~ Love, Undeniable ~
--A Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates Fanfiction—
        Written by Tanya Kozak

Time seems to pass ever so slowly in the small village East

of Rebena Te Ra, the nation’s glorious capital. There, people of many

kinds hustle and bustle about, doing their business. Life is quieter

in the village, where a family torn apart by the darkness of fate

once again lives peacefully. It wasn’t long before when that family’s

twin children were almost devastated for the rest of their lives,

until by the power of the crystal one held, they managed to undo

their broken lives and start anew as kids again.
Now, they live with their mother, father and two friends of the

family, Meeth and Alhanalem, who also act as mentors to the children.
Alhanalem is a yuke of great wisdom of magic and medicinal

herbs, known throughout the kingdom for his service to the king as a

royal mage. However, in this quiet village where he lives, his superb

status as the king’s head ex-mage is seen with pleasant indifference.

He has left his life at the castle for a quieter one in the village

where he is hidden from the public eye.

He sat at his desk in the library, peering tentatively over a

book on the history of magic. The warm glow from the light floating

in made his golden helmet shine. He wore a royal violet garment laced

with golden armor and a red tie belt. His single bronze horn

protruding from the left side of his helmet gleamed in a river of

moving light. A sigh crept out from his oddly shaped helmet.
There was a knock on the front door. Quite surprised by it,

Alhanalem immediately lifted him gaze from the pages of the book. The

door creaked open, letting the sunshine of a mid-day afternoon burst

in.
A Selkie girl stepped cautiously into the house, not wanting

to disturb the unsuspecting. Her hair was a warm and brilliant

orange, long and held together at the bottom with a colorful leather

ribbon. She wore white fur cuffs and a soft blue wrap around her

chest, also laced with fur and held with leather straps. Around her

waist was a beautiful handmade skirt. Below, she wore typical

patterned Selkie leggings and intricately patterned sandals. Her bow

and quiver, used commonly amongst others of the Selkie tribe, hung

over her back. Her demeanor was a bit shy.
“Hello?” she said, stepping in more to close the door behind

her.
Alhanalem was still in his chair across the room, looking at

this visitor from afar. The village doesn’t have many visitors, so

the whole situation that this young Selkie girl had walked right into

his house was still playing with his mind. He paused a moment before

the words came to him to greet her with.
“Hello, may I help you with something problematical?”

Alhanalem asked.
The Selkie girl’s vision adjusted to the light change and she

saw Alhanalem over across the room, sitting at his desk amongst the

towering shelves of books.
“Al… hanalem?” she said quizzically.
“Yes, that is indeed me,” he replied.
“Oh!” she said gleefully, “Sir Alhanalem! You’re the one I’m

looking for! The royal mage and herb expert!”
“Yes, that is I. Although I am retired from being a mage

royal, medicinal herbs and magical knowledge are still my specialties

technical,” Alhanalem replied, somewhat flattered that this girl was

looking for him.
The Selkie smiled sweetly. “He’s still as handsome as he is

knowledgeable,” she thought. The sparkle in her eyes seemed to pierce

right through Alhanalem’s helm.
“You’re probably wondering how I know you,” the girl said,

kind of embarrassed. Alhanalem definitely was interested. “I saw you

years ago,” the Selkie explained, “when you were still in Rebena Te

Ra at the castle.”
“You did? I’m sorry to say but the memory of meeting you

previously I do not recall,” Alhanalem said in an unfortunate tone,

shaking his head. The girl nodded understandingly.
“Well, you probably didn’t notice me. I had only gone to the

castle town on a visit and happened to see you exit the castle with

your mages-in-training. The way you lead them on, with such majesty

and authority. I’ve heard a lot about you and I’ve wanted to meet you

ever since. Oh, I’m just embarrassing myself…” The girl put her hands

behind her back and lowered her head. Alhanalem was taken aback and

began to blush.
“That is quite the story unusual. How someone would think

that way about me I find it unbelievable. But, I thank you,” he said

with a hidden smile. The girl smiled back, releasing her hands from

behind her back.
“Oh, but I have something important to ask you,” she said,

her expression changing suddenly. “My mother… well, she’s very ill.

