PART TWO

[NOWO's POV]

Every flower starts as a seed, and logically, every seed of a flower comes from another flower. It’s just a cycle from which something is created by or comes from some other thing. Compared to all individuals existing in this human world, each one of us has our own source. I see myself as one of those flowers. The place where I grew up symbolizes water, and it has made me a better person now. But would I possibly grow up properly even without sunlight? What kind of grown-up person am I if my life has been gloomy since I was born? I will never find the light I need, but I do hope to encounter that light soon. I want to end the darkness inside me. Not only that, but I never wish to live this kind of life eternally.

“Wake up.” I slowly open my eyes as I hear that very familiar voice. “Nowo, wake up.”

My vision is kind of blurry, so I blinked for a second. “M-m-moha?” I asked.

I felt so weak that I couldn’t even move my hands. Clueless—that’s the best word to describe me now. I wonder why mysterious and creepy things suddenly happen, but the most important thing now is that he’s here, and I have nothing to worry about since I’m not alone anymore.

“Thank god,” he joyfully said.

As I regain my strength, I tour my eyes around us, “Where are we?” I curiously asked.

“I don’t know either,” he answered. “Maybe we are sent to a place like a forest or something.” He shrugged. “That locker was the best teleporter I’ve ever seen in my whole life, Nowo.” He added.

“You know what?” I asked.

“Ummm?” he answered, and then he smiled at me.

“I wanted to beat your face for answering such a non-related answer to my question.” I murmured. “Why would you say something about the locker when my question is referring to a place?” I rolled my eyes. “Forget it. You seemed calm and not afraid of what’s happening here.” I added.

“Of course I am, but how am I supposed to feel afraid when I know you are? Who will be your strength then? If we are both afraid, what is going to happen to us both?” He said seriously.

It feels creepier that Moha is being serious for the very first time. Well, it makes him even more than I thought.

“Sorry.” That was the only word I could respond to in this kind of situation.

“It’s ok, apology accepted.” He said and then smiled.

I smiled back.

“So, what are you planning to do now?” I asked.

“Hmmm...let’s see. Since everywhere we went is familiar, I’m planning to go underground to search for the locker room. I mean, if you would notice, we're still in HIA, but I guess it’s the different side of it.” He stated.

Yeah… He’s totally right. It’s still the same HQ we were in before, so we can still find our way back.

“I don’t understand.” I answered.

“Who? Me?” He replied.

“Nah. It’s not you I couldn’t understand, but those whose rank is higher than us. Why did they let us open that locker without any warning?” I asked.

“They did give us a warning.” He said seriously.

“Did they?”

He nodded and said, “Have a sweet nightmare.”

“Oh……..that’s right. Why did I realize that just now? I’d prefer to do tasks, train and promote thousands of people in headquarter than being in here.” I cast.

He chuckled.

“I’m serious. Don’t make me give you the prettiest kick on earth.” I said, and then I rolled my eyes.

“Don’t worry, I promise everything is going to be alright.” He said and then smiled.

Well, it’s because I trust him a lot, I believe everything he said and will say. I should thank him because he’s simply here with me again. I feel really safe.

I was thinking about where that lovely fairy went? Yes, I really am not trusting anyone easily now because of what’s happening right now. But I just can’t ignore these questions I wanted to ask her. Also, I admit that I’m a bit concerned about that fairy.

*****

[LANE's POV]

I’m flying back to the place where I left Nowo; she’s still sleeping, I guess. I brought her some delicious and lovely fruits so she can eat and gain her strength back. As I got nearer and nearer, I noticed that she’s no longer there, :o I quickly went near that place where she used to sleep. I suddenly bumped into a male fairy. We both fell to the ground, and our little bodies, including our heads, were both aching.

He stood up first and flew near me, “Sorry.” He smiled and slightly scratched his head.

“It’s alrighty, little one.” I replied as I held his hand. “Thanks.” I added.

I tried to fly, but both of my wings seemed to have a problem, “I can’t fly.” I said and frowned. “My wings are broken.” I added.

“Don’t worry, I can get 'em back.” He joyfully said. “Will you please turn around, little one?” He asked.

“O-oh, o-of course.” I did what he said, and then suddenly I felt that my wings are fine.

