Torn Dimension: Ch. 7 - The Aurora of the North

Genesis woke up to the sound of rain crashing onto the window beside his head. He listed his head from the pillows and rubbed it with his hands. He stared at the window, at the endless drops of water.

It had been a just less than a week ago, Daniel suggested they clear Aura's name. They had found nothing. Aura had to be kept hidden most of the time. She avoided going to visit her family entirely.

Genesis looked around the room, it was still as elegant as everyday prior. The light was on since the night before and Genesis sighed. Once he looked at the other beds, he saw Hope was still asleep. However, Daniel was gone. Genesis thought nothing of it until he remembered that Daniel was still slightly weak.

Genesis crawled out of bed. Creeping past Hope, he was careful not to wake him up. He reached his hand out for the doorknob and turned it.

As Genesis walked down the hallway, he remembered the last week. Nothing was revealed about the incident in Aura's past - or their fate. Genesis began to wonder about what Astra had said once more as he reached the staircase to the inn. What exactly did she mean by the man she knew, as Ouwnsel was dead?

Genesis finally reached the main entrance to the inn and walked outside. He realized a small roof above the main entrance stopped the rain. He turned to the side to see Daniel looking out to the rain.

Daniel noticed Genesis, but did not turn to face him.  "It's a weird place, Pandora." He said, almost monotone. "Why isn't the snow melting when the rain hits it?"

Since they came to Pandora a week ago, it had not rained once. Therefore, it came as quite a shock for Genesis to notice the rain running downstream on the snow. Something felt very wrong. "It's almost unreal."

"I know." Daniel agreed. "I woke up the morning after we came here to a strange feeling. I cannot describe it – I just felt…off. This town seems to be warped."

Genesis remembered the feeling, the vibe, that he had the time he first stepped foot into Pandora. Over the week he come to terms with the sensation, but something was definitely wrong.

Hope walked through the entrance of the inn. Behind him was Aura and Kira.

"Guys, we have one last lead before we run into a dead end." Hope said.

"Yes." Aura began. "There is an old man that lives in this town; he should have an idea of what the artefact was, or is. He could be our only lead."

Genesis nodded. "Then let's get going then. Lead the way, Aura." Aura nodded, and began to walk in the direction of the old man's house.

Kira moaned. "But do we have to go into the rain?" She shrugged; the others had already walked into the rain. She sighed, realizing the coat she bought Aura was covering her from the rain. "Should have got myself one, shouldn't I? Silly girl." He groaned, running into the rain and catching up to the others.

The group went around the many houses that populated Pandora. Despite the rain, the snow was not melting – nor had it at all in the past week. Although it was a surreal view, it was beautiful.

"Hey, why is the snow so weird in this town?" Genesis asked, poking Aura. He had realized that saying her name outside of the inn was a bad idea.

Aura shook her head in stress. "It happened when the artefact was stolen. The whole town became warped, as if nothing happened how it should. It's like the artefact controls the village, and when it was taken the village was hurt."

"That's so strange."

"Yeah, it is. I don't understand it myself." Aura revealed. Aura then halted in front of one specific house. The house looked like every other single house in Pandora. "We're here."

Aura turned to Genesis as if to say he should be the one knocking. "Why should I-? Oh, yeah."

Genesis walked up to the door and knocked gently.

"Why'd you know that lightly?" Daniel asked, sarcastically. The door swiftly opened behind Genesis, unknown to him.

"Because he's old, duh. It could hurt his-" Genesis turned at the sight of the other four looking at him awkwardly. He jumped back upon seeing the man staring at him displeased. "Oh, sorry, mate. I didn't mean it in that way!"

The old man did not seem to talk at all, instead, surprisingly, he just signalled the five to walk into his house. Aura, Hope and Kira walked past Genesis who was still in a daze.

"Mate?" Daniel chuckled as he grabbed Genesis' arm and dragged him through the door. The house they walked into was contradicting to the outside of the house. Except, unlike the inn and the other houses they had entered for information, this house was worse than the outside. The whole house was literally one room where everything was compressed into a small space. A small bed was thrown into the side of the room. The only other things in the house were a stove and a cupboard where plates and other eating utensils were kept. The group awkwardly stood in the house as the man appeared to be cooking something on the stove.

