Chapter 5

Every place she'd come across had the same result. "Race the fastest here, if you wish to stay." the leader would say, "If you win, you may stay here as long as you like.".. And every time it'd wind up the same way. The racers being faster than she'd thought, pushing her to go faster and faster, and to her limit without her realizing it. Every single time, something was destroyed. Every single time she was told to leave, or chased out, or threatened to be killed. And every time, she was forced to go to the next place, searching for her brother all the while. Weeks and years passed, and she had been all over the planet. Been to many places, explored them as best she could. She even went as far as flying across the seas, going to far off lands looking for her brother. Her hope of finding him was wearing down, and it was looking bleak. She was starting to doubt the possibility of ever finding him. She was starting to wonder if he was even alive.

Upon arriving in Holoska, she realized she would have a hard time here. A fire bird in a place of ice and water. Yeah, that'll go well. She sighed as she landed on a huge patch of ice at the ocean's edge. She looked around, it was so white and barren. All she could see around was ice and water. And the occasional feral penguin group waddling by. She sighed, hanging her head. There was no way Ember would be here. Still though, she had to look. She didn't want to leave and later find out he was there and she could have found him.. But at the same time, she knew this place was dangerous for their kind. Ice was frozen water. So was snow. She knew, just from where she had landed that would be around lots, and lots and LOTS of water, solidified or not. Not to mention is was freezing here.

Lucky for her, the cold didn't bother her. She ran hot enough to not be bothered, she pretty much radiated heat. And upon hearing a crack from under her, she yelped and shot into the air, seeing the ice was starting to crack under her feet. She could see the water through the cracks, and she blinked. She'd landed on a extremely thin sheet of ice. No wonder it was cracking. Her weight, combined with the heat she knew she gave off, the reason was clear. She'd have fly until she found solid ground. Or at least thicker ice.

She sighed, flying off again, heading inland. After a while, she'd hit snow. She knew she couldn't stop and play with it, no matter how much she wanted to. If she got wet, it'd be all over. She'd die out here, and nobody would ever know. She'd die alone, without ever seeing her brother again. So, she kept herself moving, not stopping long enough for the snow to touch her. Eventually, she'd found a dark figure in the snow up ahead. It looked like a person, pulling a sled. She flew over, being sure to make enough noise before she reached the person, as to not sneak up on them and scare them.

The figure looked up at her from under it's jacket's fuzzy hood. All that really stuck out from the closed up hood was the person's nose, the face barely visible. Though, Era could tell they had black fur, at least from what she could see. Wouldn't somebody who lived in a place like this have fur to help camouflage them in the snow? She thought in confusion, though she shrugged it off.

"Hello there, pheonix.. Aren't you a long way from home?" The figure asked, the voice being male. "Isn't it dangerous for a creature like you to be in Holoska?"

"Er.. Yes, I am.. And yes, it is.." Era replied, nodding slightly, "But I'm on a mission to find somebody.. Is there a village nearby?"

"Yes, there is. I was headed there myself." The figure replied, "You can come with me."

"Oh, thank you! I can get us there fast, if you just point me in the right direction." Era smiled, glancing around.

He nodded, chuckling as he pointed in the direction he was heading in. "That way."

"Okay!" Era smiled, "Um.. Can you get on your.. Uh.. What is that..?"

"Hm?" The figure looked at his sled, which had baskets of fish on it, before looking back to her. "Oh, you mean my sled?"

Era nodded. "Yeah, that. Can you get on it?"

"Yes, I can." The man chuckled, dropping the rope he was pulling it with and climbing onto his sled, hanging onto the rail. Era grinned, picked up the rope, and then they were off, headed in the direction he had pointed, Era pulling the sled from the air, being careful not to go too fast, or pull the sled off the ground. Soon enough, they were at the village. It was small, one of the smallest villages Era had seen yet, with ten homes, if that. She figured at least one of the structures had be storage, and who knows what else they'd need out here. Probably a strong shelter, in case of blizzards. One of the buildings looked to fit that description, it was somewhat large, and looked very sturdy.

She was surprised to see all of the villagers coming to greet them as they entered the village. She figured they were coming because of the fish, so she payed it no mind as she landed on the snow covered ground. She'd regret that later, she knew, but her wings were starting to get tired and needed a break. The male climbed off the sled, walking to meet the villagers half way. The buildings were close together, and were large enough to block much of the wind that blew all over the open area around the village. Enough, in fact, that the villagers all had their hoods down.

