So, the idea of this story doesn't come from me, but rather from my friend, whom you might know as Akikaze Ryo - Rain55 (we are friends in real life). Of course I wrote this with her permission. ^^

Actually, some of you might have noticed I started a new story on Dragon's Tears series. I have decided to discontinue it (I only posted the first chapter) in favor of this story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon. This story will include references, intended or intentional, to other works related to the subject in discussion. I do not own them either. All rights go to the rightful owner of respective materials. I understand that this site will not archive entry based on Anne Rice's works, but there could be some parts in future chapters that might be construed as referencing to her works.

With that said, please enjoy! ^^

Only a few had ever heard the name Echo Town, and less knew of its location. However, everyone who needed shelter, a safe haven, always found their way to this settlement.

And when we say 'everyone', we do mean… everyone.

"Are you sure it's here?" her sister glanced once again at the map. "There's nothing on the map…"

Reine tightened her grip around Gwen's hand. "They do say the town is quite… hard to find."

Gwen bit her lower lip. Her palm began sweating.

"Are you tired?" Reine asked concernedly. She began to think that their plan was too rash, or even insane.

However, Gwen shook her head. "I couldn't stand them anymore, either."

"That doesn't mean we… I mean—"

"Reine, I chose to go with you," Gwen interjected calmly. "Besides, remember what the doctor said? The chemo isn't really working anymore."

Reine looked around, trying to capture as wide landscape as possible, as they kept walking. Despite what the map had drawn, somehow Reine felt that they were going to the right direction. Her gut feelings—if she could call it so—told her that they were going to find it: their safe haven.

Actually, if the sisters had not been too focused on their search, they would find the forest they were in to be quite an apt description of 'safe haven', in a way. The trees stood tall over them, filtering the sunlight so that they wouldn't be overwhelmed. Then, there were the wildflowers of various kinds and colors spread across the ground. The spring breeze carried these scents, sweet and light—a change from the bitingly cold winter still air that was still fresh in their memories.

The pinkette felt her fringe fell down, covering her left eye, but she didn't bother to sweep it back. It made no difference to her, anyway, since she had been blind in her left eye for about five years now.

Looking back, that was when everything turned south for both of them. They had been living with their aunt's family since their parents were killed in a car accident. Then, there was Gwen's sickness, which seemed to win her over slowly but surely despite all the efforts they had done to keep it at bay.

Their aunt and uncle often insinuated of how heavy medical bills these days every chance they got, and their cousins were being less than cordial as well. None of them could be Gwen's bone marrow donor—the sisters doubted they would even if they could, though. When the oncologist told them that the current chemo wasn't working as well as it's supposed to, they grumbled a lot. Prior to the accident, Reine took up part-time jobs to help cover the medical bills—at least enough to keep a roof over their heads. However, after the accident, she was sacked while still adapting to live with only her right eye.

That accident…

Her head hurt every time she thought of it, so she tried not to. She had enough to think about even without that accident; why dwelling in the past when you have your present and future to think about?

"Reine, look at that!"

Gwen's voice snapped her out from her mind and she immediately looked forward. The path in front of them was covered in fog, although it was supposed to be a sunny day. Reine frowned and turned her head slightly to the left; if they were to continue their journey, they had to step into the fog.

"Should we turn back?" Gwen asked.

The nearest town would be a three-hour walk, plus another hour uphill journey. Gwen's wavering voice told Reine that it might be not a good idea. Plus, something—her gut feelings again—told her that they were already near. That safe haven they were looking for was across, if not within, that fog.

"We'll take a break here."

"Huh?"

"Perhaps the fog would be thinner then."

Gwen nodded; her soles began to feel sore, anyway. They sat down under a nearby tree after putting down their luggage. Gwen watched her sister from the corner of her eyes; Reine had adapted very well to her current circumstances such that no one could really tell that she was half-blind—as long as they didn't approach her from her left, that is. Gwen then glanced at her palm; she remembered the oncologist's warning: Try not to bruise, much less bleed, yourself.

Looking at her palm now, it seemed that she got paler and paler no matter how obediently she had followed that warning.

Half an hour later, the fog showed no signs of dissipating while the sisters were ready to continue their journey. They put their backpacks on again, and Reine held her sister's hand.

