57 The hidden paradise (1/2)

Cheska understood Henry's conservative nature. Since Francis was straight, it was inappropriate for him to share a ride with a girl. But as for him choosing Madel. It squeezed her heart. Probably he already felt that she liked him and he was staying away.

Upon hearing his suggestion, Madel's heart almost leaped out of her chest. Because they will search for herbs, the Kidon would not be moving as fast as the Nori or the Winged King Howler. It made her feel flustered. But despite the temptation, she considered Henry's comfort.

”No, Henry, no need, I will ask another Kidon to help us.” She said in a very shy manner.

Henry, felt rejected but it flashed swiftly in his eyes and disappeared like it did not happened.

This girl had been avoiding him.

[Was her love for Tristan that deep? How stupid.] he thought.

Soon, another Kidon came. As they rode it, the bird efficiently maneuvered through the meandering path of thick trunks of the trees. To have a trunk which was as big as a hill and a mountain like span of branches, the trees could have stood there for a hundred thousand years. The thick branches that overlapped each other formed a glowing ceiling. The glow came off from the flowers and vines which fell for about 12 to 18 inches from branches. Some portion gave off a pink crystal glow.

Again, the sweet scent of the flower mixing with the cold and fresh air enchanted them. The Kidon that Madel was riding purposely flew lower and allowed its claw to gently touch the ground filled with algae. The white fray (Glowing spores of the algae) was triggered and was scattered as the bird flapped its wings.

Helen's eyes sparkled. The Kidon that she was riding on also lowered its body. She felt very elated that she lay flat on the Kidon's back and tried to reach the ground with her hands.

The Kidon was secretly ridiculing her. Her hands were simply too short to touch the ground. The bird shook its head and pulled its claws up and flew lower, making its body an inch away from the ground. But of course, the maneuver can only last until it flaps its wings again. That short time allowed Helen to trigger the frays with her own hand. It was magical. The white fray looked like stars.

At the back, Francis tried to press his eyelids thinking that he was seeing things. Helen's facial expression looked exactly like his best friend from Planet Hilan. She was always drawn to light, light shows or anything which sparkles.

Her expression when they were standing at the top of the buildings or inside the space ship overlooking the view of City at night was the same as the ugly duckling in front of him. The sparkle in her eyes as she looked at the starry night and moons in places where there was no artificial light, or whenever they explore the beaches with sparkling sand. He could not count just how many times he looked at that same expression. Even if it was just for a month, he could not help but to scold himself for forgetting such precious memories. The memories that kept him going.

Soon, they went out of the wide maze like forest. The light of the sun blinded them for a second as their eyes tried to adjust.

”oh…..” the four of them could not help but hold their breaths with surprise.

It was a meadow filled with flowers, insects, butterflies, winged creatures, fruit bearing trees, bushes with fruits, and beasts that eat grasses. It was like a paradise.

There was a clear river running towards the dark forest. Large fish with different colors can be clearly seen swimming on the river.