The Burden of Destiny | Sequel to The Aura Within

16 | Forsaken Wish

Pewter Village was much more rural than Soleil had ever imagined. Houses were nearly miles apart from each other in the open swath of land. The wooden gate surrounding the land's only farm stood out like a sore thumb. If she had to assume, it looked as though there were just as many Pokémon as there were citizens living here, and that's not including the wild Pokémon living beyond the village.

As she and her two companions walked further into the village, Soleil had a realization. Now that she fulfilled her moral obligation to travel with her host family to their destination, what would her next move be? The answer should have been to pursue her purpose of coming to Kanto in the first place. However, a member of their family had been unexpectedly murdered. It felt wrong to leave them all of the sudden.

Oh, how she wished her beloved was here to guide her.

"The house should be just a little bit further ahead," Mina's mother announced, gripping tightly on the reins of her late husband's Tauros. "Come along now."

She pulled the Tauros that carried the small wagon with her. Soleil and Mina quietly followed the woman up a slanted hill, where a moderate house waited for them at the top. It seemed big enough for a family of three, but now it would only shelter two. Mina's mother guided the Tauros to the backyard while Soleil took Mina into the house through the front door. The inside had already been furnished with the necessities, but it certainly lacked any interior design that would have made it feel more like home.

Soleil led Mina further into the house after closing the door behind her. The young girl took a seat on the small couch that sat in the middle of the living room. She decided to lay down once the fatigue from traveling began to overwhelm her. Seeing this, Soleil removed her blue shawl and placed it over Mina's body. The warmth and comfort drew the young girl into a fast sleep.

The ginger woman took a seat next to the sleeping child, pulling back the few strands of hair that fell over her eyes. Soleil couldn't keep her eyes off of Mina's peaceful expression on her sleeping face. This was the first time since losing her father that she fell into a decent sleep. Nightmares had tormented the little girl since then, waking her up at ungodly hours of the nights in crying fits. If only there was a way to ward off the evil that plagued her dreams.

"Poor girl," Mina's mother spoke up, catching Soleil's attention. "I haven't seen her so at ease since..."

Soleil nodded solemnly.

Mina's mother walked over to the young lady. She placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a small squeeze. Soleil placed her hand over the elder woman's hand, feeling the comfort of a mother that she never had.

"You've helped us in more ways than I could count," Mina's mother spoke sincerely. "No words could begin to describe how grateful I... no, we are for you."

"I should be the one directing those words to you." Soleil smiled sadly. "Your husband saved me that night when he could have turned a blind eye, and you sheltered me when I was nothing but a mere stranger. Your kindness is something I will never forget."

"You know, my husband and I always thought of you as our eldest daughter. Mina especially adores you like an older sister," Mina's mother admitted light-heartedly. "Is there perhaps a chance... you can stay with us permanently?"

Oh, how desperately she wanted to say yes. The last thing she wanted to do was leave them, especially now that Mina's father was no longer here. For the short time Soleil spent with them, she already felt like she was part of the family. A kind, loving family. One where her life did not have to revolve around important duties.

A sad frown made its way onto her lips when reality snapped her out of her daydream. Soleil was reminded of why she had traveled a long distance from her home, which certainly came at a huge risk if her father found out where she was. However, that wasn't the risk Soleil worried about; she was more concerned with the responsibilities bestowed upon her because of the power she possessed. A kind of power that kept mankind alive for so long. Abandoning her purpose was not an option, not when pending doom became greater with each day that passed.