Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Cosmoflow Protocol
Word Count: 1156
“Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy’s first law of equivalent exchange.”
One of the first rules Akei remembers learning in childhood. Everyone in the land knew it well, that matter cannot be created nor destroyed–only transformed. In order to get one outcome, one must input and feed it, lest one ends up with something less than ideal. A similar concept worked for gardening. In order to encourage new growth, the seeds must be fed from the remains of something else.
If only the scientists remembered that the law also applied to harnessing Flow.
Flow, the life energy that held existence together. Humans had well become accustomed to harnessing its power as a renewable energy source. It existed in the water (Hydroflow), the air (Aeroflow), fire (Pyroflow), and the earth (Terraflow). So, when humans, or rather Professor Aurus, discovered Cosmoflow–the flowing energy of the stars, it was revolutionary.
When we made paradise, we did not ask if the earth could bear it.
The Academy sat atop the mountain that overlooked the valley in Valeria. The marble and golden pillars reached high to the heavens. It was built over a waterfall, which flowed down into a pool and emptied into a river that ran through the valley and into the ocean. At one point, it signified a goal to reach knowledge that was beyond us. Akei once looked up at it with reverence for its ground-breaking discoveries, but now, as she’s ushered towards the vault carved behind the grand waterfall, the sight of the Academy only served to make her sick.
Who could have predicted that humanity’s greatest achievement of prosperity and immortality, would also become the seeds of irreparable damage?
They built Eden from the dust of the Cosmos.
King Mudan marveled and approved of the Academy’s discovery of what Flow could provide. Everlasting life and energy. Instead of hoarding it for himself or those in royalty, he declared that it be shared with all the people in his empire. A generous ruler. His decision was truly revolutionary. Money became obsolete, the Academy opened its doors to the public, and people freely had time to indulge in all of life’s leisure pleasures or academics. There was now all the time in the world to do anything one wanted. The discovery birthed new cultural practices such as the decision that no one could receive the Immortality injection until they reached adult age. This ensured that children could be raised without threat of being stunted, and they’d receive a coming of age festival to receive their immortality.
Centuries passed and humans lived in peaceful bliss and serenity, until the energy source began to weaken. Suddenly the very foundation they now relied on, began to crumble as if it were made from chalk. People panicked. Everyone was under the assumption that it was limitless. In the growing unease, King Mudan vanished, abandoning his people and left Professor Aurus to confirm the kingdom’s worst fears himself. Cosmo Flow was not limitless, and time was running out.
Utopia comes at a devastating price.
“The Mirror Protocol" they called it. Professor Aurus did his best to lead with an entire kingdom dumped upon him and they’re fate left in his hands. In well-meaning misguided attempts to fix things, the issue was made worse. Aurus’ board of scientists had assumed that tapping into new dimensions would help our predicament. Unfortunately, it backfired. Only bringing in beasts of which Humans could have only seen in nightmares. They ravaged the lands of the Valerian Empire as new rifts tore in the already weakened fabric of space.
Another new protocol would quickly replace the previous one, “The Cosmoflow Protocol.” Below the academy and behind the waterfall, a Cosmoflow powered vault was carved into the side of the mountain. Inside the vault, a statue of their Goddess, Embra, was carved in the stone walls in hopes that their last devotion to her would bring protection. The Phoenix’s carved wings wrapped protectively before her where the humans were to be placed. The last of the Cosmoflow would be used to keep surviving humans in stasis until the earth healed.
Akei remembered the feeling of dread and emptiness as everything crashed around her. She was born at the end of forever, just in time to watch it fall apart after her Immortality Ceremony. Akei only got to enjoy 5 years of her immortality before Cosmoflow was found to be depleting rapidly. She was angry. Angry at Aurus for not doing further research and blindly jumping into the resource without a plan. Angry at King Mudan, for making the practice commonplace. Akei would have rather have grown up becoming a researcher in a mortal life rather than promised eternity to study and have it ripped away before she even had a chance. Those born at the beginning of the golden age got to experience two centuries of life, Akei, and others like her, only experienced a fraction of that. Maybe she was selfish. At least entering in stasis would keep her until she could resume her studies. However, Akei couldn’t know what would happen to the children. Would they be provided with the injection tattoos anyways? Who’s to say?
The waterfall roared behind her and her group as they trudged up the path towards the Embra shrine. The carved cavern loomed over their heads and a Galdur waited patiently at the end of the hall, below the shrine to ensure that everything went smoothly. Instead of overloading the systems, several shrines were built throughout the land and people would be sent to stasis in groups of ten to fifteen. Akei’s group were all new scholars like her. She somewhat recognized a few faces, and felt relieved that at least once they were revived–however long it took–she’d have someone familiar to talk to. One by one each human entered the stasis chamber, a pocket of Cosmoflow that hovered between the Phoenix’s wings. Once entered, they’d disappear entirely. According to Aurus, it was completely safe. After everything that’s happened, could he still be trusted blindly? Too late to back out now. Besides, the only other option was to be left alone with the fabric of the world falling apart at the seams with Cosmo Beasts. Akei figured her chances in stasis were higher.
The Cosmoflow merely transported one to a separate plane of existence, one so vast that the whole population could fit. The stasis would kick in, and with the help of immortality, Humans could sleep peacefully and wait decades–EONS until safety was assured. But exactly who would be left to extract the Humans, Akei didn’t know. Supposedly, the Galdurs would be expected to carry it out. As advanced of an invention that Galdurs were, Akei had the feeling that it wouldn’t work out that way exactly.
Humanity can’t atone for what it’s done.
Notes:
My original plan for this chapter was so, so long. Not only would I have to split it up, but I felt that it would have been TOO boring as a first chapter for readers. So, I rewrote it entirely to be more of a summary and omitted other information entirely. The original idea may reappear later in the forms of broken memories told as dreams for Akei.
Chapter 2: Ch 2: Ashes
Summary:
Embra's Creation Myth
Chapter Text
The elders told stories of Embra, the Phoenix and giver of dawn. In the beginning, there was only the Abyss—endless, silent, and hungry. From its cruel heart rose the Phoenix, radiant and unyielding, the first flame to ever burn in the dark. Embra witnessed how the Abyss wished to conquer all until nothing but itself existed.
She battled the Abyss in the Void beyond time. Their clashes shook the nothingness, and though she triumphed, the Phoenix was gravely wounded. She knew the Abyss was not fully defeated, so with her final breath, she carried the darkness into herself and descended. Her life and death became the first light in existence.
From her heart, the sun was born, a blazing jewel in the sky to hold back the onyx of night.
From her eyes, the twin moons emerged, ever watching.
Her feathers fell to the earth and became blades of grass, each one alive with memory and danced in her honor.
Her blood spilled forth and carved the rivers, winding like veins through the land.
And from the light of her soul, Humanity arose like sparks from dying embers.
The elders taught that we are her children—born of sacrifice, shaped from flame and shadow. And through our love, our prayers, and our longing, the Phoenix will be reborn.
The elders taught that within every soul houses the fire of Embra. Even in ruin, humans possess the ability for rebirth. And from our greatest failures, we too may bring back the light.
Notes:
Insanely short chapter I know. Even chapter one was short. I have my reasons. Chapter three is the longest by far. I tried to warn y’all that I write A LOT. The consequences of reading Stephen King and Ray Bradbury. After this point, expect chapter word counts to exceed 2,000-3,000 (unless I decide to split chapters again)
Chapter 3: Ch 3: Uncovered Ruins
Summary:
This is a Jina chapter, lots more stuffing in this fic before we actually get to the good stuff. It's also the last chapter I had pre written and because of how long it is, the next chapter might take a while to get here. Hope y'all can forgive me
Notes:
Long Chapter sorry! I’ll try to update the next chapter as quick as I can
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter 3: Uncovered Ruins
Long Chapter sorry! I’ll try to update the next chapter as quick as I can
Word Count: 3,000+
Humans were such a curious ancient society.
Jina was fascinated by the fact that despite how she and the ancients were different species that lived thousands of years apart, they shared so many commonalities. Her black hair tied into two puffs matched the tight curls and texture of some ancient humans. Jina, noted how her plum tone seemed so vibrant in comparison to the old surviving murals of the lost ancient society. She wore the same outfit as any of the researchers at the Bahari Institute. A bright red ascot, a lab coat and an adventuring suit of which had long since lost their white color from the dust and dirt of the outdoors.
Ruins littered the land of Palia. Evidence of a bygone era and a whole society of which appeared to have just vanished into thin air one day thousands of years ago. Through deciphering ancient texts, the Maijiri knew this race to be called, “Humans.” Judging by surviving art pieces left behind, Humans had many similarities with Maijiri, yet some notable differences as well. Humans had small, rounded ears while Maijiri’s were pointed and elongated. Humans tended to be various shades of earth tones, while Maijiri shared their colors with the shades of Twilight. Other than that, the similarities were practically the same: a wide range of hair textures and styles, differing body types, and a very diverse culture that lived in utopian harmony.
However, no matter how united the humans seemed to be at one point, something so catastrophic caused them all to disappear one day. Scars and ruins were littered throughout the land, some ruins were better preserved, but almost all ruins were protected by The Order. A Majiri governing body that heavily monitored and policed the use of Flow’s magical properties. From the ruins, they could deduce that Flow took some major part in the disappearance of humans. Exactly how it happened, researchers still don’t have an answer. To keep Maijiri and the land of Palia safe, the use, harnessing, and trading of Flow would gain the highest of punishments by The Order.
Places like Kilima Valley and Bahari Bay seem to have some of the most well preserved ruins and shrines. Despite this they give more questions than answers. Scholars and Academics frequently traveled to these areas, studying the ancient texts lost within, finding ancient statues of old forgotten gods like the Phoenix, and any scrap of information they could find. Scholars and Academics like Jina loved the challenge of this ongoing puzzle despite the several hundred years of never coming up with an answer.
