Chapter 3
The Search
"Luz! Luz!" Amity called out from on top of her palisman, flying throughout the forest.
"WHEH!" Holding on to Amity, King let out a burst of his magic sound wave towards the trees below. "Luz! If you can hear that, follow the sound of my voice!"
The two stayed silent for a moment, hoping that this would finally be the time that Luz would answer them back and they could all be reunited, but still there was no response.
They'd been searching for hours now but there was still no sign of her. After meeting back up with Eda – and after Amity was informed that they were currently on the body of another titan – Amity and King took off to explore the side of the river that Eda had not yet searched. They made three whole passes across the length of the river before they decided to search the surrounding trees, hoping that perhaps Luz had managed to pull herself out and was limping around the forest.
As the hours passed, Amity started to feel her optimism waiver. There were so many fearsome looking creatures here, some of which had tried to attack them on sight, that she shuddered to think what would have happened if Luz ran into them. What's worse, the mouth of the river led to a waterfall that fell right off the edge of the titan itself. If Luz had been carried all the way down there…
"We're… we're going to find her. Right?" King scared voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Y-yes. We won't stop until we do!" Amity tried to sound confident, to reassure the young demon, but she couldn't stop the slight crack to her voice.
Eventually, their designated meet-up time had come and King and Amity returned to the portal door, just as Eda had arrived as well. Amity could tell at a glance that she hadn't found anything either.
"You kids rest up for a bit. We'll head out again in a few. There's still plenty of sunlight left."
The two nodded solemnly as they sat down on nearby rocks and logs. Ghost exited her staff form to lay on her handler's lap, but it did little to brighten Amity's mood. They sat in silence for several minutes, no one saying a word. Amity didn't trust herself to start talking without breaking down again.
A low roar echoed from the trees a fair distance away. It sounded different from the monsters that had attacked her earlier, but it still made her jump all the same, a reminder of the monsters out there that Luz may need help dealing with.
"Come on. Let's get back in the air. We'll do another pass of the river and then search deeper into the trees." Eda said.
The two kids nodded, getting up on their feet, but before they could take to the skies again a high pitched squeal got all of their attentions.
"EEEP!" The voice had clearly come from the same direction as the earlier roar. Amity took off almost immediately, with King hanging on to her shoulder. Eda followed and within seconds of flying, came across the source of the noise.
A large creature, one that looked similar to those human lions Luz had shown her before, was cornering a small pink ball of fluff. Instead of a mane of hair, this lion's mane looked to be made of stone with several small antlers protruding from it. A silver spiked mace was seen at the end of its tail.
The creature stalked closer to its prey, a round pink furry creature, even smaller than King. It had absolutely tiny arms and legs, though its long ears seemed to double as a second set of hands, which it used to hold a small club with a face carved into it as its only form of defense.
"Stay away! Nene knows how to use this!" The small thing shouted. The lion responded by easily swiping the club out of the tiny thing's ear-hands, nearly snapping it in two. "Eeep! Nene lied. Nene knows not what she's doing. HELP!"
The pink creature dropped face-down on the ground, shielding her head with her ear-hands as the lion pounced. Before it made contact, a large abomination slammed into its back, pinning it in place as Amity landed before its prey.
"Are you okay?" Amity asked. It looked up at her happily for only a moment before her eyes fell on King.
"Aah! Monster! Help." She cried, shielding her eyes again.
"I'm not a monster! I'm a demon!"
"Aah! Demon! Help." She yelled again, still keeping her eyes shut.
"It's okay. King's harmless." Amity said.
"When I feel like it." He grumbled.
"So… demon friend not going to eat Nene?"
"Don't worry. You're safe now." Amity tried to reassure, until the angry looking lion managed to break free of the abomination goo. She raised her staff, ready to defend the small creature again, until Eda landed right beside the beast, knocking it out cold with a hard whack of her staff.
"King. Boots. A word please." Eda demanded. The two walked over to her and she got them into a huddle out of earshot of the fluffy creature.
"You can't just go around revealing yourself or your magic to random people in a new world. Even if it is a second titan." Eda admonished.
"What? Why not? She was in danger. I had to help." Amity said.
"We don't know if witches exist here, and clearly King freaked her out. Trust me, as the only one here who's traveled to other worlds before, not everyone out there is as accepting of other-worldly beings."
"It's what Luz would've done." Amity argued.