It looked like there different species living here. Two polar bears, a penguin, a walrus, a few white furred foxes, a few mice, and a few super fluffy looking cats. The mice and the cats surprised her. She didn't think they could live in such cold places, but apparently they could. At least, these ones could. A wolf was the last to arrive to the group coming to greet them, and judging by how the others reacted to said wolf, it was obvious she was the leader.

The hooded male from the sled hugged her, and Era assumed they were family. So he was a wolf? First time she'd met one that wasn't a werewolf. Then again, he still very well could be one. They both could be. She just hoped they wouldn't try to eat her, like the last pack she'd encountered.

After exchanges were made, the male walked over with the wolf, wolf smiling warming at her. Upon getting closer, Era could see she was rather old. The pheonix smiled back her, the wolf reaching out and shaking her hand. "Hello, dear. My grandson tells me you're looking for someone?"

Era nodded, "Yes, I am.. Have you seen a blue male pheonix?"

The woman seemed to think a few moments, frowning. "No dear, can't say that I have. I'm sorry."

Era sighed sadly, nodding a bit. "It's okay. Would it be alright if I stayed here a while..?" She asked quietly, "It's dangerous for me to be in a place like this."

The woman nodded, taking Era's hand in both of hers, smiling kindly at her. "Of course, dear. Stay as long you need to. I can't turn a traveler in need of shelter away."

"Oh, thank you." Era was relieved, though she expected the same condition that everybody else gave her. Though, it was never said. Instead, the old woman simply took her to one of the large igloos and went inside with her. A fire was lit inside, and it was surprisingly warm inside the igloo. It confused the pheonix quite a bit. There were fur rugs on the ground, and what looked to be makeshift chairs made out of wood, around the fire pit, though they had no legs on them. A few furs hung on the walls, and two hammocks made out of netting hug from the walls as well, having blankets on them. There were various pans and other things used for cooking, off to the side on a shelf.

"Make yourself at home, dear." The woman smiled, going and sitting in one of the legless chairs by the fire. Era smiled and joined her by the fire.

"Thank you, for this." The pheonix said softly, "I'm Eruption, though, I prefer to be called Era. It's easier to say."

The woman chuckled, smiling at her. "Nice to meet you, my dear. My name is Jenara."

"It's nice to meet you." Era nodded to her, before looking to the fire. "How is it so warm in here..? Like.. I can't even tell it's freezing outside, in here."

Jenara chuckled. "That's because ice is able to hold in heat. Snow, too. Yes, it is cold to the touch, but if you trap yourself in a pocket of it, the pocket will be warm inside."

"Wow, really?" Era asked, eyes widening slightly. "That's so cool!"

"Ice is truely something, isn't it, dear?" The old woman chuckled, "Remember that, if you go out again and find yourself in a blizzard. Dig a hole in the snow, and wait it out."

The pheonix nodded, "Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."

"So.. Tell me about yourself, dear." The woman smiled, "Why exactly are you out here in the first place?"

"Well.. I'm looking for my brother - the blue pheonix I asked you about." She explained, "He was exiled from our tribe a long time ago, and I'm trying to find him. I miss him so much.."

The woman nodded, "I see, I see.. Why was he exiled?"

"...We were racing, and he accidentally destroyed part of our village with a huge burst of speed that resulted in a powerful gust of wind.. Tore up part of our village." Era replied quietly, "He was exiled for it.. For an accident.."

"Well, I would say that's very unfair of your tribe's leader." Jenara sighed, "Very unfair indeed."

Era nodded in agreement. "Our whole village hated us, though, it's no surprise they were so harsh."

"Indeed. I will not ask about if if you do not want me to." The woman smiled, "So, dear, how old are you?"

Era blinked, seeming to think a moment. "I lost track, but, I think I'm 12."

"12,000?"

"Oh, no. Just 12." Era giggled. "I'm not that old."

The woman chuckled, nodding. "Alright then. So, tell me, dear, why do you think your brother is in Holoska?"

"Oh, I'm just covering everything, trying to be safe." Era replied, "I doubt he's here, but I still have to check."