Galdurs, an ancient human creation, were left to wander the lands after the extinction event. Unfortunately, getting answers out of the Galdurs of what exactly occurred, has proven to be a dead end. The extinction event erased large chunks of memories from the Galdurs, or some Galdurs admitted to willingly erasing the memory themselves shortly after humans left and could not provide ample answers about humans. Much to the dismay of ever-curious Maijiri.
No one knows exactly what happened or what caused the extinction of humans. There were plenty of theories and some vague context clues in the semi translated texts and runes. Jina, an excitable young adult Maijiri, wanted to contribute her own findings on the matter, which was exactly why she traveled to the small village of Kilima Valley. Despite the massive ancient temple that sat atop the mountain which overlooked the valley, the Maijiri village below was quite small, and didn’t get many visitors aside from the occasional scholar. By this point in time, this particular temple had been “picked clean” as she’d heard some scholars word it.
After Humans disappeared thousands of years ago, Majiri have had plenty of time to study the evidence left behind, meaning that new discoveries were not so easy to come across. Jina was determined however, and her advisor, Barukaa Ukweli, realized that she could not convince the young Maijiri otherwise. Jina remembers the look Barukaa had given her. At first her gaze was of exasperation, but then it changed to something more akin of amusement and admiration. Barukaa ended up giving Jina clearance to travel down to the old ruins in Kilima Valley.
“You are a hard worker, Jina. If anyone is to find something new there, I have no doubt that it’s bound to be you.” Barukaa, handed Jina the permission and absence slips before continuing, “After all, no one else here at the Bahari Institute has actually ever been able to figure out how to enter deeper into that temple. I hear that the Phoenix shrine behind the waterfall hasn’t really been looked at.” The older woman winked.
That was enough encouragement. Before anything more could be said, Jina was off with a speed that rivaled light, clearance slip in hand. Bidding farewell to her father and some of her classmates, Jina packed her essentials, any research material, and got on the first transport from Bahari City to Kilima Valley. Through it all, Hekla was glued at her side. Hekla was one of the few Galdur that was still fully functional. The Galdur were large, robotic beings with round bodies, and round heads. They had cable arms, compartments in their chests, and unknown runes carved into them. Hekla was relatively short and stout for a Galdur. Her head was set into her body, or ‘chest,’ but no Galdur was built exactly the same. It seemed humans wanted each Galdur to have a uniqueness to them. This, Hekla could confirm, though the reason for why this was, had long since been erased from the Galdur's memory banks.
Jina didn’t mind though. Getting all the answers out of the few remaining Galdur would be too easy and take away from the fun of the mystery. The whole allure of this research was the unknown, the challenge, the satisfaction of finally finding something new.
Hekla followed Jina everywhere, always by her side. Jina knew why, the Galdur had appointed herself as Jina’s nanny when she was young and has been family ever since. Of course there was a deeper reason why Hekla had latched on. The human infant she was created to care for didn’t survive pregnancy. Galdurs have a unique system they call their, “Oneness.” Each Galdur has a task they dedicate their entire existence to. Hekla’s “Oneness,” for example, was the care for children, specifically a human child named Sona Mah. Before Hekla could even carry out her duties, the extinction event occurred and Hekla spent the next few thousand years feeling hollow and lost without purpose. She wandered around the land with a potato dressed in a purple cloth she called, “Potato Sona.” The distress had caused damage to memory banks; as a result, she didn’t have much information on humans and their customs.
Of course the Bahari Institute had long since taken Hekla in, and attempts had been made throughout the decades to steer the Galdur towards a new Oneness. It wasn’t common, but some Galdur could move on and find new purposes. Hekla, however, proved to be a difficult case. It was only when one Maijiri professor who introduced his child, did Hekla finally feel fulfilled again. That child would be Jina. Jina, upon first meeting Hekla, had taken the purple cloth from the potato and wrapped it around Hekla’s neck, in similar fashion to a makeshift ascot that professors and scholars alike wore at the Institute. From that day forward, Hekla was inseparable from Jina, including into her adulthood.
Hekla fit into the role perfectly. Majiri children weren’t all that different from human children, and Hekla was delighted to have been the reason that Jina took such great interest in her creators. She was disappointed that she couldn’t give Jina much information, but the Maijiri Elf didn’t seem to mind one bit. Instead, she embraced the challenges head on.
Jina’s reminiscing became interrupted when they finally reached Kilima Valley. The transport rocked over the rickety bridge and Jina poked her head out the carriage window as the scenery passed. Jina had never officially been outside of the city, but Spring in the bay area and the valley was beautiful. The trees were full with vibrant green leaves, the Sernuk grazed in the fields of long soft grass that danced in the winds, and bright pops of color from wildflowers only added to the beauty. If she could paint, Jina would have plopped a canvas right where she stood and got to work–if she could paint that is.
The carriage finally reached the edge of the small town nestled in the valley. Jina and Hekla exited, thanked the driver, picked up their gear and headed through the path into town. The first stop would be to find the Mayor’s office to make them aware of her presence and research as she’d been granted permission to be stationed there for a year. Kilima was a small enough population, but these were all formalities needed on the chance an incident happened. The Order strictly needs a record of anything and everything involving ruins. If some too curious, unauthorized Palian waltzed in while she was doing important work, and they got injured, Jina could be facing immense trouble. But if the valley’s local government knew she was there, Jina could be absolved of all responsibility. Given that the court ruled in her favor.
The path leads directly to Town Hall, the tallest building in town given it also houses the clock tower. Both the front and back of the building have open archways to invite anyone to enter for whatever matter they might need. The path that Jina and Hekla follow faces the back of the building. When they reach the steps, a startled group of Chapaa scurry off the hill into burrows. Their bright orange fur contrasted with the greenery of the valley.
‘Strange,’ Jina thought. “I thought Chapaas weren’t native to the Kilima area?” She wondered aloud. Hekla shrugged, “Migration, perhaps? The Mayor might know.” Jina’s light footsteps and Hekla’s metallic clanking echo off of the hall’s grand walls as they walk around the grand staircases and towards the front desk.
A rather rebellious young woman sits at the grand desk, looking quite out of place and very disinterested in her position. Though Jina supposes that given how small the surrounding area is, opportunities for jobs are likely limited for locals. The front desk clerk looked roughly about the same age as Jina and sported a black choppy, bobbed haircut that messily parted to her left. A fanged earring dangled from her right pointed ear and a matching choker adorned her throat. She wore a purple cropped button up with a furred collar. The sleeves appeared to have been cut or torn off, showing off her arms and a beautifully done Srnuk tattoo on her right arm. Jina couldn’t see the rest of her outfit, given that she was behind a counter. On anyone else it would have looked unkempt and unprofessional, but Jina noted that the pale pink Maijiri before her wore the style well.
The young woman’s sharp brown eyes flicked up at Jina as she and Hekla approached, never once straying from that bored uninterested look. The gum she chewed clicked and popped before she spoke.
“You need a room? The Inn’s just across the Pavillion.”
Was all the acknowledgement that Jina got before the clerk found her nails to be more interesting. Obviously the clerk recognized that she wasn’t from around here, but Jina needed to clarify and make her presence known to the Hall.
Jina shook her head, “Not quite, I have my own tent.”
She nervously adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder, “I’ll be camping up by….” Jina quickly consulted her map of the area before looking at the clerk once more, “Mirror Pond Ruins. Though, I’ll also be exploring the entirety of the ruins in the valley. Here’s my permit.”
Jina reaches into her bag once more and produces the slip provided by the Bahari Institute. Stamped with a seal of approval by the administration’s Dean and The Order.
The clerk shrugged and accepted the slip, “Cool. Haven’t seen any archaeologist nerds around here in a long time.”
Despite the wording, Jina didn’t feel she had meant it really as an insult.
“And the permit? You’ll make sure the mayor sees and confirms that a researcher is doing important work here?”
The clerk shrugged once more, waving off Jina’s worries. “Don’t worry about it, it’ll get to the right channels.” She’d picked up a folder from behind the desk and placed the permit inside along with other important paper work. “The Mayor doesn’t actually get here for another hour or so, but I’ll make sure he sees it.”
Then, she promptly shut it and placed it back somewhere behind the desk, finally extending a fingerless gloved hand towards Jina.
“I’m Kenyatta.”
“Kenyatta.” Jina repeated, confirming she got the name correct. She folded the map she still held in her hands and placed it back in her bag. “By the way, are you aware that there are Chapaas in the area?”
Kenyatta rolled her eyes and huffed, “Yeah, my dad’s got it covered with the local Huntsman.”
‘Dad?’
“Oh, you must be the Mayor’s daughter!” Jina realized with a start.
Kenyatta seemed slightly uncomfortable, almost like she hadn’t meant for that piece of information to slip out to a newcomer, “Don’t start. I don’t want any special treatment.”
Jina shook her head, “I won’t.” Now, she knew it was likely time to make her leave and give Kenyatta some reprieve, “I’ll be headed out, then.” Kenyatta gave a noise that she’d heard and Jina left her to her duties once more. Jina and Hekla made their way to the foothills of the mountain that overlooked the valley.
“A liiittle to the right please, Hekla.”
Jina instructed, stretching out her words. The metallic creak of Hekla’s arms echoed throughout the room as she moved her arm holding the lantern for Jina. They’ve been in the valley for about a month now, and Jina began to fear that her professor was right.
‘What if Killima Valley truly had been completely picked over?’
Jina shook her head.
‘No–no one gets anywhere with that kind of defeatist mindset.’
After having checked other smaller ruins in the Valley, Jina finally turned her attention to the large white temple built atop the mountain. It had four unique points of interest: the first being two carved caves carved beneath the temple directly and hidden behind a waterfall. One cave led to a shrine of the ancient Phoenix deity, which has been confirmed to be the goddess that humans worshipped. A second cave sat in a vast white and gold hallway, but the rest of it was locked behind similarly colored double doors that no one had yet figured out how to get past. The second point of interest was another pair of large double doors outside. It sat at where the foot of the mountain met the first grasslands of the Valley, just below the large white fortress. Several meters away, and across a creek, sat yet another cave of which the contents were forever locked behind by similar looking double doors that have never been opened.