"Luz is from the human realm. She'd probably be just as worried about sharing that information as I am." Eda said.
"Not if it meant saving someone's life." King said, which Eda did have to acknowledge was probably true.
"Are friends talking about Hom Hom girl that fell in river?" Everyone jumped in shock from the pink creature that had somehow squeezed her way into their huddle without them noticing.
"Do you mind. We were having a private conversa-" Eda cut herself off when she fully comprehended what was just said. Amity and King realized it as well as they all began questioning her at once.
"You saw Luz fall?"
"Where is she?"
"What happened to her?"
The little creature jumped up and down happily. "Yay. Nene's been searching for friends of Hom Hom girl.
"Nene was fishing by the river earlier when heard big splash. Nene look and see Hom Hom floating down the river, barely moving. Nene followed her, but not knowing how to help. River nearly drop Hom Hom off Bionis, but Nene caught glimpse of patrolling pod of Bird People flying above.
"So, Nene pull out trusty gunberry and fire in their direction like flare. They come down, I direct them to Hom Hom, they pull Hom Hom out of water."
"Oh titan. I didn't even get half of that." Eda groaned, rubbing her temples. "Do you have to talk like that?"
"Meh-meh? What friend mean?"
"So, Nene was it?" Amity asked. After getting a nod in response she continued, "You saw Luz fall. So you got the attention of these big… birds? And they managed to pull her out? So where is she now?"
"Hom Hom was badly hurt. Bird People say they had to take her to hospital for treatment. Bird People live on head of Bionis. Big floating city built there. Hom Hom friend must be there!" Nene said.
"So she's alive!" King cried out happily, tears already flowing out in relief.
Amity couldn't control her emotions either as she gave Nene the biggest hug she could muster. "Thank you so much Nene."
"Same here furball. And now we've finally know where to search. To the titan's head!" Eda prepared Owlbert for takeoff, before remembering the very warning she just gave King and Boots. "Which we will walk to. Because flying on a magic staff around here would be crazy… right?"
"Wait. Before friends leave for Bionis head, um… could friends help Nene return to village? Big Feris broke biter of Nene." She said sadly, holding the fractured remains of her strange weapon.
Amity looked towards Eda and King, all of them clearly uneasy about delaying their search for Luz any more than they had to.
"Um, how far away is your village?" Amity asked.
Nene turned and pointed at the biggest tree in the whole forest. One that Amity had been able to see from nearly anywhere in the forest. And also one that would have been quite a bit of a walk away.
"Village of Nopon is inside big tree over there." Nene said. Apparently she noticed the indecisiveness on their faces as she quickly added, "but trip would benefit friends too. Village home to shortcut to Eryth Sea. From there friends can get to Bird People city. Much faster than walking too."
But not faster than flying there, which they could do if they didn't have Nene hanging around them. However, Amity knew that with how many monsters were lurking around this forest, Nene's chances of surviving on her own were slim.
After a moment's thought Amity looked towards Eda and King. "It's what Luz would do."
Eda let out a long sigh. That settled it then. "Okay fine. Lead the way Nene."
The trip to the village of the Nopon, as Nene had called herself, was long though relatively uneventful. The path leading towards the giant tree had a few creatures alongside it, and most were docile, content to just leave them alone. Unfortunately, there were a handful of monsters that insisted on fighting them when they happened to walk near, and that led to some uncomfortable questions from Nene after the fights were over.
"What kind of ether attacks are friends doing?" The Nopon asked after they finished battling another hungry Feris looking for dinner.
"Ether?" King asked before Eda could step in with a good excuse. Hopefully that's not something that should be common knowledge here.
"Yes. Mouth attack of King is made of ether, no? Dadapon can do attacks like that too. Nene never seen big goop monster before though? Where Amity learn that?"
"Oh of course. That's ether alright. It's pretty normal where we're from." Eda said.
"Which is here on this titan of course," King added.
"Just very far away from here." Amity finished.
"Oh. Are strange pointy ears of friends also normal in your village?" Nene asked, confirming to Eda that there aren't any witches in this world.
"Ya, sure. Let's go with that." Eda said.
That seemed enough to satisfy Nene for now, though Eda kept thinking over what she'd just learned. Their magic looks just like this ether stuff? Is that just a different word for magic, or is it something else? Yet apparently witches don't exist here, but humans do? Or at least human-like beings as Luz seemed to pass as a Hom Hom around here. That's something she'd have to keep in mind when they eventually reach this bird person city.