No one in my village can help her. They say it’s hopeless.”
Alhanalem lowered his head slightly in empathy.
“But,” she continued, “I heard from a traveler that there’s a

very rare herb that can cure her; the leaf of a guado plant.”
“Is that so?” Alhanalem said.
“Yes, but, problem is… I don’t know where to find one!” the

girl said, lowering her voice in hopelessness.
“Well, well,” Alhanalem said, standing up. “I know exactly

where you can find this plant herbal.” The Selkie’s eyes lit up.
“Really? Thank you very much for your wisdom, sir Alhanalem!”

She said graciously giving a nod.
“But…” Alhanalem continued, his tone less than enthusiastic.

“It is dangerous to venture there in search of the leaves medicinal.”

The girl’s shoulders drooped and she let out a sigh.
“But… I need to find one.” Her expression changed from one of

bleakness to one of determination. “I just can’t let my mother go on

like this, she’ll die!” the girl expressed strongly. “Sir Alhanalem!

I understand I would be in danger, just please tell me where this

plant is!” Alhanalem had a worried look all over his helmet.
“Miss…” he started.
“Tanya. I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself earlier,” she

nodded apologetically, grinning a bit. Alhanalem blushed under his

helmet.
“…Miss Tanya,” Alhanalem continued, “the guado plant is

native solely to Sinner’s Isle, not quite a place recreational,” he

said, shaking his head. “That isle is a boiling mass of lava and

rock, a place meant for criminals.”
“That’s where the king’s men exiles them to, right? I’ve

heard about that place before,” Tanya said. “Nevertheless, I have to

go there right away!” Her determined face came back.
“I know it is important to you but I strongly advise you stay

away from that locale,” Alhanalem suggested. “I’d rather I go myself.

I have been there previously and know where to go to find the plant’s

habitat natural.” Tanya was surprised that he had just offered to go

in her place, considering what an honor it was to even stand before

him.
“No, Sir Alhanalem, I couldn’t let you. I’ll be fine by

myself. The last thing I would want is for you to get hurt because of

me,” she insisted. Alhanalem lowered his head again in respect for

her choice and consideration. Tanya’s face grew sad as she thought of

her mother, waiting back at her village for help.
“Thank you for your help, but, I’m sorry,” Tanya said. “It’s

for my mother. I have to try!” She gave a courteous nod to Alhanalem

then swiftly turned around and made her way out the door into the

light of day.
Alhanalem watched her leave until she was gone out the door,

not moving his eyes from where she left the house. The image of her

was still fresh in his mind as he watched her step out the door again

and again like a ghost in his mind.

Alhanalem heard the steps of small feet from his back. He

turned around to see Meeth, a lady Lilty, also a mentor to the orphan

children like Alhanalem. She had just run down the stairs from her

alchemy lab up top and had quite the mischievous grin on her face.
“Ooooh, who was that that just leftie?” She asked Alhanalem

slyly. “Was that your girlfriend?” Alhanalem double-blushed under his

golden helmet.
“No, no! Not at all! She merely consulted me for knowledge

informational!” Meeth put her hands on her hips pompously.
“I was watching the whole thing from the upstairs balcony,”

she said.
“So you saw…” Alhanalem sighed. “I can’t say I’m not worried.

She’s traveling to a dangerous place. My distressing is not

unreasonable.”
“So you care about her and don’t want her to get hurtie?”

Meeth asked. “Oh, you must have strong feelings for her!” Alhanalem

was again exasperated.
“No, no! It’s not… I just…” Alhanalem had to pause and calm

himself down. “I just felt it was necessary to inform her about the

dangers there. They are considerable.”
“Well, whatever you say, Al. I’ve got to get back to making

my special soupie!” Meeth grinned mischievously again and pitter-

pattered back upstairs.
Alhanalem walked back over to his desk and slumped down onto

the chair, resting his arms on the smooth surface of the wooden desk.

He hung his head and stared blankly at the pages of the book he was

reading earlier. The words blurred as he stared at them with a fixed

gaze, not reading the book but dreaming instead.
“Tanya…” he said in his mind, “You’re quite the unique one.

What is this feeling unusual?” The words on the page were now a

smooth mist, Alhanalem’s vision clouded by his own little world.

