Once upon a time, there was a little girl who has had a difficult, but full life. Despite being on her own since her mother died when she was but a baby, barely taking a single, wobbly step before crashing on her behind, the child has been blessed with great fortune. Wide-eyed curiosity and enduring innocence, Akira has gone from orphan with absolutely nothing to loved by many, which led to adopted and looked after. In her travels, she has met a plethora of interesting people, worming her way into their hearts.
The child has even started bringing home to her mothers many different pets. Phoenix, fairy dragons, rose hydras, a Tibbit who was one of her two favorite, and finally Neera the Puca. Of all of her companions, it was Neera who was always with her. What Akira liked best about the puca was the many forms she could take. When they had first met, she was a mermaid, and now often rests in Akira’s clothing as a small creature, or beside her as something else. Her forms were limitless.
She looked after the child, protecting her, while they were traveling. Neera was a voice of reason in many situations, steering Akira with her safety as number one priority. There was some tension in the air that the puca really did not like the feel of, and thus began to urge the child home. It was this reason that they were traveling through the Valley of Vada, the crystalline forest. Due to the heat, Akira rode on the back of a dragon. Neera’s steady pace was as a gentle sway of the ocean, nearly putting the child to sleep.
As her eyes slowly blinked in a sleepy fashion, the foxling took in the petrified forest, and beautiful crystals. Any other time, she would attempt to dart off, screaming “shiny!”, making a beeline for the item seen. However, the child smiled. Everything felt different here, this time, brighter and more at peace. Nothing could bring the child’s spirit down as she drifted in bliss. Suddenly, the child sat up.
”What is it, child?”
”Akira saw something.”
”Do you know what?”
”Person.”
Somewhere in the trees was a woman. Akira scrambled off the dragon’s back, but still felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking back, Neera had shifted immediately into that of an elf similar to Celeste, one of her adopted mothers. ”It’s not safe off the path.” All the same, the child strained to peer around the trees, hoping for another glimpse of the woman. Dressed in sheer white sleeveless dress, a woman with cascading black hair took measured steps toward the odd pair. Bracelets adorned one hand with an armlet and matching necklace.
It was her smile that called out to the child most. Akira stood transfixed, her eyes following the line of the woman’s nose, the shape of her lips, and a beautiful set of dark golden eyes. ”Oh…” When the woman was finally at the path, she knelt until she was eye level with the child. ”My, have you grown, Akira.” The child, taken quite by surprise, shrank into the puca, hugging her leg. Without moving, the woman regarded Neera. ”You have done well, my friend.” ”Neera…”
The puca sighed, scooped up the child and began to walk down the path once more. Whoever the strange woman was, she stood and followed behind. ”I don’t expect you to remember me, child.” Confusion was written all over the child’s face, and once more, Neera sighed. ”There’s something I must tell you, Akira. I didn’t know how to before, but now I have no choice.” Neera had not realized she even stopped, just standing there and hugging the child close as Akira peered over her shoulder at the woman with wide eyes.
”I was there when you were born. I watched as you grew. At the end, I ran, but still watched over you. The woman who gave you bread, the man who left out a pitcher of clean water. All the gifts of clothing, sweets, and food.. It was all me.” Now, Akira’s attention had switched to Neera, her confusion worse than before. ”But why? Why hide from Akira?” For a long while, everyone was quiet, tears silently streaming down Neera’s face. ”Because I was selfishly grieving, upset my friend had died. And then you disappeared and I didn’t know what to do. But when you came back, I renewed my vows to your mother… And followed you.”
”My… Mother?” Silence descended upon the group as Akira began to piece together the recent information she absorbed. Ever so slowly, the child came to a realization and peered at the woman behind Neera once more. ”My.. Mother?” The woman smile and nodded, tears in her eyes. ”Yes, my darling. And I don’t blame you, Neera. You have ensured she survived this entire time. In death, you have my gratitude. Continue watching over her.” Akira scrambled out of the puca’s arms and scurried until she stood inches before the woman. ”Mommy?” Once more, the woman went to eye level, tucking some hair behind the child’s shoulder.
”You look so much like your father. But you have my face. Listen to Neera, okay? Always remember, that I loved you until my dying breath.” After planting a tender kiss on Akira’s forehead, the woman stood and began to walk away into the forest. ”MOTHER!” Yet, she was scooped up again by Neera. ”You can’t. Let her go…” The puca knew this was a dream, somehow spawned by the odd events that are beginning to stir. It didn’t make it any easier to deal with, but she had to be the adult here, and protect the child. ”Let’s get you home to Sularia…” Akira buried her face in Neera’s shoulder, crying over losing her mother after only so soon finding her.
Somewhere deep down, however, the foxling knew that her mother could never be with her. But to see her, the child became determined to never forget her face. ”Neera? Remind me… To thank god of dream?” ”Yes, child.” "Neera? Tell me about mother?" "Well… She was a lot like you."
