"Almost there, young Soppeun." He continued moving ahead without a glance back.
The sound of slow, steady drumming flowed through the trees. More moss engulfed the rocky path. Eda noticed the moss becoming a different color the thicker it got-- turning to vibrant shades of blue and violet. As they moved past the densely treed area, the drumming grew louder.
Finally they came to a clearing of just rock, now fully submerged in the thick, blue moss. Tall trees with sparkling turquoise leaves circled around the clearing.
"Beautiful," Eda whispered to herself. Chaka glanced down at her and his eyes softened.
"Before I had asked you who you are." He then softly said, "It is no wonder you found yourself lost in these woods."
He held up his staff and swiftly spoke words foreign to her. An enormous blue light shone from the tip of the ancient staff, and beamed to the center of the clearing.
The ground started shaking. Eda tried to balance herself but stumbled forward, grabbing onto Chaka's arm. He remained poised through the rumbling.
The center slowly opened up, with water erupting out in the form of a geyser. As the spouting water reached its peak, the shape of the geyser began to morph. While elongating itself into a wall, the flow eased up and started pouring downward. A pool of water gathered at the bottom of the newly formed waterfall. The ground stopped shaking, but she still held tightly onto his arm.
"Now, it's time to find out who you are, Lady Wineda of the Soppeun galaxy."
"W-what about my friend? I need to find her. She's probably so scared right now."
"Young Wineda, you must go now before the wall of water vanishes. So many questions you ask, but all the answers you will discover through which lies ahead."
Eda let go of his arm then turned to stare deep into his eyes, scoping out any ill intentions or hints of betrayal. A warm wave rushed across her face and down her spine. He gracefully swept up his arm in the direction of the wall and bowed.
She was unsure how to respond, so she tried to mimic him and unsteadily bowed. Eda walked a few steps forward then hesitated.
"But will I see you--" she quickly turned around to find herself alone, "-- again?" She looked around but Chaka had vanished. The sound of the drumming was hidden behind the water gushing that flooded her mind. Her feet continued walking towards the waterfall wall...
