Keeper of the Lost Cities: Elysian

Chapter 55

The next few minutes, hours, days, months, and years flooded in a rapid stream.

Despite the next chapter of Merida's life being brief compared to the rest, this was just as crucial.

As time flowed, Sophie was aware of each moment, each memory, even though she was only living in them for an instant.

This life was very different from before, and Merida couldn't deny it was difficult.

However, knowing she had an entire arsenal of food, money, clothes, jewelry, and furniture, Merida decided to...

Not use any of it.

It sounded preposterous, but it gave Merida a certain satisfaction in knowing she didn't depend on anything from her previous life. Plus, if she revealed any of the items, her cover would be blown.

Instead, she became part of Will's family and became devoted to helping them in any way she could. There was never an official declaration... it mostly just happened.

She got used to people calling her Ellie, because "Elysian," the strange name her brain had pulled out of nowhere, could raise suspicion if people were looking for her.

While she lived in the village, she learned how everyone got food, water, and supplies that made survival possible.

For example, Will showed Merida where to find wild berries, nuts, roots, and mushrooms, while his mother told her about the stream that made collecting water a breeze.

Will's father was a kind, hardworking man who always entertained the family with jokes and fun stories.

Unfortunately, his work as a merchant forced him to spend most of his time in the city, where he received the money, food, and supplies the family used.

With every passing day, Merida/Ellie grew more familiar with the forest, her new life, and her new family.

But most of all, she had Will.

With him, Ellie felt more alive. She found the same feeling she once knew- the feeling that made stories and drawings come to life.

The same feeling that made sunrises, sunsets, stars, and nature itself seem radiant and whole.

Sometimes when she was working, she mentally composed stories, poems, and designs for works of art.

Whenever she told her stories to Will, he always enjoyed them (or said he enjoyed them) even if Ellie personally thought they were dreadful.

And sometimes, when they had finished their chores, Ellie would sketch or "paint" images on the damp dirt near the river.

Will sometimes joined her, but even without his presence, she found a unique calm amid the sound of moving water.

In the future, she might put some of them onto paper- but not before she had given back enough to her family.

They deserved so much.

She was also aware of every moment he was kind to her, no matter how big or small the action was.

Like how he was overprotective of her when they climbed trees.

How he always insisted that she slept on his bed during his turns and took the mat on the floor.

How he was able to both entertain her and listen to her when she needed it.

Deep down, she knew that this wasn't going to be her life forever. But she still appreciated everything happening in the present.

For a reason her mind could not explain, Will reminded her of Justin.