Only You

Chp 4

I grinned and stroked Darius' hair as he sat up worriedly.
"It's alright D, mom and dad are here." I soothed, listening as the noises grew louder.
A few men flew backwards past our cell moments before mom and dad appeared, both tense and angry.
"Mom!" Darius called, getting up and trotting over to the door.
"Watch out Darius." Mom warned from the other side of the door. I grabbed his hand and gently pulled him out of the way moments before the door flew inwards and fell off its hinges.

My parents ran in and pulled Darius and i into a tight group hug.
"Are you guys ok?" Mom asked, frowning at the dry blood on my face.
"They hurt Assy." Darius mumbles into dads shirt, pointing to my still broken ankle.
"I'm fine, let's just go home." Despite my words dad scooped me up in his arms and motioned for Damian to follow us as we headed outside.

~~~~

A few hours later my ankle was in a cast and my wounds were wrapped while I sat on a cot in the healing hut. I stared at the ceiling while I listened to my parents conversation.
"Maybe coming to Alaska was a bad idea..." moms worried voice was soft but I still heard.
"Especially since they have no training..."
"Do you want to go back to Astoria then? Wait a few years so they can train and hopefully this won't happen again?" Dad asked mom.
"I know Astrid and Darius will miss Damian, but I think that's what's best. They need to be safe and better prepared."
"Alright, we'll leave in the morning." I could picture him kissing her forehead.
"Let's get ready."
I frowned softly at the thought of leaving before studying my cast in thought.

Maybe it's for the best... I never wanted to come here anyway and now I'm hurt....

I sighed heavily and closed my eyes, quickly surrendering to dreams.

~~~~

It's been a week and a half since I overheard mom and dads conversation, despite them saying we'd leave the next morning they decided it was best to wait until I could walk properly by myself before we left. I used my time to figure out how to say goodbye to Damian, not wanting to leave without saying it.
"Time to go short stack." Dad said as he entered the healing hut.
"Will we come back?" I asked softly, sliding off my cot slowly.
"Of course, just not until you and Darius are older."
"How much older?"
"I'm not sure, just until your mom and I figure it's a better time." He shrugged lightly and let me lean on him just in case as he lead the way to the airstrip.
"Can I say goodbye to Damian?"
"He's already there waiting, he's become close friends with the both of you so your mom invited him to say bye."
I sighed and kept following my dad, playing out the conversation in my head as we walked.

I glared subtly at the aircraft that would take my family and I back to Astoria for a moment before I turned to Damian and pulled him into a hug.
"I'm going to miss you, but I will come back. I promise." I whispered softly, resting my forehead on his shoulder.
"As long as you're safe I'll be ok Astrid. Don't forget me alright?"
"Never." I took a deep breath to memorize his scent and pulled away with a sad smile.
"Goodbye Damian."
"Hey, it's not goodbye. It's... cya later."
I laughed softly and rolled my eyes.
"I like that better. I'll be back as soon as I can." He nodded.
"You better, and when you do we'll have a big celebration."

"Can't wait to see it, better start planning." I joked, backing towards the plane.
"Alright then," he started, looking dead serious.
"It'll be the best celebration you've ever been to."
"Looking forward to it." I gave him a salute and a grin before climbing up the steps and into the plane, hoping he stays safe.
My parents and Darius followed shortly after and we took off, quickly becoming airborne and leaving Alaska -and Damian- behind.
I stared out the window, watching the water and clouds below as we flew. I rested my head against it and slowly drifted off to sleep.

I opened my eyes to find myself in a small clearing with nothing but plants and myself. I walked out of it and headed to the right only to find myself back in the clearing.
"Hello?" I called, turning in a slow circle.
"Hello, young Astrid." A woman a few years younger than my mom appeared in front of me, her fiery orange hair flowing down her back in gentle waves as her green eyes shone.
"How do you know my name?" I asked softly, frowning.
"I knew your mother. I knew you when you were just a child and I know you now." She replied.
"You're that girl my mom told me about, the mute one that helped her, right?"
"Yes, and now I'm here to help you. You may not know it yet, but you, like your mother and grandfather on your fathers side, are very powerful. There will be a battle, inside and out, and you will need guidance. I will train you as soon as you arrive in Astoria but first I should explain."

I sat down on the grass and listened closely.
"I can't tell you when, but I know you will have to fight a villain more powerful than the hunters. I cannot give you every piece of information you desire, otherwise it will upset the worlds balance and time itself will collapse. Now, I'm order to beat the villain you will need three things that will come to you in dreams. You'll know what they are and what to use them for instinctually as soon as you spot them and until you do, you'll train with me in the biggest cave on the beach on the far south side of the island on the beach. Good luck, young Astrid."

I jolted awake as the plane touched the airstrip in Astoria and blinked rapidly to focus.
What. The. Heck.