For another opportunity to come your way, you must seize the first one.

   To be awoken from the most restful slumber you have ever taken was the feeling that washed over me as I took in a crisp, cool breath of morning air.

   Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I didn't have to focus on remembering anything- I remembered everything- it was as if I had blinked and the time flew by.

   Around me, in chunks on the ground, laid the stone which imprisoned me previously. Never had I felt the gratitude of liberty than in those moments.

   I even allowed a smile to come upon my face. A smile of triumph and peace.

   The Fates were wrong. I was free as I had promised myself I would be.

   Even though I remembered everything, I needed to collect my bearings. Wandering away from my past place of imprisonment, I began my journey home to the palace, my feet knowing the way. I took my time in my traveling, though, having found a greater sense of awe at the natural beauty around me.

   The first rule of business that needed attending to was inquiring of the date to gauge how long I had been absent. Once that was discovered, I put it to mind to reclaim my throne. I was curious to the well being of Xalale, to see how he fared in the period of time that I was departed; what did he think about my letter. After I reinstated myself, I would start straightway with gathering the rest of the pieces needed to restore the orb that would reassure my future.

    I saw a long, tiresome road before me but I was equipped for the task, I was capable of anything even if the Fates stood in my way.

    I took for granted how freeing it was to simply think and plan, to have your mind unlocked to everything it wished to explore.

   Moving through the woods was a fairly easy task, one I did not think very hard about, but my tranquil thoughts were soon to be interrupted. I sensed another presence nearby.

   Keeping to the densest thickets, I watched from my hidden viewpoint as what appeared to be a young woman, dressed quite well, ran through the forest as if something was pursuing her. But as I crept from my spot, careful to remain hidden, I saw nothing behind her.

   Finally, she stopped, murmuring to herself- I couldn't make out her words. Concerned yet slightly intrigued, I stalked among the trees, keeping out of sight as she ventured over to a fallen log.

   She seemed upset over something, looking down at an object I couldn't quite make out in her hands.

   "What am I suppose to do?" She lamented.

   At that, I couldn't hold my silence any longer. Stepping out from the trees, I approached her from behind.

   "What exactly are you suppose to do?"

    Startled, she flew to her feet in a panicked manner, turning around to face me. She looked at me with wary suspicion, inspecting my person- I figured she thought I was a thief or some other miscreant. It relieved me, though, that she failed to recognize me.

   "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," I said coming closer. "Who are you?"

   "Uh...nobody."

   She was a distrustful thing. I smiled affectionately at her, finding her very intriguing.

   "Oh, I get it. You don't trust me. I understand. These woods are dangerous to navigate." I tilted my head thoughtfully at her. "What are doing out here by yourself?"

   "Just thinking on some...issues."

   Already, I could tell she was a peculiar young woman. Not mad or an outcast but simply an oddity.

   "You seem very upset. I saw you running from something but I didn't see what. Are you okay, dear?"

   She seemed at odds with herself, grappling with whether to trust or withhold from me. I found something very genuine in her, surprising me I that was so curious about her.

   Finally, she let her suspicions fade and sat back on the log with a heavy, defeated sigh.

   "No, I'm not okay."

   I joined her on the log then, confident she had gifted me her trust. Watching her from far away, I could tell that she was of some beauty, but studying her at closer proximity I could see she was gifted with beauty not just of her face but her entire figure. She had a body suited for bearing children and giving love to her lover; an ample bosom which was rare for many of smaller size to possess. She had hair I had never seen before, it appeared to be eternally lit.

   She seemed burdened as she spoke.

   "I-I don't know what to do. I'm so lost." She looked down at her hands. "How do you help someone who keeps pushing you away constantly. You've tried to show them the light but they keep rejecting you. And on top of that, the world is falling apart all around you and you have to somehow fix that as well."

   Though the last part of her dilemma was as peculiar as she was, the first part struck me with startling familiarity. I wondered for a moment if she was sent by the Fates as a test of some kind, but I knew it to be a paranoid notion.

   Finding my voice, I spoke with every fiber of my wisdom in advising her.

