TRAVELER
In the town of Loru, there are many buildings, some tall, some short. There are also many houses, and the Mayor's house that stood tallest of all deep within the town, all of it surrounded by lush forests and tall, beautiful rock formations. Loru is also the hometown of Mina Cheng, a sixteen year- old girl living with her father and her younger brother, Shu in a little house outside of the town's main structure.
Mina usually liked to spend her days around the house. Her father was becoming old, and he wasn't able to take care of himself as well as he used to. But although she was the only one in her household capable of keeping things organized, she liked the way things were.
Mina was a very sweet girl. Whenever she could make the time, she was always trying to help someone. The town's children loved her, and there wasn't a single man in town that wouldn't kill to be with her. She was kind, responsible and very beautiful. With long, black hair and deep blue eyes that shone more brilliantly than the purest sapphire. There was no questioning why so many people loved her.
On a beautiful day in Loru, the town's people were buzzing about over the news received three days ago that the village of Myet had been destroyed. Because they were the closest town to Myet, many of the people living there were very worried about their safety.
Mina was at Mori, the herb and produce seller's shop today to get some strawberries for a cake she planned on baking that night. Mori was speaking with another customer about the recent news.
Mori was a short man with a large belly, dark gray skin, and the head of a walrus. He was also very muscular and most people wondered why he was into produce. But all in all, he was a friendly old man. He would give free food to those who were poor, and medicine to those who were sick. He was also a long-time friend of Mina and her family.
Mori had a deep, bellowing voice when he spoke.
"So how have you been as of late, Maya?" asked Mori.
"Oh, I've just been so worried lately Mori," answered Maya, sighing "this whole thing about Myet has me so shaken up, I can barely sleep at night. I don't want my children to ever have to experience such an awful thing."
Mina stepped up to the counter and set her basket full of strawberries on it.
"You know Maya," Mina began, "I highly doubt that we would become victim to such an attack, even if we are the closest thing to Myet."
Maya responded, "How can you be so sure? Even on foot, it would only take about three or four days to reach Loru from Myet."
Mina answered, "That might be true, but think about it, there aren't many towns besides us that even know about Myet, let alone want to attack it. We're known by many other districts for our rich mineral resources and our beautiful surroundings. If someone attacked us, it would make much more sense. But whoever attacked Myet not only went to the great trouble of finding it, but also must have had a much more complex reason for attacking it. After all, Myet has almost nothing to offer to anyone except for the Terrian warriors."
"That's right," included Mori, "and even then, Myet isn't the only place with a Terrian living in its limits, and there hasn't been any other strange attacks before or since then. Whoever attacked that village must have had a much deeper reason than something as materiel as getting rich."
Maya sighed in relief as she said, "Maybe you're right. Thanks you two, your both such good people."
"No need to thank us," said Mina.
"Yeah, think nothing of it, ma'am," added Mori.
"By the way, Mina," Mori continued as Maya left the store, "How's your father doing? Him and I haven't spoken in quite a while."
"Oh, you know Papa," answered Mina, "stubborn as always."
Mori laughed as he replied, "I hear that. Poor old guy not wanting to feel his age?"
"Yeah," answered Mina, "I know he doesn't want to retire, but this just isn't a fit lifestyle for him anymore. The man is going to be fifty-seven in a couple of days and he's done absolutely nothing but work in the mines all his life. I understand that he wants to take care of us, but if he keeps this up, he's going to burn himself out."
"Mm, hmm," said Mori, sternly, "I know. We walans live a lot longer than you humans do, so I can't exactly say that I know how your father feels. But, if I were in his place, I imagine that I'd probably feel the same way."
"It's been hard for him to bring himself to relax since Mom died," said Mina, "I can sometimes hear him talk to her in his sleep. I betch'a she could get him to hang up his hat and come home."
"Yeah," said Mori, "no doubt about it, your Mother was an amazing woman. Some would swear that that girl was a genuine gift from God. Frankly, I agree with them."
Mina replied, "I know my dad loves us, but it's just not necessary for him to work so hard anymore."
"I know," said Mori, "Keep trying, Mina. That's all you can do. You have your Mother's spirit in you. If anyone can bring your father to his senses, you can."
Both Mori and Mina smiled at one another.
"Thanks, Mori," said Mina. "Ah," replied Mori, spreading his arms out wide, "just get over here and give me a hug, squirt."