"Now, what do you want, you five?" The man asked, abruptly ending the silence that had befallen them.

Kira spoke for the group. "Please, we're looking for information on the artefact that was stolen from the Pandora's Crevasse a few years ago."

The man's eyes widened. "And why is that?"

"We think there may be more to the incident than first assumed. The conclusion was rushed without thinking when they blamed that girl." Genesis explained. Aura looked at Genesis in shock.

The man crossed his arms. "That girl that was accused was the only person in the Crevasse at the time. She looks pretty guilty to me."

"But what if she wasn't the only one in the Crevasse?" Kira asked. The man looked at Kira as if he did not want to accept the words.

"And how would you go about proving this theory? The event occurred ages ago and the girl they accused as the thief left the town over a week ago." The group fell silent. "Even her own family didn't believe her pleas. She must have been a bad kid."

Aura pulled a fist as she grinded her teeth. She held back the words she desperately wished to say.

"What's your problem?" The man asked upon noticing Aura's fist.

"Enough with your opinions." She hissed. "We're here for the facts. You know what the artefact was, don't you?"

The man stuttered in fear. "Y-yeah. The artefact is said to be the heart of Glaciar; its jewel of life. With each beat, it would pump life into the nearby lands. However, when the artefact was stolen, the pulse was lost and Pandora – no, the whole of Glaciar - fell into its current warped state. After the incident, fear crippled the country – not just Pandora – and they all blamed the first person they could. It just so happened that the one person that was in the Crevasse at the time of the commotion was the girl."

"The commotion?" Hope asked.

"The authorities reported that a fight broke out between the thief and the guardian of the artefact." Hope, Genesis, Daniel and Kira looked at one another upon hearing the news. They looked at Aura as if to ask whether she was aware of this.

"That's ridiculous." Aura acclaimed. "The girl was just thirteen at the time of the incident; how could she have faced a guardian like that?" A strange feeling flew through Aura, as if she was remembering something she had repressed. However, she shook it off.

"The authorities seemed pretty sure that-"

"Oh, piss off." Aura hissed as she began to walk towards the door. She signalled the others to follow as she did. "We're leaving, guys; we have the information we need."

The others reluctantly followed behind her. "Thanks for your time." Daniel said as he walked through the door, leaving the man in awe.

As the five teenagers stood outside in the rain, they questioned what had just happened.

"Judging by your reaction," Kira began, "You don't recall ever seeing a fight that night – let alone took part in one – do you?"

Aura shook her head. "No; I don't recall ever seeing a fight."

"I see. Do you believe you've repressed it, then?"

"I've been saying that for a few years now; I blocked it out right from the start."

Genesis did not like the subject of memories. Personally, he thought they were not reliable enough to go on. "You don't reckon you told your family the truth before you forgot it, do you?" He asked.

Aura turned around quickly, as if to force Genesis to regret his words. "You're not suggesting I go ask them, are you?"

Genesis nodded his head. "Yes, I am. Memories are unreliable; we shape them how we please and lie to ourselves so much we begin to believe them. Of course, I do not believe you fought a guardian at the age of thirteen. However, I do believe you may have seen one. I'm suggesting your family may know the truth – whether they chose to believe it or not."

Hope, Kira and Daniel looked at one another in agreement. "Genesis is on to something, Aura. I think it is time you paid them a visit."

Aura shook her head in fear. "How can I face them now?" She shook aggressively in her place.

"We're by your side, Aura." Genesis said, placing his hand on her shoulder. "This could be the break of information we need to clear your name."

Aura reluctantly nodded. "Okay… Follow me." She said, weakly. Aura continued to shake in place as she directed the group towards her family home. She could not believe that after only a week she was now about to return to the house she so desperately wanted to escape from.

"It'll be okay." Kira said, patting Aura on the back. "I promised I'd be by your side."

Aura nodded. "Thanks, Kira. I'm thankful for that."

