The next few weeks after that day went by pretty quickly. Amelia and I have played outside everyday since then. We went from being mages with incredible power to soldiers guarding our mom, who watered the flowers all morning. 

“Keep your head up, you a knight L.” Amelia said, standing in front of me. Holding a stick up, using it as her sword. She got in a fighting stance and I followed suit. 

“Ready!” 

“Set!” 

“Go!” 

As soon as those words left her mouth, we charged at each other. Swinging my “sword” she immediately blocked it, her knee digging into the dirt. “Be careful!” Lydia shouted from the porch. Amelia didn’t even look back at our mom as she pushed her sword up against mine. Stumbling backwards, I fell on my bottom, the weapon falling out of my hand. 

Swinging her sword, she aimed it at me and I immediately rolled over to grab the stick and avoid her attack, simultaneously. Gripping the stick between my fingers I pushed my knee into the dirt, standing up with my weapon raised to defend myself. 

Copying what she saw our father do, with one hand she swung the stick around her, turning as our swords collided. Repeating that same move, I kept blocking and countering everytime we made contact. 

How is she so good at this? 

Slipping on grass I fell on my back, but that didn’t stop me from continuing what we were doing. If anything I just used my small body to avoid the many attacks she attempted. But one of them had this intensity to it that drowned me, the oxygen was literally being sucked out of my lungs, as this weight pressed down on my chest. 

What is that? 

Why am I so scared? 

“Miya!” 

She froze right before she landed the hit, turning her head to look at Lydia. There was a long silence before she backed away, a quick, “sorry,” escaped her lips. Gasping for air I sat up, my fingers gripping at the fabric of my shirt. Amelia held her hand out for me and I grabbed it, pulling myself to my feet. With a bright smile we went back to playing like nothing happened. 

Being on the more excitable side, we played knights moving from one end of the yard to the other end. Let's just say we got really dirty and it was fun while it lasted. 

Walking backwards, I laughed swinging my make believe sword around only for my back to hit something and fall forward. Squeezing my eyes shut, I caught myself before I hit the ground. What was that? “Daddy!” Amelia screamed, running passed me, a bright smile on her face. 

Widening my eyes, I turned around, lifting my head to stare up at my father. Once my brain processed that it was him, a bright smile creeped onto my face and I couldn’t stop the happy feeling that followed. 

“Dad!” 

Elijah smiled at me, his messy black hair was all over his head like he just came back from a fight. Standing up, my legs moved on their own and within seconds, he was lifting me from the ground. “This is a nice welcome. I thought you two would be napping by the time I got back.” 

Why does he sound disappointed? 

Squinting at him, Amelia clung to our father, basically squeezing the life out of the man. 

He is a real soldier, I tell yah. Couldn’t be me, I’d die.

“Welcome home dear,” Lydia smiled as he placed a kiss on her cheek. “How was your trip? Did you solve the problem his imperial majesty asked about?” He only nodded, with a soft hum, walking through the door with the both of us in his arms. 

Imperial majesty? 

“Did you bring back any gifts?” Amelia questioned once she and I were placed back on the floor. Her lapis eyes peeking at the bag on his back. I didn’t even notice it. Humming, he made a face like he was thinking about it, “did I?” 

“Gimme gimme,” she muttered, making grabby hands at our father. “Amelia, ask nicely.” For a second she had this confused look on her face before she scrunched up her nose. A quiet, “can I have the gifts now, please?” replaced her rude behavior from before. 

Elijah smiled and sat down on the floor, his boots hitting the ground with a heavy thud along with the bag in his hands. “Alright, but since it’s your brother’s birthday, he gets his gifts first okay?” Amelia sat down, her dirty hands pressed against the floor as she nodded. 

It’s my birthday? 

How did I not know this? 

Digging in the bag, Elijah pulled out a small box, opening it, there was a bracelet sitting inside. “Take it,” knitting my brows together, I reached for the silver bracelet. Holding it up, there was writing on the back, in a language I didn’t understand. It had to mean something. “What does that mean?” I held it up for my mom to read, while Elijah looked through the bag for more things. 

“It means protection. It’ll keep you from harm,” she smiled, placing the bracelet around my wrist. Protection? Squinting, I held my wrist up, staring at the jewelry. 

