Aza Sterlings

[02] Liondalle

LIONDALLE 

If Aza first thought that it was a brilliant idea to come with her aunt, now she's having second thoughts. But certainly, that lampshade wasn't an ordinary trick, was it? A part of her reasoned out and that gave her a steady ground. From the corner of Aza's eyes, Aunt Ruella was happily humming a familiar tune while barely keeping her eyes on the road.

"Auntie?"

She turned to head completely to Aza while turning at a curve. "Yes, dear?" Aza fidgeted and nervously glanced at the road ahead.

"Where are we going?"

When her aunt told her about travelling to a place where people like them belong, Aza was half-expecting to see a flying pirate ship or some golden ticket. But unfortunately, for the past couple of hours, all they did was recklessly drive along the bumping highway of some small town near Carson City. And to top it all, Aunt Ruella hasn't given her a single clue on what to anticipate.

"You'll see for yourself, child."

Well, that wasn't much help, Aza thought and imagined whether Dina would have a fit if she as much as found out her only sister was being misguided by their crazed aunt. Aza then remembered how her older sister went balistic when she told her that she would be joining Aunt Ruella. All in all, it took them a good one hour before Dina Sterlings let the two of them out of the front door, unscathed. Though, she did called every minute to check on Aza. It was a great relief that halfway along their trip, Aza's cellular phone lost signal.

As Aza was musing over these little things, her attention was abruptly caught by a loud ringing sound that went off somewhere in Aunt Ruella's car. Red lights where flickering inside the vehicle and that alarmed her. "Auntie, what's happening?!" But to her astonishment, her aunt grinned at her and took her hands off the steering wheel.

"We're here."

But when Aza looked outside, she saw the most terrifying sight. A large wooden sign board harbored the letters for: DANGER! with a demolished bridge up ahead; other than that, it looks as if they were in a deserted place judging from the dirt and vegetation that nestled them. Aza's eyes shot wide and panic rose in her chest. Was her aunt aiming to get themselves killed?

"Aunt Ruella, we're gonna die!"

But when she checked on her aunt, her jaw nearly dropped upon seeing her calmly drinking some tea. A teapot suspended in the air. Aza stared at her, bewildered. How can she be so composed in a situation like this?!

"Want some, dear?"

"AUNTIE! WE'RE GOING TO DIE!"

Sure enough, as they edged the bridge, Aza gripped the dashboard and closed her eyes tightly. She was so sure she was going to see that umistakably blinding flash of light any moment now, but to her surprise, Aza only felt lightheaded.

She felt dizzy for a minute, and in the background, Aunt Ruella's joyful laughter rang. After what seemed like an eternity, her aunt finally said "You can open your eyes now, dear. But of course, it's your choice if you want to keep them closed instead."

Aza opened her eyes slowly, checking to see if her body parts were still in one piece. She was alright. Relief washed over her. The car seem to be moving again on solid ground. Curiosity got the best of her but it was not until they came to a sudden halt did Aza peered outside the car's window. They seemed to be in front of large iron gates that resembled those in gothic films.

"This is the MidWorld, Aza.. Where witches, wizards and all types of magical creatures dwell." Aunt Ruella said.

Aza got out of the car and took in her surroundings. From where they just came from, she saw distant houses and shops. A vast forest on either side of her and a sun shining high in the sky. She tore her gaze away from everything else, and focused on the tall, antique-looking gate in front of them. She can't see anything behind it except from an open field. Everything looks normal to me.. Well, except from that car travel, though.