Aura - The Pure Truth: Princess in the Mists [3]
Feb 15 00:30:43 2005

Aura knelt there on the ground, a single tear extracting itself
from the corner of her eye. It really -was- almost too much to
bear; her own father, using her as some kind of test experiment?

"Mother... why did this have to happen? Why couldn't we just
have been a normal... family?"

The tree sighed, a gentle rush of air that filled the glade.

"It is the will of the Goddess, Aura. I only did what she
bade me to do; it was indirect, but it was nontheless by her
will. Just as you made your way back to me, though you were
not without guides, it was your will to know the truth, with
the hand of the Goddess to lead you. After the past, I
could only wonder if I would ever see my daughter again. I
am truly thankful to the Goddess that she was merciful enough
to grant me this wish."

Aura hung her head silently, the tears coming to a halt, but her
sorrow far from gone.

"Aura. Look at me, my child."

Almost unwillingly, she did, violet eyes wide with an untold
number of emotions.

"You have to decide for yourself what your course in life will
provide for you. Unlike myself and those in the village, you
have a life outside here. This does not mean that you are
unwelcome to stay here; your grandfather, as I'm sure you've
met already, would be more than happy to take care of you in
my stead."

Aura blinked.

"That old man.. he is my grandfather?"

"He is. Who did you think he was?"

She didn't reply.

"Given in to duty, I had no choice but to follow the way of
life placed upon the shoulders of every woman born into the
Tribe of Mana. And while you were the same, your
circumstances are far different than anyone else's. You are
a very special child, in more ways than even I know. I'm
sure the spirits believe this, too, otherwise they wouldn't
have followed you for the last three years without end."

Again, Aura didn't say anything.

"Regardless of your decision, I feel that you will eventually
the way things are, and moreover, the way things eventually
will be. Though I regret to say that I cannot go with you,
as the very center of mana's power, I can guarantee that I
will always be watching you, outside of and within your
heart, Aura. The will of the Goddess is both kind and cruel,
but of those two, a certain balance is obtained, and thus the
meaning of life is evermore powerful in the next step. You,
too, have someone waiting for you, don't you?"

"S-Seikou..."