Hello everybody and thanks for waiting for the next chapter… three in fact. I'm really excited to continue this despite the slow updates.
Reviews are always welcomed and I always want to hear your opinions of the story so far.
Now then, onto the chapter!
Chapter 14: Journey to The Nopon Village
As soon as I left the tent, it didn't take me ten seconds to see Shulk and Reyn rush over to me. I saw Melia and Samuel sitting down looking confused as Sharla yelled at the boys. Dunban was sitting down, having breakfast calmly as I just chuckled at both of them. As Sharla scolded both boys, I snuck out and went over to Dunban's side, ready to eat so we could head off.
"Well, looks like the sleeping beauty has awoken," Samuel said, grinning at me. "My, aren't you a pretty one."
I would have replied, but Dunban handed me some bread and water, which I happily took to have some solids in my system. Also, Melia glared at Samuel before she cleared her throat.
"Forgive him, please," she said politely. "He can be a bit thick-headed when meeting other ladies. My name is Melia, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"And I'm Samuel, Lady Melia's personal escort!" Samuel introduced. His cheek was grabbed by Melia, who glared before letting him go. I smiled, since I did find it a bit of a sibling relationship.
"My name is Neetz. It's nice to meet both of you," I swallowed a bite of my bread. "Sorry for being such a burden. Both of you must have had important manners to attend to."
"Indeed, we do have something important that we had to take care of," Melia began, not changing the tone of her voice.
"But we couldn't let you travel with those injuries of yours. You might have died if Sharla didn't have the time to patch them up!" Samuel smiled before his gaze looked at my bandages, "Are you fully recovered yet?"
"Yes," I took a quick glance at them before looking back at them, "but it's just so I don't injure myself again. She told me I need to wear them, just in case they get infected or something."
"Oh, now that makes sense."
"Will you be able to fight till we reach the village?" Dunban asked me and I shook my head.
"I doubt it. It wouldn't be my best interest to get hurt more than this. I think I'll sit out from fighting until Sharla gives me the all clear."
"I completely understand," Melia stated. "It would be best if you stayed out of the battles. We've already been waiting long enough, and I think we'll head off to the Nopon Village today."
"Um, pardon me Melia, but could you enlighten me on why we'll be heading there? If it's not a bother to you or anything."
"No problem! It's totally fine, beautiful!" Samuel smirked. "You see, if you are to reach the Bionis Head, you will have to pass through the Eryth Sea. If you wish to get to the Eryth Sea, you'll have to go to Nopon Village. Do you see it now?"
"Yes, thanks for informing me. It helps me a lot, Samuel…"
"Samuel, you need to learn that just flirting with other girls won't do you any good when you're suppose to be protecting me," Melia retained her emotionless face as Samuel just ignored her, "I am protected by an idiot, just my luck."
"Hey, it's not that bad." Melia looked at me with a questionable look on her face, "Most of my cousins are boys, so I'm used to this stuff."
Looking at Melia, who sipped more of her drink, I couldn't help but get a picture of both of their characters. Melia's the stuck-up brat or princess type that has a falls in love at first sight deal. Samuel is the flirty boy who wants all the girls expect for the one he's with or something like that. If I'm correct, then things would either be a fun trip or go downhill with these two. The two seemed to be talking about personal things to themselves, but I took note of how odd their hairstyles were. Sure Melia's hair could make sense, but why would Samuel have the weird hairstyle? Was it common for the Homs of this area to have that hairstyle? I didn't want to question them, so I continued to eat what little remained of my breakfast.
"Were you that hungry?" Dunban asked me.
"Well, Sharla rarely let me eat anything solid," I replied, finishes my breakfast. "So I'm really happy to finally get at least bread into my system."
"Wouldn't that just make your stomach more upset?"
"Hey, it beats just having soup everyday, so I don't care. Also… I told Sharla about this thing."
"Really? So you're good with her offer?"
"Yeah, but I'm still debating on whether or not to tell Shulk and Reyn yet. I would have told them sooner, but with my injuries stressing them out, this wouldn't be the mess time would it?"
"Maybe wait until things die down, then you can tell them."
"That's what I'm planning Dunban."
Our small talk was cut off by Reyn's yelling, causing us to look over and see what was going on. It looked like they got Sharla mad and the four of us in safely sighed, or in Samuel's case laughed at them. Maybe my gut feelings were right; things like this will make this journey a whole lot better.