With all her options having been literally locked behind an impasse, Jina figured her best course of action was to at least go and study the ancient Phoenix Shrine. Jina set up camp, a shoddy tent, in the grassy field the map labeled as ‘Mirror Pond Ruins.’ Currently, she and Hekla had been in the Phoenix Shrine for hours. Jina had spent hours reading it, yes, but to actually be here in person? She felt as if she could faint from excitement. The two had lugged all as much research equipment as they could carry up the path and into the first cave, which was really underselling it. Although it may have started out as a cave, it had clearly been carved out with thought. The walls had once been painted, and stairs were carefully carved out before narrowing into a hall, and then opening up into a vaulted room where the damaged Phoenix statue and shrine sat. Above the statue was a carved skylight, allowing for ample lighting, and bathing the shrine in the sun’s light. Presumably a symbolic gesture to give the Phoenix the power of the sun. Golden moulded paths lined the room starting at the Phoenix, and sat in a radial pattern. Ancient glyphs were written upon these mouldings. No one had yet deciphered what they meant, but the commonly accepted theory was the idea of prayers to the Phoenix. Despite the clear care that had once been put into it all, time does favors for no one, and without anyone to do upkeep during the lull of thousands of years, the shrine had fallen into ruins and disrepair. The statue, though tall, was missing chunks of stone and the gold was chipped. Likely from thieves, but if that were the case, all of the gold would be missing.
Jina didn’t mind though. Every speck of dust, and piece of rubble that had crumbled from a pillar was still a puzzle piece of history that she itched to complete a picture of. After taking a few moments to take in the scene, Jina got to work. By this point, Jina had lost track of how long exactly she had been in the shrine, laser-focused on softly brushing away dirt and debris off a pillar that lay in the middle of a room. The pillar had a unique shape to it: gold moulding criss crossed down the center and where the lines met, an octagon shaped panel sat in the middle. It was perplexing for sure, and while Jina was running ideas and theories for what its use could have been, the panel began to flicker.
Jina jumped back in surprise with a gasp as the panel emitted a soft pink glow, and a pink haze began to filter out before disappearing. Before Jina could process that, the room exploded in more pink light. The ancient glyphs all flashed the same pink hue, before pulsating towards the Phoenix. The pulse continued up the golden mouldings towards the skylight revealing where this flow of energy was all accumulating. Briefly, Jina feared that she may have accidentally set up an ancient contraption powered by flow. The accusation of meddling in the illegal magic could prove devastating towards her future, but Jina couldn’t dwell on that thought for too long.
The large point of pink energy released a small droplet which floated down gracefully before the Phoenix and combusted into a spark of a familiar form. At first, Jina thought it to be Majiri-like, but as the flow dispersed and revealed more of the form, Jina was awestruck. The slumped being before her was human.
“Oh. My. DRAGON!”
Notes:
Oops….this chapter ended up so much longer than expected, so I split it. I had lost all of my original screenshots that held Jina’s actual backstory and tidbit lore of her time in the institution. Strangely, or at least at the time I wrote this chapter, all of that information is completely missing from her wiki page. I haven’t reached a high enough friendship with Hekla yet, so I just looked off of her Wiki and BS’d hers and Jina’s history together. Also, we don’t actually know where the path to Bahari City actually is. Again, with these types of things you just kind of have to fill the gaps yourself and hope that you did alright. Although, Subira does arrive from the path that leads to Bahari bay…..hmmm
Hope I did alright…
Chapter 4: Ch 4: Ashes Reborn
Summary:
As I stated before, the human is largely based on my own personal player character. I use default settings, bc I do NOT currently have the funds for any of the cosmetics, so they may feel plain. Sure it’s a fic and I can do what I want, which I will. Just know that the oc’s physical appearance in this is described as well.
Notes:
From what I’ve heard, around the same time as the Elderwood’s update, S6 also changed the intro to the game. I don’t think it’s the cutscene but I believe the events after the cut scene? From what I remember in my own playthrough when I first started in 2023, you meet Jina first, exit through the waterfall, and are then instructed to meet Ashura at the Inn who shows you the ropes and helps you to a plot of land on the hill and Hodari takes it from there with the tent. From what I understand about the new intro, Ahsura immediately greets you outside of the waterfall, takes you to the plot, and he and Hodari help you together but now the beginner house is waiting instead?. Game play wise, I can see why they changed it, however for story purposes of this fic, I’m keeping the original intro because in my mind, it flows better thematically having to start your homestead from the literal bottom. I mean if Jina has JUST rediscovered an ancient race, how would Ashura know immediately? Unless they also changed the lore that he joined her as extra protection since he’s a veteran and likely just wanted her safe in unstable ruins… I’m thinking way too hard about it. ANYWAYS, I said what I said, and I decided to stick with the original game intro. I realize that by the time Jina meets you, she’s already aware of humans, but it wouldn’t exactly make sense with our story purposes here, so again ✨creative liberties✨
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter 4: Ashes Reborn
Word Count: 2,200+
Jina became momentarily blinded by a bright flash of pink. When she could no longer see the light trying to fight through her eyelids, Jina opened her eyes and found a figure slumped on the circular platform. It looked familiar enough; looked nearly identical to a Maijiri except for two important factors. Jina tiptoed closer for inspection, surprisingly enough, the ever-protective Hekla did not intervene.
Rounded ears, and cream skin tone–they matched the ancient depictions of humans perfectly. Human. Jina, an apprentice scholar, had found a human!
“Oh. My. DRAGON!” Jina jumped up and squealed in delight, tone pitching at the end. Her voice echoed in the chamber walls and she quickly covered her mouth from the loud outburst. It wasn’t going to keep her from celebrating, however. Jina began pacing instead, a healthy way to burn some newfound energy. Her hands moved and gestured excitedly as she spoke, thoughts and theories running through her head a million miles a second and spewing out of her mouth just as fast.
Jina paced to the right.
“Hekla, do you know how huge this is? I mean, I’m sure you do since Humans created you and they’ve been missing for the last few thousand years and you lost most of memories about them immediately after the….y’know.”
She spun around in a 180° and began pacing to the left.
Hekla merely watched from the side, her round head following the young woman before her.
“Do you think they’ve lost their memories too? It’d be a bummer, but at least we now have proof that they aren’t extinct. But wait, are species still classified as extinct if there’s only one left? And how do we know they’re the only one, do you think there could be more? But what if there isn’t they’ll feel all alone and–”
Jina paused again, realizing that she never actually checked if the person–Human–(specimen?) before her was actually breathing or not. In a brief panic, Jina turned back around to check for any sign of life. Luckily, it seemed the stars aligned. The person was not only breathing, but blinking and regaining consciousness. Jina actually took in the time to pay attention to their features. From old weathered drawings the Academy has found over the years, Jina knew how similarly diverse to Maijiri that Humans were in appearance. Ranging from many earth tones, body shapes, eye color, and hair types and colors. Jina always believed that Humans and Maijiri weren’t too different from one another.
Their hair was long and black with soft waves. The skin was a cream color, not necessarily porcelain, but it also showed signs that this human may have worked in the sun a lot. Jina’s eyes particularly noticed tattoos that decorated the skin. Again, old depictions gave information that these tattoos were very culturally significant, but they weren’t exactly sure why. Their eyes blinking open were a striking red. Their clothes were very interesting too. The Academy had found many clothing left in surprisingly good condition in many old ruins. Given all the research, the academy has been able to find that Humans had certain styles of which were popular for a few centuries before being phased out in favor of other styles. Some clothes were indicative of jobs—all traits that Maijiri shared as well in terms of culture.
With this specific human waking up, Jina noticed their attire was a two piece. It showed lots of skin, while still being modest. The top was cropped, having two long and wide bell sleeves. The fabric on the bottom had two strips cut, which tied in the back. The front had a low collar, not low enough for the bosom to be falling out easily, but it rested just above the swell. The bottoms were unique as well, a seemingly odd mixture of pants and skirt. It was clearly made of the same soft, thin, and flowy fabric of the top. This garment is tied in the front, wide legged, and split along the front like a tulip petal. The slits exposed the legs quite elegantly.
Admittedly, Jina wasn’t as well versed in Humans’ clothing fashion periods, but she knew enough that this flowing fabric style was popular around the last few centuries or so of their civilization. Likely a sign of utopian prosperity and the ability to not have to worry about resources. Jina just knew that the town’s fashion designer and tailor would be itching to get their hands on learning ancient styles of clothing first-hand.
While Jina oggled (out of academic interest), the human quickly gained consciousness. Jina finally noticed they were fully awake, and before she could rein herself in, the questions rushed out of her mouth like the waterfall that roared just outside of the shrine.
“Did you just materialize from nowhere? How is it that humans are still alive? Where are the other humans? What do your tattoos mean? What did you eat–”
Before the bombardment could continue, Hekla finally stepped in.
“My Jina, I think your curiosity can be temporarily postponed for now.”
Jina shook her head. Right, of course. She wasn’t finished checking in on their health, now seeing how disoriented they were. “Sorry, let’s back track. Are you okay?”
“Thirsty.”
“Huh?” Jina paused. They spoke the same language. A million more questions brewed in Jina’s mind, but she was able to stay focused this time. Help first, academic questions later.
“Water please.”
“Oh–uh yes!” Jina fumbled around for her canteen. Once she got a hold of it, her stomach dropped at the realization of how light it was. The canteen was completely empty.
‘Think quick Jina.’
“Oh I know, the Inn! They’ll have all kinds of drinks!”
This wasn’t exactly Jina’s preferred way of events, but she didn’t like the idea of leaving the human alone while she ran all the way back to the Inn for water or any other sort of help. Hekla could stay behind, but somehow that thought unnerved Jina just as much as leaving the human alone. Her decision was made.
The Maijiri woman bent down to scoop the human in her arms, and quickly discovered that lifting someone so easily was only possible in fantasy, or if one actually worked out.
“Hekla,” The Galdur immediately had her attention, as if Hekla ever stopped paying attention in any way.
“I’m on it, my Jina.” She replied in that soft comforting tone she always had. The Galdur extended her long arms, and carefully picked up the human, cradling them against her large rounded metal chest. When Jina felt that the human was secure, they set out quickly.
