Submission (#3855) Approved

Quest: Resonance - Act 1
Act Type: Exploration
Regional Affinity: Strynhalde
Claiming Regional Affinity for: ELN1969
Adult Elnin : ELN1024
Rank Unlock Mini Recquirement : Journey far from home (for unlocking Noble rank). AIko lives in Kyendi. | In company of 2+ elnins
Words count : 1651

/!\ I'm not a native English speaker so i used google translate, the story should be good to be understandood but I apologize if there are any language mistakes.

The soothing sound of the sea is heard, its melodious sound that has rocked the nights of three kittoms for the past few days. A pleasant breeze is felt, although the weather gradually begins to cool off when night begins to fall. The sun sets on the horizon, its soft rays caressing the fur of the kittoms, who take advantage of its warmth as much as they can. The most robust of the three stretches, fatigue begins to be felt. With a beautiful brown and fluffy coat, he does not fear the cold of the night and thinks that he should perhaps rest a little before sailing for the night. As he turns to one of his comrades, his gaze lingers on the pink-furred kittom and he observes her intently. With an elegance and natural beauty, it is always difficult to take your eyes off her once you look at her. This one, feeling a look on her, ends up turning towards the kittom while smiling gently.

- Marius! I think we'll take turns with Yekun for a bit, you need to rest! I don't want you to overwork yourself too much and run out of fatigue...

 

The kittom smile at her as he let her take his place.

 

- All right, if you insist, Aiko. I know you are doing well with Yekun to navigate, it's just that I really like it and then it's also my job to serve you.

Aiko then takes her place, tending to the helm as Yekun tends to the sails to help the heiress. The young kittom appreciates this moment, feeling useful for her comrades, and enjoys the trip.

A few hours passed without incident, Marius took the time to rest before getting up and getting ready to return to navigation. Clouds have formed in the sky and the wind has picked up for a while, and Marius can easily guess the concern on Aiko's face. The young kittom turns to him when he takes over, worried.

- We'll stay to help you, I have a bad feeling. And not just because of the storm...

 

The kittoms are therefore preparing for the precipitation to come, and they are far from imagining what will happen to them...

 

*****************************************************

Aiko opens her eyes as a very cold wind comes to make her shiver. The little one gets up, a little with difficulty, her vision blurred, she tries to concentrate on her other senses. She hears the sound of the waves, smelling the sea air. His eyesight is gradually returning to normal and his memories are also returning. She looks for her two companions, who also seem to regain consciousness at the same time.

 

- Marius, Yekun, is everything okay?

 

Aiko is the first to get up, and goes to help her two friends despite some pain in her legs. Marius thanks her with a nod, Yekun sighs, the little kittom finally realizes what happened to them.

 

- It's really lucky that we're still alive after this storm... it's ok Aiko, aren't you hurt?

 

- I have some pain but I think it's fine, and then it's normal after what we just went through. We're so lucky to still be alive...

The kittoms finally look at the landscape that is offered to them. And what a surprise to see snow-capped mountains in the distance! Marius and Yekun seem very surprised, but Aiko claps her hands when she understands where they landed, her eyes light up.

 

- There's so much snow!! I think we must have washed up on a beach in Strynalde! If so, then we're not totally lost!

 

Facing Marius and Yekun's misunderstanding, Aiko adds.

 

- That's where Fen lives after all! With any luck, we should be able to find him and he can help us! Sure it's very different from Kyendi, but don't worry I know how to survive here!

 

Yekun looks at her uncertainly, visibly very skeptical.

 

- It's not because Fen told you about his native land that you're necessarily going to know how to manage here, Aiko... the climate is much more difficult than in Kyendi... I want to go home. ..

Marius places a paw on Yekun's shoulder, in a comforting gesture. The kittoms decide to set off, having no idea of the time, they prefer to try to find shelter as soon as possible before night falls on this unknown land.

