The time passed like fog from mornings.
Maria started gathering wood with Amelia from the forest. Miata started to make cures and medicines for vital wounds and Nora helped her planting herbs and searching for plants on the jungle.
Nora and Miata used to cure people while Zoe and Twila used to take care of plants and fruits they used to sell on the market.
And finally the day came when they finally had their own home. It was a sunny day and the birds were singing on the branches of the Jungle. A small empty land on the edge of the town.
"I can't believe i am going to do this today" Nora breathed, though her excitement was clear on her expression.
"Yeah you are". Miata whispered, her hand on Nora's shoulder. "We are not surviving Nora. Now, finally we are living".
"You are right. We are... finally living".
Then she looked at Maria who was leaning against a tree nearby.
The ground trembled softly beneath theirbare feet as she pressed her palm against the damp soil. A faint green glow spiraled from her fingers, slipping into the earth like roots searching for light.
"Come on" she whispered, closing her eyes. "Wake up".
The forest answered.
Vines pushed through the dirt, weaving together in spirals. Saplings shot upward, their branches curling inward understanding her vision. The ground cracked open to reveal roots thicker than beams, twisting into sturdy walls. Leaves unfolded, layering themselves into a living roof that shimmered with dew. The scent of fresh moss filled the air.
At her side Twila tilted her head and let out a soft trill.
"Help me bind it" Nora said.
Twila closed her eyesand opened her mouth, scattering droplets of emerald light. Wherever they fell, the wood thickened, the vined braided tighter, the house becoming whole. A doorway of intertwined branches formed and windows opened like flowers, letting in the breeze.
When it was done, Nora stepped back, breathing hard but smiling because it not only a shelter for them but a dream, a place finally they can call theirs.
Nora hugged Miata with excitement. While Maria remained leaning on the tree, though a small smile tugged to her lips, only visible if anyone looked closely and Amelia did.
You just smiled, didn't you?
"Wha...what are you saying" Maria blurted then with a sight "Ok.. ok. So you noticed" she admitted. Then softly, only for Amelia to her she added, " it's been a year Amelia. One year after that incident. I can't forget that incident, never. But this..." she watched Nora and Miata "...this warmth, their smiles... it's the only thing i ever wished for and i can do anything for this smile of theirs, everything".
You will, i know. Do you know what, in this whole one year, i learned many things about you-that you are not weak, you are not helpless, you are not someone who waits for others to protect them but you can protect yourself and the people around you.
"No" she sight, looking at the stars, "I am alive only because Miata and Nora, because you are here with me".
That night, when they finally slept on their home, Miata remained awake, watching the night sky above from the garden. Zoe approached from behind.
You are still awake?
"So you are" Miata whispered, still watching the above sky.
Zoe stood beside her and she followed Miata's gaze above the sky. Then turning her head Miata whispered "Today... i watched her- I watched sister- she is still same and also changed at once. She stopped laughing. I Maria i knew is now vanished somewhere, leaving a girl torn between guilt and belonging" she sighed then again turned her head up to the sky, " I don't know if i can be like her even a little bit. But reality is harsh Zoe".
Zoe didn't said anything at first, letting Miata's words mix on the air, then to Miata's surprise she said, You don't need to be like Maria or anyone. The bravery is not on being like someone else, but the bravery is on understanding yourself and to make yourself better on what you want and what you are capable of.
Miata turned to her, her eyes shimmered with tears she was holding back and for her own surprise, she embrace Zoe without her will.
"You are...you are everything for me Zoe. You don't know what you really belongs to".
Years passed. Miata started practicing swordmanship while collecting woods with Amelia. Miata and Nora, they also started helping each other on fighting skills and Zoe and Twila were their mentor and their master.
Life was never simple and easy for them. People still used to see them with that disgust and cold eyes. But now that becomes a normal thing for them because they are already tired of it and they already adopted that no matter what they will do, people never stop treating them with disgust.
It was evening, when things changed. A group of demons attacked on the town. People started scattering everywhere. And on that chaos, someone was waiting of this moment for years.
"Do you know what Amelia, the will is in our choice that we have to fight or escape again. But this time, i am not going to let that happen again!"