The situation in the human world was not good either. Though everyone knew the curse brought doom along with it, no one knew exactly what trials and tribulations it brought. The last time it heard , it had ushered in the great war resulting in the deaths of thousands. However this around the clans seem to manage to stay calm . However the common people couldn't rest and lived in uncertainty and fear. To fuel the fire, there were rumors about plague , earthquakes, unexplained weather phenomenon, wildfire and more. When Mia was living in the human world, she herself found such strange phenomenons surrounding .For days at a length she couldn't sleep as one nightmare after another haunted her. She saw an elderly lady pointing at a certain direction to run, but before she could go an beast would pull her down the abyss.At one point she was too afraid even to fall . When she would feed the birds like she usually did, they would all end up dying. She with her own eyes an entire flock choke to death in horror. When she ran inside a cave it and rumbled. As she would stand on top of a hill she would see the landslide from her feet.When she went to the river one time to catch some fish, out of nowhere, a whirlpool formed right where she was. Never has anybody seen or heard about a at the shore,but it had become part of her reality. The most horrifying was when she seen an elderly man shivering from the cold at the roadside. She went to him and put her over him, but he opened his eyes with a shock, blood trickling down it , and ran blindly the cliff and jumped over. Mia had never seen something so horrendous. There was time when she had been running for awhile.Thirst had made her lips chap.When she found a clear stream she had jumped inside it and started drinking but immediately the turned to blood. The entire stream turned red. Even the sip she had taken had the after of blood in it. She didn't know where to run. How to hide, until Lin came back for her. Now she was frozen in the strange liquid, she finally had some peace of mind. Even when she on the ridge, she was too lonely. But now it was as if all her worries were gone.
The ruler in the human kingdom had issued an independent investigation about the matter too they had very little development. The clans were way too powerful to let them know what actually going on between them. The king had long discussions with his subordinates. Most nothing much to offer but one of the ministers spoke up.
"My Lord,with your permission,I would like to talk about something that might be a little bit for the Hall, but as we all know desperate times call for desperate measures" He said.
"Feel free to speak," The king urged.
"Though I have no doubt the clans might be able to solve the curse problem, but we must keep back up ready, just in case" The minister continued.The king nodded in agreement.
"I suggest we send a convoy to coven in the South. Explain the situation and ask for help" He in a rush and fell silent as the entire room looked at each other.
"The mer-witches you mean? " The king asked rather surprised.
"Yes my Lord" He said.
"Why would they even agree to help us? " Said one.
"Do you realize what you are asking? There has been one of a handful of people who have from the southern lands unharmed. The coven is a vicious place filled with vicious . Dying due to the curse would be much more pleasant than being torn and devoured these sirens" Another one gushed out in anger.
"But isn't it better to do something than nothing? Never has an official convoy been sent to their . We do not know but it might be received with positivity by them" Another minister let out opinion.
The king heard all the points silently and at last said "I will consult about the matter with else and then we will decide what to do and how. Till then every platoon keeps their and ears sharp and reports immediately. You all are dismissed now" He retreated to his chambers after the announcement.
Mia in her trance-like state saw the elderly woman yet again. But this time around the dream much more realistic. It wasn't scary anymore. Mia could even control own walking pace. It more real than reality. The woman sat under a beautiful tree and called Mia to join her. Mia touch her dress, her hair, and feel the sun. But she knew she was submerged.
Nevertheless she followed the woman's command and joined her . She smiled at her and a strange looking fruit. Mia felt hungry so she eagerly took a bite.
"Uuuu Mmm.This is so good. I have never tasted anything so delicious ever before. Thank you"
She said with appreciation.
"Do you like it? " The woman spoke for the first time. She had a melodious voice. Mia nodded in enthusiastically.
"I am glad you like it. You will not feel hunger for a hundred years after you eat it Mia. " She as she looked at Mia. Her statement made Mia a little awkward when she noticed " Make comfortable Mia darling, we have a lot of talking to do" She smiled again and motioned
Mia to come and sit beside her.She had no better of a choice so she obliged with a smile. The of them sat beneath the beautiful tree, eating the beautiful fruit, looking up at the beautiful yet strange sky.
