Acadia Restoration

Chapter 6

 Norah sat on the ground curled in a ball as Acadia shook. She felt it was safe to uncurl when the sound of rocks crashing stopped. Her flashlight illuminated the debris floating in the air. She looked around herself. She stood up and listened. It was quiet, the utter silence made her uneasy. The only noise she could detect was her own breathing. Her breaths were raspy from the air quality.

"HELLO!" she called. She got no response. She tried again numerous times before giving up. She wandered aimlessly in the tunnels. She didn't know what she was looking for. Her friends? She didn't know if they were friends. She barely knew most of them. She had no way of finding the Sapphire Sapling. Even if she did, what would be the point? She knew she was lost and would likely never escape. She would die in here, and she'd be alone. Not that being alone really mattered to her, she had become comforted by her loneliness. After Stella died, she knew her life would be spent in isolation. The closest connection she had was Leo, but a voice in the back of her head told her she had made up their whole friendship. She had exaggerated their relationship. She crumbled to the ground, clutching her stomach. She felt a terrible burning in her throat. She thought she might cry, but nothing came out. She thought of the others slowly dying in the mines just like her. It was all her fault, because she wanted to play hero. Because she believed she could do something valuable with her life. Maybe if she saved Acadia she'd be able to forgive herself for her sister's death. Now she'd die with not only one death on her conscience, but seven. Her mother told her to stop, to be safe, but here she was in Gema. All she had to do was be an obedient daughter. She was the only heir to the throne, her country needed her. She was failing her parents.

"It's all so hopeless," she whimpered. Then it appeared again: the blinding light. The gold orb was approaching her. It began to blink, then it took shape. It shifted into a girl. The girl had sepia skin which provided contrast against her hair. Her hair flowed down her back in golden waves. Her eyes were also gold. She wore a golden gown. The girl was surprisingly small. Norah was positive she was hallucinating.

"I am the child of Determination and Helplessness. My purpose consists of going soul to soul, helping whomever needs me most. When I am lost, I wait until a rebirth until someone else needs me. I am not confined by physics or one world in general. My age is infinity, my wisdom is none, for I can not bestow wisdom amongst creatures, only guidance," the girl began to speak.

"Yes, but what's your name?" Norah asked.

"Oh yes, I always forget to add that in my opening speech," the girl laughed. "I'm Hope,". She reached out her hand to Norah. Norah took her hand.

"Why are you here?"

"You have given up too soon. This is only the beginning of your journey," Hope told her.

"How are you going to help me?" Norah asked.

"What do you need help with?"

"I- I need to find my friends, I need to get out of here, I need the Sapphire Sapling, I need to save Acadia, I need-" Norah rambled.

"Slow down, let's break it down. What did you come down here for?".

"The Sapphire Sapling,"

"What or who do you need to find it?"

"Alex,".

"Then let's find him,".

"What about everyone else?" Norah questioned Hope.

"I can sense them, they are fine. We will get them later," Hope assured her. Norah stood awkwardly waiting for Hope to lead her to Alex. Hope just observed Norah. "What are you waiting for?" Hope asked Norah. Norah's eyes widened in surprise.