“Your smile struck me with some force incomprehensible… why do I

think about you so?” His thoughts were swirling in his head like a

tempest; his heart beat fast like a drum warning of the impending

storm. Somewhere inside him there was a flicker of feelings for that

girl. Somewhere inside her, as well, possibly…

Tanya was already on the ship heading toward Sinner’s Isle,

thanks to help from the castle’s men, who are the only ones to give

access to the island prison.
The wooden ship itself was small and rugged. It looked as if

it had made the trip hundreds of times and was beaten down by the

harshness of both the island and the sea. Tanya looked out across the

sea’s horizon while two of the King’s men piloted the ship toward

their destination. The waves crashed against the side of the rickety

boat, making it rock back and forth. Tanya held on to the side of the

ship so she wouldn’t fall.
“I hope this old thing makes it…” she thought.
Not too long after, Tanya had arrived at the island. The boat

crept up to the rocky shore and stopped to let her off. She jumped

down from the boat and thanked the guards for bringing her there.

They turned the boat around and immediately started off back toward

the capital.
“Good luck, you’ll need it!” one of them shouted from the

boat. Within a minute they had disappeared into the horizon.

Tanya was now all alone on an entire island of molten rock

and lava. She turned to face her challenge and saw the mountainous

peaks of Sinner’s Isle before her, billowing toxic clouds of smoke

into the late afternoon sky, making it unnaturally dark. She took a

breath of the soot-laced air and charged ahead up a rocky path.
The atmosphere was thick with heat and made Tanya start

sweating within seconds. The ground beneath her was hot too, making

her feet sticky. She wiped her forehead with her arm as she continued

up the path.
“Alhanalem was right. This sure isn’t “recreational”,” she

mumbled to herself. Eventually she reached a clearing filled with

tiny streams of molten lava and areas of rocky ground that had broken

open in places where the hottest steam escaped, making it too hot to

stand on. Bombs and Mu’s, monsters accustomed to the unbearable

atmosphere, littered the rocky ledges. Her courage dimmed for a

moment. She made a mental note. “I better be really careful here.”

She got out her bow and arrows and stepped lightly over the safe

areas of ground, shooting monsters that got in her way. She came to a

ledge that led upwards to a higher clearing on the mountain. Being a

nimble Selkie, places like this were simple to trek. She double-

jumped up the ledge and continued climbing the rocks with ease.
When she reached the next flat clearing, she saw a bright

yellow object upon the cliff in the distance. It was striking against

the gray-brown of the rocks. She tried to get a closer look.
“What is that?” she said out loud. “Maybe it’s…” she trailed

off. Her excitement rocketed her over the lava pools to the base of

the cliff where she tilted her head back to take a closer look at the

golden object. It definitely was a plant, with a blood-red base and

fleshy yellow leaves that flowered out from the center. She figured

that must be the guado plant. Her gaze was now fixated and could not

be broken. She had to get to that plant, but doing so would be

tricky. It was very high up, too high to jump.
“I’ll have to climb…” she said and started up the cliff. The

placement of her feet on the slim rocks jutting from the wall must be

exact or she would fall. Her hands shook as she chose her next

foothold wisely. Slowly, but carefully, she crawled up the wall and

got her hand on the ledge with the plant sitting on top.
“Almost,” she thought. “You’re almost there. Her palms were

saturated with sweat and her grip was hard to keep. “Gotta hang in

there! I just gotta grab that plant…” In a moment of courage, she

lifted her free hand up and tried to wrap her fingers around the base

of its fleshy form. The plant’s cool skin felt like ice compared to

the heat surrounding her. Just when she was about to get a firm grip,

her foot, wet with perspiration, slipped from the rocky foothold,

sending her straight for the ground. She screamed as gravity pulled

her faster and faster to her doom. She knew within seconds her bones

would break on the blistering rock below. She closed her eyes and

felt her body hit something solid, but it wasn’t rock, it was soft

and feathery. In confusion, her eyes shot open to see Alhanalem

holding her with his big Yuke hands.
He had caught her and she was now lying in his arms, staring

up at his gleaming helm, which was looking back down at her stunned

face.
“I told you this was not a place recreational. Are you all

right?” Alhanalem asked. Tanya had to catch her breath to reply.
“Sir Alhanalem! I’m all right thanks to you. I thought I was

going to die.”
“I couldn’t let your trip here become fatal,” he responded,

still holding her, secretly not wanting to let her go. Alas, he

carefully put her down.
“Sir Alhanalem, I can’t thank you enough for saving my life,”

Tanya said with an appreciative nod.
“No thanks are essential,” he replied with a hidden smile,

his heart still racing.
“So… you came all the way here because of me?” Tanya asked.
“Well, yes… to see you get hurt out here would be

intolerable.” He crossed his long arms and moved his gaze to the

bright yellow guado plant sitting on the cliff above. “I thought you

might need some help additional,” he added. Tanya also looked up at

the plant, sitting out of reach like a golden prize.
“It looks like I do,” she said with a giggle.
“Well then, let’s get that guado plant down to ground level,”

Alhanalem said as he drew his staff and held it in front of him like

a baton. It was short like a hammer and was beautifully carved. He

withdrew 3 magicite from his pocket; fire, blizzard, and thunder.

