As I heard the enthusiastic shout of my name, "Yelaina!", I immediately turned my head to see who it was. It was none other than my dear sister Freya, who welcomed me with open arms and a warm embrace. She tightly wrapped her arms around me, pulling me in close.
This was no doubt Freya, with her jet-black hair that rivaled mine, her blue eyes that sparkled brightly against the noon sun, her tanned skin, the dimples that appeared every time she smiled, and her unparalleled beauty. People often said we were simply younger versions of our mother, who bore our father's hair and eyes, but Freya and I were more than that.
We were prodigies, with talents and abilities that set us apart from others. We shared a bond that went beyond blood, we were sisters, and best friends, confidants, and partners in crime. We were two halves of a whole, and her loss had left a gaping hole in my life that I didn't know could ever be filled again. But here she was, standing in front of me, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and gratitude that fate had given me a second chance to have her back in my life.
I was confused as the Freya I knew was no longer with me, but it couldn't have been a dream. I could feel every sensation, the heat of her body, the pulse of her heart, and the individual huffing and puffing of her breath as she regained her composure.
"OW!" I exclaimed as she pinched my cheeks. "Why are you crying?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. It was only then that I realized I was crying, streams of tears running down my face. My entire body shivered and my heart fluttered as I recalled her death, yet she was standing in front of me once more. I couldn't comprehend how this was possible, my mind was a jumbled mess of emotions as I tried to make sense of what was happening.
Was this some kind of miracle or a cruel trick of my mind? I couldn't tell, but the sight of her, alive and well, had left me in a state of shock and disbelief.
"Big sis," I whimpered as I pulled her into a hug. "I've missed you so much," I exclaimed, my voice cracking with emotion. Freya's eyes showed clear signs of worry as she looked at me, confusion etched on her face. "What are you saying right now, Yelaina? Are you off your meds or something?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
"I have to tell Tristan and introduce you to my son!" I exclaimed happily, trying to push away the confusion and sadness that was creeping in.
Freya tilted her head in confusion at my words. "Who's Tristan? A boyfriend?" she questioned.
I was struck by the realization that the family I had built with Tristan and our son Emrys was something that Freya was aware of even before her death, yet the person before me didn't know. Was my life with Tristan and Emrys all just a cruel dream? The thought sent a wave of despair through me. The idea of losing them, of them never having existed, was too much to bear. I couldn't accept that this was reality and I needed answers.
[Dispel]
I recited the incantation with fervor, desperately hoping to break free from what I suspected was a magical imprisonment. But to my dismay, nothing happened, not even the slightest shift in the wind.
"You idiot!" Freya exclaimed, slapping me on the top of my head. "Have you forgotten that the elders sealed off your magic until the end of the week for what you did?" she scolded me, her voice filled with frustration.
As I stood there, memories of the past began to flood my mind and I vividly remembered this exact moment. Was I trapped in a memory? If so, how would I escape? I felt a sense of panic rising within me as I desperately searched for a way out. The idea of being stuck in the past, unable to move forward, was a terrifying thought. I had to find a way to break free from this cycle and return to the present. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, focusing on the present moment and trying to push away the memories that were pulling me in. I had to believe that there was a way out and that I could find it.
"You're creeping me out, little sis. Snap out of it!" Freya exclaimed, shaking me violently in an attempt to stop my strange behavior. "Let's just go home. I came here to see you after your encounter with the elders," she explained, her voice filled with concern.
"Are you alright?" she asked, her eyes filled with worry.
"Yes, I am," I replied, examining my surroundings. We were in Tlachtga Forest, a place where young offenders came to reflect upon themselves for a period of time before returning to their families.
It was clear that simply envisioning a way out wouldn't free me from the grasp of this dream. So, I had no other choice but to go along with it until I could find a way to break free from its confines.
The walk home was somewhat awkward, with Freya constantly trying to raise questions that I always deflected. "Why would you use your magic on an Arrington hotshot like that?" she scolded suddenly, her voice filled with anger and disappointment.
I smiled weakly, which clearly made Freya feel guilty for thinking that she may have made me regret my actions. But I was anything but regretful. I was just happy to be spending time with her, even if the circumstances were strange. However, I knew that this moment was temporary and that I would soon have to leave her once again. At this time, I was 14 and she was 15, and the thought of losing her again made my heart ache. I knew that I had to cherish this moment, to soak in every detail of her face and her voice, to commit it to memory so that I could hold on to it even when she was gone. I didn't know what the future held, but I was determined to make the most of the time we had together.
As we continued on our journey, passing by clusters of trees and the occasional druid household, we finally arrived at my doorstep. A beautiful balcony that offered a picturesque view of the rising sun surrounded by lush forest and trees. The exterior of the house was constructed with wood and it was only two floors. It was cozy and inviting, the perfect home for my family and I. But my thoughts were interrupted by the reality that I had to go back to my life with Tristan, Emrys and my unborn child. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss, that this moment was temporary and that soon I would have to say goodbye to Freya once again. I knew that I had to cherish this moment and make the most of the time I had with her, before I had to return to my reality.
The interiors of the house would have shocked the average newcomer with just how deceivingly spacious it was. It wasn't particularly colorful, but it looked more like the average hunting lodge that humans often had. There were no trophies on the walls, but there were staffs, wands, and books that related to my people.
I took a deep breath in as I walked into the living room, this would be the first time I would see my parents since I had abandoned them, and I was filled with nerves. I knew that my actions had hurt them deeply which was why I wanted to see them look at me like their daughter and not with disappointment.
I took a deep breath and mustered up the courage.
"Hey mom, hey dad."