Chapter 1: Journey of the star
The stars did not glitter this night, nor any night. For the wise were gone, and had not been seen since the days of legend. Landmarks once all encompassing now reduced to memory for the fair people whom still lived. Only Lendiv stood against the turning winds, a land so great it'd not follow words of any being not from the line of its great ruler. Yet even this land could not last forever. A darkness was growing, one so vast no fair being could stand against it, one which would not stop until all was under its reign. The city withstood great battle for what seemed like eternity, but hope did not come through its darkness, no vast power coming from the shadows to turn the tide of fate. Some fled to high mountains so large none seemed to rule it, others went down into the abyss of the darkness' land. It seemed as if the life of free people would soon be over. The sun not rising until the world had succumbed to its end.
Yet hope was not gone, merely resting. For it seemed as the gods had answered, as a bright white light slowly appeared in the sky. As it fell into the dark world lying below it grew hope for those who saw it, as stories of the great warriors of old started emanating through the lands. It was the first time in many years the lord of Ortock was wary. It was not the only time he had seen such power, yet he hadn't thought it would be brought here again. It took many days for this light to find its rest, those whom saw it form being the oldest and the wisest these lands had to show. Yet even the wise could not see where it would go, not even the dark lord having power over its fate. Yet its path was not as the fair people had hoped, it did not land in the house of the great king, nor in his land. Neither the woods or the mountains would hear its songs as it fell onto the ground. It was in the lands of Ortock, the dark lord's land, where it found its rest. Few could see where, as it had landed between the great Ouskillia mountains. A dangerous land ruled by the enemy, where few of his men dared to go, it was an abandoned land. Yet the light was not forsaken, as one being was there to hear its song as it landed on the dangerous fields. And he would remember what it sang.
He whom saw it land made haste towards its last notes, past the dead trees which seemed to sing with their last few breaths of life, past rivers whom flowed with the few drops they had yet to give. He had not seen the true light of the sky since the beginning of his memory, yet as the land sang he felt as the sun shined upon him and everything he had not seen clearly before. Yet he had no time to admire it, and quickly came to where he heard its wondrous voice. Yet as he came the light dimmed, and the trees died once again. There was no more sign of what he had seen, it seemed as if nothing had landed, as the beauty he would never forget had gone back to where it had come. Yet it was not without a parting gift, as a strange blue creature sat still on the flat rock where the light had left. What he'd later learn to be a Piplup sat before him still yet full of life. He took his sword out from his scabbard and pointed it at his unwanted visitor, yet could not decide what to do before any choice he had left, as the creature woke.
Slowly opening its eyes, it looked onto the landscape, not with question, but with awe of the place's existence. As if the questions were the questions themselves.
"Who are you young traveler? Speak quickly, as I have no time for waiting, for I am Vin son of Vill, member of the Buizel family, and I have things already delayed". Still pointing his heavy sword at the creature it did not speak, lost in thoughts of what it is seeing. "Speak up!" he said with such force that the creature looked as if it was waking up.
"W-what?", it said as if it was still lost in dream, "I-I don't" it said before clutching its head, as it had many things blurred which needed to be remembered.
"What 'don't you'? Speak clearly!" Vin said, again waking up his guests' mind.
"I… don't remember'', it said, before fainting to the ground. Vin was once again left with the same choice he had before. He thought of merely walking away, leaving the poor creature to the horrors he would soon befind himself in. 'whoever may be there, don't walk yourself into trouble' as he had often heard in his home in the purlum wastes. He knew there was something special about this creature, yet he would not get much out of bringing him to his lord even if it was the wisest whom have walked this plain. Yet something prevented him from merely walking away. The song he'd heard moments ago he could not discern, yet it spoke to him. As he thought of its lyrics he found himself unwittingly carrying the poor creature back to where he'd been before it had come. Back to the small patch of dead grass underneath a large rock he had sat himself down on. He put the creature down and sat beside it, still thinking of what he had heard. Yet after time neither could dishearn, he would be abrupted from his waking dream as the creature once again awoke.
