Chapter One : To A New World
"It's up to you to save us all." said an ethereal female voice.
A girl looks around in the darkness in confusion as she asks the voice, "I don't understand. Who are you? Save you from what?"
The voice replies sweetly, "All will become clear soon."
It was then that the girl awoke from her dream from within her bed inside her room. She sighs as she slowly sits up and rubs her eyes as she says sleepily, "Wish I knew why I keep having this dream."
She looks out the ship's window and sees that it was noon and gets out of bed to get dressed. She puts on a pink kimono with white flower designs on the sleeves and hem. She wraps a purple obi around her waist. Slipping on her purple getas, she then grabs her comb and begins to tend to her long hair that had become riddled with bedhead. Once she was finished, she grabs an apple then exits her chamber and goes to the deck above.
Atop the deck she is greeted by a cool breeze and she says happily, "That breeze feels good."
She then walks over to the ship's railing and looks around. They had come far out to sea and far away from her homeland heading towards a new land far away. The ship that she was sailing on was a wooden fleet sail ship known as the Ocean Star. After months aboard the ship, the passangers knew her by the name of Ayame Tsuruko.
She was a kind and gentle sixteen year old girl with a slim, endowed figure. She had fair skin, beautiful gray eyes, and long black hair with straight-cut bangs and forelocks in the front. She was the only child of a traditional Japanese family and practiced the art of herbalism. She also had a flair for water and ice magic that she discovered at a young age whilse doing one of her chores for her mother. With permission from her family after reaching adulthood, she had set off to explore the world beyond, hoping to use her practice of plant medicine become a healer for the sick wherever she went.
Ayame hears the captain of the ship call out out to his crew, "Keep her steady. We'll be passing the South Ocean islands soon."
Suddenly the ship rocks violently and Ayame grabs onto the railing for balance. When the shaking subsided she looks around to see the cause but sees nothing. She then turns and sees several people and crew men come aboard the deck in a panic.
She then hears the captain ask in a loud voice, "What's the matter?"
She hears one of the crew men respond in a rushed voiced that was filled with fear as he replies, "Captain, we collided with something just now and water is flowing into the boiler room. Our ship is going to sink."
Ayame gasps in horror at the news and the captain quickly shouted out, "Hurry and launch the lifeboats or we won't survive."
Everyone begins to make their way to lifeboat area when the ship rocks violently once more, sending Ayame off balance and over the railing. With a loud splash, she falls into the ocean. She swims back up to the surface and inhales a gulp of fresh air. She sees a patch of land nearby and begins to swims her way towards it. After a few minutes, she reaches it though the exertion made her exhausted and she passes out upon the sand.
Ayame later comes to as she feels someone shake her and a male voice say, "Are you all right? Wake up."
She slowly opens her eyes and sits up slowly. She then asks groggily, "Huh? What..Where am I?"
She looks around then sees a man with blonde hair along with a matching beard and blue eyes next to her. He looked to be middle aged and wore ragged clothing. Ignoring her question the man asks, "This is such a desolate place. Why did you come here?"
Ayame replied hesitantly, "I was on a ship, but suddenly a violent shaking caused by something hitting it casted me overboard."
The man takes in her words carefully and thinks for a moment then replies, "It's lucky that you survived."
He eyes take on a sad look as he then adds softly, "It's been twenty-eight years since I drifted to this island."
Ayame looks at him in shock then asks tentatively, "Twenty-eight years?! Didn't you look for ways to go back?"
The man replies simply, "Yes I did. But I've only been to the islands nearby. I was always sent back by a violent wave every time I had almost reached the open sea. Several years of failure has caused me to give up." He then asks, "By the way, what's your name?"
Ayame replies tentatively, "My name is Ayame."
The man nods with a smile as he replies, "The names Robinson. So Ayame, you look fine. You can walk and look around if you like. If you have any questions feel free to ask."
Ayame nods and she says, "Thank you. But I really need to find out what happened to everyone." She then notices a wooden construct behind Robinson and asks, "What is that?"
Robinson turns to where she was looking and replies, "It's a raft I made recently. It's a simple construct. If you want to look for your folks you can take it to the islands nearby. Don't worry bout returning it as I can make another easily."
