259 From Sand To Wood (1/2)

”I am afraid it is time for me to leave. It was nice knowing you, Vyrena Blackfire, Lycster Lakewood and Aether Blackfire. May you all be safe and well,” Pharaoh Netiri said her parting words.

In the next moment, the Blackfire siblings, Aether and their desert deers were all standing in the middle of the desert. Upon realising they were no longer in the pyramid, they frantically looked around them.

There was nothing but sand no matter which direction they looked. Could the time they've spent in the pyramid be nothing more than a dream? Lycster looked down at his left hand.

In it, was the golden ankh the Pharaoh had given to him as a gift. Her words were still ringing in his ear. When he showed it to Vy and Aether, they both realised that their experience in the pyramid was in fact real.

The visions she had seen, gave Vy a new sense of direction. She had wondered what she should do after she had completed the missions. With the Pharaoh's visions, she knew where to go.

But one thing still baffled Vy. She turned to Lycster.

”Your real surname is Lakewood?”

Lycster looked at his sister, he did not keep his past secret from her on purpose. He simply never knew who he was. He was ashamed to admit it, but before the age of five, Lycster had no memories of his life before.

He never knew that his surname was Lakewood.

He was worried that Vy would not believe his story, but he soon realised he had nothing to worry about.

”Well, if you ever want to find out your past, we can always do that,” Vy encouraged.

Everyone came from somewhere. There was no harm in finding out who they used to be.

”What if I don't like what I find out about myself?”

The boy was worried. There were so many questions going through his mind right now. What was his family like? Are they even alive? Did they abandon him? No one knew how Lycster turned up in Timbretune.

One day, the boy just appeared and all he could remember was his name.

When he looked up at his sister, Lycster did not worry about who he used to be anymore. He was now Lycster Blackfire, brother of Vyrena Blackfire. No matter what he finds out in the future, nothing would change that fact.

Lycster hugged his sister tightly, burying his head on her stomach region. Vy instinctively patted him not the head.

”No matter what happens, I will always be here. If you decide to return to your family, I will respect your decision. But never forget, that I will always be your sister.”

Lycster nodded his head, as a smile formed across his face. He looked up at his sister with the widest smile he could pull off. His joyful expression put a smile on Vy's face too.

Aether did not care much for the boy, but seeing how much Vy cared for him softened the winged serpent a little. At the very least the boy's existence was tolerable. He made for some good laughs too.

After sharing their moment, they gathered their things and looked for the direction they need to go. Vy took a deep breath in of the surrounding air. Much to her surprise, she was able to smell the scent of the forest.

They were finally getting near to the Shrouds Forest!

Vy and Lycster got onto their desert deer and began their journey. Aether coiled around Vy's wrist as usual as they continued their journey through the sand. They only stopped twice for rest and some food.

By nightfall, they arrived at the edge of the forest.