The Pure One -✔- Book Two of the Phoenix Trilogy

Chapter 7 To Dream or Not to Dream

"M--mom!?" Her voice resonated through the recesses of her mind. It was full of longing and uncertainty. Her rib cage would burst anytime from her strong heart beat.

Silence.

That was all that greeted her back after the initial encounter with her mom's voice. Could she possibly just imagined it?

"I must be going crazy," she tried to whisper to her own brain but the words nevertheless echoed throughout the darkness. It was weird feeling like she was in-between dreaming yet fully aware that everything was happening inside her head.

Venus squinted her eyes desperately trying to make out anything from the vast void of blackness.

Nothing.

"A night vision can be really useful right now," she murmured to herself which made her flinch from the impact of the sound it created. Every word she said was like magnified ten times.

There was something creepy on the murkiness ahead of her, it made her shiver involuntarily. Goose bumps crept up all over her body but she was determined to prove herself wrong. Honestly, she was just desperate to see or hear her mom's voice again. For her, it was a hope against hope, that she was so willing to try. She needed to make sure. She missed her mom, her bestfriend. . .

"M-mom? If you're out there, p--please. . .Pretty pleeaasse, talk to me again." Frustration was laced on her shaking voice as she squeaked the words out, her pain of loss slowly eating her hopes away.

A gentle ripple ahead caught her attention. Her head perked in attempt to see, she even used her telescopic eyes but to no avail.

Again, nothing.

Her stiff form slackened, finally accepting defeat. When suddenly some sort of vibration reached her. The contact made her feel like a thousand tiny needles pricked her body. She made few steps forward, her hands outstretched in front of her in attempt to make out of where she was going.

She huffed as she muttered to herself, "You're an idiot, Vee. You're walking blind in here. . .Hope you won't regret this." She was whispering in a sing-sang voice, trying to mock herself.

"Venuscha. . .A little bit more and you will find me," a soft yet weak voice reached her ears. It was barely audible but she heard it very clearly.

She knew it! Earlier was her mom's voice after all. "Hold on mom! I'm coming!" She shouted, circling her two hands around her mouth to create a louder sound. Without waiting for an answer, she walked forwards carelessly when she suddenly bumped into a barrier.

"Ouch!" She fell down on her butt. Her hands automatically held her hurt forehead as she muttered to herself, "Great! Just great! Another barrier."

"Venus. . .Hurry! I set the barrier down," her mother's voice called on to her.

She wasted no time and hopped on her feet, passing successfully through the place where the barrier was placed earlier.

She was greeted by a very bright light from the other side, her hands instantly covered her assaulted eyes as she blinked few times to adjust her vision. When she finally took her hands away, her eyes widened by the scenery that greeted her. She was standing in front of a cottage almost the same as hers on the mountain top back in the human realm. What caught her attention were the wild orchids that hanged around it. It ranged to maybe a hundred different varieties of the most exotic ones.

"Wow!" Her jaw dropped, mouth left open forming 'O'.

"Come in, love. We don't have much time," her mom's voice sounded from inside the cottage.

She sprinted  and almost knocked herself off from the closed door. Her hands were shaking as she gripped and turned the knob slowly. She held her breath in anticipation, her eyes were wide like saucers as she stepped inside and searched for the figure that she longed to see again.

"There you are, my little angel. You've grown so beautifully," her eyes locked on the owner of the voice seated on a couch.

Her tears flowed freely as she took in her features one by one. From her long golden blonde hair that was braided in front, to her creamy complexion until her pretty face. She looks like her in so many ways especially her lavender eyes.  Wait, lavender what? Her shocked face was filled with confusion. She looked down, trying to recall if she really remembered it correctly.

Yes! She had green eyes! Then, how? These thoughts were on her mind when she felt two arms pulled her in into the most warmest yet very familiar hug that she missed all these years.

A sob broke free from her lips. She was trembling when she embraced her back. She burried her face on her neck while taking a deep breath, inhaling her vanilla mixed with lavender scent.

"M--mom, oh, m--mommy, you're hear, y--you're really here. I missed you so much!" she told her in between sobs. She was clinging to her tightly, her heart swelled with so much longing and happiness.

Nuscha soon broke free from their hug and held her precious angel's face with both of her hands. Her thumbs wiped Venus' tears away as she looked deeply into her eyes. It was uncanny, Nuscha was like staring into her own. How time flew by so fast. She was just but a child when she left her, but look at her now. . .

"My angel, you must not stay here long time. You're inside my dream but your father can detect the intrusion in his barrier if you stay longer than you have to." Nuscha told her softly. She couldn't take her eyes off her face. She missed her too much. She thought all the while that she would never have the chance to see her again.

"Mom, where are you kept hostage? I will come for you," Venus answered with great trepidation. "You're eyes. . .Its same like mine."

Despite her situation, Nuscha couldn't help herself as a hearty laugh broke out from her mouth. Her Venus, her precious Venus still hadn't changed. The ever nosy little one. She pinched her nose like she used to and said, "but of course, my love! We are angelicums, we all have lavender eyes." She intentionally ignored the other question.

She guided her towards the couch and seated themselves comfortably, "Listen my angel, I only have few minutes to spare so pay attention." She paused as she smiled at her daughter's reaction who was pouting like she used to when reprimanded. Nuscha clipped her hair behind her ears then kissed her forehead as she continued. "You can revisit me here again, don't worry. I will find a chance again like this, okay?"

Venus nodded eagerly, "that will be soon, right?" She asked her expectantly.

"Of course love. Now, listen. You have to train hard. Don't be impulsive, you are not yet ready. Tell my brother that I'm okay. Tell him to hold off the wrath of Angelicums as long as he can. I have faith in you my angel, I know you can free me and avoid the inevitable." Nuscha said to her then hugged her tightly again.

Venus cried on her mother's chest. She clung to her like she was the air she breathed. "Mom, I promise. I will come for you. I love you so much," she said in quaked voice. Her tears soaking her mother's plain white cotton dress.

"Hush now Venuscha. Be brave my little angel. You must go now, my powers are weaning. I can only have powers in here but not in physical form. My camouflage will be over soon," Nuscha said in a hurry while showering kissess all over her daughter's tear stricken face. She gazed to her lovingly and guided her to the door afterwards.

Venus' face showed reluctance. She gripped on her mother's clothes refusing to let go. Her lips were trembling as she spoke, "m--mom, will I be able to make it? Will we? I have so many questions to ask."

Nuscha gave her a smile of encouragement then nudged her forwards as she opened the door for her. "Go now love. We will, I believe we will. . ." She told her then closed the door. Her unshed tears fell as soon as her door closed. She knew of what her daughter must endure. She sobbed and fell into her kness then prayed.

"My king, all is in Your hands.  Please guide and protect my daughter as You have always protected me. To You I seek refuge and surrender everything. Thy will, will be done."