Arvium

48: Choices

Month 1, Day 4, 18:45:26; Arvium, Wolves Ravine

Aella glanced up, feeling warmth start to flood the room. The orb floated a few feet above her, the inside slowly pulsing with light. She reached for it, then paused, pulling her hand back.

The orb came closer a few inches, it's light flickering.

She watched it, her gaze moving back and forth across its surface.

"Aella," a soft voice called to her.

She relaxed, recognizing the voice of Ciana. She slowly stood, and stepped forward, the water splashing around her boots. The orb was still as she reached up and touched its smooth surface. Warmth pulsed from it and into her arm, making her body feel warm. She gasped as the cave changed in an explosion of golden light.

She stood in the center of a golden field, the stalks moving back and forth like the waves of the sea in the soft breeze. The air moved her hair behind her and warmed her body through the thin white dress she wore. She smiled at the scent of wheat and honey, feeling calm. She glanced up, seeing the sky filled with stars she had never seen before.

She turned her attention back to the field as Ciana appeared before her, holding out her hand. She still glowed with the blue light, her voice crystalline and soft. "Come with me, Aella," she said.

Aella nodded, moving forward and taking the woman's hand.

Their surroundings changed to that of a room, shaped much like a dome. The walls were made of dark grey metal, and the walls held consoles with screens that changed with rapid information.

A man stood, his back to a wall. His eyes were wide, and he held a gun aimed at a woman.

She glanced toward Ciana, who held up a finger to her mouth.

"It is a memory," she said.

Aella stepped forward, until she was standing to the side of the woman. She had flowing white hair, and her face was marked with blue, glowing lines where her veins should be. Her eyes glowed with a blue light, and she held her arms outstretched to the man.

"It's me," she said, her voice sounding similar to Ciana's.

Aella turned to Ciana, who shook her head, and motioned back to the scene.

The man holding the gun swallowed and his arm shook. "What happened to you?"

"They are not to be feared, Alyk," the woman said. "They can save us. I am here, just as I was before. But I have been made more. Please, let me show you. I mean you no harm, nor do the Lights."

The man lowered the gun, and then hung his head. "I was afraid."

The woman stepped forward, lowering her hands. "It was the only way to prove to the others."

Alyk looked up at her, tears falling from his eyes. He sniffed, rubbing his arm across his eyes. He motioned to the room. "You did all this?"

The woman smiled, and gave a single nod. "The Lights are willing to share their power with us--but only if we accept them."

Alyk smiled, nodding. "If you had anything to do with it, I'm sure they are. You're amazing, you know that, right?"

The woman smiled, then hung her head. "But it doesn't come without a price."

Alyk moved forward, slowly, then faster as he came toward her. He put his hands on her shoulders, then used a hand to lift her face to face his. "I have a long way to go, but I want to do better." He leaned down and kissed her on her forehead. "Even as a hybrid--you're still my wife. Where you go, I will go. For better or worse, remember?"