In Tune with the Earth

Three years after the girls were born, though Agath was still under King Zao's tyranny. Life in the other continents was different. People in Agath always saw those outside as barbarians who doesn't have a clue on civilization. it's not their fault, the king allows no one outside Agath. The journey to the other continents was a long one though. It takes almost six months to get to Tian on carriage. While a year or two to Dun because of the mountains. No one thinks of migrating to Pria because of the water. They have the fewest population of ninety to hundred people including children on the whole island. It is said that thousands of years ago, Pria was a part of the land until it broke off due to a great earthquake that shook the whole earth. The few people who survived ended up stranded on the island and built a civilization there living their life away from the mainlands. The girls had their different lifestyle.

In Tian, Cacia was seen as the most beautiful child in the village. She has large green eyes, long brown silky hair and her skin was like bronze. As little as she was she was seen as one of the smartest ones in the whole tribe. A day before her third birthday, her parents discussed in the wooden house.

"Have you noticed something strange these days?". Lina, Cacia's mother asked. She had brown skin like cacia but her hair was rather short. People wondered where Cacia got her long hair from.

"Yes. It seems the vines refused to stop growing in the house. I can say its very beautiful but its rather strange. Our house is surrounded by green vines and beautiful flowers and no matter how hard I chop it down, it grows back right in front of my eyes." Rolan sighed.

"But that's not all. The neighbors have been gossiping about Cacia lately. They said_"

"Pftt. Its jealousy hun. You can see how beautiful and smart our daughter is. It's not so surprising that they're jealous of her. Don't let whatever they say get into your head. They're just women."

"I know but I can't just help but feel like some things have changed since Cacia was born. You too must have noticed something haven't you?" Lina raised one of her brow.

Rolan sighed. "Well yes but you say it as of its bad. Since the day Cacia was born good things really have been happening. Imagine our crops. It doesn't take months to bear food. As magical as it seems, within a week, we always have good harvest. And also we haven't had any rats or little rodents eating our crops. Our greens are always lush and we've not have any bad produce since we started planting our..."

"..."

Now I know what you mean by the neighbors are gossiping." Rolan rubbed his gabella. "Things have been working too well and Cacia, where is she by the way?"

"I think she's outside. She must be excited since her birthday is tomorrow. Let's go check."

Lina and Rolan went outside but they couldn't find Cacia. They shouted her name but still no reply so they became worried. Lina went ahead to ask the neighbors while Rolan took his hunting bow and went into the forest.

"I've warned this girl countless times not to leave the neighborhood. She's simply too young to go into the forest." Rolan grumbled worriedly. 

He moved quietly, not making a sound so as not to attract wild beast. As at now, he's in the territory of the wild berry boars. The Blue toothed boars look a lot like wild boars but it had a long blue tusk  and its fur was red. As he scumbled along the bushes, what he saw probably gave him the shock of his life. He saw little Cacia seeming to play with the Blue toothed Boar. The Blue toothed Boar showed no hostility rather it allowed Cacia climb unto one of its tusks while Cacia rubbed it fur. It then helped Cacia get on its back and it moved round in circles while Cacia's giggles was heard all around. 

Rolan who was shocked silly dropped his bow and it hit some dry twigs. The Blue toothed Boar looked towards him and it growled. Before he knew it, it was already charging at him at full speed. Rolan knew he wouldn't be able to evade its attack and what worried him most was Cacia. However what he waited for didn't happen and he saw the earth upside down.

"Is this the end?" He asked himself and closed his eyes. 

"Dad." A soft voice called. 

Tears streamed out of his face. "I'm sorry I failed you Cacia. We didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to mum. I couldn't protect you as a father I'm so sorry." Rolan cried. He thought his only daughter was following him to the afterlife. What he feared the most.

"Daddy. Open." Cacia couldnt speak very well but she said small words. Rolan opened his eyes and he met big green eyes staring at him. He was shocked and then he noticed that he was upside down. Cacia seemed to notice too and she waved her hand. The vine holding her fathers leg swiftly upwrapped itself and Rolan landed with a thud.

"Oops." Cacia giggled. "Bad vine."she frowned and said and the vine seemed to have felt bad being reprimanded and it went limp.

"What?" Rolan said in a whisper. Then he heard a growl behind him. Low and behold, his old friend was glaring at him. Mike already felt dejected thinking he would really take a trip to the afterlife for real this time when Cacia came in front of him and touched its head. It began to happily wag its tail like a dog.

"Pet." She said and Mike just blankly stared at her. No words could come from his mouth again