Coco: Good morning, my friends~ Or evening or afternoon~ XD It's morning where I am...very, very early morning.
How are we all doing? How's the weather? And all those pleasantries~
It's starting to turn cold here. I've had to put my fans away for the time being and turn on the heat...my electric bill is going to be unpleasant DX
But moving on from that, I am here to bring you the next chapter in A Heart in Chains. I thought we'd wrap this arc up in four chapters, but now I'm thinking it might be five, which I'm not mad about. I'm having so much fun working on this story, and I hope you all are having fun reading it.
So...shall we get started?
"My home is just this way." Dalton told the pirates. "As soon as we arrive, I will build us a fire."
After a few more minutes of walking, he stopped in front of a stone house. Wren's gaze quickly zeroed in on the smoke coming from the chimney.
"Hey, looks like someone else has started a fire." Usopp, who noticed the smoke as well, said pointing at the chimney. "Do you have someone living with you?"
"I do not." Dalton said. "However, this has been happening a lot lately. Whenever I return home a fire is always waiting for me…already warming the house."
He didn't seem concerned about it, but that might be because the large man had grown accustomed to this odd occurrence. Usopp, however, looked a bit freaked out. Dalton walked up to the front door unlocking it before ushering his guests inside. Sanji stepped in first to get Nami out of the cold followed by Vivi and Wren.
The older girl quickly took in her surroundings and noticed that in front of the fireplace there was a few logs scattered across the floor. She tilted her head then glanced at said fireplace, which had a fire burning within it. Wren's brow quirked at the sight.
"You can use that bed over there." Dalton told them as he knelt on the floor to pick up the scattered wood.
Sanji and Vivi quickly got to work in placing Nami into the bed and covering her up. After putting the firewood away, Dalton stood and turned towards his guests.
"I guess I should introduce myself." Dalton said as he took his weapon off his back. "My name is Dalton. I'm the captain of the island's security squad. Please, forgive our less than friendly welcome."
The pirates didn't reply as Vivi was sitting on her knees by Nami's bedside. Wren sat at the foot of the bed while keeping her gaze on the fire. Dalton studied the younger girl for a moment.
"Excuse me, may I ask you a question?" Dalton asked Vivi. "It's just that…you look familiar to me for some reason."
Vivi looked away from Dalton quickly while looking a bit panicked by Dalton's inquiry.
"No, I just have one of those faces I guess!" Vivi said quickly. "Anyway, can you tell us more about this doctor—or witch if that's what she is?"
Wren looked at Vivi with a deadpanned expression as the girl tried to compose herself. Wren shook her head. Her gaze went back to Dalton.
"We need her as soon as possible." Wren told Dalton. "Nami's fever has gone up to 107."
Dalton looked alarmed when hearing this, and Wren could understand why. Nami's lucky she isn't dead already or suffered any brain damage.
"How long has she had it?" Dalton inquired.
"It's been several days, and it just keeps getting higher." Vivi explained. "The last doctor we took her to—Wren's father—said the fever is most likely being caused by an infection. An infection many people wouldn't be able to treat now as what presumably caused the infection is extinct now. He said this Dr. Kureha might have the solution, however."
Dalton nodded in understanding while seeing why these pirates were so concerned for their friend.
"Which is why we need Dr. Kureha here as soon as possible." Sanji said urgently. "Where is this witch of yours?"
"The witch?" Dalton repeated. "…Do you see those mountains outside the window?"
"Yeah, I noticed them earlier." Sanji said as he glanced out the window.
However, when he looked out the window all he saw was a large snowman in his line of sight. Wren blinked when seeing the snowman.
'It looks like Luffy and Usopp are having fun,' she thought as Sanji snapped at the pair to get inside before he killed him.
Wren sighed as Sanji ran outside to deal with Luffy and Usopp. She heard the two boys crying and begging Sanji to stop destroying their work. She silently shook her head before looking to Dalton as the man began preparing some coffee over the fire.
"Dalton," Wren addressed getting him to glance at her. "If I you don't mind my asking, how long has that been going on?"
She gestured to the fireplace. Dalton's eyes flickered from her to the fireplace then back to her.
"For several months now." Dalton said. "At first it was only a few times a week, but recently it has been an everyday occurrence. Why?"
