Oya: Warrior Of The Moon

2.

*

In a lonely pathway which snaked up the side of the mountain, far beyond the reach of spying eyes and crooked thieves, nestled between towering mountains and verdant forests, the horse ploughed on silently. The air was thick with the scent of pine and the sound of rushing streams, and the sky was a deep shade of black, untouched by the pollution of the world beyond.

As I rode on horseback with the mysterious woman who had just revealed her name to be Naima, I couldn't help but feel both intrigued and apprehensive. Who was this woman, and why had she been searching for me through all the villages? As someone who was used to taking care of herself and answering to no one, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the thought of someone seeking me out.

"So, Naima," I said, trying to keep my tone casual. "What brings you all the way out to the village of Zanubia to find me?"

Naima smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, Oya, I've been searching for someone with your particular set of skills. When I first learned about a young elemental in the villages who had gotten into trouble with the authorities, I knew it could only be you. I’ve been following your trail ever since. My powers led me to you eventually, even though you’ve been very difficult to track."

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You're saying that you're an elemental too?"

Naima nodded, her smile widening. "That's right. My power is fire manipulation. I can make flames dance at my fingertips, and create heat waves that can scorch even the toughest of surfaces."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at Naima's power. As someone who had never truly been able to come to terms with my own powers, the idea of someone controlling fire was both fascinating and intimidating. But at the same time, I couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with Naima. After all, we were both elementals, with powers that set us apart from the rest of the world.

"So, what exactly are you taking me to?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Naima's expression turned serious. "I'm taking you to a secret school in the mountains. There's someone there who's been waiting to see you, Oya. Someone who has been searching for someone with your particular set of skills for a long time."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity and excitement at Naima's words. Who was this person, and what did they want with me? And what exactly was this secret school in the mountains?

As we rode deeper into the night, I couldn't help but feel a sense of adventure stirring within me. Even though I had never been one for taking orders from anyone else, the thought of someone wanting to see me for my abilities was both flattering and intriguing. And as I looked over at Naima, I couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with her. Even though we had only just met, there was a sense of familiarity between us that I couldn't quite explain.

"So, Naima," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "What's it like controlling fire? Is it as exhilarating as I imagine it to be?"

Naima laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "It's definitely exhilarating, that's for sure. There's nothing quite like the feeling of having that kind of power at your fingertips. But at the same time, it's also a huge responsibility. Fire can be both beautiful and destructive, and it's up to us elementals to make sure that we use our powers for good."

I nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of solidarity with Naima's words. Even though our powers were different, we both shared a sense of responsibility for how we used them.

As we rode deeper into the night, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the world around us. The wind was picking up, carrying with it the scent of pine trees and the sound of crickets chirping in the distance. And as I looked up at the sky, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the stars twinkling overhead.

"By the way, Naima," I said, unable to suppress my curiosity any longer. "What did you do to those men back at the pub?"

Naima's eyes flickered for a moment, and I could tell she was trying to decide how much to tell me. "Let's just say they won't be bothering us again," she said, her tone hinting at a sense of satisfaction.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue mixed with fear at Naima's words. As much as I wanted to know what she had done to those men, a part of me was afraid of the answer.

As we continued to ride, the wind picking up and the trees whistling in the background, Naima suddenly pulled on her reins, bringing her horse to a stop underneath a tall pine tree. "We should rest here for a while," she said, dismounting her horse and stretching her legs.

I followed suit, dismounting as well and stretching my arms. As I looked around, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the world around us. The pine trees towered above us, their branches swaying in the wind, and the stars twinkled overhead.

Naima sat down on a nearby rock, and I joined her, sitting cross-legged on the ground. "So, Naima," I said, breaking the silence. "What exactly can I expect from this secret school in the mountains? Who is this person who's been waiting to see me?"

Naima looked at me for a moment, her expression turning serious. "The person who's been waiting to see you is someone very important, Oya. She is a master of the elements, and she has been searching for someone with your particular set of skills for a long time."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement at Naima's words. Finally, it seemed like my skills as an elemental were being recognized, and I was being given the chance to learn more about my powers.