"Oh, honey, no pheonix with a brain would come to live here." Jenara sighed, "They'd die here. You are not safe here, my dear. I suggest you leave Holoska as soon as possible."

"I probably will." Era sighed, "I'll stay a few days and rest, if that's okay with you, and then I'll be on my way."

Jenara nodded, "That sounds good to me, dear."

The male from earlier walked in as he flung his hood down and shook out his hair. It was as Era thought, he was jet black. He was pretty young, too. Looked about 19.

"Ah, Aster, thank you for joining us." Jenara smiled at the boy as he came in and sat down by the fire, peeling off his jacket in the process and setting it by his chair. He had a puffy long-sleeved shirt on under it. What he did next shocked Era. He took off his thick pants, only to have another pair on underneath. A pair that let his tail stick out. Era's first assumption, the one of him being a wolf, was wrong. He was a cat. A black cat, which were believed to bring bad luck.

Era was surprised, and both took notice of this. Aster chuckled, "Sorry if I startled you. I'm not built for the cold, so I have to wear extra layers. I get really hot inside, from it."

"Oh, i-it's okay." Era chuckled nervously, rubbing her arm a bit.

"And, since you're a pheonix, I will assume you are also surprised that I am a black cat.. Creatures believed to be bad luck. Is that correct?"

"Y-Yeah.. T-To what I know, they're outcast from their villages or killed."

"Sad, isn't it?" Aster sighed, shaking his head. "We're not bad luck, but people are superstitious, and believe that we are. Anyway, either of you hungry? I can cook us some soup."

"That would be wonderful, Aster." Jenara smiled, "Thank you. I'm sure our guest is starving."

Era giggled softly, nodding. "I am.. I ran out of apples a day or so ago.. Haven't eaten since.. I'm surprised I can still move."

Aster chuckled, nodding a bit. "I'll get to cooking, then."

The cat then set off to work, getting ingredients and the pot and other things he'd need to cook the soup, before working on preparing the meal.

"Thank you." Jenara smiled, Era nodding in agreement to her. There was suddenly yelling outside, and all three of them looked to the door, as one of the mice from earlier ran in.

"We have an emergency! The ice to the north cracked, and someone fell in! We can't get them out, the ice is too weak!" The mouse cried, and Era shot up from her seat.

"I can get them out. Take me, hurry." She said, mouse nodding and running back out, Era following her quickly on foot. Behind her, Aster was putting his coat and outside pants back on, as he and Jenara followed after them, Aster pulling his sled after him. Soon, they reached the area where the ice cracked. It looked like a lake had been frozen over and somebody tried walking across it, thinking it was safe. Quickly, Era flew up and out over the cracking ice. Some chunks were sinking, or breaking even more into smaller pieces. After a moment or so, she found one of the walruses from earlier clinging to a floating piece of ice, trying to keep his head above water.

Era gulped, the walruses were big. And this guy was too. She just hoped she could lift him. She swooped down and hovered above the water. "I'm gonna get you out, just hang in there." She said, trying to think of something. The ice was too thin here. If she tried bringing Aster's sled over and putting the walrus on the sled, the ice would crack even more and make it worse. She could pull it fast enough so it wouldn't fall in, but while she was trying to get him situated so he wouldn't fall off was another story.

She'd just have to try carrying him back to solid ground. Well, here's goes nothing! She thought, taking a deep breath before floating down, being careful not to touch the water, and hooked her arms under the walrus' and beat her wings harder, slowly lifting him from the water. Jeeze this guy is heavy! She thought, beating her wings harder, until his feet were out of the water, and then high up enough to where she'd be able to get him over the ice. Her wings were able to handle it, just barely, despite how tired they were. The problem was her arms. She wasn't nearly strong enough to hold him on her own. She had no idea how she was doing it to begin with.

She got him over the cracked ice, when her arms started to shake. She was about to drop him, she knew she was. She had to hurry. So despite the fact she knew she might hurt him in the process, she kicked it into overdrive and rocketed them back to the others, waiting where it was safe. Just before she reached them, she crashed, unable to hold him up anymore, the two coming to a skidding stop in the snow before the group of villagers who had gathered to watch the rescue.

At least we're off the ice.. She thought, before just closing her eyes, shaking from the over exertion, and the water that had come off the walrus, and onto her. She slipped into unconsciousness as the villagers loaded her and the walrus onto the sled and pulled them back to the village.