After tapping them with his staff, he swirled it around in the air

and with a fling of his staff, he cast a Gravity spell on the ledge

holding the plant. The ledge started to crack and crumble, bringing

the plant down with it as it broke off the side of the cliff. The

rock chunk hit the ground and cracked into pieces, setting the

plant’s roots free from their rocky tomb. Tanya picked the plant up

from the debris and danced excitedly.
“Oooh thank you so much! I’ve finally got what I need to save

my mother. Sir Alhanalem, you’ve helped me so much… I don’t know what

to say!” Tanya said to Alhanalem, holding the plant tight in her arms

as she gazed dreamily at her savior.
“Ahem…” Alhanalem started, blushing wildly under his helmet.

“Let me guide you back to the boat floatational.”
“They’re waiting for you?” Tanya asked as she bundled the

plant up into her pocket.
“Yes, the guards are on the ship waiting for our return

punctual,” Alhanalem replied with a nod.
“Then let’s –AHH LOOK OUT!” Tanya yelled but it was too late.

A huge chimera had suddenly ascended from the rocky slope below and

charged Alhanalem full force from behind, knocking him to the ground

like a toy.
“ALHANALEM!!!” Tanya’s cries echoed from the plateau down

across the island. The chimera towered over them, a hideous

combination of frightening beasts. It opened its jaws to swallow the

helpless Yuke but Tanya acted fast and drew an arrow in her bow. She

shot at the chimera’s throat, but missed. The arrow ricocheted off of

one of the creature’s huge fangs, stunning it temporarily. This gave

her enough time to swiftly run in and grab Alhanalem’s arm and pull

him out of danger. She had pulled him a few feet when he managed the

strength to stand up. He nodded at Tanya and withdrew his staff for

battle.
Tanya shot more arrows at the chimera as it reared on its

hind legs. They pierced its underbelly, but to no avail. The

monster’s gigantic forelegs came smashing into the ground, sending

out a nasty shockwave. Alhanalem jumped into the air to avoid it, but

Tanya was hit and fell to the ground on her front, shaken by the

beast’s tremors. Alhanalem retrieved more magicite from his pockets

and threw some to Tanya.
“Here!” he shouted. “Use these!” Tanya rolled over onto her

belly and pushed herself off the ground, grabbing the magicite. The

chimera closed in on Tanya, but Alhanalem flung a bolt of magic at

the beast, redirecting its focus. This gave them a chance to counter.

Alhanalem tossed the blizzard magicite straight at the chimera. Tanya

grabbed another blizzard magicite and did the same. The chimera cried

as the two magicite exploded in a spell of Blizzara, instantly

freezing the creature in place. Alhanalem and Tanya shot arrows and

magic blasts at the helpless beast. It seemed like it was over until

the ice started to crack. Then, with tremendous force, it shattered

to reveal the angry chimera inside. It let out a ferocious roar and

charged Alhanalem.
“Alhanalem!” Tanya cried and tried to distract the beast with

an arrow shot, but it failed. The chimera had already bashed right

into Alhanalem, who had tried to dodge. He was flung across the

ground like rag doll.
“NO! ALHAN-,” Tanya shrieked but was cut off by the deafening

roar of the angry beast. Now it was moving in for the kill. Tanya ran

back to where Alhanalem had been flung and knelt down at his side.

Alhanalem was too drained to cast Cure on himself or even stand up.

Tanya looked down at him with an expression that said, “Don’t worry.

I will protect you.”
“Run… Tanya…” Alhanalem spoke with trouble.
“I can’t just leave you here!” she replied. “I got this far,

I’m not giving it all up now!” Her determination rose up from inside

her and gave her the strength to draw her last arrow and aim it at

the approaching chimera. She let it fly but the beast knocked it out

of the air with a swing of its claw.
“My last arrow!” Tanya frantically felt for another arrow but

found nothing but an empty quiver. Then she saw the thunder magicite

Alhanalem had tossed her earlier. In a last ditch effort to save them

both, she reached for the yellow orb. The giant fiend opened its

massive jaws, which were inches from the Tanya and Alhanalem.
“Here! Have this for dinner!” Tanya shouted in anger and

chucked the magicite down the chimera’s open throat. It flinched and

withdrew backwards a few steps, growling as the magicite worked its

way down the beast’s throat. Then, in a flash of light, the magicite

exploded in a dazzling spell of Thunder from inside the monster,

sending deadly electric shocks through the creature’s body. It

immediately fell to the ground with a booming thud, finally dead.

