A week had passed since Allura and Flora had left town, and wherever they went rumors swirled about a fire monster that would burn down villages. The fear began to grow within Flora as she fretted over how others may react to her own abilities, but Allura never failed to offer a quick line or a distraction when anyone took notice of Flora’s dancing shadows. She kept the shadows safe from the light.

Allura and Flora traveled through the countryside as an unusual heatwave rolled through the valley they walked in. The air was thick and heavy, leaving sweat to drip down the girls’ skin, and they slowed to a stop by a small stream to rest for a moment.

“How are you not melting in that?” Flora whined while looking at Allura's short-sleeved jacket that warmed her along with a shirt and long pants that fed down into tall, laced boots.

“It’s not that bad,” she hummed with sweat evident on her brow as she sat under the shade of a large tree with a sigh.

“Not that bad?” Flora complained, “It’s on fire out here!”

“Why don’t you go play in the stream then?” Allura suggested as Flora’s eyes lit up.

“That’s a great idea!” Flora chimed, “Are you gonna join me?!” she pressed as Allura hesitated before shaking her head with a nervous smile. “Fine…” she sighed as she made her way to the stream.

“Ehnh?” Rune questioned as Allura sat him in her lap.

Allura shook her head at the sloth with a sad smile while propping her knees up for him to lean back on. Rune slowly reached out to Allura, and she gently took his clawed hands in hers before her eyes turned to the branches and leaves above.

“Can you feel it, Rune?” Allura breathed, glimpsing the sky that peeked through the green. “The world is changing…”

“She feels the world… Maybe Myndvivus is right.” Viserus contemplated, “Maybe one could be a champion. Maybe I should have granted her my power.”

“Ehnh ehnh?” Rune pressed.

“I know what I saw.” Allura commented quietly as she thought of the boy. “I wonder...” she sighed while closing her eyes, “Is he the one the rumors speak of?”

“Ehnh,” Rune squeaked undecidedly.

“I wonder what his name was… I wonder if he’s Flora’s opposite,” she thought aloud while looking down into Rune’s chocolate eyes.

“You should really come in!” Flora exclaimed from the stream, making Allura jump slightly.

“I’m good, plus one of us needs to keep an eye on our stuff,” Allura answered before leaning her head on the tree looking up to the sky through the branches once again. ‘The answer is there… but I can’t see it,’ she thought silently while mindlessly reaching up towards the branches with an emptiness filling her eyes, “Just need to keep moving forward.”

“Moving forward?” Flora asked while plopping down next to Allura, startling her.

“EH! Er, wha-what?” Allura stammered as her eyes flew to her.

“Where are we going anyways?” Flora pressed curiously as Allura’s eyes widened slightly.

“I- I-...” Allura fell silent as she searched her mind for an answer. It was not something she had considered. She followed her heart or needs, moving anywhere but backward. “Is there somewhere you want to go?” she pressed, and Flora placed a finger on her chin in thought for a moment.

“Well… I miss the ocean.” Flora admitted as her eyes fell with her hand, “But I don’t wanna go back there…”

“There are other ocean towns,” Allura reminded her, and Flora’s eyes lit up while looking at Allura.

“That’s true!” Flora chimed.

“Ehnh!” Rune squeaked excitedly.

“They’re all really far though, it’d take a lot of time and walking… but if you’re up for it, we could go.” Allura offered with a warm smile.

“Are you serious?!” Flora exclaimed with her open smile solidifying Allura's decision.