HoloJourneys

by vanderblast

A fateful encounter with a fluffy sheep inside a castle dungeon, begins a journey that will change the world. In a world of magic, swords, magical spirits and endless possibilities, Anon, sets forth on a journey with his friend Watame to see everything this world has to offer and to find their origins. The journey won't always be easy, but together, they can always make it through.

19. A Forest of Tricks

Here you are, at the forest that has been almost calling to you since you saw it atop the mountain's plateau. You hope there actually are wind fairies still living here. It would be so awesome to meet one!

"Wind fairies? Now why would you want to meet boring little things like that, Anon?"

The voice you recognize all too well by now makes you reach for your sword, only to find that nothing is there. No sword, and no spell book. You turn towards the direction of the voice to find that devious pink coyote sitting upon a metal chair with one leg crossed over the other. Her tail sways hypnotically back and forth behind her, as she stares back at you with those eyes that hide something darker than you have ever known before.

"Back again Koyori?" You manage to say back. Having your voice is definitely a good sign at least. "Don't you think you are just wasting both our time with this game?"

"Oh Anon~ Games with you are never a waste of time." The scientist retorts. "I enjoy every last second of them. If you ask me though. You're the one wasting time. It would be so much better for both of us if you just come and find me in the real world. You wouldn't have to settle for just a dreamy imitation, despite how perfect you made me."

"You're sick! Why would I make you? I'm still pretty sure this is all because of some weird thing you made me drink, or injected into me. Most people don't dream of the same person every night."

"Dreams are only a manifestation of your unconscious desires and imagination, Anon." Koyori states as she brings both feet down to the ground and stands herself up out of her chair. "I'm not surprised that you can't seem to stop thinking about me. I'm not even creeped out. In fact, it's very flattering."

"Hard to forget a girl who tortured you for hours." You growl. "It doesn't matter how you got here. You're still going to leave the same way you did before. I'm not alone anymore. You can't win."

"Oh come now~ No need to shoo me away so soon. We could have some fun together you know~" Koyori purrs as she takes slow, sultry steps toward you, causing you to step back a few paces.

"Your idea of fun is twisted! I want nothing to do with you Koyori." You yell, wishing that she would just disappear before your eyes again.

"And yet. Here I am. Again. You and me. Oh I'm sorry! Would you have preferred the uppity half-elf again? The dream you had about her last night was actually quite the spectacle. I'm a little surprised you didn't take things a few steps further though."

"Nice try. But your mind games won't work on me. Whatever dream I had last night, you weren't there. I don't even remember dreaming now that you mention it." You say smugly, confident you called the coyote's bluff.

"That's a shame. You two were going at each other like wild animals, even though you were both fully clothed…a little juvenile if you ask me. But nevertheless, it made me a little jealous…but I know I'll have my time with you…someday…and when that time comes, there will be a lot less…clothing."

Koyori's tone, her appearance, those hungry eyes, make you lose all the nerve you thought you had. You can feel your legs quiver as you continue to step backward to keep some distance between you two.

Just push her out again. You tell yourself. Take control.

"Oh my sweet, mysterious, Anon. You should know the same trick never works on me twice. Or did you forget how our last mono a mono ended? I'd be more than happy to refresh your memory." Koyori says as she continues to strut toward you.

Where was Watame? Or even Flare? You were just with Watame moments ago…on clouds. You can't fight Koyori alone. Especially without any weapons. Wait! You still have your magic!

"I'm warning you! Back off Koyori!" You bark with your open palm pointed toward the pink coyote as your other hand grips your arm tightly to keep it steady. "I've learned all sorts of new spells. And I don't see your bodyguards anywhere to protect you. So just, stop."

The coyote lets loose a high pitched maniacal laugh that echoes and shakes your entire dream space. The green plains vanish entirely, only to be replaced with metallic silver tiles. You sense something shift behind you. When you turn, the proud trees of the forest you had been so looking forward to exploring are gone. Now the metal bars of a cage seal your escape.

"You really want to fight me Anon? I'm game. But instead of magic, can we wrestle?" Koyori cackles as she continues to take elongated steps toward you. She slips off the white lab coat from her shoulders and lets it drop to the floor. Her fangs glitter in the artificial light of your newest prison. "There's a few positions I've been dying to try with you."

Fear begins to take hold of you. You press and push your mana to the surface. Urging, no, wishing for a torrent of water to wash the coyote away. Nothing comes. You don't even have magic.

"Funny how dreams can work sometimes." Koyori says smugly. "You were so in control before, but now, it's my turn Anon~ My turn to make you do what I want. There's nowhere to run, and there's no one here to save you. Not that you actually need saving. I'm about to send you to…heaven."

"That's not true!" You force the words out. "N-No matter where I am, or how much I'm scared of you, I'm never alone!"

Koyori stops her advance and looks dead center into your eyes. She smiles maliciously.

"You know I do love when you put up a fight. Keep going. Keep talking tough. It'll make it so. Much. Better. When you're squirming from underneath me." She almost hisses as she licks her lips.

You know you're not alone. Watame is right next to you…somewhere…maybe that's it! If you can't put Koyori somewhere else, but you can bring someone to you.

All your thoughts focus on the fluffy sheep that always comes through for you. Now, even in dreams, it would be no different.

You open your eyes slowly after trying to will your friend to your side with all your might. Still only Koyori stands in front of you, her eyes darkened with deranged desire. She scans the area back and forth before she lets out an unsettling giggle.

"Like I said Anon. The same trick never works on me twice. You know me so well after all~ You knew I love to see you try and fail anyway, so you indulge me. You really are my perfect research subject."

You almost believed her. You almost thought your efforts were in vain. It turns out, she may have those pointy ears, but they aren't tuned to music like yours are.

The scientist continues to babble and prattle on about your supposed failure, but each word becomes more and more drawn out by another's voice. Watame's voice. Her singing has come to your rescue like it did the first time you were actually in Koyori's clutches. It brought you back from the brink of being completely lost, and it protects you once again. That wonderful song of healing she sang just for you that day. Fills the entire space created by your subconscious.

Koyori looks to finally notice that whatever she is saying to plunge you deeper into despair is not reaching your ears. You watch her look around, twitch her ears, and even hold her hands around her mouth as she tries to yell something at you. Nothing that deranged coyote is trying to say is given any sound.

You stand triumphant as you watch her struggle to guess what has changed. Without her venomous words to mess with you, she is practically harmless. You feel your courage returning to you. The power of the sheep's melody makes you feel safe again. Nothing can stop you with her voice cheering you on.

Koyori is now stomping the ground in anger as she begins to throw one of her temper tantrums. This is a side of her you can easily handle. The second she feels like she's lost control, she completely folds.

With an outstretched open palm, you unleash a gale of wind that carries her up and away. You can make out that she's screaming something at you, but you smile as you can't hear a single word of it.

With one of your demons beaten back for another night, you breathe a sigh of relief and look around.

"A change of scenery would be nice. Can I go back to the clouds, or the forest? Space? Maybe?" You ask whoever might be listening, but immediately feel stupid for doing so since this is very much your dream.

"Space? I knew I liked ya when I noticed you!" A woman's voice pierces through the fading melody of Watame's song.

A ring of bright light forms from the center of the room and quickly expands. Everything the ring's perimeter passes changes to the vast majesty of the cosmos. As the world from under you shifts, the laws of gravity disappear along with the metal bars that sought to contain you.

Now that you have experienced flight in the real world, you can appreciate the subtle difference between it and total weightlessness. With countless stars and planets to explore again with the remaining time you have in slumber, you happily will yourself to begin your travels.

The vastness of space seems to be truly endless, but it also feels so comforting. Maybe because you are truly on the same level as the stars you admire and that help to fuel your own magic? You never gave much thought to why you could use starlight mana before, but now that Flare and Polka have told you how exceptionally rare it seems to be, you are faced with even more questions about yourself. This might be the perfect place to start finding some answers…if they can even be considered that. Would anything you experience or find out here even be real? Koyori felt very real at least.

In an effort to try and learn more about the stars themselves, you float yourself right up to the next one you see. A simple five pronged star twinkles its white light in front of you. A slight touch from your finger causes the shape to shimmer and glow before it breaks apart bit by bit; its sparkling specks gather around your hand. You inspect your hand curiously as it glows slightly from the lingering light of the star that you might have just destroyed. It's not all that dissimilar from how it looks after you store a charge from your Stellashield spell.

