The Alien Agenda 2

[Chapter 11: Journey to Fruiro]

"And so, to obtain more information on the possibilities of time travel, we have to pay a visit to the scholar, Gyouta Nasmin. He lives in the Second Ring, in the city called Fruiro," Inya said as we sat in the bench at the backyard, enjoying the soft evening breeze.

Inya came home that day to find me sitting on the bench, in a quite embarrassing state. I was practically bawling my eyes out. Acting tough and closed off in front of Axel was difficult enough. I was still very overwhelmed by what he told me, and could not help myself from crying a river.

Inya immediately came to me and wrapped me in a hug. She was literally the sweetest person I have ever met. She silently hugged me till my crying subsided and then asked me if I wanted to talk about it.

I declined. I would tell her. But I just could not today. Instead I asked her about the whole time traveling thing she researched on last night.

She told me that more detailed information was required and the only way to obtain it was through meeting the researcher himself. Apparently, he lived in the Second Ring, hence we had a long journey to make.

"Staying here in Aqyila will not provide you much help. I believe it would only be a matter of time until you have to confront the Higher Ones themselves," she said.

I nodded, I had the same feeling as well. "So when do we leave for Fruiro?" I asked.

"As soon as your friend is up and running again," she replied.

I had already bet the entire journey was going to be awkward as hell with Axel around. But I had to focus on the task at hand.

"Have you been to Fruiro?" I asked.

Inya stiffened at my words. I could sense her nervousness, but she nodded slowly.

"Yes... I have. I furthered my studies in Fruiro, back when I was about your age. I lived there for... several years..." she explained.

"Then why don't you seem so happy about returning?" I asked.

"What? N-No, I'm not unhappy..." she said trailing off and looking away.

I peered into her face,"Of course you are... You look like you're forcing yourself to bring me to Fruiro," I said.

She sighed,"I just happen to have a few bad memories in Fruiro, nothing to worry about," she said, trying her best to brush it off.

I did not want to pry, so I dropped it. Inya said that she would spend the next few days preparing for the journey. We would apparently stay over at her friend's place in Fruiro, hence she had to contact her beforehand.

As Inya walked back into the house while I decided to stay outside a little longer, I could not help but wonder about the bitter past she had in Fruiro. I had strange suspicion, it had something to do with her sister.

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A week went by, and Inya and I were in my room packing our necessary items to bring along for the journey. We would be leaving today. Inya explained that we would have to travel by Hippidion, apparently it was an animal, to the port. Then we would travel by sea to the Second ring. The journey by ship would take about three weeks.

To sum it up, it was going to be quite a bit of traveling.

Inya tied the cloth bags tightly once we were done. We brought them outside, to see Axel tying the other bags onto the Hippidions. The Hippidions looked very much like a cross between a donkey and a horse. Or maybe a prehistoric horse. They had shorter legs and necks, as well as rounder heads. We tied on the last of the bags.

Before I could climb onto the Hippidion, a familiar voice shouted name,"Laila Meela!"

I turned to see Kayis charging straight at me and then pounced on me while wrapping me in a hug. I lost my balance and dropped to the ground, laughing at Kayis' antics.

"You're leaving? Are you going to come back?" Kayis asked, his bright blue eyes wide and questioning.

Before I could simply laugh off his question with an, 'of course I would,' I suddenly realised the fact, that I might not actually return from this journey. After all, my goals were to get information and keep moving. I looked down at the little boy that was hugging me tightly. I lightly ruffled his brown hair.

"I... I'm sorry, Kayis. I don't think I'll be coming back..." I trailed off.

Kayis looked at me with a frown, but then replaced it with an assuring smile. "Well then, make sure to find a way back to the future! And... Do not forget me, Laila Meela," he said. I started to get a little teary-eyed. I gave Kayis a big hug and kissed his head.

"Thank you for everything, Kayis. You've been such a big help. I will definitely remember you as the boy who helped me save the world," I said, meaning every single word. I knew that without Kayis, I would have never gotten this far.

Kayis' eyes lit up at my words. "Yay! I am a hero!!" he said enthusiastically pumping his fists in the air.

Inya laughed at us, causing his attention to shift to her.

"Kayis, do not cause any problems while I am gone. And do not sneak into my workplace," Inya warned, though her tone was anything but threatening. Kayis simply replied with a mischievous smile and a nod.

"And you!" Kayis suddenly exclaimed pointing at Axel who was tying on the last of our bags. He glanced at Kayis, with a puzzled expression.

"If you make Laila Meela sad, I will knock the daylights out of you!" Kayis threatened with the most menacing tone he could muster.

I suppresed a laugh that was bubbling inside me, as I translated Kayis' words and took in Axel's shocked expression at Kayis' outburst. He gave him an awkward nod, at then glanced at me.

"I promise I won't," he said softly, his words directed to me. I looked away. I did not want to translate that.

After saying our goodbyes, Kayis left reluctantly. We proceeded to climb onto our Hippidions. Inya had only rented two Hippidions, hence Inya and I were going to ride together. Inya was seemingly an expert in riding. She easily got the creature into a steady gallop with a simple tug of it reins. I glanced at Axel who seemed to struggle a little with his Hippidion. Despite his tugging on its reins, the Hippidion was as stubborn as stone.

I snorted at his struggling. Axel huffed in frustration, still tugging on the reins of the Hippidion.

"Laila, tell your friend to be a little more gentle. Twist the reins and tug them twice," Inya said, noticing Axel's struggles.

I pouted, wanting to watch Axel struggle a little more. It was not like I was angry with him or anything... Or maybe I was. I was probably acting childish, but you could not blame me.

"Laila..." Inya said giving me a disapproving look at my reluctance to help Axel.

"Oh, fine!" I huffed out, surrendering.

I translated Inya's orders to Axel, making the least eye contact as possible. Axel did as ordered and finally got the Hippidion to gallop. Soon, we were off to the port, leaving the village of Aqyila behind.