Mina and Mori both bent over the counter and gave each other a nice, big hug.
Mina stood up and asked, "So how much for the strawberries, Mori?"
Mori answered, "Ah, take 'em. It's been real slow here today anyway."
"Oh," replied Mina, "Well thank you."
"Nah. Here, give this to your brother," said the walan, tossing a Mango toward Mina, "and tell your father I said hi."
Mina responded, "Thank you, I will."
They both say goodbye, and Mina heads off for home.
Mina had a little time to spare, so she decided to take the scenic route home. She loved it when she got the chance to take this route. She enjoyed watching the waterfalls run off of the steep, blackened rock patterns and listening to the sounds that accompanied such scenery. But most of all, Mina enjoyed this route because it reminded her of her Mother. She and her Mother used to always walk together along this route. They would talk about everything here because this was their private place to go. This route was the place that Mina found out that she was going to be a big sister, the place she was told about 'the birds and the bees', and the place that she learned how to say 'spaghetti'. Mina sometimes wondered what other things they would have talked about on this route if her Mother were still alive. It had been three years since she passed away, and there wasn't a single day that Mina didn't miss her.
However, Mina was going to have to put her memories off to the side, for as she came off of her route, she was astounded to discover the Terrian warrior, Tsi lying unconscious on the ground. He was dirty, his clothes were tattered, and his entire body was covered in cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
Mina gasped at the sight of the young warrior and kneeled down to check his pulse.
"He's alive," she said, relieved.
She was wondering how she was going to help him. She couldn't possibly go back to town, it was much too far, and it would be getting dark soon. She decided to go to her house, seeing as it was much closer.
"I'll be right back," she said, and as she began to run off, she turned and said sarcastically to Tsi, "Don't go anywhere, ok?" and then continued quickly back to her house.
When Mina got home, her brother, Shu was there to greet her. But in her hurry she passed him up without even acknowledging him.
Shu shot a glare at his sister and said, "Gee, happy to see you, too," in a plain voice.
Mina didn't notice him for she was trying to locate their wheelbarrow and couldn't find it.
She then turned to her brother and asked him, "Shu, do you know where the wheelbarrow is?"
Shu answered, "That's what I was trying to tell you when you completely ignored me. I made it into a pirate ship. Do you wanna see?"
Mina gave her brother the lazy eye and asked, "Why don't you just tell me where it is."
Shu looked off into the distance and pointed.
"I put it up on that tall hill," he said, "I wanted to wait 'till you got home before I set sail."
Mina's face took on a frustrated look and a giant sweat drop appeared over her head. She then, with her eyes closed and an angry look on her face as well as a cross-vein symbol on the side of her forehead, grabbed the back of her brother's shirt and dragged him along while she walked back down the road.
Shu, confused, asked Mina, "Hey! Sis, where are we going?"
Mina answered, "Since you ruined my first idea, you're going to help me with my new one."
The two siblings came to find Tsi still unconscious, Mina being thankful that he was still there.
"Whoa!" exclaimed the young Shu as his sister stood over Tsi's head, "Who the heck is this guy, Mina?"
"I don't know," answered Mina.
"What do you mean, 'you don't know'?" asked Shu.
Mina bent down and placed her hands under Tsi's shoulders.
"Grab his feet," she ordered.
"Grab his feet!?" exclaimed the younger sibling, "Mina, you can't possibly be thinking of taking this guy to our house? We don't even know him! He might be dangerous, and he's got a sword!"
Mina then looked up at her brother.
"He needs our help, Shu," she explained, "We can't just leave him here."
The look on Shu's face shifted from surprised, to panicky.
"C'mon, sis," he began, "shouldn't we at least let Dad know first?"
Mina hoisted Tsi's torso up on her arms.
"Are you going to help me, or not!?" she shouted.
"Oh," wined Shu, "Alright, but if Dad blows a gasket, your on your own."
Both Shu and Mina took to an end of Tsi's body and carried him back to their house. Their father was waiting for them when they got there and he was very relieved to see them.
"Mina! Shu!" he called to them, "I'm so glad you're both safe. I was beginning to worry..."
The old man paused as he noticed that they were carrying someone.
"What!?" he exclaimed, "Mina, who is this boy?"
Mina answered, "I don't know, he was unconscious when I found him."
Her father then asked, "Well then why did you bring him here?"
