Spoiler
From somewhere ahead of me, I could hear the echoes of stones and earth materials rolling onto the ground. I continued to walk cautiously toward the source of the sound, hand brushed against the crystals that protruding from the wall of the Crystalline Cave. Behold the sight! These crystals were casting their own light and illuminating the cave in faint multicolour light. With each step I took, I was a few steps closer to the sound. After squeezing through a narrow tunnel, I emerged on the other side of it where I saw a young woman beating the crystals with a pick.
“Um… Hi there.”I mumbled softly, not sure if my presence would disturb whatever the woman was doing. The woman who was about to swing her pick stopped in mid-swing when she heard the soft murmur. Lifting the goggles from her face, I recognized her as Anita the Accumulator.
“Oh hello Mage, I wager that you want to go on a journey.” The young woman said and smiled.
“I got just the thing for you.”Anita added even just before I could say anything else. I stared at her, baffled by what she had said. My feelings had all jumbled together, mixed with excitement but at the same time worried on what she would ask.
“Many secrets lay in the Forest of Silvia, ready to be unearthed by curious Magi. Would you be willing to make the discovery? You will be aided by a creature feared by most so you don’t have to worry about not surviving in one piece.” She continued.
“Are you really….erm…sure about it?” I asked, fiddling my fingers together. It sounded exciting alright and with my desire for another journey, I had already made up my mind.
“Certainly. Follow me please.” Anita beamed, slinging a knapsack over her shoulder and walked toward the tunnel. She beckoned me to follow before disappearing into the tunnel.
“Um… Hi there.”I mumbled softly, not sure if my presence would disturb whatever the woman was doing. The woman who was about to swing her pick stopped in mid-swing when she heard the soft murmur. Lifting the goggles from her face, I recognized her as Anita the Accumulator.
“Oh hello Mage, I wager that you want to go on a journey.” The young woman said and smiled.
“I got just the thing for you.”Anita added even just before I could say anything else. I stared at her, baffled by what she had said. My feelings had all jumbled together, mixed with excitement but at the same time worried on what she would ask.
“Many secrets lay in the Forest of Silvia, ready to be unearthed by curious Magi. Would you be willing to make the discovery? You will be aided by a creature feared by most so you don’t have to worry about not surviving in one piece.” She continued.
“Are you really….erm…sure about it?” I asked, fiddling my fingers together. It sounded exciting alright and with my desire for another journey, I had already made up my mind.
“Certainly. Follow me please.” Anita beamed, slinging a knapsack over her shoulder and walked toward the tunnel. She beckoned me to follow before disappearing into the tunnel.
Spoiler
I gaped at the creature, avoiding its vicious attack. It dug its hoof into the soil, glaring at me with bloodthirsty eyes. Noctis Enox was certainly one of the creatures feared by most but even its own Mage would take years to tame the wild beast. I was a stranger and certainly the enox would not easily listen to me.
Anita was calming the Enox, stroking its muzzle and murmuring a few words. The Enox snorted, turning its gaze from me which was a good thing.
“Well here you go then. Be certain to take care while riding him. He might be rough around the edges but he will viciously protect you when you are in danger. Not that you will be in any.” Anita said, murmuring the last sentence which I did not manage to get at all. After instructing me, she disappeared into the cave again, leaving me with the Enox. My own steed, Ivory, a Niveus Enox eyed the Enox curiously with discomfort. She whined, trying to get my attention.
“Everything will be alright Ivory. I can handle this.” I hoped, breathing in deeply before walking closer to the Noctis Enox. He ignored me but I could feel his glares as I climbed onto his back. Settling on the saddle, I breathed out a sigh of relief. So far so good.
I was about to relax when suddenly the enox reared, both his front legs were striking at the air wildly. Immediately I grab hold of the rein, shuddering with fear. I tightened my grasp so that I would not fall off. The Enox lowered his front legs, kicking his hind legs and galloped into the scorching hot desert.
The Noctis Enox continued to gather speed as he galloped, ignoring the fury of the sun. Everything that I saw was blurry; beads of sweat began to roll down my head. I then saw something white running alongside of the Noctis.
“Ivory... thanks goodness.” I murmured, my hands ached from gripping the rein tightly. My companion was able to catch up with him. The Noctis Enox did not intend to slow down except for a drink and hours later, he rode out of Etainian Desert. He spread his wings, kicking off the ground and soared into the cloudless blue sky.