Ayame looks at him with worry as she asks, "Won't you go with me?'
Robinson shakes his head as he replies, "No I won't. It is desolate here, but free from noise and overcrowding." He motioned his hand back at a painted coconut behind him as he adds, "Moreover, Welson accompanies me."
Ayame looks behind him as she asks softly, "Welson?" She sees the coconut his was pointing at and thinks to herself, "..Ookay not gonna even ask.."
Robinson then says in an urgent tone, "Ayame, go quickly. It will be difficult to leave when the tide rises."
Ayame nods and they both take the raft to the edge of the shore facing the other islands. Ayame gets on it and, with a brief thank you to Robinson, she begins to paddle away from the island towards the other islands as Robinson waves goodbye to her.
When she finally reaches one of the islands, she rests upon the shoreline in attempt to recover her strength. She then looks around and sees a stream of smoke in the distance.
"Where there's fire there's people. Maybe everyone else is over there." She thought.
She then gets up and makes her way through the island's jungle-like forest and comes upon the entrance to a village. From the looks of it it seemed to filled with indigenous people wearing strange clothing made from grass and animal skins.
She walks over to a small young girl near the entrance of the village and asks, "Where is here?"
The small girl looks up at her in surprise. The woman before her was dressed very fancy in clothing she had never seen before. Despite not knowing who the woman was the girl replies, "This is Kelan Village." She then asks, "You are not local person, right?"
Ayame nods and replies, "The ship I was on has sunk. I paddled on a raft to get here." She then asks, "Are there other survivors here?"
The small girl shakes her head, "No one like you here." She then points over to hut within the village and says, "Go to wise woman, she know everything. Maybe she offer you some help."
Ayame nods and says with a bow, "Thank you." She then makes her way over to the hut the girl had pointed out. As she walked she notices the villagers giving her curious glances and quickens her pace.
She enters the hut and sees an old woman mixing some herbs. Ayame shifts her feet nervously then asks tentatively, "Um..Hello. I am a drifter from a marine disaster. I am looking for the other survivors. I was told you could help me."
The old woman stops mixing her herbs and looks up at Ayame. She then says, "I know not what this marine is, but I know more bout augury. Would you like me to give you an augury?"
Thinking it would give her some clues, Ayame nods and the old woman motions her to come and sit in front of her. Ayame comes over then sits down on her knees and the old woman takes her hands as she closed her eyes.
She begins to mutter slightly then speaks out, "Er..you are not local person."
"You can see it without augury." Ayame thought. She listens as the old woman continues, "Er..And you..You are not the person of this age."
Ayame gets a curious look as she thinks to herself, "Not of this age?" She then asks, "Can you give me details?"
The old woman replies, "You undertake important mission. You will suffer all kinds of difficulty on the way to fulfill it. Meantime, you'll get help of many superiors."
Ayame listens carefully and thinks, "Important mission? Could that be my dreams she's referring to? Wonder what this mission is as I myself still don't know all the details other then having to save everyone from something."
The old woman continued, "I see great battles raging around you, some of them fought for your sake. I see the mighty powers of the world struggling to control your will and destiny. Much blood and conflict lay ahead of you though you shall find happiness and peace within it. Beware of losing your way, for you are one of few who are truly free to choose their own fate. That freedom is a gift, but it is also more binding than chains."
Ayame blinked in surprise as she murmured to herself, "...Blood and conflict? Over me? Why? I am but a poor herbalist..."
It appeared the old woman was finished as she spoke no further, so Ayame thanked her for her time and leaves the hut in a slight daze over what had been said.
As she walks away from the hut, she hears the voice of a man call out to her, "Woman in fancy dress!"
Knowing he was referring to her, Ayame turns around and sees a village man coming towards her. She waits for him to get closer and he says, "Chief want see you. Come now."
Having nothing else to do, Ayame allows herself to be escorted to a large hut by the villager and goes inside. In the hut was an old man who she assumed was the chief. Sitting next to him was a young girl that look to be the same age as her. She was wearing a red and yellow dress that bared her shoulders and came down just above her knees. She had medium long brown hair tied in a low ponytail and magenta colored eyes. She wore a red and yellow triangle designed headband on her head and upon her ears were medium sized gold circle earrings. Strapped on her back was a machete, it's shape was curved like the moon.
