The One after my Heart

The sun was already up blazing in the sky as its rays pierced through the forest canopy gaps, showcasing its magnificence.

Apart from the usual tall trees that looked like oak or a maple tree, there some that made Kyra question her own eyes. Some trees weren't straight but twisted and curved on the ground, painting a scene from a horror portrait. There were all sorts of different shrubs and plants in here too. Some were insanely tall and few as tiny as a mayflower.

Even the wild animals were no different. Kyra caught sight of squirrels on the trees. It wasn't the usual brown coloured ones, but instead were maroon in colour and had a single white stripe on their back instead of the regular three bars.

The fruits and flowers in here were things she'd definitely never seen until today.

Kyra also found out how talented and intelligent Nisa was as the chatty teenager kept pointing at various bizarre plants and flowers, identifying them. 'Symphony bellflowers that made sounds like little bells jingling when the breeze swept by, dense green 'Melon-vine' creepers as thick as an arm that crept up on the trees going all the way to the top.

The shy 'Maiden' plant was very similar to a touch-me-not Mimosa plant. The only difference was one closed up its leaves while this one just burrowed itself underground when someone approached it. That's right, the entire plant burrowed itself into the ground! To Kyra, it even seemed like someone pulled inside the ground from underground. And what if there was? She couldn't hurry her steps as the thought cross her mind.

The girls, as they trekked, happened to catch the flowers transforming and changing their colour were mesmerised.

The trio found a thin stream of flowing water on the ground where they washed up. Nisa searched and brought a few soft twigs that smelt like mint. They used it to brush their teeth as they freshened up.

The three satisfied their hunger with fruits looking like wild strawberries that had the size of an apple. Though Nisa and Maya looked eager to climb the tree and fetch them, Kyra just wouldn't have it their way. What if the two had a fall and broke their back? Better her than them. Thankfully these not-so-tall trees were easy to climb. After a few unsuccessful hilarious attempts on her own, she managed to climb and threw them down towards the sister duo, who caught them using Kyra's jacket. Maggie's Christmas gift had truly served its purpose.

Their action was worth the effort. The rich flavoured juices burst out with a refreshing taste when one bit into these wild strawberry-like fruits. Kyra just couldn't have enough of them, and after a while, upon gorging quite a couple of those, she was worried about whether she'd sick after eating so many.

Time passed in each other's company. Kyra today had once again realised how active and curious little children could be since she and Nisa had their hands full busy trying to restrain Maya.

Just a few minutes ago, Maya ran towards a huge inverted, bell-shaped plant that was as tall as a person out of curiosity. Kyra rightly guessed that this was definitely some sort of a wild-carnivorous plant. The older two girls were just in time to pull back the little girl before it could snap shut.

Kyra was curious if there were any dangerous animals just like these plants. When she asked about it, Nisa grinned, pointing at herself.

"You're right. We after all the most dangerous species who destroy Nature around us." Kyra nodded in understanding. "But I meant, we're lucky to not come across any wild beast so far. Unless this forest had no wild beasts", she wondered her thoughts aloud.

Nisa was puzzled at first and then was amused as she let out a chuckle. "What are you talking about? Why would one destroy Nature? Earlier when I pointed at myself, I only meant, we haven't come across any wild beasts so far because of me." She put on her princess expression on her proud face.

"We've been avoiding the tracks and paths of wild animals across the forest. As a spirit witch, Maya and I are sensitive to all living things and their emotions around us. Hence it's easier to avoid their tracks and the direction they are moving in." She pointed at her sister and then at herself as she looked at Kyra eagerly as though she were expecting to be praised.

But Kyra didn't fall for it. She'd by now sensed that the teenage girl had a narcissistic side of her own.' Better nip in the bud and not encourage this.' Kyra nodded inwardly to herself.

But she had to admit these abilities were truly miraculous. That must also be the reason that Little Maya had warmed up to her right from the start since she's sensed that Kyra meant her no harm.

"If you can sense emotions from all living things, then how did you manage to get hoodwinked by that old witch from last night?" asked Kyra in return.

Nisa grumbled. This woman in front of her sure knew where to strike. Her ears went red as she defended herself. "Humans are the most devious and incomprehensible people. It's hard to know and guess what they're thinking at all times!"