Something compels you to try something. You open up your closed hand towards the cosmos and with your thoughts, urge the light you have stored to come back out, to take on a new shape and a new life. You wouldn't let it make its journey alone, urging your own mana of starlight to the surface, you expand the glow that begins to pour from your hand. Shaping water has been tough for you so far, but maybe, just maybe…

Two separate streams of silver-white light venture forth from your palm and swirl against the sparkling cosmos. The star you had touched returns to its original form, shining even brighter than before. A second star now floats beside it, sporting nine prongs that stretch proudly outward. You have got to make sure you try this when you're awake sometime, the girls would love it.

"Heyyyy not bad at all little guy!" The voice you now definitely recognize from earlier echoes behind you.

Startled, you quickly turn to find the owner of the voice, and you are met with a beautiful, but also very intimidating sight.

The choco skin colored woman whose face you remember from the first night you drove Koyori off from your dreams, sits on top of a planet as if it were her throne with one of her bare legs crossed over the other. She could be as big or even bigger than a mountain. Her top, if you can call it that, is a simple piece of white fabric cut into the shape of an upside down heart, and looks to be barely containing those absolute planetoids that she calls her chest. How the ends of the cloth manage to stay tied to the white choker around her neck by that thin looking blue ribbon without either end of fabric just snapping, could only be explained by this being a dream, where ANYTHING is possible.

A deep blue that almost matches the landscape of space, looks to begin at her midsection, and end right between her legs, as you can make out by the almost see through white frill covering that stops just at her hips. What also appears to be the bottom part of a short gown covers her hips but is completely open in the front. It is a very appealing shade of blue and looks to be decorated with small white dots to illustrate stars. The cream colored twintails you remember cascade more than halfway down her body.

She looks at you with those bright golden eyes with a smile, as she rests one side of her face against the knuckles attached to the arm that sits propped up thanks to a suspended asteroid.

"Excuse me? What's not bad?" You ask, not even sure if she would hear you from all the way up there.

The woman looks down at you with bemusement, eagerly waiting for…something. She probably really can't hear you…or is just ignoring your question. Why is she ignoring you? This is your own dream, she's just some made up person. Let's see if her tune changes after you change the scenery a little.

With your arms crossed, you close your eyes and focus everything back on the forest you stood before just moments earlier. You open one eye slightly to see if anything has changed, but the endless horizon of the cosmos remains. Again, you try to forcibly change the setting of your own dream, your tapping foot on the empty backdrop of space increases as your patience wanes.

Still nothing around you changes.

"I don't get it." You say aloud to yourself. "I thought I had full control over everything now…"

As you continue to ponder your strange situation, the cosmic woman leans downward, and the next thing you see is a gigantic hand coming straight toward you. Fueled by panic, you attempt to get out of the way of the approaching palm, but you suddenly find yourself unable to fly like you're used to. You try everything, kicking, throwing yourself, swimming, but you barely move an inch before you are scooped up by the silky gloved hand.

Without any weapons, spells, or magic, you can do nothing but curl up like a frightened mouse as you are lifted what must be miles upward. The speed at which you are being carried through space is almost staggering, you clench onto the fabric of the white glove you sit on, in hopes you don't fall off.

The universe ceases moving around you as you notice yourself come to a full stop. You open your eyes hesitantly, more than a few unpleasant ideas begin to race through your head for how this dream can end for you. The trauma of a psychotic coyote girl wanting to explore your insides was more than enough for you. You really did not need to add the fear of an interplanetary woman crushing you instantly between her fingers to that.

Once you let yourself look at those sparkling golden eyes that appear to have the very stars shining within them, a lot of your fear washes away. You are still a little frightened and breathing heavily…but you at least don't feel like you are in immediate danger anymore.

"Ummm…hello?" You greet nervously, still unsure exactly who, or what holds you in their clutches.

"Hi! Can ya do that again!?" The girl asks quickly in an excited tone.

"D-Do what?" You try to clarify.

"Make a star again! I really liked the extra prongs on the one ya made before. You have your own style! It's cute!" The woman says back.

You swallow deeply. Can you do that again? It only came to you because you could already feel a star's energy in your hand, but then again…what choice do you have at this point? If you could wake up, the trip up here should have done that already…just what the hell is going on?

"Uhh s-sure!" You say, trying to gather your confidence.

With a deep breath, you bring your mana to the surface once again, as your hand shines a bright white. The shape of a star travels from your mind and into the magical energy that begins to shift and mold itself above your palm. With a final push, a simple three pronged star appears in front of you.

The small, bright, celestial body spins around, your own creation captivates you.

"You really did it! I knew ya could!" The woman says proudly to you. "This is so great! It's even different from the last one! Can I see it? Please?"

You only nod and lift yourself up to a full stand as you raise your outstretched arm, so that your cosmic guest can better look at what you have made.

Her other hand turned upwards enters your vision, as her extended pointer finger somehow takes the newest star in the galaxy from your hand onto it. She brings her hand even closer to her face as she examines the tri-pronged orb of light in detail.

"It's so bright and pure!" She squeals. "I knew you would be fun to watch. There aren't a lot of people on your little planet that can do this. This easily made my night!"

"Thanks? But who are you?"

"Oh don't worry about that for now! Hey! Do ya want to learn some astrology!? I can teach ya. It will be fun. I promise." She says as she flicks her finger gently to send the star you made to its own place in the galaxy.

"I think I should know the name of the girl whose hand I'm currently standing on." You say flatly as you cross your arms. "And I also think I deserve an explanation for why you had to scare the pants off me last time."

"If I tell you the answer to both those things, will you let me show you some astrology?" The girl then asks with a hopeful smile.

"Sure, but I don't know what you can possibly teach me. You're just someone I made up right? How can someone in my own dreams teach me about something I don't even know about myself?" You shrug.

"Well if you did make me up. I'd say you got some pretty good taste. Though I'm a little surprised you didn't make me a little shorter." The woman giggles.

That notion brought a little heat to your face. The star and space motifs are clearly something you might like to see on a girl, and she definitely was pretty, but making her big enough to hold you in your hand? Really? How would that even work when it counts? Would it even need to? Maybe you simply made this girl up to admire a woman that is large enough to protect you from anyone and anything. Or maybe she could just pick you up and carry you around? That sounds sort of comforting. Probably not as comfortable as nestling between those monstrous planetoids of hers…and that's enough of that.

"Calm down silly~ You're gonna supernova at this rate." The woman laughs again at your expression. "I'm not sure exactly what you are thinking, but I was joking with ya. I'm my own gal."

"If I didn't actually make you up, then what are you?" You groan, growing tired with the lack of answers within your own dreams.

"You can just call me an observer. If it helps, my name is Sana."

"Okay. Sana. If you're just an observer, how are you in my head? Why are you in my head for that matter?"

"Because you're interesting!" Sana says with a bright smile. "I kinda like to watch people who can do magic like you can. Now! About that astrology lesson. We should get a move on before you wake up."

"You still didn't give me an answer for why you felt the need to scare me the other night."

"I just thought it would be fun. You went off like a frog in a sock!" Sana chirps. "Come on then, times a wastin. Someone who can do celestial magic should know a thing or two about the stars right?"

"I guess so. But can you really teach me all that? Actually, if I don't know astrology to begin with, how would a galaxy I made up have any real similarities?"

"Who says you made this galaxy?" Sana counters.

"It's my dream though."

"Yeah."

"So this is taking place in my head."

"Sure is."

"So my brain made this galaxy and all the stars and planets in it."

"Nah."

"What do you mean 'Nah'?!"

"Crikey you're a stubborn one. How about this then? I'll teach you about a constellation I think you'll really like. And then, after you're back in the waking world, you can find it yourself and you'll believe whatever I tell you from now on." Sana says.

"Fine." You say after contemplating it for a moment. "How will I know I'll see you again though? To be honest, you've only appeared along with this whole space dream after I had to deal with Koyori. It's not exactly an experience I want to keep repeating."

"But hanging out with me should be a good reason to keep getting rid of the pervy coyote! Right?!"

"Yeah. As if my own sanity and sleep was not enough of a reason." You scoff. "It sounds more like I'm only trading one master of my dreams for another…"

"Awww don't be like that. This will be fun. Promise. Now let's go!" Sana says with glee as she stands on top of her planetary throne.

