Submission (#1937) Approved

Quest: Resonance - Act 3
Act Type: Bravery
Word Count: 2,344
Otherworldy creature: Krisek - https://toyhou.se/4739453.krisek
Other Elnin: Malis [MYO-ELN180]
Regional Affinity: Kyendi
Claiming Regional Affinity for: Amirynth [MYO-ELN229]
[Noble] Rank Unlock Mini-Requirement: Depict your elnin interacting with a human or elseworld creature. (Krisek from Kimet, a CS created by Paintedbees, also loosely based off my Arakkoa from WoW)

     "But Rynn you flew! I'd say that is a mark of healing ya know!" Malis sat stubbornly in the cart with her arms crossed as she traveled with the smaller faenin on their way to Kyendi. The larger kittom knew Rynn was just nervous about going back to where the attack happened but she was sure that is all her friend needed to finish healing. Her body was fine, most of the mana sickness had stabilized, and while she'd never be fully 'normal', her cracked horn and damaged eye attested to that, she was almost back to healthy levels. Malis was sure that when Rynn realized the attack was not something to be scared of, the faenin would start to flourish again and stop doubting on her own skills.

     She heaved a sigh, "I know and it was g-g-great." Amirynth had already tried to explain her trepidation to Malis a few times now but the kittom just wouldn't listen. "And I have flown a few t-t-times since, though short, b-b-but..." The magnitude of a mess of feelings washed over her again and she felt the darker voices bubble up. "I d-d-don't think I am ready for this." The faenin sank back even further into her seat rather overwhelmed with it all. She had been trying to talk her way out of this all week with no luck. After visiting the crystals and bringing back a shard to help Aryn, Amirynth had been amazed when the shard woke Aryn up from their slumber, even if the lingering affects had left crystalline spots in their fur. After seeing that, Malis had been grasped with the possibility that if they went back to where she was attacked they could do the same for her. She looked out towards the floating isles that filled the horizon. So now they were back on their way to the Sunshard Isles, back where things started for her, back where she met Malis though she did not have as much memory of that part.

     The jungles slipped by them, opening out into the high curves of the hills as the lands dropped away. Waterfalls glimmered in the distance, as their cart turned to drive along a rocky pathway that would bring them up to the higher reaches. Amirynth let her mind drift as she remembered when she had been there last. She had been studying in Ilrian and had taken a few days off to explore the floating islands. Up on a hill she had watched the sunset and then started her travel back to the nearby village where she was staying for the weekend. The path she had taken through the jungle was well traveled, yet she had gotten attacked by a beast that seem to have sprung from the shadows. Her shoulder tingled with the memory and she had to blink a few times as her eye itched. With each turn of the road the cart rose up the mountain side and Rynn felt her heart beat harder with each step.

     Suddenly the cart lurched to a stop. Both Malis and Rynn peered out of the sides of the cart trying to figure out why. The driver seemed to be talking to someone who was lost, giving them directions. Malis changed sides to get a better look, craning her neck around Rynn until the faenin felt stifled. "A little space p-p-please," Her fear forgotten momentarily as her curiosity over this new being came over her. The bird-like creature stood tall, almost reaching the height of the driver sitting in his high seat. A sharp beak protruded from a cowl that covered most of their head and robes hid a good portion of their feathered body. The elnin driver was gesturing towards the nearest village, the same direction the kittom pair were going. Rynn mused thoughtfully. "D-d-do you think we should let them t-t-travel with us?" She, of all elnin here, knew how dangerous this area could be. "We c-c-could let the driver know?"

     Malis nodded, "Sure! I'm always happy t' meet new friends!" She climbed over to the high seat where the driver was talking and interrupted. "Got a spot here if ya want it. There be space for ya if t' driver here be amicable!" She gave the elnin a wink before producing a few more shinies for them. "Ah'm sure they not be mindin' much." At the elnin's nod she grinned wider and then hopped back into her seat, pulling Rynn over to her side so that the tall stranger could join them in the cart with plenty of space.

     "I thank you for your invitation," The large bird creature made a low bow, feathered arm wings sweeping gracefully through the air before climbing into the cart. He brushed his tail out from under him and sat down on the chair, crossing his spindly legs. Long fingers smoothed down his robes as he adjusted his wing feathers slightly to lay better in his lap as he sat. "I am Blade-dancer Krisek of the Kimet, and you are?" He looked expectantly at the two kittoms who sat before him, dwarfing them with his large size.

     Malis spoke up first, "Ah be Malis of the Elnin, an' this here be Ry... Amirynth!" The larger kittom puffed out her chest protectively as she encountered a creature much larger than she expected. "It be a pleasure t' meetcha!" She sized up the other being, noticing the fain glowing tattoos that covered their body and large curved blades protruding from his back covered in thin leathers. "Whatcha got there?" She asked curiously."

     The Kimet chuckled softly, "My blades? They are my job. I am a blade-dancer, I am here to protect the one I travel with, Dawnseeker Ix'kin. They are a visionary and their dreams took us through one of the portals on my homeland and we ended up here in..." He thought for a moment, trying to remember the name of the city, "Ahh yes, it was Ilrian, among the floating islands. We were separated when a creature attacked us. It was partially my fault as I let The Dawnseeker wander too far into the jungle, without checking up ahead. While I engaged the beast I sent them back to the min path. They should be safe in the village now; I saw them get on a travel cart such as yours further down. We were headed in this direction previously..." Krisek's eyes flared for a moment as he spoke of his charge before waving vaguely with one wing, adding. "However, Ix'kin had the map so I'm not as sure of the best way to get there. It is lucky you were traveling through this way or I may have ended up flying in the wrong direction. The jungle covers most of the ground so it is hard to pinpoint where the villages are hiding or follow a path from the skies without knowing the map markers."

