Disclaimer: I do not own The Riddles of Epsilon.
The trees were tall and swayed gently in the wind, bordering the small streams and tumbling rivers that flowed up and down the tiny hills that popped out of the ground in no apparent pattern. The roaring of the magnificent waterfall that pounded into a glassy still pool was strangely muted.
"Hello." The voice was deep and smooth, almost unreal against the silence.
Jess gasped. "Hello?" He voice echoed, "ello-ello-ello?"
"It is good to see you, Jess." A young man appeared, wearing strange clothes of silvery fabric, like a knight would wear. What were they called? Oh! Tunics! He was tall and muscular for his age, and had black hair that framed his slightly pale face perfectly. His smile was kind, as were his eyes. His eyes. His eyes transformed him into an unearthly creature, so beautiful that it was impossible to attach him to a name such as human. Surrounding the pupils was bright green which seemed to sway like the grass around them, surrounded by a ring of dark blue that swirled and tugged like the ocean, with smudges of bright purple that appeared and vanished from time to time likes the sands of a sunlit beach.
"Wh- who are you?" Jess stammered, voice echoing still.
The man's smile faded sadly, and in that instant, Jess would have done anything to bring the happiness back and see him grin. "My name is Matthias. Do you not recognize me, lenura."
"What?" Jess questioned faintly.
"It means, 'sweet one'," Matthias said softly, a compassionate smile taking his lips from the small frown.
Jess smiled also, in response, blushing furiously. Then the voice of Matthias was no longer speaking, but the words to the song in her dream echoed in her mind.
Trust in me, my beauty
For I sing for you
Dream of me always
Dreams can come true
I have been judged
By a stone-hearted court
Your not alone sweet one
Alone no more.
Jess had closed her eyes to listen, and when she opened them, she saw Matthias was smiling at her handsomely, as he faded into the mist spreading from the crystal pool until it clouded her vision and mind completely.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Ugh. Sea sickness was terrible. Wait! Seasickness!? I'm not on a boat! Jess' eyes shot open as she realized someone must be carrying her. But who? She turned her head to see a familiar faced staring down at her, smirking, clearly amused. "Epsilon!" she gasped. "You weren't supposed to be here 'till tomorrow!"
"Look up," was his simple reply.
Jess looked into the sky and sent him a confused look. It was only a few minutes after she had fallen asleep. "What?"
Epsilon looked slightly concerned. "You slept there all that time?"
"What do you mean? It's only been a few minutes," Jess grumbled.
"Actually, it has been a whole day and a few minutes," Epsilon corrected.
Jess jumped out of Epsilon's arms and nearly fell she was so sore. She groaned and stretched. "Mom! She's gonna kill me!"
Epsilon just watched her silently, hands folded behind his back. He knew she would forget her impending murder soon.
"Wait, you said to watch out for my surrounding."
"A lot of good that warning did," Epsilon said with a stern glance at her as he continued back toward the cottage. Jess followed obediently.
"So? What is going on this time? Any more riddles? Clues from the past that are really from the future?" Jess questioned bitterly.
"Perhaps," Epsilon stated quietly. "You looked to be having a peaceful sleep," he added, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
Jess blushed, but rolled her eyes. She muttered something about trees and a waterfall and a beautiful something.
"You should go help your mother."
"What? Why? Is she in danger again?" Jess asked in a panic.
Epsilon truly laughed at her distress. "No. She is fine. Angry, but fine. You should go help her."
"But what about-?" Jess started, but Epsilon turned her around and pushed her gently toward her house. She sighed and just kept walking, hoping to get home in one piece.