"No problem."

The group continued to follow Aura back around the houses when she led them into a different area of Pandora. Nothing cosmetic had changed despite a part of Pandora they had not previously explored.

"We're-we're almost there." Aura stuttered.

"Hey, didn't you say your little sister was the only one who believed you hadn't stolen the artefact?" Daniel questioned.

Aura smiled at the thought. "Yeah, she did. Fayfe always stood by me; she was the only person I was upset to leave."

Hope chuckled in empathy. "You had one person that supported you through everything? You're little sister sounds amazing."

"She is." Aura said. "I probably owe her my life."

Genesis questioned Aura's words secretly. What does she mean by 'her life'?

Soon, they stood before Aura's house. Aura's house looked exactly like any other house in Pandora, just like the old villager's. Except, unlike the old man's, Aura's house was much bigger. "We're here." She said, weakly.

Aura trembled before her old house.

"You'll be okay." Kira assured as she lightly pushed Aura towards her front door.

Aura looked at her front door for a few seconds before she finally reached forward and knocked the door. Memories flood through her as she stared at the old, wooden door. Her hands still trembled as she put it back to her side.

She turned to face the four teenagers with her and they nodded. Aura took off her hood. A few seconds later, the door opened. A small girl who looked about fourteen was stood before them. The girl looked exactly like Aura, except her hair was slightly shorter. Her clothes were similar to Aura's, wearing a similar choli and a longer and tighter sarong than Aura's, probably for more heat.

The girl rushed up to Aura and hugged her tight. "Why did you leave us?!" She cried, only holding tighter to Aura.

"Come on, Fayfe." Aura said, patting her sister on the back. "You knew why…"

Fayfe broke off the hug and looked her sister in her eyes. Aura told her sister on the day Ouwnsel had visited her that she was leaving to clear her name. However, despite this, Aura could sense the sorrow in her sister. It was obvious how much it had actually hurt her.

"I know." Fayfe said, weakly. "But you said you left to clear your name; Pandora still thinks you're the thief. Why did you return to Pandora – n-not that it's a problem."

Aura chuckled. "We got possible evidence; we just need to prove them. Who's home?"

"Mum is; dad is out."

"I need to talk to her." Aura said. Fayfe nodded and signalled them to follow in the building. Red carpet, white walls and large chandeliers that hung from the ceilings; Aura's house looked like a more family driven version of the inn they were all staying in.

Fayfe led group into the front room of the house. The room was not much different from the hallway with the same colour scheme. The room was mostly empty aside a white couch, a wooden chair, a fireplace and a wooden cabinet with a television upon it. Aura's mum was sitting on a white couch in the room. She was staring at a picture of Aura's father while sobbing. Her long brown hair hung by her side loosely, covering her tearful eyes. Like the rest of Pandora's women, she wore – albeit a different styled – choli and sarong.

"Mum." Aura grunted, getting the attention of the grieving woman. Upon realizing Aura had just walked into the room, she threw the picture of Aura's dad onto a red pillow at her side.

"Aura." She said almost monotone. Daniel, Genesis, Hope and Kira stood awkwardly beside the door while Fayfe and Aura walked up to their mum. "You're back."

"I'm just here to clear my name." Aura said, bluntly. "I'm not staying for too long." Fayfe looked at the ground in sadness at Aura's words.

"Why?"

"Because I can't stay-"

"No, why must you try to clear your name?" Her mum interrupted. "Why would returning here clear your name?"

Aura looked at her mum, speechless. Nothing had changed; she was still a thief in her mother's eyes. The other teenagers stared at the mother and her two daughters in awe.

"I'm sorry, Aura, but you're not welcome in this house anymore."

"She is welcome here!" Fayfe cried. Their mother shot a disgusted look at Fayfe, causing her to retreat.

"Let's get straight to the point." Aura said, wrapping her arm around her sister while saying so. "What did I tell you and dad that night after the incident?"

Aura's mum snorted. "Nothing but petty lies!" She cried.

"I'm not interested in your selfish opinions, mother." Aura said, slowly. "I want to know what I told you. Then I can go."

