Chapter 5

Hello again everybody and welcome to my latest chapter of Wakfu the Seventh Eliotrope! I can't believe it's been over a year since I first uploaded this, time flies by. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the chapter, but first, reviews!

m,tarina: I didn't think you abandon me, not one second did I believe that you abandon me (Literally checked everyday in anticipation for your review on the chapter). Actually your review made me realize I uploaded the wrong version of the chapter, I uploaded the version without Az and a few other things but thankfully I hadn't erased it and was able to upload it. I'm not the best at paying attention effectively, but I am trying...mostly. Yeah, I'm looking into getting a Beta, also there is nothing wrong with humans, I find the species adorable at times. When I wrote the beginning of the last chapter I pictured Orion sitting against a tree the other placed him against, glad you liked the train, I think I changed the 8 to a smaller number but I'm not sure. Orion was unconscious so they couldn't really do much since he was injured, they were doing all that while they waited for Orion to wake up. They wouldn't have left him there alone while knocked out, they were just preparing for when he did wake up. Also...'sanguine'...I've never heard that word before. I think I added more emotion to Yugo not wanting to leave Orion but I could be wrong, I will try harder in the future. Regarding the Dally part, that was meant to be read along the lines of he saw everyone but Dally wasn't currently present when he woke up, sorry for the confusion. Spellcheck is acting weird for me for some reason. I did add Az in the revised version of the chapter so no worries there! Orion also didn't want to slow Yugo and the others down, and if the others stayed then they would be less likely to save Dally, that's why Orion said to go without him. Regarding healing, every Eliatrope had something unique so since I had Orion a healer I figured I could give him something like that, it can't be used to often because it uses a LOT of wakfu to use. But yeah healing portal you need to pass through them to heal. Orion is a bit naive so he wasn't as concerned as a normal person would be, also he recognized his mothers magic orb so he was a bit more trusting because of that. I have a gift for noir-ish metaphors? I never knew. Regarding what you said about dissent from the group in the future, I do not have something like that planned yet, Echo just wanted to see what her brother was like, there was some intent to get her to like him but not much else at the moment, more will be explained at their next meeting. The reason he forgot was is because those orbs do something else to Orion aside from healing, but I won't spoil that just yet. All I can say is that what it does makes him disoriented whenever it happens. About Cra, I have her there because she is hunting for food, for plot reasons I can't just have Orion master something over night so I figured who better to train him that the woman who taught him how to fight in the first place? Regarding her outfit, I had Orion do the same for Eniripsa so I did the same here, I tried to be accurate to the actual appearance of the goddess, the dress has no opening for legs, I'm serious I checked multiple images and there were none. I did change her attitude a bit to show more emotions in the revised version. No you didn't forget anything the bandages were just revealed in this chapter. 50/50 on concerned or annoyed, mostly concern that he was possibly taken by force. I apologize if it seems like your advice is going over my head, I have a TERRIBLE memory and it's really annoying so I apologize in advance if it seems like I am not taking your advice. I am having lots of fun and may the force be with you as well!

kyrogue23: Glad you liked their meeting, yeah those orbs cause memory problems for him because they do more than just heal Orion (I'll explain in future chapter). His training won't be a walk in the park that's for sure. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

foxchick1: You are correct, it would have been pointless, and thanks I wasn't sure about the Echo scene but I'm glad it worked. Enjoy the chapter!

I'm happy that so many people have enjoyed it so far and I hope you all continue to like it in the future as well. Sorry that this took so long to make by the way, I will try not to take so long next time.

Now, onto the story!

No pov

For the past few days Cra has been training Orion none stop, it was in fact just as bad as he remembered. First she wanted him to try and summon the shield on instinct by shooting an arrow at him, it took a few tries sadly. But Orion was able to learn how to summon his shield if he focus on it enough, downside is he is still unable to use portals while it's in use. That's what they are working on right now.

Az flew a couple of laps around Orion's head before finally landing on it, if Orion noticed he didn't show it.

"Come on Orion, I know you can do it." Cra said encouraging him.