Tanya turned her attention to Alhanalem right away, crouching

over him.
“Are you okay?” she asked him, a worried look on her face.
“Yes… my condition… is not… critical,” Alhanalem mumbled.
“It’ll be okay, there’s still this cure magicite I’ve got,”

Tanya said, holding a green orb in her hand. She used it to cast Cure

on Alhanalem and herself, restoring both of their health it its

green, glowing light.
“I feel much better. Wonderful!” Alhanalem exclaimed as he

stood up and dusted off his clothes. “My sincerest gratitude to you,

Tanya, for saving me from an attack fatal.” Tanya’s eyes lit up as

she smiled at Alhanalem.
“Not a problem at all,” she replied. Alhanalem blushed again,

seeing her smile like that at him. He still thought about how she had

come to his side when he was knocked down and guarded him instead of

fleeing for her life. The thought of it made him warm inside.

The two of them headed back to the island shore to where the

boat was waiting for them, bobbing in the shallow waves of the

shoreline. The guards looked very unenthusiastic about waiting

around, but immediately changed their demeanor when they saw

Alhanalem approach the boat with Tanya at his side.
“We are ready to depart for the capital,” Alhanalem told the

guards, who replied promptly with a “Yes, sir!” and set the boat on

course for Rebena Te Ra.

Tanya stood once again against the side of the ship, staring

out over the glittering orange water, reflecting the sunset on the

horizon. Alhanalem was standing with one hand on the mast, looking at

Tanya from behind, her silhouette black against the sunset’s bright

glow. He stood, trying to work his feelings out in his mind. For the

first time since they had met, he was shy in her presence. He did not

know why. Neither did he know why he couldn’t explain how he felt,

even to himself. He turned his head to look at her again. Her orange

hair flowed with the breeze beautifully like a river in the wind. He

finally got up the courage to go and stand with her.
“The sunset is quite majestical…” Alhanalem noted as he

walked up beside her, both of them facing out over the glimmering

sea.
“It sure is,” Tanya replied softly, not removing her gaze

from the water for fear that she would look at Alhanalem and smile so

widely that her secret would be given away. Instead, she just

blushed.
“…I’d like to know more about your family,” Alhanalem said.

“Where you came from, if that is acceptable…” Tanya turned to face

him, having gotten control of her emotions.
“I’ve lived in a small town called Saermor all of my life. I

was an only child. My father left when I was very little; I don’t

really remember him at all. Maybe it’s best that way…” Alhanalem’s

helm gave a sign of empathy. “I live with my mother now. She’s all I

have,” Tanya explained, sadness in her voice. “I’m afraid to go out

on my own, truthfully. I try to be as brave as I can, but I don’t

have anyone else besides my mother. If she dies… what will I do?”

Tanya’s eyes started watering, her head lowered. Sadness covered

Alhanalem’s golden helmet like a rain shower. He felt her pain in his

heart. With one of his fuzzy palms, he gently lifted her head from

her downward gaze. With the other hand, he wiped the tears from her

cheek. They looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity.

Her tears gone, Alhanalem lowered his hands to meet hers and took

hold of them softly between his feathery palms. He was double-

blushing by now, his heart was racing faster than anything he could

imagine. Nervous as he was, he spoke softly to her.
“No need to be concerned, Tanya. You’ve got what you need to

save her,” he said, not moving his gaze from hers. “If you need help,

I am here; unconditional.” He gripped her hands a little bit tighter.

Her heart jumped. “I must say, though, when you depart, I will miss

you, and I am being truthful.” Tanya knew, at this very moment, that

he felt the same way she did about him.
“Sir… Alhanalem,” Tanya started.
“Please, drop the title formal. You can call me… Al,” he said

with a smile under his glistening helm. Tanya smiled back at him.
“I’ll miss you too, Al,” she spoke softly to him. “But, I

promise I’ll come back.” Alhanalem was elated to hear how she felt,

but he wasn’t sure if he could believe that she’d return. It was a

miracle enough to just be standing with her on that beautiful

evening.

