Chapter 29: Good Comes To Those Who Wait
Aurora's POV
Dawn cracked over the desert, the sand starting to burn as usual in the boiling sun's rays. The sunlight brightened the RV that had been sitting there ever since we slept in the underground village.
My friends slept well enough themselves, but I had woken up before sunrise. I was walking through the quiet town to get my legs the exercise before we would have to ride in the RV again.
Frankly, I was having a bit of trouble sleeping last night. Despite how safe this hidden village was, it felt very strange to rest so down deep below ground and that was why I was feeling restless.
I hugged my shoulders as I looked up at the crystal light above. At night, it glows like the moon so the gentle light would make it easier for these villagers to sleep. Then the crystal started to shine like the sun which told me that morning had finally arrived.
As beautiful as the crystal was, it couldn't replace seeing the real sunrise like the one Toffee and I saw yesterday. Frankly, I missed seeing the open sky. That made me think about how these good people were feeling.
"They, too, must miss the sky more than anyone else in the world..." "We've got to get that sword," I whispered. "Only the Phoenix Blade and its chosen wielder can change everything."
I continued my way so that I could get out of the way by the time everybody was around. Finally I stopped by the pier. Being near the water helped me calm down as I smiled at how the surface glowed from the cave ceiling's crystal light.
"I wonder how the Phoenix Blade will shine when we find it."
"Ahem."
Surprised to hear the person clearing his throat, I looked to see Toffee grinning at me.
"Oh, hello, Toff."
"Hello," he greeted with a nod. "I see you're bright and early," he pointed out as he stood by my left side.
"I didn't sleep much last night," I confessed, sounding a little tired. "It's hard to get over you're sleeping underground instead of the stars."
Toffee understood what I was saying. He knew I was so used to seeing the sky outside my window when I wake up in the morning.
"I didn't sleep much myself, either," he sympathized. "My mind is still on our unfinished journey."
"Yes, we'll have to cross more human towns and who knows what else."
Honestly, the thought of the perilous mission ahead of us made me yearn for Roca, the village I was familiar and safe with.
"But I can't be a coward. We must have the sword. And I have my personal mission: to find out why I came to Toffee's world."
Little did Toffee and I know, Undine was watching us while hiding behind a stalagmite in the water. She stood there was she waited for something interesting to happen, but she was confused when all Toffee and I did was look at the water in front of us.
Finally Toffee said, "I think now's a good time to find the others so we can resume our quest."
"Yes, you're right," I agreed.
Undine watched us leave the pier, her mind full of questions.
"They didn't act any different than friends at that moment..." she said to herself thoughtfully.
Toffee and I found our friends at the podium where Valcon stood as well.
Choco yawned as he leaned his back against the podium behind him.
"You gonna make it, Choco?" Sapphire teased.
"I'll die tryin'."
"Shake it off, Choco," Ruby advised with a grin.
"The early bird gets the sword," I added.
"Yes, just tell yourself, 'we want the sword, we need the sword'," Berries advised, holding Choco's left arm.
"We want the sword..." Choco chanted drowsily. "We need the sword. We want it, we need it..."
Then he passed out, leaning against Berries's right shoulder.
Ruby and I giggled as Sapphire sighed.
"He is not a morning person," the blue tiger muttered.
"Well, I don't have coffee, but I know water will do the trick," Rosela proclaimed as she used her magic to create a small sphere of water in her left hand.
The pixie had a playful look on her face before she flicked her left wrist to toss the aqua-sphere at Choco's face, making him jump from how cold that magic water was until he inadvertently sat on the edge of the podium.
"Ahh! We want the sword, we need the sword!" he said quickly as he felt wide awake now, making us laugh, including Valcon who had a powerful laugh.
Choco tried to calculate what was going on until he felt his wet face.
"And I want and need a towel," he complained. "Rosela, why?"
"A splash of water is the best waker-upper," Rosela said simply, her grin not faltering. "Just be glad I didn't use my lightning attack to give you a jolt."
"Ohh. Next time we go on long business trips, let's bring an alarm clock," Choco requested, his shoulders slumping.
"We'll try to remember that, Choco," Toffee assured with his left hand raised.
"Before you all go, some of our friends want to see you off," Valcon said as he motioned his head to the handful of people who woke up to bid us farewell.
The most familiar ones among them were Undine, Crion and Nela. The young bunny ran up to me as I smiled and knelt down to pick her up.