Orion had his shield on his back while he held both his hands out to his sides, his eyes were closed and he seemed to be struggling with an invisible force pushing against him. Orion was trying to force his portals to come out but nothing was working, his body went rigid before he fell to his hands and knees gasping for air. Az flew off and looked up at him in concern. "I...can't...hurts...too much." He said between gasps.

"Orion." Cra said in a caring voice as she walked up to him. "I know you can do it. You just have to believe in yourself."

"But I..." Orion looked up, "I don't know if I can."

"Maybe we are going about this all wrong, how do you normally summon a portal?" She asked before sitting in front of him.

"Well." The young Eliatrope sat down and crossed his legs, "When I first used a portal I wanted to protect myself and a portal appeared in the air. When I focused I was able to summon my portals whenever I wanted to." He replied thinking back to the first time he made a portal.

"So you wanted to protect something, but what did you feel?"

Orion was silent. After a few moments he spoke, "I felt a tingling sensation on my hands." He looked down at his palms

"Good, focus on that." Cra took his hands into hers. "Focus on what it felt like the first time you summoned a portal."

He was silent before closing his eyes and went back to the day he fought those bandits. The sensation in his hands, it felt like nothing he's ever felt before, but it was like something he's known his whole life. The white parts on his shield lit up as his body was covered in a black aura, in his hands a miniature portal, no bigger than a Kama, appeared and was slowly growing in size.

"You're doing it Orion, keep focusing on that!" Cra said with a smile.

Orion focused on the feeling more and more, soon he opened his eyes and saw two portals in his hands, while the shield was still on his back. "I did it!" He said happily with stars in his eyes. The portals disappeared and Orion looked up at his aunt, "I did it!"

"Yes, you did, I'm so proud of you." She said happily. "Now you know how to summon portals with your shield out, I want you to practice this until you can summon portals as good as before." She said with a smile.

Orion sweat dropped, he had forgotten this was still training. "You're not gonna use explosive arrows, are you?" The only response he got was a smirk from his aunt.

For the next few hours Orion summoned portal after portal until he was able to summon them as quickly as before, now Orion could use his shield and portals at the same time. Cra then decided to test Orion by having a little spar with her nephew, she would obviously be holding back to make it a somewhat fair for him. Az could only watch as Orion had to endure the most brutal training the little tofu had ever seen.

Yugo and the others walked out of the Puddlies village, now stocked up on supplies, once they entered the forest the group stopped once they heard several explosions from nearby. "Did you hear that?" Yugo asked looking around for the source.

"Those sound like explosive arrows, but why would someone-" Eva was cut off when Orion came flying out of the tree line with his shield out in front of him. A volley of arrows close behind.

"Orion!?" The Yugo shouted with joy at the sight of his brother.

Orion didn't seem to hear them as he used his shield to block three explosive arrows head on. He opened a portal and jumped through as an ice arrow froze the ground he was on before. He appeared next to a tree before kicking off of it and hiding behind another large tree. Panting and trying to catch his breath, "Note...to self...dragon peppers...in her next meal!" He said between gasps.

"Orion!" Yugo called out.

Orion spun around and stopped, seeing his brother and friends, "Yugo?" Az popped out of Orion pocket and chirped happily once he saw Yugo. Unfortunately in that moment of distraction Orion found himself pinned against the tree by a net. "Dang it!" He groaned.

"You let your guard down again." Cra stated as she came into view next to him. "What have I told you about getting distracted in combat?"

"I'm sorry, Yugo caught my attention and I forgot." Orion replied looking over at his brother.

"Yugo?" She raised an eyebrow and glanced at the others before smiling once she realized there were other people present, "I see." She snapped her fingers and the net disappeared in a flash.

Orion fell to the ground and dusted himself off before looking up at the others with a grin, "You're here!" He shouted in excitement, "I thought you would never show up." He ran up to Yugo, "Did you get my message?"

"Yeah, but why did you leave? We were worried about you." Yugo replied sounding upset. Az then flew back into Yugos pocket and chirped happy they were reunited, "Good to see you too Az. Thanks for looking out for Orion for me." He pet Az who squeaked happily in response.

"Sorry about that, some of the magic I used messed with my memories so I couldn't remember where you guys said you were going. All I remember was you all dressed really funny and something about a castle." Orion explained, laughing at how ridiculous they had looked.