Due to the damage of the Shrine’s entrance, getting out proved to me more difficult than getting in, especially carrying a near unconscious being, but Jina and Hekla pulled through. Hekla was not fast by any means. Not because of laziness, but simply it was just how Galdurs were. The heaviness of the metal they were made from did not allow for anything swift. Jina was trying to have patience, but seeing the Human grow delirious was starting to freak her out. Finally, the group made it past the waterfall and onto the path into town. For a moment, the Human managed to break free from Hekla’s hold. Once they hit the ground, they tried dragging themselves over to the edge of the creek that the waterfall emptied into.
“Wait!” Jina warned, rushing over and trying to stop them. They must have really felt desperate for water if they felt the need to take a chance on water from a stream. Granted it was flowing water, but she would have preferred getting them healthy first. Jina grabbed their shoulders and tried to pull them away from dipping their hands in the babbling water.
“We don’t know how safe that water is. Please just hold out for a bit longer until we can get you to the healer.”
The human slumped again. Not out of compliance, but they had genuinely fainted this time.
“This is bad, this is bad, this is so very bad.”
Luckily for her, the town’s healer lived close by. Jina abandoned her original plan of taking them to the Inn and booked it down the path, calling over her shoulder to Hekla, “Keep watch while I go grab Chayne. And get her away from the creek, I’ll be back as soon as I can!”
Jina hadn’t been in the valley long, but she had taken upon herself to familiarize with the local healer. Should things have gone wrong in the ruins, he would likely be the first to notice if Hekla couldn’t grab help. Chapaas skittered away as Jina huffed and puffed up the stone steps to Chayne’s house. The garden was well kept as always, but Jina didn’t have time to admire his work with an emergency at hand. She banged on the door, breathing heavily to regain oxygen before it dawned on her. Jina looked at the sky, it was afternoon. Chayne wasn’t home at this time of day.
Jina cursed under her breath, something that surprised even her, but she had other matters to worry about.
“Well, back to the original plan.” She muttered to herself. Preparing to run again, Jina steeled her nerves, turned around, and dashed off as quickly as she could towards the Inn. Most of the townsfolk gathered there after a long day, and Jina knew that Chayne, or anyone for that matter, could help her there. When Jina entered town, she could see the warm lights, music, and hearty laughter radiating from within. The joy of it all seeping out and fighting against the fading light of the sunset.
“I need the healer! Help, please!” Jina finally called as she raced up the Inn’s steps. That certainly got everyone’s attention. The ruckus of the Inn immediately halted and all attention was on her. Jina hated crowds focusing all on her, but she had to push that fear to the side for the sake of another.
“What’s happened?” The loud booming voice of the Innkeeper demanded. He was a large, muscular, gruff man with battle scars. Ashura was his name if Jina remembered correctly. Despite how scary he looks initially, Jina knew him to really be a gentle but protective giant underneath the harsh exterior.
Murmurs rippled throughout the Inn. Jina didn’t want everyone to race over and potentially make things worse, so for now, she omitted the identity of who she found.
“I found a person passed out along the path towards Phoenix Falls. I think they may have been dehydrated, I’d like Chayne to take a look at them. Has anyone seen him?”
“I’m here.” The comforting soft voice of the town’s healer and priest spoke up. Everyone’s head swiveled towards the opposite of the entrance where the fireplace sat. Chayne stood from his seat, leaving his tea sitting on the coffee table. Usually he cleaned his mess himself out of courtesy and self discipline, though he knew that the Innkeeper and Barkeep could forgive him this one time. “Take me to them.”
“I’m coming too.” The Innkeeper, Ashura announced, stepping away from the front desk. “You’re going to need someone strong and quick enough to carry them to the Apothecary, and Sifuu is a little drunk at the moment.”
“Hey!” A loud, tall muscular Maijiri woman cried from a table by the bar in mock offense. Everyone knew that Ashura was right though, and that Sifuu wasn’t truly hurt by the statement.
“Reth!” Ashura called to the bar.
“I got things handled from here, Boss!” The carefree barkeep winked with a half-assed salute. That was enough reassurance for Ashura and he motioned for Jina to show the way. Chayne grabbed a lantern, and the three were off back towards the path for the Phoenix Waterfall.
By the time they reached where Jina had left Hekla, it was fully dark out. Hekla had taken it upon herself to continue walking towards town, a help in ensuring the trip to return wouldn’t take as long. She had just passed Chayne’s house when she saw Jina returning with two other townsfolk.
“Greetings.” Hekla acknowledged.
“Thank you, Hekla. I can take them if you like.” Ashura approached the Galdur, to which she happily obliged knowing they would be in good hands.
The human was passed off to the large man, who froze in his tracks when he looked down for a better look at the passed out person.
“Jina–”
“I know, I know!” Jina fiddled with her hands nervously, as Chayne surged forward to see the matter, and quickly assess what he needed to do.
“It wasn’t my intention to lie, but I didn’t need the entire population coming to bother the situation.”
“You did the right thing, Jina.” Chayne assured.
Everyone knew the legends of an ancient race. Jina had somehow stumbled upon an actual still living Human. Well, they would soon be gone if they sat here and gawked the whole night.
“I want the whole truth tomorrow, Jina but for tonight, I can promise they’ll be fine under my care.” Chayne made sure to look each Maijiri (and Galdur) in the eyes. “Word of the Human must never leave the four of us for now. They need peace if they are to make a full recovery.”
Everyone nodded.
“Good. Now–Ashura, if you would.”
“I read you loud and clear, Doc.” Ashura agreed, and he and Chayne set off to quickly and discreetly bring the Human to the Apothecary.
Notes:
I realized I should have used more descriptive words when describing the Phoenix shrine in the last chapter, my mistake. Technically, the way I did it is already fine, but with Jina being an expert in her field, she would have been using words like “Chancel” and “Apse” to describe her surroundings. I may go back and fix it if I find I have extra time. If you get here and find that never happened, either I didn’t have the time, the energy, or just plain forgot to fix it. 😅Also, I hope I explained the clothing well. The initial pants Akei wears is not found in game, but actually based on a pair of pants I have irl. I have zero clue what they’re called as I stumbled upon them in a salvage store years ago, and they do still have the manufacturer tag, but searching up the style/serial number on the tag brings up zero results. I suspect it’s supposed to be some type of swim suit bottom cover given how thin the fabric is, but I just throw them over my shortest shorts and walk out the house with them as regular clothes anyway. They come in super handy when it’s the time of year that it’s too hot outside to wear pants, but the shade is freezing so I can throw them over my legs as temporary cover until it’s time to walk in hot sun and they blow so effortlessly in the breeze meaning my legs are free and don’t get hot. The closest thing I’ve found to them online are called “Tulip Split Palazzo Pants.” Sorry for yapping.
Chapter 5: Ch5: Twin Moons
Summary:
A Palian recalls when their mother shared a legend with them for the first time.
Notes:
Sorry 😅 I thought I’d have the MC lucid by the last chapter, but realized that adding a bit of ✨drama✨to the introduction was a good way to spice it up and keep it from being just a boring word-for-word play-by-play scene of the game’s intro. Here’s the story of the Kitsuu and the two moons. I didn’t want to get in trouble by copying the story word-for-word, so again, I have rewritten it slightly, but you can read the true myth in the Kilima library, or just, read it here: https://palia.wiki.gg/wiki/The_Kitsuu_and_the_Moon
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter 5: Twin Moons
Word Count: 2,000+
I was always scared of the dark as a child. Like most kids, I detested night time. I never wanted the day to end. If I stayed up with lamps and small flame, did the night ever truly show its ugly head? Mom would simply laugh at my silly, but fitting, childish antics.
"The day can’t last forever." She’d told me one night, during one of my stubborn fits, to stay awake.
"Life lives on through the balance of never ending cycles. The night is just as important as the day."
Still, it did little to quell those fears. So, she tried a different tactic: Teaching me through story as she always felt was best to teach lessons. Mom took me out to a grassy field and we laid in the soft grass looking up at the expansive night sky. First, Mom turned my attention to the stars and constellations, hoping that the dim lights in the sky would quell my fears of the dark. When that didn’t work, she turned our attention to the two moons that floated in the sky. They certainly emitted a brighter light than the stars did. Then, she asked if I knew why we had two moons. I admitted I didn’t.
Mom laughed, but it wasn’t to make fun of the fact that I didn’t know something; she was never that kind of person. When she was done and calmed down, she cradled me and announced a new story. I always loved the stories that mom shared. She claimed that this story is a legend that everyone grows up hearing, and now it’s my turn.
The Kitsuu and the Moon
‘There was a time when only Ignus gleamed in the night sky–’
“That’s the moon of the Phoenix, right mama?”
“That’s right, you remembered well. Now, hush, no more interruptions” She gently scolded. I let my mom continue.
‘There was a time when only Ignus gleamed in the night sky. In those days, a small Kitsuu lived deep in a quiet forest. Like all of her kind, she adored shiny things. One midsummer evening, while she was following the glimmer of a shimmerfly, her eyes wandered higher than the treetops. And that’s when she saw it—the moon.’
‘“Oh my, how bright and beautiful!” The Kitsuu exclaimed, though there was no one around to hear. Her eyes shone as she wondered how she might gather a piece of Ignus for herself. With that thought, she darted into the forest until she found the tallest tree. Past startled Muujini she climbed higher, and higher, and higher still…’
‘When at last she reached the top, she paused. What she had always believed to be a vast forest was, from that height, only a small patch of green in a much greater world. She lifted her gaze to the moon, ears pricked with hope, only to find it no nearer than before. Her ears lowered, just a little, but when she let her eyes fall from the sky, she noticed a cliff in the distance, rising higher still than the tree where she stood.’