     The faenin was quiet in her corner as she felt her heartbeat crowd her ears. The beasts of the jungle scared her more than anything. Just the thought of someone else getting hurt made her breath catch in her chest. Was this the same creature as before or a new one? Was there something more sinister going on here near this village?  Her mind immediately went to the worse stories she remembered and the scariest nightmares. She almost lost herself to the dark voices that whispered loudly to her but was broken out of it by Malis' nudge to the arm. "He wants t' know how ya got your markings?" She heard the larger kittom bring her up to speed. Rynn shook herself out of the spiral and took a deep breath. She told of the attack and tried to describe the creature as best she could remember though most of the visuals had been distorted by the strike at her eye. She tried to be level about it but her wavering voice broke her confidence.

     Krisek stopped her with a long claw, gently regarding her with bright cyan eyes, his glowing tattoos pulsing softly. "It sounds like you have had a time of it. I can understand not wanting to come back here.  We have shadow beasts from where I come from, mostly inspired by stories or creatures of old lore. Shaksir, creatures of the void... I doubt they are the same though, it sounds like your beast was just very good at hiding. You should not need to worry about it. Just regular beasts around here, even if a little too daring." He pondered a while, tapping his long fingers on his knee before seeming to come up with an idea. "Do you know this area well? I promised Ix'kin I would fly over and scout but, as I said, I don't know the map markers from the air and would need a guide." The Kimet looked between them before making a decision. "Would you trust me enough to be my guide? I can fly us out over to where I tracked the creature but I would need some aid getting back. I can protect you if something should happen but the goal is to find out if there is a hidden lair that I missed previously. Maybe find out the reason why the beast is so bold to attack travelers close to the main paths."

     "Sure! Ah can be helpin' ya out!" Malis almost jumped up at the chance to be able to fly somewhere, especially if it meant she could help with the protection of her homelands. She had been eyeing the blades on the Kimet's back and it dawned on her that she wanted to try and learn how to wield such curious weaponry. 

     "Apologies, I appreciate your bravery but you might be a little too heavy if we needed to leave in a hurry." He turned to Amirynth, "That and I trust you can fly?"

     "ABOSULTLY NOT!" The larger kittom jumped in front of Amirynth protectively, arms stretched out like a barricade. "Ah be here t' make sure Amirynth gets to t' village safely an' she can't be goin' out there all alone where she be attacked before!!" Malis fumed in anger, a sudden change from her usual easy-going personality.

     Amirynth looked over Malis' shoulder with wide eyes at the unexpected turn of events. She felt her mind stall at the sudden rush of feelings, both scared of the prospect of going out there with someone she just met, and then also going to chase after an unruly creature of all things, but also a flush of warmth at the sudden realization of how much Malis cared about her. The warmth chased away the usual cold fingers of fear giving her a rush of courage that she had not felt before and she placed a paw on Malis shoulder. "Malis... you are right, I d-d-do need to face my fear and this might be the b-b-best way to d-d-do it." Steeling herself she raised herself onto her tiptoes and gave the larger kittom a small kiss on the cheek. "C-c-can you check on I'xkin when you g-g-get to the village, let them know which d-d-direction we went? We will return b-b-before d-d-dark."

     Malis did not like this change of events and turned, about to chide Rynn about putting herself into danger. She looked into her eyes and saw a faint whisper of inner fire in Rynn's good eye, a blink and it was gone, but the conviction remained. This is what she hopped would happen with their return to Kyendi but she agonized with the idea that she would not be there to see it. She took a deep breath to center herself and let the sudden flush of anger dissipate. "Fine, ah can do that fer ya." She still did not like the idea of not being by Rynn's side but she recognized she need to let her do this. "But, " the larger kittom turned back to Krisek with a scowl, "If ya let mah Rynn get hurt I'm gonna come fer ya!"

     Krisek made a graceful nod, "I can promise that young one. Amirynth will not come to any harm while we are gone. We shall meet you in the village before the sun sets." He reached out with one long wing and tapped the cart driver on the shoulder, "My good sir, if you would let me and my fine guide here disembark I would be much grateful. We will be taking the next leg of the journey on the wing." He helped Amirynth down after leaving the cart and made sure his pouches were secured while the kittom pair said their goodbyes.

     "Malis, I will b-b-be ok, I p-p-promise." Rynn felt a calm about her that she had not felt in a long time. She was still a little afraid of where they were planning on scouting but a stillness had quieted the constant barrage of shadowy whispers. She reached up to give the larger kittom a hug and felt her paws left off the ground as Malis wrapped her up in a tight bear hug. The warmth within grew and she couldn't help but smile.

     Giving the faenin an extra squeeze, Malis grumbled, "Ya better..." She didn't quite understand where these feeling had come from but was now holding onto them tightly. "I care about ya. I should be t' one t' protect ya."

     "I know Malis, and that knowledge is what g-g-gives me the c-c-courage to do this." Rynn picked up her pouch and placed it over her shoulders, "Thank you for that. I will see you in the village." She watched as Malis got back up onto the cart which trundled off up the road towards the village, giving her a wave just before it rounded the next turn. She then turned toward Krisek, framed by the jungles that surrounded them on one side and the views of the floating islands on the other, scared but excited to face the next adventure.