I lowered my head, preventing the wind from slashing into my face as the enox gathered speed in his flight. He was really having fun by pulling this sort of mischief.
Anita was calming the Enox, stroking its muzzle and murmuring a few words. The Enox snorted, turning its gaze from me which was a good thing.
“Well here you go then. Be certain to take care while riding him. He might be rough around the edges but he will viciously protect you when you are in danger. Not that you will be in any.” Anita said, murmuring the last sentence which I did not manage to get at all. After instructing me, she disappeared into the cave again, leaving me with the Enox. My own steed, Ivory, a Niveus Enox eyed the Enox curiously with discomfort. She whined, trying to get my attention.
“Everything will be alright Ivory. I can handle this.” I hoped, breathing in deeply before walking closer to the Noctis Enox. He ignored me but I could feel his glares as I climbed onto his back. Settling on the saddle, I breathed out a sigh of relief. So far so good.
I was about to relax when suddenly the enox reared, both his front legs were striking at the air wildly. Immediately I grab hold of the rein, shuddering with fear. I tightened my grasp so that I would not fall off. The Enox lowered his front legs, kicking his hind legs and galloped into the scorching hot desert.
The Noctis Enox continued to gather speed as he galloped, ignoring the fury of the sun. Everything that I saw was blurry; beads of sweat began to roll down my head. I then saw something white running alongside of the Noctis.
“Ivory... thanks goodness.” I murmured, my hands ached from gripping the rein tightly. My companion was able to catch up with him. The Noctis Enox did not intend to slow down except for a drink and hours later, he rode out of Etainian Desert. He spread his wings, kicking off the ground and soared into the cloudless blue sky.
I lowered my head, preventing the wind from slashing into my face as the enox gathered speed in his flight. He was really having fun by pulling this sort of mischief.
Part 2:
Spoiler
The Noctis Enox lowered onto the ground near a hidden glacial lake on Alasre Mountain, a beautiful place where it is hard to reach due to the eroded pass but for a flying creature like Enox, there was not any problem. The journey took days to reach the Mountain especially when the Enox deliberately making a few detours.
I dismounted from him but more like fell from his back. Heaving myself onto my feet, I brushed off the dirt and dust from my clothing. Ivory trotted over to help me. Using her as a support, I walked with trembling legs toward a tree to rest. Leaning against the tree, I looked around the alluring lake while Ivory lay beside me to rest.
I watched the noctis’ every movement. It weird to keep calling him as Noctis Enox so I decided to name him Legion, just temporarily. Legion glared at me before snickering. He flicked his tail and trot off somewhere.
I smiled, placing a hand on Ivory’s head. The climate was mild at that moment even though the place was located somewhere below Arkene. On other days, the climate would be frigid to even venture. My eyelids became heavy, slowly fluttered shut and soon I drifted to a blissful sleep.
Jolting to the sound of Ivory’s neighing, I woke up to the glaring of the sun. Covering my eyes with my hands until my eyes adjusted to the surrounding light, I stretched myself to get rid of the cramp. It was already morning by the time I wake up. Trudging over to the lake to wash my face, I noticed that Legion wasn’t back yet. I took out a piece of bread for myself and an apple for Ivory as breakfast.
After breakfast, I decided to take a walk around the lake. Sauntering slowly, I looked at the marvelous scenery, gentle breeze caressing my skin. I found a cave near the lake and curiosity enveloped me at once for me to explore the cave further. Peering into the cave, I scanned the dark interior for any sign of danger. When there was nothing in sight, I crept into the cave. I was able to see since there light was filtering through the holes in the roof of the cave.
Dodging from tunnel to tunnel, I thought i made a discovery when I kicked onto something and quickly I crouched down to prevent it from rolling off. Looking clearly at what I was holding, I gasped when I saw what it was.
“Dragon egg!” I exclaimed, couldn’t help to feel excite but my excitement was cut short when I heard the roar of an angry creature. I looked up, staring straight into a pair of angry purple eyes. Pushing the egg aside, stepping back quickly.
“I am not going to hurt the egg so will you just let me be?” I tried to reason with the dragon.
The dragon shrieked loudly, taking a further step forward until light shone until it. I recognized the creature as a Dark Bone Dragon. Her skeletal body gleamed against the darkness. Mamma dragon was indeed in a bad mood. Hopping back a few steps, I turned quickly and ran helter-skelter out of the cave.