Before you can voice any more questions or protest, the white gloved hand curls its fingers over you, and begins to shift you around forcibly until you are nestled between the base of the index finger with the thumb pressing against your chest.

From your new seat, you see the galaxy zoom past you when Sana makes a jump towards the horizon. You don't even have time to fully register what is happening to scream in panic before you come to a full stop, which causes your upper body to jerk violently back and forth.

"We're here!" Sana chirps as she brings you up to her wide eyes. "Still in one piece yeah?"

""Somehow…" You groan as you feel yourself fighting off nausea. "A little warning next time would be nice."

"Nah. You would have just started asking questions anyway. Ya gotta wake up soon ya know? Now look over there." Sana says as she turns you away from her and faces your gaze towards a specific collection of stars.

"See those four over there? One starts wayyyy up high, and then the next is just a little further down, like going down a hill. From there, we keep going downward at the same angle until the next star and then, Whoop! We go straight down to the one below it. See it?!"

You try your best to follow Sana's instructions and you do make out a simple collection of four stars in the pattern she describes. If you were to connect them with a line like you can with the seventh spell, it would almost look like a sloping pathway that drops directly down at the end.

"I think I do. What is it though?" You ask.

"Aries! The constellation of the ram. Pretty cool huh?!"

"The ram?" You repeat, the intent behind Sana showing you this particular constellation is not lost on you. Watame will probably be ecstatic to learn that there's a collection of stars that she shares some sort of connection with. "And why exactly did you want to start with this one specifically?"

"You're the one who likes sheep." Sana replies immediately.

"True. But how do you know that?" You retort.

"Hard not to know when you dream about dancing with one. You were glowing brighter than the sun during that one. It was really cute."

"I don't remember inviting you to watch that…" You snap. "My dreams are supposed to be private, you know."

"Sorry sorry!" Sana says genuinely. "When you dream is just kinda a good time for me to talk to you. This is gonna be great for you I promise! Show that sheep what I just showed you, and you might get that kiss you were about to get before your brain went Whoop! Fast forward!"

"I find it hard to believe you want to teach me astrology just so I can kiss girls." You say, trying to brush off how you secretly hope Sana is right.

"Is that not a good reason?" The cosmic woman asks. "It's not the only reason I want to teach you. Ya got some rare magic little guy. I like to see people who have that gift really be able to understand how amazing it is. So, is our deal still on?"

"I guess I got nothing to lose at this point. I get the feeling you'll be back in my dreams whenever you feel like it anyway, so I might as well accept it."

"That's the spirit! Now, how bout a shake?" Sana chirps as she holds her index finger toward you, waiting for you to take it.

A little ridiculous, but also strangely nostalgic. This wouldn't be the first time you've struck a deal of sorts with a being you couldn't be fully sure actually exists. You put all your faith and then some into the pact you made with Undine that night. This girl at least deserves the benefit of the doubt, you suppose.

"Sure Sana. It's a deal." You say gingerly as you grip the tip of that digit that is as big as you are, and shake it up and down slightly.

"Great! I'll see you next time! Remember Aries okay? It might help you out!" Sana exclaims as her finger in front of you radiates a blinding white light, before it completely engulfs your vision.

Back in the world of the waking, your eyes dart madly back and forth. Instead of the countless planets and stars you were expecting, all you see is the colorful interior of Polka's tent, and Undine resting peacefully in the sleep pack next to yours.

What a strange series of dreams. It feels like your head is spinning, as you try to make sense of it all. The thing that somehow makes the most sense is dancing with Watame on clouds…or it's just the part you liked the most. You wonder if you can make that a reality. Surely magic can help you step on clouds. Speaking of your favorite sheep, you can hear her blissfully sleeping behind you. The rise and fall of her soft breaths brings your attention back to fully enjoying the embrace of the fluffy sheep.

You let yourself just enjoy the comfort of the sheep's body close to yours. Unfortunately, your enjoyment is cut short by a different bodily urge.

Thankfully, Watame isn't as used to keeping whatever she's sleeping with in a death grip like Flare is, so you can easily and quietly slide yourself out. Free and standing, you make your way out of the tent while everyone else still slumbers.

You are met with the light of a new day just starting to color the world. Already, the members of the Talonclaw tribe begin to awaken and take down their tents, so that they can begin their travels to a new settling place. You quickly do your business in a spot that gives you privacy before you hurry back to your own tent.

With everyone still sleeping, you take the opportunity to change into your normal clothes and to equip yourself. Your wanderlust is in full throttle today. That forest is calling your name, and you don't want to keep it waiting any longer.

Gently, you jostle the sleepy sheep from her slumber. Her eyes open slowly as Watame registers your face, which brings a big smile to her own.

"Morning Watame. How'd you sleep?" You ask with a grin.

"That's my line." The sheep says groggily as she yawns. "Did I help keep the bad dreams away?"

"Not only that, but you helped make some pretty good ones too." You say as you stroke the top of Watame's soft head. "Thanks Watame."

The fluffy sheep squees from your touch as her cheeks start to pinken. Your whole experience with Sana might have you feeling a little drained mentally, but it sure beats waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. That is more than good enough for you right now. One step at a time after all.

"I got a pretty powerful itch to get moving again. So I'm gonna wait outside while everyone gets ready. Can you start waking up the others for me, Watame?"

Watame smiles widely, and her eyes sparkle with determination as she gives you an enthusiastic nod. You give her a smile of your own before taking your leave from the tent and waiting outside.

While you continue to watch the nomads pack away their final things, Undine is the first to emerge from the tent to greet you.

"Morning Undine. Ready to start wandering again?" You ask.

"Quite so. I am eager to see what comes of this forest you've felt drawn to. I take it you slept well?" Undine says as she joins you by your side.

"Pretty well. Yeah. My dreams are starting to get a little high maintenance though." You decide to open up.

"How so? Is the method for ensuring a peaceful sleep not sufficient in some way?"

"I don't think anything's wrong with that. Someone I've never met before keeps showing up though. Does the name: Sana, mean anything to you?"

"Sana? No, I'm afraid I don't know anyone by that name." Undine says regretfully. "Is this person causing you some discomfort?"

"Well it was worth a shot…and no. Not really. It's probably actually nothing. My brains still probably working through some stuff thanks to Koyori. I guess I'll have a better idea of it all tomorrow anyway."

"As you say, summoner. I am quite proud that you are taking my advice to heart. You are truly becoming a grand partner." Undine says warmly.

"Thanks for looking out for me." You say through reddening cheeks. "I'm really lucky I got a friend like you Undine. I'm really lucky to have all my friends."

"Likewise." The water spirit resounds as the chatter of the rest of the girls can be heard approaching the tent flap.

"Early rising again?" Polka groans, as she is practically shoved out of the tent by Nene.

"I didn't hear any complaints when I said we were going to leave at the same time as the Talonclaw." You snicker. "You were there when they said they were going to leave at first light."

"You're not the one who has to fit an entire tent in your hat first thing in the morning…" The circus fox grumbles as she shoos her giggling friends further away from the tent, so that she can turn her hat towards it and command it to shrink and funnel into its sitting place.

"Yeah, that looked pretty difficult just now." You tease.

"I just make it look easy." Polka says with a twirl of her hat as she tosses it to fall neatly on top of one of her ears.

"Now that we're all packed, let's go!" Watame cheers. "I can't wait to see where Anon wants to take us!"

"Now that Watame is hyping it up so much, it better be worth it, Anon." Flare adds playfully.

As you are about to talk back to the cocky half-elf, you feel someone tap you on the back gently. You turn to find Mayla, her daughter clung to her leg, and even Elder Ruumal at her side.

"I am glad to find you all awake. It would be unfortunate if we had to leave before giving our proper goodbyes." The Talonclaw elder starts, his cloudy eyes having a distinct shine to them to match his cheerful expression.

"I'm glad I got up before you all left." You say back. "I want to thank you and all of the Talonclaw for how much you've helped us."

"Says the young man who helped slay the monsters that plagued our lands, AND even helped our tribe prepare for our next journey." Mayla says with a smile. "I am glad that we were able to offer you some assistance towards your own journeys. Many of the tribe have told me that their hearts soared when they heard of your connection to the winds."

"The lessons of the great eagle, are ones I hope will continue to carry you safely." Elder Ruumal half bows. "There is also one last token of our gratitude that we would like to extend to you all. Come."

