This is an Alternate Universe story; it is set in the past. I have slightly altered certain aspects on purpose, and added other concepts. The first few chapters are quite short, and then get longer as the story progresses.
A pair of eyes, the colour of a flame's centre, amber and golden shades tied together; stare back at me through a crystalline reflection. A head of golden hair accompanies it; the locks are thick, long and curl into ringlets, like the mane of a lion. That of the star sign I represent.
A Leo Celestial Spirit.
I swiftly swipe at the water, causing my reflection to swirl into waves. The eyes of fire leave the water surface, and my Owner is within my gaze.
An older lady, with shortly cut brown hair. She looks warmly at me with those lime green eyes of hers and simply smiles, "We should get going really" She suggests, with an air of longing. I glance around with her, at the surrounding forest, alive with life even as the afternoon draws to a close. We sit at the edge of the lake, water sparkles under the orange light of sunset as far as the eye can see.
"Yes, Mistress" I reply simply, and rise swiftly to my feet as her orders suggest.
Mistress simply shakes her head, "We have known each other for over a decade, yet you still insist on addressing me as Mistress" she says, almost as if she is disappointed.
I dismiss this and extend a hand to her, as she takes it I help her up.
"You are my superior, so I shall address you as your title; Mistress" I answer.
She chuckles lightly, "I don't like it when you say things like that, we're friends"
"As far as you know" I tease.
She gives me a light shove, "Don't mess with me"
I laugh heartily and have a strong urge to shove her in the water, but maybe that was going too far.
Suddenly, I notice something different in her hair. I look carefully and my hand reaches to her head, and plucks a single hair, she flinches.
"Mm... A grey hair" I comment with an impish smile.
Her expression is something of slight shock first, which causes my smile to grow only larger, and then she frowns. "That's not funny, Lencya" She says firmly, like a scolding parent.
"Well I find it funny" I retort good-naturedly.
Mistress scoffs and passes me, and trots up towards the forests. I shrug, was it something I said?
I am right on her heel before long and we are climbing back through the forest, the tangled branches reaching out and trying to trap us within its clutches. I can see the orange tinted light slowly turning purple through a gap in the overhead canopy.
It isn't long before we have arrived back at Mistress's house; I make myself at home on her couch, as I usually do. I watch as twilight slowly turns to dusk outside the window.
Mistress seats herself beside me, and I am aware of her staring at me, looking expectant.
My eyes flicker, to meet her gaze, and she gives a weak smile and then a more of a grim expression.
This confuses me greatly, and I shuffle sideways to face her completely, "What is it?"
Her expression becomes firmer now, "Lencya, I am going to terminate the contract"
At first, these words don't register, and it takes a moment for me to decipher the meaning. Terminate the contract… Why would she do that? Wait… Is this a joke? A cruel prank as payback for me pointing out that grey hair while we were down at the lake? I look at her with a totally lost expression, "Come again?"
"It is time to move on. I will have to retire soon, and there are many young Celestial wizards out there who can keep up with you better than I" She goes on.
"What? No!" I exclaim and hold her shoulders. "Mistress, I have been in your family for two generations! You can't trade me away now, Mistress!" I protest desperately, and then shake my head.
This can't happen; we have known each other for too long. We are as similar as chalk and cheese, but, as close as two peas in a pot.
I see a tear well up in Mistress's eye, I fight back my own; I can't even remember the last time I wept. "I have made up my mind, Lencya" She chokes.
"Mistress… Why? Why now? I don't understand…" I trail off.
"But, on the bright side, somebody has already agreed to take your key, I have met him, and he will be perfect for you, trust me" She says, and gives a small smile.
I sigh deeply, because, despite this, I must trust her. If this guy is taking my key, I trust Mistress's judgement in trusting him, and I shall learn to too.
"You'll be lost without me" I make a small stab at a dry sense of humour.
Mistress chuckles, "Don't worry about me, I'll be just fine, and so will you" she assures.
I nod slowly, though I don't dare to meet her gaze. "When will I meet him?"
"As soon as I hand your key over I suppose, he will want to meet you as soon as he can" she replies.
"O-okay…"
"Well, goodbye, I am sure we will meet again" Mistress embraces me in a constricting hug.
My eyes widen in surprise, when was the last time I had ever been hugged? I only remember hugging Mistress when she lost her sister… A distraught day indeed. If she was going to see me again, then why could I feel her tears running down my shoulders?
I hold my arms around her as well, "Are you sure about this?" I ask, though my voice is a little shaky, this whole thing seems rather sinister.
"Yes. I am sure, don't worry" She replies and then pulls away from me.
Mistress then holds up my golden key, "Fair well, Lencya" her voice is weak this time. She waves the key and I find myself being pushed back through the Celestial gateway.