4 Chapter III : When Reality Shifts

"So, are you also the lightning host or something?" Leila asked, intrigued by Arya's powers.

"No. Why?" Arya asked, not bothering to make eye contact.

"What do you mean 'why?' Weren't you attacking me with lightning bolts like twenty minutes ago?" Leila questioned, coughing lightly.

"Oh, that. Those are my powers, not a spirit's. Besides, there is no lightning spirit." Arya explained matter-of-factly.

"Huh?" Leila said, looking baffled. Each conversation with Arya left her with more questions than answers.

Meanwhile, Arya's attention wandered as she walked around the cabin, searching for her wolf.

"Where's the wolf that came with me?" Arya inquired, slightly distraught.

"The wolf?" Leila glanced around. "He must have left while we were talking to the spirits, I suppose. Anyway, can you please explain to me how you're able to create lightning?"

"What a heartless wolf! Leaving without even saying goodbye. After everything we've been through together? I can't believe it!" Arya exclaimed, turning away with a sulky expression and walking toward the open field.

"Wait, Arya! I'm talking to-- Ow!" Leila's outstretched arm recoiled as an electric shock jolted through her fingertips.

"You shouldn't touch me right now. The air surrounding me is ionized and electrostatic interactions have increased. Don't get shocked now, Lei-Lei." Arya teased, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

Leila held her hand to her chest and regarded Arya with a mixture of astonishment and skepticism. Could it be that this crazy girl, with her hair standing on end, is actually... smart? Is the world really that unfair?

She instinctively reached up to touch her hair, feeling the peculiar sensation of strands standing on end.

Leila observed as Arya continued to wander, muttering to herself with a focused and serious expression. Arya's gaze fixated on the meadow and the nearby stream, assessing her surroundings.

The meadow, once serene and untouched, revealed signs of electrical disruption. Blades of grass seemed to stand a little taller, their tips reaching upward as if to escape the charged atmosphere. Tiny sparks flickered and danced among the plants, giving the meadow an otherworldly glow.

The stream water seemed to shimmer with a faint electric charge, causing ripples to form and dissipate in an almost rhythmic fashion. It was a captivating sight, both beautiful and tinged with an air of mystique.

"Even if I leave it alone, the environment should naturally recover from the ionization caused by the sudden surge of electrical current through the air. But just to be safe," Arya raised her hands in front of her. Her fingers moved gracefully through the air, manipulating the invisible forces around her. "I should probably neutralize the ionized particles in the air and dissipate the charges."

In a stunning display, energy arcs cracked and danced between Arya's outstretched hands. She directed the flow of electrons, guiding the electrical charges and skillfully dissipating them into the surrounding environment. With each motion, the charged particles in the air underwent a delicate transformation, recombining and neutralizing.

Streams of soft light swirled and twirled around Arya's fingertips, leaving trails of faint luminescence in their wake. The air responded to her command, gradually shedding its electric charge as the ionized particles settled back into their original configuration. The meadow and stream returned to their tranquil state, as if an electrical disturbance had never occurred.

After completing her task, Arya turned to face Leila, who stood there in awe, her blue eyes widened like saucers.

"You know," Arya continued, offering an explanation, "this way, the ionization process won't result in the production of ozone or other reactive gases that could affect air quality."

Leila sighed dejectedly. So the world really is that unfair.

"To answer your question, I don't create lightning," she said, drawing air quotes. "My people and I have the ability to manipulate the movement of electrons in the air."

"Your people?" Leila inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"You'll see. By the way, we're leaving in two hours. My guards are coming to get us."

"Guards?! So you're really a princess?" Leila's astonishment grew.

"Something like that. You should start getting your stuff in order, you know." Arya advised.

Leila decided to stop asking questions. She had never felt more stupid in her life than in the last half hour since meeting Arya.

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"You really live like an hermit. You don't even have a TV?"

Leila ignored her. She really didn't want to explain her life choices to someone she had just met.

"Is this all you're taking with you?" Arya asked, eyeing Leila's lone suitcase.

Leila settled into a chair, contemplating the question. She realized that she had no cherished possessions in the cabin, and her attachment to it was minimal. Leaving it behind wouldn't be a significant loss. However, the encounter with Arya, another person with supernatural powers, had shattered her sense of isolation. She no longer felt like an outcast or a freak. For the first time, she felt a glimmer of belonging.

Because of this, she wanted to get along with Arya. But the weight of the responsibility that came with being a host gnawed at her thoughts. What if because of her, no one could use the spirit's powers? What kind of monsters would she have to fight? Would she even be able to beat them? How could she face a troll when she hated horror movies? Apart from the fact that she could manipulate water, she was just a normal girl!

She yearned to be of help, to be valuable, so that her powers held meaning but anxiety was starting to crush her.

Sensing Leila's inner turmoil, Arya attempted to divert her attention.

"So, where is your family?" Arya asked casually, perching herself on the kitchen counter.

Leila's eyes turned cold, and her voice held a frosty edge as she met Arya's gaze head-on. "They're dead," she replied with a blunt finality.

"I see."

Leila expected to see pity but Arya looked back at her with clear eyes holding no trace of pity, just understanding and sympathy.

In fact, Arya was taken aback by Leila's abrupt response. She suspected Leila's story wouldn't be a pleasant one. She wanted to ask more, but refrained from probing too deeply, respecting Leila's boundaries.

