Elmira Sielstone: The Empress

It was Sunday morning and Everyone's doing their own chores in Glith. Smith who's in his late 60's is already in his backyard harvesting crops and Vegetables that they'll be selling in the market in the afternoon to make some profit as the living cost in Glith is too much more than they can handle. Redina, on the other hand, is preparing for their breakfast in the kitchen. "It's time." A Woman in her Royal Gown suddenly showed up in their minds that made them stop from what they were doing. Elmira, who had been fast asleep, had woken up as fast as the lightning's speed and sat on her bed while listening to the voice. "This early?" She asked while rubbing her closed eyes. "Be here tonight." In just a second, the woman disappeared from their heads. Smith entered the house holding a cabbage in his right hand and a knife in the other and directly entered the kitchen to see Redina. "The time has really come." He placed the cabbage on the sink and washed his hands that were covered with mud. "It's so sudden" Redina has become so dumbfounded and has been staring in space ever since hearing the news and sat on the nearest chair from her. After washing his hands, Smith came closer to the stove as Redina seemed to forget that she's still cooking. "We've been waiting for almost fourteen years. Why'd you say it's so sudden?" He stirred the soup that Redina's cooking for their breakfast. "She's still not ready, you see. And I'm starting to get worried." "When's the time she'd be ready then?" "I don't know. I just… I'm just worried." "Don't be. They must have a reason why she needs to go back." Smith lowered the fire of the stove and sat beside Redina who's been sitting there for a moment now. "And aren't you happy? We'll be living our normal lives now, now that we're coming back, right?" "I don't know what exactly to feel about this." "Just be happy for her. Let her live with her own parents 'coz it's been a while." Elmira, who just wanted to sleep again, couldn't get back to sleeping as she's so intrigued by the topic of the two people talking in the kitchen. "You're always interrupting my sleep Hazzles. You really have a loud voice." So instead of going back to sleep, she decided to just pack her things. It has been almost fourteen years since they started living in Glith. She was just seven when she was transported in the non-magic world with her Grandparents Redina and Smith to make her safe and everyone else around her, as she doesn't possess any kind of Qarath. Because in Harzenia, no one can live without any Qaraths, it's either you leave or be killed. Elmira sighed as she got up from her bed. "It'll probably be the last time that I'm having a good sleep but you still interrupted it." She got her black infinity pouch in her side table that she had made using her own Qarath when she was still young. "And I'm not so sure if I need to be excited or not for this come back." She sighed again. From her side table, she pulled out her hidden drawer that hides her magical things. She transferred the drawer on the table and she sighed once more. "I'll be using you in no time." She held a small hourglass that she had released from the drawer. It was filled with a green dust that she only made visible for herself. She put it inside her pouch, and then picked another thing from the drawer when she suddenly felt Redina's presence going nearer in her room. She was alarmed and out of her mind put the drawer itself in the pouch and made the pouch disappear into thin air before Redina even entered her room. "What the - Red. You're always stressing me out." She said in her mind and wiped her sweat away on her forehead while waiting for Redina to come in. "Mira." Redina called her name as she entered the room. "Yes MaRed." She stood up and faced Redina with a smile, as if nothing had really happened. "I just included the drawer for Pete's sake. And I'm not so sure where I even placed that pouch. I hope it's just fine wherever it is." Elmira constantly talks to herself for what she wanted to say out loud, but couldn't. "What's goin' on? Are you alright?" "Well, I'm not sure if I'm still alright." Elmira constantly talks in her mind, saying her real answer there without letting her hear anything. "Yeah. I was just - finding something. '' As if. But it's half true. I'll probably be looking for the pouch later. "You sure? Want me to help you?" "Nah. I think I can find it, my own. It's not really that important anyway…" "It's the most important thing right now, if you wanna hear the real thing." She said in her mind, unheard. "By the way MaRed, what brought you here this early?" Elmira knows the reason behind her visit, but Redina doesn't know that she heard the news already, so she needs to ask anyway. "Oh right. about that… We're... coming back." "Coming back. Do I really need to be excited or not?" She said, still in herself. "What? Oh--" she covered her mouth to support her very good acting. She has heard the news, and it's not so surprising this time, but to make her grandmother believe that it's her first time hearing it, she needs to be an actress, a very good one. "Era, You're creeping me out really. You've been doing a lot of questionable things. It's not so you." She said. Even