From here I will take you to my home in the cottage, where it is cozy and warm."
The child raised her head and murmured, “Home…”
She looked at the woman with a dazed expression. She did not understand what was going on, but she had the instinct that she could trust this person.
“...”
The lady noticed tears running down the child's cheeks as she lifted her head. She opened her outstretched arms, hugged the little girl and replied, "Yes, to your new home."
When she felt the warmth of the embrace, Elysha slowly closed her eyes and submitted herself to the protection of her guardian.