Chapter Two

Later, Iona caught up to the group carrying a map.

“So Eris, since this great adventure was your idea, where to?” Iona said, giving her the map. Eris looked at it for a while, her brow furrowing in concentration.

“I. Don't. Know.” She said, after a while. “I really just wanted to go to Arlia, hoping I could find some cool way to get there while having a fun time.”

Sheena hit Eris on the head.

“Idiot.” She said.

“Sheena, don't be mean. Here, let me see.” Wyyn said, taking the map from Eris. She looked at it for a while and traced her finger along certain routes. Then she gestured for Iona to come over.

“We can go there can't we?”

“I heard that's not a safe place.”

“We'll have to go through there then.....The town is better than the valley right?”

“We'll have to be careful about money.....I'll have to keep an eye on Eris...”

The two talked on until they decided on the best route. Iona then held the map for everyone to see.

“First, we'll have to go through the forest that surrounds this meadow. Then, we'll travel through the Secca Trail, leading us to the Hiylan Mountains. After that, we should get to Histara. And then, after Histara would be Arlia. Well, that's how it would be if we don't encounter any problems.” Iona said, explaining the plan.

“Well what kind of problems can we encounter?” Eris said. “We're charmers! We can take care of ourselves.”

“Remember Eris, charming abilities are a privilege.” Iona said in a reprimanding voice.

“Yes yes, I know. Charmers are people who are able to bond with spirits of nature, and are able to get their powers. We use these powers to help mankind and what not, I know the whole pledge.” Eris said. Iona gave her scolding glare and said nothing. Sheena just hit her on the head.

“You shouldn't say it so lightly. There are people who would kill to her these powers.” Sheena said said in a soft voice, instead of her usual scolding voice. Eris gave her a weird looked, then walked off.

“Whatever.”

---

As they traveled through the forest, it was quiet. Eerily quiet. Suddenly, Iona stopped.

“Something's wrong. Yuura's sensing something weird about some of the plants.” Iona said, her voice odd. Eris looked around.

“Yeah, the air is oddly dry. There's barely any water vapor.” Eris said. Her water guardian, Aosa, started to shake. Suddenly, Wyyn started to cry, her eyes wide with fear.

“Sheena, i-it's them....they're back....” Wyyn said, her voice oddly quieter than it usually is. Sheena held her and patted, calming her down. Then she got up, and walked around, searching for something, her breathing becoming faster and faster. Suddenly, she found what she was looking for and kicked the floor. As soon as the heel of her boot touched the ground, the floor fell apart revealing a hidden trap door.

“Wyyn summon a strong wind.” Sheena said. Wyyn did as she told, tears still streaming down her face. Sheena then faced her older sisters. “Eris, Iona, go in and keep following the path. Do not make any turns or you will be doomed.”

There was something about her voice that made Eris and Iona follow her instructions without question. They seemed to know that it was no time to be arguing.

Wyyn then finished summoning the wind. Then she followed Eris and Iona into the hole, leaving Sheena all alone.

Sheena stood in the strong wind, her eyes turning mahogony to pitch black. Her body then became surrounded by a fiery aura.

“You can break free now Hotaru.” She said, quiet anger engulfing her voice.

---

Eris and Iona ran along the hallway, confused. Wyyn had to ride her earth guardian Midnight since she was too shaken to run.

“What was that about?!” Eris asked Wyyn. She got no answer except for the whispered mutterings as Wyyn stared off into memory.

“They got her....they got her.....no...if only I hadn't been so dumb they would still be here.....now I lost another....NOO SHEENA!!!” Wyyn screamed hysterically. Then she started to cry again.

Iona and Eris tried to get sense out of her and to figure out what she was talking about, but Wyyn was too hysterical to listen. All they could do was hold her tight and calm her down.

The tunnel seemed to go on forever. Finally, there was a red light ahead. Eris cried out for joy, while Iona just smiled out of relief.

“We're out of here!” Eris said. Then as soon as the three got out. They saw where the red light was coming from.

“Just like that day five years ago......” Iona said. Eris was for once, silent.

The whole forest was on fire.

---

AN: Thank you that one person for reviewing!! Anyway, I know Wyyn doesn kinda cry alot for a fifteen year old (Originally she was thirteen but...) Still, she doesn't have the best childhood memories (which I'll write about in the far far future.....) And about the five senses part....well, I'll try! (It's not exatcly my strong part).