Lost in Destiny's Woods

Three days earlier...

The woods had been a place of chaos and danger. Ayira and Lucius found themselves in the heart of it all, their bodies bruised and their spirits shaken from the fall.

As they opened their eyes, they were met with the glint of a sword, its edge dangerously close to Ayira's throat.

Lucius acted swiftly, pulling Adira close to him protectively.

"Please, don't hurt her," he pleaded, his voice tinged with urgency and fear.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" he demanded, his tone unwavering.

As the man continued to interrogate them, Ayira spoke up, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her veins.

"We're lost travelers," she explained, her eyes meeting his despite knowing he couldn't see her gaze.

"We don't mean any harm. We just want to find our way back home."

Lucius, his voice tinged with desperation, added, "Please, sir, we're just children. We mean no threat to you or anyone else. Just let us go, and we'll be on our way."

Ayira then looked at Lucius, noting the man was not letting them go, and she suggested running away, assuming the man wouldn't notice because he was blind.

The two clasp their hands tightly before they can go and carry out their plan. But the man stopped them with his sword, aiming at them. 

"Don't you dare run away," he stated. 

Ayira's heart sank as their attempt to escape was thwarted by the man's keen intuition. She exchanged a glance with Lucius, silently communicating their shared sense of urgency and apprehension. With a heavy sigh, she released Lucius's hand and raised her palms in surrender.

"We don't want any trouble," Ayira said, her voice trembling slightly.

"We just want to leave peacefully. Please, sir, let us go."

Lucius stood beside her, his expression a mixture of fear and defiance, ready to protect Ayira if need be.

"Your name?" he sought out while his sword was still pointed at them.

Ayira hesitated for a moment, uncertain whether revealing their identities was wise. However, with the sword still pointed at them, she knew they had little choice but to comply.

"I am Ayira," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"And this is Lucius."

The man's reaction was unexpected. His grip on the sword loosened slightly, and a look of recognition flashed across his face.

The two exchanged puzzled glances, wondering why their names seemed to evoke such a response from the blind man.

Does he realize they are important people in the kingdom?

"What is happening, and why are you taking so lo-" a woman came to a stop.

She widened in disbelief as she beheld the two children standing before her. She felt a strange sense of familiarity wash over her as if she had encountered them in a distant memory.

"Are you...?" she began, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the right words.

The two exchanged curious glances, unsure of how to respond to the woman's reaction. It was clear that she recognized them, but they couldn't fathom why or how.

Before they could say anything, the woman's expression softened, and she took a step closer to them, her eyes brimming with emotion.

"It can't be..." she murmured.

"But it must be..."

Ayira and Lucius exchanged another bewildered look, silently urging the woman to explain herself.

The woman, her demeanor gentle and kind, observed Ayira and Lucius with a careful eye, her expression softened with relief upon finding them unharmed.

"I'm glad to see you're both alright," she said, her voice warm and comforting.

"It's a relief that you didn't suffer any injuries."

Lucius, still cautious, couldn't shake off his wariness. He exchanged a wary glance with Ayira as the woman smiled at them. Her hospitality seemed genuine, but Lucius couldn't shake off the feeling of unease gnawing at him.

"Have you both eaten?" she asked. 

Ayira's stomach rumbled in response, prompting her to nod eagerly.

"We haven't eaten for a while," she admitted, her trust in the woman evident in her demeanor.

Lucius, however, remained reserved. He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Ayira, I don't think we should trust them. We don't know who they are or what their intentions are," he cautioned, squeezing her hand gently.

But Ayira's trust in the woman remained steadfast. She offered Lucius a reassuring smile before turning back to the woman.

"Thank you for your kindness. We appreciate it," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.

"Of course, dear. Come with me, I'll prepare something for you both," she said warmly.

The woman led Ayira and Lucius towards a quaint cottage nestled among the trees, with the blind man following closely behind them.

As they walked, Lucius couldn't shake off his unease. He kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, wary of any potential danger. Yet Ayira's innocent trust in the woman seemed to ease some of his apprehension.