"It's gracious of all of you to see us off," Toffee said gratefully to the good villagers.
"We wanted to wish all of you a successful mission," Undine smiled gently.
"Yes, you'll be in our thoughts and our prayers," Crion added.
"And you in ours," Toffee gestured with a bow.
"Yes, we won't forget how kind you've all been to us," I put in. "I hope our paths will cross again soon."
"And we as well," Undine nodded.
"Some of us wish we could come and aid you," Valcon confessed. "but we have a home that needs us."
"We understand," Toffee sympathized. "but I assure you, we'll get along just fine."
"I don't doubt that. You're all strong in your own way, but please, let us give you a gift that we believe will make your traveling much easier," Valcon hinted. "Go ahead, Undine."
The blue mermaid nodded as she pulled out a white bag, explaining, "This is teleportation powder. We worked out the coordinates as carefully as we could."
"Yes, this should take you much closer to where you need to go."
"Really?" Berries asked with her hands together.
The rest of us felt just as excited, but then Valcon informed, "But the powder's coordinates will bring you to a place that's 12 miles away from your destination."
"Twelve miles?" Choco echoed, not liking the sound of that.
"The thing is: None of us know the south of Acirfa, so that's why this powder can't take you to the temple," Undine said apologetically.
"It's all right," Toffee guaranteed as he accepted the bag. "We had the same problem ourselves. Besides, at least wherever this powder will take us, it'll help us pass through all human towns."
"Really?" Rosela smiled.
"Does this mean we won't need that RV anymore?" Sapphire asked hopefully.
"Wait, if we have 12 miles to go, then we'd need the RV to get to the temple faster," Choco professed.
"Choco, you really are tired," Toffee teased. "Or you'd remember that the rest of the way we'll meet more monsters. And if we're seen in a human vehicle, they'd attack us."
Choco winced in embarrassment that he had forgotten that important fact.
"Oh, right. Silly me," he laughed sheepishly.
"Maybe you do need a cup of coffee," Rosela grinned.
I grinned, too, as I gently put Nela down.
"Well, if we're gonna see more monsters on the way..." I said as I pulled my cloak's hood on to keep my face hidden and my eyes visible.
"Good idea, Aurora," Berries commented.
"Yeah. After Undine overreacted when she saw my face, I do not want any repeats."
"Well, if we don't need the RV anymore, do we just leave it up on the surface at the oasis?" Rosela asked, motioning her head upwards.
"I vote against it," Valon denied. "If humans pass by here and see that vehicle, they'll look all over the oasis thinking other humans are around."
"We see your point," Toffee understood completely.
"But if we can't take it with us or leave it up there, what do we do?" Choco asked with a shrug.
"Perhaps you all can make a use out of the RV," I suggested to our new friends. "I know you won't need it for riding, but your scientists can use the RV's parts and put those parts to good use."
"It's not a bad idea, Valcon," Undine concurred.
"I suppose our guys in the lab could think of something for the vehicle's parts," Valcon nodded.
"In that case, you'll need this," Toffee advised as he handed the car key to Undine.
"On that note, we must be off," Sapphire announced.
"Right. We all wish you the best of luck, friends," Valcon grinned.
From the hopeful looks in our new friends eyes, we knew they were counting on us to find the Phoenix Blade which they knew guaranteed them and every other monsters' freedom. That just made us want to find the sword more than ever.
"Thank you, Valcon," Toffee said sincerely.
Nela hugged my legs again, wishing we didn't have to go. I smiled gently as I touched her shoulders that made her look at me.
"Hey, we'll see each other again," I comforted. "Just remember, when we find the sword, you'll get to live on the surface."
When Nela thought about what I said, it brought a gleam to her cinnamon-colored eyes.
"She's right, Nela," Undine said as she stepped forward. "They're doing this for all of us. Let us let them do what they must."
Nela looked up at me to see the promise in my hazel eyes that put her at ease. She nodded at me which was her way of saying she believed in us, then she walked backwards until she was by her mother's side.
"Well, are we ready to go?" Toffee asked us.
We nodded, more than ready to be on our way again.
Before we gathered in a circle, Undine whispered something to me. "Good luck with Toffee."
I stopped in place, totally stunned by Undine's words.
I was about to ask her what in the world she was talking about, but then Rosela asked, "Aurora?"
