The Sky Realm

Chapter 5

“What are you?” Aaliyah asked as she followed Mika through the forest.

    Mika had been silent throughout their short trek and continuously refused to acknowledge Aaliyah’s presence, much less answer her questions.

    “How much longer are you going to ignore me? I am not going to continue on like this, not knowing or understanding what is happening to me or my life,” Aaliyah stated. “I need answers.”

    Aaliyah stopped trying to catch up to Mika and planted her feet firmly on the ground. “I cannot trust you with your decisions if you cannot trust me with the truth.”

    Mika turned around to face Aaliyah. “We’re not safe here. We need to find a safe place before I can give you your answers.”

    Aaliyah balled her hands into tight fists at her sides, frustrated. “No, I do not feel safe following you, unknowingly. I have no idea what is going on. Earlier this day, the only thing I was worried about was this stupid, green dress, but here I am, a few hours later, running away with you from the ugly, black bird that keeps stalking us and Grandmama…”

    Aaliyah swallowed the lump in her throat uncomfortably and took a deep breath. “I need to know.” Her eyes searched Mika’s. “Please.”

    Mika looked around, observing her surroundings before motioning Aaliyah to sit on the ground. Aaliyah complied immediately.

    “We don’t have much time, so ask what you absolutely must know and be quick.”

    “Uhh,” Aaliyah hesitated before she spoke. “It all goes back to the bird, so I guess we can start with that.”

    “The Raven Mocker?”

    “Yes. What is it and why does it want to kill me?”

    “It doesn’t want to kill you; the Raven Mocker is only doing its master’s bidding. They’re called the death servants and are very loyal creatures. They signal their attacks by either screeching or by flapping their wings in a strong gust of wind.”

    Mika paused and looked directly at Aaliyah before continuing. “They kill their victims in three steps. First step is a transformation, where the Raven Mocker disguises itself as an old man or a woman to get close to its victim. I’m guessing that’s how the bird got close to your grandmama. The second is that they become invisible and kill their victim by taking over the body, and their final step is to devour the heart entirely.”

    Aaliyah felt a chill crawl up her spine. “Why?”

    “Why what?”

    “Why did the Raven Mocker want to devour Grandmama’s heart, and why hasn’t it done the same to me?”

    “Because I don’t think the Raven Mocker was sent here to kill you. I think it was sent here to capture you.”

    “What about Grandmama?”

    “It’s not that simple with your grandmother.” Mika started pacing, trying to explain this new world to the girl sitting in front of her. “The Raven Mocker only managed to devour half of her heart. That has never happened before,” she added almost as an afterthought.

    Aaliyah’s eyebrows shot up. “So Grandmama is not dead? There’s a chance that she may still be alive.”

    “Yes,” Mika responded. “Very much so.”

    “And I can’t go back to see her?” Aaliyah asked with confusion clear in her voice.

    “No, Aaliyah. You are in danger in right now, and it is not safe for you to go back to the village just yet. You won’t stand a chance against them.”

    Aaliyah’s brows furrowed, and she looked confused. “How is it possible for creatures like this to exist?”

    Mika sighed before sitting herself down in front of Aaliyah. “The same way it’s possible for me to control water.”

    “That was really cool,” Aaliyah grinned. “The villagers, they called you...”

    “Mazu.”

    “Yes, a water goddess?” Aaliyah continued when Mika nodded. “What does that mean? Are you a water god?”

    Mika shook her head. “I am human. My powers are a gift from God, and the village elders call me Mazu out of respect, but that is a story for another time, for when you are ready.”

    “This is all kind of crazy,” Aaliyah commented. “So you can control water, your father knows and accepts your powers, the elders of the village call you Mazu, and a Raven Mocker wants to capture me for an unknown purpose.” Aaliyah sighed as she threw her head back, closing her eyes. “This has to be the longest, most confusing day of my life.”

    Mika stood up and brushed the dirt off. “We’ve been here far too long already. We have to move or the Raven Mockers might return.”

    “Wait,” Aaliyah said. “Where are we going?”

    “To find a safe place to camp.”

    “All right.” Aaliyah stepped up to match Mika’s fast pace, her hands swinging enthusiastically by her sides. She didn’t understand the situation entirely, but she definitely felt better about it.

    Mika stopped and stared at her. “What are you doing?”

    “Finding camp.”

    “I see,” she paused. “And what happened to the emotional turmoil that was looming over you a second ago?” Mika raised an eyebrow.

    “Well, I can’t do much about that now, can I?” Aaliyah said with a shrug of her shoulders.

    Mika squinted her eyes and looked over Aaliyah’s form carefully. “Is there a bump on your head?” she asked. “Did the Raven Mocker knock you over or something?”

    “Not with you there saving me, and can I just say that I cannot believe that you can control water!” Aaliyah exclaimed. “I have never seen anything like it! It was like watching a dramatic performance of water ballet.”

    Mika looked at Aaliyah, stunned. “Water ballet?”

    Aaliyah’s smile grew. “Umm, yeah,” she admitted. “It was kind of beautiful.”

    “You’re ridiculous,” Mika said incredulously, shaking her head, before starting up the path again.

   Aaliyah watched Mika walk up the hill, effortlessly. How can someone not be excited about their powers, she pondered. Especially if the powers allow you to control water and use it as a weapon.

   She wondered if there were others like Mika. Other individuals who had the ability to control and use water the way Mika had. She wouldn’t mind being one of them.

   Aaliyah grinned at the thought and ran to catch up with the disappearing Mazu.