******
The one locked away
Somewhere far away, there was scuffling of pages. There were books scattered all over. The was lit with multiple candles. It resembled someone's study. It was full of books yet it more like someone's resting place.The ceiling was covered in some ancient calligraphy paintings. The place looked as if it was untouched for ages yet there were signs of living in traces. The lit candle tips flickered even though there wasn't any wind or . The candles burnt but didn't melt. The place was as strange as the one residing there.
The person was greedily going through pages of a very old and worn out looking book. He then away for a while and came back with another one. After a while he went to bring another . The pattern was on repeat mode for quite a long time. Whatever the person was looking , apparently couldn't be found.
"I can feel it. I can feel it. The time is getting nearer by the hour, but I can't find the answers yet.
Where are they hiding? But I promise you, I will find you wherever you are. I will find you. "
The person was desperately promising his words to his invisible audience. He kept throwing one book after the other. There was a small pile gathered by his side. He kept looking at strange clock-like thing that was beside his study. He would place his hands on top of it as caressing, then get back to his research once again.
The person appeared to be a man with a sturdy build. His face was a glowing handsome one.
His hair was in short locks, falling in a mess behind his ears as he tucked them away from time time. A small lock flickered with the rhythm of the candle lights. His lips were as red as the , even his cheeks had a profound blush. But the strange thing about him was that his was translucent. The lights from the candle passed through as it showed from within. This of his was like ripples in the water. Soothing to watch yet disturbing the sight.
As it appeared, the dwelling place of the lonely being was a distant tower. An ancient high , in the middle of a distant forest landscape, filled with a mystic fog. In fact the fog was so that the landscape was barely noticeable. It was literally in the middle of nowhere. It was if in a place with no time . No boundaries. No limit. Aloof from the world and heavens. Lost in .
The lonely creature was tied to the tower with some invisible chains. He was unable to leave it.
Nor was anybody ordinary permitted to come in. It was like an open prison.
But who was he? Why was he there? What was this place? What was he so desperately for?
All of a sudden there was a huge explosive sound that came from the study of this person.
"Found it. I finally found it" He exclaimed with euphoria as he solved a puzzle-like structure from of the stone tablets. It was in some strange language. Some strange letters had articulated the broken pieces that had shattered all across the place. He was on his knees, the tiniest of parts and looking at it as if he was looking at a lover's portrait. He and marveled at it with wide watery eyes.
" I finally found it. I finally found you. Your name. You really are here. Mia. Your name, that's
Mia. It's sweeter than the sweetest poetry I have ever read. Mia. My Mia" He was repeating her like a love song. His lips trembled with joy.
Right at that time he fell on the ground, holding his head with both his hands as a sharp nose his ears and brain. As he closed his eyes in that excruciating pain, he saw a glimpse of
Mia sitting beside the elderly lady under the tree. But the pain was so severe it made him bleed . A dark blue blood. Ultimately he passed out for a while when he could bear no .
Mia too felt that sharp piercing noise for a split second. She looked around with unease, trying block it out with her hands.
"What's wrong dear? " The lady finally asked.
"What was that? That noise. Can't you hear it? " Mia asked the woman.
"Ohh.You hear a noise. I wonder what that's all about. There are and will be many things that will be experiencing in this world that I won't . I can only be with you. Tell you the things I . If that is going to be of any help" She said.
"Where are we? Who are you? " Mia asked immediately
" Ahhh! I am not very sure but this is the other dimension. We call it the transitional door. Umm.
The space between life and death"she tried to explain.
"Am I dead? Or am I dying? Mia asked , a little sad and worried at the same time for her unborn as she caressed her baby bump instinctively.
"It is not that simple. People don't end up here just because they are dead or dying. They land here to finish some unfinished business but that is not the case for you either. You here for a different reason Mia" The lady told her.
Mia was instantly taken aback as she said her name.
"You know me? You know my name? But you didn't answer my question. Who are you? " Mia .
"Calm down sweetheart. It will take a long time to get a hold of all this. And we do not want to or to rush it. Take a comfortable seat as I tell you the story from the very beginning" She said Mia to lean back on the tree trunk. She obediently followed order and the other began anecdote.