Lunaista-chapter three, the journey

Country: Lunaista
Town: Outside of the Capital City
Date: 10/5/2055
Time: 9:38 pm
Day: Tuesday

Fire.
Deadly and beautiful,
a source of life.
But fearful Akria;
has a secret,
she is afraid of fire.
Hates it,
in fact....

The moon was beautiful tonight, the tiny silver still shined brightly in the dark night sky. The air was extra crisp as it carried the cold wet fall air making my clothes a little heavy. Though even under the beautiful moonlight I still could not be happy, no I was completely anxious. He told me tonight we were going to train for the upcoming festival which I was now informed moved to the winter solstice, December 21 2055.

He said that training would only be at night for now on, under the moonlight. The new moon was the exception, at first I disagreed with this since I would have to change my schedule around. Don't get me wrong I am a night owl but it reminded too much of my past that I am trying to forget about.  Eventually giving into Beck, knowing I really can't win without his help. We started our night training which for now has been non stop running through the forests outside of the capital's walls.

Though he didn't need to run since being immortal stayed forever strong, and young. He thought I needed his constant pushing when I wanted to stop running. Wanting to kick his ass, I couldn't reach him because he always would sprint ahead of me. Going through trails I have never been we say new sights of the ruins I have only have dreamed to see.  

The ruins were the modern world's towns or cities. Since most of humanity was wiped out the cities and towns that were not livable anymore they were abandoned. The forests grew over the wreckage and eventually the destroyed buildings that barely survived those horrible times. It was almost spiritual seeing these buildings as each time we explored a new one I could literally feel all those lives emotions as the solar flare hit the Earth. Sadness, Fear, Anger all very horrible emotions that emotionally drained my own aura and clouded my chakras. After word we had to immediately find a water spring so we could purify our chakras.

Tonight was no different well except he told me to dress warm and in my best boots for hiking/combat. So I wore my thick flannel jacket with thermal enchanted black jeans. With my same old thigh high boots and gear in case we ran into bandits. My scarf was my favorite as it was the only thing left from that house. Finally I wore my favorite jewelry; two bottom earrings were long dangly crescent moons and feathers. The top were diamond encrusted hoops with my pendant which was given to me from my father. Since it was colder I wore my hair down, I actually brushed my hair today which straightened it. Reaching half way down my back with my beanie tucking my long side bangs out of my face.

After an hour of waiting I was about to head back home but when I turned around to go home Beck appeared out of no where like his usual self. Scaring me half to death I noticed he was dressed in a thick black coat, dark jeans, and brown combat boots. He wore his favorite blue ball cap backwards with the biggest smile on his face.

"Ready for a three day hike and back to where they first found me," he said holding two hiking backpacks full of supplies.

"You really think I am going anywhere with you for almost a week and at nights you are crazy," I told him popping my right hip out when I crossed my arms.

This was under protest but I really did want to see ground zero. Not only was this where Beck was originally "found" but this place use to be a huge city in the modern world.

"I know you want to see the bridge that is still mostly intact," he teased me as he knew I always wanted to see this ruin but it was forbidden or any citizen except those with special access. I guess I finally fall into this category, being an elemental master was starting to have its perks.

"Fine," I mumbled as Beck hugged me with a childlike aura.

Releasing me quickly as he realized he was holding me. He picked up what looked like the lighter bag and gave it to me. Strapping it on it was at least fifty to sixty pounds but it felt like nothing, looking back to the capital on last time before we left. I could see the light from the castle's towers that watches the whole capital.

"Ready to go Akria," Beck asked me in his smooth voice he always used with woman.

"Yeah let's go," I sighed realizing I was already regretting my decision to go on this trip.

The whole night we walked along the trail Beck called 'Path of Tears' that lead to one of the main highways that leads to the 'bridge' that leads into the forbidden city. The dense forest was starting to let up as I could start to see the huge meadow we here heading for. Though it was at least another two hours till we even broke the tree line.

My backpack was starting to get heavy as the lack of sleep was starting to get to me but I didn't stop. I wasn't going to be weaker than Beck but sooner or later we had to camp somewhere for the night. The two hours were treacherous, the sun was so hot as my exposed skin was getting sun burnt. My long straight hair has now became a sweaty rats nest that I wrapped into a bun after tearing off my beanie. The jacket was tied on my bag as the straps were rubbing into the sun burn rubbing it raw.

The trees were not the same pine trees I was use to, I think they were Eucalyptus trees covered the sides of the meadow that seemed to stretch for miles in each direction.

"This once was a highway where the modern age people drove those mechanical contraptions that polluted our Earth," Beck explained.

He then pointed to one of this contraptions that was completely broken down and rusted like every other 'car' we saw. The meadow itself wasn't a meadow but was a road that was paved with 'tar' another contraption the modern aged used to polluted the Earth. Evidence that even under the thin layer of grass you could still see its black exterior.

"We will stay here for the night since we have water and food supplies," Beck stated before we went any further on the highway.

"Where at there isn't any coverage really for a shelter," I said looking around for any good trees but since we left the tree lines we were in complete open meadows.

"We have a tent, though since this is a highway there still isn't any trees around. Let's just stay over there by those boulders, it will shield us from the wind if it gets windy," he suggested as I just nodded.

I was really too tired to debate with him so we dusted out the area for large rocks or branches. Then set up the tent from my bag, while laying out each sleeping bag that rolled out with a small pad for cushion. Setting our bags in the tent, I grabbed my bag to create a water shield around it to protects us. After drawing the last symbol I joined Beck next to the small fire he made since it was dusk out. The sun was setting just over the green hills in the far North as they also stretched on for miles.  

Diner was dried beef jerky, fruits, and vegetables with stale bread. Luckily we had ice cool water to wash it down with since Beck was the water spirit. Exhausted I could barely keep my eyes open even though my sunburn was radiating so much heat from under my tee shirt. Fighting to stay awake, Beck carried me into the tent where he tucked me in like a child before he crawled into his sleeping bag to fall asleep. Minutes later I lost the fight as my heavy eyes and aching body faded into the sleepy darkness.