“Yay! Thankie, little one. I owe you a lot.” I joyfully say.

“Well, uhm, you’re welcome.” He smiled. “But it’s ok, you didn’t have to owe me anything.” He added.

He’s so nice to me, like an angel. Let me rephrase that, ‘like a little angel’ u

“But I want to pay you back for saving my poor little wings.” I said while pouting.

“If that’s the case, then sure.” He smiled. “Will you help me find Moha? I’m his guardian. We got attacked by centaurs and got separated from each other.” He stated.

“Sure thing. I’m actually looking for someone too. Her name is Nowo, and I’m her guardian.” I flew near the place where I left her. “She used to sleep here before I flew out to get some little fruits, but when I got back, which is just now when I bumped into you, she’s already gone.” I replied.

“I see. We should find them before the sky gets dark; it’s too dangerous for them both, since they still don’t know how to fight.” He murmured.

“Alrighty. Let’s go now!” I shouted as I raised my fist, which looks like I’m ready for a big fight u

He chuckled and then whispered something.

“What did you say?” I asked.

“What I’ve said is, you’re really cute, little one.” He said, and then he slowly flew away from me.

Oh no, he’s so charming and cool. I’m blushing. Waaaaaaah! Maybe not? I’m not, I’m really not blushing because my whole body is totally red. Kidding.

I flew near him, “Wait for me!”

*****

[NOWO's POV]

“What are they?” I asked Moha.

“I don’t know,” he replied. He moved his right arm to my chest, trying to protect me. “All that I know is, we are not supposed to trust anyone, anything, here on the other side of HQ.” He added. He looks very serious, looks like he’s going to kill those unknown with his sharp looks.

I think I’ve seen them before, in a book or on the internet. I do guess they are centaurs, a half human, half horse mythical creature. They have the body of a horse and the torso, head, and arms of a man. They were considered to be the children of Iion, king of the Lapiths, and Nephele, a cloud made in the image of Hera.

“Hey Moha.” I whispered.

“Why?” He asked.

“I think I do know what they are.” I said.

“Really?” He asked again.

“Mm.” I nodded. “Centaurs.”

“Knowing their name wouldn’t save us, Nowo.” He replied.

“Of course, I know. But I did manage to remember not just their name, but how to defeat them.” I again whispered.

He gave me the ‘are-you-serious?’ look, so I nodded. That is one piece of evidence that we really knew each other well.

“How?” He seriously asked.

“Run.” I grabbed his arms and ran away as fast as we could.

Centaurs are getting nearer and nearer, I didn’t even think about them, that they are half horses. When they were about to jump on us, I thought they were going to be dying cockroaches crushed by a big, heavy rock. But then something happens, those centaurs were floating like balloons. :o As we managed to look around and see who did that amazing thing, I saw two fairies, which the girl one looks familiar with.

“Hiya, Nowo, Dear.” The fairy said.

She’s the fairy I’ve met before. The one who made me sleep. “O, Moha? You’re here too?” The little guy fairy said.

“Nice to see you again, Talaa.” Moha said.

“You guys know each other? How come? Is he your guardian or something?” I asked them.

“Well, yeah. He said he’s my guardian. But how did you know about guardians? You mean?” Moha replied.

“Uh---yeah, Lane is my guardian and the reason why you found me sleeping in the middle of nowhere.” I murmured.

“Sorry about that, my dearest Nowo, I just want to give you some little fruits to eat, but when I come back, you’re already gone.” Lane said.

“That’s right.” Talaa uttered. “ And we are here ‘cause we’re both looking for ya.” He added.

“O----sorry centaurs. I forgot to put you down hihi~” Lane said.

The little guy, who is named Talaa, made a big hole under those big centaurs before Lane put them down. He closed it quickly after all centaurs had sunk below.

“Perfect!” They both said in chorus.

I enjoyed watching them both; they look so perfect together, like partners fighting the evil creatures. I don’t know why, but I think I’m starting to trust those cute little fairies who saved us from a deadly situation.

*****

“When everything is going down, and you felt like you’re already at the end of everything, you must learn to have faith. Have faith that there’s always help to come for you, to reach your hand and to take all the fear you had in your heart. Just don’t think of dying; you must think of living, ‘cause a person who has no hope is already dead even if his or her heart's still beating.”