Leila sensed Arya's surprise and briefly considered sharing more, but she didn't want to delve too deeply into her past. Eager to shift the conversation, she decided to abandon her previous resolution.

"Why are you the only host who can communicate with her spirit?" Leila inquired.

"The other spirits only want to help because Yeelen does. They don't really care about humans. They'll only talk to you if they have no other choice. That's what Yeelen said anyway," Arya explained nonchalantly.

"But isn't that dangerous? I mean, don't hosts need to be aware of their identity before we can get allies?" Leila pointed out, concern etching her words.

"Don't ask me. These spirits are all temperamental and moody. Except my Yeelen, of course," Arya responded with a touch of pride.

"It's really strange. I could always feel a strange presence inside me. Like a warm ball on my chest, you know? I never imagined..." Leila trailed off, her thoughts drifting.

"Amazing, right?"

"Yeah. Can you talk to Yeelen? Because I've been trying to talk to Ji, but I think she's ignoring me," Leila admitted, a hint of disappointment seeping into her voice.

"Well, it depends. Sometimes, she responds. Sometimes, she doesn't. I don't really know why," Arya admitted, her tone filled with uncertainty.

Leila hummed thoughtfully, processing the information. She couldn't help but feel a pang of dejection at Ji's silence. Then, she remembered something that had been weighing on her mind for quite some time.

"So, let's talk about the other hosts. I have some questions. If I understood correctly, hosts act as a bridge that helps others access the powers of the spirits, right?"

"Exactly. Think of the host as a key figure who unlocks the potential for others to wield the spirits' powers."

"How do we find them?" Leila asked curiously, sitting on the edge of her seat.

"You'll see when we get to my place. It will take too long to explain." Arya replied, with a hint of weariness in her voice. She crossed her legs at the ankles and leaned back against the wall.

"Then, how do we find the people Ji talked about? They're different from the hosts right?"

"It's you who will find them." Arya responded cryptically.

"Me?"

Arya nodded. "Yes. From what Yeelen told me, we hosts have an innate ability to sense when someone capable of harnessing elemental energy emerges."

Leila sighed. "I hope this 'sensing' means we'll know exactly where they are. Otherwise, it would mean scouring the world to find them. Just thinking about it drains me."

"How do you think I found you?" Arya laughed at Leila's horrified expression. "Don't worry. Wardens can't go under the radar. To access the power of a spirit, there are certain conditions a person has to meet. And before you ask, people who meet those conditions are what we call Wardens."

Leila couldn't help but laugh. "Wardens, huh?"

"Hey! I'm not the one who came up with it, okay?"

Curiosity still burning within her, Leila pressed further, "What conditions?"

"I think they were-- oh, they're here!" Arya exclaimed, springing to her feet and rushing to the door. She was happy to finally be free from Leila's endless questions. 'I really have the patience of a saint!'

"Wait, Arya!" Leila called after her, quickly following.

Leila stepped outside and stopped abruptly, her eyes widening in astonishment. In front of her cabin stood three imposing women. Their sheer size and stature exuded strength and power, exhibiting a commanding presence. Leila couldn't help gawking.

Standing regally behind the trio of women was a huge and majestic peacock like creature, its colossal form commanding attention. With feathers ablaze in vibrant hues, it emanated an aura of power. Its eyes held a condescending look.

This new addition to the forest seemed to cause a momentary pause in its natural sounds, as if the regular inhabitants were taking a moment to acknowledge this unusual presence.

The woman on the left boasted a lithe and athletic build, exuding an aura of grace and agility. Her piercing green eyes shone with intensity. Short, hot pink hair framed her beautiful face. A scar ran from her right ear to her chin. An intimidating dual-bladed sword rested at her side, its metal gleaming.

She scanned the cabin and its surroundings before nodding to the woman in front.

That one projected an aura of resilience and might. She had a sturdy and formidable frame radiating strength. Her muscular build was complemented by neatly styled short, dark pink hair. A leather belt was fastened around her waist with a silver whip strapped to it. She held her head up high, her chin jutting out. Her stance was strong and confident, radiating a sense of power and authority.

As Arya approached her, she bowed deeply before Arya, her hand finding its place gently over her heart. The other two behind her followed suit. Arya paused in surprise before scowling at their actions.

"What are you doing?" She said in an exasperated tone. "Zola, I thought we had this discussion."

"It is a formality that must not be dispensed with, Princess." Zola answered steadily, rising to her impressive height. She was a full head taller than Arya.

"It was Nala who put you up to this, wasn't it?" Arya crossed her arms, glaring at them.

"Now, now, princess. Are you saying that Miss Nala told us that to perform the greeting ritual when we meet in order to annoy you?" The last woman spoke up, a look of mischief on her face.

She exuded a charismatic and magnetic aura. Her long and flowing locks held a captivating blend of pale pink, blue, and violet hues, shimmering in the sunlight. She was dressed in bright colors, which stood in stark contrast to the more practical clothing of her companions. She was staring at Leila with unabashed curiosity.

"Did she, Imani?"

Imani grinned widely, "Yes. Yes, she did."

Arya rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling in return.

Leila really felt as if she had stepped into a movie. Would this day ever end?

'Is this my new reality?'