Chapter 31: Getting a true name Part 2
Aric felt some sort of peace as he stared at the woman dancing. It felt soothing, calming. He subconsciously got up to his feet and started walking toward her through the flowers.
He kept going until he got close, and then she stopped. She turned and faced him with a smile. "You are a fascinating one," she said as she walked toward him.
Aric stopped walking and waited for her to get to him. Her presence was warm and comforting. She looked at him with warm eyes, like a mother.
"I don't know you. You are not of this world, are you?" she asked. The sudden question made Aric take a step back in fear. How could she tell that he was not from this world?
The woman saw the fear in Aric and smiled. She stretched out her hand to him and spoke, "You don't have to worry. I will not reveal your secret. If anything, I am happy that you are here," she said and then stepped forward, her hand going under his chin to caress him slowly.
"It's been a very long time since I got to see anyone. Forgive me and my touchy hands," she said.
"What do you mean by a very long time? Can't you just see people when you want? You are a spirit, right?" Aric asked.
"Indeed, I am a spirit, but I am also a prisoner. This beautiful world you see around you—the mountains in the distance, the cool breeze, and the ever-blue sunless sky—all of this is a prison, my prison.
I can't leave no matter what I try. I have been locked in here so long that I have slowly started forgetting who trapped me here and why," she said and turned around. She started walking away slowly, and Aric followed her.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Well, I go by Terra, but I can't remember my true name. It has been so long, and every day I stay here, I slowly forget."
"Then if this is a prison, how did I get here? I was trying to speak to higher spirits that would give me my true name, but then I found myself here," Aric said.