Aura: The Lost Hybrid

Happy Times

"I've missed you so much!" Crystal was ecstatic as she pulled me closer. I smiled feeling more whole than I did in the past.

"I've missed you so much too, Crystal." She led me to a beautiful space in the forest that had exotic flowers blooming everywhere.

Goddess it was so beautiful!

Fireflies lit up the sky and showed the beauty of the forest. Crystal laid down on the forest floor, crushing some of the flowers that were blooming. I laid down next to her, looking up to the stars.

"So are you gonna tell me what's going on with you and Jericho?" There was amusement in her voice as she asked me that. I gasped in embarrassment, not really wanting to talk about it.

“His lips are as soft as pillows.” She teased

"Don't tell me everyone heard outside of the hut?!"

"Obviously." Crystal laughed. I hid my face in my hands, feeling so embarrassed.

Oh goddess no!!!

"Don't be embarrassed. I think he likes you too, princess." I laughed nervously as I looked over at her.

"You think?" I asked curiously

"That boy has liked you since the first day he met you twelve years ago." Crystal giggled, making me laugh.

I don't know. I mean does he really like me?

Crystal stopped laughing, making me turn my attention back over to her. I could tell the energy changed.

"Maddox told me about your powers." She whispered, “I'm really sorry Aura, you never deserved any of it."

I could hear the sadness in her voice.

"You have no reason to be sorry for." I said back to her, “None of it was your fault.”

"Of course it was, I left you there." She was tearing up now, making me feel bad. I sat up, and took Crystal's hand.

"Stephanie gave you no choice. Plus you took care of our people, I am forever grateful for you, Crystal." She sat up and hugged me tightly.

"I love you so much." She was crying now, making me start to cry.

"I love you so much too." There was love in my voice as I squeezed her tighter.

"Princess! Princess! Princess!" Kids yelled running through the trees towards us. Four younger children popped out of the trees, three boys and one girl.

"You are so beautiful up close!" The little girl yelled excitedly

"Thank you sweetheart, that was very sweet of you!" I replied back to her.

Jericho comes running out of the trees behind them. "TA O!" He yelled.

The children jumped in fear, huddling together.

"Relax Jericho, they're fine!" I was stern with him, not wanting him to scare the children anymore. He scoffed and rolled his eyes in frustration.

I turned my attention back over to the children. "Why did the goddess make him so mean?" I giggled, making them snicker and smile at me.

I heard Jericho stifle his laugh as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"I wanna be a princess just like you when I grow up!" The little girl said excitedly, warming my heart. She twirled my curls in her tiny fingers, mesmerized by them.

"You are already a princess, beautiful." I reassured as I caressed her small soft cheek. I pulled her in for a hug and kissed her on the cheek. She blushed and giggled happily.

"Princess! Princess! Princess! Show me your powers!" One of the boys said excitedly.

"Yeah princess, grow another tree for us!" Another one of the boys yelled out.

My heart hurt in sorrow.

"Time to go!" Jericho yelled out, making me put my hand up, telling him to stop. I faced the kids, and took a deep breath.

"I can't do that, my loves." I said out to the kids, staying strong.

"Why not?" One of the boys asked out in disappointment.

"Because when the princess was a prisoner, the enemy put on this evil magical bracelet that took away her powers and made her wolf disappear." I explained like a storyteller.

"They hurt you?!" The little girl asked out in shock.

"They did, but the princess is safe now, and free. She hasn't been free for years." The little girl hugged me, causing the rest of the boys to hug me, making it into a group hug.

Goddesses the love they had for me makes me want to fight. I need to get my powers back. I need to take back my family's palace and lead our people the way I was meant too.

"We will protect you princess." One of the boys state with his little chest pushed out.

I smiled happily, “I know you will, my love."

"I'm gonna pray to the moon goddess that she gives you your powers and wolf back!" The little girl said out with determination. I couldn’t help but giggle as I nodded my head at her.

"You don't have to do that sweetie, but if you'd like too, go ahead."

"I'm gonna pray too!" One of the boys chimed in.

"Come on guys, we need to pray! The princess needs her powers back now!" The little girl said out to the boys, making me smile.

The boys agreed.

"Bye princess, we're gonna go pray!" The little girl said running off with the boys right behind her.

"Pray your little hearts out!" I yelled out after them.

Crystal laughed in amusement as she eyed me like I was so naughty. “You are so bad.”

"I know."

Jericho walked up, with an amused expression on his face. “What are we gonna do with you?"

"Love me" I said back laughing, falling back into the flowers and looking up to the stars.

Crystal got up and brushed the dirt off her clothes. “I will see you later, okay."

I laughed nervously, as she walked away. I was alone with Jericho now. Oh goddess please don't let me embarrass myself!

Jericho laid down next to me, close enough for our arms to touch. His touch brought me comfort, like a brotherly kind of comfort.

"The sky is so beautiful tonight." I whispered, mesmerized by the bright stars.

"It really is." Jericho said back as he looked over at me, never looking at the stars.

I laughed, catching him. “You're not even looking at the sky."

"Yeah because there's something more beautiful to look at." He whispered as he admired me. I couldn’t help blush as I avoided his gaze. I knew my cheeks were flushed and red, I had to look away from him.

"You don't have to hide from me." He whispered softly, making me turn my head back to him. I looked deeply into his emerald green eyes, getting lost in them. He caressed my cheek with his fingers gently.

"I have no idea what you went through, but I know it was hard." He said softly, warming my heart. He pulled me in for a hug, making me feel safe. He laid with me in his arms as he pulled me closer, cuddling me underneath the stars.

"Just know that I will always be here for you." His whisper was sincere. I believed his words.

"Thank you, Jericho." I surrendered in his arms as we sat in silence and held each other under the stars.

It was beautiful.

It was perfect.

But something was telling me that it wouldn't last long.

My eyes felt heavy and sleep took me soon after. I'm awoken by Jericho placing me gently down into a bed. He had carried me back to one of the huts. He pulled the sheets over me and tucked me in. He bent down and kissed me on the forehead.

"Goodnight princess." He whispered softly

"Goodnight Jericho." I was half asleep at this point. I wasn’t sure if this was a dream or was really happening.

I heard him leave as I rolled over in bed. Before I knew it, I was out again.