   "When someone you care about is pushing you away it feels like the worst thing in the world. They can't do it by themselves, but they won't accept your help. You feel frustrated, angry with them even. But then," I couldn't help but pause, thinking about my Xalale in this explanation. He needed these words more than anyone. They were inspired by him. "But then, you have to try harder. Don't give up on them. Give them a shove, wake them up to what's happening. Show them that no matter what, you'll always be there for them."

   That appeared to resonate in her mind. She considered it carefully before looking at me with new clarity.

   "Thank you. You don't know how much that helped me."

   "You are welcome. I don't know how to respond to your question about the world falling apart, but I know that in time everything works out for the better."

   "You know, you remind me of my mother."

    I smiled, warmed by her comment; out of everything spoken to me my entire life nothing sounded more sweet to my heart. I was finding this young woman to be quite charming. She even allowed and seemed to relish in the comforting embrace I gave her.

   Pulling back, she looked me over.

   "What's your name?"

   "Aelita." I answered then nodded at her. "What would be yours?"

   "Mallory."

    Such an unheard of name for such an unusual young woman.

    She stood to her feet, a new determination flashing in her eyes.

   "I think I know what I have to do."

   "Do what you believe is right."

    I couldn't give any wiser words. As she began back to wherever she originated from she glanced back at me with the quickest look of uncertainty. I remedied her worries with an encouraging smile to spur her onward.

   Reassured, she disappeared into the forest leaving me alone with my thoughts again.
  

I couldn't return back to the palace yet. I knew if I returned too soon and acted with thoughtless haste my plan wouldn't work accordingly. If I was to gain the advantage I would need patience- which was not a problem for me. I would wait eons just to execute my plan for the reward was plentiful.

   For the time being, I decided it would do me good to sleep under the stars for once. The stars would remain me of the pieces I needed to collect to complete the orb. I had one piece, I needed countless more.

   Though it felt I had been asleep for years, I dreamt peacefully that night out in the airy forest under the watchful moonlight. Waking up refresh and with my mind set, I knew the road before me was long but I would walk it without cease to obtain what I deserved years ago: a complete ending.

   My first task, though, was discovering the time frame I had been gone. I was mindless yesterday in not asking Mallory. So I went in search of a secluded village or house where I can inquire the date without worry of being recognized. Though many would not recognize me, I couldn't afford to be careless.

   Good fortunate must have been upon me again for I quickly came across a young girl with her brother, who appeared only four years of age, playing nearby their house. I approached them in a hospitable, friendly manner so as not to scare them off. The boy noticed me first, pointing me out with a smile to his older sister who looked on with a bright smile of her own. They weren't wary of strangers, that was good.

   "I'm sorry to disturb your play," I began. "But I've seemed to have lost my bearings. Do you know who the current sovereign is?"

   The girl was eager to assist me, her eyes shone like precious stones.

   "I do! It would be the king."

   "Ah. Do you know his name?"

   Her energy faltered slightly and she glanced back at her house with hesitation, her voice dropping an octave.

   "My mother and father tell us not to speak it. They say he's an evil man."

   "Oh," I couldn't possibly fathom the acts he's been doing to credit him with such a reputation. I keep up my warm smile. "How long has his reign been?"

   She had to reflect on that for a moment but answered with the same vigor, "Five years."

   A five-year reign. I had been gone for five years and he'd managed to still be in power. I was mildly impressed by this.

   As of now, this was all the information I wanted. I thanked the girl and her brother and ventured back into the woods, my mind at work.

   My next immediate thought was to see him. I wanted to see my Xalale again, though I hadn't forgotten his last words to me. Perhaps the years had matured him.

   "Five years. He ought to be either nineteen or twenty."

   Just as I had been pulled into my thoughts, I was as easily pulled out of them by a familiar voice nearby.

   Puzzled, I surveyed the area until my eyes landed on a young woman with a basket, her hair flaming in the sunlight.

   "Mallory?"

   It seems she was always surprised by another presence- not one skilled in sensing others. Upon seeing me, though, she relaxed and smiled brightly as she approached me.