We left soon after that and I hung out with Sharla and Melia in the back, out of harm's way so my injuries wouldn't get any worse. The boys were finishing up more quests and keeping guard on us as we continued our way towards the village with Samuel leading us of all people. I wasn't quite keen on being escorted, but with my current injuries it was the best thing for me. While talking with both girls, I couldn't help get a strange feeling about Melia, it's odd, but it felt like I knew her somehow. Of course I shrugged it off, thinking nothing much of it as we continued to talk or more precisely Melia asking me questions.
"So, Neetz, why are you traveling with Shulk and the others?" she asked me. "I've heard everybody else's reasons, but not your own."
"Oh, that... Well, when Shulk and Reyn started their journey, I decided to be..." I thought for a moment before figuring out the exact way to put it, "a babysitter of sorts. Since most of my cousins are boys, I could tell they would get into problems if they went alone. That's why I'm here, Melia."
"Really? Because it seems like you've been the main problem for this whole group."
"…How so?"
"It's just a feeling, but I got a feeling that its because of you when you were brought into the camp. Now don't get me wrong, we haven't gotten to know each other properly, but that's how I see it as of right now."
What she said made me think when Shulk called for Melia's help with something, leaving only Sharla and I alone.
Is that true? Have I caused more problems than the boys? Well, I guess that's true. Maybe I should be more careful.
"Neetz, is something wrong?" Sharla looked at me.
"Oh! Sorry Sharla, just thinking about some things," I replied, faking a smile.
"Alright, but if something does start to bother you, don't be afraid to tell me."
I nodded just as I heard Samuel call for me, which caused us to see an elevated walkway up into a tree. A Nopon Villager was standing by the walkway as all of us walked to the platform. Looking up, I noticed how high it was going up into the tree and that got me scared. If I could forget my fear of heights by only focusing on what's ahead, I'll be fine. If not, then I might panic a bit. What did catch my attention were the big Cyclops looking creatures just by one of the extension bridges.
"Um…can we get going? " I nervously asked. "I'd like to sleep peacefully in the village tonight and not out here again."
"Aw, looks like we've got a damsel in distress," Samuel popped up right behind me, scaring both Sharla and I. "Don't worry, air maiden! I shall protect you."
Of course, the next thing Sharla did was punch him in the face as I quietly backed up between Reyn and Dunban.
"Don't you ever do that again," Sharla growled as I glanced over to Melia, who just sighed.
We all began the ascent to the village after Samuel's dumb moment. Surprisingly, these bridges were very firmly built, even though they were built for Nopon. Green Ether crystals decorated the pathway as it shined brightly at night – Wait what?
Man, I'm losing track of time already…
Even with that, I focused my attention the big tree. The Nopon, cute little creatures, lived here, inside a huge tree surrounded by monsters. Not only were they cute, but they were smart as well. Aw, it makes me want to have one as a- No! No! No! They are just like us. Not pets of any kind. Why mind why must you forget those simply facts?! Reaching the finally platform, we all stopped as Melia, back to her proper posture, turning to face us.
"This is the entrance to the Frontier Village," Melia stated as I was astonished by the entrance.
Everything I saw was made out of wood, pure wood and by the stairs leading up and perhaps into the tree, huge orange flowers decorated and popped out from the dark brown trunk of the place. There were Ether lights sure, but this entrance was just begging me to explore this place more and more.
"So, are you telling that this is where the Nopon live?" I asked, still taking in all the beauty, "That is so cool!"
Melia nodded and walked over to a Nopon in the entrance. As it saw her, its ear like wings spread.
"Ah! Bird Lady!" It cried out, "Welcome back, Bird Lady."
Bird Lady? I don't see anything like wings on Melia, so why was the Nopon calling her that. An idea popped into my head just from my stupid thinking and being somehow tired.
Wings… on the head-!
No! Not now, you stupid brain! Wings on the head of somebody sound stupid! That cannot possible be true! I quickly returned my focus back to the conversation, wanting not to think of that idea any longer.
"I wish to speak with the village chief. Will you permit us to enter?" Melia requested.
As if in response, the Nopon walked out of our way from the staircase.
"My pleasure. My pleasure," he answered.
"Thank you." Melia turned back to face us, "Now then, I'll take you to the village chief. Follow me."