‘And off she went! Scampering down the tree and racing toward the distant cliff. But the nearer she drew, the more she understood the size of the task before her. The cliff rose higher and higher, until at last she stood at its base, staring up at a slope that seemed to reach straight to the moon itself. The little Kitsuu puffed out her chest and began to climb. Onward she ran, upward she climbed. Yet the higher she went, the farther away the moon seemed to drift. By the time she reached the cliff’s edge, she collapsed in weariness and wonder, for she was no closer to the moon than she had been a cliff’s height below.'
‘Exhausted, she slept where she lay, and when she woke the light had changed. The moon was still lovely, but it was no longer the only thing that lit the world. There was suddenly so much to look at. The Kitsuu had never noticed how busy the world could be until then. She padded along the cliff, and the friendly moss gave way to a darker, sharper ledge. She slowed to a cautious crawl and peered over. Below, the cliff dropped into a soft bed of sand, broken here and there by odd rock spires. Every now and then one of those spires would burst, shooting a column of steam and water into the air. She watched, breath held, as one geyser rose so high she had to look up to see the top. Her chest swelled with that same daring pride she always had, and before second thoughts could find her, she gathered herself and launched. As the geyser burst again beneath her, she flung herself over the edge.’
‘The geyser carried her skyward, the Kitsuu tumbled—head over tail, tail over head, with a dizzying twist or two for good measure. Vertigo threatened to overtake her, but she steadied herself, spreading her limbs wide like a silverwing in flight. Her thick fur caught the air, and she drifted, hovering gently above the geyser’s peak. Up and down she bobbed—up, and down, and up again until her thrill gave way to disappointment. She was higher than she had ever been, yet the moon was no nearer than it had seemed from the cliff or the tree. Instead, her gaze fell on something entirely new: a vast, glittering expanse of water stretching to the horizon. The ocean, alive with shifting light, rolled beneath her, endless and breathtaking. It was beautiful (she could not deny that) but her heart remained fixed on the moon, and the distance between them felt more impossible than ever.’
‘In truth, it was difficult to keep her beloved moon in sight as she rose and fell, rose and fell. She knew she could not remain aloft forever. No matter how soothing the air felt, her body was stretched thin with effort. As she wondered what to do, her eyes caught upon a mountain, its peak vanishing into the clouds. Surely, she thought, there she would meet the moon at last. So she planned, and she waited, and when the geyser carried her upward once more, she flung herself toward the mountain. She reached with all her strength! Her paws stretched as far as they could, and then a little farther still, until she glided toward the next geyser. In this way she journeyed, geyser to geyser, soaring up and sailing on, inch by inch drawing nearer to the distant peak. At last her paws found earth again among the trees at the mountain’s base. She filled her lungs, puffed out her chest, and with her fur bristling bright with resolve, she began to climb once more.’
'She scampered across the ground. She scurried up the trees. She scaled small cliffs and glided from branch to branch. Onward she went, tireless in her climb. Then, one evening, as the sun sank low and painted the sky in shades of rose and amber, she pushed through the last of the trees. Suddenly there was nothing above her. The colors of day faded, and the moon grew bright. She knew she had made it to the top!’
‘Her ears twitched as she looked up triumphantly to greet the moon… And yet it was just as far as it was before the mountain, the geyser, the cliff, the tree. It looked the same as when she had first laid eyes on it! She looked around, desperately, for something, somewhere, even higher than where she was now, but there was nowhere higher she could explore. The Kitsuu deflated in defeat.’
‘Her ears twitched as she lifted her gaze, ready to greet the moon in triumph. But the moon hung just as distant as before; no nearer than it had seemed from the mountain, the geyser, the cliff, or the tree. It was unchanged, just as it had been the first time her eyes had found it in the sky. She turned in circles, searching for some place higher still, some path that might carry her closer. Yet she found no greater height left to climb. Slowly, the little Kitsuu’s spirit sank, and she folded in upon herself with defeat.’
‘Crestfallen, she made her way back to the forest. Her head hung low, her ears drooped heavy, and her tail dragged through the soft moss. Night after day, and day after night, she wandered without purpose, circling endlessly beneath the trees, until she came upon a small clearing. Startled, she lifted her eyes, and there was the moon, watching from above, as far away as ever. The poor thing was at her wit’s end. Her strength gave out, and she crumpled to the ground, a weary bundle of fur. Tears welled as she cried to the sky, pleading for someone–anyone–to help her reach the moon.’
‘"I have climbed the tallest tree!" she cried.'
‘"have scaled the highest cliff!" she shouted.'
‘"I have ridden the mightiest geysers!" she wailed.'
‘"have conquered the greatest mountain!" she howled.'
‘At last her voice broke, and she whispered through her tears, ‘"I only wanted to be friends."’
‘Exhausted, she laid her weary head upon her paws, and her tears ran in little streams over her cheeks, across her toes, and into the earth, where they gathered into a small pool. Her cries traveled far, echoing beyond the forest, until they reached the ears of the Three Ancients.’
‘The Phoenix, preoccupied with tending her own unruly children, did not hear.’
‘The Chimera, preferring silence, turned away from the Kitsuu’s chittering sorrow, and set his gaze instead upon the wonders his clever people were shaping with their hands.’
‘But the Dragon, young still, with no people of its own, remembered well the ache of yearning. For it was that same longing which had brought it into being, not so many years ago.’
“But, that’s a story we can save for another time.”
“Awwww, Mom!”
Mom’s giggles chimed in the night air along with the orchestra of crickets and rockhoppers, and she squeezed me tighter in her smothering. She ignored my protests.
“My decision is final, I’m almost done with this story. I can see you’re getting very sleepyyy.”
She finally let go, booped my nose, and continued her bedtime story, all the while gently combing her fingers through my scalp. The two moons watched from above. They’d likely heard this story thousands of times, yet tonight, they were as attentive to the world as ever. Almost as if they too were captivated by my mom’s serene story telling.
‘And so the Dragon took pity on the little Kitsuu. From the dust of the stars it shaped a small and gentle moon, and set it way, way high in the sky above the pool formed by her tears. At the same time, the pool grew larger and deeper. As the water deepened, the Kitsuu’s paws dipped into it, and each new tear rang like silver as it fell upon the surface. Startled by the sound, the Kitsuu lifted her head, and there! In the pool, she saw a shining reflection of Luna looking back at her. The moon had come at last!’
‘“Why, hello!” she cried with joy, scampering in circles around the pool. No matter how she ran, the moon stayed bright and whole, gazed back at her in delight.’
‘Then the Dragon spoke, its voice a low rumble that trembled through her fur and whiskers:
‘“Your new companion,” it said, “will wander as you have wandered, yet will always return, as you have returned. You need not be alone.”’
‘Hearing this, the little Kitsuu curled beside her pool, her eyes at last content. Bathed in the light of two moons, she drifted into a peaceful slumber. And the Dragon, watching her rest, began to ponder its own loneliness.’
“Well? What happened after that?” I suddenly shot up to face my mom’s smug grin, eager to hear more. I no longer cared about my fear of the dark. I’d been so engrossed in mom’s story, that my fear had totally been pushed to the back of my mind.
Mom paused for a moment, pretending to think, though I already knew the answer. She smiled coyly at me once she was done pretending.
“A story for another day.”
“Moooom!”
Notes:
Sorry for stringing y’all along for 5 chapters, that wasn’t my initial intention. I promise it will all pay off. Thank y’all for your patience and I hope you can continue to enjoy this fic going forward. Also, I intentionally left this chapter with no known narrator. You can interpret it as you wish which Palian this is a memory for. Thank you for reading 🖤
(also, I'm not sure why one of my notes from chapter one is showing up here as a second end note? Can't tell if that's a mistake on my end or AO3's. It doesn't show when I go to edit this chapter. But it's completely missing from chapter one and now on chapter one it appears as something that appears at the 'end of the work'????
If iI can't figure out how to fix it here, I may private and delete this one and repost the entire fic from scratch....I do NOT want to do that)
Chapter 6: Ch 6: A Change is Gonna Come
Notes:
Idk if anyone has actually explored Chayne’s Apothecary in town. It’s quite pretty. Also, OOPS one more chapter featuring the villagers as the main focus. The NEXT chapter will finally be Akei’s first real chapter. After dropping the last one, I felt like the villagers needed a bit more fleshing out at least for the purposes of this fic. Again, I tend to prefer fics that act as introductions to the universe, so I get a little word heavy.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter 6: A Change is Gonna Come
Word Count: 3,300+
It had been three days since Chayne took the unconscious Human under his care. That first night when Jina asked for his help, and Ashura carried the human for them, Jina gave the full story of events earlier that day. While the return (or revival) of a Human was a surprise for the ages, Chayne still had an oath and duty to uphold. Maijiri or not, this person needed help. Chayne instructed Ashura to set the human on one of the cots that sat to the right as soon as they entered his apothecary. They all had to take great measures sneaking the Human around town.
They had almost been caught. Hassian, on his nightly route back to Bahari Bay had spotted the odd group. Chayne knew Hassian well enough that was not the type to cause a fuss and potentially draw attention to an issue, but he still didn’t need anyone else seeing. Quietly, he instructed Jina and Ashura to continue to the Apothecary and he’d deal with his former mentee. Actually, if they were to run into anyone, Hassian is the most ideal. Chayne needed emergency supplies, and Hassian was the only other one in the Valley, other than himself and Ashura, who was best suited to recognize the proper herbs to gather. He could have asked Ashura, but the man was older and wasn’t exactly in the best shape to traverse the cliffs in the bay anymore.
“Is that the injured one the researcher was panicking over in the tavern earlier?”
Of course Hassian hadn’t yet learned Jina’s name. Typically, Hassian doesn’t spend much time in the village. Though recent events of an invasive species introduced in the valley has caused the Hunter to show up nearly regularly to deal with the issue. Not to mention Hassian’s reclusive and stand-offish personality, but Chayne knew it came from a place of self protection rather than true malice for the world.
“Indeed it is, my child.” Chayne confirmed, yet did not want anymore attention drawn to the issue right now. “I actually have a request for you, Hassian.”
The young man nodded his head, “Anything for you, Shepp.”
Chayne chuckled, “Please Hassian, you graduated from my tutelage years ago.”
