Forgiven Solitude

                                          Chapter One: The Search

     "Valiena! What did you say?!" Russell placed a hand firmly on my shoulder stopping me in my search. His crystal blue eyes were on a quest and once he's on to something he, to a point of annoyance, won't quit. His eyes darted from me to my best friend. She can't handle that type of pressure and he was gonna find out eventually. "Well?!" The air was stiff as Nelonai watched from over her books on the couch. Russell doesn't normally get upset with anyone but this time the warrior of lights wrath, every bit of that, this I deserve. My body stretched itself up tall, It was time for me to own up to my biggest regret. "I said something, that no one should've ever said to her. I said..."

                                            (A couple days earlier)

     "Val we should get some sleep, we have no idea what to be expecting except a fight. Which is why I'm here of course." My eyes peered down toward the smiling strawberry blonde Dwarf, the tone in her voice was joking. However, knowing her, It was definitely a slight joke. The last time we did see her, she did try to kill me and Reah. What's to say this time would be different. What's to say she would even remember me? Damn it, I'm starting to second guess myself, the hours must be starting to weigh on me. I have to save her no matter the cost. "Okay fine, how about the ruins over there."

     Along the path of purple tree's and grass bore waste of ancient buildings that before the flood of light's war used to be houses. We managed to find a wall along where the center of the building would be and laid our backs to it. Leana pulled out some pieces of bread from her travel sack and stuffed her mouth before offering me a piece. I tried to wave her off, but she grabbed my hand and put an overstuffed dwarf handful in my palm which gave me half a handful. The dwarf started muffling out. "Sa..fff...goes...fa...foo...too!" Rolling the bread in my hand I realized it was the bar bread from two nights ago but was too hungry. We sat piecemealing the bar bread for probably a half hour before laying back. We then closed our eyes against the wall and both fell asleep in the morning light. The light was nothing new to anyone a summer old on the first. However Leana could easily take me on the sleeping battle for she has had plenty of practice through training us. She pretty much can sleep at will, and with that all powerful will she started snoring next to me leaving me awake and with my thoughts.

     She said I was ready but am I really? The shadows among the purple grass cast by the ruins grew shorter and shorter. I'm filled with resolve, but what am I going to do? Just tackle her and rope her together. Then pray Nelonai or Alisae can find a way to turn her completely back? I NEED TO STOP...SECOND GUESSING MYSELF AGAIN. Leana let out a loud snore as her head slid onto my hip. Is she dreaming about him, my right hand moved to touch the dwarf's skin before stopping myself. The memory of her death anniversary came running through my head. She doesn't need someone to be inside her head, even if I'm trying to escape my own. That's it I need to sleep. Forcefully closing my eyes and telling myself not to think was my final hope and it seemed to work.

     A very familiar white purgatory surrounded me as my eyes fluttered back open. The never ending white greeted me again, making my heart race. My head jerked and my ears perked straight up as my neck jostled my head around. She had to be here somewhere. "MOM!" A footstep dropped behind me which turned my body around as fast as it could turn. Then there she was her white eyes meeting mine. My hand instinctively covered my mouth as my vision became blurry. My knees hit the floor knocking the first wave of water out of my eyes and onto the white nothingness. Her eyes began to swell as much as mine as she walked over to me and pulled me into her arms once again. She looked at me with her white circles, letting a tear crawl down her angelic face. "It's okay..." Her voice broke before speaking again "...I promise." Grabbing my right hand she closed it tight.