Aura - Holy Power of Mana: Heart of Rebirth
Jan 16 02:59:13 2005

Aura waited for what seemed like eternity before the dryad's
tiny voice reformed, though it seemed to have dropped in
volume since the few moments prior when she last spoke. Despite
the silence, she had to strain just to hear.

Soon... you learn, soon. We, too. Not easy for us, use
all mana power just for this, not even supposed be possible
at all... Look, see what we try and get.. from past, past!

What? Why are you.. ...?

Her thought was stopped cold as a flurry of images suddenly
assaulted her very being, flying at her from what seemed like
all sides and directions, mercilessly attacking her mind and
heart faster than she could stand. A silent scream escaped
from her unseen mouth before the visuals finally stopped,
clearing all but one as Aura struggled to regain her senses
enough to use them adequately, feeling suddenly much weaker
then she did seconds ago.

A factory. But not just any factory. It was...

Oh my Goddess.. that.. that building! It's..!

The same.. Matango find you outside, after building blow
up? We remember, your memories from his story told us.
We feel bad, no can control memories very well.. try get
all for you to see, but mana power growing weak, weaker...
we no can sustain place for lots longer. We, mana spirits,
all part of mana.. when mana weaken, we go, too.. no have..

W-wait! What do you mean? And what about my question? You
never answered me!

There was a troubling silence, during which the surrounding
darkness seemed that much more threatening and ominous than it
had beforehand. Weakly, the voice returned, apparently struggling
to speak as it was.

We.. can't. We use all reserves, show what have.. mana power,
not infinite.. reason for.. tree, in past.. we have to go,
now.. we ask, please.. faith, hope.. heart.. strong, with power
of mana..

I... I'm sorry...

Her last thought rang clear throughout her mind as a sudden burst
of sunlight filtered into the darkness of her subconsciousness,
which turned out to actually be the first rays of light piercing
through the stained glass windows of the Sanctuary. It took a
moment, but eventually her senses became sharp enough for Aura to
become aware of the fact that she was once more in the world of the
waking, staring blankly at the cold marble floor in front of the
stone statue of the Goddess of Mana. But, it wasn't where she last
remembered being.

Had someone brought her here? Who would know? Or better yet, care?

She felt something pressed against her palm, realizing suddenly that
she was still holding tightly onto the silver chain necklace that
she'd pulled from her neck the night before, in a fit of unconscious
rage. The white rose emblem at the center gleamed in the new
sunlight, and she could only sigh in discomfort as everything she'd
felt came back to her, collectively. So many unanswered questions,
in so short a time... and yet...

Nothing's... different. I'm still here... why?

Brow furrowed with determination, she hauled herself up off the
Sanctuary floor, reaching up as she fluidly moved towards the
doors to replace the necklace at her throat, where it belonged.

It was time to find out exactly 'why'.