Next Move

"Lyra, where is this?" Mago asked with concern laced within his voice. I sigh and say, "The past? Another world? Take a pick because I have no idea. I don't remember our world talking about people in the past Cultivating though. That's a new term for me and I've read a lot of books. Have you heard of anything like that?"

Mago remains silent before saying, "No, I can't say that I have but I'm only around five hundred years old, give or take." I lightly tap the wooden desk, thinking. Suddenly, there's a knock. I turn and look towards the door as I hear Li Mei softly call out "Are you still up Lyra?"

I stand and walk over, opening the door to find Li Mie with a wooden basket. Her eyes light up as she sees me and says, "I brought you dinner since you missed it." I give her a kind smile as I step back and say, "Thank you but you didn't have to. Isn't it late?"

She waves me off before walking over to the small table in the room. She places the basket on the table and says, "How could I go to sleep when the person who saved us all hasn't eaten?" My lip twitches as I walk over and say, "You keep saying that but I'm sure you all would have been fine."

Her hand pauses, holding the dish before placing it on the table and saying, "Enough talking, come eat while it's still warm." I sit at the table and pick up the warm bun. I take a bit and say, "Thank you, it's delicious."

Li Mei sits across from me with a small frown before saying, "Why do I feel like you're going to leave?" For someone so young and naive, she was incredibly insightful. I take another bite before saying, "I've told you before, I'm not from here. I need to find my way back home. I'm grateful to you and your family but this isn't my place. Plus, I have unfinished business to attend to."

She gives me a sad look before looking down at her hands. She remains silent for a while before saying, "Then, do you promise to stop by when you can? Or write me?" I look at her with surprise. Did she really like me that much?

After thinking about it, I slowly nod my head and say, "If, given the chance, I promise to do just that." She smiles at me, happy but it was lacking her usual energy. I'm surprised by how sad she is about me leaving but I can't stay here.

I plan to go back to the very spot I arrived in. After a moment of silence, I bite my lip and ask, "Do you happen to have... a small piece of metal or glass. Something small enough that I can add to this chain?"

I pull my necklace out, showing her for reference. Her eyes light up in wonder before frowning and saying, "I don't have anything that nice but... I may have an old earring that may work." I nod and say, "If it's not too much, can I have it?"

She lights up, back to the old Mei Mei as she says, "Of course! One second, I'll go grab it." She takes off, leaving me with a grateful smile on my face. Mago suddenly speaks up "Is that for me?" I glance over to the copper mirror and say, "Of course, I need you with me after all."

After she returns, I pull the small earring apart and I'm left with a smooth metal surface. It was no bigger than my thumbnail. Li Mei looks at me, and then at the piece with a frown.

I've never messed with elements before, but I have read about it. In theory, it should be easy. I slide my thumb over the piece as I use my magic. Surprise flickers through me as I see the shiny reflective surface. It worked!"

Li Mei's eyes light up as she says, "What did you do? How is it so shiny!? Do you make jewelry?" I give her a small smile as I use my magic once again to create a small hole. I take my necklace off and slip the tiny mirror onto it before putting it back around my neck.

I pat the piece as I say, "Something like that. Thank you, Mei. This will be a great help to me." She still seems slightly confused about how helpful it'll be, but she still smiles and nods her head while saying, "Oh please, as I said before, it's an old earring. I don't even know where the other one is."

I give her a grateful smile before slowly twisting my wrist around. Cupped in my hand is a beautiful magical flower. The light pink flower slightly glows as it floats in my hand. I reach out and say, "This is a magical flower. Whenever you want to speak to me, hold the flower and speak into it."

"I won't answer immediately but once I hear your message, I'll send you one back. Keep in mind that it can only be used once a week." I say holding my hand out. Her eyes are as round as plates as she cups both her hands.

I smile as I tilt my hand to the side and allow the flower to float into hers. She watches it so intensely, that I can see the reflection of it in her dark brown eyes. She looks too stunned to speak. I chuckle a little before saying, "When you aren't using it, just leave it on your desk. Don't worry about others taking it or using it. It will only work for you."

She looks up with tears in her eyes and says, "I'll keep it safe; I promise." I nod and bid her goodnight before closing the door. Mago's voice can be heard from my necklace as he says, "See, she actually seems nice. I like her a lot more than Aiya."

Instantly, my smile is gone, and the room grows cold. As if noticing the shift in my mood, he grows quiet. I still haven't told him what happened, but he's always said he didn't like Aiya. He has no idea how good he is at reading people.