"You spiteful, little girl." Her mother hissed. "You told us how you heard a monster fighting with two people. You specifically told us how one of them spoke to you about light within you." She spat out the words heard and light. "Your story was truly pathetic; it was obvious why the authorities had no problem seeing through the lies."

Aura stood in confusion. She looked back at the others who shared her dumbfounded expression. The answer her mum gave her generated more questions than answers.

"So, the old man was right; there was a fight with the guardian. I'm not sure how they knew, but they did."

Aura's mum sighed in disbelief. "How can even hope to clear your name?"

"Because, unlike you mum, I am doing what is right for everyone." Aura said, cradling Fayfe and looking her in her eyes. "I'll be back; I just got to finish what I've started, okay?"

Fayfe nodded. "Do what you have to."

Aura stood up and began to walk up to the doorway of the main room. She stopped in front of the Genesis and the rest of the group. She shook her head and turned to face her mum and her sister once more.

"One more thing…" Aura began; her tone shifted to a much softer one. "All you and dad had to do was stand by my side. Maybe then, it would not have led to this. I lost all my friends because they were scared to stand out by my side; maybe they would have stood by me if you two had done. Plus, the worse part about it, no matter what you had done to me… I still love you."

Aura walked through the door past the others, leaving her mother in state of self-contempt. Hope, Genesis and Daniel slowly followed behind her out of the house.

"We'll bring her back." She said as she began to walk away but then popped her head back around the door. "You know, family should always stick together. If Aura proves her innocence, the last thing she would want would be for you and her father to smother her with any emotions you may feel – shock, sorrow, horror, whatever it may be. I think she'd rather forget it ever happened."

Fayfe smiled and nodded while her mum stood in silence. Kira smiled back at them and turned to the door. She walked out to find the rain had stopped and the rest of the groups were stood outside the house. Aura had her hood back on. Genesis was seen comforting Aura.

"So, where next?" Kira said, eagerly.

"The only place we have left to visit is Pandora's Crevasse itself. The place I found myself in was deep within the Crevasse, within a cave of pure ice."

"Are you sure it's safe in there?" Genesis asked. "What if it's not? It has an artefact in there, after all. They ain't going to make it easy to get there."

"I was thirteen when I got lost in there, Genesis." Aura assured. "Besides, there was an artefact in there."

Genesis nodded. "You're probably right; I'm just being totally paranoid."

"We should get going now." Hope stated. "Before it gets dark, I mean." The group nodded. "By all means, lead the way, Aura."

Aura signalled the group to follow with a quick nod and pointed in the direction of the Crevasse – to the North. "This way." She said, leading them through the town.

At this side of Pandora, there were no woods, only endless amounts of snow. Sooner than they would wish to believe, the village behind them was getting harder and harder to view. The group walked for what seemed like more than a fair amount of minutes. Eventually, the sky began to fade.

"I can't believe your parents couldn't believe you - their own child." Genesis said, sorrowfully. "How is that possible?"

Aura shook her head as if it did not really matter. She, at last, took off her hood to reveal the few tears that had escaped her. "It's because of the lack of evidence."

"What ever happened to blind faith?" Genesis acclaimed, "You should love your family and be by their side no matter what."

"Lack of evidence leads to lack of hope. It's part of the reason why many still believe the world as being one flat surface."

Hope chuckled to himself. "That's only because the whole world has the same night and day time – half the day for each. They believe some god or something lights up the world from space and if the world wasn't flat we'd have different times of light and darkness depending on where we are in the world."

"But some places are in more darkness than others. I can think of one place that's in eternal darkness." Genesis said, confused.

Hope shrugged. "To be fair, those places are dark as hell – and I ain't just talking about lighting."

Kira looked up at the sky at the sight of something bright. Green lights had begun to develop in the darkening sky. "Guys, look."

The others looked up at the sky, the bright lights lit up to sky. Genesis gazed in awe.

"An aurora!" Genesis said with glee. "I've always wanted to see one of these!"

"Well, now you have." Kira chuckled.

