Night was different in the Realm of Life. She was so used to the fluorescent light of the District. The only thing that illuminated their surroundings was the countless stars scattered across the night sky.
It took some time for her eyes to adjust. If it weren't for Niana's childish spiels, she would have gotten lost a few minutes back. Vaeri also made the effort of pulling her closer whenever she strayed too far.
When it did adjust, it was like seeing a different world. The night was... peaceful. Days were filled with the buzz of nature. Now it was more of a quiet hum. Like soft snores echoing off the branches as the animals went to sleep.
Vaeri was also different at night. Her golden hair had a soft glow, emitting an aura that reminded her of a muted sun.
Carmilla would find her gaze coming back to her again and again.
It didn't go unnoticed, but Vaeri chose to remain quiet.
The opposite was for Niana. She could barely see her as she walked in front of them. If it weren't for her constant speaking, Carmilla would have trouble finding her. An eerie feeling came over her whenever Niana would turn to look at them.
Those red eyes were uncanny in a dim atmosphere. It was like staring into a beast's eyes.
The sounds of laughter reached her ears. From a distance, she could see buildings taller than the trees around them. A red glow from their light reflected on the nature surrounding them.
Vaeri stopped her from going further with a hand to her wrist. "This is as far as we can go. There are multiple barriers set up near the village beyond this point. We'll be swarmed before we even make it there."
"Oh." How efficient
While they did have cameras in the District, they didn't cover as much area as this village. Their purpose wasn't to detect abnormalities; they had patrols and scouts for that in their designated towers. Its purpose was to identify and monitor who and what was near their borders.
"Niana, keep close to Mama. We're going a specific route, so I don't want you running off, okay?
Niana ran to her mother's side and grasped her hand in a tight grip. She looked nervous, yet her eyes trembled with excitement.
"You too, Carmilla."
Carmilla raised an eyebrow at the teasing look on Vaeri's face. She wanted to say something, but decided to nod her head. With how playful she was, Carmilla assumed that she wanted her to feel at ease. The barriers must be incredibly sensitive. Vaeri must not want them to be tense by its presence.
They went west from the village, closely following Vaeri.
Halfway through, Niana was basically leaning half of her weight on her mother. The full day of walking was starting to get to her. Her eyes were starting to flutter closed, something she was fighting against with each step.
Vaeri giggled at her daughter's display. "Do you want me to carry you, love?"
"I can do this myself, Mama..."
Her voice was a dead giveaway. She might be able to continue for now, but Carmilla was sure that it wouldn't be long before she would collapse from exhaustion.
It was a surprise for a six-year-old to last this long. It must have been because of her constitution as a mutant.
Despite the redirection, Carmilla could still see that they were inching closer to the village.
She could see the details of the buildings more clearly.
The material and design were the same as Vaeri's home. They were taller and bigger than Vaeri's.
The sound of rushing water reached her ears. A large river slowly came into view.
The sight energized Niana to the point that she forgot about her exhaustion. She gasped and smiled big and wide. If it weren't for Vaeri holding onto her hand, Carmilla was sure that she would have run to the water.
"Niana..." Vaeri warned.
Her daughter turned to her with a big pout, her little hand fidgeting with her mother's.
"We're not here to fish, my dear. Now behave, or you won't be getting cake tomorrow."
Niana gasped louder, the offense written all over her face. She pointed an accusing finger at her mother, her face in a deep frown. "Don't you dare!"
"Is that a proper way to address your mother?"
"But Mama!"
"No buts, Niana. Only good girls get cake."
Maybe it was because of their conversation earlier this morning, or it was because she naturally found their interaction hilarious. Carmilla found herself chuckling.
Vaeri turned to her with an embarrassed smile. The tall elf leaned down to whisper near her ear. "You think that's going to fix years of spoiling her?"
Carmilla unexpectedly snorted. She waved the woman's face from hers. "Please, like it's going to be that easy."
Vaeri sighed, heavy and defeated. "You're right."
