[Three]
In a small village located in between the Mt. Immanuel and Inferos Kingdom, lived an old couple who had taken their granddaughter under their wing after their only child died giving birth to the girl. Instead otf living in sorrow, they live in happy and peaceful life with nothing to worry about.
The sun had risen up to the light blue skies with cotton clouds scattered around. Zeinz, the male of the family had his hands busy for his chores. From the first one to wake up to cooking breakfast for his beloved family.
"Zeinz? Why didn't you wake me up?" a melodic voice called out to him as he was finishing up what he was currently doing.
"Morning sweetie, are you still tired?" he briefly turned and kiss the forehead of his wife before putting the food into the plate. "A bit" she shortly replied, yawning with her hand covering her mouth. "Well, go and wake up our granddaughter. We already spoiled her too much" Zeinz chuckled, pushing Loufea towards the door of the youngest family member. "We can't help it. She's all we have" the woman quietly responded but even with her soft voice the man heard her words and frowned in sadness.
Entering the room, Loufea stared at the girl laying down at the mattress in front of her. The sun had already shone yet the child still haven't move from her position. "Honey, Avia, wake up" she slowly went towards the sleeping person with eyes full of adoration. "Grandpa Zei has made your favorite food!" she sat down to the soft material, touching the face of the girl.
Avia heard whispers as she opens her tired eyes from slumber. "Grandma Lou? Good morning!" she greeted, sitting down and rubbing her eyes as she look at her grandmother. "Wake up now sleepy head. We are going to visit the Emerald River later, remember? Loufea reminded the child who swiftly went out of the room as soon as she finished talking. She chuckled for a moment before following Avia.
"There are my two beloved ladies of my life!" Zeinz teased, opening his arms for the girl to jump. "Good morning Grandpa Zei!" she hugged the older man who turn around circle while embracing Avia in his arms. "Zeinz stop that, you're making my sweet granddaughter dizzy. She just woke up" Loufea scolded her husband while smiling at the silly action her family shows in front of her. "The food is getting colder if we don't eat it" she added, moving towards the table full of food as the other two had rushed and sat on their chairs.
Avia swung her small legs, waiting for her grandmother to start their prayer before meals. She closed her eyes and emptied her mind, leaving nothing in her head. Loufea started her prayer but every word that she speaks, Avia couldn't seem to hear anything as if she was a deaf. She simply listen into nothingness until her senses come back and able to hear the voice of Loufea again. This was nothing odd instead it was an everyday life situation.
Avia never told this to anyone scared that they will be in constant worry so she remains silent about her problem. "Avia? Why are you not eating?" she jumped from the sudden question came from Zeinz. She responded with a smile and said "Sorry, I was just thinking about the things we're going to do today!". The male doesn't seem to believe the alibis but he shrugged it off and start eating.
After the breakfast, Avia waste no time in packing the things they need to pack and dragged the elderly couple out of the house causing them to laugh for the the girl's silly actions. "Let's go!" she exclaimed, running through the wide meadow of flowers that surrounds their home. Zeinz pulled out his hand towards his wife with a smile, offering to hold hands. Loufea just chuckled before accepting the offer and calling Avia to be with them.
Birds flew across the clear sky as the leaves dance through the wind. The flowers swayed gracefully as the trio walked through the beautiful forest. There were no monsters nearby as nymphs protect the forest ever since the Driocht period. The family safely exit the forest and had arrived at the beautiful scenery of the infamous Emerald river located in the middle of three well-known mountains; Mt. Immanuel of Superi, Mt. Hellfire of Inferos and Mt. Destiny of Tutela.
It was still morning and the sun was at the east, slowing rising up to the blue sky. The couple could see joy emitting from the kid's face, so sweet and innocent. The two look at each other before smiling as they set up a blanket on the ground to sit on. Avia on the other hand had already rushed towards the river in excitement. It was so beautiful. It really lives up to its name; Emerald River. The color of the water was clear that it reflects the color of its emeralds beneath it. The river was untouchable due to being located in the middle of three powerful countries and are surrounded by forests, only few know it's location including the family.
While Avia was playing with the water, a piece of cloth seemed to flow along the rushing water. She took it and saw words sewn in it. "Rexim?" she read in curiosity. She look at where it came from and horrified her. It startled the girl and cried for Zeinz due to shock.
"Avia? What's wrong?" Grandpa Zei asked, walking towards the river. Avia continued to cry, pointing her fingers towards the two boulders. Turning his head, Zeinz couldn't believed his eyes.
In the middle of the boulders was a body of a young boy full of bruises and wounds.
He hurriedly get the boy out of the water and carried him away. "Home, now!" he said, running to the directions of their house. Loufea and Avia followed behind, not bothering to pack their things due to how serious the situation is.
Once the hero and the villain met, the time turns again.
But this time, the truth will be untold.