Looking at the fog squarely, she said: "Don't ever let go, okay?"

Dunhill looked far away to the path that would lead him into the forest. His first thought was to go to Rosario—or Rio, as she'd preferred to be called—to confirm his hunch. Besides, he would need her help if it was true, anyway.

Thus, he walked to the farm, placed at far south of the town; she should still be there at this time of the day.

And he was right; Rio was tending to her crops when he arrived. Her farm produced the best crops in the region—the greenest he had ever seen for himself. Well, considering that she was an earth nymph, it shouldn't come as a surprise, anyway.

"Rio!" he called out. The farmer turned her head and waved excitedly, "Dunhill!" she said. She took off her cow-print cowboy hat while walking towards him, letting her bright yellow hair being blown free by the spring breeze.

"Anything I could help you with?" she asked in a friendly tone.

"I think someone will come soon," he told her.

Rio closed her eyes and she stood still for a moment. When Dunhill saw those clear blue eyes again, he knew that his hunch wasn't off. "There's an empty space next to the salon. I think it will fit a cottage. Don't worry, I already have everything I need."

"Thank you so much, Rio."

Rio smiled. "I think you should pick him, or her, up. I'm curious as well."

"You're right."

Dunhill left the farm for the forest, on his way to the Mist. The Mist, located far inside the forest, was the barrier that had protected the town ever since its early years. He knew, however, despite the strong ancient magic he had employed in creating the Mist, stories had somehow been spread among the mortals about this town. People called the town a 'safe haven'—some would even venture to name it as 'Echo Town', a reference to its elusive nature, perhaps.

He should've known better about humans, but perhaps he had been removed from them for too long that he began to forget.

When he arrived in front of the Mist, he put his hand on it, slowly dissipating the magical fog. Two figures appeared from it—two young females, one noticeably paler than the other.

"You must be new around here," he greeted them amicably.

They turned their heads and looked at him at the same time.

The first young woman, the one with brighter complexion and sturdier build, stood in front of her companion, effectively shielding her from him. Her pink hair seemed to be incongruous to the kind of aura she emitted—a single flower amidst scorching lava. Her eyes were leafy green, another of her peculiarity.

After centuries doing what he was doing, he thought he should've been open-minded. He wondered what she could be—another nymph, perhaps? No, no… never seen a nymph with this kind of aura, he thought. Yet, he was sure that he had felt this kind of aura before—not identical, perhaps, but close enough to be considered 'similar' at the very least.

"What are you staring at?" the young woman asked. There was a hint of defensiveness in her tone, something that he often encountered every time a new resident-to-be appeared.

"I'm sorry," he said in a conciliatory tone. "I was wondering whether you are looking for Echo Town."

"You know about it?"

"Yes, of course. I live there."

That didn't put her guard down. Her brows—pink, proving that her hair was natural—were still furrowed tensely. She glared at him, her eyes staring straight into his.

Dunhill saw the other girl put her hand on the pinkette's shoulder. She turned around and they talked in a low voice. Their conversation ended swiftly, with now the pale girl seemed to be in charge. "Do you mind… showing us the way?" she asked gently, smiling.

"Of course not," Dunhill stretched his hand out. "Do you need help with your luggage?"

"I got this, thanks," the pinkette replied curtly while adjusting the bag slung over her shoulder. However, she glanced at the other woman with a worried look, who simply gave a small nod and a small smile.

The three of them walked in silence along the forest path, with Dunhill leading the way. "It's a small town, and we always welcome new residents, as long as they comply with this one rule."

"What?"

"Be open-minded," he said. "We have people from various backgrounds. Clashes are imminent if we're not being open-minded."

"Oh…"

"That leads me to my question…" Dunhill turned around to face the two women right before the town's entrance. "What are you?"

Reine and Gwen frowned. What kind of question is that?!

Dunhill saw their reluctance to reply. "You don't have to answer it," he assured them. "Just remember… be open-minded, okay?"

Be open-minded.

At that point of time, none of the sisters realized how important it truly was.

Be open-minded.

What will happen to the sisters next?

Stay tuned to find out!

Thanks for reading! Please rate and review! ^^

A/N: by the way, I'm quite curious about what character do you think will be what creature! Please do tell me what you think! ^^