ARIEL'S POV
"Ariel, get up."
When I opened my eyes, I saw my mother in front of me with her usual smile on her face. "It's already time to go to the academy, Elder Faxian will scold you for sure. " she said. Instead of the forest, I'm in our house, on my bed, wearing my usual pink dress made by my Mother. I don't understand, where am I?
"Get up now, Ariel." She held my hand and tried to help me get out of bed. Her smell, it's been 78 years since the last time I had smelled it. Am I dead? Is this a dream?
Instead of standing, I find myself hugging my mother tightly. She gasped but then she didn't protest. "Why? This is not you. You always hate me when I try to hug you, right?"
Tears stream down from my eyes as her voice gives me that familiar calmness.
"I-im afraid, Mother. I didn't know that my fire is still not enough to defeat anyone in front of me."