“I’m also pretty sure that it was you who taught me that there’s always room for growth.” Hassian’s usual walls always came down in the presence of his old mentor, and Chayne felt immense honor to be the young Maijiri’s perceived safe space. Chayne needed to keep the conversation quick and on point, no matter how much he enjoyed his interactions with his previous student, he didn’t have the luxury to indulge in conversation now.
“Hmm, indeed it was. Using my own words against me.” Chayne teased lightly, “But it is an urgent request, and I need to attend to my patient as quickly as possible.”
Hassian's demeanor immediately switched back to business, and though Chayne was a little disappointed to see those walls immediately be drawn up, he knew Hassian was always attentive and dependable.
“I was going to put in an order for more herbs, but the ones I need now for the patient will take weeks to arrive. I’m hoping you can scout them in Bahari Bay for me.”
“Name whatever you need.” Even though Hassian was never interested in following the path of Sage, learning the healing properties of plants and herbs under Chayne was still a useful skill to the young Hunter who lived wild in the forest. No one other than Hassian would be suited for the job.
“I’ll need Heat Root, Dari Cloves, Ginger, and Wild Onion.”
A brief flash of surprise went across Hassian’s face before he steeled himself again, “That’s unusual of you to be so dangerously low of so many herbs.”
Chayne didn’t scold the young man for such a comment, as he was right. As the village’s only healer, it was irresponsible of him to not keep better track.
Chayne sighed.
“I’m aware, but we can discuss my mistakes later. I must leave now.”
Hassian nodded in understanding, leaving his Shepp to head outside the valley and search for what was requested of him. Chayne turned the other way towards his Apothecary.
By the time he got there, Ashura had already laid the Human on one of the cots that sat to the right of the entrance.
“Thank you, my dear friend.” Chayne thanked the towering, but gentle Inn Keeper.
Ashura nodded and gestured to Jina.
“It’s time we make our leave and let Chayne take over now.”
Jina shook her head with a worried expression adorning her face.
“We don’t even know if they’ll respond the same to our medical practices. Their biology may be entirely different.”
“I still have to try Jina.” Chayne attempted to reassure the young woman, placing a hand upon her shoulder. “Everyone who enters this valley is automatically under my care no matter looks, gender, path, or class. I’ve been practicing my path for decades, I can assure you that I will not leave their side and watch their symptoms vigilantly. We don’t have many options.”
That seems to ease the worried researcher, even if only for a little bit.
“Now, go rest. Ashura will walk you home, I’m sure Hekla is worried about you.”
Jina nodded and followed Ashura outside the double doors. Usually, Chayne left them open at all hours of the day. It was a practical reason as much as it was a spiritual reason. Uninterrupted air flow throughout the Apothecary allowed for incense to properly filter out, but it also symbolized the breath and omnipresence of the Dragon. Additionally, it served to let the villagers know that he was always open to them anytime they needed it.
However, with this recent development, the front doors would close for the very first time. Though this wasn’t an official temple for the Dragon, a small shrine dedicated to Maji did sit inside the Apothecary on the wall opposite to the cots. Chayne briefly prayed at it for the Dragon’s forgiveness, the well being for the Human (even if they were from a different deity), and overall blessings.
Then, Chayne got to work with the dwindling stock he had left. Dehydration was the only ailment he was aware of, but a few other remedies wouldn’t hurt. He figured that wherever this human was, something had taken a massive toll on their body. Peace and rest would be essential to their recovery. The mortar and pestle ground together in the quiet Apothecary. He’d have to sleep here tonight, and every night until the Human woke up. He didn’t mind though.
Grabbing a bowl of water, a cloth, and some pillows, Chayne made his way back to their cot. He’d already opened all the windows for the best possible air flow, since the front entrance could no longer be open. The back entrance did have doors, but he wasn’t worried about needing to close those ones, since the only person who used that entrance was Hassian.
“A child of Phoenix.”
Chayne marveled at the Human’s side. As a Monastery, Chayne’s faith in Maji, the Dragon, had occasionally wavered from time to time. But this–the clear rebirth of a child of Phoenix–had to mean something. He’d elevated their legs with the pillows and loosened their clothing where he could while making sure he wasn’t violating their modesty. The fact that their unique clothing was already quite loose and breathable anyways certainly helped. Tattoos adorned their body, weaving intricate patterns across the skin, disappearing under clothing, to reappear on more skin. Tattoos weren't unheard of for Majiri. As for Sages like Chayne they served a ritual purpose. Chayne’s in particular adorned his forehead. There were several others in the village who adorned their bodies with tattoos, usually tying in to their paths or interests. Hassian had one on his right shoulder for the connection he feels to the wilderness. Kenyatta had a Sernuk on her upper right arm though she claims it to be nothing, Chayne felt that subconsciously she had chosen her path, but fear she was holding her back from following it, even though she pretended to be so self assured. Additionally, Reth also had tattoos across his forearms and hands. Those ones looked like chains. Chayne had the hardest time figuring those ones out, but he figured they also served a symbolic meaning, especially since he decided to diverge from his family path. Even his closest friend in the village, Ashura, had small tattoos on his large arms. Though the man claimed they were simple veteran tattoos that squads got together for bonding. He wondered what tattoos meant for Humans. Were they status symbols? Or perhaps they had tattoos that corresponded with their versions of paths, if they had that at all.
Chayne was eager to know more about ancient history as much as Jina. Mostly, his curiosity stemmed from ritual and spiritual practices. Since the humans disappeared thousands of years ago, Chayne did feel sadness that all of their shrines fell into disregard with them. The Phoenix deity must have felt so lonely all those years.
“The Phoenix shrine has been neglected for likely a millenia. Though currently, only The Order and researchers with clearance are allowed there, I wonder if they’d make an exception for you to restore it.”
Chayne dipped the cloth in the cool water, wringed it out, folded it, and placed the now damp cloth on their forehead. Meanwhile, the crickets chirped their nightly orchestra outside, oblivious or uncaring about the presence of an ancient being.
“As the Valley’s Magistrate, I think I deserve to know who is being harbored in my village!”
It had been difficult over the course of the last few days keeping curious villagers away from the Apothecary. Auni, the excitable farmer’s child, had likely announced it to everyone. He was the valley’s paper boy, and no doubt bored with the monotonous life in the Valley, but Chayne hoped that he could give the human a bit more time. They were showing some progress. They woke briefly on the first night and he was finally able to get water into their system, but they’d returned to slumber soon after and barely woken since. He’d also requested some soups from Reth with specific ingredients to speed up the process and get light food in their system for energy. When Chayne heard a knock at the door, he’d hoped it was Reth finally arriving with the healthy soup. Instead, he was met with the Mayor’s (rightfully concerned) wife.
“I understand Eshe, but I must stress that rest and quiet is the most important thing for them right now.”
“That doesn’t concern me, what concerns me is who they are. If we’ve got a criminal in my village, The Order needs to know at once!”
Chayne didn’t believe in lying, but he had no choice if his patient was to receive the best care he could provide.
“I can assure you Eshe, there is no trouble here. Even if there was, I have an oath to uphold. No matter the walk of life, I care for any ailment that anyone who enters the valley faces whether it be spiritual or physical. When they wake, I promise you will get answers, but I ask you for patience until that time comes.”
The tall older woman huffed in annoyance and stamped her cane, but she knew Chayne was right. Although she was the highest authority in the Valley, Chayne’s authority over medical practices overruled her in the political hierarchy aspect at least.
“When they wake I want someone to fetch me at once.”
She swiftly turned, made her way down the stone steps, and returned to make her patrol rounds around the town. Her long fur coat swishing and cane striking the ground with each step.
That was an issue postponed for the time being, but as life is, it wasn’t the only issue to be dealt with. Chayne reentered the Apothecary and once more, shut the large double doors of the front entrance. The Human was still sleeping, but Chayne noticed that their breathing patterns were different. They would be waking soon, and hopefully be well enough to stay awake. Chayne continued his routine for that morning, changing the damp cloth on the Human’s forehead, adjusting their pillows, and changing out the incense. Usually, he’d be preparing some herbs, but he’d finally run out the previous day. Hassian still hadn’t returned, but Chayne knew that his request was quite the task. Two of what he asked for were difficult to come by, especially in large quantities. Though he only needed enough, he also knew that Hassian valued preparedness and would go beyond to find extra.
Chayne, of course, knew of Hassian’s troubled youth and introverted tendencies, which turned him to find meaning in living minimally in the wilds. Sifuu tried her best after being left a widow and single mother. After she tried settling down in the village, Hassian would frequently escape home and live in the Killima fields and forests. Sifuu, though usually rowdy and excitable, became slightly reserved and rightfully worried for her only child. Whenever Hassian would escape their new home, she would turn to Chayne for guidance if she was a suitable parent. But, he assured the Village Black Smith that though Hassian was still young, he was at the age that most Palians began to start exploring their future anyways. He encouraged Sifuu to let him explore and when he was ready to talk, he would always come back to her. It was Chayne’s calm and understanding nature that Hassian occasionally returned home and had later asked the village Sage to be his Shepp when he became of age. Chayne was of course honored that the, then young boy, had looked up to him in such a way.
In Chayne’s reminiscing, he nearly missed the quiet arrival of the very person he was thinking of. It seemed Hassian thought he was in the middle of a meditation, and respectfully sought to leave the bag of herbs quietly on a table closest to the back entrance and slip away to avoid disturbing the Sage’s prayers to their respected Deity. However, Chayne wasn’t in a ritual meditation exactly, and sure wasn’t going to let Hassian go without some friendly conversation. Afterall, they had some time now that the Human was no longer in critical condition.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice you sneaking around.”
Chayne announced that he was aware of Hassian’s presence.
Hassian stopped in his tracks on the brick floor on the green house at the back entrance, and turned his head towards the APothecary.
“Sorry, Chayne, I thought–”
“I know what you thought, my child. I appreciate your respect, but you know I am never too busy to talk.” Chayne waved the apology off.
