Chapter 0.16

Athea (softly): He's really something else. And… I'm kinda glad he's out there, waiting for me. Makes sneaking out feel like an adventure.

She lay there for a moment, her smile fading just a bit as a small, warm feeling settled in her chest. She knew Rei was strong, but part of her couldn't shake a little worry for him being alone in the forest. But she pushed that aside, letting her eyes close as she snuggled deeper into her blanket.

Athea (whispering to herself, smiling again): I'll be back, Rei. You can count on that.

As Athea drifted off, her soft breathing was the only sound in her cozy room, her face still wearing the faint trace of a smile from her midnight adventure. The door creaked open a bit, and her parents peered in, catching a glimpse of her peaceful expression.

Her father (whispering, amused): Look at her, smiling in her sleep again. I'd bet anything she's dreaming about that boy or—

Her mother gently nudged him, rolling her eyes with a small smile.

Her mother (softly): Oh, stop it. She's just having a nice dream, that's all. You're going to make her think we're always peeking in on her!

Her father chuckled, shaking his head.

Her father (smiling, shaking his head): She's growing up so fast. I feel like I blinked, and now she's our little daydreamer with all these big thoughts in her head.

Her mother (playfully scolding): You, sir, are going to be late for work if you keep this up. Come on, let's let her rest.

Her father (grumbling but smiling): Alright, alright. But I'm telling you, this kid's got some stories up her sleeve.

With a last, fond glance at Athea, her parents quietly closed the door, leaving her to dream on, blissfully unaware of the little visit.

Over the next month, Athea became a nightly visitor in Rei's part of the forest. Every night was a new adventure for them, filled with shared stories, little games, and their growing friendship. 

First Night

Athea tiptoed into the forest, grinning when she spotted Rei by a small stream, tossing pebbles to see how far they'd skip.

Athea (whispering, sneaking up): Boo!

Rei (jumping, startled): Aah! Oh—it's you! You're back!

Athea (laughing): Sorry! I had to, you were so focused.

Rei (grinning): So…what are we doing tonight?

Athea (holding out her hand): I'll teach you how to skip rocks properly. Here, it's all about the angle. Watch!

Second Night

Athea showed up with a tiny lantern and some treats she'd snuck out of the house.

Athea (excitedly): I brought food! Look—real snacks!

Rei (eyeing the treats curiously): They smell…different.

Athea (holding one up to his mouth): Just try it. This one's sweet!

Rei (taking a bite, eyes wide): Whoa! It's like...sugar and honey mixed together! What's this called?

Athea (smiling): A cookie! Don't worry, there's more where that came from.

Third Night

They decided to play hide-and-seek again, running through the trees and laughing as Athea "hid" behind a log.

Rei (looking around, hands on his hips): I'm gonna find you, Athea! I know you're close!

Athea (giggling, whispering to herself): You'll never find me…

Rei finally spotted her foot poking out and pounced, laughing as he tagged her.

Rei (smiling): Gotcha!

Athea (laughing): No fair! Next time, I'm hiding better!

Fourth Night

Athea taught Rei how to make shadow puppets with the moonlight.

Athea (holding her hands up to form a rabbit shape): See? Like this—it's a bunny!

Rei (attempting the same shape, frowning): Mine looks…weird.

Athea (giggling): That's because you're twisting your fingers wrong! Here, let me fix it.

They spent the next hour trying to make as many different animals as they could, their shadows dancing on the forest floor.

Fifth Night

Athea brought a bundle of wildflowers she'd picked along the way.

Athea (handing Rei the flowers): Look! I got these for you!

Rei (surprised, holding the flowers awkwardly): What am I supposed to do with these?

Athea (laughing): Just look at them! Or, I dunno, you could wear one. Here, let me put it behind your ear.

Rei (blushing a little, as she placed a flower behind his ear): Do I look…funny?

Athea (smiling, admiring her work): No, you look great! Like a forest prince or something.

Over the days, their bond deepened, the forest becoming their shared world, each night a new story and a new adventure.

The night air was cool and calm as Athea and Rei sat by the lake, the surface rippling with each stone Athea skipped across it. Moonlight danced on the water, casting a soft glow over their quiet little spot in the woods. They'd been talking about everything and nothing—favorite hiding spots, funny moments with animals, and all the silly things they could think of.

Athea (leaning back, tossing another stone): So…what do you want to be when you grow up, Rei?

Rei (frowning a little, staring at the lake): Hm…I'm not sure. I don't really know what I'm supposed to be. No one's told me.

Athea (smiling, nudging him): You don't have to know right now. It could be anything! (pausing thoughtfully) Like…a forest guardian, maybe?

Rei (grinning): Forest guardian? Is that like…protecting the trees and animals?