Ayame stands before the old man, wondering fearfully what he wanted of her. The old man then speaks up and says to her, "Welcome, strange one. I have been told of your arrival and thus sent for you to meet you myself. However I do not know if you are friend or foe. First, tell me your name."
Ayame replies tentatively, "My name is Ayame sir."
The old man nods then asks, "And what brings you to our humble village, Ayame?"
Ayame replies, "I am a drifter from a shipwreck. I merely came here to see if I could find anyone I knew."
The old man nods once more then says sadly, "I see, but no one of your kind has pass through here." He gives her a kind smile, "You may stay here for tonight if you wish as the wilderness outside the village is dangerous at night." After a moment of pondering, he then asks, "Though it is a selfish request as you are new here, would it be possible to ask a favor of you? It is quite a simple task."
Ayame nods and bows as she says, "I appreciate your kindness sir." She then asks, "I do not mind. What is this favor?"
The old man smiles and replies, "There is a mine on the mountain behind the village. A scroll is in the extreme deep of it. I want you to bring it to me."
Ayame nods as she says, "Get the scroll and bring it back here. Got it."
The old man furrows his brow as he says in a serious tone, "But there are many crossroads in the mine. It is easy to lose your direction."
He turns to the young girl next to him and says to her, "Roca, you accompany this non-local resident to the mine. You should make use of this chance to avail yourself since you have grown up. At the same time however, you should protect this non-local resident well."
Roca stands up and says happily, "Yes, father. I won't let you down." She then turns to Ayame, "Let us go, Ayame."
Ayame nods as she thinks to herself, "Her protect me? From what?" She follows Roca out of the hut and they head towards the mine on the mountain.
After abit of walking within the mine and fighting rock golems, they finally come to their destination. On top a blue pillar was a scroll. However, Ayame hesitated to get it as there was a tiny chameleon standing in front of it.
Something about it was strange to her. Why would a creature like this be doing in a mine? Suddenly, the chameleon glows as it jumps down off the pillar and grows larger to the size of a horse.
It then lashes it's tail out at them and Ayame and Roca dodge it. After taking an assessment of her foe, Ayame looks over at Roca and says, "I'm going for the scroll. Wish me luck!"
To Roca's amazement she watches as Ayame places her hand on the ground and sees ice form around the chameleon's tail and feet, trapping it in place. Ayame then darts forward towards the pillar and the chameleon attempts to attack her with it's tongue but Roca throws her machete and it slices off the chameleon's head, killing it. She then catches the blade as it boomerangs back to her and sheathes it.
Ayame takes the scroll of the pillar and glances back at the dead chameleon's body and thinks to herself, "Now I know why she was assigned to go with me. Had I done this alone I woulda been eaten probably."
As Ayame walks towards Roca she sees her staring at her and asks, "What? Something wrong?"
Roca replies tentatively, "I've never seen anyone do what you did. How did you do that?"
Ayame tilts her head in confusion and asks, "What? You mean freezing the chameleon's feet?"
Roca nods and Ayame blushes as she explains, "I've always been able use and control water or ice since I was little. The first time I discovered I had these abilities was when I was gathering water from a river in the woods and was ambushed by a territorial bear. I tried to run but it tackled me and pinned me down."
Roca's eyes widen at this as she continues, "As I screamed and struggled to get away, a blue light formed around my hand and scalding water shot forth from it. The blast wounded the bear and made it run away. Scared but fascinated, I decided to practice using it more in secret to protect myself. Reason being is no one in my homeland or family has these powers and it would cause trouble if anyone were to find out as anything unusual is deemed bad."
Roca nods in understanding as she replies, "I see, it's good to know you are on our side and not a foe as you would be quite the opponent."
Ayame chuckles nervously as she says, "I suppose so. Anyways let's head back to your village and give this to your father."
Roca nods and both of the girls made their way out of the mine and back into the village. Once inside the the village's chief hut, Roca walks over to her father and says, "Father, I'm back!"
Ayame follwed along side her and hands the scroll to the old man as she says, "Chief, I assume this is the scroll you wanted to me to get?"