What would I need protection from? 

Looking up at Lydia, I silently watched her head to the kitchen. With a quick glance to my father, I pushed myself off the ground and quietly followed her. Standing in the chair, I leaned forward, my hands pressed to the table just to see what she was doing. “What’s that?” I pointed at the jar in her hand and she just smiled, opening it. 

She walked over, digging her finger in the jar before pushing said finger in my mouth, without any explanation. A grin on her face as I reacted to whatever the heck she just gave me. What is that? Squeezing my eyes shut, my body tensed up, my shoulders lifting from the intense flavor. 

“Is it good?” she asked with a laugh. When I shook my head to answer, she continued to laugh at me. This is not funny, what evil food did you just give me? I stuck out my tongue as if that would make the taste go away… It didn’t. 

I’mma cry.

“You’re being dramatic, stop it. It’s not that bad.” 

To you! 

“You and your father I swear,” she shook her head, rolling her eyes. Climbing out of the chair I quickly followed her, because I saw her stuff candy in her pocket. Reaching my hand in her pocket I took one of the ice lollies and ran off before she said anything. 

“Lotus give me that!” 

Too late I already put it in my mouth. 

Elijah lifted his head at the commotion, but he only smiled and went back to what he was doing. Having a, it’s none of my business, expression on his face. 

Later that night after everyone went to bed, the creaking of my bedroom door woke me up from a dreamless sleep. The light pitter patter of feet hitting the floor made me sit up immediately. I had no plan of how I was going to defend myself if it was a stranger, but luckily it was only Amelia. 

“Lotus,” she whispered, “let's go outside.” What? Do you know what time it is? 

“Why?” I quietly responded and she just placed her finger against her lips and pointed out the door. She waved for me to follow but… How am I supposed to get out of this bed without making noise? 

Pushing the blanket off my body I carefully slid out of bed. Why is everything so much louder at night? The floorboards announced my every step, just trying to let my parents know I was out of bed. How is Amelia not making a sound? Watching the steps she made I decided to follow each wooden floor piece she stepped on, it’s like she already knew what made noise and what didn’t. 

Now that I think about it, Elijah walks in the same pattern. Is it because she has sensitive hearing? 

Staring down the hall towards our parents bedroom, I scurried into the living room, right behind Amelia. With her help I got my shoes on pretty quickly and we headed out the door. I wonder where she plans to go at this hour. 

Her grip on my hand tightened as I watched our home shrink the farther we got from it. “Mimi, where are we going?” looking back at her she was only facing forward, not saying a word.

I don’t like this. 

Silently, we walked and then it all made sense. “Mimi I don’t think we should be here–” 

“It’s okay, if you get scared your big sister is here to protect you.” Though she was full of confidence while saying this, I had a hard time believing her. She was only a child and I was a lot older than her mentally, but I smiled anyway to show my gratitude. 

Hopefully nothing happens while we're here. 

Looking back at our home, I followed my sister inside the forest. The moment I crossed that threshold, it was like I entered another world again. From the outside it just looked like any old forest, but it was so different from what I imagined. 

“What is that?” I pointed up. These little lights were floating in the air with nothing attached to it. Are those alive? “I don't know,” she shrugged, guiding me farther into the forest. 

What I assumed was supposed to be grass, was nothing of the sort. As it seemed to move like it was in an ocean. Are we under water? 

My thoughts were interrupted when Amelia pulled me into a field of flowers. These flowers however were so white, it was hard to believe they belonged here with how colorful everything else was. It was when I leaned down to pick one up, that I noticed the blue stem it had. 

This is weird. 

“Isn’t it pretty?” Amelia pointed, grabbing my hand before I made contact with the flower. Lifting my head, my eyes followed where her finger was pointing. Is that a waterfall? Tilting my head, I squinted trying to see it better as I stood up straight. 

The water that fell off was a deep blue color, seeming to match the stems of these flowers we were standing in. Now that I was paying attention the trees were also blue. The color itself seemed so unreal that it took me a minute to really see it. All the shades didn’t clash together like I thought it would. If anything it gave it this, alluring feeling. 

After some time I muttered a soft, “yeah,” in response to her question. Amelia stood up straight walking ahead of me and I silently followed her, staring up at the sky. The little lights flying by reminded me of something from my past life. 

