Memories of Gaia: A new day is dawning
Chapter 22 A new day is dawning

Aurory never thought she would cry if anything had ever happened to Valeena. She had spent so many years hating her, wishing harm to come to her at every turn. But now, as she faced her sister’s lifeless body, she wished more than anything for to be alive.

She knew that it was the job of the crystallian’s to save the planet before they died. But they were not supposed to start out as a child. Or have family and friends. Thanos had somehow altered that, in an attempt to gain control over the planet.

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Aurory cried until her eyes hurt and she felt weak. She was alone once more, the wound from losing her mother ripped open again. She faced the Goddess, spinning on her heels, feeling a strong sense of hatred for the beautiful woman suddenly.

“Could you not have made an exception this one damn time?” Aurory shouted, her voice shaking, her throat raw from tears.

“She was my sister, my friend,” Aurory felt fresh tears sting her eyes as a hand was placed gently on her shoulder.

Aurory looked up quickly, but was disappointed to see Steel standing there smiling calmly. Her make up perfect, her platinum blonde hair softly waving in the breeze.

“Aurory, you’re Queen now,” Steel said in a feeble attempt at cheering up the child. “You have the opportunity to do great things.”

Aurory ripped her shoulder from Steel’s hand as anger washed over her like an ocean wave crashing to shore. “I don’t want to be Queen!” She shouted in the woman’s startled face, running from Steel.

Aurory was glad to see Olympus circling overhead and whistled for her. She wasted no time as she mounted the flying horses back and soared away, just wanting to be alone.

The rain was ending as the golden clouds drifted and faded, revealing the brilliant blue sky once more. The red ash from Firrian was gone as well, the threat was over.

Steel watched Aurory go, unable to see the Goddess fading from sight.

Aurory landed just outside of the once mighty Star Kingdom as the sun settled in the now purple sky. Streaks of soft pink and orange clouds were smudged across the canvas as dots of light began to appear. She had foolishly hoped her mother would be alive, waiting for her but she knew better. The healing rain only washed away the curse, it would not resurrect those killed by greed.

Aurory kept to the shadows of the trees of Evil Forest as she heard the voices of the people once more in the Kingdom. It had been years since there was life in the city but it did nothing to improve her mood.

Because of Thanos, she had lost everyone she had ever loved or kind of liked. Anger filled her heart once more and she began to chant, calling on Titan to destroy the abandoned castle. Aurory stopped and fell to her knees, knowing that smashing the castle would not change things.

Aurory did not want to return to Diamond Springs, even though she wanted so badly to rub it in Aida’s smug face that she had not failed. She once more felt the strong feelings of being alone with nowhere to go.

Aurory retreated into the dark trees, where she set up a small make-shift camp and slipped into a dreamless sleep hoping the Night Demon would come and claim her soul.

Disappointment filled her heart as she opened her eyes, discovering that she had survived the night. It was still dark out, but she sensed morning would arrive soon. Olympus had not left her side and was snoring lightly, kicking his back leg as though he were running in his sleep.

Normally Aurory would have smiled at the act but her heart was numb now. She sat up, ignoring her stomach as it growled, reminding her that she should eat. Children’s laughter floated on the breeze from the now vibrant city. Aurory wrapped her arms around her knees and stared at the dying embers of the fire.

A large, over-sized wolf emerged from the shadows, pausing as it spotted the child.

“Shoo,” Aurory mumbled, her voice muffled by her knees.

The wolf huffed but continued on its way, exiting the trees. Aurory could hear a low growl coming from the shadows as something else watched her. Several Wisp rose from the fog as it seeped out of the ground, covering her feet.

“Alone with ghosts,” Aurory thought feeling fear begin to take hold of her heart as a low groan emitted from the darkness. Several Wisp circled her head, moaning softly.

Aurory climbed to her feet and grabbed her bag, turning quickly to run from the trees. She slammed hard into someone who had appeared suddenly and fell back onto her bottom, crying out in pain.

“Watch it!” Aurory shouted, pulling herself back up as anger replaced the fear.

“Make me,” The person responded, teasing the child.

The wind rushed through the trees moving some of the oversized leaves and allowing a shaft of moonlight to filter in. The morning light landed on the person who had rudely knocked the child over.

“Valeena?” Aurory gasped cautiously walking towards her sister. She picked up a stick and jabbed her in the ribs with the pointed end.

“Hey, ow!” Valeena cried out, slapping at the stick.

“Just seeing if you were a ghost,” Aurory said. She dropped the stick and wrapped her sister in a tight hug, wondering if she was finally dreaming.

“How?” Aurory asked as she released Valeena.

“Nyles convinced the Goddess that since the planet was still a mess that she needed us to continue to help heal it,” Valeena announced with a smile.

“Where is he?”

“He and Elden are searching for the sunken island where they lost Shelia,” Valeena informed her, feeling that pang of jealousy in her heart.

“Rowan is heading to Nova in search of treasure. Apparently, the goblins that live in the mountains there hoard it. Akari is with him, but she is heading home to honor her brother. When she died, she learned the truth about his fate.” Valeena said sadly, shaking her head.

“Aira, well, she just waved and ran off. I have a feeling she is heading home, even if she did not tell us.”

Aurory laughed as she asked, “How did you find me?”

“Fenrir,”

Aurory knew she should have recognized the giant wolf that had walked past earlier. “The water could not help him,”

Valeena shook her head as she picked up Aurory’s bag. “So, what is your plan?”

Aurory shrugged and then pointed towards the castle. “I am not going to be Queen. Let Steel do it. She can have two Kingdom’s for all I care.”

“Alright, then follow me.”

Aurory trudged after Valeena as they exited the forest, walking in the field where the dragon had previously attacked all those years ago. The sun was slowing rising, casting the world in a brilliant shade of pink and orange.

“Where are we going?” Aurory asked, stepping over the root that was still jutting out of the ground, waiting for its next victim.

“Have you ever met your Aunt Zuri?” Valeena replied as Olympus trotted in front of them and waited for them to climb on his back.

The winged horse soared off into the sky, as a light rain began to fall. A shadow of a dark dragon hid among the clouds, waiting for the day it would be needed again.

THE END

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