The old man takes the scroll from her and smiles as he replies, "En, this is the right scroll alright. Thank you."
Ayame nods then turns to Roca and asks shyly, "Roca, I am still a stranger here and need to find my friends. Will you continue to venture with me?" The girl was strong plus she seemed nice. Ayame didn't want to be alone as she searched and the girl knew this land.
Roca smiles as she nods and replies happily, "Of course! Let's start off!"
Roca's father furrows his brows and says to Roca in a angry tone, "My child, how can promise her such things indiscreetly? What will you do if you suffer danger along the way?"
Roca turns to her father and makes a puppy face as she says in pleading voice, "Father...I want to go with this brave person. Do my part to help."
Unable to resist his daughter's pleading gaze, the old man sighs in defeat and says, "Ala...Ok! Ok! You are always spoiled, so it is useless to persuade you. You are the same with your mother at this aspect."
Roca gives her father a grateful smile and says, "Father, thank you." She looks over at Ayame, "Let's go, Ayame."
Ayame nods and bows to Roca's father then follows Roca out the hut. Once outside, Ayame turns to Roca and asks, "Roca you know this land well, since the people I'm looking for aren't in your village, do you know what other place they could be?"
Roca ponders for a moment then says, "There are two places where they could possibly be and that's Welling Village to the south of here and Holy Village to the north. My uncle is in Welling village so maybe he has seen them."
Ayame nods as she replies, "Alright let's go to Welling village then. Lead the way."
Roca nods and begins to lead the way towards the south gate of the the village when both girls hear a scream from one of the huts nearby. Alarmed by the sound they run towards the hut and go inside. The sight before them shocks them. Two men wearing pirate clothing were cornering a small girl and her grandmother.
One of the men says to them in an irritated tone, "Hum! For the last time, take out you're money and treasure or we'll kill you!"
The grandmother replies in a pleading tone, "Like I told you, we do not have anything of value. Please, let us off!"
The small girl next to her trembles in fear as she says, "Grandma, I'm scared."
The other pirate says with a scowl, "Looks like they ain't getting the message, how bout we start with the little girl. Maybe her screams will convice you to hand over the goods."
Roca furrows her brows as she unsheathes her machete and says angrily, "You will do no such thing!"
The men jump at the sound of her voice and whirl around to face them. One of the men then says angrily, "Tch, we've been found out. Guess we'll have to take care of you first."
He then rans at Roca, drawing his sword and attempts to strike her but Roca easily dodges it and Ayame knocks the man out with a wooden log she picked up from nearby. With the man incapacitated, Roca rounds on the other man who says in a panicked voice, "S-shit."
Ayame puts herself between the man and grandmother and small girl, guarding them from further harm. Seeing that he has lost this fight, the man glares at them and says angrily, "You win this time, but mark my words, this won't be the last you see of us." He grabs his comrade then lifts him onto his shoulder and escapes out a nearby window.
Roca sheathes her machete and Ayame let's out a sigh of relief then asks the residents of the house, "Are you two okay?"
The grandmother gives them both a grateful look as she replies, "Yes we are. Thank you for saving us." She glances down at the little girl next to her. "Xaolan, thank this young hero."
The brown haired girl gives a small nod and says politely, "Thank you."
Ayame gives her a shy smile in response as she says, "You're welcome."
The old woman then takes in Ayame's appearance and says, "You do not look like local person."
Roca gives the old woman a warm smile as she replies, "This girl is named Ayame. She's a drifting stranger but she is good and is on our side. I am taking her to see my uncle to see if he can help her."
The old woman nods in understanding and Ayame says with a bow, "We'll be going now. Take care of yourselves." The two girls then exit the hut.
Ayame turns to Roca and asks, "I do hope they'll be alright. Do attacks like that happen often here?"
Roca gives a small nod as she replies sadly, "They do and it's not just pirates we have to deal with. It's the other residents of this land as well." She glances at the setting sun then gives her a warm smile as she adds, "You look like you had a long journey so why don't you rest here in the village tonight and we'll go see my uncle tommorow."
Ayame let's out a small yawn. The activities of the day's events had worn her out. She gives a small nod and Roca escorts her to a vacant hut to rest in for the night.