The Light in Aquala

The woman and dog-like creature watched silently as Mara and Lena began to climb down from the tree, using the rope and moving slowly and carefully.

The bark was still slick beneath their hands as they steadied themselves on it while swaying on the rope during their descent.

Lena felt the burn in her forearms as she lowered herself hand over hand, the rope fibers bit into her palms. Above her, Mara moved with the same deliberate care, her breath coming in quiet, measured exhales.

The creature's glowing yellow eyes followed their descent, unblinking.

The woman's face was turned upward, watching them with a mixture of caution and curiosity. The Neon on her cheeks swirled quickly, but not as fast as before. Her purples, violet, silver and gold glows moved with more control, somehow seeming to be older and more controlled than the Neon on Mara and Lena's faces.

When they reached the ground, their feet sank into the damp moss, the shock of solid earth after the swaying of the rope making them momentarily unsteady. Mara steadied herself with a hand on Lena's shoulder, and they stood together, facing the strangers.

The creature tensed, its body going rigid. A low growl rumbled from its throat, a sound like distant thunder, and Mara saw the muscles ripple beneath its sleek black coat.

It was larger than she had realized from above, its back was past the woman’s waist, and its body was long and lean, built for speed and silence.

Its smooth, black coat shimmered, absorbing the perimeter lights rather than reflecting them. Its glowing Neon yellow eyes held an intelligence that was unmistakable.

The woman placed a gentle hand on its head and the growl faded. The creature looked up at her, and an understanding passed between them.

“Hi,” Lena said, her voice friendly but guarded. She brushed a strand of hair from her face, a small, insecure gesture that Mara recognized. “We saw you from up there. We were…” she paused, trying not to stutter with nervousness.

“We were hiding from whatever was out there making those loud, strange noises and the huge explosion of light. Then we saw something moving towards us and didn't know what it was. We had to wait up there to make sure things were safe enough to come down.”

She shifted on her feet, hoping that whatever she said made sense.

The woman nodded slowly. The Neon on her face was still moving, deep purples and brilliant golds and silvers sliding across her cheeks in slow spirals.

“I understand. I would have done the same thing.” She smiled knowingly. “I am Rivia. This is Jaxx. We mean you no harm.” *

Mara felt some of the tension leave her shoulders. The woman's voice was kind, and her eyes held no malice. The creature, Jaxx had relaxed slightly, his ears no longer flat against his head but his yellow eyes still glowed and stayed fixed on the sisters. He followed every small movement they made.

Out of the corner of Mara's eye, she was a change in Rivia's posture that was unusual.

Rivia had grasped a small pendant at her throat, a small carved stone that held a faint glow of its own. Perhaps this was a nervous habit that suggested she was not as calm as she appeared. The stone pulsed gently against her fingers a few times and then held steady.

Rivia noticed Mara's gaze.

For a heartbeat, a wariness flickered in her eyes as she acknowledged Mara’s powers of observation. Then it was gone, and her smile deepened.

Around her feet, the grass had begun to glow a brighter purple, spreading outward in a slow circle that brightened where Jaxx stood and dimmed again behind him.

Both Lena and Mara’s Neon had settled into very slow movements across their faces.

“I’m Mara and this is my sister Lena… it’s nice to meet you Rivia, and Jaxx.”

Rivia nodded, and Mara noticed that her smile reached her eyes. That was a good sign. She also noticed a weariness in her eyes that spoke of not sleeping well, or perhaps she had traveled from far away. But the most noticeable was the hope radiating from her eyes.

For a moment, no one spoke.

The waters of Aquala continued flowing behind them, a constant, comforting roar that filled the air.