Submission (#3856) Approved

Quest: Resonance - Act 2
Act Type: Character
Regional Affinity: Ealei
Claiming Regional Affinity for: ELN1969
Adult Elnin : ELN1524 | ELN001
Rank Unlock Mini Recquirement : Journey far from home. Aiko lives in Kyendi. | In company of 2+ elnins
Words count : 1219

/!\ 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.

I put the text i added in bold so this should be easier for you to read and see what i added to meet the regional requirement for this act !

After the unexpected stopover in Strynhalde, thanks to Fen's help, the three kittoms were able to take a boat back to Ealei. This time, the crossing ends without any problem, and after a few days, Aiko and her two companions arrive on the mainland of Ealei. They are immediately struck by the number and height of the trees in this region, much more impressive than the vegetation of their native region, Kyendi. The kittoms continue their short journey, heading for the capital so they can rest before beginning their final ascent to Yggdrasil. They arrive mid-afternoon in Nalnalo and easily find an available hostel for the next few days. They decide to walk around town and do some sightseeing, the sun already setting when they leave the hostel.

They enter several shops, gazing with admiration at the many colorful objects on display. Aiko takes the opportunity to take some souvenirs from her family, the kittoms are visibly delighted to be able to discover so many new things in Ealei. The three of them spend a good hour wandering around the city, until something bustling in a square catches their attention. Sneaking through the crowd, they discover an iridescent Elnin visibly telling a story to other cubs. Aiko is the first to come closer to listen, obviously very curious to hear the story.

- So my little ones, now I'm going to tell you a story that happened to me when I was a kittom too... That of my trip to Palu'au! Aaaah what memories now that I think about it!

 

Yekun joins Aiko, very interested and Marius ends up joining them too, curious in turn. They listen to the elnin for a good while telling its stories, then the crowd disperses when it ends. Aiko nonetheless steps towards her, grabbing the adult's clothes, and stares at her with wide, bright eyes.

- You are so beautiful !! And your stories are amazing!! I want to know more ! Also, what's your name?

 

Marius sighs seeing her like this, Yekun giggles slightly.

 

- Aiko, you should watch the way you speak...

 

Aiko drops the elnin and bows to her.

 

- Oh, sorry! I have been so captivated by your stories, I really want to know more...!

 

The adult then bursts out laughing, rubbing the little one's head before answering her.

 

- Haha! But it's no worries kids! My name is Aile, I'm visiting my hometown, and I love telling all kinds of stories to little kittoms like you!

Once the introductions are made, she takes the kittoms to dinner in a bar she knows very well.

 

The three kittoms look at the town with admiration and sparkles in their eyes ; the house made in the trees are so unusual for them after all. They are really impressed by how the local inhabitants managed to conquer the wild and all the roots, to make the city as a very original one.

 

Aile decides to invite them to eat and takes the opportunity to tell them other stories. They are, however, interrupted by peals of laughter at the next table. Aiko looks at the other elnins with surprise and curiosity. An elnin with a blue coat seems to be clowning around to amuse a troop of kittoms. Aile also looks at them with amusement, then winks at the children present at his table before getting up, taking his mug of beer and putting an arm around the elnin's shoulders.

 

- I thought I recognized those voices! Hey Tendo, if you have enough energy, come drink with me then!!

- Hahaha! Aile, what a pleasure to see you! We drink together whenever you want!

 

Aile drags Aiko, Yekun, and Marius to his friends' table, with the mood becoming even more lively than it already was. The kittoms get to know each other, Aiko and Yekun getting along particularly well with Tatinn and Bubo, while Marius seems to be discussing seriously with Daim and Yaos. The evening passes in a flash, and it's quite late when they leave the bar. Aile and the three kittoms are walking, the elnin is visibly tipsy but she looks at Aiko with interest.

 

- Earlier, I was thinking about what you told me about your trip to all three... It's good because you and Yekun have to go to Yggdrasil for your pilgrimage, it's that ? Do you need to be recognized as heirs to your family?

Aiko nods her head sharply.

 

- Yes yes that's right!

 

- So in that case... How about meeting Queen Sunleth?

 

The kittoms look at her with incomprehension and surprise. Aile adds with an amused smile.

 

- She has been exceptionally present in Ealei for some time. It is said that sleeping one night at his side would channel mana and then promote the transition to adulthood. You're making this trip for that purpose, aren't you?

 

Aiko nods, her eyes shining with admiration.

 

- Aile, would you take us to Sunleth, please? If she could agree to sleep with us, that would be great...!

 

- Of course my dear! Let's go!

The kittoms therefore follow Aile out of town, even if Marius expresses some reluctance to follow the elnin given his drunken state. They walk for a long time in the forest, stepping over the roots, avoiding falling into water, or even tripping over a root. The ambient silence of the night weighs on the small group, which is sometimes broken by Aile and Yekun, the elnin sending him one or two insects to tease him. After a long time of walking and dodging the roots, Aile stops and turns to the kittoms with a smile.

 

- Well children, our paths diverge here! Sunleth should be nearby, and it's up to you to find her! After all, it's your quest, isn't it?

 

Yekun looks somewhat worried and asks shyly.

 

- Wing... You really can't accompany us to the end...? It's more reassuring to have an adult with us, though...

 

- Oh no my little one! Then you have to get brave if you want to be able to grow up, right?

 

She rubs her head, Aiko bows respectfully to Aile.

 

- Thank you very much for today, Aile! Be careful on the way back!

The three kittoms therefore separate from their guide, and begin to look for the Great Queen.

 

Aiko looks more carefully to the roots and the trees. They are all so huge, so beautiful, Ealei is so different from Kyendi, the little kittom wants to take her time and grave all these pictures in her memory. She wishes her two brothers, Safran and Taiyo, could have been part of this journey with her. Safran would have loved to see the unusual trees, the water they sometimes have to cross or swim into, the local fauna and flora... For a future witer, she knows he would have been delected to discover the wild beauty of Ealei.

 

It's only after a long time that they finally find her. Lying in the hollow of the roots of a tree, Sunleth looks at them with a very gentle smile, as if she had been waiting for them. A few fireflies light up the surroundings in addition to the full moon, offering a magical landscape to the kittoms. Marius takes a step back, and although intimidated, Aiko comes forward first, followed by Yekun, who stays behind her.

- Queen Sunleth...! It's an honor to meet you...!

 

- Aiko, Yekun and Marius, right? The pleasure is mine, children. Come closer... Marius, don't stay behind and come close to me too...

 

After a moment's hesitation, the kittoms come to Sunleth, as if the Queen already knows their reason for being here. She wraps them around with her tail, lying comfortably with the cubs, then gently hugs Aiko between her paws.

 

- Little princess, life still has so much to offer you. You will most certainly face many trials in the future, but stay true to yourself and those you love. You can never go wrong if you listen to your heart.

Aiko closes her eyes, feeling soothed in Sunleth's arms.

And very quickly the three kittoms fall asleep, under the lights of the fireflies and their nocturnal dance.