The three Talonclaw bring you to the far end of the settlement pointed toward the east, where a set of three plains surfers that Watame talked about riding are laid out.

"Please use these to help you to reach the forest you wish to see." Ruumal instructs. "Mayla tells me quite a few of you have taken to one of our oldest forms of leisure."

"Even though we are bound for different places, the wings of the Talonclaw can still help you on your journey." Mayla adds pridefully.

"This is awesome!" Polka exclaims. "We can probably cross the plains before the morning ends with these!"

"And I can take Anon grass surfing!" Watame cheers.

"Are you sure it's alright for us to take these? They look like really good sails, and I doubt we will need them once we reach the forest." You ask, unsure if you could accept such a generous gift.

"If you want, you can leave them at the forest's edge. I'm sure we will pass by there again at some point. Or perhaps another wanderer might find them when they are to be guided by the winds." Mayla offers.

With no other reasonable way to have misgivings over their gift, you happily accept and prepare to leave what was once the current settlement of the Talonclaw nomads.

Elder Ruumal gives you and your friends a final polite goodbye before being escorted by Mayla's daughter to the rest of the tribe before he is seen as missing for too long. Mayla gives you and each of your friends a strong hug goodbye. After all you've been through the past couple of days, it was easy to forget you did in fact save the life of her and her child, so the unexpected contact caught you off guard at first. It serves as a further reminder for all you are striving for; to be someone who can protect people, so they can live the way they choose, with those they love.

"May guiding winds always be at your back." Mayla gives as a final goodbye before turning back to join the rest of her tribe.

"So how do I actually ride one of these things?" You ask the group as you pick up one of the discs you are meant to stand on.

"I'll show you Anon! You can ride with me!" Watame practically demands as she picks up the mast and sail that go with your riding platform.

Seeing Watame so excited makes your own excitement build. Flare looks a little less enthused as Polka and Nene try to explain how this contraption is supposed to work. This just got twice as fun.

Maybe even three times as fun, is what you are thinking as you glide along the grassy plains aboard the wooden surfer you stand on along with Watame. You admit you weren't sure just how well this could work, but when the sheep instructed you to join her and to hold onto her tightly by the waist, you were willing to try anything if it meant getting to do that.

Hormonal thoughts are quickly blown to the side as the wind suddenly picks up and sends your little standing surfer along the plains. The feeling of the rushing air through your hair as the verdant blades of grass whiz by you is invigorating.

It somehow makes you feel just as free and unstoppable as when the winds that carried you down the mountain, but there is also a degree of certainty with the ground only being a step away. It urges you to want to move even faster, and as if to answer your call, the wind behind you picks up even more as it blows into your unfurled sail.

Watame's uplifting laughter fills your ears, as she bends slightly back and forth to carve your surfer through the grass. You watch Undine and Nene having the time of their lives on their ride, while Polka is having way too much fun twirling and spinning from the sail mast, much to Flare's dismay. The poor half-elf sits firmly down on the back of the wooden disc, her hands clenched to the edges to keep herself grounded.

With the wind propelling you forward over the rolling hills, you see the forest you've set your sights on get closer and closer. You may be having a lot of fun gliding along the grass like it was water, but the idea of finally scratching that itch you've had is too powerful to keep unscratched for any longer.

Watame turns the sail and has you both shift your weight in its opposite direction to slow you down to a halt before reaching the forest's edge. Undine and Nene are the next to slide forward before stopping and stepping off to join you. Polka, still giggling, only slows down her speed just enough to let the wooden platform bump against one of the trees, which earns a yelp from Flare who now grips on the mast shaft for dear life.

As you all leave the borrowed surfers resting against the sturdy trees, you take a good look at the forest you have been called to. They remind you more of the vibrant and almost mystical look the trees in the elven kingdom have. Very slim and tall, but their bark is a solid and bright brown. The greenery of these trees sport an impressive emerald hue like you remember seeing shine from the mountain top.

"So? How about it Anon?" Flare says as she appears to finally have gotten her legs to stop wobbling from under her, as she walks to your side and looks into the forest. "Feel anything different yet?"

"Hmmm" You hum as you cross your arms in thought. You stare deep into the forest through the small break in the trees. After a moment, you find your answer.

"Sure do!" You chirp.

"Ooooo~ So it's something after all." Polka remarks as she squints her eyes to peer deeper into the woods, perhaps hoping to spot something.

"What is it Anon!?" Watame exclaims, as she practically bounces with excitement next to you. "Do you feel the fairies?! Undine's sister!? Is there something tasty growing in there!?"

"I feel." You start.

Polka and Flare lean over slightly to hear you a little more, while Watame and Nene just look at you excitedly, and Undine smiles with amusement.

"Like I really want to explore this forest now!" You grin triumphantly.

Flare's immediate groan is overtaken by Polka trying to hold in laughter because of the half-elf's exasperation with you. Watame and Nene can only giggle slightly at your enthusiasm.

"Nene does too!" The bubbly blond cheers as she takes one of your hands and begins to skip into the greenwood with you in tow. "Let's walk together just like we did in Bjornholm, Anon!"

"Okay okay! Slow down a little Nene!" You say through building excitement and laughter as you try to pick up your speed so you're not being pulled so hard.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Watame cries as she hurries to catch up behind you.

"Let's get going, Flare! Remember what happened last time we left Nene and Anon alone in the woods?" Polka snickers as she hooks her arm around one of the half-elf's and the other around Undine's as she begins to follow along.

"Don't remind me…" Flare sighs. "I also should have known that nature nut was going to say something like that too…"

"You knew what you were getting into~" Polka snickers.

"You're stuck with him too, you know." The half-elf retorts. "Poor Undine is literally stuck with him forever though."

"Does that also make you both stuck with me?" Undine asks smugly.

"You bet!" The fennec beams. "Come on now, we're falling behind! Those three can really kick it into high gear when they get excited!"

While Nene pulls you along, you really start to take in the brand new woodland you have walked into. Thick, hearty grass that grows up to your ankles covers the ground, cushioning every step you take. The trees are among the most interesting you've ever seen. Most don't go straight upward, instead they curve and wind as they ascend, and even split off into two and sometimes even three separate mighty trunks that reach for the skies. Your mind wanders back to the idea of forest fairies, and how they probably like to sit on the perfect seat upon the trees that the split in their branches creates.

Would you even be able to spot fairies if they are around? They could end up being pretty small, you better keep your eyes and ears open.

The peaceful serenity of the forest and the vibrant greens are happily complimented by the various yellow, white, and purple flowers growing in all manner of spots. Watame and Nene seem to be just as enamored in the wonder of it all as you are, you almost forgot that Nene was still pulling you along by the hand, and seems to have no intentions of letting you go anytime soon.

Nene's eyes sparkle as she spots something on a nearby tree, and hauls you both just slightly off the straight path you've been walking on. A large, brown horned beetle rests peacefully against the tree bark, which completely captivates the girl whose hand you hold.

The joy this simple forest insect brings Nene makes you already glad that you made the trip here. The fact that this picture of cute femininity loves bugs so much, only makes her more interesting and endearing to you. You can't say you have as much of an interest in bugs, but you do enjoy seeing what different animals live in different places, you should do the same for the insects as well.

"Have you seen one like this before, Nene?" You ask, as you eye the beetle more closely, but are careful not to get too close, as to not scare it away.

"Yes! We have brown horned beetles in Bjornholm, but this one still different! Bjornholm beetles have big horns like shovel, good for digging. This one has horns good for fighting! They strong and sharp!" Nene begins to explain with enthusiasm.

"The insects around this region seem more adapted to the softer soil of the plains." Undine adds as she joins in observing alongside you. "It is all connected, summoner. The state of the elements where living beings make their home, dictates almost all of this. To understand how creatures live in an environment, is to better understand the nature that created it."

This was a surprising time for a lesson, but you never thought about it that way before. You are usually so focused on the more pure parts of nature itself, you never stopped to think about the lifeforms that make an area their home, and how it all fits together.

A light breeze then passes by, causing the beetle to leave its resting spot, as it spreads its wings and soars along the air current towards the plains.

With her attention focused on the leaving insect, you let go of Nene's hand and take another long hard look at your surroundings. If these woods are really home to wind fairies, how might the two have adapted to one another? You just got to find out more!

"I think I get what you're saying, Undine." You reply with renewed focus. "Let's keep exploring! I want to see what else we'll find in this forest."