Athea (nodding enthusiastically): Yeah! Or just doing something important. You already look like a forest prince with your flower crown from last time!

They both giggled at the memory, but then Athea's eyes grew a little dreamy.

Rei (curious): What about you, Athea? What do you want to be?

Athea (thinking out loud): I think…I want to help people. Kinda like a hero, maybe? (laughs softly) But not like the ones in stories. I want to be the kind of hero who actually understands things, like…about the world and even space! There's so much I want to learn.

Rei (smiling, impressed): Space? Isn't that far away? How would you learn about that?

Athea (shrugging): Maybe I'll find a way one day. I think there's a lot out there that we don't know about. And if I can learn about it, maybe I can help people understand it too.

Rei (watching her, amazed): You're really brave, Athea. I…I think you'd make a great hero.

Athea (blushing, grinning): Thanks, Rei. And hey, if I do become a hero, you could be my sidekick! The "Forest Guardian" and me—how cool would that be?

Rei laughed, his laughter echoing across the lake. In that moment, they both felt like they could take on the world together, no matter what the future held.

Athea picked up another stone, turning it over in her hand as she stared at the lake. A quiet thought crossed her mind, and she let out a little sigh before looking over at Rei with a gentle smile.

Athea (softly, almost to herself): Y'know... on my birthday, I made a wish. I asked God if I could have a friend—just one. (pausing) Some of the kids in the village don't really like me all that much. Not because I did anything wrong… they just think I'm weird.

Rei (tilting his head, surprised): Weird? You're not weird, Athea! You're… you're fun!

Athea (smiling, a bit brighter): Thanks, Rei. But yeah, I guess I'm a little different from them, and they don't really get it. So… I prayed for a friend. Just one person who'd understand me, I guess. (laughs a little) And then the very next day, I found you.

Rei (smiling shyly, touched): So… you wished for me?

Athea (grinning): Maybe I did! (teasing) So technically, you're my wish come true.

They both laughed, the sound filling the quiet night air. For a moment, Rei looked at her thoughtfully, feeling a warmth he didn't quite know how to describe. The idea that he could be someone's wish—someone's friend—made him feel more special than he ever had before.

Rei (quietly, looking down): I'm glad you found me, Athea. Even if… even if sometimes I don't understand things, I'll always be here.

Athea (beaming): And that's all I ever wanted.

Rei gave Athea a mischievous grin, his eyes sparkling as he leaned in.

Rei (teasing, smirking): Iiyak na 'yan, iiyak na 'yan. (You're gonna cry, you're gonna cry.)

Athea's eyebrows shot up as she gave him a smirk in return, clearly not backing down. She spotted a stick nearby, picked it up, and swung it toward him in a playful move.

Athea (grinning): Oh, really? Let's see who's gonna be crying!

Rei quickly grabbed a stick of his own from the ground, blocking her swing just in time with a mock-serious expression.

Rei (mock-serious): Oh, it's on!

They both laughed, sticks clashing playfully as they danced around, their laughter echoing through the forest.

Athea took a step back, holding her stick like a sword, her stance playful but determined as she looked at Rei with a daring smile.

Athea (grinning): On guard!

Rei mirrored her stance, raising his stick and giving her a confident nod, his eyes narrowed as if they were real opponents.

Rei (pretending to be serious): Ready when you are!

Athea lunged forward with a light swing, and Rei blocked it, their sticks clacking together. They both broke into laughter, each trying to dodge and outsmart the other, moving with exaggerated swipes and parries.

Athea (playful, focused): I've got you this time, Rei!

Rei sidestepped, grinning wide as he quickly countered, tapping her stick with his own.

Rei (laughing): You'll have to be faster than that!

They continued their "sword fight," running circles around each other, making quick jabs and parries. Every now and then, Athea would yell out moves she'd seen in stories or shows, calling them like a real warrior.

Athea (excited): Lightning strike!

Rei dodged, laughing as he copied her dramatic style, making up names for his moves.

Rei (dramatic): Thunder slash!

The two finally stepped back, sticks held high, and then burst into laughter, both a little out of breath but glowing with joy. They stood there, smiling at each other, sticks lowered, as the sun's first light began to filter through the trees around them.

The playful spar continued, with each of them grinning as they yelled out dramatic move names and swung their sticks.

Athea (laughing): Wind Claw!

She swung her stick wide, and Rei blocked it with a grin.

Rei (smiling): Flame Dragon!

He stepped forward with a sweeping motion, and Athea giggled as she leaped back.

Athea (teasing): Alright, alright—my turn again!

She spun around, holding her stick up high. "Flame Blade!" she declared, swiping down.

Rei stepped back, then raised his stick, calling out with as much intensity as he could muster.

Rei (shouting): Thunderbolt!