Nova groaned as her body felt stiff and heavy. She has started to get used to waking up in pain. She felt the presence of Tempest next to her, giving her some comfort. Hopefully, her father didn’t punish her.

Reluctantly, she forced herself up to her training area, but she was no longer in the pond. Did Tempest pull her out somehow? Before she could question the strength of her spirit she notices a presence behind her. The witch she saved from Jarca Vale.

When Nova first saw Eden she thought her hair was brown but now up close her hair was a dull purple that shone when sunlight hit it. She had unblemished olive skin which was in striking contrast to her own pale skin.

How and when did she get here?  

“Thank the greater spirits you're awake,” Tempest cried, “you have no idea how worried I was.”

“I’m sorry Tempest, but why is Eden here?”

Tempest looks to Eden who was staring blankly at them. “I didn’t know who else to get. You were bleeding pretty badly, but Eden has healing magic and she saved you.” Tempest attempted to hug Nova, but it was awkward with her wings.

“You have healing magic?” Eden nodded starting to slowly regret healing Nova. “Huh,” healing magic wasn’t rare per se but no covens around the area had that magic. But she supposes that since Jarca Vale’s witches were witches running away from their old homes one of the faraway covens always found their way there.

“Well, you have my thanks, but please do not mention this to anyone.” Eden didn’t even know too many people to tell.

“Will you be all right if I left?” Eden asked still unsure about how they should act. Nova was an heir to the Raven Orchid and was one of the rarer soul-bonded witches.

Nova just thinks Eden is a healing witch who has no coven to return to.

“Can you stay a bit longer?” Nova didn’t know why she asked but for now, she wants to pretend there is nothing beyond this cove.

Eden sat calmly next to her patting Tempest; the wolves were long gone as the sun was rising. The cove was just beautiful in the daylight. The flower now bloomed, in a range of colours dancing in the soft breeze. Nova ignored the ache in her body as she watched clouds drift past the sky.

Bri was probably in a panic when she realised Eden was gone but she’d hide her distress knowing that she’ll get in trouble if she admitted she lost her. Nova would make an excuse that she took Eden for a walk or something.

But for now, she just wants to relax, something that she rarely gets time to do.

“Why did you heal me?” Nova finally broke the silence that fell upon them.

Eden went to answer but bit her tongue trying to figure out how to articulate it.

“I suppose, I had nothing to lose from helping you.”

“But you also have nothing to gain either,” Nova studied Eden. It was simple, Eden could have left but she didn’t.

Nova looked were an ugly scar slash across her lower stomach. Her clothes were beaten and wet. Her father doesn’t want her to return until she has ‘learned her lesson’. So, she is stuck in these clothes for the time being.

Normally she would wait in the nearby village until her father calmed down, but she wanted too far away from him. She took a glance at Eden who was struggling to comb her matted hair. Without saying anything, Nova started to gently brush her hair. Nova had short hair except for the two long strands, so she hardly had to brush her hair.

But for someone with such a long as Eden, she was hopeless had brushing the thick hair. Nova delicately removed the woven flowers putting them to the side. Nova let all her thoughts go as she concentrated on brushing Eden’s hair.

Eden was as stiff as a tree as she felt Nova’s fingers in her hair. She didn’t know how to react. Many people had played with her hair over the years. They always said, ‘It's calming and relaxing’ but Eden never saw the point. People always complimented her hair and begged her to let them style it. Honestly, she despised how long her hair was. It was always getting caught on things and mattered quickly. But it brought comfort to people, so she supposes it isn’t too bad.

When Nova was finished braiding Eden’s hair and thought developed in her mind.

“How about I take you to the Stella Oak?”

Eden froze, have an heir to Orchid Raven escort her? On the other hand, she wouldn’t have to wait for them to come here. Debating with herself, the quicker she can leave the better.

“It would be my honour.”

She could always ditch Nova when they reach Stella Oak or even during the journey. Nova gathered herself up before pulling Eden up off the ground. The asleep Tempest awoke and looked at Nova.

“Tempest we’ll be heading to the coastal town, Hebcastle Cove.” Tempest just stared at Nova before ruffling her feathers and huffed. She was upset that she had woken up for more traveling. With a power beat of her wings, Tempest took herself in the air not waiting for the other two to follow.

Eden doesn’t think she’ll ever get used to the mist around the forest. It feels like she is walking blind.

“Don’t go too far Tempest,” Nova yelled at the raven who was flying above them.

“Says you, remember when you lost me, and I had to spend hours looking for you?”

Nova kept her eyes focused on the magic flowing through the mist. Eden tried to copy her but no luck. This mist was only meant to allow Raven Orchids through.

“Greetings child,” Eden snapped her head around to see a dark figure in the mist. Tempest and Nova were both still chatting away. Eden eyes the figure as it grows close.

Ignoring the beast, she kept on walking behind the others. But the figure she walked next to her. Its eyes studied her and hummed. “It is rare to see another greater spirit,” Eden’s heart spiked as she stole a glance at the figure.

Stepping out of the mist, a large black feathers beast walks next to her. It had the body of a large dire wolf, but it was covered in inky feathers and massive shiny wings. On its face was a large bird skull but Eden could see the head underneath the skull.

“You have my thanks little flocking,” it turned to the others, “you saved my child’s bonded. Most would have killed the witch and stolen both her and her bonded powers. I’m most curious about you.” Eden wanted to run for the woods.

Eden has not ever met a greater spirit. Most never leave their areas so for them to meet was nearly impossible. And of all the spirits she has to meet was a spirit whose power felt ancient and reeked of death.

Eden Concept Art made by me