The encounter

"Many years ago, a time when even astrologers can not explain, gods, elves, mermaids, beasts and even demons surfed the earth. Gods being at the top of the hierarchy controlled the balance of the earth. For them, power was everything and no one dared go against them, not even the mightiest beasts nor the most cunning demons. At that time, the earth was called Spiridon." she spoke in a mystical voice but was soon interrupted by a tiny voice.

"Really? I thought those were just myths..." Thea's tiny voice echoed in the empty room. It was dark outside but she still refused to go to bed insisting that her mother told her a story.

Ivy chuckled, "No my darling many people may say it's a myth but it's true. And, you my darling..." she caressed Thea's soft hair with a serious yet gentle gaze. "...You'll be listening to the story from this great storyteller." she smiled and Thea couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Ivy sat up straight as though she had pressed a storytelling activation button. Even little Thea couldn't help but get in the mood.

***

Late, one night in Spiridon, a little girl walked through the woods. Her blue eyes were as bright as the sun yet, those eyes had no sight. With her tiny hands, she followed the knots that had been left for her by her mother. She was determined to complete her journey no matter how long that would take.

"Ah!" she screeched. She had pierced her finger with a thorn while scurrying through the thick wood. She raised her hand revealing her bruised palm but this wasn't enough to stop her from going further.

She kept following the knots but suddenly, she heard a sound she couldn't ignore.

Alexia knew that if she left the trail, it would be hard for her to find her way back because she was blind but she just couldn't ignore the sound she was hearing either.

Slowly, she followed her senses which led her to her place of concern. "Who is there?" was all she asked before she felt a sharp object by her neck.

Alexia's eyes were unfazed. She showed no emotions even though she knew that her life could be in danger.

"What are you doing here? Did my brothers send you?" it was a male's voice but anyone could tell that he wasn't an adult yet.

Alexia remained quiet and unfazed but the young boy was aggravated by this and pushed the dagger closer to her neck.

"You're not going to answer me?" he asked trying to be tough but got a tired and indifferent sigh in return.

"Then your brothers must be dummies for sending a blind mortal out in the night." was her simple response.

It was only after she said this that he realized that she was indeed blind. His brows furrowed slightly because he felt as though he was also a dummy for not realizing sooner.

He dropped the dagger and apologized unwillingly. "My apologies." he turned around and went back to what he was doing.

Alexia stood there without moving. She was curious to know why she was hearing the sounds of punches at this time of the night.

"You're alone," she stated but it sounded more like a question.

He answered halfheartedly. "Yes. What do you care?" from his tone, Alexia could tell that he was the isolated type.

"What are you doing here all by yourself?" she asked with a calm voice.

"As you can see..." he sighed recalling that he was talking to a blind mortal. Feeling no need to respond, he shook his head and continued with his business.

Alexia pursed her lips then turned and began to walk away but this only grabbed his attention.

"Wait!" he called out and she turned around in his direction. "Where are you going? Don't you know it's dangerous at night? You're a girl and not to mention, you can't see." he didn't want to be rude but it was the truth. Alexia was young and she had a deficiency that made her vulnerable.

She smiled in return. "I know my way." she turned around to leave and he nodded trying to act as though he didn't care.

He continued punching the dummy that was made of wood but soon stopped and sighed. He looked in the direction that she took and couldn't help but follow.

Slowly, he followed her from behind trying his best to make his presence unnoticed. All he wanted to do was make sure that she got to her destination safely, then he would go home as well.

Alexia continued walking for hours and this made him confused as to where she was going but he kept following her as quietly as possible.

Suddenly, Alexia stopped and turned back startling him.'Does she know someone is following her?' He wondered.

She smiled gently and then asked, "You have been following me for a while now, what's your name?" her soft voice was clear and moved with the wind subtly.

He furrowed his brow surprised to hear that she was aware of his presence all this time. He didn't want to respond but why... why? He couldn't help but answer her question as if being bewitched.

"ZaEl... ZaEl Banach." not only did he tell her his name, but he also told her his family name which he hated.

She smiled, "Thank you for following me ZaEl Banach. You should go home now." after saying this, she bowed slightly and turned to leave.

He wanted to ask her name but he couldn't find the words to say as her silhouette slowly vanished from his sight.

ZaEl sighed. He couldn't even follow her now even though he wanted to instead, he walked away as well hoping to continue his training but he found himself in front of the gigantic mansion he called home.

He was too tired to even make sense of it and just went straight to his room. He had a long day and he was sure that the days that followed wouldn't be happier either.

Alexia was only twelve and ZaEl was sixteen but they both came from worlds with too many complications.