"ugh, my head" it said before looking up at its new surroundings. "I guess it wasn't just a nightmare".
"I see you have memories of something better, mind you telling me what they might be?" Vin said, looking down at it with commanding eyes. It was shocked as if it only noticed his presence at that moment.
"ugh, sorry" It still looked as if it was fighting its own mind, struggling to muster anything of importance. "I don't know, I don't remember my own name. All I can think is that I don't belong here. And I feel short, unimportant, yet strangely comforted. It's hard to explain". Vin looked at the creature, still in thoughts of songs more beautiful than he could muster.
"You may be small… Yet something tells me you are not of unimportance… You seem to be a man whom could do something worth of remembrance before this world succumbs to its end", he closed his eyes, pondering what to say next. "May I call you Elly?", he said, almost as if the name came from a dream.
"Elly? that doesn't sound like any name I've been called before, but it sounds like me. Yeah, call me Elly", Elly was now looking up to Vin with as much glee as he could muster, yet his favour was not returned. Quickly he would feel the coldness of the land once again. "Where are we anyway? This place isn't what I would call welcoming. It seems very empty, and this coldness isn't one I'm very amused by". Elly started to shiver as cold winds blew past.
"This is Ouskillia, some say it is the most dangerous land of Arvia, but only to those who do not know its path. No one lives here, so you should be thankful you stumble across me. That is more welcome than one should expect". Vin was now cutting down the branches from the nearest tree, still looking at Elly whilst doing so.
"Why are you here then? It doesn't seem like a place where you wander, certainly not for fun. You have that sword with you, are you a soldier?".
"You could say that, I was on a mission of place is certainly not the fastest way there, yet it is the safest, or at least was. Now you will need to use your luck once again if we are to not get any unwanted visitors", Vin was now preparing a small flame, kneeling down whilst doing so.
"What kind of 'mission'?" Elly said, looking onto the sticks which almost caught ablaze. Vin stood up and stared down onto Elly, now looking clearly, free of any lingering dream,
"Have you not asked enough questions to suffice traveller? What I was set out to do is none of your concern, and I am unsure if I can do it now. I will ponder what I will do until tomorrow. Now we best sleep, as I need rest for whatever path I go. We have nothing more to discuss". Vin went back to his bundle of sticks and managed to set it ablaze, sitting down next to it, closing his eyes, yet still having them open to thought. Elly was not as fortunate, not closing his eyes. Instead staring into the slowly shrinking flame. It gave him little warmth, as the cold rock behind his back overpowered its small blaze, and he could not stop pondering over the thought of watching the dark mountains after it had dissipated. Yet that would not come to pass, as sooner than he expected Vin opened his eyes, and stood up on his feet.
"I see you did not gain sleep Elly, I hope your time still was enough to power you through the weary roads, as we are going through Ouskill-trench. I have decided to go through the roads of which I once came, as you would not make it far without a guide. And we would not get far where I was headed, those roads are being watched". Vin started walking, not waiting for any response. Elly squirrely caught up, walking just behind Vin.
They walked through fields of grass which never bloomed and rocks whom had not often seen light. It was cold in those fields. Only getting colder once the air from the mountains came down in gusts of wind. There were a few trees dotted around the landscape, yet all seemingly dead. Most being on the ground, only making the cold air colder. It was at this time Elly thought to look at his guide closer than he had before. He seemed as if he belonged deep below water, as his arms were made to swim, and his tail made to spin. He wore a black cloak and a belt, which bore a small brown bag and a scabbard for a sword fit someone larger than his size. He was double Elly's height yet still seemed small compared to the large trees they continued to pass. He looked as if he was not focused on the road, but on other matters. What could Elly not hope to guess.
They made themselves to a small pond, one which had little water left to give.
"Drink until you can walk to the end of the mountains to the east, as we will find little water until then, and I fear that my flasks will have to be emptied before we could drink through them". Vin took out two flasks from his bag and filled them up. They were already filled to a large extent, yet Vin made sure that they were at their maximum. "Water is my element, you see, if we were to end up in conflict it would be most necessary to use it to its fullest, and I fear battle is soon to arrive. Someone is following us". Elly looked back on the long field he had just walked across.
