Submission (#2280) Approved

Zevija. The land of rock and red hills and mountains that spit fire into the sky. Never in a hundred years would Nautilus ever think he’d end up here - or anywhere beyond his home, really, but here of all places! It wasn’t the farthest region away from the islands, but it was too far for comfort. And way more dangerous than anything that could be found in Palu’au.

He had been a bit nervous about leaving home at first… Er, okay, he had been really nervous. Paralyzing nervous. Some days he was too timid to even leave his house, let alone his entire region! The Unknown was a vast and scary thing, and kittoms were likely the most vulnerable creature in all of Eyre. Fae and monsters and who knows what else lurk around every corner, in every shadow, just waiting for a chance to strike. No matter how peaceful his island home may be, the threat of danger is ever-present in the back of his mind, just waiting to jump out from the darkness and get him.

So this is a huge first step for him. One he was very, very reluctant to take, but he did it.

His eyes were immediately drawn to the imposing volcanos that bellowed smoke far in the distance. It was absolutely nothing like the rounded, green-topped hills, golden sands, and tall palm trees of his home. In fact, he wasn’t even sure if there was any greenery to be had here at all. What must the people who live here eat? Everything was just so red here. The ground, the sky, the bubbling lava he could see trailing down those mountains he wouldn’t dare go close to.

He never would have been able to make it this far if it weren’t for his best friend. Caspian had quickly become Nautilus’ light ever since their first meeting, the star that guides him on his darkest nights.

And that kittom is currently missing.

The realization sent him into a mild panic. He’s alone. Completely and utterly, in a region he has no knowledge of without the one elnin that provides him comfort. Not that Caspian knew anymore than he did about the world or this region… but he’s the one who takes the initiative, leads their journeys, who always approaches life with such laissez-faire that it has Nautlius’ feet following along before he has a chance to remember his apprehension (though he knows some would call it carelessness; it comforts him all the same). Sometimes, however, that very same nature gets him into situations like this. Wandering off somewhere in a dangerous, unknown place, leaving poor Nautilus behind…

He’s on the brink of a panic. What is he supposed to do now?? Kittoms might traverse the world of Eyre on their own all the time, carefree and unsupervised, to build character and grow, but that was never something he thought he’d do - it’s too scary, he’s not strong enough, he’s scared, he’s-

Breathe. The image of Caspian suddenly breaks through his panicked state and appears in his mind. It gives him enough peace to stop and think about what the other kittom had taught him whenever he got into situations like this. “Think about the sky!” He’d urge, smiling wide and casting his own gaze to the blue expanse above. “If you’re ever scared and I’m not around, look at the sky and know we’re connected. Somewhere, I’m under that same sky, too.”

He tilts his head upwards and does what Caspian had told him to do. The sky here is just so different from the bright blue of the islands. The contrast is almost too much for him, serving as a reminder of how far away he was from home and how completely and utterly alone he feels in this moment. But he manages to gradually steady himself by repeating Caspian’s mantra over and over. Somewhere he’s here, too. And it’s up to Nautilus to find him.

Now that he could think more clearly, he sits down and tries to figure out what might have happened. Were they in the middle of a game of hide and go seek he wasn’t aware of? Caspian did have the tendency to forget to tell Nautilus his plans or what he was going to do. Oftentimes those scenarios end up with Naut finding him dozing off somewhere under a tree or on a sunny rock.

First he decides to check the heart of the town they were in. It’s the capital of the region, if he remembers correctly. Hadaven, maybe? The marketplace is bustling under the midday sun, with elnin and Kyunru and all kinds of races roaming to and fro. Caspian’s bright blue coat should stand out well against the naturally dark environment of this land, he thinks, but he can’t see him anywhere in the main bazaar. He’d been hoping maybe his stomach would lead him towards the scent of food roasting at the market stalls.

What else would Caspian do? Hmm… His eyes catch sight of a sign leading out of the main street and what looks to be out of town. Hot springs, it reads. Nautilus hums out loud in thought. Caspian loves the water... In a region so devoid of vast and open seas like they were used to, perhaps the kittom got sidetracked by the sign and went to go find a pool to splash around in. Naut definitely wouldn’t put it past him.

The road to the springs is dusty and devoid of life, plant, elnin, or otherwise. With a dedicated sign and pathway leading to the area, one would think this place would be more busy… Maybe just not at this time of day. He tries to ignore the bubbling feeling of dread and continues on.

He finally makes it to the springs and Caspian, unfortunately, is nowhere to be seen. No one is. He was hoping he’d be able to at least ask someone if they’d seen him. He goes to turn around and head back into town when he spots something from the corner of his eye.

Wait- he can see pawprints in the sand leading away from the springs! Careful not to disturb his only clues, he follows alongside the tracks and eventually reaches a small crack in the craggy rocks of the side of the mountain. It looks really dark in there, but he has to be brave. He has to find Caspian. Cautiously, he ducks his head and slips between the crevice, pausing once inside to allow his eyes to adjust to the low light.

It’s bigger than he thought it’d be. This small hole opens up into a proper cavern, with a steadily rising ceiling and a slope he can see into the distance. There’s a soft light filtering in from the tunnel leading downward. He briefly wonders what that could be, but he doesn’t dare explore that alone. Instead, he steps a bit further into the cavern and turns a corner to find a small pillar of flat-topped rocks in the center of the alcove.

And on top of the rocks… is Caspian.

The kittom is, as suspected, snoozing away. Nautilus doesn’t waste any time in rushing over to gently (albeit a bit hurriedly) shake his friend awake. “Caspian, wake up,” he softly urges.

After a few moments, the young elnin yawns loudly and sleepily blinks open his eyes. They light up when they meet Nautilus’. “Hey, Naut.”

Nautilus is the slightest bit annoyed at his casual attitude, but the feeling is quickly overtaken by relief at finally being reunited. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

To his credit, he did look a little bashful as he got to his feet and hopped down from his sleeping place. “I’m sorry. I was so excited to see the hot springs, I thought you were right behind me. When I realized you weren’t, I wanted to find you and bring you here, but I got so sleepy… And this cave was the perfect place for a nap. Wouldn’t you say?”

Naut sighed, but smiled softly in response. “Well… as long as you’re okay. Just don’t do it again, please?”

He nods fervently and starts trotting towards that tunnel with the mysterious light. “It’s really cool down here! Come on, I wanna show you the crystals I saw now that you’re here!” And, just like always, Nautilus is pulled along to Caspian’s whims with an affectionate smile on his face.