They walk for many hours, in the snow, paying close attention to their attitude. Having reached a forest, they do their best to avoid coming face to face with wild creatures who would harm them. The kittoms end up taking a break, Aiko looks around. The rays of the sun are beginning to weaken and take on a pretty orange color, a sign that the night will soon envelop them. She then observes a bird, similar to a magpie, fly up a tree to find its nest. She smiles slightly as she sees him feed his baby birds, then the little one stands up with determination.

- I will become as strong and caring as my moms!

 

She looks at Yekun enthusiastically.

 

- We will become the best heirs together and no one can tell us how to live our lives if we do everything perfectly, right?

 

Yekun is somewhat unsure but Marius looks at her with a smile.

 

- I agree. You may be promised to each other, but if you want to start a family with the ones you really love... If you do your job right, your grandparents won't have anything to say about it.

Aiko nods her head.

 

- Yes, I will show them that I have grown well! I want to become a respectable adult soon! This trip is going to toughen us up... Besides, I really want to see Fen!

 

Marius looks at her with an amused air.

 

- If you want to grow up fast it's to be with him, right? Do you think he can love a child like you? ~

 

- Of course he will love me! I may be younger, but if I manage to get enough mana and grow on this trip, there won't be any problems! So we'll quickly get back on the road and manage to find Fen, so that he can help us!

The kittoms quickly get back on the road, and soon night falls on the forest. The cold transits them more and more, they hear from time to time owls let out their hoot, breaking the silence of the night. The snow doesn't even seem to be melting under their feet, and the humidity is starting to become unpleasant for their paws. Fatigue is also felt, the little ones advance despite everything even if their steps are less and less sure as they go deeper into the forest. Yekun's voice finally breaks their silence.

- Aiko... I'm tired... I can't go on anymore... And I'm scared... I don't like being outside at night... Then we don't know where we are...

 

Aiko approaches her companion and gently rubs his back. She also feels very tired and the atmosphere of the night terrifies her more and more. But after her words before, she tries to be brave, although she does not lead far. Marius approaches them and puts his paws on their heads.

 

- Don't worry, we're not afraid, I'm here to protect you. Try to hold on a little longer, we'll see if we can find a place to sleep. But do not worry...

They are suddenly startled by rustling coming from the bushes not far from them. Yekun takes refuge in Aiko's arms, the two begin to tremble in fear as an unknown figure looms in front of them. Marius plants himself in front of the kittoms, in an attack position and ready for anything to protect them against this visitor. They are, however, quite surprised when they hear a voice that they immediately recognize.

 

- I didn't expect to find you here... What are you three doing here?

 

The kittoms are relieved upon recognizing the elnin. His graceful figure, his flowing hair and the soothing ringing of the bells he wears...

 

- Fen!

 

Aiko walks up to him first, slightly blushing and teary-eyed, holding back tears. She looks at him with relief and admiration, visibly very happy that he is there.

 

- Aiko, you've grown up really well. But let's not stay here to discuss, let's go to my house, it's not very far.

The elnin therefore takes them home, carrying Yekun who is falling from fatigue in his arms. They walk for a while before arriving at a very cozy chalet, where Fen invites them. They then meet a small all-white kittom, her anima and her ebony eyes obviously not leaving Yekun indifferent once awake. The presentations made with Shirayuki, Fen's little sister, the kittoms help the elnin to prepare dinner then eat in a good mood, the current obviously going very well between Yekun and Shirayuki. Aiko tells Fen about what happened to them, but also the purpose of this trip: Aiko's pilgrimage to Yggdrasil, the sacred tree of Ealei, in order to become adults and be officially recognized as the heiress of their domain. They talk for a long time, so that Yekun and Shirayuki fall asleep against each other, Marius taking them to bed while Fen tidies up with the help of Aiko.

- Tomorrow I will take you to the nearest port, I have acquaintances who can help you with the boat. We'll find you some other clothes too, so rest well tonight.

 

- Yes ! Thank you very much for your help, Fen!

 

The elnin sketches a tender smile while looking at the kittom.

 

- So, Aiko... What do you think about those first steps into the unknown, away from home?

 

Aiko takes a few moments to think before responding with determination.

 

- It's just amazing!