Happy to keep moving, everyone leisurely walks along the pleasant woodland with you. Nene and Polka have paired off and started talking about what you have to assume are circus routines, somewhat fitting that the fennec found a willing assistant who happens to be able to don bear ears and claws for herself. Flare is having some much needed one on one time with Watame behind you. As much as you and the fluffy sheep missed each other during your rite of ascension, you can tell she missed the half-elf almost as much, not that you are keeping score or anything.

Speaking of one on one time, you are immensely enjoying your walk through nature alongside Undine, who now floated beside you in her spirit form. While she was able to retain her physical tie to the world without much of an issue in your absence, she expressed how she was ready to not have to exert the effort into walking for a while.

The deeper you go into the forest, the more you think you hear a faint giggling. When you try to hone in on it, you can't pinpoint a direction or even proximity, as if it wasn't truly there. Polka and Flare seem content to assume it's just a trick of the wind. Which you would be more than willing to accept, if not for the other strange occurrences.

Flashes of a pale green light reach the corner of your eye every few moments or so, but when you turn to find their source, everything looks still and undisturbed. You make an extra effort to look around the thicker trees without straying too far from your straight pathway through the forest, but you don't even find any traces of any animals that could be the source of the movement you swear you can see.

You begin to lag behind the group a little as you become adamant about finding the source of the strange movements and sounds. Another flash of color and a rustle from the wind causes your head to jerk to your left. Again, you are only met with the empty forest for as far as the eye can see. You sigh in frustration as you turn back to rejoin your friends, but then, something catches your eye that makes you think twice.

Only a good ten or so feet away from you, is a girl. The lower half of her body is obscured by a thick shrub, but the top half unmistakably a woman's. With light green hair that flows down just to the top of her breast like vines, and what looks to be a set of twigs coming out from the sides of her head? Perhaps they are meant to be like antlers. Her smooth face that even from over here you know to be one of beauty and elegance; looks to be wrought with worry as she looks deeper into the forest. Those glowing yellow eyes of hers look to be searching for something, or someone.

As you are about to make yourself known, the stick horned stranger turns her head towards you and makes direct eye contact. As those golden eyes pierce your own, you suddenly feel something strange, like her very presence is somehow so much greater than your own. It makes you feel small…sort of like when you looked upon Sana for the second time, but that time you were very much physically small compared to her. Even the air around you seems to change in response to this girl's existence, it feels…to be welcoming her?

After a few seconds, the girl's expression begins to change. The worried frown had flipped to become a comforting and warm smile. The eyes that looked at you with concern brighten. It was almost as if she finally found the answer to a question that had burdened her for some time. That look of contentment on her face shines, and also makes you feel a twinge of excitement in your chest. You can't help but think of this strange green haired girl as having a very comforting nature. Something about how she looks and you and smiles, makes you want to do something she would be proud of you for.

"Anon! What are you doing over there?" Flare's voice comes to break you out of whatever spell you felt like you were under. You look behind you to find her and Watame walking up to you, clearly worried that you had gone off on your own.

"Don't just run off like that." Flare sighs. "I know this forest isn't as dense as others we've been in, but you can still get lost."

"But over there." You say pointed in the girl's direction before turning your head back that way. "There is a…girl?"

Back where the green haired girl once stood, there was nothing there save for the shrub that hid her lower half, and the trees surrounding it. Even the wind seemed to shift back to normal, leaving no trace or evidence of the girl's existence.

"I don't see anyone, Anon." Watame says as she squints in the direction you pointed to.

"There was someone though. She looked right at me." You explain. "Polka! Come over here!"

After the fennec, joins you, you ask her to look around the area, hoping her sharpened eyes can pick up on the girl's presence.

"Sorry Anon. I don't see any sign of anyone else besides us being here." Polka shrugs and shakes her head.

"But I know she was real…" You lament as you rub your head.

"Are you sure you're alright, summoner?" Undine asks, concerned. "Perhaps your dreams are still taking more of a toll on you than you realize."

The water spirit does make a good point. You do feel a little drained mentally after dealing with Koyori AND Sana in your dreams. The cosmic girl is not exactly malicious or dangerous so far, but it was still taxing to deal with her and try to make sense of it all at the same time. Maybe you really were just imagining things.

"Even if Anon is imagining people, that doesn't mean there isn't something strange about this forest." Polka offers, which gives you some relief to know that you are not the only one noticing weird things. "I'm getting a weird vibe. I can't really put my finger on what it is though."

"Should we keep going, Anon? Are you sure you're okay?" Watame asks as she inspects you closely, one of her gentle hands caressing your shoulder.

"Yeah. I'm good, Watame." You say with an assuring smile. "I still don't feel like we found the reason I came here for yet. Plus, we should see what lies on the other side anyway. Who knows what kind of lands await us!"

With that, you all continue your travels through the mystifying forest. The more you walk, the more strange occurrences you begin to encounter. Trees, flowers, and even bushes seemed to shift and sway without any help from the wind. More than once did you trip over an entire shrub that definitely was not in the spot Nene or Watame walked through just seconds before.

You are not the only one to suffer minor misfortunes either. From behind you, you hear Polka grunt at one point, when you turn around, you see a tree branch pressed against her face. You look further down to see her foot firmly planted against a bent end of the stick. After she assures you she is alright, you turn around and continue, only to meet the same fate when you feel your foot press against something sturdy on the ground, and can only wince as you see the wooden offshoot flying right towards your face.

Something, or someone, particularly seemed to enjoy the sound you made with that one; the faint laughter you've heard earlier growing more clear.

The next sound you hear is Watame's shrill scream as she turns and runs to you.

"Anon! The trees are looking at me!" She shrieks as she finds safety behind you.

While you try to decipher what exactly Watame meant by this, you look into the direction she points in, to a lone tree slightly off the path you have been taking. On that smooth brown bark, sits a pair of oversized pale ruby eyes that look widely at you both. You blink your own a few times, to make sure you are actually seeing what you think you do. Now instead of just one pair of huge freaky eyes on a tree, there was a second pair, now looking at you from the bush that sits beside that very tree, and there's even an unsettling thin smile to go with it.

"What the hell?" You gasp.

"Now the bush!" Watame shrieks again.

"What are you two screaming about!?" Flare demands from the front of the pack.

"Oh nothing, just how the trees and bushes started sprouting eyeballs and mouths." You snap as you turn to Flare and the rest of the group.

"Woah really?!" Polka says, almost excitedly as she turns to find the eyes in question.

"Nene wants to see too!" Nene cheers as she and Polka look over to where you point.

"Eh? That's what you're freaked out by?" Polka says, almost disappointed.

"What do you mean!?" You exclaim. "Trees and bushes don't just sprout eyes that follow you!"

"It's creepy!" Watame whines.

"They look fake to Nene." Nene adds.

"Huh?" You and Watame say in unison as you bring your focus back to the tree and brush that freaked you both out.

Those lifelike giant eyes have been replaced with what looks to be head sized plastic eyes with a simple black pupil.

"Yup." Polka says after she walks up to them and gives them a resounding knock with her knuckles. "Fake as can be. Must be someone's idea of a prank. Not bad if I say so myself. It got you two good."

"They weren't fake before…" Watame says downcast.

"Just stay close to me, Watame." You try to encourage your sheep as you take one of her hands in yours. "Long as I'm around, nothing bad will get you."

"The same can be said for me." Undine adds, coming out of her spirit form and joining the other side of Watame to put her between you both. "There is something definitely strange within this forest, but as long as my summoner and I are with you, no harm will come to you, my little sheep."

This seems to quell Watame's worries for now, as she gives you and Undine an appreciative smile. It is good that the sheep is feeling a little more relaxed now, since you certainly were on the verge of beginning to lose your cool. Between the tripping, the sticks in the face, the trees watching you, and that non stop giggling on the winds, you are feeling a little antsy.

After a little bit of more cautious walking, and the six of you sticking much closer together, a break in the trees can be seen up ahead. You more than welcome a break from the forest of tricks you find yourself in, and hurry yourself along with Watame to what is hopefully an exit.

Emerging from the thicket, you find a large circular clearing, its borders outlined by the rows of trees that lie all around it. A little disappointed to not be out of the woods just yet, you step forward tentatively. You might still be who knows how deep into this forest, but being in the open at least promises less opportunity for unnerving happenings….you hope.

