Krystelyna

Ulis took Krystelyna's hand and together they started into the mouth of the cave, leaving Dawnetta standing outside. Dawnetta looked around and decided that she would rather take her chances inside than to stay outside by herself. She said, "Wait. I'm coming with you." As the three of them entered the dark cave, they felt a sense of warmth, instead of the usual cold and dampness of a cave. The cave was dimly lit with candles, so it was a little hard to see. But Krystelyna kept moving forward in the direction of another large opening at the back of the cave. They reached the opening and Krystelyna started to go through when Dawnetta said,"How do you know which way to go? How can you be so sure that she means us no harm? What has come over you, Krystelyna? You are acting like you have just gone home or something. Or like you have lost all control of your senses. You get here and someone that knows your name calls out ot you and you just go to them. What are you thinking?"

Krystelyna looked at her sister and said angrily,"Now you are starting to sound like the priests and the villagers. I don't know how I know these things, I just do. It's like my dreams, I can't explain it. But if you think that I've totally lost it, then maybe you ought to go back to the village and tell them whatever you like. But no matter what you do, I'm staying here." Krystelyna turned and started down the tunnel. Ulis scurried to catch up with her. The tunnel was well lit and they both reached the end without much trouble. The tunnel led to a stairway that spiraled down into the mountain. Dawnetta only paused for a moment before running to catch up with the other two. She called out to Krystelyna, "Now you just wait a minute, young lady! I am the oldest here and I am the one that says what we do and where we go." Krystelyna spinned on her heels, looked at Dawnetta with her eyes flashing, and said, "Just because you are the oldest doesn't mean you have the right to tell me what to do! I'm welcome here and I know it! And for that matter, so is Ulis. I have felt nothing but sincerity and love since we entered the cave. It's not my fault that you can't feel anything because you won't let down the wall that you have built up around yourself. Dawnetta, there are a lot of times that you won't even let me inside that wall. All we have is the three of us now and who ever or whatever lies ahead. I'm going and there is nothing you can do or say that is going to stop me. I love you dearly, but this is something I have to do and I'm sorry if you can't understand that."

Krystelyna and Ulis turned and started down the staircase together, leaving Dawnetta standing there by herself. Dawnetta had never seen her little sister so angry or had never heard her speak out like that before. "Maybe, just maybe she really knows what she is talking about.", she thought. Dawnetta started down the staircase after Krystelyna and Ulis. She, like the other two, had no idea what was waiting for them, but she was not going to let them face it by themselves. Not caring who she was saying it to or who heard her, she thought out loud, "I just hope that she really knows what she is doing." Dawnetta caught up with the other two at the bottom of the stairs. Krystelyna turned to look at her sister. "Are you going to try and stop me? Because if you are, then I guess we have nothing further to say to each other. I love you and I'm sorry it has to be this way, but I know that this is where I belong. I'm not leaving, no matter what you say or do. You can't physically force me to leave, nor is there anything you can say that will make me want to go with you. This is mine and Ulis' home now. You are more than welcome to stay if you want. You have a home here too."

Dawnetta looked at her sister through different eyes. In such a short time, it seemed that Krystelyna had grown in all ways. Physically, mentally, and spiritually. "I'm not here to fight with you. If you feel this is where you belong, then it is not up to me to stop you. I just want to stay with you because I love you." The two sisters looked at each other and smiled. "Then you are welcome to come with us.", said Krystelyna. The three of them turned and started down a well-lit path towards a door. Even Krystelyna was a little scared, but she knew that after the arguement she had just won, that she couldn't show it. When they reached the door, Krystelyna put out her hand to knock, but the door swung open before she could touch it. She jumped back for an instant. Then her eyes grew big and she gasped. The other two pushed forward to see what was beyond the door. They, too, couldn't believe what they saw. Krystelyna quickly recovered herself. She turned and looked at Ulis and Dawnetta standing there with their mouths open. She laughed and said, "Dawnetta. Ulis. Please close your mouths before you catch something in them you don't want." Krystelyna started to say something else, but before she had the chance, Ulis finally spoke. "We are finally home now and for good."

The Beginning? -- chptr 1