By the time she woke, she was in pain, and shaking, and she found it hard to breathe. She weakly opened her eyes, finding herself back in the igloo, by the fire. She was soaking wet, and felt like thousands of flaming needles had been shoved into her, all over her body. She whimpered, cringing from the pain. She tried her hardest not to cry from it, though a few tears did manage to escape. Hearing the whimper, Jenara and Aster looked over at her, seeming worried.

"Are you alright, dear?" Jenara asked, scooting over to her. "We hoped the fire would help you dry off faster, but it seems it's not helping much."

"I suggested we get those wet clothes off you, but Jenara insisted we let the fire dry you off." Aster sighed, shaking his head. "She was worried you'd freak out and melt the village, otherwise."

This made Era laugh a little. "I'd be freaked.. But I wouldn't do that.."

"Couldn't be too careful, dear." Jenara chuckled. "If those wet clothes of yours are bothering you, I will make Aster leave the igloo for a little so you can undress and dry off, and I will give you some dry clothes in the meantime."

Era nodded a bit. "Thanks, but.. I.. Kinda can't move.." She said quietly, weakly. "Too much water."

Jenara sighed, nodding a bit. "I will help you change, then. Aster, go get one of the other women, to help. I cannot help her on my own."

Aster nodded and put his jacket back on, before running from the igloo to go get someone. In the meantime, the old woman pulled out some clothes and a jacket-dress for the pheonix, figuring she'd be cold after getting wet.

Soon a female mouse came into the igloo, "Aster told me you need my help, Lady Jenara?"

"Ah, yes, thank you. We need to get this pheonix changed and dried off. She cannot move, and is in a great deal of pain. I thought the fire would help, but I guess it's not."

"Alright. We should hurry, then."

Soon, the two had the pheonix undressed and dried her off as best they could. At least Era was beginning to be able to move again, and the pain was dying down to where it was bearable. There was still a little moisture under her feathers, but that would dry on it's own. She got dressed once she could, in the dry clothes that had been given to her, and Aster was allowed back into the igloo.

"Thank you for helping me." Era smiled at the two women, who nodded and smiled back at her, the mouse leaving quickly.

"I'm sorry dear, it seems I should have listened to Aster. Would have saved you some pain." Jenara sighed, and Era shook her head and her hands in a "no no, it's okay!" manner.

"Don't worry about it!" Era smiled, "It's alright. You did what you thought was best, and that's good enough for me."

"Bet you regret calling me a pervert, now, eh, grandma?" Aster laughed, earning himself a pelt to the head.

This made Era giggle, smiling. Jenara looked over at her and smiled, "You have a lovely laugh, dear. Your brother must've made you laugh quite a bit."

The pheonix nodded, blushing a little. "Thank you, miss Jenara.. And yes, he did. We had so much fun.."

"Grandma filled me in. That's amazing of you, to love someone so much as to search the entire planet for them.." Aster said softly, "And to risk yourself like that, to save a stranger.. You're really something."

Era blushed more, shrugging a little. "He's my brother.. I'd fly off the edge of the planet, for him.. And I had to save the walrus.. He was going to drown.. Oh, is he okay?"

"He's fine, he and his mate want to thank you for saving him. But that can wait." The cat smiled at her, before scooping some soup into a bowl for her and handing it to her. "Here, you must be starving."

"Oh, thank you!" She happily took the bowl and started eating quietly. For a while, the three sat talking and eating soup, enjoying themselves. Maybe.. After I find Ember.. We could come back here? She thought, These people are so nice.. They're letting me stay here without wanting anything in return.. This is how it should be.. People doing things out of the goodness of their hearts, instead of wanting something in return.. The other villages could learn from this one.

They'd stayed up well into the night, conversing and telling stories. Though, like all things, the fun had to come to an end, and they needed to sleep. It wasn't unusual for Era to bunk with someone in a host village, though, it was usually a girl if they were Mobian. This time, it was Aster. And she was surprised that she didn't mind. He reminded her alot of Ember, and she felt at home here. She sighed softly, snuggling to the cat in the hammock, drifting off into sleep. The last thing she remembered hearing was him purring softly "You're really warm.. It's nice.."