Fly Until You See The Light

Valley (1) - Chapter 8

Yashi is tall; her perfectly straight hair falls over her shoulders and ends at her back; she wears a red and black bird mask; she has a dark cape and her eyes show kindness. They sparkle as two diamonds.

Orlando asks her:«S...Sorry Yashi: what exactly happened? Who... Who was that guy?».

Their new acquaintance is showing them the Village, and doesn't hesitate for a minute to respond:«The boy from before is a friend of Judy's, his name is Timur. He's very good at studying ancient languages, and he's actually nice. He and Judy are two who understand each other. So, to make it short, he's a little mad at Judy because she disappeared for three days without telling him. I suppose she tried to send him letters via birds, but I don't think he received them at all. You should have seen him yesterday, he was very agitated!».

«And nothing bad will happen, right?» Sentinekka asks, worried.

«Of course not! Those two are serious, sure, but they're friends! Nothing could separate them forever! There is nothing to fear» Yashi tells. Then she adds:«Other questions?».

Sentinekka exclaims:«Oh yes! Do you know a certain Isan? She is my cousin, she lives here».

«Isan?» Yashi asks. «I think I've heard of her, but I don't know much about her... I hope you don't mind».

«Don't worry, it doesn't matter».

«I really know a person called that!» a figure behind them shouts; she wants to be noticed, she knows who the three are talking about.

A short-haired woman wearing a traditional Village tunic, a strange mask - one of those that allow you to imitate the language used by the first existing populations -, with a beige summer hat and bright eyes reaches them. She wears a light blue cloak with a golden coat of arms on it, which reaches down to her feet.

«Oh, hey Auntie Mona» Yashi greets the villager politely, while the other two look at them curiously.

​​​​​Auntie Mona? So they are related?

«No, we're not related, just to explain» Yashii precedes Sentinekka's question with confidence. «We all call Mona here this way».

«Ohh» Sen' and Orlando say in chorus. Now it's clear.

«Isan is the best Sky Guard in the realm!» Mona tells them with enthusiasm. «There are four in total, excluding her. Isan is like a little helper, but she knows how to command respect!».

Sentinekka gasps, surprised. Orlando looks at his friend, excited. «Sen'...» he begins, holding his breath. «Your cousin is a Sky Guard!» he shouts, raising his arms in the air as if it were raining confetti.

«Huh?!» Auntie Mona exclaims, astonished. «Y...You... Little girl, are you Isan's "famous" cousin?! Oh, she talks so much about you!».

Sentinekka nods slowly; she is a little scared, only Megabird knows why. «B...But... What is... A Sky Guard?» she asks uncertainly. Orlando tells her everything he knows:«A Sky Guard is someone who deals with Gods and Elders all day long. He carries out missions for them, participates in their events... A Sky Guard is always dealing with magic, and has many advantages! Did Isan ever tell you anything?».

Sentinekka shakes her head for a simple "no". Isan had always been modest, she probably didn't want to boast about that special job of hers. She smiles. She can't wait to see her.

Mona, enthusiastically, lets out a squeal of joy. «Are you looking for her? I know exactly where to find her!». Sentinekka lets herself be guided, obviously talking along the way. Yashi, her, Orlando and Mona venture out to who knows where.

Meanwhile, Mona tells a story she heard:«An old friend of mine who has lived here since he was a little child told me that he lived the first time your cousin Isan came here, to the Village of Dreams. The girl was once just a new Moth, she had just finished her little journey in the Valley realm, and she needed rest. But that wasn't what she found: she got here, and a special and unknown Child was literally drowning in the icy water of a broken ice rink. That Child was really, really special, more or less. Nobody knows why... But still... Guess what she did? She saved his life!».

Sentinekka gasps once again. «Really?!». Her cousin was a hero. She barely cares about the baby, she just hopes that he has recovered. She cares about Isan.

«Yes, she was wonderful. That same day they took her as a Sky Guard».

«They? Who?».

«The Elders. The Twins of the Valley!». ​

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Author's Note: Auntie Mona is another friend of mine from Sky who I love madly! She has always been that adult character that I needed in my life and I'm happy to say that I hope that she's doing well these days. If you're reading this, Mona, thank you! Hope to see you online soon!