Mina continued, "He's been hurt, and it would've been sundown by the time we got him to town."
Her father then said as his two children carried Tsi into the house, "Well you could have at least told me beforehand."
Then Shu said to his father, "That's exactly what I told her, Dad."
Mina ignored the remark.
"Here," she said, "put him on the couch for now."
Mina and Shu set Tsi down on their couch as their father called Mori on the telephone. Mina went to the kitchen, came back, and then sat next to Tsi with a bowl of water and a towel.
She then asked her brother, "Shu, could you go get the disinfectant for me?"
Shu replied, "Got it," and then ran off.
Her father then walked into the room as Mina was rinsing off Tsi's arm and told her, "Mori's going to be here soon with something to help our friend."
Mina responded, "Good. If anybody can help, he can."
Shu then came back with a bottle in his hand.
"Here you go," he said, handing the bottle to Mina. She thanked him, and then poured some of the disinfectant on the end of the towel.
As soon as Mina pressed the towel to Tsi's arm, Tsi immediately woke up, shot off the top of the couch and up into the air, shouting, "Owwwww! That stings! That stings! That stings! That stings! That stings! That stings! That stings!"
The entire family was startled at Tsi's outburst. Tsi landed sitting upright on the couch, grabbing his arm.
"What'd you do that for!?" he asked, loudly enough that it made Mina flinch.
"I'm sorry," she answered, "I was just wanted to make sure that your wounds didn't get infected."
Tsi's face took on a remorseful look as he said, "Sorry I yelled."
Tsi looked curiously around the room before asking shyly, "Could you please tell me where I am?"
Mina answered, "Your in the town of Loru. You were unconscious when I found you. My brother and I brought you here after that."
"Then," Tsi began, "may I ask who you all are?"
Shu then stood up and smiled as he introduced himself.
"My name's Shu Cheng," he said, "and I'm the youngest. Nice to meetch'a."
Mina then smiled at Tsi.
"And I'm Mina," she said to him, "Our father has called someone to bring something for your wounds."
Shu addressed Tsi and asked him, "Who are you, mister?"
Tsi looked forward and lowered his gaze.
"My name is Tsi," he said, "and I come from the village of Myet, or at least what's left of it."
Everyone gasped in surprise.
"But wasn't Myet destroyed a few days ago?" asked Mina's father.
"Yes," answered Tsi, "Three days ago, it was attacked and destroyed by a horde of demons that burned it to the ground."
Mina took on a sad face as she said, "That's awful."
"My fellow Terrians and I tried to fight them off," continued Tsi, "but we were outmatched. They all fell victim to the demon horde, and now I'm the only one left."
"You're a Terrian?" asked Shu.
"Yes," answered Tsi, his face making him look as if he was about to cry.
The entire family looked at Tsi and couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
"Poor guy," Mina thought to herself.
Tsi's hand then moved from his arm to his knee and his eyes took on a hateful look.
"I was knocked unconscious during the battle," explained Tsi, "and by the time I woke up, it was already over. I gathered up what little supplies I could find and came here on foot. I'm now on a quest to seek out whoever did this to my village and pay them back for it."
Though she didn't know this man, after seeing the hatred in Tsi's gaze, Mina couldn't help but believe his story.
Everyone was startled by a loud knock on the front door. Shu got up and said, "I'll get it." He opened the door to reveal Mori with a carrying case hoisted over his shoulder.
"Hello everyone," said Mori with a smile.
"Hi, Mori," said the young, Shu, "How are you?"
"I'm quite alright, Shu," answered Mori, "I see you've grown since last I saw you."
Shu answered, "Yep," and then laughed.
"Mori, my old friend," said Shu's father as he spread his arms out to hug Mori.
As they hugged, Mori laughed and asked him, "How have you been old man?"
"Old man?" replied Mina's father, "Why I'm as fit as I was ten years ago."
Mori smiled at him and said sarcastically, "Yeah, I bet," and then they both laughed.
"I hope it wasn't too dark out there for you, Mori," said Mina.
"Are you kidding?" replied Mori, "I've known the way to your house by heart ever since before you were born, squirt."
Tsi looked curiously at Mori. This was the fist time he had ever seen a walan up close.
"I hope I wasn't a burden to you, sir," said Tsi.
"Not at all," answered Mori, "I like getting out of the neighborhood every once in a while. Just try not to make it after sundown next time. You never know what might be lurking around out there at night."
