Astellia
The massive forest loomed over us, the trees crying as the wind moved through them. Cerin stomped her hooves and shifted uncomfortably, I rubbed my hand in her soft mane to calm her nerves.
"Now or never, it's now or never," I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and jumped off Cerin's back, pulled out my dagger from my hips, and stepped closer to the forest.
Even in the dark, I could make out the thousands of shadows moving within the forest. The dark maroon tree trunks and deep green leaves and bushes were a beautiful combination but just as deadly.
A rock was placed right before me, its pure black color unsettling as it glinted in the night.
"My name is Astellia Yermin, I have come to seek shelter," I push the blade into my open palm and watch as the skin tears, pain stinging through my body and I grind my teeth together from making a noise as I let the blood drip onto the ebony rock.
I didn't expect a grand ritual or spirit to let me in, but it was quite disappointing standing awkwardly waiting for any small sign. Cerin caught my shirt material in her teeth before leading me to a small darkened entrance between two trees. It was almost invisible so I obviously wouldn't have been able to see it, on top of that Cerin suddenly knew the way into the forest should have bothered me but the forest housed so many spirits and animals.
It wasn't shocking to assume that the forest could communicate with nature and all it is connected with.
Bowing my head in a nod I got up on my horse and headed into the void world, praying a monster wouldn't jump out of nowhere.
******
Two Years Later
"Cerin!" I shriek at my horse as she dangles a limp lizard in her mouth, "Put him down now!"
The horse had eaten Rio!
Cerin stared dead in my eyes for a solid minute before dropping the pink lizard without remorse and trotting away, swaying her tail with elegance.
"I don't want to see you eating him again! You hear me, girl?"
I called out after the horse and moved to my lizard as Cerin ignored my words. "Rio, did you annoy her again?" I asked the pink lizard pretending to play dead but his rising chest gave him away.
"Fine then, I guess no dinner for you tonight," with that the pink lizard opened his glittering purple eyes and jumped, croaking and screeching his defense.
Rio worked his defense for another five minutes before panting with stressed eyes, "Feeling better now that it's off your chest?" I ask as Rio stomps one of his rear legs in anger.
"Don't worry," I laugh at his cuteness, "Let's go eat dinner," standing up with Rio in my palms we enter my small house.
"Two years," I muttered as the warm wooden walls came into view. It had been two years since I escaped the brothel, life was still strange but I had gotten used to it. The different creatures, animals, and spirits were engraved in my head for safety measures.
The first week in Belur had been rough, narrowly avoiding death on so many occasions after dangerous encounters with beasts. By the end of the second month, I had a better understanding of hunting for food, where specific herds were, and had found Rio impaled on a branch. He never left my side after I saved him and fed him, now the skinny lizard was nowhere to be seen and instead, a plump gumball rolled around in my palm, enjoying the warmth of the fireplace in my house.
I had built this house by the end of the sixth month and kept adding more to it. It was one level, the kitchen and living room connected with just my bedroom and washroom. I had made a small path from the nearest rushing river to my house, having clean water constantly for cleaning, cooking, and baths.
The furniture was built by me as well but the cushions, pillows, and blankets I had to buy along with some dishes and cooking utensils and cutlery. I had also bought some vegetable seeds and fruits and planted them behind my house, Belur naturally provided them with nutrients and water so I didn't need to bother the plants except for when I was cooking. My house wasn't big but it was mine and it was just right.
"Come on Rio, let's dig in," placing my pet near his small bowl full of fresh deer meat and mushroom soup.
Having meals alone, talking to animals and the forest, and lazing around never seemed to bore me. I hadn't talked to a human or living being except for the floating spirits in two years and I liked it.
I cleaned the dishes and swept the house once more before brushing my teeth, taking a warm bath, and deciding to sleep in the living room in front of the fireplace tonight.
"Tomorrow, will be an even better day, just wait Rio," I mumble and smile as the pink lizard screeched in response before curling in the crook of my neck.
******
Two Years Later
I turned twenty-four today.
"Stel! Come on, quick you're going to miss it!" I look over to the small air spirit floating near my ears.
Today was also the day the spirits had set up a birthday party for me. Ever since that night two years ago, the spirits have been more comfortable with me, filling me in with the gossip and showing me what herbs to eat, what was there for pain, for fever, and which ones could kill instantly.
On top of that, they had also welcomed me into their lands where their spirit elders overlooked the safety of their spirits.
At first, they all hated me but as they saw my interactions and how their tiny babies floated around me not having gained their physical bodies yet, the elders started to trust me.