The verdant grass of the area is a little shorter than others in some spots, indicating that someone besides you might have been here recently…or is still here. You continue to diligently scan your surroundings while keeping Watame close to your side. Flare and Undine look to be doing the same with the area, she may not be showing it as much as you, but you can tell the half-elf is quite unnerved herself with everything that's happened so far.

"Check it out!" Polka suddenly says, taking your attention away from the surrounding borders and to where her gloved finger is pointing.

In the middle of the clearing, a lone proud tree spirals upward, perhaps it is the tallest you've seen so far. You also can't be certain at this distance, but are those…windows? On various levels of the tree.

"I think it's a house or something." Polka remarks as she notices your confused expression.

"Do you think someone actually lives in this crazy place?" Flare asks.

"Only one way to find out." You answer, as you continue your walk towards the natural abode, Watame's hand still firmly grasped in your own. If someone does live here, maybe you can get some answers from them. The hope of that lifts your spirits and restores some of your courage.

The closer you get, the more it bears the markings of someone's home. A simple door made of a lighter colored wood than the tree itself, stands at the base of the tree. Off to the side, just outside the home's entryway, is an emerald green table set with a chair resting at each side. You can soon tell that the table and chairs themselves seem to be made from blades of grass weaved together!

"What a cute tea set!" Watame chirps as she brings your attention closer to the assortment of matching cups, saucers, and kettle that rest on the woven tabletop. The white porcelain teaware is decorated with gold and green markings to make a design that crawls and curls like vines across the white background.

"Hey look at this. There's a sign." Flare says from behind the treehouse, so you, Watame, and Polka hurry to join her while Undine and Nene continue to look around the front.

Behind the timber made home, stands a simple wooden sign stuck deep into the earth.

Hi! You have reached the home of the Pomu! If you are reading this, I am either out reading, frolicing, playing, exploring, dancing, singing, eating, or more likely, disappeared like the rest of my friends. If you want, please come inside the tree behind this sign and make yourself at home. If I'm still around, I'll come back eventually!

"The Pomu?" You say scratching the back of your head. "Anyone have any idea what that is?"

"Never heard of it." Polka replies.

"Me either. What about you, Watame?" Flare answers next.

"Nuh uh." Watame shakes her head.

"That one part is a little concerning. 'Disappeared like the rest of my friends'. What do you think that means?" Flare brings up.

"Do you think this freaky forest got them?" Polka suggests, instantly bringing a spike of worry to poor Watame's face.

"After all the weird stuff we've seen so far, we can't rule it out, I guess." You reluctantly agree, while you give the sheep beside you a few comforting strokes of her head to help ease her nerves. "Maybe we should check inside this tree and see what we can find out."

With the alternative being to head further into the forest that lies on the clearing's edge, the decision on whether to check the treehouse or not was an easy one. After walking back to the front of the tall nature built home, you update Nene and Undine on what you found.

"The Pomu?" Undine repeats back to you as she holds a finger under her chin in thought.

"Yup. Any idea on what that is?" You ask as you walk up to the front door of the woodland abode and peer through the small window that sits at eye level.

"Afraid not. The word feels like it should be familiar to me, but other than that, I am at a loss. I will try to see if I have an easier time recalling or sensing something while in my spiritual state." The water spirit replies as she reverts to her more intangible and free floating state of being.

You nod in agreement. While it wasn't a guarantee, you knew that Undine's ability to sense things in relation to her own element increases when she does not have to maintain her physical form. It is unlikely any of this has to do with water, you would have gotten at least a tingle of something if it did, but perhaps Undine might be able to sense the work of other spirits better this way.

Grabbing the small wooden doorknob in front of you, you begin to turn it ever so slowly. Your nerves are still on edge from all the tricks your eyes and mind have been playing on you on the way here. A ready hand hovers over the grip of your sword as you push the door open, you half expect something to jump out at you right there, but only the view of a cozy woodland dwelling meets your eyes.

Curiosity begins to overpower anxiety, urging you to step across the threshold and explore. A home right within a living tree itself is certainly interesting, and like you might expect, there is a lot of wooden furniture. Another simple table with chairs and placements meant for four. Simple wooden shelves carved into the interior of the tree itself, all lined with simple potted flowers, some of which don't look native to the forest itself. At least this tells you that whoever makes this place their home, was here recently to water them.

The rest of the girls follow in behind you and begin to do their own investigations. Flare inspects a small stack of books left on a small circular table that rests in front of a wooden framed couch, with rather inviting looking plush cushions for its seating.

"Anything interesting over there Flare?" Polka asks as she inspects what looks to be a small kitchen, checking each cupboard for their contents.

"Just some books my Aunt Lena would probably like. I can't be sure if she's read them already though…I'll have to ask next time I write to her. This might be something you can only get overseas." The half-elf responds, noticeably calmer than earlier.

If it's something her aunt would like, that could only mean one of two things; books on ancient archeology and civilizations, or shameless romance novels. The glance of the top title on the stack: A Jetstream Daddy; tells you all you need to know.

When you see Nene walk over to the half-elf and pick up the book in question and begin to look it over, that tells you it's high time you looked around someplace else. You take the small spiraling staircase that begins at the corner of the main living area upstairs. After ascending about halfway up the length of the tree, you find what looks to be a bedroom.

A simple bed whose blankets sport a fitting pattern of green leaves against a white background, sits in the far corner against the wall. From there, it has all the makings of a completely normal living space; a small wooden nightstand that holds an empty glass as well as another softcover book, a fancily carved wooden vanity dresser complete with a large mirror and small seat in front of it, and various picture frames hang from the walls held by thin strands of twine from the nails that have been securely planted within the tree bark itself.

Your attention is brought solely onto the pictures themselves when you notice something a bit unsettling; everything within their frames is completely blank. It may be a tad rude to whoever lives here, but you can't help but walk up to one of the hanging pictures and take it down to further inspect it. A slight press from your fingers against one of the corners of the simple square wooden frame, makes it so you can free what it is meant to contain and display. As you feared, both sides of the picture are completely white.

This is getting a little too weird. Everything looks and feels like this is someone's home, their own sanctuary, but blank picture frames, the bit about friends disappearing, none of it sits right with me. At the same time though, I almost feel…welcome? Here.

"I still have no idea what a Pomu is either…" You say aloud as you put the picture frame back in its original spot.

"Oh that's an easy one!" A higher pitched voice that belongs to none of your friends says as a gentle breeze somehow brushes past your face.

You turn your head in every direction you can, trying to find the source of the voice, an open window, literally anything that might explain what you just heard. Noone is in this room other than you…supposably. Wait a minute! A voice calling out to you that you can't see? Maybe it's Undine's sister!

"Y-Yeah?" You say back, as you step slowly to the center of the bedroom. "Well what is it then?"

"I'm gonna need a little something from you first before I go and spill the beans." The voice comes again along with another touch of the wind.

"Alright. What do you want?" You ask skeptically.

"See that book on the nightstand? Open it and read from page one hundred and twenty-four to one hundred and twenty-six." The wind seems to say again, but you also detect a slight snicker as the voice finishes its request.

You walk over to the wooden table in question and look down at the soft paperback. The solid gray cover reads: The Snake That Rode The Lightning. This may not be as bad as you thought. You were expecting something as equally off putting as the title you saw downstairs. Taking a seat on the cushy bed, you take the book and flip quickly through its pages until you land close to the one the voice specified.

The hopes of reading something more action oriented are completely dashed as you scan the contents of page one hundred and twenty-four. You want to curse for how the book title deceived you…maybe you should have read the summary on the back first. Reluctantly, you begin to read from the top, your expression stone faced as words describing the passionate struggle two men are engaged in go into exceptionally raunchy detail.

"Any time you're ready bucko!" The voice comes again as the wind tickles your nose.

"What!? You mean you want me to actually read this out loud?" You squeak, as your face reddens.

"Duh! How else would I hear it silly! Take it from the top! Make sure you give the first one a real gruff manly voice!"

"No way! I'm not gonna read smut for you!" You argue. "Especially this kind!"

"You wanna know what the Pomu is don't ya?! Things could get ugly if we don't help each other out soon. You don't want anything bad to happen to your friends right?"

Well, whoever this is, they know you aren't alone. You still aren't sure you can trust whatever this strange chippy voice is, but you do know that you can force yourself to play along if it might help your friends. Thank the gods none of them are up here to witness this.