Eventually, the group finally reached the base of the massive tree where Nene's village was located in. The sun was just starting to set. They'd been on this new titan since early morning now. She could tell that the kids were starting to get tired, but also knew that none of them were willing to rest until Luz was back with them.
"Friends. Welcome to Frontier Village!" Nene cheered as they entered inside the giant tree. The tree had been hollowed out and houses were all built into the tree's walls. Wooden steps led up all the way to the top of the tree where, according to Nene, housed the village chief and the shortcut to Eryth Sea.
Before they could make their way up there, they made sure to drop Nene off at her family's place first.
"Nene! There littlepon is! Where Nene run off to all day- aah! Monster!" Shouted the larger Nopon as she took notice of King. Well, "larger" relative to Nene at least. Eda had assumed the small size of the pink furball had just been due to her age, but it seems clear now that Nopon are just naturally short. This adult, likely fully-grown Nopon before her was still slightly shorter than even King. At six foot, five inches (while in her stylish boots of course) Eda had to crouch down a bit just to enter the Nopon mother's home.
"King not monster. King friend. And look. Nene brought fish for dinner. So now mamapon not need borrowing from chief." Nene said, opening her pack to show her catch to her mother.
This had the opposite reaction than what Nene likely expected as her mother roared in angered. "Meh-meh! Nene went out to woods by self? How many times has Oka warned littlepons about dangers of the woods? What would happen if Nene got gobbled up by big monster? Did Nene think this through at all!"
"That almost did happen if we didn't show up in time." Eda added. This garnered an unhappy look from Nene, and even King and Amity.
"Way to throw her under the bus." Amity said.
Eda raised her hands defensively, though not losing her grin. "What? It's good to remind her. It'll help her learn to be more careful next time."
"You three save life of littlepon?" Oka asked. At Eda's nod, Oka jumped up and down, shaking each of their hands in gratitude. "Oh, thank you. Oka cannot thank friends enough for helping foolish daughterpon escape danger."
Nene broke down in tears at Oka's words, instantly softening the angry mother's glare. Instead, the older Nopon rubbed Nene's back, using her actual hand for once.
"Nene, it's okay. Nene is safe, and now knows better than to go into forest alone. Everything is good now."
"No, everything not good now. Because dadapon still missing, all because of Nene's selfishness." Nene cried out, before running off to a nearby bedroom and shutting the door tight.
"Nene!" Oka cried out. She gave a sad sigh afterwards.
"Is Nene going to be okay?" Amity asked giving a concerned look to the sad mother.
"Nene been feeling sad and guilt ever since her dadapon left. Won't stop blaming self no matter what Oka tells her."
"What… what happened to her dad?" King asked. Looking down at the young demon, Eda could see how gloom he appeared and she knew instantly how much he was sympathizing with Nene right now.
"A few days ago, Nene and her little brother and sisterpons were very hungry, so Nene led them to village kitchen and helped selves to large feast. This racked up enormous debt for me and my husbandpon.
"My husbandpon is the Heropon of our village. Husbandpon is great warrior who handles many issues that fall upon village. Has taken many quests to slay strong monsters to protect village. In return, village chief reduces debt for each completed quest.
"One day, group of Hom Hom travelers arrive to village on grand adventure to Eryth Sea. In order to fully pay off debt to village, husbandpon was to join them in quest to save all of Bionis.
"That was a week ago now. Nene still blames self for what happened, so constantly tries to make it up to me by gathering food by herself, without help from chief.
"So the dad left… in order to protect his family? His whole village?" King whispered, a sentence that was meant only for himself, but Eda was able to barely make it out. He kept directing his gaze at the door Nene ran into as he processed everything he'd heard.
Eda saw as he walked towards Nene's room. She allowed him to leave, deciding that he probably planned to talk to Nene in private. In the meantime, there was still the more pressing issue to worry about.
"Hey, Oka was it?" Eda asked, getting the elder Nopon's attention. "We're actually here to talk to your chief…"
"Hey, Nene. Are you okay?" King asked after a quick knock on her door.
"King?" Nene opened up her door, clearly not expecting to see him there. "Yes. Nene is sorry for break down earlier. Nene just get sad when remembering that dadapon is gone."
