Ancient Whispers

Chapter I The vessel

I struggle to breathe, and I can barely see the ground in front of my feet. I fall on my knees, I keep crawling forward "Elila," someone says in the distance, who's calling my name? I start to lose strength in my arms, I fall on my face, and the voice is getting closer to me "Rest, Elila. Your journey has yet to end," I hear someone say right in front of me, I close my eyes, and I feel my body gaining strength.

I'm standing on top of a cloud, and I see two women walking towards me. The one to my left is about my height, she has red hair, and a green hood over her head. The other one is taller than me, with red hair, and she's wearing steel armour. I fall to my knees without thinking, and they stop in front of me "Lift your head, child," the woman to my left says "Yes, I can't have my subject be this weak willed," the woman to my right says, I look up at them, and they place their hands on my shoulders "I am Flieris, I will see to your spirit, and mind," the woman to my left says "And I am Belefra. I'll make sure you're strong, and brave," the woman to my right says, I open my mouth to speak, and my body becomes heavy. I fall from the cloud, and everything goes dark.

I open my eyes, and I see the bright blue sky. I raise my torso, I sit up, and I see the field that's around me. This seems familiar, I stand up, and I look behind me. I see the entrance to the cave I was in, and I look down at my hands "I feel strange, how did I get here?" I ask, "We brought you here," Flieris says to my left, I turn towards the sound in surprise, there's no one there "You were frailer than I thought, I had hoped to find a better follower," Belefra says to my right, I look to my right, nothing as well "Where are you?" I ask spinning around "Remain calm. We're within you," Flieris says "We haven't found anyone worthier than you, since we have been forgotten," Belefra says.

Within me? That wasn't a dream then, I managed to reach the ancient gods "I don't know you two, I'm sorry I asked for your help so selfishly, I just didn't know what else to do," I say hugging myself, I feel my body becoming heavier again "Stop being so meek!" Belefra yells, the air around me becomes hotter, and I feel better. I lower my arms "Yes, I'm sorry for acting so scared," I say, "We could explain to you who we are as goddesses, yet your sister needs help, does she not?" Flieris asks, I turn to the south, the direction of my village "H-how did you know about her?" I ask, "We answered your prayers, we know everything about you," Belefra says "Run to her, I fear she's nearing her end," Flieris says.

I start running towards the village, my body feels so light, and so full of energy. I reach the ruins of the temple of Nuro, the wall surrounding them is right in front of me. I turn to the right "There's no need to go around it, jump!" Belefra says "Jump? The wall is too high!" I say, "Do it!" Belefra says, I run up to the wall, and I jump as high as I can. My body goes twice as high as the wall, I look down, and I see the ground coming closer. I close my eyes, I feel an enormous pressure on my feet, and I open my eyes "I'm fine!?" I ask looking at my legs, the wall is the same height as my house, this must be their gifts to me "Hurry, you can learn what you've earned later," Flieris says, Karaly! I need to get to her.

I run to the other side of the temple, and I jump over the wall again. I keep running as fast as I can, I leave the forest, and I see my village in front of me. I run past all of the houses, and I reach my house at the end "Karaly!" I yell going inside. I see her lying on her bed, on the right corner at the end of the room. I run up to her, and I grab her left hand. She's so cold "W-what should I do!? Please help me!" I say shaking in fear, I feel my hands warming up "Let me aid you, clear your mind," Flieris says.

I hear someone walking near the door, and I look over my shoulder "What's wrong, Elila? You ran past me faster than the wind," Helmali says standing in front of the door "It's my sister! She isn't moving at all!" I yell "I'll go get the elder!" Helmali yells running out of the house, I look back at my sister, and her pale skin is regaining colour "Please! Don't leave me!" I say lowering my head, I hear Karaly making a noise, I raise my head, and I feel her grasping my left hand even tighter. I place my right hand on top of her forehead, her fever is gone "I've rid her of her illness, she must rest now," Flieris says "Y-you did?" I say as my eyes water up.