Mori reached into his bag and pulled out a thermos.
"Don't get me wrong," he continued, "I can take care of myself just fine, but I'd rather not have a confrontation if I can avoid it, you know?"
Mori twisted off the top of the thermos, placed it upside down on the small coffee table before Tsi, and then poured the green fluid inside of the thermos into the tiny cup.
"Here," said Mori, "drink this and you should feel much better."
Tsi grasped the cup and raised it to his lips. As he drank from it, he nearly choked due to the elixir's bitter taste.
"Now make sure you drink all of it," said Mori.
When Tsi was done drinking, he could feel an intense tingling sensation filter its way throughout his entire body. As it did, Tsi was surprised to witness everything down to even the deepest of his wounds become nothing more than a few simple scratches.
The speed at which Tsi had regenerated completely baffled him. He had never witnessed such magic, even during his training as a Terrian. He looked up at Mori and asked, "What is this stuff?"
Mori answered, "Actually, I can't pronounce the name, so I just call it Green Elixir."
Tsi stumbled as he tried to stand up.
"Careful," said Mori, "Green Elixir heals wounds, but it won't restore your stamina. That's going to take a good night's sleep."
Then Tsi turned his head to look at Mina as she stood up beside him.
"A bath wouldn't hurt, either," she said, "and I could have those cloths mended for you by morning."
"While she's doing that," said her father, "I have some cloths that I think will fit you, if you don't mind wearing a Miner's clothing."
Tsi wore a blushing smile as he said, "Dare I say no?" and then laughed.
"Shu," continued the old man, "go prepare the guest bed for our friend."
Shu responded, "Yes, sir!" and then ran into the back of the house.
"I'll prepare your bath," said Mina, and then she moved on to do so.
"Well then," said Mori, "I'd better be getting back home before it gets too late."
"I actually have the day off tomorrow," said the old man, "so maybe I'll pay you a visit."
Mori responded, "That'd be great. You and I have a lot to catch up on. It'd do us good to get together and talk."
"So, tomorrow then?" asked the old man.
"I'll look forward to it," answered Mori.
The two friends said their goodbyes, and then Mori headed home.
In the town of Loru, there are many buildings, some tall, some short. There are also many houses, and the Mayor's house that stood tallest of all deep within the town, all of it surrounded by lush forests and tall, beautiful rock formations. Loru is also the hometown of Mina Cheng, a sixteen year- old girl living with her father and her younger brother, Shu in a little house outside of the town's main structure.
Mina usually liked to spend her days around the house. Her father was becoming old, and he wasn't able to take care of himself as well as he used to. But although she was the only one in her household capable of keeping things organized, she liked the way things were.
Mina was a very sweet girl. Whenever she could make the time, she was always trying to help someone. The town's children loved her, and there wasn't a single man in town that wouldn't kill to be with her. She was kind, responsible and very beautiful. With long, black hair and deep blue eyes that shone more brilliantly than the purest sapphire. There was no questioning why so many people loved her.
On a beautiful day in Loru, the town's people were buzzing about over the news received three days ago that the village of Myet had been destroyed. Because they were the closest town to Myet, many of the people living there were very worried about their safety.
Mina was at Mori, the herb and produce seller's shop today to get some strawberries for a cake she planned on baking that night. Mori was speaking with another customer about the recent news.
Mori was a short man with a large belly, dark gray skin, and the head of a walrus. He was also very muscular and most people wondered why he was into produce. But all in all, he was a friendly old man. He would give free food to those who were poor, and medicine to those who were sick. He was also a long-time friend of Mina and her family.
Mori had a deep, bellowing voice when he spoke.
"So how have you been as of late, Maya?" asked Mori.
"Oh, I've just been so worried lately Mori," answered Maya, sighing "this whole thing about Myet has me so shaken up, I can barely sleep at night. I don't want my children to ever have to experience such an awful thing."
Mina stepped up to the counter and set her basket full of strawberries on it.
"You know Maya," Mina began, "I highly doubt that we would become victim to such an attack, even if we are the closest thing to Myet."
Maya responded, "How can you be so sure? Even on foot, it would only take about three or four days to reach Loru from Myet."