I tripped over a stone in my haste for escape. The bone dragon snarled at me, flying above me with outstretched bony claws. I shut my eyes, embraced myself for the attack. I could imagine the sharp claws were about to rip me apart, pieces to pieces. However, I didn’t feel the pain or anything. Quickly opening my eyes, I saw Legion biting into the membrane of dragon’s wing. Although it didn’t make much damage but at least it was inflicting some pain. Feeling a tug on my clothing, I looked over to my shoulder to see Ivory trying to usher me to get up.
Staggering to be on my feet, I quickly mounted my steed. Ivory kicked off from the ground and flew into the sky. Hovering a few feet above the ground, I looked at the Bone dragon trying to toss Legion off of him. Legion whickered what seemed to them and Ivory flew off from the place.
I dismounted from him but more like fell from his back. Heaving myself onto my feet, I brushed off the dirt and dust from my clothing. Ivory trotted over to help me. Using her as a support, I walked with trembling legs toward a tree to rest. Leaning against the tree, I looked around the alluring lake while Ivory lay beside me to rest.
I watched the noctis’ every movement. It weird to keep calling him as Noctis Enox so I decided to name him Legion, just temporarily. Legion glared at me before snickering. He flicked his tail and trot off somewhere.
I smiled, placing a hand on Ivory’s head. The climate was mild at that moment even though the place was located somewhere below Arkene. On other days, the climate would be frigid to even venture. My eyelids became heavy, slowly fluttered shut and soon I drifted to a blissful sleep.
Jolting to the sound of Ivory’s neighing, I woke up to the glaring of the sun. Covering my eyes with my hands until my eyes adjusted to the surrounding light, I stretched myself to get rid of the cramp. It was already morning by the time I wake up. Trudging over to the lake to wash my face, I noticed that Legion wasn’t back yet. I took out a piece of bread for myself and an apple for Ivory as breakfast.
After breakfast, I decided to take a walk around the lake. Sauntering slowly, I looked at the marvelous scenery, gentle breeze caressing my skin. I found a cave near the lake and curiosity enveloped me at once for me to explore the cave further. Peering into the cave, I scanned the dark interior for any sign of danger. When there was nothing in sight, I crept into the cave. I was able to see since there light was filtering through the holes in the roof of the cave.
Dodging from tunnel to tunnel, I thought i made a discovery when I kicked onto something and quickly I crouched down to prevent it from rolling off. Looking clearly at what I was holding, I gasped when I saw what it was.
“Dragon egg!” I exclaimed, couldn’t help to feel excite but my excitement was cut short when I heard the roar of an angry creature. I looked up, staring straight into a pair of angry purple eyes. Pushing the egg aside, stepping back quickly.
“I am not going to hurt the egg so will you just let me be?” I tried to reason with the dragon.
The dragon shrieked loudly, taking a further step forward until light shone until it. I recognized the creature as a Dark Bone Dragon. Her skeletal body gleamed against the darkness. Mamma dragon was indeed in a bad mood. Hopping back a few steps, I turned quickly and ran helter-skelter out of the cave.
I tripped over a stone in my haste for escape. The bone dragon snarled at me, flying above me with outstretched bony claws. I shut my eyes, embraced myself for the attack. I could imagine the sharp claws were about to rip me apart, pieces to pieces. However, I didn’t feel the pain or anything. Quickly opening my eyes, I saw Legion biting into the membrane of dragon’s wing. Although it didn’t make much damage but at least it was inflicting some pain. Feeling a tug on my clothing, I looked over to my shoulder to see Ivory trying to usher me to get up.
Staggering to be on my feet, I quickly mounted my steed. Ivory kicked off from the ground and flew into the sky. Hovering a few feet above the ground, I looked at the Bone dragon trying to toss Legion off of him. Legion whickered what seemed to them and Ivory flew off from the place.
Part 3:
Spoiler
Ivory flew and reached the dark wood of Silvia Forest. I quickly dismounted from Ivory and looked at the sky for any sign of Legion.
“Do you think he will be alright?” I asked anxiously, pacing back and forth. Ivory whined softly, nodding at her. I reached out for Ivory, thanking her for saving my life. I would be a goner if it wasn’t for their help. I would not mind if Legion decided to flee somewhere else but I hoped that he would be alright. After a while, I heard Ivory whickered, trying to get my attention. She gestured at the sky and I turned to look what she was trying to point out. Something black was flying in the sky and toward them.
