The Fire Within

Chapter 9

Nya's POV

"Oof!" My breath wooshed out of my lungs in a pained groan as I felt my body slam into something hard. I rolled onto my back and opened my eyes. At first, I saw nothing, then a light flicked on above me. I shielded my eyes with my arm, but the light seemed to burn through my arm into my eyes still. "Honey, its time for breakfast," a soft, familiar voice said close to me. I unshielded my eyes and sat up to see a woman with fiery red hair done to her waist standing there. Her green eyes glistened merrily and her full, red lips curved into a warm smile. "Mother?" I asked, reaching for her, but as soon as my fingertip touched her, she dispersed in a smokey cloud. I frowned. That was strange. It really looked like my mother. "That's because it was." I jumped and spun to see the little girl again. She stared up at me with a grave look in her tiny brown eyes. "You can read my thoughts?" I asked. She nodded. "Is this a dream?" The.girl sighed. "You ask too many questions," she said blandly, "Follow me." She walked around me and I turned to see her walking down a long dirt path lined with silver. I followed and, as we were walking, I noticed the silver...no, metal...rise from the ground and forge into swords, daggers and other weapons. I saw a tall man with black hair and beard and kind brown eyes."No matter how much fire you have, experience isn't something you learn overnight." He said in a dream like, but strong voice, holding up a perfectly forged sword before disappearing like the image of my mother. "Daddy?" I whispered, slowing to a stop. I looked around, but I couldn't see or hear him anymore. I looked behind me and saw the same cottage as before. I felt the same strange feeling, stronger than before. The house seemed to be calling me. "Nya!" I jumped, breaking out of the trance like state as the girl grabbed my arm. I looked down at her and saw a look of fear in her eyes. "Come!" she pleaded, tugging on my arm with a tiny force. I could have easily broke away, but something in her voice stopped me. "I'm coming," I said softly, gently prying her fist from my sleeve, "It's okay." She nodded. "Don't stop. Don't look back," she instructed, before turning and walking off at a quicker pace. I followed, but I felt restless now. The house was calling me, but it unsettled the little girl. Why, I wanted to know, but I didn't want to annoy her any more with questions. Even though I tried, I couldn't shake the feeling of the house behind me; calling, beckoning, familiar. But I controlled the feeling, pushing it down and chanting her warning in my head over and over as things flashed past the edge of my vision, fighting for my attention. Don't stop, don't look back. Don't stop, don't look back...