"Oh, I'm comin'," I replied quickly as I stepped in the circle. "Looks like I won't get the chance to ask Undine what she meant."
We all joined hands as Toffee blew the powder that covered all of us.
"A safe voyage to you all!" Crion called as he waved.
"Thanks, Crion," Rosela called back.
Then the next thing, the powder transported us away from the underground village to a place where a bright light from above us made us cover our eyes.
We carefully peeked to see the thing we haven't seen since yesterday.
"Ah, the good ol' sun," Choco announced happily.
"Our eyes were so used to the underground crystal's light, the sunlight is a little foreign to us at the moment," Sapphire remarked.
"Well, I'm willing to get used to the sun again," Ruby smiled.
"Me, too. A winged creature like me and holes don't mix," Rosela said bluntly, her hands on her hips.
It was very good to see the sun and sky again, feeling the refreshing breeze in the air.
"Our new friends would love this...and they're gonna get to enjoy it for themselves soon," I thought confidentally.
"Don't forget that there are other winged creatures who have to live in that hole," Toffee reminded gently. "But the rest of the non-flying villagers are also dying to leave the cavern for good."
Verde agreed wholeheartedly. "Yes, they're putting their faith in us to find the solution to all monsters' problems."
Rosela and the others knew what Toffee and Verde were coming from. They were learning that there were other monsters who were suffering even more than Roca.
"Then what are we waiting for?" I asked with excitement in my eyes. "Let's find that solution."
Sapphire, Choco and the girls smiled as they felt the same urge as I did.
"Yeah, the early bird gets the sword!" Choco cheered, pointing south. "Onward and forward, my friends!"
"Huh, I'm actually starting to like that enthusiasm of his," Sapphire whispered to Ruby who smiled in amusement.
Toffee chuckled as he put his left hand on Choco's left shoulder. "Yes, like Choco said, onward and forward," Toffee said calmly.
With a spring in our steps, we headed straight for south, the early morning sunlight fusing us with the energy we needed to help us move faster.
When it was close to sunhigh (a.k.a noon), I started to think about Undine's words to me "good luck with Toffee".
"What would make her say something like that? What was she expecting me to do with Toffee? Maybe she saw Toffee and me doing something. But what could that be-? Hang on, did she see me with him last night in the training yard when Toffee kissed my hand? Oh, gosh. Then she knows I have a thing for him?"
I could not believe someone found out what I was feeling for Toffee. My face felt hot with total embarrassment.
"But she said good luck... So she's supportive of this?"
I thought it was a shock that another monster thought that a female human having a crush on a male monster was okay, but I guess it's better than being judged about it.
"Honestly...it is nice she's encouraging me..."
Toffee's POV
Ever since we had resumed our traveling, my friends have been chatting the whole way. However, when we were starting to enter a wide area of hills, I noticed Aurora was being silent.
Frankly, I was concerned if she was troubled about what we were talking about last night and this morning.
I was about to quietly inquire her soundless behavior until Sapphire called from above a hill.
"Everybody, come look at this!"
"What do ya see, Sapphire?" Choco called back.
"See for yourselves," Sapphire said simply, obviously seeing something fascinating.
With our curiosities piqued, we climbed up the hill next to Sapphire for us to see down below a 13ft tall tree with a trunk that looked zigged-zagged and its wide-spreading branches filled with colorful fruit.
"Wow! It's a pomolo tree!" Berries pronounced.
"Whoa, I didn't think we'd see one of those on our way here!" Choco cheered.
"A pomolo tree..." Aurora repeated to herself thoughtfully. "Isn't that a very rare tree with different types of fruit in its branches?"
"Yes, it is," I confirmed. "Pomolo trees are mostly found in this part of Acirfa."
"And the pomolo fruit tastes like cake, but healthier," Choco added.
"None of us from Roca has ever tried it," Rosela pointed out.
"And since it's almost time for lunch, why not have pomolo fruit for dessert?" Choco suggested with a hint in his eyes.
I smiled in acceptance as I said, "All right, then. We need to rest a while, anyhow."
As the others walked down, Aurora and I walked slower.
"I take it you read about the pomolo tree at the castle's library?" I presumed with a grin.
"I did," she confessed modestly.
I smiled as I closed my eyes. "Your studies even stretch to these far away lands."
"Curiosity increases one's knowledge," she grinned.
"True." It always pleased me to know a human who has an interest in these things, even in beings like my people.