“Legion?” The Noctis Enox landed onto the ground, snorting at them. I jumped with joy but distance myself from the enox since he still disapprove of me. Legion stomped softly, trotting over to them. His murderous stare did not leave them but before he reached them, he dropped onto his knees. I immediately rushed over; trying to help him but Legion bared his teeth at me. I barely avoided his bite and he quickly staggered to get onto his hooves.
“Alright…alright… Just want to see if you are alright.” I said, backing off. Turning my heels, I walked down the trail with Ivory following beside of me. Hearing the clonking of hooves behind of me, I smiled.
I wandered in the forest with the Enoxes, ranging from a few days to a few weeks. For some reason, Ivory and Legion got closer and closer with each other. The dark Enox might take a liking to Ivory. Nothing majorly bad had befall us except for maybe almost mauled by a Nandi Bear, chased by Liyans and etc.
On one morning, while admiring the towering foliage, I breathed out a sigh of relief at escaping the hot sun. The overgrown trees had provide shade for them. I stopped when I saw an old woman kneeling down, picking up fruits from the ground. I immediately quickened my steps, kneeling beside of her to help her pick up the fruits and held them in my hands. The basket had a large hole at the bottom of it.
“Thank you for your kind aid, girl.” The woman thanked, beaming a toothless smile at her. She looked young although she had curly white hair and a few wrinkles here and there. Her emerald eyes looked at me with appreciation..
“You’re welcome. Do you err…live around here?” I was curious to see why an old woman will be wandering in the middle of the dark forest. However, she was the first human that i saw in this forest, wandering as if she knew the place like the back of her palm. Waving my hand and muttering a short spell, the basket mended itself. I put all the fruits back into the basket and the woman stared at me with amaze, getting up into her feet.
“So you are a mage. Wonderful indeed. At the moment, that will be a yes. I’m a nomad after all.” The woman answered. She introduced herself as Melae. The old woman invited me to come along with her.
Melae brought them to some sort of camping site somewhere in the dark forest. Leather tents were set up everywhere and on the trees were some tree houses. Currently, the whole place was decorated in black and was full in swing with festive spirit. Jack-o-lanterns, cobwebs and all those spooky decorations adorned the whole area.
“Halloween?” I asked curiously, losing track of time.
“Yes, today is the 31st October so Happy Halloween.” The old woman sniggered, pulling me along. She introduced me to a few of the nomads. I glanced back to see Ivory trotted off into the forest along with Legion. It was still weird to see that Legion was following Ivory around like that, it might be the only reason that Legion was coming along.
I went around the site helping the nomads to prepare for the season. It was tiring but at the same time, it was fun to help them. I even made a few friends with the nomads and among them were Magi, Druids and Sorcerers. Running around the place the whole day, I ended up lying on the soft bed in Melae’s tree house.
Waking abruptly by a few shakes, I awake to face a witch. I jolted back, surprised at the appearance. The witch snickered and the person tugged at the skin, pulling it to remove the witch face. Melae laughed at my antics.
“Surprise aren’t you? I looked like a real witch right?” She asked.
“Anyone will be surprise when they wake up like that. But you do look like a real witch. Nice costume indeed.” I complimented, getting onto my feet. I looked out of the window and noticed that the sky was already dark. Below, the festival had already started and every nomad was dressed in Halloween costume.
“Get dress and enjoy the party then.” Melae suddenly appeared beside of her. For an old woman, she sure was active. Melae pushed a set of clothing into her hands.
“Thank you.” I smiled, quickly go to change.
It is the day when all the goblins are out, the spirits have come to life and the Jack O' lantern is waiting to give you a fright. I wish all your fears come true this Halloween. Have a great one!
“Do you think he will be alright?” I asked anxiously, pacing back and forth. Ivory whined softly, nodding at her. I reached out for Ivory, thanking her for saving my life. I would be a goner if it wasn’t for their help. I would not mind if Legion decided to flee somewhere else but I hoped that he would be alright. After a while, I heard Ivory whickered, trying to get my attention. She gestured at the sky and I turned to look what she was trying to point out. Something black was flying in the sky and toward them.
“Legion?” The Noctis Enox landed onto the ground, snorting at them. I jumped with joy but distance myself from the enox since he still disapprove of me. Legion stomped softly, trotting over to them. His murderous stare did not leave them but before he reached them, he dropped onto his knees. I immediately rushed over; trying to help him but Legion bared his teeth at me. I barely avoided his bite and he quickly staggered to get onto his hooves.
