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「Esme」
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A sweet aroma watfts around and reaches me as the rock starts to move and light trickles in from the gap which is increasing the more the boulders move to the side.
It's been a long time, I realise, as the cool breeze touches me and sends a not bad kinda chill down my spine. Goosebumps erupt on my skin but I just take in the surroundings.
Creeeash- The boulder stops moving. Finally, opened as much as possible. But I don't move. I just watch. The green lush in front of me is calming.
But soon, I know, the dread would fill into the pit of my stomach as if it's water released into a pool.
The leaves rustle and my clothes sway to the left along with the wind. My hair flutters. Ah. I reach and rub a pink lock of hair. It's been years since I last saw myself in a mirror.
Years since I saw my dear family. I have been meditating. Healing. But now that it's over, it's time to go and finish the matters left unsettled.
My stomach churns at the thought of meeting my family again. But I have to face it. Face them all. I will make them regret it.
I let go of my lock of hair and clench my fist. Then, taking a deep breath, step foot outside of the cave for the first time in ages.
How much time has passed? How will I find my pearl? Sighing, before doubts drop in and cripple my mind. I need my pearl before meeting and facing my family.
I can't let anyone know I am out. That I am here. Or else, I would leave before I find my pearl. And what do I mean my "leave"?. It means I will die.
Looking around, I find the markings I left on the trees. They have almost vanished. Quickly, I re-trace them and make my way out. I have to head to where I came from first.
The ocean.
Leaves crunch under my feet as I make my way to the shore. Plucking fruits on my way and devour them. I haven't eaten proper food ever since I settled into the cave. Only taking in the bare minimum of energy in the air. It's moisture.
Sudden cool breeze blows into my face and when I lift my head, I find the shore after an expanse of glittering sand. Slowly, I make my way there.
I haven't walked for ages and so it's hard to reach the shore without stumbling here and there but because of my body being different from actual humans, I can prevent falling and not being able to get up at all.
Halting, I watch as the tide recedes and then rushes to the shore. Submerging my feet underneath the clear crystal blue waters.
Home. I thought. But maybe not. Home is where people who you care about and who care for you. For me...the waters are now just a house. A shelter. But not a home.
"Sigh....." I walk deeper into the ocean and dip inside it. My eyes scan the underneath, the familiarity of this place. The coolness on my skin as I go deeper and deeper into the waters.
My heart calms and then I curl up inside letting the ocean warm me like a muffler. A while later, I open my eyes, and swim up to the surface.
Time to go find my pearl. I can't use high of intermediate magic but small ones? No biggie. Now, on the beach, I walk much better than before thanks to the ocean lending me it's powers.
I touch my chest, my heart thuds in a slow rhythmic motion and then glows. I close my eyes and feel all of the powers and magic warming me up. Then, I bring my hand up and gaze at it.
A seashell pattern glows in translucent blue on the back of my hand and then turns invisible. I smile. This- This will help me find my pearl.
The seashell then glows again and I follow it, reaching the city I recognise but has changed a bit.
Arcruge City, here I come.