Kyra thought about this and felt it was somewhat true. Humans were the most intelligent and yet the most treacherous of all creatures, after all. But somehow, as she looked at the teenage girl in front of her shifting her eyes all around avoiding her glance, she became suspicious.

"Or it just that our princess here is still young and not strong enough, that you can't sense the emotions of the humans around you? Isn't a princess supposed to be capable of anything? Tell me Nisa.," questioned Kyra softly with a teasing smile on her rosy lips, as though one were cajoling a kid to spill out the naughty deed he or she'd made. "The older spirit witches or mother can surely do it, isn't it?"

Like a deer caught frozen in headlights, Nisa was startled. 'Heck! This big sister is truly scary! Is she a spirit witch as well just like Maya and me? That must be it.'

Nisa would've sworn it that it was an elder sister from her coven who was pranking her if it weren't for the fact that she'd conducted the small blood magic spell on Kyra herself. Besides, due to the spell now, she even felt the connection between them and sensed Kyra's emotions even clearer compared to the rest of the people.

'Hmm, Mother will know what to do to help her.", she decided as she thought inwardly.

And then, the thought of her mother waiting for her and then her governess punishing her later made her cringe. It had already been two days since she'd gone missing. She was in big trouble.

Under Kyra's sly smile and questioning gaze, Nisa blurted out hastily with nervous laughter, "Y-yes..yes! Ahahaha- you're right I'm not strong enough yet."

Hearing Nisa's confession, Kyra felt a small victorious smile creep up on her lips. She was amazed, though, upon hearing the capabilities of a spirit witch.

Kyra couldn't hold herself back from asking. "Is Bree a spirit witch just like you as well?"

Nisa sighed with an elder's air as she gazed at the gorgeous woman in front of her. She had to begrudgingly accept that this woman was one of the most beautiful women she'd seen until today, apart from herself, of course.

"Hai- You've probably lost all of your memories, Kyra. Witches come in all types. I mean there are all sorts of abilities or bloodline talents that one could be inherently born with. Bree's more of an element type of witch. Don't worry, you'll learn everything and even most definitely regain your memories soon as we return to the capital."

"Hey! Maya! Don't touch that mushroom, it's poisonous!! Really, what am I supposed to do with you!" screamed out Nisa pulling back her sister.

Kyra curiosity was snubbed at Nisa's outburst as she saw the older teen drag her cute little sister and place her between the two adults here. Kyra wore a wry smile on her face.

Kids! You just couldn't...no.. that's wrong...you "weren't" allowed to take your eyes off them!

It had been around five hours now since Kyra, Nisa and Maya had started their trek in order to exit the forest they were currently in. Their destination was Dartwood city.

At first, Kyra was worried that they were bound to get lost without any directions or bearing.

But then her doubts were assuaged when she saw Nisa whistle out to a bird that was as tiny as a sparrow that was sitting on one of the tree's branches that they were walking by.

To Kyra's wonder, she saw the two communicate to each other! The blonde-haired teenager who acted like a princess kept asking questions, and the tiny bird responded back with nods and chirps of its own. Truly a wonder!

"Chippy here says that we're just a few miles away from the forest's exit.", said Nisa as she pointed at the bird as she gave it a name.

"Chirp, chirp", the bird happily replied as though affirming it.

'So adorable!', that's what Kyra thought. Maya had long picked it up in her hands, petting and stroking its feathers gently with a big smile.

Kyra offered it one of the wild strawberries she'd carried on her, to which the bird happily chirped back. After taking a few bites and having its fill, it flew around them in circles for a while before it took off into the air, but, not before it let out a few more chirps in their direction as it left.

"Did it thank us?" asked Kyra with a smile looking at the cheerful bird flying away.

"Yeah", Nisa nodded. "But Chirpy also mentioned something else before she flew away", muttered a dazed Nisa as she looked at Kyra with a lost look on her face.

Kyra looked at the teenage girl whose gentle pink lips were slowly starting to quiver in excitement.

The blonde teenage girl's eyes glinted, and they seemed to shine with a strange light, as though a pirate had finally seen treasure and gold.

Nisa turned towards Kyra with a beaming smile.

"It appears, I've finally managed to find the magical Kitthale!"