When we came to the pomolo tree, we looked to see the variety of luscious fruit hanging above us, fruits that were purple, pink, red and orange.
"Wow, these trees do have more than one type of fruit," Aurora awed.
"You mean, where you're from, the trees aren't like these?" Rosela asked.
"No. If we grew, say, like an apple seed, the tree would only have apples. Or if we plant an orange seed, the tree would only have oranges. But according to what I've read, the pomolo seeds are much more unique. They can grow more than three types of fruit."
"Wow, is there anything you don't know about Magicia?" Choco asked.
Aurora smiled in amusement. "Why don't we save the quiz for later?"
"Right. There's a fruit we've never tried before and I'm wastin' our time talkin'. I'll get it."
Choco attempted to climb the tree, but he was finding it hard to get a grip on this tree. Unlike the palm trees at the oasis, the pomolo tree's shape was slanted quite a bit, and Choco wasn't used to climbing this sort of trunk.
He panicked when he started to lose his grip which made Verde drop his lance as Choco fell down until Verde caught him by his shoulders. Choco sighed in embarrassment as Verde put him on his feet.
"Thanks, Verde."
Aurora, who grinned sympathetically despite her face hidden in her red cloak's hood, stepped up to Choco.
"I'll teach you how to climb this tree," she offered kindly.
"You will?" Choco asked in astonishment. "You mean, you've climbed on these kind of trunks before?"
"Yes, on Earth, there are trees of different shapes and this pomolo tree's shape can't stop me."
"Well, then, please teach me."
"Me, too," Berries requested.
"All right, climbing lesson 101 is now in session," Aurora announced calmly.
The hares watched as Aurora demonstrated by climbing to the closest pink fruit that she tossed to me. Choco and Berries understood her lesson as they climbed up the branches themselves.
"Hey, you're climbing this like you've always done it," she complimented which made her latest pupils smile.
"Aurora is very good at things to teach them so well," Ruby commented.
I grinned as I closed my eyes. "She is a doer of many things."
Aurora, Choco and Berries collected a lot of fruit that we gratefully ate. It tasted even better than we thought it would.
"I wish the others at Roca could enjoy this," Rosela thought aloud.
"Maybe we could save these seeds and take them home to grow at the village. We could have pomolo trees at Roca," Aurora suggested.
"Hey, that's a great idea!" Choco praised. "Then when the trees are old enough, our friends can get to eat the delicious fruit."
"Well, why not?" Berries agreed.
"But we could wait to tell them we have pomolo trees after we grow them," Ruby recommended with a smile. "So we can have a surprise for them in the future."
"I like the way you think, Ruby," Aurora approved. "Imagine the looks on their faces."
"Yeah," the hares nodded.
"They would get the shock of their lives to see foreign trees in Amthor," I grinned. "Here, we can use this to store the seeds in," I offered as I pulled out a small blue bag that my friends put the pomolo seeds in.
"What a great present we'll prepare for Roca," Berries gushed.
"Wish it wouldn't take as long as three months to grow it," Choco said with a slightly disappointed look.
"That's right, Magicianian tree saplings take a few months to grow into adulthood," Aurora recalled.
"If you're saying that, how long do Earth trees grow?" Rosela questioned.
"A few years," Aurora answered, making the others' eyes wide.
"That long?" Choco asked.
"Afraid so. Magicianian soil is much richer and better than the soil on Earth. So be glad your pomolo trees won't take that long to grow for everyone to enjoy."
"Indeed," I grinned. "Remember, all good things come to those who wait."
"Especially when you wait for months instead of years," Sapphire joked, making us laugh.
While everyone was picking more fruit for themselves, Aurora was about to touch a purple fruit which I was reaching for coincidentally, but then both of our hands touched that made us still as stone as we looked at each other.
The next second, Aurora turned her head away. I didn't know it, but her face under her hood turned as red as her cloak.
"I'm sorry," she said shyly. "You can have that fruit."
I grinned gently as I picked up the fruit that I broke in half, one of which I held in front of her to her surprise as she looked up at me.
"Since we both wanted this, we shall share it," I suggested.
Aurora smiled from what I could tell by looking in her eyes as she accepted the fruit.
"Thank you."
"Of course. Sharing among friends is good."
When I said the word "friend", it put my mind into serious thought. How long do I wish to see her as a friend?