she, was not so used to on how she reacts towards Redina. "Is this for real MaRed?" "Honestly, sometimes I want to just vomit with the words I'm using in front of you Red." Sorry for being so not real with you, but I just needed this. Redina smiled. "You're gonna see your family again." She caresses Elmira's head. She's both happy and worried at the same time for Elmira as they will be back in Harzenia after being away for almost fourteen years. "Don't forget all the Hazzles and… Gemus that I'll be encountering again." "But I'm afraid, you can't live there like how you live here in Glith. Will you be fine with that?" The sadness is well written all over her face as she talks. "If you only knew. I really can't live there just the way I lived here. I have so many duties that I have left there before coming here in Glith, just to make sure everything will go on as planned." "I'll be fine MaRed. I promise." She gave her reassuring smile that she always does when her MaRed feels this way towards her. "I just wish that I'll be fine, and everything else." "You've really grown, Mira." She stared at her for some time. "No. You've just grown older. I've always been like this and always been older than you, and all the people out here in Glith and in Harzenia, if you just only knew." She said, without opening her mouth. Elmira just smiled in front of Redina the whole time. "Alright. I'll get going." Redina made her last glance inti Elmira's face. "Prepare yourself." She kissed Elmira on her forehead before continuing, "We'll be back later at night." She then left Elmira's room, but with a heavy heart. "As much as I wanted you to stay here, It's not possible. Some things do really need to happen." Elmira smiled bitterly after hearing Redina's thoughts, right after leaving her room. "I wish the same. But my people needs me. And I can't delay it any further. I've been here doing nothing, now it's time to put everything back on track." Elmira opened up her palm and just like that, the pouch appeared in her hands and continued packing her things again. After finishing packing her things, she decided to go outside their house and see the place for the very last time. She opened their main door and teleported to the nearest tallest building in the place where they've been living. "Time really flew so fast. It was just like yesterday that we entered Glith and the very first time I went here. But now, it's already my last day." Her hair is being swept by the strong wind making her close her eyes as she's feeling the wind having contact with her skin. "I'll be missing these noises. All The voices seeking for help but never been heard. The night lights, this warm wind, the people, and the Place itself." She opened her eyes and the place had shifted from the building to the open sea. She was already standing on a cliff overlooking the open sea which she had the most memory with. The wind is blowing madly from the open space, and it keeps on getting stronger as her emerald highlighted hair glows. "You've helped me a lot." Elmira's early memories in this exact place had dropped by her mind. Reminiscing the past from the very first day she had practiced in the middle of the sea. "You have always been my training ground ever since I trained this body for the usage of my Qarath, up until yesterday." A very strong wind had jolted across her as if answering her from what she's saying. "You've seen my failures, my ups and downs… all my frustrations when I couldn't use my Qarath properly due to the limitations of this body." The waves of the sea are crashing through the rocks from below her, making a rattling sound, echoing all over the open space. "You have helped me whenever I get drowned and always brought me back to the seashore as I couldn't maintain my balance... And Now, I'm leaving." Elmira got silent for a second as she recalled everything from her memory. It has never been easy for her to control her Qarath due to her body condition which is limiting her from performing or using other Qaraths, and this Sea has witnessed everything. "I hope you finally heal in time as I couldn't heal you as much as I wanted to. And please, don't punish People that much, I won't be around to calm you again if that happens…" The memories of her calming the sea had flashed in her mind. When the sea has been so done with the Glith's, abusing it's resources, killing the habitats of every species living there, and just doing what they want for their own good. The sea itself had almost punished everyone in Glith, making a storm surge, but Elmira was there. And she had calmed the sea down through the use of her Qarath and her own voice. "It's not a goodbye my friend. Till we meet again." The wind stopped and the place shifted again. In an instant, She's already in front of their home, and the Sun is nearing to set, providing another beautiful scenery in the sky. "Have you found her?" She stayed in front of their door, listening to the two Hazzles inside who've been looking for her the whole time. "I told you not to worry much. She'll be fine Red. Let's just wait. Maybe she's just wandering around for the last time." "Wandering? How far could she possibly go when she couldn't even have a Qarath? She didn't even bring any money with her." Once