Mina answered, "That might be true, but think about it, there aren't many towns besides us that even know about Myet, let alone want to attack it. We're known by many other districts for our rich mineral resources and our beautiful surroundings. If someone attacked us, it would make much more sense. But whoever attacked Myet not only went to the great trouble of finding it, but also must have had a much more complex reason for attacking it. After all, Myet has almost nothing to offer to anyone except for the Terrian warriors."
"That's right," included Mori, "and even then, Myet isn't the only place with a Terrian living in its limits, and there hasn't been any other strange attacks before or since then. Whoever attacked that village must have had a much deeper reason than something as materiel as getting rich."
Maya sighed in relief as she said, "Maybe you're right. Thanks you two, your both such good people."
"No need to thank us," said Mina.
"Yeah, think nothing of it, ma'am," added Mori.
"By the way, Mina," Mori continued as Maya left the store, "How's your father doing? Him and I haven't spoken in quite a while."
"Oh, you know Papa," answered Mina, "stubborn as always."
Mori laughed as he replied, "I hear that. Poor old guy not wanting to feel his age?"
"Yeah," answered Mina, "I know he doesn't want to retire, but this just isn't a fit lifestyle for him anymore. The man is going to be fifty-seven in a couple of days and he's done absolutely nothing but work in the mines all his life. I understand that he wants to take care of us, but if he keeps this up, he's going to burn himself out."
"Mm, hmm," said Mori, sternly, "I know. We walans live a lot longer than you humans do, so I can't exactly say that I know how your father feels. But, if I were in his place, I imagine that I'd probably feel the same way."
"It's been hard for him to bring himself to relax since Mom died," said Mina, "I can sometimes hear him talk to her in his sleep. I betch'a she could get him to hang up his hat and come home."
"Yeah," said Mori, "no doubt about it, your Mother was an amazing woman. Some would swear that that girl was a genuine gift from God. Frankly, I agree with them."
Mina replied, "I know my dad loves us, but it's just not necessary for him to work so hard anymore."
"I know," said Mori, "Keep trying, Mina. That's all you can do. You have your Mother's spirit in you. If anyone can bring your father to his senses, you can."
Both Mori and Mina smiled at one another.
"Thanks, Mori," said Mina. "Ah," replied Mori, spreading his arms out wide, "just get over here and give me a hug, squirt."
Mina and Mori both bent over the counter and gave each other a nice, big hug.
Mina stood up and asked, "So how much for the strawberries, Mori?"
Mori answered, "Ah, take 'em. It's been real slow here today anyway."
"Oh," replied Mina, "Well thank you."
"Nah. Here, give this to your brother," said the walan, tossing a Mango toward Mina, "and tell your father I said hi."
Mina responded, "Thank you, I will."
They both say goodbye, and Mina heads off for home.
Mina had a little time to spare, so she decided to take the scenic route home. She loved it when she got the chance to take this route. She enjoyed watching the waterfalls run off of the steep, blackened rock patterns and listening to the sounds that accompanied such scenery. But most of all, Mina enjoyed this route because it reminded her of her Mother. She and her Mother used to always walk together along this route. They would talk about everything here because this was their private place to go. This route was the place that Mina found out that she was going to be a big sister, the place she was told about 'the birds and the bees', and the place that she learned how to say 'spaghetti'. Mina sometimes wondered what other things they would have talked about on this route if her Mother were still alive. It had been three years since she passed away, and there wasn't a single day that Mina didn't miss her.
However, Mina was going to have to put her memories off to the side, for as she came off of her route, she was astounded to discover the Terrian warrior, Tsi lying unconscious on the ground. He was dirty, his clothes were tattered, and his entire body was covered in cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
Mina gasped at the sight of the young warrior and kneeled down to check his pulse.
"He's alive," she said, relieved.
She was wondering how she was going to help him. She couldn't possibly go back to town, it was much too far, and it would be getting dark soon. She decided to go to her house, seeing as it was much closer.
"I'll be right back," she said, and as she began to run off, she turned and said sarcastically to Tsi, "Don't go anywhere, ok?" and then continued quickly back to her house.
When Mina got home, her brother, Shu was there to greet her. But in her hurry she passed him up without even acknowledging him.
Shu shot a glare at his sister and said, "Gee, happy to see you, too," in a plain voice.
Mina didn't notice him for she was trying to locate their wheelbarrow and couldn't find it.
She then turned to her brother and asked him, "Shu, do you know where the wheelbarrow is?"
