106 The Battle Cry of War (1/2)

Olivia couldn't believe what she had just read.She re-read it a couple of more times until she practically had it memorized.”Agni...” she started to say to herself.Completely shocked by the whole thing when suddenly her alarm went off.It was 11:30 p.m. now and she really needed to get some sleep.

Olivia swiped the screen on the phone to turn off the alarm before grabbing the letter.She refolded it nicely and safely put it back into the envelope.Then she started to tremble with excitement, she had info! Damaging info but she remembered to calm down, she had to think of a strategy to counter act anything that could cause doubt to the report.

As she placed the envelope back on the table a thought ran through her mind.'Edmond...' There was no doubt that the information was collected by him but when and how did Loreley come to have it?She shook her head, she didn't need to create more motivation for herself to stay up.She grabbed her mug and quickly washed before she decided on where to sleep.

Olivia didn't know if it was safe to go back into her bed just yet.She decided that the warmth and security in that room was too tempting to give up.She grabbed the phone and programmed the alarm to go off for 4:00 in the morning.'It's only for tonight, it's only for tonight.' she chanted in her head as she turned off the lights. 'After tonight, I come down here sparingly.'

She climbed onto the sectional, wrapped herself with a warm blanket and instantly appreciated the effort her father put in.She felt sadness wash over her as she thought about her dad, he was gone and though she was not truly alone, he was still an important part of her life. With a shaky sigh and a few tears she snuggled her face into the plush sectional before she was called away to the realm of dreams.

.....

”You need to save Vaidehi.”a voice sang.

”Can't you just tell me who that is! How am I supposed to find her?!” Olivia yelled as she turned herself around, the fog patch she was in was too thick to see anything.”Find her to break your curse and everything will be yours.” a voice echoed through the fog.

”Show yourself Sakura! Why must you hide when I know it's you? Please tell me why this is happening?” she yelled as she raised her head, trying to amplify her voice.

Suddenly a beautiful maiden was standing in front of her. She was wearing the same royal blue Hikizuri with a gold and orange cherry blossoms print.Her sleek, black hair was cascading over her shoulders and her black eyes were twinkling as they held the milky way inside them.

With a flick of her delicate wrist she waved the fog away.They were now standing by the lake as a crescent moon shone brightly up in the sky.”Sakura why do I need to save Vaidehi?” Olivia asked hoping she would get some sort of answer.

Sakura walked over to a log and sat herself down, she called up a stump and tapped it lightly, signally Olivia to sit down.”You humans are so interesting... you make up legends and fairy tales to make yourselves feel better about the world. To forget what you have done in the past as if sugar coating the truth will really hide anything. Then again it has gone on for so long that I too would have forgotten and moved on, if I was allowed too.” she said as she placed an elbow on her knee and balanced her head.

”What are you talking about?” Olivia asked as she leaned closer.Sakura's thin, red lips started to turn upwards.”There is little truth and more tall tales involved with your people's storytelling that the true meaning of the story is often lost. Find the truth about the fairytale, learn of the dark past and what the people have done.When you do I will tell you everything, even how to save Vaidehi but for now you will have to leave.” she said as she waved her hand in the air, summoning the fog's return.

Olivia got up from the stump and spun around shouting out Sakura's name.Her voice started to become soft when suddenly she felt the ground shake beneath her feet.”Find the truth about the fairytale, find Vaidehi, break this curse and you will have your happily ever after.” Sakura sang one more time before the ground opened up and swallowed Olivia whole.

Olivia woke up before her alarm went off.She started to smile to herself as she sat up.”So the more I know, the longer you are willing to talk to me...” she said to herself as she pulled off the blanket and went to go make herself some breakfast.

After a quick bit, a prenatal pill and change into her uniform, Olivia left the room and made her way towards the kitchen. Since she woke up early and Eli being one of the guests in the house, she decided to do an extravagant breakfast.

She decided that eggs benedict, blueberry waffles, home fries, fruit smoothies, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers were the best way to go.

As she was placing everything onto the food cart she heard a familiar voice calling out to her from the kitchen entryway. ”I could get used to seeing you do this every morning.” Eli said in a groggy voice. Olivia looked up and was completely delighted to have a feast for her eyes. Eli was leaning against the trim of the door way, his hair was gently tossed in a somewhat er*tic way while he wore only a loose pair of PJ pants.Olivia openly gawked at his half naked body, fully appreciating his well toned muscles.

After a moment she decided to finish putting the last of food onto the cart. She then leaned against the counter, crossed her arms and decided to enjoy the view for a bit longer before she started talking to him again. ”You know I could say the same thing to you.” she said with a sly smile and suggestive gaze.