Naima continued, her tone growing more intense. "But you have to be careful, Oya. This school is not like any other. It's a place where elementals come to hone their skills, to learn how to control their powers in ways they never thought possible. But it's also a place of danger, where those who aren't careful can easily get hurt."

I nodded in understanding, feeling a sense of both excitement and apprehension. As much as I wanted to learn more about my powers, I also knew that the road ahead would be difficult and fraught with danger. But at the same time, a nagging feeling tugged at the back of my mind. What would happen to me at this secret school in the mountains? Would I be able to control my powers in ways I never thought possible? Or would I fall victim to the dangers that lurked around every corner?

Naima suddenly stood up, stretching her legs. "I'm going to stretch my legs for a bit," she said, glancing back at me. "Just take your time, and I'll be back in a little while."

I nodded, watching as Naima disappeared into the darkness. As I sat there, waiting for her to return, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Something about the situation just didn't feel right.

After a while, I realized that Naima wasn't coming back. I stood up, my heart pounding in my chest as I looked around, trying to see if I could spot her in the darkness. But there was no sign of her anywhere.

As I looked around, my eyes eventually fell on a piece of paper lying on the ground. I picked it up, feeling a sense of dread as I read the words scrawled across the page.

"I am the direction of the compass rose,

Where winter winds and snowflakes impose.

Magnetic and true, I guide the way,

To where the sun rises at dawn of day."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration as I read the riddle. What was I supposed to do with it? How was I supposed to find my way to the school now that Naima had run off on me?

But as I looked up at the sky, I realized that there was no point in giving up. If I wanted to find my way to the secret school in the mountains, I was going to have to solve this riddle and find my way there on my own.

I looked at the riddle once again, and the answer immediately seemed to jump at me. It was so simple that I couldn’t believe how I missed it the first time.

North.

I set off towards the north, my heart pounding in my chest as I climbed up the mountain. As I climbed higher and higher, the wind picked up, and the air grew colder. But I didn't let that stop me. I was determined to find my way to the secret school in the mountains.

I took a deep breath and continued my ascent up the mountain. My feet ached and my legs burned as I climbed higher and higher. I could feel my heart beating in my chest, and my palms were starting to sweat as I looked up to see the peak still far above me.

As I rounded a bend, I suddenly came face to face with a woman standing in front of me, blocking the path ahead. She was tall and graceful, with long hair that billowed in the wind. Her eyes met mine, and I could feel her gaze searching me.

"I am the guardian of this mountain," she said in a voice that echoed off the rocks. "I have a riddle for you. Answer correctly, and you may pass. Fail, and you will be sent back down the mountain."

She leaned in closer and whispers the riddle in my ear. I listened carefully, trying to parse the words and find their hidden meaning. For a moment, I was lost in thought, trying to solve the puzzle.

“I have the power to guide you, but I am not alive.

I can show you the way to where you want to be, but I can never take you there.

I can lead you through mountains and valleys, and show you the way to the sea. What am I?”

I stepped back and tried to think properly. What could the answer possibly be? Could it be a guide? Surely not. That would be too obvious. I had a feeling that the answer was slightly more complicated than that, but also blatantly obvious.

As the silence stretched on, the woman began to smile. "You are taking your time," she said. "But remember, time is precious. If you cannot solve this riddle, you cannot face what lies beyond."

I took a deep breath and concentrate, my mind racing. If only I had a map, then I could find a way around this stupid challenge.

Suddenly, the answer came to me, and I said it aloud. “Is the answer a map?

The woman nodded, impressed. "Well done," she said. "You may pass."

I stepped forward, heart racing as I made my way toward the tall gate carved into the side of the mountain. It loomed before me, and I suddenly saw Naima waiting at the entrance. She smiled and beckoned me forward, an impressed look in her eyes.

“I apologise for abandoning you,” she said. “But no one steps in through these gates without passing the test. You’ve proved that you’re a woman of intellect, and not just physical strength.”

She stepped forward and knocked thrice on the gates, and with a deafening groan, they began to slide open.

“Welcome to the Moon Academy,” she said.

*