Chasing Aurora
Book 1 - Ice
Summary: Beneath the shadowy veil of an ancient forest, Athrun and Cagalli embark on a journey shrouded in uncertainty and mystique. Their encounter with a deer, a seemingly trivial moment, sets in motion a series of events that unravel the fabric of their understanding. As the fog wanes, so does the boundary between reality and imagination, thrusting Athrun into a realm where panic and determination collide. The whispering winds and falling snowflakes become silent witnesses to a search fraught with challenges, where each step draws him closer to an elusive truth. As the narrative unfolds, the delicate dance between imagination and reality blurs, weaving a story of unexpected bonds, uncharted fears, and the relentless pursuit of connection amid the mysterious forces of nature.
CHAPTER 01 - Into the Unknown
"In life, fate remains elusive; instead, we encounter the inevitable. Within the dance of the Aurora lights, the delicate boundary between destiny and inevitability becomes apparent. A series of events often propels us toward inevitability, akin to a ball set rolling from a steep place. The landscape, the wind, and agency collectively determine its course, and in retrospect, we deem it fate."
In the ethereal glow of the Aurora lights, Cagalli and Athrun found themselves captivated by the mystique of the moment. The woman's cryptic words hung in the air, blending with the dance of sparks around the campfire. Athrun's emerald green eyes met Cagalli's captivating golden hues, confusion evident in their gaze. The woman, a figure of wisdom, observed the interplay of colors reflected in their eyes — Athrun's emerald green and Cagalli's enchanting golden tones.
As the woman spoke about the meaning of the Aurora lights, she highlighted the colors, especially the greens, reds, purples, and yellows reminiscent of the phenomenon. Her companion, who stayed at her back, remained silent.
"I'm sorry, but why do you speak in riddles?" Athrun, still trying to decipher the womans's words, questioned the cryptic nature of her discourse.
The woman, undeterred, continued to emphasize the connection between the colors and the magnificent display above them. "Is it really?" the she countered. "Your eyes reflect the beautiful Aurora," she declared, directing their attention to the sky. The pale green Aurora, initially barely visible, brightened as if in approval of the woman's words.
"Now that you mention it, it's magnificent!" Cagalli, caught in the moment, couldn't help but be mesmerized by the beauty of the Aurora lights. Her gaze shifted from the sky to Athrun's eyes, sparkling even more than the northern lights. The shades in his eyes seemed to mirror the colors of the Aurora, creating a visual spectacle. When did his eyes become so beautiful?
Athrun, however, remained focused on the celestial display, unaware of Cagalli's subtle observations. Little did she know that her eyes, too, were reflecting the splendor of the northern lights.
When the woman noticed Cagalli's intent gaze on Athrun, a knowing smile played on her lips. Cagalli quickly averted her eyes back to the campfire, trying to hide the intrigue she felt. The woman, however, leaned in, her weathered face etched with the lines of countless shared moments beneath the celestial dance. A gentle reassurance emanated from her gaze, coaxing the young woman to acknowledge the depths of her emotions. "See how the sun, that celestial painter, seems to waver? No need to be shy," she whispered. "Without the sun's golden rays, the Aurora would be a mere whisper in the night, elusive and veiled in the darkness."
As dawn approached, the ethereal dance of the Aurora began to fade, gracefully making way for the emergence of daylight. The horizon embraced the burgeoning orb, casting hues of tangerine and gold across the canvas of the sky. The sun ascended with a quiet majesty, its warm tendrils dispelling the last remnants of the night's celestial spectacle.
With a slow and deliberate movement, the woman gracefully unfolded from her seated position. Her ascent was deliberate, a testament to the strength drawn from years of connection with the mystical dance above. As she rose, it was as if the very fabric of the night clung to her, leaving behind an ethereal imprint, a parting echo of her presence within the cosmic realm. He was gently followed her her companion.
Athrun and Cagalli, acknowledging the long night, exchanged nods before deciding it was time to head back. "It has been a long night," Cagalli exclaimed.
"Can't get any weirder, though," His gaze lingered, entranced by the sight of Cagalli bathed in the soft hues of the rising sun. The warm, golden light reflected gracefully in her eyes, casting a spellbinding glow that mirrored the celestial canvas unfolding behind her. In that moment, the convergence of Cagalli's presence and the dawn's gentle radiance created a tableau of beauty that held him captivated, a silent testament to the allure of the unfolding day. As warmth blossomed within Athrun's chest, an unconscious gesture led his fingers to a necklace he had discovered in the woods. The pendant, crafted from an enigmatic purplish stone, dangled delicately from the chain. As he released it into the sunlight, the necklace caught the sun's rays, casting a subtle, ethereal glimmer. A sense of fortune welled within him, as if the necklace held a silent conversation, urging connections to be made. Why he pondered this while gazing at Cagalli, he couldn't fathom, but the inexplicable connection felt right, and so, he embraced it.