"Really? Have you seen them? I didn't see anything during our long trip, and I didn't hear anything but the wind. If I did I'd probobly have ran off in terror".
"They are not close enough to be heard, but I know the feeling. I fear it may be 'Inlin', a warrior I would rather not face. But one of the few who would know where we are. Keep your mind sharp, I cannot risk you getting captured". Vin then took his long cloak and cut a slice of it off, after he quickly took a small rope from his bag and made a hasty hood on the top of the small piece of cloth. "Here, wear this", he said, giving the cloak he'd just made to Elly. "It will keep you hidden so long as I am near". Elly quickly put it on, it was heavier than he expected, yet he still felt nimble. "Now drink, for we have to move".
After they had drunk they walked, now quieter than before. The winds were not as cold under Elly's cloak. He found himself focusing more on any sounds it made. As if the enemy would come from it and attack. Yet no sounds were heard from anything but its gusts. Elly tried as Vin had said, feeling where their visitor might lay, yet he did not understand what that meant, and could not replicate it. Elly could only guess where they might be by looking through Vin's eyes and seeing what he might be thinking. But he stayed calm and forward looking, not being easy to discern. It took much time until they reached their next stop. They had reached the foot of the eastern mountains, giants where they stood, the rocks on it were cold, having less life than the fields they had walked before. They would soon find themselves at the entrance to a small cave where a campfire once stood
"We have walked for many hours, longer than I did alone. We have to rest, and past this point we will find little place to do so. It is better if we stay here for a time". Vin sat down at the end of the cave and opened his bag, where he found a small piece of meat. He took out a knife and cut it equally. "I did not pack food for two, so we will have to suffice on this. Take it", he reached his hand towards Elly whom reluctantly took the piece.
"Ugh, I might be hungry but this is certainly not appetising. I'll eat it if I have to", Elly gave off a faint laughter which seemed to ease Vin's tension.
"You might think it is rather unappetizing, but if it's salted meat or starving I would rather eat, it's not raw. Now eat up, we don't have much time to rest". They quickly ate their food, and Elly layed down to sleep. But he quickly noticed that Vin did not. His eyes were closed, yet he was sitting in thought.
"Aren't you going to sleep VIn? You seem pretty tired to me, and you've walked what has to be at least a few miles".
"Danger is close, and I do not want to battle unprepared. I will hold guard whilst you try to get some sleep". Elly quickly took his answer verbatim and closed his eyes. This night was different from the last, as Elly did not find the act of sleeping frighting. Vin standing guard made him more comfortable, so he soon found himself going into a sea of dreams too distant to recall.
"Elly, get up, quickly! We have to get going now, the enemy is more willed than I presumed, now she is on our tail. We need to make haste!". Elly stood up and quickly put on his cloak. Before long they were out of the cave and on the road again. Now moving north, following the mountain side. "We are nearing the cave from which I came, we have to make it there before the enemy gets too close, I am no fighter and cannot take him here". The terrain beamce all the more rocky the more they walked. Elly felt as though an enemy could jump out at any moment without warning. Yet no sound could be heard, not even the wind reached this point. No grass, dead or alive, was under their feet. The ground had turned to stone, and the trees had long since abandoned them. The light passing through the thick clouds growing all the dimmer. It was not long until Vin found the cave he was looking for, it was dark and small, and split into many paths. It seemed to be dug not by any being, but by the ground itself, many years ago. "this is Ouskillia's-cave. A grimm labyrinth for anyone unfamiliar with its path. Yet if we go through, the enemy will surely follow. We have to move all the quicker". They went into the dark abyss. Not a sound could be heard bar their own footsteps. Their own cloaks making it all the harder to see. They walked closer than before to not lose time in guidance. As the cave was not forgiving for those who got lost. In time they would find themselves in a larger room, a room with many pathways leading from it, with a stone tablet in the centre. Elly could not discern if this was a part of the cave, merely made as a point of interest by those who went into its dark abyss, or made by those who needed a way to get through it. "This is the place I was looking for", Vin quickly took out a few sticks and a handful of grass and started making a fire on top of the tablet. "We will wait for her arrival here, it should not take long". Elly tried to dishearn what Vin was thinking, yet could not see his eyes in the dark.