Shu answered, "That's what I was trying to tell you when you completely ignored me. I made it into a pirate ship. Do you wanna see?"
Mina gave her brother the lazy eye and asked, "Why don't you just tell me where it is."
Shu looked off into the distance and pointed.
"I put it up on that tall hill," he said, "I wanted to wait 'till you got home before I set sail."
Mina's face took on a frustrated look and a giant sweat drop appeared over her head. She then, with her eyes closed and an angry look on her face as well as a cross-vein symbol on the side of her forehead, grabbed the back of her brother's shirt and dragged him along while she walked back down the road.
Shu, confused, asked Mina, "Hey! Sis, where are we going?"
Mina answered, "Since you ruined my first idea, you're going to help me with my new one."
The two siblings came to find Tsi still unconscious, Mina being thankful that he was still there.
"Whoa!" exclaimed the young Shu as his sister stood over Tsi's head, "Who the heck is this guy, Mina?"
"I don't know," answered Mina.
"What do you mean, 'you don't know'?" asked Shu.
Mina bent down and placed her hands under Tsi's shoulders.
"Grab his feet," she ordered.
"Grab his feet!?" exclaimed the younger sibling, "Mina, you can't possibly be thinking of taking this guy to our house? We don't even know him! He might be dangerous, and he's got a sword!"
Mina then looked up at her brother.
"He needs our help, Shu," she explained, "We can't just leave him here."
The look on Shu's face shifted from surprised, to panicky.
"C'mon, sis," he began, "shouldn't we at least let Dad know first?"
Mina hoisted Tsi's torso up on her arms.
"Are you going to help me, or not!?" she shouted.
"Oh," wined Shu, "Alright, but if Dad blows a gasket, your on your own."
Both Shu and Mina took to an end of Tsi's body and carried him back to their house. Their father was waiting for them when they got there and he was very relieved to see them.
"Mina! Shu!" he called to them, "I'm so glad you're both safe. I was beginning to worry..."
The old man paused as he noticed that they were carrying someone.
"What!?" he exclaimed, "Mina, who is this boy?"
Mina answered, "I don't know, he was unconscious when I found him."
Her father then asked, "Well then why did you bring him here?"
Mina continued, "He's been hurt, and it would've been sundown by the time we got him to town."
Her father then said as his two children carried Tsi into the house, "Well you could have at least told me beforehand."
Then Shu said to his father, "That's exactly what I told her, Dad."
Mina ignored the remark.
"Here," she said, "put him on the couch for now."
Mina and Shu set Tsi down on their couch as their father called Mori on the telephone. Mina went to the kitchen, came back, and then sat next to Tsi with a bowl of water and a towel.
She then asked her brother, "Shu, could you go get the disinfectant for me?"
Shu replied, "Got it," and then ran off.
Her father then walked into the room as Mina was rinsing off Tsi's arm and told her, "Mori's going to be here soon with something to help our friend."
Mina responded, "Good. If anybody can help, he can."
Shu then came back with a bottle in his hand.
"Here you go," he said, handing the bottle to Mina. She thanked him, and then poured some of the disinfectant on the end of the towel.
As soon as Mina pressed the towel to Tsi's arm, Tsi immediately woke up, shot off the top of the couch and up into the air, shouting, "Owwwww! That stings! That stings! That stings! That stings! That stings! That stings! That stings!"
The entire family was startled at Tsi's outburst. Tsi landed sitting upright on the couch, grabbing his arm.
"What'd you do that for!?" he asked, loudly enough that it made Mina flinch.
"I'm sorry," she answered, "I was just wanted to make sure that your wounds didn't get infected."
Tsi's face took on a remorseful look as he said, "Sorry I yelled."
Tsi looked curiously around the room before asking shyly, "Could you please tell me where I am?"
Mina answered, "Your in the town of Loru. You were unconscious when I found you. My brother and I brought you here after that."
"Then," Tsi began, "may I ask who you all are?"
Shu then stood up and smiled as he introduced himself.
"My name's Shu Cheng," he said, "and I'm the youngest. Nice to meetch'a."
Mina then smiled at Tsi.
"And I'm Mina," she said to him, "Our father has called someone to bring something for your wounds."
Shu addressed Tsi and asked him, "Who are you, mister?"
Tsi looked forward and lowered his gaze.
"My name is Tsi," he said, "and I come from the village of Myet, or at least what's left of it."
