The Sky Realm

Chapter 17

Chapter 17:

    She didn’t know how long she had been sleeping, but when she woke up the sky was dark. She could hear the birds chirping and feel the morning chill in the air.

    Aaliyah sat up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. Beside her was a fire, but it was dying. It hissed and crackled, trying to save itself, but the burnt kindling around it wasn’t helping. Her stomach grumbled loudly, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since yesterday.

    Aaliyah looked around to see if there was any food nearby. Her eyes fell on the supplies that she had brought with her. Throwing off her blanket, Aaliyah all but ran towards the bags and started rummaging through them for something edible. She shoved away the spare change of clothes, the blankets, and the shoes as she looked for food, but she didn’t find anything.

    “Now what?” she muttered to herself.

    She looked up at the sky, ready to cry, but her hungry groan turned into a squeak of delight when she spotted the apple tree.

    “Of course,” Aaliyah exclaimed. “The apple tree!”

    The starving girl made her way to the tree and started climbing. Once she secured herself on the branch, Aaliyah reached out, grabbing the fruit hanging closest to her and began eating. They were the sweetest apples she had ever had. She stayed up there enjoying her fruit and the view until the noises coming from the lake distracted her.

    Curious, Aaliyah wiped her hands on her pants and climbed higher up on the tree to get a better look of what was happening. Soon, she was high enough to see what was going on.  

    In the distance, she saw Mika training with her element. The water, however, had morphed into a snake, attacking and hissing. Mika jumped up and landed outside the snake, changing her stance into fighting-mode. Aaliyah watched as Mika and the serpent stood facing one another, daring the other to make the first move.

    Mika charged towards it with precision and agility, kicking it right in the middle. The serpent went flying into the tree and splashed onto the ground, making a puddle.

    “Nicely done.” Dominika’s voice came loud and clear.

    Aaliyah watched, wide-eyed, as the water transformed into Dominika.

    “Your attack patterns, however, are still very predictable, Mika. You need variety.” Dominika waved a dismissive hand towards her.

    Mika nodded, her face determined. “I understand. Again?”

    Dominika shook her head. “Tomorrow. We have company.”

    She turned and looked Aaliyah right in the eye.

    Aaliyah jerked, almost losing her grip. How did Dominika know that she was here?

    Aaliyah felt a chill run through her body, and she tried not to flinch under Dominika’s piercing gaze. She watched Dominika lift her two fingers and curl them towards Aaliyah, inviting her to come.

    Aaliyah nodded and started climbing down the tree as quickly as she could. She covered the distance between her and Dominika in quick, long strides.

    “Hey, guys,” she mumbled awkwardly. She didn’t want them to think that she was spying on them.

    “Good morning,” Dominika replied.

    “I heard voices and they made me curious,” she explained quickly, her cheeks burning.

    “And what did you think of it?” Dominika asked.