In the distance, Pandora's Crevasse could be seen. It looked as though a large mountain range made of ice stood before them. The ground slowly became icier, too. Snow slowly began to disappear. The aurora over their heads began to reflect off the surface they were treading on. Ahead, a large opening to the Crevasse was slowly becoming more visible.

Genesis continued to stare at the aurora in amazement, and before they knew it, they had reached the entrance.

"Man, Aura, you really walked all this way?" Hope said, panting.

"It's alright; if I remember correctly there is a large opening a little into the Crevasse." Aura said, pointing into the Crevasse. One large opening looked like one long pathway that led into the centre of the icy mountains.

"Right, shall we go in?" Genesis said.

Aura took her first step into the Crevasse. Once more, memories flooded Aura's mind. The past four years came to her mind as though they happened in the space of a few days.

The other four squeezed through the Crevasse, following Aura.

"This place is tight, gosh." Daniel laughed as he squeezed through the tiny pathway of the Crevasse. After a few minutes of walking the small pathway, a large open area revealed itself.

"So, this is the large place you were talking about?" Hope asked.

Aura looked at the large opening area as she got out of the pathway. She recalled staying here for a bit that night, as she was exhausted.

"Yeah." Aura said, weakly. "The guardian is a little further on…if I recall."

"Well," Hope began, panting. "Let's rest here, okay?"

Everyone nodded simultaneously. One by one, Genesis, Daniel, Aura, Kira and Hope sat down on the cold, icy ground. Daniel, Genesis and Aura sat on one side while Kira and Hope sat opposite to them. The fact the ice was cold did not matter as long as their feet were resting. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Genesis looked up at the sky to see the aurora threw the Crevasse. The green lights lit up the Crevasse to the point it was easy to see. "It's so damn beautiful."

Aura nodded. "It was there the night I tried to… well, I ran away." Aura said, slowly.

Daniel sighed. "It sucks that you'd wish to run away from your family, Aura. I wish every family was happy."

Aura smiled at Daniel. "It happens, doesn't it? Don't worry about me though, Daniel – though, I am grateful. You seem like you come from a nice family."

Daniel stared at the floor, then at Genesis. Genesis expressed his concern for Daniel. However, Daniel nodded – he was ready to accept the past. He pulled his bag in front of him and took out the picture of him, his brother and his parents.

"I do." He said, provoking a wide grin from Genesis. "Although I lost them many, many years ago when I came home to find them gone I still love them with all my heart. They are out there waiting for me; Genesis made me certain of that."

Kira and Aura looked at Genesis as he grinned with glee. He scratched the back of his head. "Ah, well, Daniel's too cool to be depressed. He just needed words to pick him up, you know." He chuckled along with Daniel.

Daniel stared at his brother in the photo. "I remember the time my brother took me to the park and I fell over. He helped me up and took me straight to my mum and dad. They just laughed while I cried."

Genesis laughed, causing Daniel to grow nervous.

"What are you laughing at?" Daniel asked, awkwardly.

Genesis laughed once again. "Your little anecdote that had no relevance apart from the fact it shows how much you care for your brother."

Daniel grew frustrated. "Well, that was the point then, you nutter!"

"Wow, wow!" Genesis cried. "Sorry, continue with your story, sheesh."

Daniel nodded, punching Genesis in the arm. "You know, Genesis, when I was taken to the children's home at the other end of Senland I met one guy who reminds me so much of you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, my friend, Scott. He reminds me so much of you."

Genesis scratched the back of his head. "Okay then, brah." He chuckled.

Kira jolted at the words that left Genesis' mouth. "Wow, I haven't heard that word for ages." Kira proclaimed.

"Wow, really? I cannot stop hearing it because of my friend back in Manocia. Can't get enough of it." Genesis said, sarcastically.

"Yeah. Must hurt leaving him behind, right?" Kira asked. For once, her perky personality did not come through in her tone.

Genesis nodded, slowly. "You sound like you know how it feels, Kira."

"Yup. My friend disappeared from sight when I was young. Just like that he up and left and didn't even say goodbye."

"That's why you joined Ouwnsel, isn't it?" Hope said, shocking Kira.