"But who was with you?" Eva asked. "There were tracks belonging to someone else there." Cra narrowed her eyes when Eva said that.

"There was this lady, I don't think I got her name, she helped me use my magic to heal myself." Orion thought for a moment trying to recall more about her. "I can't really remember much about her, those orbs alway make my head fuzzy." He scratched the back of his head.

"Wait a minute." Eva cut in, "You just trusted some random stranger in the woods?"

"Yeah."

"Why!?"

"She seemed trust worthy."

"No! You don't trust random strangers you just met!"

"But that's what I did when I met you guys for the first time." Eva was about to reply but couldn't think of how to counter that. "Anyway there is someone I want you all to meet!" Orion motions towards Cra who put her bow on her back. "This is my Aunt!"

"Hello everyone, my nephew has spoken very highly of you all." Cra said with a smile and a wave.

"Hi!" Yugo said excitedly, "I'm Yugo."

"Oh so you're Yugo? Orion told me all about you, I hope Orion hasn't been too much of a handful." She said with a small laugh. "He is a bit naive at times." She whispered.

"Hey!" Orion said in defense.

"Nah, he's been great, but we were worried when he disappeared." Yugo replied.

"Good to hear." She turns to look at Amalia. "Princess of the Sadida Kingdom, it is an honor to meet you." She bowed.

"Thank you, it is nice to meet you as well." Amalia bowed in response.

Cra turned to Dally and paused for a moment, Dally was looking at her curiously, "Have we met before?" He asked tilting his head.

"No, I'm afraid we haven't." Cra replied with a smile. "It is nice to meet you."

"Alright, nice to meet you. My name is Sir Percidal of Saddlygrove." Dally replied, Cra then took notice of Rubilax looking at her with a wide eye. Cra put a finger to her lips to indicate Rubilax should keep quite. Knowing exactly who she was, Rubilax knew better than to mess with a goddess while trapped in a sword.

Cra looked at Ruel next, "Oh, if it isn't Ruel Strude, I brought Orion to some of your Gabbowl games when he was really young. You were quite the player." Cra will admit he is a good player but didn't like his obsession with money.

"I'm always happy to meet a fan." He replied with a smile. "But isn't he a bit young to have seen me play?" Ruel asked a bit confused.

"Well, I do know a powerful Zelor, he can show things that have happened in the past and replay them for my darling nephew whenever I want." Cra explained. "Now." She leaned in and whispered into his ear, "If you try and corrupt Orion in anyway, I will turn you into the worlds largest pincushion, and there is no place on this planet you can hide from me." She stated.

"U-understood ma'am." Ruel replied nervously.

"Glad to hear." Finally she turned to Eva who had been looking at her this whole time trying to figure out why this person looked so familiar to her. When Cra looked at her, Eva straightened up nervously. Cra giggled quietly, this was the usual reaction when a cra met her. "Hello Evangeline, my nephew has spoken very highly of your skill with a bow."

"He has?" She asked.

"Yes, and I can tell everything he said was true, you are quite the skilled archer." After Cra said that, Eva felt more pride in herself than ever before, but still didn't know why.

"Um, thank you, ma'am." She blushed.

"Not a problem, I can tell Orion has been in good hands for the time being." She looks back at Orion, "Your mother will be happy to hear you've made friends and found your brother." Cra walked back over to Orion, "A part of me wishes you didn't want to find your other family, your mother hasn't been the same since you left."

"Don't worry, I would never leave you two, besides I promised to bring them back once I found them, then our family can be even bigger!" Orion replied happily before getting pulled into a bone crushing hug by his aunt.

"I'm so happy to hear that!" She said squeezing him tighter.

"Auntie! Let me go! I need air to live!"

"Nope!"

"Aaaah!"

Once Cra released Orion from her grasp he told the others how he had been training for the past few days on his shield and portals Yugo was amazed and asked Orion of he would teach him. Orion agreed to help his brother learn, and also promised he wouldn't be as cruel as his Aunt was during training. Cra bid her nephew good by and wished him and the group luck on getting to Oma Island. Orion started explaining to Yugo what to do when summoning a weapon before they were out of sight from Cra who let out a sigh.