Everyone gasped in surprise.
"But wasn't Myet destroyed a few days ago?" asked Mina's father.
"Yes," answered Tsi, "Three days ago, it was attacked and destroyed by a horde of demons that burned it to the ground."
Mina took on a sad face as she said, "That's awful."
"My fellow Terrians and I tried to fight them off," continued Tsi, "but we were outmatched. They all fell victim to the demon horde, and now I'm the only one left."
"You're a Terrian?" asked Shu.
"Yes," answered Tsi, his face making him look as if he was about to cry.
The entire family looked at Tsi and couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
"Poor guy," Mina thought to herself.
Tsi's hand then moved from his arm to his knee and his eyes took on a hateful look.
"I was knocked unconscious during the battle," explained Tsi, "and by the time I woke up, it was already over. I gathered up what little supplies I could find and came here on foot. I'm now on a quest to seek out whoever did this to my village and pay them back for it."
Though she didn't know this man, after seeing the hatred in Tsi's gaze, Mina couldn't help but believe his story.
Everyone was startled by a loud knock on the front door. Shu got up and said, "I'll get it." He opened the door to reveal Mori with a carrying case hoisted over his shoulder.
"Hello everyone," said Mori with a smile.
"Hi, Mori," said the young, Shu, "How are you?"
"I'm quite alright, Shu," answered Mori, "I see you've grown since last I saw you."
Shu answered, "Yep," and then laughed.
"Mori, my old friend," said Shu's father as he spread his arms out to hug Mori.
As they hugged, Mori laughed and asked him, "How have you been old man?"
"Old man?" replied Mina's father, "Why I'm as fit as I was ten years ago."
Mori smiled at him and said sarcastically, "Yeah, I bet," and then they both laughed.
"I hope it wasn't too dark out there for you, Mori," said Mina.
"Are you kidding?" replied Mori, "I've known the way to your house by heart ever since before you were born, squirt."
Tsi looked curiously at Mori. This was the fist time he had ever seen a walan up close.
"I hope I wasn't a burden to you, sir," said Tsi.
"Not at all," answered Mori, "I like getting out of the neighborhood every once in a while. Just try not to make it after sundown next time. You never know what might be lurking around out there at night."
Mori reached into his bag and pulled out a thermos.
"Don't get me wrong," he continued, "I can take care of myself just fine, but I'd rather not have a confrontation if I can avoid it, you know?"
Mori twisted off the top of the thermos, placed it upside down on the small coffee table before Tsi, and then poured the green fluid inside of the thermos into the tiny cup.
"Here," said Mori, "drink this and you should feel much better."
Tsi grasped the cup and raised it to his lips. As he drank from it, he nearly choked due to the elixir's bitter taste.
"Now make sure you drink all of it," said Mori.
When Tsi was done drinking, he could feel an intense tingling sensation filter its way throughout his entire body. As it did, Tsi was surprised to witness everything down to even the deepest of his wounds become nothing more than a few simple scratches.
The speed at which Tsi had regenerated completely baffled him. He had never witnessed such magic, even during his training as a Terrian. He looked up at Mori and asked, "What is this stuff?"
Mori answered, "Actually, I can't pronounce the name, so I just call it Green Elixir."
Tsi stumbled as he tried to stand up.
"Careful," said Mori, "Green Elixir heals wounds, but it won't restore your stamina. That's going to take a good night's sleep."
Then Tsi turned his head to look at Mina as she stood up beside him.
"A bath wouldn't hurt, either," she said, "and I could have those cloths mended for you by morning."
"While she's doing that," said her father, "I have some cloths that I think will fit you, if you don't mind wearing a Miner's clothing."
Tsi wore a blushing smile as he said, "Dare I say no?" and then laughed.
"Shu," continued the old man, "go prepare the guest bed for our friend."
Shu responded, "Yes, sir!" and then ran into the back of the house.
"I'll prepare your bath," said Mina, and then she moved on to do so.
"Well then," said Mori, "I'd better be getting back home before it gets too late."
"I actually have the day off tomorrow," said the old man, "so maybe I'll pay you a visit."
Mori responded, "That'd be great. You and I have a lot to catch up on. It'd do us good to get together and talk."
"So, tomorrow then?" asked the old man.
"I'll look forward to it," answered Mori.
The two friends said their goodbyes, and then Mori headed home.