“Alright…alright… Just want to see if you are alright.” I said, backing off. Turning my heels, I walked down the trail with Ivory following beside of me. Hearing the clonking of hooves behind of me, I smiled.
I wandered in the forest with the Enoxes, ranging from a few days to a few weeks. For some reason, Ivory and Legion got closer and closer with each other. The dark Enox might take a liking to Ivory. Nothing majorly bad had befall us except for maybe almost mauled by a Nandi Bear, chased by Liyans and etc.
On one morning, while admiring the towering foliage, I breathed out a sigh of relief at escaping the hot sun. The overgrown trees had provide shade for them. I stopped when I saw an old woman kneeling down, picking up fruits from the ground. I immediately quickened my steps, kneeling beside of her to help her pick up the fruits and held them in my hands. The basket had a large hole at the bottom of it.
“Thank you for your kind aid, girl.” The woman thanked, beaming a toothless smile at her. She looked young although she had curly white hair and a few wrinkles here and there. Her emerald eyes looked at me with appreciation..
“You’re welcome. Do you err…live around here?” I was curious to see why an old woman will be wandering in the middle of the dark forest. However, she was the first human that i saw in this forest, wandering as if she knew the place like the back of her palm. Waving my hand and muttering a short spell, the basket mended itself. I put all the fruits back into the basket and the woman stared at me with amaze, getting up into her feet.
“So you are a mage. Wonderful indeed. At the moment, that will be a yes. I’m a nomad after all.” The woman answered. She introduced herself as Melae. The old woman invited me to come along with her.
Melae brought them to some sort of camping site somewhere in the dark forest. Leather tents were set up everywhere and on the trees were some tree houses. Currently, the whole place was decorated in black and was full in swing with festive spirit. Jack-o-lanterns, cobwebs and all those spooky decorations adorned the whole area.
“Halloween?” I asked curiously, losing track of time.
“Yes, today is the 31st October so Happy Halloween.” The old woman sniggered, pulling me along. She introduced me to a few of the nomads. I glanced back to see Ivory trotted off into the forest along with Legion. It was still weird to see that Legion was following Ivory around like that, it might be the only reason that Legion was coming along.
I went around the site helping the nomads to prepare for the season. It was tiring but at the same time, it was fun to help them. I even made a few friends with the nomads and among them were Magi, Druids and Sorcerers. Running around the place the whole day, I ended up lying on the soft bed in Melae’s tree house.
Waking abruptly by a few shakes, I awake to face a witch. I jolted back, surprised at the appearance. The witch snickered and the person tugged at the skin, pulling it to remove the witch face. Melae laughed at my antics.
“Surprise aren’t you? I looked like a real witch right?” She asked.
“Anyone will be surprise when they wake up like that. But you do look like a real witch. Nice costume indeed.” I complimented, getting onto my feet. I looked out of the window and noticed that the sky was already dark. Below, the festival had already started and every nomad was dressed in Halloween costume.
“Get dress and enjoy the party then.” Melae suddenly appeared beside of her. For an old woman, she sure was active. Melae pushed a set of clothing into her hands.
“Thank you.” I smiled, quickly go to change.
It is the day when all the goblins are out, the spirits have come to life and the Jack O' lantern is waiting to give you a fright. I wish all your fears come true this Halloween. Have a great one!
Part 4:
Spoiler
“Trick-or-treat” The children shrieked, going from tent to tent, house to house, holding out carved pumpkin. They were showered with candies- tiny honeycombs and xocomels.
I wandered around, amazed at how a small community was able to prepare a wonderful festival as this. I, myself was fully dressed like a witch. Enoxes, hellhounds, tienkos, kelpies, direwolves, Cerberus and other dark creatures roamed the place, enjoying the festive season as much as the humans. Some nomads even dressed up like a creature.
Children were playing pranks, running and chasing wildly with each other. I was enjoying this whole adventure and couldn’t help but want the time to freeze at the exact moment. Playing apple-bobbing and other haunted attraction, I was indeed having as much fun as everyone else here.
The time for fun ended when midnight came. I climbed up the tree house and opened the door to see Melae was already in the house. She was in the living room with a huge box in front of her.
“Come here please.” She gestured me to sit beside of her. Melae unwrapped the box and pulled out some sort of mini statue, a golden one. At first, she was struggling to pull the statue from the box but after I helped, the weight was nothing more than a few kg. She probably did not have the strength to carry the statue.
