Love & Sprites

Chapter Three - Aàla.

"-Gahiji-"

"-Gahiji-"

"-Gahiji-"

I coughed with a start, emptying my lungs and ridding my throat of water. It took a while for me to catch my breath and breathe well again. I sat up and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. The taste of salt now lingered behind my throat. I felt light-headed as though drunk with water, and could still feel the chill in my bones.

I was alive. I couldn't believe it. Sola had saved me. How? I wondered.

The sun was now out shinning in a different shade of yellow. The gray sands were sharp and flaky beneath my thighs and stuck to my skin. The waves broke again, spraying water on me. This time it brought forth a crab. It wiggled its legs above his head. I thought it was a crab at first until after a few seconds later, the creature flipped on its ten and crawled back into the water. I wasn't in the mortal lands anymore I realized.

Quickly, I reached for my waist and felt for the shape of the chain and the ruby in my pouch. Just to be sure, I stole a peek of the red gemstone. It shimmered against the light. I sighed in relief.

I was about to get up on my feet when I groaned from a sharp pain. I looked over and saw the deep wound in my left shoulder. Leeches danced on the exposed red of my muscles almost close to the silvery-white of my bones. I cringed and cursed at the terrible sight.

Holding my breath, I began to pull them away carefully, one by one. Their tiny little jaws were tight and the pain of forcing them away seared through my bones. I wasn't even sure if they were leeches. But I endured long enough with a contorted face to rid the five.

There were no medicine men here to heal my wounds nor mages. Now, I regretted refusing to listen to the teachings of the mage. Learning vital spells and necessary incantations. If only I knew a healing spell.

I sighed. There was only one thing I could do now to prevent an infection. I stared into my bruised palm long enough till it glowed red-hot with fire. I ripped a small portion of my tunic and stuffed it my mouth. Then, looking away, in one quick and deadly motion, I held the opening in the hand.

My screams sliced through the air. The pain searing through my entire being in a flare white flash till I blacked out.

I recovered a while later. Back on the same sands where I had regained my consciousness. Sweat hung on my brows. The flesh of my shoulders had wrinkled with scorch marks becoming the most obvious scar on my body. Though the pain had now subsided. It still hurt regardless.

I found my footing and turned around to see my destination. Ahead of me was a thick gloomy jungle stretching far and wide a few miles away. It was undulating as though it was alive- yet, showing no signs of lushness. It was impossible to see through it that far as it grew dimmer and dimmer.

"Aala." I muttered watching this spectacle of horror. I scratched the side of my neck nervously and looked over my shoulders. My bow and arrows were missing; my daga as well. All I had was my curse- that I still didn't fully understand how to use- and my wit. There was no boat to sail away now and spare myself more dangers to my life.

There was no turning back. I had survived the kongamatoes. I had survived the waterfall. I had survived this long enough to arrive in the Land of the Sprites.

"For Sola."

I clenched my fists and said it again. It almost sounded like a mantra as I walked the short mile to my doom.

★★★★★

I slowed my steps as I crossed the borders of the jungle. The stuffy air was barely unbreathable. The brown trunks were much wider and thicker than that of the iroko tree or any other in the Mortal lands. Strange sounds of mysterious creatures echoed occasionally between the shrubs and the branches above. Creatures who'd rather hide in the darkness than dance in the light or those who accidentally found themselves here. Only the forest could tell.