The sword and The crown

chapter 6

( warning- kinda panic attack! if you are sensitive, please skip to the end!)

Tall trees stood around the two girls, seeming to hide them away from the light of the sun. The forest was dark and gloomy, but the dim light from Alexia's lantern was enough to allow the girls to see in front of them. The large mushroom towered over them whenever they passed, and allowed light into the small pockets of the forest. Occasionally, Alexia and Loreli would sit in the sunlight and nibble on some kind of jerky they found in Lorelis bag. They passed a stream and drank its water, the cold liquid seeping down their parched throats and causing sighs of relief to pass their lips. Alexia used her magic for the first time, showing Loreli how she could make the water float in intricate designs, or sharpen and form a weapon.

They were silent ever since Alexia allowed Loreli to follow her, Their walking feet being the only sound that indicated the other was still there. As they passed the 3rd mushroom that afternoon, Loreli sat down and rested against its large stem.

¨ we need to keep moving, or we will get to the bazaar in a month.¨ Alexia said, those being the first words she said since they left the vault. She looked around, seemingly searching for yet another stream to fill her bottle up.

¨ we also need to rest. The last time we did was hours ago, and I doubt your feeling much better than I am¨ Loreli chuckled, eyeing Alexias slouched posture and heavy breaths.

Sighing, Alexia sat down next to Loreli. Her body immediantly relaxed, slumping down. 

¨ What's in that bazaar, anyways? It's just some shops.¨ Loreli asked, looking over at the half-asleep elf.

Her mind drifted to the thought that maybe her sister was being sold there, held against her will, or being forced to do something she didn't want. She thought back to the terrifying scream her sister let out, and the burn that climbed up her arm. She remembered the shadow figures laughing, and suddenly her mind started to panic even more. Her breathes quickened and her chest tightened, everything that had happened finnaly crashing on her all at once. Her sister was gone. Her friends were dead. She was in a new world with things that would want to kill her.

The screech that her sister let out before being taken echoed in Lorelis ears, causing her hands to shoot up and grab them. Her eyes welled with tears, and she slowly began rocking to try and get the harmony of voices and screams out of her head.

She must have alerted Alexia by accident with the movement, as a sleepy hand rested on Lorelis shoulder. She gripped it tightly, bringing Lorelei back to earth.

¨calm down. Deep breath in¨ Her monotone voice was laced with a motherly tone, causing Loreli to follow what she said.

¨ now breathe out. You're ok. She's ok.¨ Alexia's voice became kinder, and Lorelai's vision, which she didn't realize was fading, became clearer. Her legs relaxed as Alexia coached her through the panic attack, and her shoulders loosened up. Her breath slowed, and she faced alexia after her mind finally cleared.

Alexia's deep brown eyes were half-closed, but looking right into Lorelei's bright green ones. Her hand was still clasped on Lorelis shoulder but loosened once she saw Loreli was fine. She let out a breath, seemingly relived that Loreli was ok.

¨ Thank you.¨ Loreli whispered after a while, going back to looking up at the mushroom.

¨ Don't thank me, I did what anybody else would have. Do you want to tell me what was wrong or is it not my business?¨ Alexias' voice was tired but alert to whatever Loreli would say.

She looked over at the orange-haired girl and sighed.

¨ I was worried about what was happening to my sister. And I was remembering what happened in the vault...¨ Loreli trailed off, the memories starting to appear in her head again.

Alexias's hand tightened once more, reminding Loreli she was ok.

¨ you don't have to tell me if it brings up bad memories. I think I can figure out what happened¨ Alexia spoke, giving Lorelei relief.

¨ Thank you, again.¨ Loreli said, relief in her tone.

Alexia grunted slightly, her hand dropping to her side.

As Loreli looked up once more, she realized the stars were out. She figured that more time had passed than she thought. They were something she only read about in books, and they were even more incredible in real life. She gasped at the tiny sight of stars through the edges of the mushroom enough to see their beauty.

Her mind fully cleared, alert to the new sounds and sights of the forest now that the sun has fallen.

Owls hooted as multi-colored fireflies flew around in circles. Her old books said they were yellow, and the owl's hoot was hollow, but this was entirely different. The fireflies were blue, pink, purple, yellow, and green. Each color dancing around the other and causing the lights to seem like splattered paint on a canvas. The owl's hoot was deep, powerful, and mysterious. Her mind swam in questions and wonder, and her eyes tried to capture every moment.

She went to ask if Alexia was seeing what was going on, only to realize the elf was passed out. Loreli noticed the deep purple under her eyes and decided to make her more comfortable. Grabbing her bag, she got out the clothes she cleaned in the river (which were now dry) and put them underneath Alexia's head, lowering her head to lay on it. She put Alexia's bag to the side and used her own as a pillow, laying on the other side of the mushroom.

¨thank you¨ was the last thing she heard as her mind drifted off to sleep.

(hi! Sorry this chapter is kinda short, im working on building their relationship! If anyone wants to know- they get together :) I really just need to get my need for romance in line lol- and finally, I will be posting some of my story notes and character charts on my updates book as soon as I can get the fully completed. And no, it wont show any of the plot :) bye!)