Aura - The Pure Truth: The Orphan of the Storm [1]
Feb 12 22:45:23 2005

"The.. Mana Holyland? I thought I heard that place mentioned
once or twice before. But I don't remember where.."

Though Aura was talking decidedly towards the old man at her side,
her eyes remained fastened on the dim blue ring of light that was
the topic of the currently-opened discussion. The dryad still
perched upon her head seemed to be swaying lively back and forth,
obviously gleeful at whatever it was this meant for both of them.
The man reached up to scratch at his chin thoughtfully.

"No doubt you have, child. It is a very, very special place;
some say it is the very birthplace of the power of mana itself,
while others say it serves as a sort of gathering spot for the
spirits created from the same. While both are very logical
assumptions, it is in fact a place that only a specific few
may go. Like its name, it is a very sacred place, and the
resting place of two very special things."

Aura quirked an eyebrow, suddenly getting an impression that more
was being hidden from her than was originally intended.

"If it is such a wholesome place, why would you have brought me
here? And furthermore, what would my mother be doing in
there?"

She sighed, as the old man simply watched her in mild amusement.

"All this vagueness is starting to get to me. What is keeping
you from just telling me what I want to know? I don't
understand!"

"Child, not all things in this world -are- easiest to
understand by way of mouth. This, as I fear, is one of those
things that would be so much easier understood by seeing with
your own eyes, ears, and, most importantly, heart. A good
reason why I cannot divulge anything further is because I also
lack certain knowledge. You see, I cannot go in there with
you, and therefore, do not truly know what lies ahead. You,
and only one other person in the world, may cross the gateway
into the Mana Holyland. As such, it takes a very special key
to transcend the boundary. You've had this all along; it was
simply my job, with the aid of the mana spirits, to guide you
here so that you may use it."

Confusion settled deeply into the pit of Aura's stomach, mixed
with a foreboding sense of nostalgia that remained ever out-of-
reach.

"... Who -are- you? Please, if nothing else, can you at least
tell me that?"

The old man gave another one of his quiet chuckles, shaking his
head subtly.

"I'm afraid I cannot, my dear. Like everything else I have
promised you so far, all your answers lie just beyond that
gate. Your mother has all the wisdom you could ever ask for,
and thus will have no trouble in alleviating your frustration.
This much I can guarantee."

Slightly annoyed, Aura glanced at the ground in front of her. As
she did, she suddenly remembered the black rose she'd been holding
tightly onto the entire time. It had been with her for so long,
she almost couldn't remember ever having been without it. And
yet, even the very symbol of death...

A gift from the Goddess... at the time, I didn't understand
what it meant... and I still don't. It's almost as if...

"Child?"