"I'm happy for him." She closed her eyes and disappeared in a flash of light.

As the group walked they explained what happened to them since Orion left, Orion was exited to hear about how his brother took down the Tor chief single handedly, and how they helped the Puddlies. Orion told them about his training, the others were surprised how brutal his aunt was to him. Orion also told Yugo that he wouldn't be that brutal on Yugo when he taught him to make weapons.

After a bit of walking and listening to Eva talk about her first time lady in waiting for Amalia, the group came to a stop on a stone bridge leading to a town surrounded by purple smoke. The lights of the village were visible from the distance indicating that there were people living there. But the purple mist and darkened sky made it look more threatening than inviting.

"That's...unsettling." Orion stated as they all looked at the village.

"Are you sure we have to go through here to get to Oma Island?" Yugo asked Dally nervously. Az flew into Yugos pocket from just looking at the village in the distance.

Dally examined the map, "According to the map, we have to go through the village...um...uh." Dally turned the map sideways as he tried to find the name, "The name of the village is...uh...Forfut Village."

"Oh." Orion said getting the others attention, "I've been here before, but it looks different then last time."

"Yes, you've got no choice. Don't worry, it's a nice place. Very lively." The map finished with an evil sounding laugh.

"Lively?" Yugo asked not believing it for a second.

Orion looked at the town in front of him, "Something seems...different. I don't remember it being so dark."

"What do you mean?" Yugo asked curiously.

"I mean that usually there isn't a dark purple Aura around the whole town. It's normally bright and sunny, not dark and brooding."

"Nature is twisted here." Amalia said in a concerned tone. "It's like there are shadows moving through the village." She said before Ruel, who had just eaten a fish from who knows where which made his breath green and visible before getting blown into Amalias face. "Ew!" Amalia shrieked, "Hey you wrinkled old bork!" She shouted at him, "Could you please not talk right into my nose!?" She shouted in annoyance before walking away with the others.

"We can get some food and rest anyway." Yugo said nervously. Az dug himself into Yugos pocket in fear.

"Hm. Let's just hope we wake up again." Eva said as they walked across the stone bridge to town.

As they walked Orion stopped, he felt a strange and familiar presence all around him but he couldn't figure out where it was coming from. It felt cold, dark, and powerful.

Yugo stopped when he noticed Orion wasn't with them, he looked back to see his brother looking around for something. "Orion? What's wrong?"

"I don't know." He said scratching the back of his head, "Something...no it's nothing, I thought I felt something but I probably just need to eat." He said before catching up with the others and making their way into Forfut Village.

"Now, to find the finest inn in town!" Dally shouted happily, "I could eat a Boowolf!"

"Me too!" Yugo agreed, "I'd eat the fur off a Gobball's back."

"Well, you shouldn't have devoured all the rations on the first day then." Eva said with a frown as they walked past several villagers who had glazed over eyes, pale skin that looked like it hadn't seen sunlight in years, and were just standing there doing nothing. Yugo and Dally started listing off different foods while they walked, Amalia looked at some of the villagers who looked back with insane grins making a chill run up her spine.

Orion looked around at the town with narrowed eyes, he knew something was very wrong but didn't say anything that might scare his new friends. They needed rest ad food, he could tell them later, at least he hoped.

"Ah, finally, an inn!" Dally exclaimed running up to the door and throwing it open. "Salutations friends!" He shouted happily announcing their arrival, "I am Sir Percidal savior of the world! My companions and I are hungry and tired from battle! Bring us your finest dishes!" He finished before opening his eyes and seeing more mindless villagers just sitting there. Some were hitting empty plates with utensils, some just sat there grinning, and some were just falling into what looked like mush on a plate.

Dally looked at the scene slack jawed, Ruel then spoke up. "Judging by the clientele, I don't think we've come across the local fast food establishment." He stated, "I suggest we get outta here before we find ourselves in the same state." He said before Yugos stomach made a loud growling noise causing everyone to look at him.

Yugo held his stomach, "I don't think my stomach agrees with you Ruel. I need to eat something." Said the young portal maker looking up at Ruel.