"Wait for her? That's the last thing we should do. We should try and get out of here as quickly as we can". Vin had already started the fire, and now sprinkled water throughout the room.
"If we merely go she will surely catch up, and then our odds are slim. As she sees us in the dark whilst we are blinded, and it'd be as dry as one might expect from a cave in a place like this. If we're going to come out alive we need to have the advantage". Vin had now emptied both of his flasks and now took out his dagger which he spun some of his rope around. "Put this around your waist, you might need to use it. Do not attack unless it is necessary, yet don't be afraid to do so". Elly did what Vin said, and put the rope around him like a belt, with the dagger under his right arm.
"I've never fought before, so I don't know how much help I could bring. But I guess I can try".
They waited on the other side of the room, where they could see down the hallway they came from. Elly anxiously awaited the arrival of the enemy for what seemed like an eternity, but was in actuality no longer than a dozen minutes. It was then that they saw her. A creature whom shared many similarities with Vin, they were of near equal height, and both had two tails. Yet this creature was one of land. A white body with blue hands and feet, with hair whom shared the same colour. She had a scarf on, and on it sat a brooch of a white star. On her waist laid a bag, and a sword, shorter than Vin's yet still larger than it seems she could carry
"As I had suspected, he is none other than Vin son of Vill. Who's your companion, he who shares the emblem of the enemy? And what have you done with the star which fell here but moments ago?". She stood with her arm around her blade's hilt, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
"We have done nothing with what you speak of, it disappeared without trace. He who stands beside me is Elly the fatherless. He is not to be taken lightly, if you were as wise as you seem Inlin, you would go from where you came". Inlin took out her sword, and so did Vin. As one went forward, so did the other. And soon their swords would clash.
Every hit opposed with another. With Elly standing away frozen, not knowing what to do or how to do it. It was the first time since he'd awoken where he had stepped on wet ground, yet at this time it was not of comfort. It was now that he truly found himself scared. The more the sound of blades clashing continued, the more elly became more conflicted. Fright had overtaken him, yet as the battle went on he found himself the want to help. And before long he found himself the courage to utilise it. Jumping into the battle with his dagger. But Inlin stayed calm, and found no trouble evading the few strikes Elly could muster. Yet the second Vin could not muster an attack in time Inlin took the opportunity and sliced Elly's right arm.
"Elly!" Vin screamed, yet no voice replied. As the wound had knocked him out as soon as it had landed. Yet this did not come without consequence for Inlin, as Vin was quick on his feet, and knocked her sword out of her hand. Placing his blade next to his opponent's neck.
Yet seconds passed without him doing more, he looked onto Elly as he laid still on the ground, and he could not mustur his body to move. Eventually he dropped his sword and fell on his knees.
"I knew him for so little, and yet I failed him" he said, staring blankly at the ground
"Take what you want Inlin, take my life if you so wish. yet know that you ended someone not deserving of such hate. And that you are no more just than me, may you be doomed to the same fate". Inlin went to Elly and looked at his arm.
"You are forgetful, Vin, son of Vill, for you seem to not know that I can see things you cannot. Your plan was to lure me into this cave void of life to weaken that ability, was it not? Be thankful that it failed, for I could see that this being was not of evil intent, I only weakened him. He is not gone from this world". She took out bandages from her bag and rolled them around Elly's arm. "You are in great despair Vin, for your actions show you care about him, yet you know that the road you must take will lead you away from the one you follow. I do not know who this is, or why he is with you. Yet I guess the star is who brought you two together. So I leave him with you, for I am Inlin daughter of Indul, follower of the star of Arvia. I do not question its actions. Yet I plead you to follow your heart and protect him, for Arvia has said so". With those words Inlin took her sword and went back from once she came. Leaving the two on the ground.