It was a golden mini statue of a creature. It looked like a crystalwings holding onto a piece of crystal and its tail wrapped around it. Its mouth was wide open, eyes stared emptily into the space.
“What it is for?” I asked.
“Don’t you come here to get this?”
“I…what? I don't know what i came here for actually.”
“I understand. Anita sends you right. Yes, I know her and I guess she might be interested in this little sculpture.” Melae explained, lifting the baffled look off my face.
“So this is one of the secret that she is interested? What does it do?” This intrigued the interest in me.
“It is yours to figure it out. A crystal in its mouth solves a thousand mysteries.” Melae smiled slyly, snapping her fingers together in front of me. Immediately I closed my eyes and fell unconscious on the ground, hands and legs sprawling everywhere.
I wandered around, amazed at how a small community was able to prepare a wonderful festival as this. I, myself was fully dressed like a witch. Enoxes, hellhounds, tienkos, kelpies, direwolves, Cerberus and other dark creatures roamed the place, enjoying the festive season as much as the humans. Some nomads even dressed up like a creature.
Children were playing pranks, running and chasing wildly with each other. I was enjoying this whole adventure and couldn’t help but want the time to freeze at the exact moment. Playing apple-bobbing and other haunted attraction, I was indeed having as much fun as everyone else here.
The time for fun ended when midnight came. I climbed up the tree house and opened the door to see Melae was already in the house. She was in the living room with a huge box in front of her.
“Come here please.” She gestured me to sit beside of her. Melae unwrapped the box and pulled out some sort of mini statue, a golden one. At first, she was struggling to pull the statue from the box but after I helped, the weight was nothing more than a few kg. She probably did not have the strength to carry the statue.
It was a golden mini statue of a creature. It looked like a crystalwings holding onto a piece of crystal and its tail wrapped around it. Its mouth was wide open, eyes stared emptily into the space.
“What it is for?” I asked.
“Don’t you come here to get this?”
“I…what? I don't know what i came here for actually.”
“I understand. Anita sends you right. Yes, I know her and I guess she might be interested in this little sculpture.” Melae explained, lifting the baffled look off my face.
“So this is one of the secret that she is interested? What does it do?” This intrigued the interest in me.
“It is yours to figure it out. A crystal in its mouth solves a thousand mysteries.” Melae smiled slyly, snapping her fingers together in front of me. Immediately I closed my eyes and fell unconscious on the ground, hands and legs sprawling everywhere.
Part 5:
Spoiler
I groaned, scratching my head as I shifted in my sleep, hugging a tree. A tree? Slowly, I opened my eyes where the light glared onto my face. I looked around, bewildered at why I was outside, sleeping on the ground. I quickly heaved myself onto my feet, looking lost. Didn’t I fell asleep in Melae’s house but now I ended up in the forest. The clothing I wore was the one before. I recognized the site where the festival was held but strangely, there was no life in sight as if nothing happened. The place was cleared overnight. They were nomads after all and thus they probably want to leave as soon as possible.
Looking under the tree to find my possessions, I found my satchel and the golden crystalwings that Melae showed her last night. It might be a dream but everything seemed so real and vivid. I then heard whines from behind of me. Bushes rustled and Ivory emerged from behind of it. She trotted over to me with Legion following close behind of her.
“Am I dreaming?” I murmured, stroking Ivory. Legion was staying close to Ivory, whickering softly at her. Ivory brushed her head against his neck, blowing at him.
Gathering my possession, I was about to mount Ivory when Legion bit onto a small piece of my clothing, pulling me off Ivory. He dug his hoof into the soil, casting me a hostile look.
“You want me to ride you?” I asked. Legion snorted, pulling me closer to him. I nodded and climbed onto his back. They immediately set out for the Crystalline Cave.
The journey took weeks since Ivory tire out easily. Even the journey out of Silvia Forest took days for them and the rest was an unpleasant one.
---
I held out the golden statue to Anita who stared at the crystalwings in surprise and amazement.
“Look like you have discovered something in the forest. Back then, it took me a while to persuade Melae to give this statue but you got it. Congratulation. So what did she said?”
I closed my eyes, trying to remember what Melae had said.