What were those bugs called that light up? 

Light bugs? Fireflies? 

Ah, I don’t know. 

Following behind my sister, I bumped into her when she came to a sudden stop. “What’s wrong?” I asked, watching her tuck her hair behind her ear, listening for something. Her silence was making me nervous, is something wrong? Is there something dangerous up ahead? 

Her lapis eyes shifted back towards me when she smiled and shook her head, “no, everything is okay.” What was she listening to? 

She grabbed my hand, tugging it as we traveled over a large rock, or what I assumed was a rock. Why is this thing moving? Amelia I don’t like this! Lifting my head, my sister had the brightest smile on her face. Has she done this before? 

Her blonde hair was flowing behind her as she held her arms out, her head tilted back with her eyes shut, just enjoying the moment. She looked so free. 

Even though she had no magic to defend herself she ran through this forest without any fear. We rode on animals I had never seen before. We came across plants that were so alive that they spoke to us. The animals we came across were all sorts of colors. I had never seen so many animals in one place before. I had never been to a zoo so I couldn't compare it to anything. The animal place at the market seemed so small now. 

“Lotus look! Up there!” she shouted, standing up from the place she was sitting. Frowning I lifted my head, my eyes following the direction she was pointing. 

“Woah…” 

What is that thing? 

From what I could tell it had to be a bird of some kind but it was blue. Much like the colors in this forest it was a vibrant blue, making it seem like the animal was glowing in a way I couldn’t describe. Its wings were so huge that each flap could be felt from where I was sitting. I don’t know what happened but in the blink of an eye it disappeared as if it was never there. The sky changed color as well, it was no longer the same dark sky I was used to. Purple and green replaced the natural color of the sky.

Does that bird have magic? 

“Mimi, what was that?” 

She shrugged, “I don’t know, I think it’s the spirit of the forest. But last time it wasn't a bird.” So she did come out here by herself. 

“What was it last time?” I asked, shifting my attention to the young girl next to me. “A cyno,” what’s that? I guess she understood that I was confused so she elaborated, “it’s a four legged animal that barks, the baby version is usually called a puppy.” 

Oh a dog! I knew that, duh. 

So it’s called a cyno here? Interesting. 

“Was it blue like the bird?” She nodded, watching the sky change colors. A blue dog, never thought that would ever be a thing. 

We stayed out here just watching the sky for hours, listening to the animals, when Amelia held her hand out for mine. “Let’s go, before mommy and daddy wake up.” Right, we'd have to leave eventually. 

While heading back, I didn't realize we traveled so far. Walking with the animals that guided us, I caught one of the light bugs and showed it to Amelia. Only for her to scream and slap it out of my hands. I don’t know why that was so funny. 

I had so much fun that night, it was one of the only times we really spent together alone. I learned so much about my sister that night. She was so fearless when it came down to it. Even though she had an irrational fear of insects, nothing else really scared her that night. I guess it was because she came here before, but either way I felt very safe going into an unknown forest in the middle of the night. 

I know that’s so weird to say, but if I had the choice to do this again for the first time, I’d still do it. 

Going back the way we came, I noticed how the purple sky seemed to slowly disappear the farther away we were from where the bird disappeared. Maybe it was just a side effect of its magic, who knows? 

One thing was for sure, the sky was still just as beautiful as it’s always been. I wish I could’ve shown my friend this. I wonder how he’s doing now. 

Hopefully my death wasn’t too much for him to bear. 

Amelia’s hand grabbed mine, pulling me away from my thoughts. Her kind smile eased my mind as it reminded me of our mother. “Was it fun?” she asked and I nodded in response only for her to hum in satisfaction. 

“Happy birthday, Lotus.” 

“Thank you.” 

Our walk back home was quiet. Amelia was the first to exit the forest, and I quickly followed behind her. She hadn’t let go of my hand the entire time, I assume it was because she didn’t want us to get separated. 

The animals we left behind never followed us out of the forest, which I found strange. At some point while we were walking they stopped following us. It was as if they had a barrier stopping them from going any farther and strangely that was comforting to know. 

When we exited the forest it was like this blanket got pulled from over me. The sky seemed so dull now. Looking back at the forest that was once, so colorful and vivid was now the exact opposite.