Hassian nodded, and entered the main area once more. A soft metal clinking sound could also be heard. It seemed the Plumehound decided to join Hassian’s travels today. After he was done scratching, the narrow faced canine eagerly walked past Hassian, to sit in front of the Sage. Chayne knew exactly what the blue-furred hound wanted. He slipped the dog a piece of dried meat he kept in stores. He didn’t eat meat himself, but he always kept the treats on hand for Hassian’s guardian and companion. He was a very good boy after all.
“I got as much as I could of what you asked.” Hassian gestured towards the hemp sack nearby the Apothecary cabinet.
“And you have my gratitude, I knew I could count on you.”
“Yes, but it took longer than I would have liked.”
Chayne waved those doubts off too, and set to opening the bag and organizing.
“You have nothing to apologize for. You still brought them in an appropriate amount of time.”
Hassian moved to help when a knock sounded at the front entrance.
“Oh, the second delivery today has arrived. Hassian–”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”
Hassian set down one of the Heat Root he’d had and walked across the main area towards the front entrance. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the sleeping figure occupying one of the cots. He figured it was the patient Chayne mentioned several days earlier, but it wasn’t Hassian’s business to gawk at the person in recovery. After grabbing the handle and pulling one door open, Hassian stopped in his tracks when he saw just who it was at the door.
Nothing more than the Taven’s bartender and cook, Reth. Friendly guy, but too extroverted and flirtatious for Hassian to handle. Plus, he always felt like he was hiding something. It made him a bit wary.
Like clockwork, the light pink Majiri beamed at Hassian as soon as he saw him.
“Are you a magnet? Because I can’t seem to stay away from you.”
Hassian plucked the package from his hands and shut the door in his face without a word. He brought it back to his Shepp.
“The barkeep seems interested,” Chayne grinned, having obviously overheard the short interaction. Hassian placed the package on the empty space of the table.
Hassian scowled.
“The soup boy is nothing but an annoying flirt.”
‘Yet, you never directly reject his advances.’ Chayne kept the thought to himself.
“Reth is trying.”
“That boy would flirt with a tree if he could.”
“He’s the only other one in the village, aside from you, who knows what it’s like to be separated from your community, even if his situation is entirely involuntary. I don’t mean to pry in your personal matters, Hassian, especially after you had your heart broken once before, but I can’t help but worry sometimes. Not to mention he’s right around your age.”
“You sound like my mother.”
“She has a point. Sifuu and I, as your Shepp, aren’t getting any younger. We won’t be around forever. We’d at least like a chance to see you happy with a partner or two if you wish.”
‘Not to mention he’d eagerly cook and provide furniture.’ Chayne thought to himself again. Reth could easily provide Hassian with some much needed attention and gifts. Hassian hunts and forages regularly anyway. He’d bring home the ingredients, and Reth could provide the home with food and comfortable places to lounge or prepare the animal. Not to mention their personalities balanced each other. Chayne believed they’d make a good pair. After all he had to grant pairs with the Dragon’s blessing, and he’d on more than one occasion let Hassian know that the Dragon approved of this pairing.
“Chayne.” Hassian sighed. This definitely wasn’t the first time Chayne teased him over romance.
“I know your heart as well as your mother. You put up a barrier, but you long for love and companionship as much as anyone else. You crave romance. Why else would you read those entertaining books of yours?”
“Chayne!”
That was Chayne’s cue to drop the subject. He’d pushed Hassian enough, but he meant well, the both of them knew that. That wasn’t the only reason for the outburst though. Chayne looked where Hassian’s gaze was directed. It seemed Tau had finished his treat and gotten bored. He was by the bed of the patient, excitedly sniffing the new smells and wagging his fluffy tail.
“Tau! Leave them alone.” Hassian tried to command. Though the Plumehound did follow Hassian around nearly every day, he was still technically a wild animal and did as he pleased most of the time. His collar jingled as he reared up on the cot to sniff the face.
Hassian went to remove the Plumehound, but before he could get two steps in, they sat up abruptly. Clearly surprised and still somewhat disoriented. Tau seemed happy to have woken the new friend, and settled his head on their lap for pets. Finally, Hassian got a good look just at who this patient was or what they looked like. Their long black hair was a wild mess with light pink streaks, and their clothing was certainly odd. The main features that struck him however, was the clear distinction in how different the ears and skin tone are.
Maijiri’s didn’t look like that.
“Chayne, just who or what exactly is in your care?”
Notes:
I hope I didn’t go too ooc, for this. But then again, it’s a fic, I don’t have to be constrained but I do like to be consistent where I can.
Chapter 7: Ch 7: The Human Who Awoke
Notes:
Apologies for this chapter taking so long. Bunch of life stuff happened and I lost my outline for this chapter. Additional apologies, if the beginning of this chapter comes off as a bit strange. I can’t stand reading or writing from a 1st person perspective. The only book I actually enjoyed it in is “The Salt Grows Heavy,” by Cassandra Khaw. But that story has a reason for it to be written that way where I feel it actually works. (at least, in my opinion) Also, bonus points to those who recognize which book this chapter references. The exact time that humans were gone is never directly stated in the game at least, so I just threw in a broad “millenium” to be on the safe side.
WORD COUNT: 2,000+
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter 7: The Human Who Awoke
Word Count: 2000+
Nearly a millennium ago, Akei had awoken one day to a strange new world outside her window, one for which there seemed to be no hope for a future. Almost overnight the land became ravaged by strange beasts tearing through thinly veiled fabric of space. She soon found herself and others herded to a vault to be placed in stasis for an undetermined amount of time to preserve themselves.
In Stasis, it was a constant stream of oppositions flooding her body. Her consciousness was both aware, yet not aware. She could feel and hear things, yet the feelings were false. Or were they? She was weightless but felt immense pressure closing in on every part of her body. No dreams came to her then. No wonders of what life would be like after Stasis, IF she even exited Stasis at all. How long was she here exactly? Stasis certainly muddled things. It balanced precariously on the thin veiled precipice of life and death, neither awake nor truly asleep. If life and death were veils of existence, could the beasts reach them here too?
Now, Akei doesn't feel quite so metaphysical anymore. Not only that, but she dreamed now. Strange. Her dreams felt anything but peaceful. For what was likely a millenia, she hadn’t dreamed at all, nor had any knowledge of the fact she was alive. No, that wasn’t right. Was she alive? Did she wake? For a brief moment, Akei could have sworn being pulled out of the chamber that both deprived and overstimulated the senses.
The distant roar of a familiar sounding waterfall echoed through her brain and replaced the constant roar of her blood circulating throughout Stasis. Similar sounds, but not the same. Then, a nice breeze blew by her face. Akei hummed. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt a breeze.
Then, the breeze changed. It quickened, then grew hot and damp? The breeze was small and felt narrowed, not broad.
Akei’s eyes finally flew open.
The first thing she noticed was a wet nose rapidly sniffing around her face. She bolted up, heart pounding, and clumsily fell off of whatever surface she had apparently been laid upon. The surface toppled and came crashing down with her. Realizing it was a cot, Akei peered through the straps of the makeshift bed.
The dog–Fox?–The creature seemed to think it was a game and began a playful bow, tail ablur. Akei got a better view of the fox-like dog before her. It had sleek fur the color of periwinkle, and striking golden eyes. Though it was the large size of a dog, it had the slim face of a fox. The strange canine wore a bandanna, with a gold medallion, attached across its chest indicating that it was at least friendly to a degree–as if the playful stance and lively tail hadn’t suggested that already.
Akei quickly learned that this entire time, she wasn’t alone. Her ears picked up the sound first, then she glanced up. Two people stood across the room.
“Tau!”
The one that called, briskly walked over to shoo the canid away. Akei stared in awe. The most distinct thing Akei noticed about the person before her was the indigo colored skin. Did people look like this? She didn’t think so, but she felt the twinge of a headache when she tried to think about it. She definitely couldn’t remember anyone with blue skin. Were they sick or not getting enough oxygen? If that were the case, they wouldn’t be up and walking around with purpose as they did now.
When the person got closer, they grabbed the back of the bandanna and ushered the Canid away. Their blue eyes bore into hers and an air of skepticism adorned their face. Clearly, she was just as surprised at them, as they were about her. When they turned away, Canid in tow, the second person swiftly entered her view, briefly taking her attention. This one seemed gentler, with soft black eyes that spoke of care and guidance.
“My deepest apologies. I hope you’re rested well?”
Akei’s tongue felt heavy in her mouth. Instead of replying, she opted that nodding would do for now. The gentler one also had blue skin, though it's of a slightly lighter color to the first, and very noticeable short pointed ears. Did the other one have that? A glance past the kind, aged face before her confirmed it, except they were longer.
“My name is Chayne, and this here is Hassian, who is–”
“Who is just leaving.”
Hassian, as she now knew, quickly picked up some items on the far side of what looked to be a vast medical hall. The canid wagged its fluffy tail, and followed the stand-offish one out the back doors of an attached solarium.
Chayne, shook his head, and turned back towards her.
“Don’t worry about him, he’s shy.” He waved off her concern before settling before her fallen form, “In the meantime, let’s get you off this floor and something to drink, shall we?”
He fixed the bed back onto its leg posts, hoisted her up (surprisingly stronger than he looked) and once he was sure that she wouldn’t fall off again, he began a masterful display of his craft. Moving about the room with ease for whatever he needed. While Chayne worked, Akei observed her surroundings. The ceiling was tall, and sunlight drifted in through high windows. Through the refracted light, pale rainbows whirled in light smoke that wafted from the large incense burner in the center of the room. It looked like a large bronze or copper urn, with sculpted dragon heads whose nostrils billowed the aromatic wisps. The incense burner sat stop a rounded stone platform, no doubt for easier access to stoke the flames through the bottom. Akei’s eyes finally drifted around. The rest of the space looked relatively modest and minimalist, save for herbs, plants, propagations, and shrines which decorated the space. The shrine in front of her cot featured a statue of a dragon which seemed to be in a state of meditation. To her left, two large curved double doors were shut, which also featured iconography of the same blue dragon Akei had seen depicted throughout. With enough context clues, Akei figured that this must be a well-respected god, but it was one she didn’t recognize.