One of the guards piloting the boat interrupted the moment

with an announcement.
“We’ve arrived!” he exclaimed to Alhanalem and Tanya,

standing together on the deck, still holding hands. They were so

engaged that they didn’t even realize that the boat had pulled into

the dock at Rebena Te Ra and the sun had almost completely

disappeared beneath the horizon.
The two of them walked to the town square before turning to

each other. By now, the stars lit the sky like millions of fireflies,

while the glow of lamps lit the town plaza. It was oddly busy in the

plaza for nighttime.
“It’s getting late,” Tanya remarked. “I’ve got to get this

herb to my mother as soon as I can.” Alhanalem nodded

understandingly.
“Yes, it looks like this is where we part ways. I’m glad I could be

helpful,” he said with a nod. Tanya turned her back to Alhanalem.
“I’m sorry,” she said, “I can’t stay any longer.” She wasn’t

a fan of goodbyes but she knew she had to make this one as painless

as possible. She turned her head and glanced back at Alhanalem,

standing in the dim light of the plaza square. “Thank you, Al.” With

that, she was gone into the darkness.

Days and nights passed. The sun and the moon cycled over the

little villa so many times since that day. Alhanalem spent the hours

in a hazy sort of consciousness, going about his daily routine as

usual, but contained in the realm of his mind. He thought about her

every day and every night. He wondered when she’d return, if her

mother was all right, and even if she had forgotten about him. That

was his least favorite thought of them all. He remembered her clearly

telling him she promised to return, but when? Each day he thought to

himself, “This may be the day...” With each passing day, he grew more

hopeless that she would ever come back. Even when he tried to take

his mind off of her, his mind kept going back, longing for more.

Longing to be able to think of her and not bring sadness to the poor

Yuke.

Alhanalem sat at his desk one night staring into nothing, his

head lowered over a book on how to combine magicite to create new

spells. He skimmed through the pages but all the words had no

meaning. Only one raced through his mind that night, the name of that

girl. Some unsorted herb seeds were scattered on the right side of

his desk. Out of indifference for the book he was looking through, he

started sliding the seeds around on the table with his feathery

finger. He lined them all up carefully to make a picture. When he was

done he smiled upon his work. It was her name.
“Al! Soupie’s ready! Yuri and Chelinka are eating with us;

remember? Are you dozing off down therie? Meeth squeaked from atop

the steps. Alhanalem broke out of his trance in surprise and

scattered the seeds back into a pile quickly.
“No! I was, um, merely… sorting seeds herbal. Don’t worry, I

will be punctual!” He shouted up to her.
“Okay! Just checking! They’ll be here any minute nowie,” she

replied and scampered off to ready the meal. Alhanalem glanced over

at the front door, wishing that Tanya would walk in like she did that

day. He stared, hoping, waiting for her to join them for dinner. He

knew very well she wouldn’t. She couldn’t. A sigh drifted out from

his helmet.
Just then the door started to open. It jolted Alhanalem’s

awareness into full gear. The twins Yuri and Chelinka stepped into

the house from the evening’s fading sunlight. The two of them

immediately saw Alhanalem sitting at his desk from across the room.
“Hi Al!” Yuri and Chelinka happily greeted him. “I’m soooo

hungry! Is Meeth done with the soup yet?” Chelinka complained.
“Soupie’s ready!” Meeth called down to everyone with a big

grin.
“Oh boy, right on time!” Yuri exclaimed. They all headed

upstairs to eat.

Meeth passed out bowls of soup to everyone around the table.
“Mmmm! It smells so good!” Chelinka commented, smiling as the

hot soup’s steam drifted past her. The soup was very hearty, filled

with round corn, gourd potatoes and a meaty broth. Meeth raised her

cooking ladle at everyone, seated and ready to eat.
“I spent two long days working on this soupie! Remember all

my hard work as you enjoy its tasty flavorie,” she said with an

impish but cute grin.
“All right, let’s eat!” Yuri giggled and started sipping at

his spoonful of soup. Al sat staring into the warm broth in his bowl.
“Why aren’t you eating, Al? You don’t like my soupie?” Meeth

asked, offended.
“No, that’s not quite the assumption reasonable,” he replied.

