SPIRIT- The House of Hope

Ten

Ani

After our talk I noticed a much happier Darrien, he was laughing with Cameryn and Serena making a lot of jokes.
"Hey Ani?" Cairo asked "what exactly did you talk to him about?"
"Quite a lot of things but unfortunately I am forbidden from telling you. He's happy now so you have nothing to worry about alright?"

"Well, okay. At least he's smiling again" Serena turned around smiling.
"Hey! What do you think about stopping for a snack?" I nodded
"probably wise, we will be walking for an awfully long time" she pulled something out of her satchel and giggled.
"Just a snack for us!"

Moments later we were all seated on the ground and Serena tore off a piece of a sandwich passing it to Darrien.
"I made it myself" he took it and bit in almost bursting with excitement.
"Man, Serena this is incredible!" He smiled "you have to let everyone try this!" Cairo jumped with excitement.
"Oh! Yes please!" Serena started to tear off another piece but Darrien stopped her.
"Wait. On second thoughts you can't"
"what? Why not?" she asked confused
"Because then there would be none left for me!" Serena pushed him mock-angrily.
"Don't be greedy!!" I watched this exchange and laughed.
"Darrien you do know greed is not a good thing correct?" Cameryn raised her eyebrow when Darrien laughed and responded.
"You know that you would be exactly the same if you tried it"
"I do not think so" Serena looked between us slightly confused.
"Well, let's find out" she passed me part of her sandwich and I took a bite to my surprise Darrien was not exaggerating.
"Serena"
"yes?"
"He's right. This is far too good to share" Darrien threw a twig at me.
"Now who's the greedy one?"
"If we are going by looks then it is still you"
"Jerk"
"Same to you"

We both laughed and then Cameryn tapped both of us with the bottom of her spear.
"Alright, you two. I could put up with the good-natured conversation but suddenly you two are acting like friends. What in the name of Yukan is going on here?" I smiled picking up a green apple.
"It is simple Cameryn, we have...buried the hatchet...as you say. We are not acting like friends but instead we are friends"
"Serena I think we have another mind-controlling deity around here either that or this is a conspiracy"
"No, she's telling the truth" Serena said "I can feel it. There aren't any negative emotions between them. I have no clue how it happened overnight but somehow these two are friends" I glance at Darrien both of us were quite aware of how it happened but we had no intention of sharing. Not that I could even if I wanted to, oaths are very important things.

"So guys" Cairo said putting his hand up as if he was in school "I'm just wondering, um...what is the house of hope like do any of you know?"
I smiled, excited to finally get a chance to speak about it.
"Oh Cairo it is simply the most beautiful place!! It seems to glisten because it is covered by violet crystal! Near to it is a special lake its water is magic and is said to heal those afflicted by wounds or sickness. Inside is the biggest of libraries you will ever lay your eyes upon!"
"What bigger than in Cartio?"
"Far bigger. The biggest library in Cartio in my time was the library of Al'tay and it had over a million different books on over a thousand subjects! The one in the house of hope has two times that many!"
"No way!" Cairo cried
"Yes Cairo"

Ani, this sounds quite miraculous.

"Oh, you see Nike. It was created as a place where Spirit elements could reside but for some reason there aren't very many" I notice Cameryn looking amused.
"Um? Serena is basically the only one. I don't know what you think the words 'very many' means but it normally implies at least more than one!"
"But there is do not forget Kira is Spirit"
"Right, that evil sorceress we're going to fight" I looked away sadly.
"She isn't evil" Darrien looked towards me.
"Um Ani? Did you forget? She tried to kill you" I nodded