"It's okay." He said as Nene allowed him inside. They both sat on some wooden seats within the room. "Your mom told us about what happened. You really miss him huh?" King asked to which Nene nodded in response. "What was he like?"
"Dadapon was best dadapon ever. He so funny and make all the littlepons laugh. He strong warrior who took down many large beasties. And never yell at his littlepons, even when we do bad things." Nene shared with a smile. A smile that quickly fell as she looked down at her broken club, a biter as she called it.
"He sounds nice. And I'm really sorry he's not here with you now. I know how that feels. But you know, at least you know that this is only temporary. He'll be back one day. And he's only gone to protect you and your village. So he's still acting as your hero. And all those happy memories of him. That all actually sounds kind of nice." King said, earning a small smile from Nene.
"King really think so?"
"Yes I do." He exclaimed before he's mood turned sorrowful. "I wish I could have something like that too."
"What King mean? Where is King's dadapon?"
"I don't know. He's been gone all my life. I don't know where he is, or why he left, or if he's even still…" King trailed off never willing to finish that sentence.
"Oh. King don't be sad. You make Nene sad too. I'm sure your dadapon didn't want to leave you."
"That's what I try to tell myself too. But I'm not sure I believe it. I've tried contacting him, getting a message out and hoping he'll see it and come find me, but I've heard nothing back so far."
"No. Nene's sure that King's dadapon not like that. You know why?" King shook his head, not sure where she was going with this. "Because he's King's dadapon. And dadapons are always supposed to look after their littlepons. No matter what!"
"Haha," he laughed, already feeling better from her joyful optimism. Just like Luz would do. "Well, there are all these drawings I found that make me think he might have been some kind of warrior. I like to imagine he's like your dad; off on some grand adventure to defeat some big evil in order to keep me safe."
"Yes! King's dadapon probably off on grand adventure with other band of heroes to stop bad guys."
"Ya! Because he defeated an ancient monster long ago, but it's threatening to rise once again."
"So he had to go on quest to obtain Great Sword of Legendaryness to defeat bad guy once and for all."
"And he kept his son safe and sound in a remote tower so that his enemies couldn't use him against him."
"And when finally done, he'll return to his littlepon with all the treasures he gathered as apology for leaving."
"And then we'll be together forever. The End!" King cheered before the two broke down in laughter. It took them a few seconds for them to compose themselves enough to continue talking.
"Thanks Nene. I hope your dad comes home soon too." King said before the Nopon girl gave him a big hug that he begrudgingly returns.
From the other side of the slightly ajar door, Eda quietly walked away, a warm smile on her face. She'll let the two kids talk a bit more while she and Boots meet the village chief.
Eda was glad that King was able to keep his spirits up while thinking of his dad. The warm feeling only lasted a moment though, knowing that he could just as easily be setting himself up for disappointment. She knew the world wasn't as optimistic as these kids thought.
For now, she decided to leave him to his daydreams, though she planned to have a more serious talk with him about it when they're back on the Isles.
All she knew for sure though was that King's dad better have a damn good reason for why he's been gone when and if he ever comes back. If he doesn't mention something along the lines of 'I was being held prisoner' or 'My memory got erased' then she'd give him hell to pay.
Oka led Eda and Amity up the steps of the village, near the very top of the tree itself. The mere climb itself was arduous, especially for Eda in her high heeled boots. Oh the sacrifices she makes for fashion.
They finally arrived to a single wooden hut sitting in the middle of a raised platform.
"Chief Dunga. There are outsiders here that wish to speak to you." Oka called from outside his home.
What came out was the largest Nopon Eda had seen, standing up to Eda's stomach. He was grey-furred with intricate robes. He had a large beard and mustache, as well as some of the longest hair she'd seen. And she doesn't just mean relative to a Nopon for once as it nearly came up to her face.
"Greetings outsiders to Frontier Village! I am Chief Dunga, head of the village. What is it you wish to speak with me about." Thank titan, at least this Nopon speaks almost normally.
Amity gave a dignified bow. "Thank you, most respectable Chief Dunga for honoring us with your presence. We are here to humbly request-"
"Can you get us into Eryth Sea or no?" Eda cut in.
"Eda!"
"What? You were taking too long."
"Why yes. I have agreement with Emperor of Alcamoth to allow those I see fit into Eryth Sea."