Kira nodded to the question. "The day my friend disappeared was the day I met Ouwnsel for the first time." She explained. Daniel, Genesis, Aura and Hope stared at Kira in confusion. "He knows I'm here to find my friend. I know he does. Yet he still believes I'll be of use to him."

"How do you know he knows?" Genesis asked.

"The way he said that some of us were here to find something, or someone, that they had lost when we were stood before you, Genesis. It was obvious he knew."

After Kira's words, an awkward silence grew between the five teenagers. The aurora still lit up the (now night) sky above them.

Daniel suddenly clicked his fingers. "I just thought about something; we don't even know each other's ages!"

Genesis shook his head. "We don't…do we?"

Aura chuckled. "Seventeen."

"Snap!" Kira cried, signalling Aura to hold her hand out to Aura, signalling her to high-five. Aura slightly high-fived Kira, causing Kira to awkwardly move back.

"Sixteen." Hope said.

Daniel scratched the back of his head. "Man, I'm only fifteen."

Genesis laughed. "Well, I'm sixteen; my birthday was a few weeks back. So, you're the youngest, Danni-boy!"

Daniel shoved Genesis in frustration. "That's the worst nickname anyone has ever called me!"

The whole group's laughter filled the Crevasse as it echoed around the ice. A good few minutes passed and the laughter died down slowly to surround the group in more silence.

"By the way, guys." Hope said, quickly breaking the silence. "Has it possibly occurred to you there could be more to this 'artefact' than we first imagined?"

"If you're thinking the artefact could be the Pulsus, then I've always had my suspicions right from the moment Ouwnsel stated they were in danger." Aura said.

Genesis suddenly remembered about the dreams he, Daniel and Hope had talked about. Was it possible Aura and Kira had similar dreams?

"Hey, Aura? Kira?" Genesis said, softly, catching the two girl's attentions.

"Yeah?" Kira replied.

Genesis stared at the ground to avoid eye contact. "Did you have dreams of the any elemental orbs? Possibly the Orbs of Pulsus?"

Kira and Aura's eyes lit up.

"We spoke about this ourselves." Aura said.

Kira nodded. "Yeah, Aura had a dream about the Ignis Pulsus while I had a dream about the Terra Pulsus. At first, we were not too sure, whether we had a dream about the Orbs of Pulsus. Though, Aura is convinced that her dream is the Ignis Pulsus."

Genesis summoned his scythe. Once again, Aura was struck with memories as the scythe appeared around light and cherry blossoms. "Are there them?"

"Yeah, that's exactly how me and Aura remember the orbs in our dreams; she told me." Kira said, noticing the Orbs of Pulsus at the top of Genesis' scythe. "Isn't that right, Aura?"

Genesis turned to Aura to see her in a daydream while staring at the scythe. "Aura?" He said, shaking Aura.

"Genesis, I remember where I saw the scythe."

Genesis eagerly awaited her reply. "Yes?!"

"I don't remember who… but the night I was lost in this Crevasse one of the people who were fighting the guardian was wielding that scythe." Aura revealed.

Genesis' face dropped. "That doesn't answer any of my questions." He said, sorrowfully.

Aura quickly stood up. "Then, we've rested long enough; I want the answers now."

Genesis stood up soon after Aura. "I agree… We need to get the answers now. I bloody hope this guardian can talk."

"I find it amazing you remember all of this, Aura." Hope stated.

Aura shook her head. "It's all coming back to me."

Daniel, Hope and Kira stood up together. Aura had already begun to walk up to the pathway that was heading in the direction of the guardian.

Genesis smiled. "Someone's eager, ain't they?" He laughed, following Aura into the pathway.

Daniel, Hope and Kira slowly began to follow Aura and Genesis further into the Crevasse. "It feels so damn good to finally feel we're getting somewhere." Daniel said. "We'll have finished this fate before we know it!"

With Daniel's words, the three remaining teenagers began to walk into the pathway leading further into the crevice, following the extremely eager Genesis and Aura. The aurora still lit up the Crevasse above their heads.