The Light in Aquala

Nia made sure that their guests were comfortably settled in their own rooms, then hurried down the hallway.

The breeze of her moving quickly caused the flames from the candles to dance across the walls and floors. She hurried back to the grand staircase and instead of going downstairs, she continued down the hallway in the opposite direction to the guestrooms.

She had always dreamed that others with the Neon would visit them again, but so many years had passed that she had almost given up hope.

Now tonight they had so many visitors with the Neon arrive that the entire kitchen was bustling about, preparing a feast for them all to enjoy together.

Her mind drifted back in time as she remembered her mother welcoming those with the Neon when she was just a child. She had watched from behind one of the tall marble pillars in the main hallway as her big sister Aekka stood next to her Mother. They both greeted the newcomers, which were all dressed differently.

But one stood out in her mind.

The one with glowing red hair, freckles and darkness around her red eyes.

The woman had spotted her as she peered around the pillar and Nia remembered being so scared. Well, scared until the woman smiled at her, her face lighting up and Nia smiled back instantly. That night the most beautiful music could be heard flowing out the windows of their home, and it was the Fire woman who had brought the songs.

A noise from behind one of the doors shook Nia out of her musings and she quickly ran over to the door, opening it and immediately closing it behind her. There was Aekka, bending over a large chest and throwing clothes out of it in every direction.

“Why are you making such a mess, can you not find it?” Nia asked, as she bent down to start searching too.

“I know I hid them here in this room. I just started searching, so we have some time left before we need to meet for supper.”

The two sisters started pulling out drawers, looking under everything possible, even removing pictures off of the walls and checking behind the frames.

“For the life of me, I can’t remember where I hid them. There was no time to think, I just had to hide them and leave. Then I forgot until now. I have no idea what we are going to do if we can’t find them in time!” Her voice hitched as she fought back her tears.

“Aekka, stop and think. Close your eyes and try to remember exactly what you did when you ran up here that night.” Nia had by now grabbed her sister’s arms and looked into her eyes, speaking softly. “You can remember, just calm down.”

Aekka stopped moving and breathed in deeply, closing her eyes and trying to remember. She thought she had put them in the large chest, but they weren’t there. She fought the panic rising in her chest and concentrated harder.

A melodious song started playing nearby and her eyes flew open as she swirled around to look outside the high window.

There was Crece, hovering outside of the window, waiting to be let in. Nia had already run over and unlatched the windows, throwing them open and standing aside as Crece flew in. Little gold flecks flew softly to the ground as Crece hovered a moment, turning in a circle until it saw its reflection in the mirror. It settled down onto the ground and made its way over to the back of the mirror, starting its song again.

“Whatever are you doing Crece?” asked Aekka, surprised at the little Creatch’s insistence on coming inside. She followed it and as she went behind the mirror to where it was standing, she noticed the tip of one of the glowing necklaces.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

“Of course, this would have been the best place to hide them.” She lifted up the necklaces from the small hidden pocket in the back of the mirror. It was hidden in the bottom of the mirror’s frame and it was only with Crece’s glowing Neon exoskeleton shining on it that the necklaces could be seen.

“I guess you do listen when I tell you things.” she whispered to Crece as she gathered up the necklaces, giving the loyal Creatch a grateful look and a conspiratory smile.

Crece rubbed its wings together and followed her back to Nia, who had by now started putting everything back together in the room.

“How many are there?” asked Nia as she closed the lid to the chest.

“I was only able to rescue 2 of them, but they are undamaged.” Aekka held up the small necklaces with a singular circular jewel on each one. “There are bound to be more hidden somewhere, but these are the only ones that I know of hidden in this room.” She slipped them into a pocket of her gown and smoothed the material.

“Now that this mystery is solved, let's go see what the kitchen has managed to prepare for all of our guests. I want them to enjoy their time here for as long as possible.” said Aekka, with her usual calm and confidence back in place.

She walked over to the windows, whistled and Crece immediately flew over to her and left through the windows, disappearing into the night.

Nia nodded her head in agreement as she inwardly wondered if they would all make it through this night without interruption.

A distant sound like a bell ringing made the two sisters glance at each other, before speedily leaving the room.

After leaving through the window, Crece flew towards the guest rooms, searching for Jaxx.

She knew which room to go to because of the scent of the Noctaryn. As she approached closer, she saw Rivia admiring herself in the mirror while twirling and Jaxx woofed his approval.

Suddenly, Jaxx turned towards the window, sensing that something was coming. When his eyes met Crece’s they held, as Crece hovered and communicated the danger that could be coming their way tonight. Jaxx’s eyes started to glow Neon yellow, brightening in intensity as he came to understand the warning.

Now that Jaxx would be on the watch to protect his person and the other two visitors, Crece decided that her duties were done here and it was time to finish a last sweep of the perimeter of the property before returning to the hall where the humans would eat their food.

The wind picked up and she flew off on an updraft towards the Southern border of the area she called home.

Jaxx knew that Crece was warning him to be on the lookout for danger tonight, and his playful mood changed to one of quiet observer.

When he heard a knock, he followed Rivia closely as she walked over to the door and opened it.

Nia was standing there with a smile on her face, but Jaxx noticed a look in her eyes that wasn’t relaxed, but seemed to be on edge. Crece was right, something wasn’t right and he would have to stay alert and keep a very close eye on their surroundings and Rivia.

He walked behind Rivia as she joined Nia and the trio walked down the hallway to where Mara and Lena were waiting for them.