My heart implored me to work harder to earn her affections, but I kept my heart at rest.
"As I had said, all good things come to those who wait. We must gain the sword and then perhaps I can disclose my feelings. If I am fortunate, she will do the same."
After our meal, we continued our trek through the southern Acirfan terrain and admiring the sights at the same time.
We finally stopped at a safe spot in the evening in a wide field of grass. When everyone rested, I sat and kept first watch because I was feeling wide awake. We had crossed six miles today; so we only had another six miles to go.
"Then we'll finally find the Phoenix Blade, and Magicia will have a bright future."
Suddenly, I noticed from the corner of my eye Aurora standing by my right side.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked, wondering what was keeping her awake like this.
"I'm too excited to sleep," she answered. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
I smiled in understanding. "I feel the same. Tomorrow, most likely early tomorrow evening, we'll find what we need."
"I must point out something. Undine said we would meet other monsters in this part of Acirfa, but we haven't met any today."
"Well, if we haven't seen any monsters out here today, we'll see most likely see them tomorrow. Just remember..."
"I know, I'll keep my hood on. Believe me, after Undine flipped out at the oasis, I'm keepin' this on at all times," she said bluntly.
Looking at the stars, she remarked, "The sky from this land is different than from what I'm used to in Amthor. We've come a long way, haven't we?"
"Yes, we have, but I think our long search will be worth it."
"I'm sure it will be..."
Aurora sat down beside me on the grass, hugging her knees as she kept her eyes on the sky. When she didn't say a word, I felt curious about what was on her mind.
"You're a bit quiet. What are you thinking?"
"Well...you know I had a reason for coming with you all: looking for answers to my being here. It's been days since we've been out here and I've found nothing. I'm just worried that this venture will be for naught for me."
"You shouldn't despair. This quest isn't over yet. Perhaps you will find what you want tomorrow."
"I hope so," she said quietly.
"Even if you don't find your answers tomorrow, you'll get another chance. But I would like to tell you: There is something you've gained on this quest and that's making friends with more monsters and teaching them how to use their instincts to sense the truth. I think that's the greatest accomplishment of all."
Even though I couldn't see her face, I knew she was blushing from my words, but she knew I was right.
"It's...always good to make new friends," she spoke.
"And, if and when we meet other monsters on our way to the temple tomorrow, you'll make more friends," I said as I patted her hooded head.
We both sat together for a while, admiring the stars in the sky as I showed her the different constellations.
Finally, Aurora was beginning to feel tired as her head nodded. I grinned gently as I carefully slipped my tail around her right shoulder to have her lean against my shoulder, not hearing her object as she willingly rested her head against me.
Truth be told, during the whole day, I had missed seeing her face like I usually did. Though I reminded myself that she needed the hood on or else different monsters would attack her without getting to know her first.
I shuddered when I remembered how Undine pounced on her. It was an ultimate relief Undine listened to reason and spared Aurora, and even vouched for her to her people.
"I can wait to see her face if it means I don't have to see her getting attacked. I just hope we can avoid that tomorrow when we do see new monsters."
When I thought about Undine, I remember she said something to Aurora right before we left. I would have liked to ask Aurora what it was, but when I saw how very tired she was, I decided it would have to wait until morning.
"In fact, I think I should put her back on her spot near the girls before Verde wakes up to stand watch next. If he sees me with her, he'll ask awkward questions which I'd rather not have to answer."
Without waking her, I gently brought her back to her spot near Ruby. I took another look at her, her hood keeping her face hidden. My right hand started to tingle as my heart requested to touch her.
At that moment I felt that, even if I couldn't see her face, I could at least touch her face...so long as I was careful.
Cupping my hand on her left cheek, I could feel her smooth skin as I imagined her peaceful slumbering face glowing in the moonlight just like back when she and I used to stay at the castle.
To my shock, Aurora moved her left hand to touch my right hand that was still on her face. I was afraid she was going to wake up and see me touching her like this.
But her eyes didn't open and when I listened to her slow breathing, I knew she was still asleep and I hoped she would stay that way until I could get her hand to release mine so she wouldn't discover what I was doing.
I slowly leaned backwards as I gently touched her left arm to make her hand slip off mine while putting her hand on her chest. I sighed in relief, glad I had kept her from finding out what I did.
However, someone did see what I had done, a certain chocolate-colored hare who grinned, liking what he was seeing before he went back to sleep.
