As they walked across green fields, a question popped into Ashley's mind as she looked at the bracelet that Rosalia had given her. "What does this do? You and Rosalia were talking like it does something."
"It does," the cat said. "Which is why I found it strange that she would even part with it. Especially since it was a gift from Iseda."
"What does it do?" Ashley asked again.
"Many things," The cat said, "But it mostly protects...which is why Rosalia gave it to you."
"What's your name?" Ashley suddenly asked.
The cat thought for a bit, then finally answered, "I don't remember the one I had at the beginning of my life."
"Why not?" Ashley asked.
"It was such a long time ago. Few of us that still remember it the way it was. Then, we were more focused on our survival than our names."
"So what are you called now?" Ashley asked.
"Depends," The cat responded. "Different places call me different things...but I think you can call me Will if you want."
Ashley's face scrunched as she thought about the name. "Okay," She said eventually.
Hours seemed to pass and Ashley's pace had slowed down significantly, but the sun hadn't moved a single inch in either direction.
Will stopped and looked back at Ashley. "You should rest."
"But it's not even dark out yet," Ashley protested.
Will looked at the sky, then shook his head. "The sun's a poor judge of time. He'll move when he wants to and he looks like he's rather playful today."
"That doesn't make any sense," Ashley said, rubbing her eyes.
As Will stepped closer to Ashley, his size increased several times over and became larger than a horse. He laid on his belly and said, "Why don't you hop on my back and rest."
Ashley wanted to argue, but her body and mind just ached so much. So with a nod, she climbed on the large cat's back. When Will resumed his walk, his strides crossed more distance than they had before. Ashley laid on her belly in exhaustion.
"Do you mind if I ask you a question?"
"No," Ashley said somewhat reluctantly.
"What's day like where you're from?" Will asked. "I've usually visit at night, so I'm not familiar with what day's like. The sun clearly moves because night arrives, but why does the moon seem to be so still?"
"The moon's a rock in space," Ashley said. "It moves around the earth."
"How are you certain of this?" Will asked.
Ashley shrugged. "My teacher told me."
"And the sun?"
"It's a big star that the earth moves around."
"How does it decide when it's day?"
"It doesn't," Ashley tried to explain. "Day and night come when the earth turns."
"I'm not a new visitor to your land," Will said, "But it's still very strange."
Ashley thought about this. "How does your night and day work?"
"I hope you don't mind a lengthy story," Will said, "I was young during the time, but it's I time I remember clearly. Like myself, a bear and a lion were struggling to survive. The land was clear of any life and we ate almost anything we could find. The lion and the bear were the closest of friends and worked together every day. They were different, but in ways that only benefited each other. The lion was bold and outgoing. Never afraid to speak his mind. The bear, on the other hand, was calm and reserved. Always mindful.
"It so happened that, one day, a rock fell from the sky. It's hard to say where it came from, but it was the brightest thing they had ever seen. Now, mind you, the kingdom was also a dark place. The two examined it curiously. Not only was it bright, but it was warm. Then a thought came across them: Perhaps it was edible. With their diverse ingenuity, they split the rock. Unfortunately, the rock did not split in half.
"After much talking, it was decided: The lion ate the bigger half and the bear the smaller. Shortly after consumption, both the lion and the bear began to glow. But the lion was brighter than the bear. The bear suggested that it must've been due to the size difference and the sun agreed. What they didn't know was that the portions also contributed to their energy levels as well. So the lion became restless and bear became drowsy.
"They figured out what had happened and the lion began to worry for the bear. Rightfully so, too. As time went on, the bear became sleepier and sleepier. In worry, the lion rested the moon on a crescent rock. However, he didn't realize how bright he had gotten. Others began to complain, so the lion thought for a while and then took the rock where his friend soundly slept in his great jaw and ascended to the sky. Thus the birth of the sun and the moon as the kingdom knows them."
"Does the Moon ever wake up?" Ashley asked.
Will's striped tail flickered with amusement. "Yes, but only on occasions. When she does wake up, she spends her time with her good friend, the Sun."
"That's good." Ashley sighed. She then asked, "Have you ever met them? The Sun and the Moon?"
"Occasionally all of the Elders will gather together for some reason or another. I'll see them then, but that doesn't happen often."
"Who are the Elders?"
"The Elders are the few who lived in the kingdom when it was barely above habitable. We are the only ones who can leave."
Then, Ashley's eyes got heavier and she fell into a deep sleep.
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