Slice through Fate.

Chapter 15. Lessons have to stop.

After returning from the meet up, Lumi headed back home, and realized one thing was different.

Mainly, the huge backpack sitting in the middle of the hallway.

She stared at it for around five minutes, trying to place where she had seen it. Nothing came to mind. She walked around it to the kitchen, poured herself a glass of water, took a sip while walking into the loving room...

... And spat it all out like a fountain.

Sitting on the armchair, rather than in it, like she had use to, was Alice, her older sister, dripping wet. She laughed.

"Hello to you too, Lumi." She grinned. Lumi's mouth opened to a huge grin, as she dropped the glass and launched herself at her sister.

"I'vemissedyousomuchpleasenevergoawayagain." She gabbled, grinning madly. Alice laughed.

"Woah, slow down!" She requested. Lumi grinned wider.

"I've missed you so much, and please never go away again." She said slower. Alice smiled again, and hugged her tighter.

"I won't. I promise." She said softly. Their mother smiled as the two sisters embraced, and then her smile dropped a little. She cleared her throat.

"Alice, it's wonderful to have you back... But I need to talk to Lumi a little bit. I'll come back in a moment with cookies and stuff." She said, placing her hand on Lumi's shoulder. She was guided through to the kitchen, where he  mothers face became serious.

"Look, Lumi, honey, I didn't have time to tell you with everything coming up but..." She smiled sadly. "You have to stop your lessons."

It took a moment to sink in. Then Lumi opened her mouth. "No! You can't! Why?!" She said, the good mood evaporating quickly.

Her mother smiled sadly. "I'm sorry, honey, but it has to happen. We're low on cash, and... Well, you have to go places soon."

Lumi's heart froze. "I have to... Go somewhere?" She quoted. Her mum nodded.

"Yeah. Your... Nearly eleven now. And... It begins on your birthday, in fact." She said sadly. "You remember what it is, right?"

The pieces started to slot together. Having to stop. Going away on her birthday. Even Alice coming back...

... She was going to Spirit Island.

For four years.

Lumi took a deep breath in, trying to hold back the tears. "Okay." She said in a tiny voice. Her mum hugged her.

"You'll be fine." She said confidently. "It'll go by in a flash."

She nodded. "Sure. Sure." She said quickly, and left for her room quickly. She was surprised to find Alice leaning against the doorframe, smiling at her in a mischievous way.

"Hey, shortie." She greeted. "So, your going away soon?"

Lumi nodded.

"Hey, it's alright." Alice said, noticing the tears in her little sisters eyes. "It's not that bad. It goes by really quickly!"

Lumi sobbed. "I don't wanna go! I'll have to stop sword fighting, and school, and I won't see Tem, and-"

"Tem? Who's Tem?" Her sister asked. Lumi's eyes widened when she realized what she'd said.

"No one. A made up friend." She fibbed. Her sister frowned.

"No, it's not. Guy or girl?" She quizzed, holding Lumi by her shoulders so she couldn't run away.

"Guy." Lumi said, not trying to escape.

"Oh, damn. This is bad. This is very bad..." She muttered and let her go to find their mother.

Lumi ran to her room and lay on her bed, too numb to cry. She'd let it all out and now she was paying the price.

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Hardly a month later and it was her birthday. But she didn't feel like celebrating.

Her mother had cancelled all her sword lessons a month ago, so she hadn't seen Tem in forever. The tree fort had been expanded to make room for Sally, but other than that, everything was very dull. School had ended yesterday, and now, every ten year old child was going to Spirit Island.

It seemed to be the last place on earth Lumi wanted to be, even though it was supposedly where the Spirit of light was born. Also known as the spirit inside her.

Her bag was packed and ready downstairs. Her bedroom had been stripped, yet didn't loose its personality, due to her paintings. She wouldn't see this room for four years.

Regrettably, Lumi walked downstairs, ready to go. Her mother kissed her as she headed out. "Your gifts in your bag. The wolves are waiting outside for you. See you later!"

Her sister smiled, and handed her a small, wrapped package. "Open it later. I'll miss you." She hugged her. Lumi hugged her back tightly, and headed out.

She placed the bag on the sleigh that was attached to the fire wolves, hitched herself on the back as they ran to the port where they would get a boat, she swore she saw a flash of white hair whip past. Then, as the world became a blur, she arrived.