"Fine." You huff, as you mentally steel yourself for the words you are about to say.

"T-The stealth operative who was now more solid than steel wrapped his…his arms around his savior. The skin tight fabric of their clothing left nothing to the imagination….and perhaps painted them both in an even more desirable light." You begin to read, your voice barely managing to give sound to the words.

"D-Don't keep me waiting any longer. The silver haired swordsman says to his hunky lover…I-It's time to show you why I'm called…the ripper…"

It feels like you could pass out from embarrassment. This is absolutely degenerate, and the voice on the wind is giggling even harder now, perhaps even squealing slightly. Okay, time to speed read, the sooner you get this over with, the better.

"The sound of stretching and tearing of their suits echoes in the night. This is what both of them came here for, neither of them would be denied their greatest prize and desire. With a minor reprieve from the others embrace, the operative looks at the bare visage of his samurai. Now that's what I call a swo-"

"Deeper! You need to use a deeper, raspier voice with him!" The voice demands.

"Oh come on!" You whine. "I'm already reading this trash for you, don't make me add character to it."

"Do it or I won't tell you what the Pomu is!" The voice practically shrieks while the wind that carries it hits against your cheek like a very light slap from a hand.

"Fine fine! Bossy little…" You groan and then clear your throat. You pull at your own vocal chords as you start to read the last part over again. "Now that's what I call a swwworddd."

"Yes! Good! Keep going!"

Almost three agonizing pages later, describing acts you didn't even know two men could do with one another. You approach the final two lines.

"With a final thrust from the operative's glutes that could cut diamonds, the grunts of pleasure from both men howl in the night, as he…as he…" You struggle to read the finale, but remember what there is possibly to gain from this. It's just a few harmless words Anon, what's the big deal right?

"As he unloads his entire secret base into Jack's welcoming box….Box? Really?"

The windy voice only giggles excitedly.

"They lay together under the full moonlight, basking in the afterglow. They stay silent. The presence of the other is more than enough." You read as you happily close the book quickly and exhale with exhaustion.

"Now was that so bad?" The voice asks, clearly content with how uncomfortable the entire act made you.

"It was probably the worst thing I ever did. I feel disgusting and I don't think I'll ever be truly clean again." You say flatly.

"I thought you did just great! Your friends seemed captivated by your reading too!" The voice perks up even more as the wind almost guides your head to the bedroom doorway. Your eyes widen in shock, and you feel like you're going to be sick when you are met with the gaze of all your friends peering at you from the hallway.

"H-How long have you all been there?" You gulp.

"We uhh…I heard you arguing with someone up here…" Polka starts as she tries to keep herself from grinning too hard at you.

"A wind also started blowing, almost to lead us up here." Flare adds, who also seems to be enjoying your discomfort.

"Anon do good at manly man voice!" Nene feels the need to say. "It suits him!"

A mix of embarrassment and anger causes you to throw the book at the wall behind you, the room echoes with the loud slap of the softcover colliding with the tree's inner walls, only for it to fall unharmed onto the bed.

"Alright whatever you are! You had your fun! Now what the hell is a Pomu!?" You yell into the empty air, only to be met with even harder chortling from the wind.

"A deals a deal! Just go on back downstairs and I'll show you!" The voice chirps, a swift breeze brushes past your heated face, and between the girls at the doorway to flow downstairs.

Still hot with rage, you stomp out of the bedroom and past your friends to follow your unseen tormentor. This better be worth it.

You reach the bottom of the staircase and look around the front living area. Your eyes are immediately drawn to a long haired blond girl who sits at the dining table. Long straight hair cascades down her back, while her front bangs, combed toward one side, cover her forehead neatly. Atop her head, a large teal bow that showcases a small pattern of white crosses near its ends, sits, held in place by two white flowers. Protruding out of the golden locks on the side of her head, are pointed ears a tad larger than Flare's own. Eyes of a suspiciously familiar pale ruby look at you with anticipation, as the pointed face of this girl wears an almost, unsure smile.

A see through black mesh covers her neck and looks to go further down to likely cover more of her body. A copper color broach in the shape of a flower sits at the top of a puffy white blouse that starts just at her breast line. The breast flaps of a light green dress are folded over, and simply left hanging, likely because they are too short to actually cover anything and stay upright. The fanned frills of her skirt are decorated with pale gray crosses at their pointed ends, and seem to have black crosses of a similar shape that hang off of their tips. A puffy white sleeve covers just her elbows while the rest of her arms down to her hands, wear thin black tights. Her legs, which you have to admit have some generous thickness to them, are bare all the way down to her ankles, where thick black shoes with a small golden lined pattern begin and rest on top of a gray heeled sole.

As her eyes meet yours, your white hot rage seems to dissipate in an instant. Those ruby orbs of her flicker with something familiar to you. Then, the realization that these same eyes looked at you from the trees themselves earlier hits you. Rage is slightly building again.

"You wanted to know what the Pomu is right?" The girl asks, to which you only nod your head as the rest of your friends join you.

"Well you came to the right gal!" She then says excitedly as she hops up from her seat.

With a showy display of outstretched arms and lifting one of her legs ever so slightly at an angle, a pair of translucent wings akin to an insect, sprout from her back with a magical flourish.

"The Pomu is me! I'm Pomu!"

The leader of the Shirogane Knights briskly walked through the capital city. When Flare's father sent a messenger to the knight's order hall to inform her that he had just received more letters from Flare, she could barely force herself to finish her daily training regimen before heading to the Shiranui estate. She knew she could not afford to shirk her self improvement though, especially not after what she read in the half-elf's first letter to her father. Thinking of what she had to endure and battle against without her, made her wrought with guilt and worry.

The promise the boy from the coast made to always protect Flare was only a small comfort. He has interesting abilities, now especially with the addition of the water spirit he was able to reunite with, but he was still a novice in her eyes. At least Watame could be trusted, even if she was a bit naive, and this Polka girl sounded reliable. It eased some of her worry to know that someone with at least some worldly experience was tagging along with them, even if the fact Flare feels especially close to this fox girl so soon sparked some feelings of jealousy.

When she arrives at the home of Flare and her father, Noel lets herself in through the front gate and begins to speed up to a job towards the garden behind the modest estate.

What have you gotten up to already Flare? What new things have you seen and done? Do you need me to come get you? Travel with you? Protect you from Anon? What did you find across the sea? There's so many things I want to tell you too. If only I could be sure of where you might be next.

When the knight hears voices in addition to Flare's father coming from the garden, she slows her jog back down to a normal walk when she turns the corner of the building. She is greeted with the sight of Mr. Shiranui sitting at his favorite metal table alongside one of the long flower beds, and two men that she recognizes as Anon's adoptive father and uncle.

"Good afternoon Noel dear." Mr. Shiranui greets warmly. "Come. I was just telling Fineas how Anon actually addressed a letter to him this time."

"Good afternoon Mr. Shiranui. Captain Harthwell, Lieutenant Glansbourough." Noel greets back with a polite bow of her head. Although they were all retired, they still served this kingdom and deserved her respect.

"Nice to see you again, Miss Shirogane." Gunther says politely before clasping his hands together. "Now that everyones accounted for, let's say we open up some letters! I can hardly wait to read about what my boy Anon has been up to now."

"Give the girl a chance to sit Gunther." Fineas remarks. "The words aren't going to just fly into the wind if we don't read them fast enough."

"Oh don't act like you aren't dying to know what your son has been up to." The older man retorts to his former soldier. "You couldn't hide anything from me back when you were a soldier, and you sure as hell can't now."

"It was nice of your son to actually write to you this time." Noel says to help break up the argument as she takes the forth seat at the table.

"That's not all he sent to him." Hiro says with a playful tone. "But I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise."

Before any of the other men could propose theories or ask questions, Flare's father hands Fineas a neatly sealed envelope addressed to him, and then another to Noel. This took the lady knight by surprise at first. A letter just for her? Of course Flare would write to her specifically. Any girl knows they can't tell their fathers everything.

Noel simply basks in the sentiment that her best friend took the time to write just to her. To trust her with secrets she could tell no one else. This washed away all the earlier feelings of jealousy. No one would ever have the bond they have.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Anon's dad opens the envelope and unfolds the letter within, laying it flat on the table so that he and Gunther can read it together.

