Hello! I am back with the second chapter:D
Okay, I know the beginning may look a little slow, but believe me, things will start rolling soon enough! ;D Hope you'll enjoy the continuation and PLEASE send me reviews too! I would really like to know how you like it:3
Chapter Two:
Time sure flies when someone is busy training in combat...
Before they noticed, nightfall was upon them. It had been a hard day for Lyloo, Nolee and all the other youngsters in the group. When Lourdes finally dismissed them, the students left the field exhausted, some of them covered with slight bruises from the marks of a lash...
However, the two best friends didn't let that to ruin their mirth. They made a little detour before returning home. After climbing their favourite hill near the village, they watched the sun slowly set in the distance...a huge, orange orb, so far away and yet, Lyloo had the feeling she could easily reach it if she wanted to...
There was peace and quiet. The Sphinxes layed back on the tender green grass and listened to the music of the crickets, quietly chatting about the events of the day.
"What is your opinion...? Should we be worried about Lourdes' announcement?", Nolee asked, glancing over to her friend.
Lyloo remained silent for a while...yes, the great and dreaded anouncement...
Their training with Lourdes was close to it's end. The mester finally decided for the last and final test for her students...On the next lesson, they will face the trial which will decide whether they are capable for the titel of feminine warrior or not. That was the purpose they've trained for so hard all these years, to earn this titel and with it, become Diharas.
A deep sigh escaped her lips...
"I would say, we still have enough time to worry about that later...starting tomorrow...", she finally said, evoking a smile from Nolee.
"You're right, we really had enough for today!", she added, cheered up. "I say we get some well deserved rest tonight!" She stood up from the ground and stretched herself with delight, extending her slim body to almost double lenght. "Are you coming?", she asked, turning back to leave for home.
"You go ahead, I'll be coming too in a minute...", Lyloo said, wandering off in thought.
"Okay, just make sure you don't wait till full darkness arrives. Some say, it isn't wise to stay out all by yourself at night...", Nolee told her, referring to the fact that there were other predators on Eoz besides the Sphinxes as well...
"Sure, I will.", Lyloo replied, smiling at her best friend one more time before she left.
Soon, Lyloo was left alone in the quiet evening. She closed her eyes, enjoying the tepid breeze which slowly brought the night with itself...
Everything was changing, slowly, constantly...Life promised so many possibilities for a living being.
Lyloo was on the edge of one...one that could change her life...
This would be her very first important trial. This thought made her shudder, with fear but also excitement. She was eager to prove her abilities, yet, she couldn't shake a certain feeling off every time she handled with her fighting skills...Deep in her heart, she hoped she will never need these techniques in a real battle...If we consider the nature of these creatures, Lyloo was deffinitely one of the most peace-loving Sphinxes in the village. She longed for nothing more than the peace around her to make her happy, to know she was among friends and relatives...Yes, Lyloo loved her home very much...
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"Where could this girl be at this time?", a worried voice could be heard from the kitchen of the little hut.
Minna Felvis was starting to get worried. The last beams of the sun were starting to faid and her daughter still didn't arrive home.
Her statement caused her husband to smile, sitting in his favourite chair.
"You're worrying too much, my dear!", Alton Felvis answered, chuckling a little. He knew his daughter liked to exploit every minute of the day before heading home...this was something she inherited from her father.
Minna understood this perfectly, however, she still remained the loving mother who cared for her childs welfare very much...sometimes even too much.
She frowned a bit at Alton's response, but it seemed her husband was right once again...
Indeed, within minutes, Lyloo's head warily appeared in the doorway.
"Hello! Sorry for being out so late, the sunset was simply too gorgeous to be left behind...", she apologized, entering the living area of the cottage.
"Well now, that is an understandable excuse.", her father said with a smile, regarding her daughter. She seemed to grow more and more beautiful in her fathers loving eyes every day...
"You know you're always making me worried sick when you do that!", her mother chided her mildly, coming out of the kitchen and wrapping her arms around her daughters neck.
Lyloo smiled at her parents' welcome. She was a little worried first what their reaction would be, but luckily it was unnecessary. They were a loving, understanding little family who lived happily together.
Since Lyloo was an only child, which wasn't that common in the Sphinx society, her parents were even more caring for her than usual.
"Heard about the big news!", Alton told Lyloo with a small wink. "When will the big day arrive?"
Lyloo instantly knew what her father was talking about...
"In two days, father.", she said sheepishly.
"I can hardly believe time flew by so quickly...", her mother sighed, gently stroking her daughters hair a little. Lyloo had to admit, she agreed with her mother in a way...
"Ah yes, you've become a big grown up girl...This is something only the parents are reluctant to confess themselves.", her father said cheerfully, rising from his sitting position.
Suddenly, his features turned stern. He walked over to the small cupboard standing in the room and opened one of its cases.
"I knew this day would come sooner than I'd expect it...", he said, almost to himself.
"I was keeping this for you till then...", he added, turning towards Lyloo, holding something in his hand.
"What is it?", Lyloo inquired curiously, peeking over to his father.
"A very special necklace...A Kaleesh Talisman.", Alton replied, opening his hand, revealing the beautifully carved gift.
Lyloo's eyes widened with surprise. She has never seen anything like this before, such exotic finery with it's simple but most adorable beauty...
"Where...did you get this?", she asked, dumbfounded.
"From a very good friend of mine, a long time ago.", her father said, smiling at the memories.
He stepped closer to Lyloo and knitted the necklace around her slender neck.
"May it bring you luck and light on your trial and throughout your whole life, on every trial you will have to face.", he said while attaching the two ends of the necklace.
Lyloo could feel her eyes filling with tears. Her father's words moved her. She looked down at the necklace in her neck. Her heart swelled with love as she embraced her father, her tears finally rolling down her cheeks.
Her mother silently watched them from the corner of the room, smiling happily at the sight, also shedding her tears...waiting patiently for her chance to wish all the best for her beloved daughter as well...