"Emperor!?" Eda gave an agitated groan. "Great. So there's just one guy up there that holds absolute power?"
"Not to worry yourself. Emperor Sorean Antiqua is considered by many to be the kindest emperor in history of High Entia."
"Ya, I'm sure he is." Eda mocked. This got a soft elbow in her side by Amity, trying to get her to stop talking. Eda just rolled her eyes at the young witch's naivete.
"Still, High Entia can be a bit wary of outsiders. Is there exact business that you have with them?"
"It's my girlfriend, Luz. She fell into a river in the forest. Nene was able to get two guards from the head of the Bionis to save her. We're just trying to get her back. Do you think the High Entia will allow us entry for that?"
Dunga nodded, "Oh yes. High Entia are suspicious but are not heartless. If your friend is healed, they will surely release her to you."
"They better. 'Cause we're not leaving there without her." Eda looked towards Amity to see that they were actually on the same page this time. They shared a determined nod, an unspoken agreement that they'd do whatever it takes to get Luz back.
"Very well then. If you are ready then I can make preparations to send you to Eryth Sea."
"Hang on. We just need to go grab-" Eda cut herself off to the sounds of heavy wheezing behind them.
Turning around, they saw King slowly make his way up the final steps to the chief's floor before promptly dropping straight on his back, gasping for air. Chief Dunga looked at King curiously, though at least he didn't actually seem scared of him.
"Can't… you… get… an… elevator… here?"
"Oh good, King's here. Alright Chief. We're all ready now. Where are we going?"
"Entrance to Eryth Sea is found at Apex Lake, at the very top of the tree."
"Aargh!" Eda, King, and Amity all cried out in frustration.
After another hundred steps, which thankfully wasn't nearly as long as the trip before, Chief Dunga led them to the very top of Frontier Village.
A very small clear lake was situation in the middle of the giant treetop. The lake itself was quite shallow, even for the tiny Nopon that would be using it.
Chief Dunga stepped up to a small path leading into the lake. With a raise of his hands, a large blue sphere of water formed just above the lake. A pillar of water shot from the orb a second later, leading all the way up to the sky. Or at least what Eda thought was the sky.
"Wait. Is that Eryth Sea?" From the top of the enormous tree, Eda was close enough to the "sky" to see that it wasn't the sky at all, but a large bed of water somehow being held aloft above the entire forest.
"You are correct." Chief Dunga said. "Sea held up in place by strong ether energy. Almost impossible to pass through from below, except by this special ball of water. It will shoot you straight through sea onto Latael Shore!"
"What? Right through the sea? We'll be boiled alive!" Amity exclaimed, greatly confusing the Nopon chief.
"Haha, just ignore her. She just says weird things sometimes." Eda said. Crouching down to whisper in Amity's ear, she said, "I don't think that sea's boiling. They have seas like that in Luz's world too."
Amity took another look at the floating sea. Well, it certainly seemed far more serene than the hectic currents of the boiling seas back home.
"Okay. We're all ready then. Thank you again Chief Dunga." Amity said. The trio prepared to step into the glowing orb before a familiar voice interrupted.
"Wait!" Nene shouted. They all turned to see the young Nopon rushing towards them, holding something tightly in her ear-hand. "Friends. Please, take this before leaving."
Nene handed over a letter to Eda's hand. On the front it spelled out:
To: The Best dadapon in the world, Riki
From: Nene
"Nene not know if dadapon is still in Eryth. But if friends run into him, please hand over letter. It very important!"
"Alright. If we happened to find him that is." Eda said, depositing the letter inside her hair.
"Thanks again Nene for all your help." Amity said.
"And thank you King for cheering Nene up!" She gave King a quick hug in response which King returned back.
"Ya. Same here." King said as the two broke the hug. "Bye Nene."
The three waved before they finally entered the glowing orb. Inside felt like being inside a spherical fish tank, though they were still able to breathe normally. After a few seconds, the orb suddenly shot up towards the sky, taking them to their destination, and also one step closer to finding Luz.
A/N: I did not expect this chapter to be as long as it did. There was just way more stuff to put in than what I expected.
Hope everyone enjoyed the S2B premiere. Unfortunately, I don't have cable so I'll have to wait until it becomes available through purchase before I can watch it.
For the few people that actually played Xenoblade Chronicles X, I hope you were able to notice the small reference I put it from that.