she heard Smith sighed, she entered their home, because she knows that Smith can't say anything any further. "I'm here." Redina had sprinted towards her and hugged her so tight. "Are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere? Where have you been? I thought you had run away." Why would I run away? I've been running away all these years, now it's time for me to stop. "I'm fine Ma. I'm not hurt. I had just visited a friend nearby. And I won't run away." She answered everything smoothly and calmly as she's looking directly towards Smith behind Redina. Redina released her from her arms and made eye contact with her. "Okay. Okay… Are you perhaps ready?" "Yes." I've been preparing for this ever since we arrived here in Glith. However, my body isn't that prepared. "I'll just head to my room Ma. I'm tired. Call me if everything's all ready." She looked directly towards Smith's eyes before heading to her room. Thank you for always making up excuses whenever I'm not around, Smith. I owe you a lot through these years. I'll pay you back soon. Maybe in your next life. -------- At seven in the evening, Smith has finally opened the Portal in their backyard using his Qarath and the exact mirror that he had used for opening the same portal in Harzenia to travel to Glith. The portal is like a blue whirlpool that keeps circulating inside like a water tornado generating a strong warm wind and They were all standing beside the portal, watching and waiting for it to get bigger. "Can't we just use another way, other than portals?" Elmira couldn't contain her anxiety towards Portals. I've tried using a portal, but it was just for once and that was almost fourteen years ago. And I can still remember that feeling through this open portal. "It's fine. We're here beside you." Redina held her hand to put her at ease. And flushed a reassuring smile to make her feel better. Do you really think that can help me? It's a big NO Redina! "Are You ready?" Redina asked her as they need to take the portal in a second. "No." Elmira's been so terrified all this time she's seeing the portal in front of them. "Sorry, but I think I can't come with you through---" They entered the Portal holding Elmira's both hands without letting Elmira finish what she's saying. Before Elmira had known it, they were all in Harzenia, and the Portal that they have used had vanished right away. Right after they landed on the grounds of Harzenia, Elmira walked away from them, holding her chest, controlling herself not to vomit in front of them. "I'm gonna close all those damn portals. I swear. " She straightened up as she couldn't even vomit even if she wanted to. "If only you're not useful, I would've done that years back. But you've been a friend up until now, taking me back here. So you're safe, for now." Elmira looked up at the sky with so much amusement. "It's been a while Havh and Viah, I've missed you." There were two moons in the sky giving light to Harzenia even in its darkest times. "I hope you're doing fine. Even when I was not around. " Elmira smiled in relief. "I'm finally back." She closed her eyes, absorbing the fact that she's finally back to where she truly belongs. Since arriving, Redina and Smith couldn't hide their joy of being back in the place where they have lived for all of their lives. "It's been a while." Redina Said as she's smiling from ear to ear. "It is." Though Smith has been feeling so tired even before they have entered the portal because he had used so much Qarath opening the portal, he still managed to keep a genuine smile. "It's so nice to be back. Where's Elmira? She was just standing there right?" Redina had looked around the place, finding Elmira who had been gone in their sights. "She'll be fine. Don't worry." "Wait." She stopped and looked directly at Smith. "Why do you always say that she'll be fine? I've been noticing that huh. Whenever I'm looking for her, you'll always say those words as if you don't even care about her." "Of course I care, Red. But you don't always need to look for her. She's doing fine, I assure you that." "How'd you know? How can you be so sure?" "I just know. And because she's always coming back perfectly fine." Elmira has been around the place, observing the Southern part of Quoatilphus, from where they are right now. The place was so odd. It was so strange that the noisiest and busiest place in Quoatilphus or the Capital of Harzenia seems to be abandoned. No one can be seen going around, running errands,playing, or chatting with anyone, just like the old times. Now, it looks like a ghost town. This is way too far from what I've expected. I never expected that this place would be so empty and quiet. This was my favorite place back then. Elmira has been so caught up by the Southern People of Quoatilphus back then. They always have something to celebrate, a reason to be happy and enjoy living, but now, in front of her, is an empty space, a gloomy place that she never imagined to turn this way. Now looking around, there was only the wind that gives chills for it's odd sound and warmth, catching the sound of rusty signage, the open windows that keep on opening and closing due to the wind, the rusty roofs and the sound of flickering lamp posts and street lights, that sums up with