   "Aelita!"

   It was strange, she seemed to possess the same energy the young girl had shown me. That must be what made her so intriguing to me.

   I was confused by her presence and the basket she had with her.

   "What are doing out here?"

   "Collecting ingredients." She showed her basket, a worried look crossing her face for a moment. "By the way, are any of these poisonous by any chance?"

   Inspecting her items, I was baffled by the ingredients.

   "No. But why are you collecting mushrooms and bellflowers?"

   Relief broke out next on her face, then confusion as she looked down at her products.

   "Bellflowers? That's what this is?"

   She looked up at me again, this time, with her smile renewed.

   "I actually came out here to looking for nightshade and mushrooms, but I also wanted to find you."

   That surprised me.

   "Oh?"

   "Yeah. I wanted to thank you for helping me yesterday."

   "You're welcome." I finally returned her smile, guiding her over to sit. "I saw you were hurting and wanted to make sure you were all right."

   "I'm actually surprised you were still around here. Do you live close by?"

   "I don't live anywhere as of right now but I will find a place. My life has been a little hectic lately."

   "Where do you sleep then?"

    The way she spoke with so much concern for me took me back. It had been so long since someone had cared so earnestly about my well being. This young woman was quite odd but I was finding that to be a blessing.

   "I make do with what I've been given," I answered honestly.

   "I would invite you to stay with me but it's not my house. Plus, I'm already in the hot seat with Xalale-"

   She cut herself off then- rather abruptly at that- but it was enough.

   My mind was sharp and my attention keen as a hawk's, but I was momentarily stunned by what I heard.

   "The king?"

   She knew my Xalale?

   She grew hesitant under my gaze, making me believe I should have been suspicious of her in the beginning, not vice versa.

   "Yes." She finally answered, seemingly willingly to supply the truth.

   "Are you related to the king?"

   I wanted to test her honesty for I would know every lie she might make.

   "No, nothing like that. It's actually a long, long story..."

   "He permits you to stay in the castle?"

   "Like I said, it's a long, long story."

    I found it incredible that fate would have it that I would run into this young woman who knew my son. How did she know him? For how long? Why was she staying in the palace with him? What happened to Emmony for this woman to appear now? I refocused my attention on Mallory for her answers.

   She was an honest soul so I decided to use her information to my advantage.

   "What is the king like exactly?"

   "Um...it's kind of hard to describe him," She was genuinely searching for the words. "Difficult to an extent, but mostly...honestly, I mostly see him as confused."

   That was one answer I was not expecting. Truth be told, it baffled me.

   "I know most people in the kingdom probably see him as a tyrant, and he's not the most selfless person, but there's more to him than meets the eye."

   She spoke about him in a way that peaked my interesting even further than it already was. She sounded as if she cared about him...more than artificial consideration; that resonated with me.

   "Well," I got to my feet, assisting her up as well. "Like I said before, I make do with what I've been given, but thank you for caring about my welfare."

   A new plan was already taking form in my mind.

   She nodded with a smile. "I probably need to be heading back anyway. I'll just look ridiculous taking back bellflowers instead of nightshade but you can't say I didn't try."

   I hardly returned her smile, concentrating on my words to come.

   "These words may or may not be important at this moment but I will still advise you wisely. You may feel as if you know a person because of the time you have spent together, but deep down inside of them and inside of you, you know there's a darkness to them that cannot be erased, no matter how hard you try to cleanse them of their sins."

   She stared at me, reverence in her eyes as she took into account my words, giving me a meager nod of the head. I watched her leave, returning to the palace that for the moment was no longer my home. But not for much longer.

   It seemed the Fates had found favor in me again, giving me the clear advantage needed in my reclaiming of power. That advantage was Mallory.

   I knew I liked her from the moment I met her. She knew things, she was different, most importantly, she knew Xalale.

   Already my plans were being revised and for the better.

   I was going to succeed this time, I would get what I deserved since the beginning.

   Now, I wait.

  [End of Book 2.5 of The Twisted Souls Series]