Stepping further into the grey clouds surrounding them, Erin and Olivier move closer to each other. They'd met only a couple of hours before but quickly had come to trust one another. Erin thought about that for a minute, and found it a bit strange-- she tended to be more guarded around new people but something about Olivier was very different. She couldn't quite put her finger on it but knew somehow there was a connection beyond their few online chats they'd shared when they'd decided to become flatmates. Erin shook her head from her thoughts, she was hopelessly distracted and confused as it was-- there was no time for analyzing her new feelings yet.
The forest floor crunched beneath them, and while their vision was somehow disturbed even more than it would be with ordinary "fog", their hearing was enhanced. "Did you hear that?" Olivier asked quietly, speaking through pursed lips.
"No, I... wait, what is that..?" she responded in a whisper when she noticed what sounded like very faint voices speaking in the distance. "Maybe it is someone who can help us," Olivier replied hopefully.
They continued forward, creeping along and still dazed, unsure of the reality of anything that was happening around them. Just then, they began to notice a slight shimmering within the mist. It was very faint at first, but as they continued to creep along, it became more radiant. The entire air around them was taking on a glittering, blue luster. "Olivier," Erin whispered in his direction while running her hand across her pale forehead. In unison, they said, "do you see that?"
At their synchronized question, Erin couldn't help but giggle just a bit. In fact, rather than completely petrified, Erin now felt slightly euphoric. She didn't know what was going on with her emotions but they were running high and alternating from one extreme to another. Olivier looked at her and nodded. They didn't stop walking, it was as if they were being compelled to continue despite the strange things going on around them.
Olivier looked up as Erin was watching him and suddenly became stiff. He stopped moving, and just like that, crumbled to the ground in a solid heap. "Olivier!?" Erin shouted, no longer able to control her emotions or her voice. She didn't understand what had happened. She turned to look in the direction that Olivier had been facing and understood immediately what had happened to Olivier.
Standing, not three yards away was a woman, shimmering and radiant. As Erin took her in, she realized she was standing face-to-face with the reflection from the mirror earlier. She looked to Olivier, who had luckily passed out onto a soft, grassy patch, piled with leaves and looked back at the strange woman before her. "It's ... you? Me? Who,.... who are you?" Erin stammered, unable to think clearly in light of what she was seeing. "Erin, my name is Danu... You are in grave danger," she responded in a voice that Erin could hear, but also feel through her entire body.
Erin looked to her in confusion, "You must be mistaken, I'm just a student here, I've just arrived," she protested.
"Yes, you've only now come home but you have always been destined to return to Ireland. Have you not always dreamt of this land? This is your home. You will learn more, but I am a keeper of the old ways here, and you have always belonged," Danu explained calmly, her ethereal voice resonating in Erin's heart and soul.
"I've got no idea what you're talking about, I'm just trying to get to my apartment, this is nuts!" Erin was becoming exasperated. While everything around her was incredibly strange, she couldn't help but remind herself that this couldn't be reality.
"I can only tell you that this is real and that you are in danger, as is our way of life, the soul of Eire has been in danger since you've been away. Your parents, bless their souls, were meant to bring you here but their deaths have kept you away. For many years, this island has been awaiting your return. I shall not overwhelm you now, but you have much to do, and much depends on you, Erin," she spoke firmly but gently, understanding that Erin had no idea what was going on.
"Did you lead us here? Did you take our key?" Erin asked, in spite of the sheer ridiculousness of her questions.
"We had to contact you, to let you know who you are, and how important you are. Now that you have returned, we must teach you what your parents were meant to before they died so suddenly," she continued. Erin noticed several other semi-solid figures around her, all dressed in what seemed to be old-fashioned clothing. "This is a hell of a dream," she thought in her head.
"This is no dream, Erin. You are very important, and we will teach you more once you are settled. Now, we shall allow you to return to your current reality but we will find you again soon, and then you must understand that you have to help us, without you, this island, and all of its ancient magic will cease to exist. Your friend has not been harmed, he will only remember getting lost in the woods when he wakes. He is important in your quest, but he is not ready to see this side yet. Farewell, Erin, and prepare yourself for your destiny." With that, the strange glow in the mist dissipated and the heavy fog returned to its normal, thick texture, no longer glowing blue, just gray and heavy.
Erin shook her head and had no idea what to think. She turned to Olivier, who looked rather confused but smiled up at her. "I guess we need a little break," he said to her sheepishly. Erin gave him a half-smile but her insides were twisting with turmoil.
"Yes, a break would be good," she replied, lost in her bewildered thoughts, she sat down next to Olivier on the soft, cool grass.