Chapter one:

The sun was setting when she arrived. Carefully, she took of her white hood reveling her pale porcelain face, vibrant green eyes and cherry lips. Her white silvery bangs fell in front of her eyes and with her delicate hand she pulled her back hair that was under her cape. Her hair, much like satin, reached her waist in a straight line with some curves on the ends. Her expression was a mixture of excitement and relief, something she did not felt in ages.

Tall magnificent trees were blocking her view, but she knew what was hidden in them. She had finally arrived. For many years she has been looking for this sanctuary. She slowly walked by the tip of her toes almost like she was afraid to approach such sacred ground. Her figure was graceful and gentle, while she glanced between the trees and entered the sacred forest. Instantly, she felt purity in the air. She took a big breath and smiled.

"Finally" Her voice echoed, "I've reached your Home, my Friend."

She walked forward, gently touching the trees and bushes. Owls and crickets were singing their lullabies while the forest darkened and the Moon started peeking. It's light bathed the forest and gave it a new tone. The trees slowly turned white and blue fireflies started dancing in the air. The girl smiled once more.

" Indeed this is your Home." She felt safe in there, something she did not felt for many years, for the past years were ruff and unfair to her.

She kept walking, searching for her friend. Every step she took deeper in the forest, the stronger the air would become. Soon enough, she was standing in the heart of the forest. The trees stood in a circle, letting the soft moonlight aluminate the area. In the middle, there was a large tree trunk laid in the ground and covered with moss and some pretty flowers.

She tilted her head to the side and crossed her slim arms over her chest.

" Still sleeping at this hour, Athalaya? And here I though your were a nocturnal creature…" She teased.

A few seconds after her statement, a small creature lazily started exiting the inside of the tree trunk. It yawn deeply and stretched its body covered with leafs, branches and bits of the forest. Its body was round and its limbs short. His face, resembling a frog was covered with its messy white hair. It took its time, and rubbed its big pale eyes and then looked at her.

"Ah, Mirihanna it's you" It casually said, brushing off some leafs stuck on its body.

" Haven't seen you since you were a babe." It finally said with a small smile.

"Indeed, time has passed" She stated "But not for better days." She now looked down as if remembering some memory.

Athalaya knew what she was referring. It jumped in its tree trunk and sat in one side.

"Ah yes…ruff time for us all." It patted the trunk "Come, sit child."

She sat next to it and stared at the Moon for a while. Athalaya mimicked her action and grabbed his wooden pipe from inside the trunk and started smoking. After a while she started talking.

"You look good. I mean you look safe and very peaceful." She faced it with a gently smile. "It looks like no one's found out about you … even after all these years." Now she glanced around casually "You hid yourself very well."

"Well you know…I have my ways." It bluntly said releasing smoke out of its small mouth.

She quietly giggled "Ah you got lucky. I wish most of us could say the same."

It now looked at her with a sad expression. Indeed it was one of the lucky ones that did not see the wars that had spread through its world.

"Well I'm certainly not the only one. Now, would you look at you? A fine specimen you've became, my dear. You look strong with an unbeatable beauty."

She now laughed " Strong?" She gave a weak smile "Only on the outside."

"Ah details…" It waved its pipe as if annoyed " You look well, different in fact. You've grown up…inside and outside." She sighted at the end of its sentence.

"You know why I'm here. Don't you?" She bluntly stated.

"Of course I do." He kept smoking its pipe, waiting for her to talk.

"I have been looking for you, Athalaya. You are a hard one to find. I give you that" She teased while standing, hand on her waist.

"I need to see Yuko-sama" She finished.

It seemed pleased with her statement. " Oh, you're going to try your luck with her?" She didn't respond, she simply looked at it with a disapproving sight. This made it laughs loudly.

"Alright, alright… and may I ask of what you will wish?" It leaned closely to her now, looking right through her soul. She griped her hands into a fist and finally said.

" I'm going to wish for our salvation." Her face was full of confidence, but beneath her skin, Athalaya saw her fear. For long she and other had suffer. Athalaya now burst into laughter. Mirihanna crossed her arms once more and stomped her feet.

"Athalaya!" She was furious, she picked it up by its neck and look straight in his teary eyes.

"Athalaya do not mock me. What do you expect us to do? Sit there and wait for Death to take us away?" It now had released itself from her grip and was wiping the tears of laughter from its eyes.

"Geez, your no fun at all. Can't you take a little humor?"

"I'm not here for you humor." She now looked at Athalaya with a grin. "I'm here for your travelling abilities."

"Heh… Straight to the point ain't she? You really have changed. Then let's get over with it."

It snapped its fingers, suddenly a gently breeze started swirling around them and the Moon got even brighten than before. Mirihanna smiled. Finally she had a chance to do something. A chance to live again, instead of surviving.

Athalaya, the small chubby creature had now a serious expression. Its voice echoed in the air with ancient prayers. Its pale eyes were now shining from the power of its magic. A glowing magical circle appeared beneath her making the ground tremble.

" By the power of the Moon and Stars, I send thou to beyond this world and Universe. " Mirihanna now quickly closed her cape and whore her hood once again with some difficulty from the wind.

"Athalaya!" She screamed and it and it glanced at her deeply. She then smiled sweetly. "Thank you." And then she vanished in the air. The wind slowly calmed and the sound of the trees were silenced once more, giving place to the sound of the so familiar owls and crickets. The small creature sighted and looked to the Moon that when back to its normal light. And with a soft voice, filled with hope, he spoke and whished that the Gods would accompany her in her journey.

"We're counting on you…"