Phoenix: The nuruk beast.

Chapter Four: Sanctuary

 William stared up the apple tree which to his surprise did not have Aldrich sitting by it. His hair, much like the leaves on the tree shook gently as the wind blew it. He sat with his back against the tree and hugged his knees with his head well bowed between them trying to collect his thoughts. But then he heard something. Not sure what, William moved his gaze to the source of the sound where he saw the ingress to the forest. Slowly, he got up and walked into it.

Aldrich and Lydia stood in front of the gate which strangely gave Aldrich a warm feeling of welcome despite being made of stone. Lydia closed her eyes and placed her forehead and palm on the gate. The strange writings on it then started to glow in blue and it was only a matter of seconds before the gate slid open. Aldrich couldn't quite make out what lay behind the gates as from it shone too brightly for anyone to see.

"Come on." Lydia said to an awestruck Aldrich as she entered. Aldrich couldn't believe his eyes. Inside, it was as though there was no sun but many glowing particles that lit up the entire place in a magnificent tone of sapphire. Aldrich could tell from the healthy plants that the soil bore and the petite wildlife that pranced above it that the entire place was uninhabited by any man nor woman.

"What is this place?" He asked Lydia still gazing around.

"I don't know myself to be honest." She said in with a smile.

"It's beautiful."

"It is indeed."

Aldrich thought he imagined it at first, but he noticed the glowing blue particles had begun coming towards them. At first, they seemed to Aldrich like stray particles from a blue fire. But as they got closer, he realized they each looked like blue tiny humans with pointed ears and fluttering wings keeping them in the air.

"Their sprites!" he said in astonishment,

"This is their abode". Sprites that glow in blue, indeed it was a sight that Aldrich would never forget. The sprites came towards Lydia in excitement paying no heed to Aldrich. They fluttered all around her cheering with voices too small to be heard. "It's also my secret spot" she added.

"How long have you known this place?"

"For about five years now."

"Does Evelyn come here?"

"She doesn't know about it." the words hit Aldrich unexpectedly, he glanced at her and noticed she her gaze had fallen a bit, as if preparing to say something that was hard to phrase.

"Why me then?" he asked,

"I don't know Slage, I guess I feel guilty." Again, an answer that left him with more questions, he asked;

"Why would you?"

She took a deep breath in and began, "Well you see before you encountered the nuruk I was the one after it but I wasn't nearly prepared enough. It ran into you because I let it escape." Aldrich noticed her gaze drop as she continued; "When my partner and I saw you, I didn't spare you a second glance because I was scared. I thought you had died I was to blame for it." For the first time, Aldrich saw something in Lydia that made her seem imperfect, something that made her seem human. Aldrich saw Lydia overcome with guilt.

"Well Lydia, you couldn't control the fact that I happened to be in the forest at the time. Don't think I'd blame you for what happened" Aldrich said honestly though trying to console her. But Lydia still remained silent, he looked around once more at the beautiful scenery and said;

"Well, were here now, would be a waste without a tour of the place don't you think?"

"Come on then." She said finally gaining a little life in her eyes again.