the total eerie feeling in the place. I should've known. Elmira walks back to where she had left her two companions, and stopped in front of them. She had given them a barrier to protect them from unwanted attacks because it is not so secure in this part of Quoatilphus. Something's off. Elmira had closed her eyes to feel the wind coming from the northern part from where they are. As She opened her eyes again, a dagger had stopped just inches away from her forehead. I just thought so. The barrier protecting Redina and Smith has become an illusion, a vision of what Elmira must be doing in accordance with their arrival. Elmira wanted to conceal what was really happening behind the barriers from them so she made sure that they can only see what she wants them to witness. "Look. She's having fun. Just let her be." Smith had noticed Elmira standing just in front of them, wandering, being an emotional individual that's showing her excitement for returning back. But the Reality can just only be seen behind the barrier. "Not bad." Elmira waited for the person who had thrown the dagger to get in front of her before doing anything. "Show yourself." As Elmira can see the Hazzle's shadow drawing nearer, she gave back the dagger to its owner. The Hazzle stopped as the dagger stopped right in front of her eyes, wearing black hoodie, jeans, and a cap, blending with the dark environment of the City. The street lights lightened up one by one up to the Hazzle's location, as Elmira wanted to see the face of the Hazzle who tried to kill her using the dagger. Loisselle Alteria. Elmira recognized her as the light exposed the Hazzle's face from the dark. "What are you doing here in the South?" The Hazzle didn't even bother to answer Elmira as she's still analyzing her from what she's doing. "I see you want to kill me. Why?" Still, the Hazzle didn't answer. It's as if she has been so mesmerized by the fact that Elmira can communicate through her mind, and that her hair is glowing, and the fact that the dagger is still pointing towards her, makes her so speechless. "Sure. You don't need to answer. But I believe you need to hear this thing." Elmira paused. She's been reading the Hazzle's mind ever since she met her. "Someone's badly looking for you . And you need to go back to the Academy before they find out that you're not there." That very moment, the Hazzle had tried to retrieve her dagger in front of her, but she couldn't get it, however she tried to. "Release the dagger." The Hazzle's voice echoed in the place, and Elmira made sure that her two Companion won't hear anything. Elmira smiled once she had heard the Hazzle spoke. "Why would I? You're still planning to kill me." "I need to go back as you have said." "So tell me. Can you go back there within ten minutes? Because they'll be at your door by that time." Elmira finds the Hazzle interesting as she keeps on teasing her and challenging her to use another type of Qarath. "How could someone be back at the Academy for that brief moment?" You're not even nervous nor worried about being caught. Elmira has maintained her poise in front of the Hazzle and maintained the barrier of visions between her and her grandparents. "So that means you can't." "Can you?" Elmira grinned and teleported in front of the Hazzle, "I can." The Hazzle had stepped one step backwards as she's so startled about Elmira's sudden appearance in front of her. "And I can get you there. Just make a decision quickly. They'll be at your doorstep within 8 minutes now." "What's the deal?" "A deal... Interesting... I haven't thought about it yet, but I'll tell you later, your time is running." "Okay then." How could you just take a deal without knowing the consequences, Hazzle. It's your biggest mistake. Elmira stated in her head. "Okay then." Elmira had put down the dagger in front of the Hazzle and held her in her right arm. A minute hadn't passed but Elmira had already travelled the Hazzle in her room at the Academy. "Now tell me..." They've just arrived in her room and the very first thing that the Hazzle did was to point the dagger towards Elmira's neck. "What's the deal?" Elmira didn't even flinch a little nor did she even get surprised as if knowing about the movements of the Hazzle in front of her. "Later." Elmira grinned and stared into her eyes. "I'll tell you later." The Hazzle dropped her dagger unknowingly, and went to her bed. "I'll tell you later, Loisselle. But for now, you must sleep." Elmira had commanded the Hazzle's body to move accordingly on what Elmira wanted her to do. The Hazzle is fast asleep in her bed, and as soon as she had slept, Elmira removed the Hazzle's memory of meeting her that night. "Later Loisselle. I'll tell you, When you come looking for me." After removing every possible sign that the Hazzle had gone outside, Elmira left as she could already feel the other Hazzle's that were looking for Loisselle. She had arrived at the exact place she had left, closed the lights, and removed the barriers in front of her, revealing herself in front of her two companions. "Mira. Are you ready to see your family now?" Elmira smiled at the question Redina had asked and an eerie wind had blown at the same time, giving creeps to everyone around, Specially Smith. "Always am, MaRed."