6 Heavenly Village (Part 1)

When Helen opens her eye, she finds herself in an unfamiliar place. The first thing she notice is that the air is cool and fresh, yet she felt warm because she is tucked in a thick smooth blanket. Looking around, it looks like she is lying on a wooden bed inside an adequately lit straw hut. There isn't too many things inside. Apart from the wooden bed where she lie, there were only a small wooden stool, and a rack full of books. She can hear the sound of gushing water outside, as if it was raining heavily, yet through the opening she can only see clear blue sky.

Despite the wonderful scenery, she is still sulky at the remembrance of what happened last night. She vividly remembered the last situation she were in before she fainted. Without someone

coming to rescue her, she knew she wouldn't be alive right now. Is it possible that the dark figure that scare her actually saved her life? Her mind races on, and as how most introverts goes, one bad thoughts leads to another. She remembered her difficult toddler days being educated by a strict mother, and all her painful childhood story. Lilly was her only confidante, her best friend who has always been there as a shoulder to cry on since they were small. Now she got betrayed by her so openly. Why won't God just let her die there and end her miserable life?

She tried to sit up on the bed. To her surprise, she didn't find it difficult or painful to move her body. She find that she is swaddled in a white long pieces of ribbon like clothes, wrapped around her vital parts. Patches of healing herb was placed all over where the stabbing wounds were. Someone has been treating her back to health, and who ever it was is doing a good job.

When her feet touches the floor, the central part of the floor started to grow into a figure. It was that dark figure she saw at the last minute of her consciousness. However now that she is seeing it in broad daylight, the figure formed from the wooden floor became of an elderly lady wearing a long cloak with hood covering up her face.

"You've finally woken up. I'm glad that you survived." The old lady smiled while she walks over and sit in the wooden bench by the bed. She then put a piece of strange clothing next to Helen, and made gesture for her to wear them.

"Who are you?" Helen asked while looking at the clothes, without moving a muscle.

The lady opened her hood, then replied : "People used to call me Leaf. I am a member of the witch association of the Neverwinter kingdom. Your generation may not be familiar with magic and witches anymore, but once we are quite popular among the people."

Helen only remained silent. Leaf simply smiled while continuing her words : "I know you have been through a tough night last night. You should be grateful that you survived the magic bite. We witches should spend magic bite in a pleasant situation, last night your situation is nowhere near desirable."

To this words, Helen stared at Leaf and said : "I'm a witch?"

"Apparently so.."

Helen simply shook her head. "I have heard some myth about witches, and that her majesty queen Anna was one of them. However i always thought that those are just conspiracy theory of people trying to make sensation. No way i am one of them."

"They are very much true, my dear. At first all of us witches are born as a normal human being. We are only aware of our abilities after our awakening, which usually occur on months of demon or during birthday to adulthood."

Again Helen shook her head, thinking to herself "Month of demon, witches and churches.. they are all legends, or fairy tales.. it cant be true! ... ... ... but how do you explain this lady appearing from the ground?"

As if reading her mind, Leaf answered : "We witches each have our own special ability. My ability is to blend with nature, and enhance effectiveness of healing herb. If king Roland is present, we would've taken you to meet him to get tested, to see what is your capability after awakening. Now that he has passed away, I would like to take you to see Wendy. She is now the leader of the witches association of Never Winter kingdom."

Helen hesitated. Even though Leaf has healed her, it doesn't mean that she can trust her fully. Besides her mother would have been worried by now.

Leaf seems to understand her hesitation, she simply said : "I understand if you wanted to go home as well. You have passed out for a couple of days. I am taking you some distance away from the land of Oasis to treat your wound. If you would like to go home, you would have to go back on your own. Right now you are in a village called "Heavenly", this place is very safe from any threat. If you would like to have some time to consider your options, do feel free to wander around."

At that, Leaf simply smiled, and as mysteriously as she came, she left in the same fashion.. blending into the wooden stool she sat on.

Helen slowly stood up and put on those clothes Leaf left behind. Since she is free to take time to think and wander round, she decided to go out and explore the place. She then walks slowly towards the curtain that works as a door to the outside world. After pulling it to one side and stepped out of the hut, she was astonished.

The small hut is located at one of the peak of many surrounding jutting cliff. One would feel being present in the middle of a Chinese paintings, with misty cloud covering the bottom of the cliff, and a near vertical stone wall neatly aligned like a saw tooth jutting towards the sky. With the small wooden hut behind her, she finds herself standing in a wide stretch of green grass plain. Trees grow scarcely here and there, however they all grow tall and lush.

She heard a vague music coming from the edge of the cliff, so she walked over to find out where that wonderful melody came from. She stopped under a tree growing right at the cliff, there she learns that music come from a small cluster of houses not too far beneath. "That must be Heavenly Village" she thought.

Under the shade of the tree, she can see waterfalls from many surrounding cliffs, those must be what she first thought was the sound of rain. Sitting alone on the branch overlooking a few waterfall pouring down constantly, she enjoyed refreshing mountain breeze gently caressing her face, while yet still feeling warmth from the bright sky. Never have she felt more blissful than she is now. Helen suddenly recalled her childhood memory, how daddy used to carry her above his broad shoulder. Those are one of the most precious, most happy times of her life.

Listening to the divine melody from the village beneath, Helen felt like she's floating inside a wonderful dream. She has never felt such feeling of peace overflowing from within her soul.

"This place earn the title of Heavenly Village" she thought.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Leaf's voice startled Helen. "Its me, Leaf. I'm talking to you through the tree you sit on. You might not know it yet now Helen, but you are here not just by coincidence. The wonderful scenery you see here is under a dark threat. We believe you are chosen one that is prophesied long ago to prevent it. We would like to guide you to fulfill your destiny, however I don't want to force you to make any decision. You are free to choose whether you would go home, or come with me to discover your full potential."