Before she could dwell on the mystery for too long, the kind-faced person stole her attention once more. “I’m sure you have many questions, all of which will be answered in due time.” He appeared by the side of her cot, setting a tray on a low table. After pouring a cup of steaming liquid, he handed it off to her. “It will give you the energy you need. Take your time, there is no rush.”
Her rose scrunched at the bitter and earthy smell, but she knew better. Pinching her nose, Akei unhinged her jaw and downed the herbal tea as quickly as possible. Much to the horror of her caretaker, who swiped it out of her grasp as soon as she gulped the last drop. The scalding burn down her throat went away almost as soon as she felt it.
Akei realized that since she hadn’t spoken, she must have given Chayne the impression of a language barrier she hadn’t understood. She very much had, and deliberately decided to ignore, a bad habit that she felt like she’s had before. Her throat no longer felt parched, and she could now rectify the miscommunication of the panicked caretaker. She threw her hands up in a placating manner, hoping to soothe him before he scrambled back to his many apothecary drawers.
“I’m alright, I promise. No throat scarring.”
Akei smiled, hoping that would further ease him.
Chayne gaped, obviously horrified and clearly on the brink of panic and wonder at such a feat.
“How?” He trailed off, a hand covering his mouth while the other hovered over almost as if he was now in fear to touch her. Akei shrugged.
“The long nap probably helped.”
“The long–” Chayne paused, blinked, and then his shoulders began to bounce with laughter he tried to conceal.
“You’re a funny one.” He managed to croak once he’d worked through the laughing spell. He tried to gather his composure, but his eyes still held mirth. “The dragon works in mysterious ways. Though, I have a feeling that the dragon didn’t have much involvement here.”
Akei’s face fell in confusion. Her suspicions had been correct it seemed. Why did it make her feel melancholic? Chayne clearly noticed her change in mood and changed the subject. “I have already introduced myself, but allow me to further clue you in. I am the village Ritual Sage. It is my duty to take care of the physical and spiritual wellbeing of those in this valley. It is a sacred duty I hold very dear.”
He bowed his head, after giving his proper greeting, and Akei felt it was polite to return the gesture.
“My name is Akei–” another twinge of pain shot behind her eyes. Something seemed wrong with her memory, though she didn’t know exactly why. “Apologies.” She sighed with defeat, trying to soothe her temples. “It seems my surname eludes me.”
“In the state Jina found you in, I expected as much. If what she says is true, you may have been impacted greatly by the magic of Flow. You may experience migraines or other strange ailments from here on out. The study of Flow isn’t exactly permitted, especially in medical practices, so I regret to inform you that I am not entirely aware of any other potential side effects.”
Chane stroked his goatee in deep thought. The fact he couldn’t solve her predicament clearly weighed on him.
“May I ask a personal question then?” Akei hoped.
“I don’t see why not.” Chayne replied.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but what are you? Where am I exactly?”
Chayne had already prepared an answer during the time the human was resting. Of course he and Jina didn’t know exactly why a Human would appear after being missing for thousands of years, but he should expect anyone to be confused by changes after being absent for so long. He cleared his throat, and placed his hands in a steeple as he relayed his careful answer.
“I don’t want to overload you on information, not so soon anyway. Everything we know will be explained in due time. I understand it must feel frustrating, but I can tell you this: In the many years that humans disappeared, a new society emerged. I’m sure you’ve noticed a difference in our physical appearances. We are not human, but we call ourselves Elves. There are different types and the most common you’ll meet is a Majiri Elf.”
It was the most straight forward he could be without dumping everything about deities, a theorized cataclysmic event, and so on. He was a priest, yes, but his priority was the health of those in his care, including the health of the mind.
Akei opened her mouth, but the question died in her throat before she could get it out. She couldn’t even begin to fathom processing. She felt immense grief for a past she could no longer remember, no matter how much she strained and willed her brain to try. Tears welled and Akei’s head fell in her hands. She barely registered the Sage sitting next to her and offering a comforting shoulder.
“Woooow!”
A child-like voice called.
Both Chayne and Akei’s attention diverted to the frosted window at her immediate left. A pot of bamboo grew in front of it, but didn’t hide the view entirely. Through blurred vision, Akei saw the figure of an excited pink child dart away.
Chayne tried to further soothe Akei’s tense frame.
“I believe that you will now have to meet the Magistrate much sooner than I initially would have liked. I intended to give you a few more days to recuperate, before announcing your presence to the village and The Order.”
He sighed, before leaving the cot and soon returning with a damp rag and a basin of water.
“Be strong, Phoenix’s Child. Know that I and the Dragon walk with you.”
Akei cleaned her face, and calmed herself down while Chayne left what she assumed to be the medical hall or apothecary. After several long agonizing moments, he returned and guided her outside and down a stone path towards a quaint village. Akei’s swirling thoughts prevented her from enjoying her surroundings of the area’s unique features. Or unique to her perspective at least.
The approaching Tavern was lively and more brightly colored people were also making their way to it, gawking when they noticed Chayne escorting her. Word got around quickly here; she’d have to keep that in mind. The chorus of voices grew more excited once she reached the steps and a large man–Majiri–appeared in the doorway.
“Everyone, calm down. The Human will not be mobbed so long as they are in this Tavern.” He didn’t yell, but his booming voice carried across the town square. Akei noticed his similarly weathered face and scarred features. His eyes were stern, but kind. A voice surely befitting of such a figure.
At the mention confirming ‘human,’ the crowd wound up again. The tall, muscular man ignored it. Making his way down the stone steps, and placing himself as an additional escort, led Akei inside. He directed the two towards a wooden stairwell to the right of the entrance.
“The Mayor and Magistrate will be here shortly. For now, sit tight upstairs.”
Chayne and Akei wound up the staircase, to the second floor, which acted as a balcony. Akei watched in equal parts fear and fascination from the rails as Majiri, and a short, furred cat-like thing, filed in; their chatter never wavering in the slightest.
“This is going to put us on the map, for sure!”
“Think of the trade it could bring!”
“I’m not exactly keen to have The Order sniffing around.”
“More pranks to pull!”
“Do you think anyone cute would visit?”
“Wait, where’s Jina?”
“How much could we sell her for? -Ow! I was just throwing the idea out there.”
“Enough!” A sharp command cut through the air, accentuated by the slam of a cane. All eyes shot back to the entrance of the tavern. A tall Majiri woman with graying hair, and a squat bearded Majiri man strode in. The man looked apologetic, but the woman seemed agitated. The warm tavern now felt cold in her presence, even as she strutted towards the stone fireplace.
“Citizens of Killima Valley,” The clack of her cane echoed throughout the space. “As your representative, I have to address the situation that could disrupt the quiet life here.”
Now, standing before the fireplace, she turned to face everyone. Akei assumed that this must be the Magistrate and the Mayor.
“I’m sure you have heard gossip, and know that I will confirm those rumors.” the woman’s cold gaze flicked up to the second floor, bearing into Akei’s soul.
“It is the first evidence of a breathing Human that anyone has ever seen. Confirmed by Ashura, Jina, and the Village Ritual Sage himself.”
The tavern was abuzz again, some noe scrambling to also get a look at Akei.
“Quiet!”
The clacking of the Magistrate’s cane sounded once more, as she attempted to gain the undivided attention once more.
“There is no need to fear. I will see to it personally that the Human leaves.”
The room erupted again, mostly in disagreement. She ignored the outcries, and turned her attention to the large man at the foot of the staircase.
“Do you hear me, Ashura? I do NOT want it in my respectful town. It would only attract danger.”
“The Order would disagree!” Before Ashura had the chance to argue, a Majiri with glasses and white coat forced her way to the front of the crowd, with a sealed letter in hand. “This valley belonged to a large Human settlement. Whether you like it or not, casting them out could be considered meddling in Order affairs!”
“I am protecting us from the eye of the Cartel, Scholar.” The Magistrate stressed.
“Eshe, we cannot afford the fines! It would ruin Killima Valley.” The short man beside her finally piped up, tugging on her furred sleeve. The Magistrate–Eshe, Akei now knew–glared down at him. She seemed to be at war with herself before inhaling a deep drag of her long, thin pipe, and slowly letting it out; clearly not pleased with the turn of events.
“But where would it stay, hm?” Eshe challenged, now addressing everyone in the Tavern. “Are any one of you willing to harbor something so potentially dangerous? How do you know they won’t use Flow in the heart of the night? How do you know they won’t steal from you and take off? Do you have any proof that it means no harm?”
“That is enough, Duchess!” Akei jumped. That came from Chayne right next to her. Everyone snapped their gaze upwards towards the Sage.
“You’ve gone too far, and you know it. They are under my care, and my decision outrules yours. The Human–Akei–stays right here in the Valley.”
“So you’ve named them.” Eshe grumbled, taking another drag of her pipe.
“Fine,” She forced out with gritted teeth. “Ashura. Hodari. You are aware of the unclaimed land towards the hills, yes? Bring the Human before the Town Hall and give them the plot.”
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
Notes:
END NOTES: Sorry if this chapter overall came off as odd. I fell off my groove. I got hit with the ao3 curse while writing this chapter, bc I got fired……..JK lol. No, long story-short, I’d actually had issues with my work for a few months before I started posting this fic. Late September, after posting CH 6, I found out (after having sketchy feelings for several weeks) that the family I was working for are millionaires and MIGHT be part of a mob. Then, shortly after that, they fired 3 employees in one day after treating them like garbage. Immediately after that, my bosses then tried to make me do all 3 of those positions so I turned in my resignation letter in October and said peace (which pissed them off and they fired me). Back on the job search in the middle of a recession I go (and hopefully I don’t run into another mob family with zero respect for boundaries of employees).
Oh, and then lost my outline to top it all off (yay to losing physical journals) I promise the tavern meeting was so much more impactful in the outline and I had to go off of memory of how it went. Hopefully, the next chapters can be better. I have one coming up that might be a tearjerker. Should I add the angst tag?
zailorofthezea on Chapter 1 Thu 18 Sep 2025 09:38AM UTC
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