Chapter 6

I just laid down on my, bed and let my frustrations out by crying. I am mot this emotional, (but I'm in a childs body! )

(Its no use crying and begging to stay, but will the swan sisters also leave?) 

As she was thinking about the swans, Lila came knocking to her door. 

"Astri.. Can we talk?" I don't respond, (let me be like a child and throw tantrums!)

Lila is not the type to ask twice, or heed permission. She barged in the room and entered Astri's room, Lila tried to reach out to astri but she rejects her. 

"Astri.. we dont want this too" she pulled Astri to her embrace. And for once her stoned cold expression softens. She caresses Astri's back as she felt her shaking. 

"Then are you leaving too?" Atri looked up to her with begging eyes.

Lila avoided here eyes, looking down. This broke Astri and her tears poured uncontrollably.

"We would like to accompany you till you grow but, we're not available for a hundred years.." 

Lila wanted to form a contract but they cant. They have to miss every Astri's first time in life.

They want her to see a carnival, dressed like a Princess, give her the a Princess birthday, and to attend school.

They wanted to see this child grow, they wanted to have the worries of raising her. Every memories be bad o not they want to make it all with Astri.

A tear escaped Lilas eyes as she counts, how many things they will miss from Astri's life.

"Astri.. we truly are destined but we met at the wrong time" Lila caressed Astri's cheek.

"All of us with leave in the next few days.. and you will have to leave tomorrow" Lila hugged the crying Astri ti'll they fell asleep.

( it's really the end.. I'll be alone again)

----------------------------------------‐--------------------

Gerald walked passed atri's door and saw Lila and her hugging.

Gerald went in and took Astri from Lila's embrace, she was alerted but gave Astri when she knew it was Gerald. 

He took her to a balcony of his room, and sat down on a rocking chair.

Astri woked up from his embrace, and saddened by his corpse like face, with little cracks on his skin. His eyes became dull and lifeless. 

Astri gave gerald a hug and didn't complain, she knew there's no use complaining. His fate had been long settled.

"You must live well, explore the world and find your people Astri. So then you won't be lonely" Gerald caresses her head. 

"You wont forget me.. will you?" He smiled looking up the sky, He would one day become one of those. As he believed in the saying of [once you die, you become a star] 

Astri nodded her head, listening obediently. Nothing last forever, and she knows long before she came. 

She held geralds hand, "Why do i need to go? I want to stay here.. even without you guys" 

The tower holds many memories, even if it's just the tower she wanted to keep it. 

She may have become stronger but, Astri doesn't like the outside world at all. Gerald brought her out a few times letting her see, the dirty side of the world.

(I will stay in this tower forever.. )

Gerald sigh'ed of her stubbornness.

"Astri.. do what we tell you, it's all for your own good" She didn't argue, as it is already been settled. 

They just held each others embrace, and Astri finds comfort to his warmth. Till the morning sunrise rose from their view, Gerald carried Astri to the hall where the four swans ready themselves. 

"It's time.." Marlene announced.

The swan's dressed her in a simple dress, and robe that they gifted. Lila took every Items of the tower inside the pouch. 

They all walks out of the tower, before they give Astri to the Black Wolves. Gerald did the last thing he needs to assure himself. A staff the contained most of his power. 

"Are you sure about that?" Lila questioned Gerald.

"There's no use fighting fate, this power is not enough to defy death.. it prolonged my life but, it cannot defeat death" 

------------------------------------

(I hear a dog's whimper..)

I cant open my eyes, it felt heavy and pressured. 

Feeling my surroundings, I am sure that im no longer in the tower..

Tears of mine poured, As of now I am an abandoned child. They could've done a proper farewell with me, but they chose the way it hurts most.

After sometime Astri successfully opened her eyes, she looked at her surroundings and she found herself inside a big Tent, with bone designs.

(It must be the wolf tribe.)

Astri stood up from the bed and walked out of the tent, as soon as she emerged all the wolves eyes are on her. 

They gave her a pitiful look, the leader of the tribed emerged from the crowd.

Lycus the leader of the tribe.

"After a few days, You may leave this place"

His cold tone spared no sympathy for the little girl.

Astri was not affected but, she took her robe and walked to the direction of the tower.

But a familliar scent stopped her.

It was the puppy that was sent back, to the wolf tribe by lila.

"Sygne?" Astri named the wolf Sygne, even after lila threw it back from the wolves.

"You cant go back there! It's dangerous" Astri slapped her hand off, and continued her way to the tower. 

No one stopped her but Syne, even the man that almost killed her back then turned a blind eye.

"I'M TELLING YOU! IT'S NOT SAFE!" Astri studied Sygne's features and she's taller than her. She looks older like Erine.

Her, Dark bronze hair and emerald eyes mesmerised her, but she still has to go back.. back to her Home.

"The sage handed you to us to keep you away from the tower! The tower and forest is protected because of its owner. Now that the sage died every empire's hunters as off to dig relics!"

Sygne pulled Astri's arm, the sage held her birthday humbly but the representatives didn't kept their mouth sealed about her existence! 

Astri wavered and contemplated, she went back with Sygne to their tribe and rested. 

-----------------------

( what am i going to do now...) 

I am by myself again.. Gerald told me to go vennture the world others, it was my dream from back then.. but it just feels lonely if its just by myself.

Two years of being with them, it still made a big impact in my life.

Sygne handed me a bowl of soup and bread, she's the only one who takes care of me in the tribe. 

She talked about many great places i could go to while we eat, it did distracted me for a bit. 

I still remembered the floating palace, Sygne noticed my interest and talked more about it.

From It's rumored scenery, food, and unique magics. She too wants to go there one day. 

Instead of being negative, Astri has now chosen her first destination, Floating palace.