“I just am feeling a little unwell.”
“Oh no! Did you catch a coldie?” Meeth asked. Alhanalem shook

his head and sighed.
“Meeth, do you remember the day that Selkie visited the

village? The one you mistakenly referred to as a “girlfriend”

relational?” He remarked. Meeth thought for a moment, rubbing her

chin with a serious look on her little face. She then had an obvious

moment of realization.
“Oh yes! I remember nowie! You disappeared somewhere after

she came to visit that day. I remember making soup that day and I had

leftovers because you didn’t show up for dinner!” She said with an

attitude.
“No need to fret over something historical!” Alhanalem waved

his hands frantically.
“You went somewhere special that day, Al?” Yuri asked

curiously, sipping at his soup. Alhanalem looked from one face to

another.
“Ah, I suppose I should explain. I was doing a favor

personal,” he told them.
“For that visitor?” Chelinka questioned.
“…” Alhanalem paused. “Yes, for the Selkie girl that

visited.” He then proceeded to explain to them the story of her

mother, his decision to help her and how they retrieved the herb from

Sinner’s Isle.
“Wow! We had no idea you were so daring, Al!” Yuri exclaimed

with a chuckle.
“I do not consider myself “daring” or confrontational,” he

replied.
“Ooo Al found a girlfriend! After all this time!” Chelinka

giggled. Meeth stood up from her chair and pointed her spoon at

Alhanalem, who was very embarrassed.
“So you do like her! Why else would you go do all that for

some stranger?” Meeth had it all figured out and you could tell by

her grin. Alhanalem gave in.
“Yes! My feelings for her are truthful! I admit! Must you

taunt me in my moment of dilemma emotional?” Alhanalem stood up from

sitting at the table with the others, his bowl of soup untouched.

“I’m sorry but I am going to find her.” He ran down the stairs and

straight out the front door.
“Al! Wait!” Meeth called. “You didn’t even touch your

soupie!” Meeth sighed but Yuri shrugged it off with a smile.
“It looks like he’s got his mind set! Don’t worry Meeth, I’ll

eat his soup for him,” Yuri offered, his belly rumbling.
“You’re having MORE?!” Chelinka whined. “You’re gonna get

tubby if you keep eating like that,” she insisted. Yuri just laughed

as Meeth placed Alhanalem’s bowl of soup in front of the hungry

Clavat.

Alhanalem had only exited the house and rounded the corner

when he saw her, standing at the top of the stone steps that led out

of the village. He froze immediately as if he were struck by the

coldest of gusts. His heart leapt from his chest. She stood still,

smiling at him from afar. She could not hold herself back any longer

and ran to him.
“TANYA!” Alhanalem shouted joyfully as he ran full speed

toward her.
“AL!”
“I’ve waited so long for your arrival!” He could hardly

contain himself. Like magnets of fate, they ran into each other’s

arms, holding each other so close. Neither of them ever wanted to let

go; both felt connected like never before.
“Al…” Tanya said softly. “I missed you.”
Alhanalem blushed harder than ever before. A warm sensation

swelled up from inside of him, one that he had never felt before. It

flowed through his veins, made his body tingle. He felt like the

happiest Yuke in the world.
He quivered nervously but still held her as close as he

could. He opened his heart and let loose his feelings for her.
“I missed you as well, Tanya.” The words echoed out from his

gleaming helmet. Tanya lifted her head from against his chest to see

him face to face.
“I promised I’d come back,” she said, cutely smiling with her

tongue sticking out between her teeth. Alhanalem smiled back.
“I should have trusted more in your words reliable,”

Alhanalem said disappointed in himself.
“Don’t worry about it,” Tanya replied. “I knew you’d be

important to me from the first time I saw you in Rebena Te Ra all

those years ago. I’d be a fool not to come back.” Alhanalem was

elated to hear her say that.
“And thanks to you, my mother made it! She’s going to be

okay!” Tanya exclaimed happily. Alhanalem’s face was starting to hurt

from blushing so much.
“That’s wonderful!” He replied excitedly. “But, you know, you

were the one that saved her from a fate terrible,” he said. Tanya

shook her head.
“If it wasn’t for you, I would have never even known what to

do,” Tanya replied. Alhanalem paused for a moment.
“Although I did help you, it was your determination

unbreakable that made all the difference,” he countered. Tanya just

gave in and hugged him tightly.

The sun had almost disappeared below the horizon, leaving a

trail of fuchsia and orange in the sky.  The reunited Selkie and Yuke

held hands once again under its majestic glow; and this time, they

didn’t have to part ways again.


        ~The End… for now!~