Blessing Moon

Sixteen: Linra Ùrvus

(A New Era)

The joyful sound of chatter and laughter danced on the breeze that whistled through the trees and plants of the Western Forest. It was there that the first five Natanstrelleans decided to hang out - away from their parents and away from their younger siblings, where they could talk about what they wished to talk about and show off their light magic in peace.

Beanni sat upon a sturdy branch of her favourite tree, swinging her legs back and forth as she held her light orb in her outstretched hand. Countless birds made of violet light, that mimicked her mother's magic, soared around her and above her friend's heads, who sat on lower branches and at the trunk of the same tree.

"You always choose birds," observed Mollig, as she braided her long, blonde hair. The light seeping through the trees brought out the orange undertones within each separated strand.

"I like birds," Beanni responded. "To be able to fly." She let out a peaceful sigh and studied the movement of the delicate wings that fluttered in the air before her. "Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"I guess." Mollig shrugged, then reached for her orb that lay in a pouch tied at her waist. Her mother decided to make her that pouch one day, then agreed to make one for each of her friends once they saw how functional it was. "It's my turn now!"

Beanni nodded and drew the glowing, violet birds back into her orb then stored it away into her pouch. She then turned her focus, along with the rest of her gang, to Mollig's left hand. They all watched the glowing orb grow to fill her palm. She closed her tawny eyes, then scrunched her brow into a frown. When she opened her eyes again orange sparks flew from her magic orb and flitted in all directions. They then joined together and built up, bit by bit, a perfect representation of the Fiosolim sitting around the strange smoke.

"What are you doing, Mollig?" Strellum snapped.

"Yeah, that's a stupid joke!" Emlyn added, echoing her friend's uneasy tone.

"It's not a joke, I'm just remembering something I saw," Mollig rushed into her explanation.

Beanni tried her hardest to not sound as frustrated as her cousin did, however she couldn't help but express her worry. "But, we're not allowed to go anywhere near the mauve tent, so how do you..."

"Stop pretending Beanni! All five of us have looked into the tent, how else do you know that that's what my light is showing you now! Don't try to make out that I'm any worse than you!"

"I'm not!" Beanni squeaked defensively.

"Alright fine!" Emlyn moved between them, lifting both of her hands up in surrender, she then continued in a hushed tone. "We all have looked, but we also promised each other that we wouldn't speak of it, you know, incase our parents overhear!"

"Well they're not here, are they?" the orangey-blonde Natanstrellean shrugged. "Stop being paranoid."

"Just change your light picture to something else will you?" demanded Strellum.

"No, I wanted to show you guys something that I noticed the other day."

"The other day?" Beanni spat. "Mollig! You went back?"

"Yes, I went back!" Mollig rolled her eyes. "Come on, will you just stop? I noticed something that I think is important!"

"What is it?" Callan finally decided to pipe up, no longer able to hold back with his curiosity now spiked.

"All of you, look at their eyes," Mollig instructed as she pointed towards the orange picture that shone in the air. "Our parents noticed their glow was dimming from gazing, but I saw it's worse than that now."