“A crystal in its mouth solves a thousand mysteries.” I recited. Anita was deep in thought and snapped her fingers when she figured something up. She walked over to her stash of crystals and took a single piece from one of the tiny bags. Anita gave the crystal to me, gesturing at the mouth of the crystalwings. Baffled but following what she showed, I knelt down and place the crystal into the mouth.
Both of us looked at the statue for a while but nothing happened until its eyes glowed red. The mouth suddenly snapped shut, crushing the crystal into dust with its powerful metallic jaws. I didn’t blink my eyes at all as the event unfolds. The statue was as if it was melting, golden feathers sprouted from behind its body, forming two pairs of wings. Coloured gems emerged on the head, body and the tip of tail, it flicked its tail. The crystal in its tiny hands gleam in golden radiance. The crystalwings squealed in delight at them, watching them curiously with dark blue eyes.
“I am fortunate to see this, thanks to you.” Anita said, kneeling down to play with the crystalwings. It however did not leave the crystal and embraced as tight as ever. It would take some time before the crystalwings would be willing to leave it.
“I am too. It is more than enough reward for the journey” I reached to pet the little critter.
“But as my thank you, you are allowed to keep the Noctis Enox.” Anita bowed, reaching out to shake my hand. I almost jumped with joy when I get to keep Legion. As far as he disliked me, I was thankful to keep him.
Saying my goodbye, I skipped out of the cave and into another surprise. Outside, Ivory was lying on her belly, her wings spread to wrap around something while Legion stood protectively near her. He nuzzled her affectionately, whining at me. I took a few steps toward them to see what was going on.
I smiled when Ivory lifted her wings, revealing an egg. It is a gray egg pierced with a row of red spikes.
Looking under the tree to find my possessions, I found my satchel and the golden crystalwings that Melae showed her last night. It might be a dream but everything seemed so real and vivid. I then heard whines from behind of me. Bushes rustled and Ivory emerged from behind of it. She trotted over to me with Legion following close behind of her.
“Am I dreaming?” I murmured, stroking Ivory. Legion was staying close to Ivory, whickering softly at her. Ivory brushed her head against his neck, blowing at him.
Gathering my possession, I was about to mount Ivory when Legion bit onto a small piece of my clothing, pulling me off Ivory. He dug his hoof into the soil, casting me a hostile look.
“You want me to ride you?” I asked. Legion snorted, pulling me closer to him. I nodded and climbed onto his back. They immediately set out for the Crystalline Cave.
The journey took weeks since Ivory tire out easily. Even the journey out of Silvia Forest took days for them and the rest was an unpleasant one.
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I held out the golden statue to Anita who stared at the crystalwings in surprise and amazement.
“Look like you have discovered something in the forest. Back then, it took me a while to persuade Melae to give this statue but you got it. Congratulation. So what did she said?”
I closed my eyes, trying to remember what Melae had said.
“A crystal in its mouth solves a thousand mysteries.” I recited. Anita was deep in thought and snapped her fingers when she figured something up. She walked over to her stash of crystals and took a single piece from one of the tiny bags. Anita gave the crystal to me, gesturing at the mouth of the crystalwings. Baffled but following what she showed, I knelt down and place the crystal into the mouth.
Both of us looked at the statue for a while but nothing happened until its eyes glowed red. The mouth suddenly snapped shut, crushing the crystal into dust with its powerful metallic jaws. I didn’t blink my eyes at all as the event unfolds. The statue was as if it was melting, golden feathers sprouted from behind its body, forming two pairs of wings. Coloured gems emerged on the head, body and the tip of tail, it flicked its tail. The crystal in its tiny hands gleam in golden radiance. The crystalwings squealed in delight at them, watching them curiously with dark blue eyes.
“I am fortunate to see this, thanks to you.” Anita said, kneeling down to play with the crystalwings. It however did not leave the crystal and embraced as tight as ever. It would take some time before the crystalwings would be willing to leave it.
“I am too. It is more than enough reward for the journey” I reached to pet the little critter.
“But as my thank you, you are allowed to keep the Noctis Enox.” Anita bowed, reaching out to shake my hand. I almost jumped with joy when I get to keep Legion. As far as he disliked me, I was thankful to keep him.
Saying my goodbye, I skipped out of the cave and into another surprise. Outside, Ivory was lying on her belly, her wings spread to wrap around something while Legion stood protectively near her. He nuzzled her affectionately, whining at me. I took a few steps toward them to see what was going on.
I smiled when Ivory lifted her wings, revealing an egg. It is a gray egg pierced with a row of red spikes.