Dear Dad,

There's a lot I want to tell you about, but I only have so much paper, so I'll do the best I can. You probably already heard from Flare's dad by now what we got up to in the elven kingdom. It was pretty tough at times, but I learned a lot from it. I can't wait for you and Uncle Gunther to meet Undine for real one day, you'll both love her. Speaking of her, we actually met her daughter here in Bjornholm! That's also another thing, we crossed the sea! On a boat! It was amazing! My friends and I talked about having our own ship someday and just sailing wherever we want to. That's NOT a request for you to build one. With how fast our group is growing, we might end up needing a really big boat. Sorry, lost track again. So Undine has a daughter named Uisce, she's a water spirit too of course. She also has a husband, a man I've grown to really like. I think you and Uncle Gunther would like him too. We actually met because there was this unending downpour on Bjornholm, and it turns out, these guys who call themselves HoloX kidnapped Uisce for some twisted world domination plans. Polka, Harold, Undine and I kicked their butts on the first night while Watame and Flare made sure Uisce was safely back at her shrine. I'm also really getting the hang of this warrior thing too. I've learned all sorts of new spells from the book you found me with, and I can even do real magic now! I can make mana coats and water come out of my hands! It's so cool! Unfortunately HoloX came back for more the next day, and they kinda captured me while I was alone with a new friend. It was probably the worst thing I ever experienced, but my friends came and rescued me, and then I helped kick their butts again! I think I might have become their number one enemy now, so I bet I'll be seeing them again. We also made a new friend that's going to start traveling with us now, a girl from here named Nene, she's the chief's daughter, and she can give herself bear claws with magic. I know the world can be kinda dangerous, but it's also so beautiful. Try not to worry too much about me, okay? I got the best friends a guy could ask for to watch my back. I'll write to you again after my next adventure.

Love, Anon

P.S.

I cut some wood from Bjornholm for you, and hopefully it makes it over to your home. Have fun.

"Spirits with daughters….now I think I've heard everything." Gunther mumbles as he and Fineas finish reading.

"Don't spoil it!" Fineas snaps as he notices Hiro and Noel just starting to read their own letters.

While the idea of an elemental spirit having family is interesting, Noel couldn't care less about that at the moment. She only wants to hear what has happened from Flare's point of view, as she holds up the unfolded paper to her face.

Dear Noel,

Our first adventure across the sea has been one for the books! Not only did we help initiate trade between two groups of people, we stopped a magical downpour, an evil secret society, and had a party thrown in our honor! I also learned a lot more about magic during our time here. Anon is actually the one who helped me with that. He was such a little hopeless goofball when we first met him, but his heart makes up for it when it counts. The way he is such a little nature nut is actually what helps fuel his own magic. We also have a new friend coming along with us from here, a girl named Nene. She might be a bigger goofball than Anon if you can believe it, but she is strangely reliable when you need her to be. Without her, we might not have been able to rescue Anon from those HoloX creeps. Know what happened in the end after that? Anon said he loves all of us! I could hardly believe my ears. It's good to know that he knows how to speak from his heart to people besides the bad guys he's beating up. So that party we had. Anon had to wear this traditional outfit of the people here, and it completely just shows off his arms, chest, and even some of his legs. He absolutely hated it, the look on his face when we would tease him about it was priceless. Then he ended up chopping logs with it on, which was a better show than I was expecting. You remember how the one spell he has gives him a shine like starlight right? Imagine that, but bare arms, sweaty, and it was just awesome. Watame was completely mesmerized. She's so cute when she looks at him like that. I told her that tonight would be a good time to give Anon a little kiss. I hope she goes through with it. I bet he will just melt. I wonder when I might get my chance to do the same? It would be nice to finally get my first kiss after all. He is handsome too, and he's saved my life, and I've saved his. He said I was his hero earlier today, that threw me off a little, but in a good way. Anyways! That's enough about Anon, I'm going to be focusing on learning wind magic next. I'm going to make sure I learn how to make a wind spell before Anon can. I'm going to write to you again soon Noel! I know you're doing your best back home to be the best protector of the kingdom you can be. Can't wait to see you again when we've both grown even more.

Love, Flare

The more the knight read, the more her rage bubbled and rose. This letter was barely about Flare and her own accomplishments at all! It was all about that stupid boy! This looks more like a diary entry for some lovesick pre-teen! What kind of idiot gets himself captured!? He put Flare in danger AGAIN, because he was careless and weak.

Mr. Shiranui on the other hand, could not look more proud as he read the correspondence from his adoptive daughter. He knows now more than ever, that his decision to encourage her to travel with the strange pair the knight had brought to his doorstep, was the right one.

"You two are pretty quiet over there." He then says to the two retired soldiers across the table. "I figured you two would be in stitches by now after reading about Anon's near engagement."

"His WHAT?!" Both older men, and Noel, gasp.

"Oops. Was that meant to be a secret?" Hiro shrugs. "Well, no turning back now. Flare says here that this girl, Nene and he were meant to be engaged. Something about the ancient beliefs of the Bjornholm people. They of course resolved the matter in the end. You almost had a daughter in law though, Fineas."

The idea of the boy they both raised forced into a sudden marriage was simply too much for them. Both Gunther and Fineas were in a laughing fit, even pounding the metal table with their fists in an attempt to quell their hysterics.

"The boy thought he was going to hide this from you, Fineas!" Gunther bellows.

"Remind me to thank Flare when I see her." Anon's dad says through haggard laughter. "Anon! With a wife! I always told him he could elope! But I didn't think he would have tried like this! BAHAHAHAHA!"

"You need to give this Nene your blessing though!" Gunther adds. "Make sure she knows she has your FULL support if she wishes to pursue our boy again!"

This put the two into an even deeper laughing fit. Noel was a little worried that their old hearts might give out, but that concern only lasted for a second. She was even angrier now. Anon was not only stealing Flare's affections, but he was, he was, a PLAYBOY!

If he wasn't all the way across the sea, going who knows where, she would warn him. If he so much as lays a finger on Flare, he would regret it immensely.

"It sounds like our children are having quite the adventure out there." Hiro says contently. "Would any of you like to write something back?"

"Huh!?" Noel gasps, suddenly brought back to the conversation amidst daydreaming of the ways she could break every bone in Anon's body.

"The elf from the merchant guild that got these letters to us has graciously offered to deliver ones on our behalf back to Flare and the others. She can't promise when they will get to them since they seem to always be on the move. But she can promise they will find their way into their hands eventually. She sounded quite appreciative of what Anon and the others have done to help her out. If you all wish, I could put our responses back into her hands before the end of the day. Another thing we can thank Anon for. It's been a while since our two kingdoms have been this chummy." Flare's father answers.

Fineas and Gunther get furiously writing their own letters using the pen and paper Hiro had prepared for them, both trying to stave off laughter all the while.

Hiro takes his time with his, no doubt expressing to his daughter how immensely proud he is of her, but also encouraging her to be careful.

Noel has two letters she writes. One to Flare; expressing her love and concern for her friend, and how she knows that she will master wind magic like she set out to. The other, to Anon; filled with angst, reluctant gratitude for helping Flare in the elven kingdom, and a few not so thinly veiled threats, should he choose to get too close to her half-elf. Even if her warning reaches him too late, that would be just fine. She would have just cause for giving him a full taste of her mace.

With letters folded and sealed within their envelopes, Noel rises out of her seat.

"Thank you again for inviting me over, Mr. Shiranui." She says politely. "But I need to get back to training."

"Again?" Flare's father inquires with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes sir. Flare's mention of a group of villains who are powerful enough to give her trouble worries me. I can't continue to sit idly by while they make their moves. If you'll excuse me." Noel explains as she bids goodbye to everyone and turns to leave.

"Hold on a sec Miss Shirogane!" Anon's father calls. "You almost forgot the letter your friend sent ya."

Noel's shoulders tensed as she came to a halt. She almost wanted to never see that letter again…but then again. With a forced smile, she turns around and graciously takes the piece of parchment from the table and folds it in half.

"Silly me! I get so focused on wanting to train that I can forget things sometimes." She tries to play it off.

"Aye. Anon was very much the same way. Sometimes he wouldn't feel relaxed unless he did some kind of combat practice for the day." Fineas says with nostalgia in his eyes.

Noel wants to say something venomous, but holds her tongue. Instead she just smiles politely and begins to make her way back to the Shirogane Knights order hall. She has work to do.