Lolirock: Ephedia - Sequel to Lolirock: A New Beginning

Ephedia: Aniani

I left Borealis, the shame of the crowds wavering on me. Seeing far land in the distance, I increased my speed, furious at the turn of events that this day had brought. 

Didn't they know that I had fought for them? 

Didn't they know I was going to spare them?

No. 

They didn't. 

No one would get spared. All suffering would be wiped out. I was going to a kingdom where no one could find me. A salvation. And I would start my plans there. 

...

I hurried, and landed, holding my empty heart and stomach. I massaged my temples and collapsed, onto the plush, soft grass of the forest. 

"Hello?" I jolted awake to the face of someone staring at me. Her face was sweet and kind, and her eyes were huge, staring at my like an innocent puppy. 

"I don't-" I paused, the headache had started to return. 

"Oh! You're hurt!" her face was full of sympathy, and hauled me onto her horse, which I hadn;t noticed. 

I didn't think she was a human. She had tiny antlers growing out of her head, and her cloak was mysterious and slightly terrifying. But her face was kind. The bumps of the street was loud and noisy, but I had no trouble sitting up. 

I heard the sound of birds. The birds were singing a song. She grinned, and hopped behind the willow trees. I couldn't even describe it. 

It was... magical. 

There were crystals of every color and shape, and little critters just like my savior were hopping jovially and tending to the crystals. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood. 

My head throbbed. I moaned in pain. 

"Almost there!" she encouraged me, as we passed a flower field and a townhouse. 

The crystals framed everything, from doorways to just the fields. They emerged from the ground, bright and happy, while my friend was still pulling me along. 

There was a crystal that we had passed, one that started out pink, but faded into a bright white. THe sun bounced off of the reflective surface, and onto my face, blinding me momentarily. It was a defense system. And a beautiful sight to behold. I ahhed in wonder. 

She smiled, and pulled me to a large crystal-framed building, complete with a crystal-framed cross. 

She pushed me, and quickly darted over to the side, where she helped me limp over to the bed. 

"What's wrong, Clarissa?" a male voice asked. 

"She's sick. I think she came from Borealis. She has that smell about her." I could almost here the clopping of hooves near my bed. 

"Doctor Ansel, what should we do?" a deep voice asked. 

"Heal her. Then send her on her way. Clarissa, come with me." Ansel replied. By the time the conversation had finished, I was already asleep. 

...

"She's sick!" Clarissa protested. 

"You cannot keep bringing strangers into AniAni!" Ansel retorted. ANother huff and a slam on the door. 

A doctor was checking my crystal growth. 

"I've never seen a crystal this dark." he admitted. 

I jerked my hand back. 

"Um, I'm unique..." I said. He raised an eyebrow, and left the crystal on the floor. Snatching it up before anyone could get it, I looked up. On the ceiling above me was a luminescent crystal. I sighed. 

"What are you in for?" a voice asked. 

"Excuse me?" 

"I said, what are you in for? Headaches? Sickness? Over-brightness?" he grinned at the last option. 

"Headache." 

"Oh. I'm over-brightness." he replied. 

"What happened?" I asked. 

"I stood too close to a defense crystal, and the light shot into my eye. Apparently you're not supposed to do that.." he trailed off and shrugged. 

I laughed. 

"I did that too on my way in." 

"Really? So you understand my pain?" 

"Yes, I do.." 

"Can I ask you something?" 

"Hmm?" 

"Do you have a hatred for humankind? Do you hate the way a person pushes you around? Do you hate the way your partner cheats on you?" 

"Woah! Slow down there!" he laughed nervously. I wiped away several tears.

"You need some sun." 

"No, I'm well rested enough, thank you."

"Oh, of course."

I stood up, wanting to get away from it all. Then it came. I fled the scene, not asking for attention. I passed the nurse, Clarissa, while she waved jovially back to me. I darted through the willow trees where I had first come. 

I turned and peeked through the shrubs in case anyone was following me. I turned, but saw no one. The forest had gone back to being quiet. I peered through the bushes, but saw nothing. Only an empty field and the sound of humming in the air. 

I tried to walk through to it, but something held me back. The bushes were keeping me away from the light. 

I paused and turned away, when I heard the rustling of voices. 

"Iris has to be here. It's the only place she hasn't been." someone insisted. 

"We should keep going." another person persisted. 

"I think we should still check here." a male voice said. 

"Fine," the persistent one from before relented. 

They passed through the trees, and I saw a glimpse of green, purple, blue, orange, and white streaks. 

I scowled in frustration. 

"They couldn't be here." I whispered to myself. 

"Did you hear that?" one asked. 

"Yeah. I did." 

Jumping down from the tree branch, I turned to them menacingly. 

"Hello."