I was shocked—I couldn't form a single word. My mind was spinning, trying to make sense of what she had just said.
"Mama, what happened? You look sick."
Ashley's small voice pulled me back to my senses. She looked at me with concern, her big obsidian eyes filled with worry.
Her emotions… they were too mature for a three-year-old.
"Oh, Mama! You made me forget too!"
Ashley suddenly stood up and walked towards her bag. I watched her curiously as she unzipped the little pocket and took out a small box. She held it out to me with both hands, her tiny fingers clutching it tightly.
I hesitated before taking it. "What is this, sweetheart?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Ashley tilted her head and smiled. "Dada gave it to me and told me to give it to you."
A strange feeling settled in my chest as I stared at the small box in my hands.
I opened the box, revealing a simple white band. It wasn't anything fancy—no diamonds, no intricate details—just a plain ring with the initials E.S. engraved on it.
"Mama, put it on! Dada said you need this!" Ashley clapped her hands excitedly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
I hesitated, feeling an inexplicable weight in my chest. But looking at her expectant face, I couldn't bring myself to say no. With a deep breath, I took the ring and slipped it onto my ring finger.
It was a little big.
Just as I thought about taking it off, something strange happened.
The ring shifted on its own.
Right before my eyes, it adjusted its size, tightening perfectly around my finger.
I froze, my breath caught in my throat.
"What…?" My voice came out in a whisper as a chill ran down my spine.
Ashley only giggled. "See? I told you, Mama! Dada said it's yours."
I stared at the ring, my mind racing. What kind of ring was this?
And who exactly was Aaron Walker?
"Mama, open it! Open! Let's meet Mimi Nu!" Ashley squealed in excitement, bouncing on her feet.
"What?" I blinked at her, still trying to process how the ring had just adjusted itself on my finger. My mind was already overwhelmed—Aaron had given this to Ashley to give to me? But why? And now she was talking about opening it?
"Sweetheart, what do you mean by 'open'?" I asked, frowning.
Ashley pouted, as if I had just asked the silliest question in the world. "Mama, you forgot again? You just have to call Mimi Nu! and it will open!"
I stared at her, utterly lost. Open? Open what?
And more importantly… who or what was Mimi Nu?
I was already overwhelmed by everything—the sudden arrival of this little human in my life, the mysterious photo, and now this strange ring. But my curiosity got the best of me.
Taking a deep breath, I followed Ashley's instructions and said, "Mimi Nu."
The moment the words left my lips, the tiny engraved letters on the ring lit up. My eyes widened in shock as, right before me, a holographic screen materialized out of thin air—just like something out of a futuristic movie.
I sat there, stunned, unable to tear my gaze away from the glowing interface floating in front of me. What… what the hell was this?
I turned to Ashley, expecting her to be just as surprised, but she looked completely unfazed, as if this was the most normal thing in the world.
"See, Mama? It opened!" she clapped her hands happily.
I look at the screen and click the active the potal, and in spilit of second the whole screen start rotating and suddenly a portal open in front of me, shocked "What the heck?!" I gasped, instinctively taking a step back.
I stared at the swirling portal in front of me, my mind struggling to process what was happening. The holographic screen had been shocking enough, but now this? A full-fledged portal opening right in my living room?
But before I could even think, Ashley grabbed my hand, her tiny fingers wrapping around mine.
"Mama, let's go meet Mimi Nu!" she chirped excitedly, tugging me forward.
I was too stunned to resist. My body moved on autopilot, my legs following her lead. And before I could even think about what I was doing, we stepped into the glowing portal—
And everything around me vanished.
A golden light surrounded us, forcing me to shut my eyes. A strange warmth wrapped around me, and for a moment, I felt weightless. Then, just as suddenly as it started, the sensation faded.
When I opened my eyes again, I had to blink several times to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
Before me stretched a landscape straight out of a fairy tale—so ethereal, so impossibly beautiful that it took my breath away.
The first thing I noticed was a massive mountain range, its peaks touching the clouds, covered in lush green trees that swayed gently despite the absence of any wind. The air smelled fresh, untouched, like a place unspoiled by time.
I turned my head, taking in more of the surroundings. We stood in a vast grassland, the soft green blades beneath my feet feeling like silk. And just beyond, an endless lake stretched out, its surface shimmering under a golden sky.
I turned to Ashley, who looked completely unfazed, as if she had been here many times before.
"Sweetheart… where are we?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Ashley sighed dramatically, placing her tiny hands on her hips. "Oh-hoo, Mama, I'm tired of taking care of you," she said in an exaggerated, scolding tone. "We are in Ashyn!"
"Ashyn?" I repeated, unfamiliar with the name.
Ashley grabbed my hand and tugged me forward. "Come, let's meet Mimi Nu! Dada said I could only come here when you finally wore your portal ring. I'm not allowed to come alone, so hurry up!"
I stared at her, still overwhelmed by everything happening. But my life had already taken such bizarre turns that this—this—somehow didn't seem as shocking as it should.
I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "Alright, lead the way, little troublemaker. Let's see what this place is all about."
And with that, I followed Ashley, stepping deeper into the mystery that was Ashyn.