Although it was very brief, the necklace caught the attention of the woman. "From Humae to Aurora, the goddesses have indeed blessed the two of you. In our tribe, we believe that the Aurora acts as a messenger, connecting us to our loved ones who have departed," the woman explained, her gaze shifting as if communicating with an unseen presence. "It not only helps us take guidance from our ancestors but also guides wandering souls. I hope these souls find where they belong."
"Humae," Cagalli repeated softly, trying to recall where she had heard the name.
The two cast a lingering glance backward before proceeding toward the frozen lake, their steps synchronized in a silent companionship. Side by side, they walked, a ritual that had become as natural as breathing. Despite the familiarity, Cagalli remained silent, her thoughts seemingly tethered to Humae.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Athrun inquired, detecting the weight of Cagalli's silence, the crunch of the icy ground beneath their boots punctuating the silence of the frozen landscape.
"Oh, it's just that I am trying to recall the name Humae… Do you have any idea about this goddess?" Cagalli inquired, her mind reaching into the realms of folklore or mythology from the books she had once read.
"I've never heard of her before. Sorry, I was not helpful."
Cagalli nodded, her expression pensive. "It's just a nagging feeling, but I can't place it."
"So, what do you say? I think we better head back," Athrun suggested, his voice laced with concern. "We need to cross the lake back to the campsite. Your friends might be worried about you."
"Okay." Then, she recalled the stone that Athrun was holding. "So what's the story behind the necklace?"
Their conversation gracefully shifted toward the necklace, and Athrun playfully hinted at more stories to be shared in the future. "You want to hear it? But I guess it's a story for a cup of coffee," he said, his eyes sparkling with the warmth of shared secrets as he smiled at her. "You won't be seeing the last of me," he teased.
"Okay, fair enough."
Unaware of how far they had strolled, they found themselves taken aback as the fog slowly encircled them. Athrun instinctively offered his hand, a subtle gesture in the opaque haze. "The fog is getting thicker. I think it's better to hold hands just to be sure that we will not be separated." In his mind, he felt a tinge of shyness, grateful that the fog veiled their faces. This was the second time he experienced a rare bout of shyness, a departure from his usual gallant demeanor. Oh, come on, you never even stared at a woman before. He chided himself, shaking his head in disagreement with his own thoughts.
Cagalli's voice gently pulled Athrun back to reality. "Yes, you're right." However, she chose to interlock her arms with his. On a clear day, any observer might have mistaken them for a couple lost in a romantic embrace, but this was no ordinary night. "You might get lost," she playfully teased him, a twinkle in her eyes blending with the mist-shrouded ambiance.
Just then, Cagalli spotted something shimmering in the distance. "What is that?" Her gaze followed the glimmer, revealing a blurry image. The thick fog obscured most details, but she discerned a small, shining object nestled somewhere. "Is that what I think it is, a deer? Looks like something is stuck in one of its thorns," she said, turning. Still, she couldn't see the object clearly. Like Humae, she felt compelled to get her hands on that shining object, as if it were taunting her to take it. Slowly, she unlocked her arm. "I'll take a look," she decided, realizing it was no more than two meters from where they stood.
The moment Cagalli's arm parted from Athrun, an abrupt sense of isolation enveloped her, as if she had been transported to another realm. "Athrun," she called out, turning around to find he was no longer by her side. Alarm surged as she repeatedly called his name, but there was only silence, and the puzzling gleaming object in the distance. Tormented by uncertainty, she hesitated to step forward, struggling to comprehend how Athrun could vanish in the span of mere seconds. "Where is he?" Recognition dawned upon her, realizing that she was the one who had released her grip, ironically experiencing the very separation she had teased Athrun about earlier.
The once blurry image now clarified – indeed, a deer stood before her. It gracefully walked in her direction, as if extending a greeting. With a bow of its head, the creature presented the shiny object lodged in its horn, a silent offering amid the mysterious surroundings.
Cagalli stared at the deer. Although alone, an unusual calmness washed over her. She wasn't afraid, not even in the presence of an animal that could potentially pose a threat. Instead, it seemed to be showing kindness. Gazing into the deer's black eyes, she smiled in recognition. Slowly, she raised her hand to touch its face, eventually finding her way to the shiny object, which appeared to be a ring.
Less than a meter away, Athrun stood bewildered, trying to comprehend what had just transpired.
A/N: Hey there! It's been a while. This fanfic draws inspiration from my recent quest to witness the captivating northern lights, coupled with the canonization of my two beloved characters. Whew! Happy days! Although the story's framework is outlined, my writing journey begins in the midst of the plot. Hence, a word of caution: you'll find yourself immersed in the narrative, discovering its core somewhat in medias res.