Aphmau's Origins

Chapter 1: Life Before

The old woman looked around the white castle. She had visited there many times, but now it seemed..... off, and empty. Like it's owner had disappeared. She refused to believe that, though. She couldn't be gone.. She couldn't. She had just seen her the other day..

A cry was heard through the giant castle. It sounded like... a baby. The woman ran down the stairs to the main entrance. A child wrapped in a purple blanket lay there, crying and reaching its hands towards the sky. She ran over and picked up the baby, who instantly stopped crying and smiled at her. A note slipped out of the bundle. It read:

This is the new me. My new name is Aphmau. Take care of me Hyria, like you used to, ok? - Your best friend, Irene.

Hyria's mouth dropped. This child was her best friend. Her only friend. And now she was alone. She had her husband, but their relationship was going south. Her daughter, Lucinda, and her father, Luke, were moving to Pikaro. Luke's father was planning on retiring from the position of Lord, and Luke was going to be his successer. Lucinda was going to leave to. She would be alone in her forest yet again. She was afraid for Lucinda's sake. She was a witch, just like her mother, and she was only 5. Maybe this child could make her stay... and help raise her... and have a friend. Lucinda had never been outside the forest, for the region had a strong hate for witches, and Lucinda hadn't a familiar yet. She would have one soon though, she could sense it, so could her own familiars. She would most likely leave when she got hers.

Hyria sighed and cast the spell to open the portal back to their world. The sky was dark as she closed the portal. Hyria walked up to her familiars, tree looking beasts with long spears. "Where is my husband and daughter?" She looked at the one closest to the door.

"Lucinda is not in her room, her father is in his." His rough voice was very quite.

"I see. That girl.. I shall go look for her in mourning. Where shall I put this child?" She began to walk into the house. "Oh, what if I put her in Lucinda's room? That sure will be a surprise when she comes back." She walked up the stairs into Lucinda's room. Sure enough, Lucinda was not in bed. The window was open and her staff was gone as well. She put Aphmau down on the bed but she started to cry and grab at Hyria. The women sighed and picked her back up.

She began to sing quietly as she sat in a rocking chair in the living room, gently rocking back and forth until they both fell asleep.

The sound of footsteps awoke Hyria and Aphmau, who started to cry. Hyria quickly silenced her. "Lucinda," she called "I need your help with something!" A groan could be heard from upstairs and a long, orange haired girl walked down.

"What is it this time?" She scowled at her mother.

Hyria's back was turned. "Go get your old high chair out of the basement. Don't ask questions. Just do it." She was holding Aphamu so Lucinda couldn't see her.

"Fiiiiine" She thumped down to a trapdoor and opened it. She hears the sound of Lucinda climbing down the wooden ladder. She walked to the table and took a chair away. Lucinda came up soon with the baby chair.

"Good! Put it here." Hyria stepped away from the spot where she removed the chair. Lucinda placed it and stepped back.

"Now can I know why you wanted it?" She crossed her arms and blew a bang away from her eye.

"Weeeeeelll" Hyria began to turn around. "You have a little adopted sister!" She showed Lucinda Aphmau.

"SHE IS SOOOOOO CUUUUUUUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Lucinda bounced up and down exitedly. This is how Lucinda used to be. So happy and childish.

"I know. Would you like to help me take care of her?" Hyria smiled. Aphmau grasped for Lucinda's hair.

"Of course!" She took Aphmau gently from Hyria, snuggling her to her chest.

"I'm going to pick some fruits from the forest, you stay here." She grabbed a basket from the table. "I'll see you in an hour or two." Hyria kissed Lucinda and Aphmau's foreheads and walked out the door.

Lucinda ran upstairs to her fathers room. He was packing some things that he thought he would need in Pikaro Village. "Daddy! Look what Mommy brought!" He sighed.

"If it's another animal..." He continued packing.

"It isn't! It's a baby! A little sister!" She skipped over to him. He whipped his head around to her, surprise written on his face. "Her name is Aphmau!"

"Lucinda.... where is your mother?" He looked suspiciously at Aphmau, who tried to tug at his beard.

"She went out to pick some fruits in forest :D" she fiddled with Aphmau's hands and she giggled happily. "I'm going to go feed her!" She ran out with Aphmau and into the kitchen.