A New Light

Part II: Chapter 28

This new information became a shocking realization to me that this world was much larger than what I thought it to be. There was much that I hadn't experienced, or as a matter of fact, even heard of in my 10 years of life here.

Father took out a clear whistle-like-object and blew into it. I suppose that I was expecting too much when it didn't make the sound it seemed it would make. Instead of a clear and crisp call, it released a screeching sound that seemed to scratch the wind. While wincing from the noise, I didn't bother, or consider looking upwards. The outcome of not expecting a flying beast was having my entire being toppling over and flying back nearly seven meters.

It might have been luck, but Michael was prepared and caught me before I fell. Gently setting me back on my feet, he took a couple of steps away from me and stood rigid, a strangely solemn look on his face.

Turning my attention away from him, I cautiously approached the beast. It was similar to a griffin in the sense that it seemed to be a combination of multiple animals, but that was just assumptions based on the information of my previous life. The beast itself gave off a majestic air, and was a bright shade of white. 

Father, Mother, and Michael were all unperturbed by the scene, while Grandpa was already on the back of the beast. On the back of the beast seemed to be a mount of sorts. It was really more like furniture attached to a carpet that was secured to the beast. 

The space on the beast was not cramped whatsoever. In fact, the amount of space left over after everyone got on, could comfortably fit 20 more people.  

Mother gently guided me onto the beast and sat down on the couch. She smiled at me, but didn't say anything other than, "Let's wait for your father."

~~~~~~~~~

Father stared at me in the eyes and slowly spoke,"Now Aliria, you have to understand that this new world is much more complex than our vacation home. There are some people that we cannot afford to offend. Their powers here run deep into the history of this continent, and grudges between families are not easily forgotten."

Everything that came out of this mouth was warnings. Repeated again and again, but with different wording.

"Currently, our family has a neutral standing, and we must keep it that way. Do you understand, Aliria?"

I nodded my head slowly. Having never seen this serious side of Papa, it seemed the situation between powers in that continent was at a critical stage.

Papa gripped my hands a bit tighter and let out a sigh. Mama then gently brushed father aside and spoke to me with a bright smile. 

"Aliria, when we get to our home, we'll introduce you to your cousins, aunts, and uncles. Also some close friends that we would often meet. It'll be a fun experience for you."

Glancing over at Michael, I became a bit conflicted. He hadn't changed his stern countenance since Papa and Mama had mentioned moving back to the Central Continent.  

One one hand, I was receiving warnings not to provoke anyone, and on the other hand I was told it would be an exciting new life. 

Keeping silent for the rest of the ride, the anticipation of meeting this new place grew. Only the soft conversation between Grandpa, mother, and father remained as the background noise.

The wind rushed past my ears and the view of the forever stretching sky and ocean stood before me.

My hands clenched a bit and I furrowed my brows. While I thought about the little information I was told, the biggest question I had was just why? 

Why did we have to live 10 years at this place we weren't even going to stay at?

Why was this Central Continent's situation so tense, yet we were still returning?

Why did I go to the academy earlier if I wasn't even going to stay?

Why?