"I can hear you guys! Stop talking bad about me!" Niana whined and stomped. Even in the night, Carmilla could see her blush reach her ears.
"We're not talking bad about you, baby. I don't think I'm doing a good job raising you to be so spoiled." She punctuated by squeezing and stretching Niana's cheek, much to the child's displeasure.
Niana pulled away in exaggeration. "Ehhh, but you're not a bad mom, Mama. You're the best!"
Carmilla saw how it immediately softened Vaeri. Pure, unfiltered love showed in her eyes as she looked at her daughter.
They arrived at an open spot near the river.
Vaeri looked to the night sky and said, "We're still pretty early. It would be a while before Dalyor would arrive."
"Can I look at the water, Mama?"
"Sure, baby. Don't go too far, okay?" Before Niana could run off, Vaeri kissed her on the cheek. Carmilla saw the kiss glow slightly, and a small dot appeared on Niana's cheek.
To Niana, it was a normal goodbye kiss, but Carmilla knew that was not dirt on the child's face. Was it a tracker?
Niana's little feet quickly carried her to the water, where she watched it rush by, giggling to herself whenever she saw something funny.
Carmilla found herself smiling at the sight. This was her first time seeing a flowing river glistening in the moonlight, yet here she was, enamoured by a child's joy at her own reflection.
Niana truly loved the water. Was there ever something Carmilla loved as much as her?
A scene flashed before her eyes. Her heart picked up in speed. Despite standing there, she could feel a rush of adrenaline flow through her veins. Her hand moved to the weapons that weren't there.
She couldn't comprehend what she saw. It was too fast for her eyes to follow. But it terrified her.
She felt Vaeri approach her side. "Dalyor should bring the equipment I need to open a different portal to the overworld. There's another one close to our house, so you should find yourself close to where you were."
Vaeri's eyes remained on Niana, analyzing for anything awry. "This... Dalyor. Did he try to take her away, too?"
"What makes you ask?" Vaeri's quiet voice eased the rapid beating of her heart.
If Carmilla was being honest, she didn't trust him. So far, she's heard nothing but bad things about how elves viewed humans. If there were others like Vaeri, they would have gone with her and helped her raise the baby. Instead, the woman was all by herself.
Vaeri confirmed her nagging suspicion through her hesitancy.
In a quieter voice, she answered, "He... he didn't. But he didn't stop it. Up until now, he's been against my decisions and wants me to come back home." She paused to listen to Niana's excited chatter with her own reflection. "I can't go home without her."
Carmilla took a step closer to the child. "...I'm getting a bad feeling about this whole thing."
Vaeri looked at her. Those emerald eyes stared at the tense stance of her feet, to her stiff shoulders, and then to the hypervigilant expression on her face.
"I can't guarantee that everything will be alright. I trust that Dalyor would do what he swore to do. If not, Niana's safety is my number one priority."
Carmilla understood what the elf left unsaid. This must be the main reason why Vaeri asked for her help. The tension between Vaeri and her people couldn't be ignored any longer.
If she were to put herself in the shoes of the opposition, seeing the child they tried and failed to subdue would feel like a lost prize dangled in front of them. Vaeri knew this; perhaps that was why she never brought Niana with her in these exchanges.
Vaeri didn't just want Niana to wander too far. Her real task was far more complicated than what she was told.
Carmilla should be angry. Clear objectives produce clearer results. In her line of work, missing pieces of information meant her death or the death of others. It was a risk that shouldn't exist in the first place.
So yes. Carmilla should be angry. However, that was not the case. In the short time that she spent with this family, she understood one thing: Vaeri would do anything for her daughter.
She didn't have to know the reason. Her desire for safety and security was palpable in the way she held herself.
Carmilla understood.
She looked at Vaeri. "She'll be safe. You both will. I'll guarantee it."
For a moment, Vaeri was shocked. That neutral smile on her face is gone. The woman's shoulders eventually fell, the grace leaving her body as she giggled. "I trust your word, Carmilla."
Carmilla only nodded.