As they approached the cozy abode, Ayira couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth emanating from the humble dwelling.

"This is our home," the woman announced with a smile, gesturing towards the inviting cottage.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable."

Ayira's eyes widened with wonder as she took in the charming surroundings. The cottage exuded a cozy atmosphere, with ivy creeping up its wooden exterior and smoke billowing gently from the chimney. It was a far cry from the cold, unforgiving forest they had been wandering through.

Lucius remained cautious, his senses on high alert despite the inviting ambiance. He glanced around warily, taking note of the woman's every move and the blind man's presence behind them.

"Thank you for your hospitality," Ayira said graciously, offering the woman a warm smile.

"We truly appreciate your kindness."

The woman returned Ayira's smile, her eyes twinkling with warmth.

"It's the least we can do," she replied softly.

"You're safe here."

As Ayira and Lucius settled into the chairs in the cozy kitchen, the woman bustled about, gathering ingredients and utensils to prepare a meal. Her movements were graceful and practiced, a testament to her skill in the kitchen.

"I hope you don't mind a simple meal," the woman said cheerfully, flashing a warm smile at the two. 

"It's not much, but it's made with love."

"We appreciate anything you can offer," Ayira replied sincerely.

While Lucius remained silent, his gaze darting around the kitchen as he kept a watchful eye on their hosts. 

The woman then faced the blind man, who was holding his sword at his side.

"Where is Ala--I mean, Yuno?"

The blind man then looked at her and said he was out to get some three branches.

As the woman began to prepare the meal before them, Ayira's stomach rumbled audibly, betraying her hunger. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, eager for the food that was being prepared.

The woman couldn't help but chuckle at Ayira's eagerness, finding her excitement endearing. With a gentle smile, she reached out to ruffle Ayira's hair affectionately, her touch filled with warmth and kindness.

However, Lucius remained cautious, his suspicion still lingering. He watched the woman closely, his protective instincts kicking in as she interacted with Ayira. When she reached out to touch Ayira's head, he tensed, his expression wary. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him, urging him to remain vigilant.

"S-sorry, please don't touch her," he spoke up, his voice hesitant but firm. He didn't want to offend their hosts, but he couldn't ignore his instincts either.

The woman simply laughed in response, her laughter light and melodious. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she reached over and pinched Lucius's cheek playfully, catching him off guard.

Lucius blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by her unexpected actions.

"You really are just like him, aren't you?" the woman remarked teasingly, her tone affectionate as she observed Lucius's reaction.

Lucius then looked at her, perplexed, wondering who she was meant to, but before the woman could respond. Yuno came back with branches of three in his hand. 

Yuno's heart raced as he stood frozen in the doorway, his gaze locked with Lucius's suspicious stare. A myriad of emotions surged through him, his mind reeling with the possibility that this child might be...

Despite not recognizing Lucius, there was an inexplicable connection he felt, tugging at his heartstrings.

The blind man stepped outside the cottage to take in the fresh air, the woman approached Yuno with a soft, reassuring touch on his shoulder. Her voice was barely above a whisper, laden with emotion as she spoke.

"Finally, we meet them," she murmured, her eyes reflecting a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

Yuno turned to her, his gaze filled with a blend of disbelief and anticipation.

"Are you sure?" he asked quietly.

The woman nodded, her expression serene yet tinged with a profound sense of longing.

"I have a feeling," she replied cryptically, her hand still resting gently on his shoulder.

"Aren't you feeling it?" she sought out. 

Meanwhile, Lucius and Ayira exchanged puzzled glances, their curiosity piqued by the cryptic exchange between the adults. They sensed the weight of the moment but remained unaware of the true significance of the encounter unfolding before them.

"Can we eat now? I'm hungry." Ayira interfere.

"Of course, dear," she replied gently.

"I'm sorry for the delay. Let's all sit down and enjoy our meal together."

With that, she called out to the blind man, who was still outside taking in the fresh air.

"It's time to eat," she called, her voice carrying through the open doorway.

The blind man nodded in acknowledgment and made his way back into the cottage, guided by the sound of her voice.