I haven't had dinner alone since that night and for once in my life, I felt that I was home.
"Coming! Let me dress up!" I answer, trying to shimmy my hips into the beautiful dress the spirits had made for me.
It was made of gigantic rose petals, each one falling on my body like water with straps to tie behind my neck. There was no back and it fell just below my knees. The boots they had made for me were made of the softest bear skin and deer fur reaching just to my knees.
Hurrying out of my house I followed the waiting spirit babies through a clear path I had carved to where all the elders resided. It wasn't anything different than the usual trees and nature except the air was fresher, the colors brighter, and not mention the laughter of my friends that highlighted my days.
"Stel! Happy Birthday my dear!"
"You're older now, one year closer to death.
Gee, thanks.
"My baby, you look so pretty!"
"Stel, I made you another dress, this one is violet, it suits your eyes!"
Many spirits, women, men, and children, all greeted me with warmth and I couldn't stop the grin forming as I hugged each one and started conversations forgetting that I was currently being led by the babies.
Only when I reached the large wooden table I had built a year ago did everyone around me quiet down as they waited for me to take a seat near the smiling elders.
There were four elders, one for each element, and a fifth seat in the middle where I usually sat. I still didn't know why they had insisted on me sitting in between them, nor did I understand their distant gazes as they looked at me, or the random tears, or the hugs full of sadness.
"Elders, how have you been?" a chorus of positive replies comes back at me and they take turns hugging me, patting my hair, and giving me a forehead kiss.
A strange feeling I could only describe as happiness blossomed in my chest and spread all over my body, enveloping me as I and all the spirits fell into chatter about my age, plans, and gossip of the world. The latter is my favorite.
"Astellia, dear, do you not want to go travel the world?" the fire elder asked me as her wrinkly handheld mine with worry in her eyes.
"I'm fine," I laugh. I was perfectly happy here why would they want me to leave them?
"My dear, you have big things ahead. You must leave one day and fly out into the world," the earth elder pressed the matter.
"No one whispers about you anymore, they have forgotten about you, you can go to the nearest village and enjoy delicious food," the air elder adds in.
"Yes! The outside world is advancing vastly in magic, fashion, technology, and so many interesting stuff. I heard they created a magic machine that can contact someone you want from any distance, even half-way across the world!" water added in with excitement before shutting up as the other elders looked at her.
The water elder had just been appointed newly, she was the youngest not much older than me but the others hadn't discriminated against her in any sort of way and welcomed her, fire had looked out for her, and earth and wind teased her like a younger sister.
"I just- I feel content with what I have now. I don't wish for anything more or less than all of you, all of this," I point around us and everyone listens in, "I'm home."
"We know my dear, you're home is with us and ours lies with you but you are also a human, despite what you say, you yearn for others like you," the fire elder told me as she pulled me in for a warm hug with water elder holding my hand, her coolness leveled my head and the rising feelings of distraught.
Then I say something I hid deep inside of me.
"I'm scared of them."
The fire elder's arms tightened around me, the rivers around me rushed loudly downstream, the earth shook slightly, and the air whipped my hair around my face.
"I know, my dear. You are terrified but just know, we will do anything and everything to protect you, even if it means destroying the peace we have with the other creatures and waging war. All of Belur stands with you. We are your home, so no matter what you decide to do, just send us a signal, and we will find you no matter what and bring you back here," the fire elder tapped the ruby ring on the index finger lightly before caressing the other rings from the other three elders.
All the other spirits around me smiled and waited for me to respond, taking a deep breath I pulled out of the elder's hug and looked at the others.
"I guess, a small trip to the town downhill won't hurt," as soon as the words left my mouth, the spirits around me cheered with delight.
"There is so much we can show you!"
"Let's go tomorrow!"
"We can finally buy you new shoes and some makeup!"
"The food!"
"Some new bathing soaps are out too! They will certainly freshen you up tons!"
"Now, now, promise me one thing, do not let anyone see your real body," the water spirit interrupted and winked at my hand.
I clasped the elegant blue jem with a thin golden band on my middle finger and smiled. She knew I was uncomfortable going out into the world with my female body so she had created a ring and embedded a small amount of her magic, one that could turn me into a male without some specific parts, I didn't want them anyways, they looked ugly.
"I promise that no one from the outside world shall see my face or bathe in my majestic glory!" I exclaim to all the spirits around me before continuing the night and finishing it with gifts and bonfire stories.