"Like my father use to say, 'Nibble everyday, live to eat another day'." He said rubbing Yugos head.

"Look." Amalia said looking away and putting a hand on her hip, "Now that we're here, we might as well try out the local cuisine." She started walking forwards past a large mirror. She stopped to admire herself, "But let's not stay too long. This isn't doing anything for my skin."

Eva walked after her and stopped to look in the mirror as well.

In a darkly lit room sat a man on a throne, tapping his fingers against the arms of the throne. The only parts of the man that were visible was his left arm, he has pale skin, black curved spikes coming out of it and black claws. A female voice spoke to him as he looked at another mirror that showed him Eva and Dally in it.

"Her." The voice stated looking at Eva, it sounded slightly distorted, "It's her I want. Bring her to me Vampyro! I want her!" She shouted as Eva walked out of view leaving dally, who started picking his nose.

"Your wish is my command, my dearest sweetness." He said as Dally wiped a booger on the mirror making the now named Vampyro cringed in disgust.

The group had taken a booth and waited for their food to arrive, soon the cook brought out a strange dish and placed it on the table, "Mama...Mamaliga!" He stated before slowly walking away. The Mamaliga, as it was called, looked like something out of a cooks worse nightmare. It appeared to mostly be brown mush, there were several shrimp sticking out, a fish skeleton, another fish, and a still living grey shrimp like creature, oh and it was all moving. They looked at it as a puff of green gass floated out in the shape of a skull before disappearing.

Eva looked at it in disgust as her ears drooped down, Ruel was looking at it with wide eyes, Amalia as well, Dally looked at with narrowed eye like he was actually thinking about eating it. Yugo looked concerned and Orion looked horrified. "That's...that's what Mamaliga is?" Yugo asked. After he said that the grey shrimp like creature jumped free and landed on the table making them all jump back in shock. It moved for a few seconds, desperately trying to get away from the abomination called Mamaliga before it died right then and there.

Orion stood up with a hand over his mouth and ran out the door, "I'm gonna be sick!" He shouted as he ran out of the room.

"No thank you." Eva said sliding the bowl towards Amalia and Dally.

"I'd rather eat mud than eat a spoonful of that mess!" Amalia cried pushing it towards Dally who looked disgusted.

"Well, I don't want to say 'I told you so', eh?" Rule said with a smirk, "Perhaps you should have eaten some of that fish after all."

Lightning struck outside before rain could be heard, "We should be fine if their sheets are cleaner than their plates." Eva said.

"What do you-" Amalia was cut off when the door was thrown open to a wet annoyed looking Orion who walked past them.

"I'll be back in a minute." He stated before walking into the kitchen, a moment later all the cooks were thrown out and onto the floor. Although they didn't seem to care.

The others blinked before continuing, "You don't mean we're gonna sleep here, do you?" Amalia asked. Another bolt of lightning lit up the room making them all scream in fear. "Well, I suppose I wouldn't mind seeing the rooms, just out of curiosity." She said nervously.

After five minutes Orion had found enough ingredients to prepare a proper meal for him and his friends. Soon the door to the kitchen opened as Orion walked out with several plates before placing them in front of the others. Their eyes widen when they see actual food in front of them along with drinks. It wasn't anything special, just some rice, cut up meat, vegetables and some water. But the way it was presented made it look gourmet, they looked at Orion who took a seat and started eating until he noticed they were looking at him. "What?" He asked raising an eyebrow before swallowing, "Do you guys not like rice? I can try and make something else if you want?"

"No, its just...how?" Eva asked amazed by how fast he prepared all this in five minutes. "How did you make all this food so fast?"

"I had to learn over years of experience and with proper motivation." He said remembering how terrible his mother is at cooking, the Mamaliga would probably taste better. "I hope you all enjoy." He said before lifting up the plate and eating all his food in one go. "I'm gonna go find some rooms." He said standing up and walking away.

The others looked at the food he prepared and each took a bite as flavor exploded in their mouths, before any of them knew it they were all eating the food like their life depended on it. After seeing the Mamaliga, they were more than happy to enjoy some actual food. The only thing disappointing about their meal was that it ended.