"I am just curious." Wren told him. "I am a bit surprised that this doesn't seem to bother you. Some might think their house is haunted if they kept coming home to see a fire going."
Dalton didn't reply at first as Sanji brought the other two boys inside the house.
"It might sound odd, but I do not feel any ill intent." Dalton told Wren honestly. "In fact, coming home to this fire feels like someone is welcoming me home. It is a pleasant feeling."
"…I see…" Wren said feeling less wary of the man. "Then you are liked more than just by the people of this island."
As Dalton looked at Wren confused as to what she meant, Wren caught sight of something moving from the fireplace. Her gaze flickered over to see a small pink creature sticking its head down from the chimney. It resembled the form of a large axolotl. Its red eyes glowed warmly as they blinked at Wren while it tilted its head at her.
'It's rare to see salamanders on such frigid islands,' Wren thought as Dalton offered them coffee to warm themselves with. 'Perhaps this one had been stowed away on a ship and ended up here by mistake.'
Either way the creature seems to have made itself a home here with Dalton. And while the man most likely knew nothing about the creature, it seems to have taken a liking to him. Said man stopped in front of Wren to offer her coffee next. However, when he noticed her gaze looking behind him, he turned his head to see what might have caught her attention. When he followed her gaze to the fireplace, he saw nothing there.
"Is there something wrong?" Dalton asked as he looked back to the young woman.
"No," Wren said shaking her head then took the offered cup. "Thank you."
Wren wasn't overly fond of coffee. However, something warm to drink was welcoming as the cold was starting to affect her. She might have a higher tolerance to it compared to her companions, but she still had her limits when it came to enduring the cold.
"So, Dalton, you mentioned the mountains earlier," Sanji said bringing their conversation back on track.
"Those mountains out there are known as the Drum Rockies." Dalton explained. "Look closely. Do you see the castle at the top of the tallest one? The one in the middle?"
'So, it's a castle,' Wren thought before taking a sip from her drink.
Her brow quirked at the flavor. It was surprisingly pleasing to the taste even though Wren wasn't fond of coffee. She would have to ask Dalton was kind of blend he used if they had the time for it later.
"Castle?" Usopp asked.
"That castle lost its king." Dalton said.
Sanji, who was looking out the window to try and spot the castle on the tallest mountain, turned to look back at Dalton.
"Yeah, I see it up there." Sanji said.
"What's so important about the castle?" Vivi asked.
"That castle is where our land's only doctor lives—Dr. Kureha." Dalton replied.
As her companions looked at Dalton is disbelief, Wren let out a small sigh. Her umpteenth one since coming to this snowy island.
'Of course, the person we need lives on top of a mountain,' she thought. 'And the tallest one on the island to boot.'
Though if it's true that this Dr. Kureha is a witch, it made sense. Like mages, witches tend to stay away from humans. A couple hundred years ago, there had been witch hunts that drove many witches into hiding. Now—like the neighbors and mages—they were merely seen as folklore as in not real.
"What?!" Sanji asked. "Of all places why does she have to live on top of a mountain?! We need to call her here right away! Nami needs her help."
Dalton looked apologetically at the blonde pirate, which led Wren to believe that he was about to say something upsetting.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid there's no way to contact her." Dalton said confirming Wren's thoughts.
Sanji looked at Dalton in disbelief as Vivi reached out to place her hand over Nami's in concern.
"You can't be serious! What kind of doctor is she?!" Sanji demanded.
"Her skills as a doctor are quite impressive actually." Dalton said. "However, she's an eccentric old woman. She's nearly 140 years old now."
While her companions looked shocked to hear this woman's age, Wren barely bat an eye. Witches and mages both aged differently than humans. 140 years old is nothing to them.
"A 140?" Sanji asked. "No wonder she doesn't get around much."
"Oh, one more thing, she likes pickled plums." Dalton added.
Sanji and Wren exchanged a glance wondering what that piece of information had to do with their current dilemma.
"What happens when people here get sick or injured?" Vivi asked. "Doesn't she help them?"
"She comes down from the mountain whenever she feels like." Dalton explained. "She looks around for patients, she treats them, and then before she leaves, she takes whatever she wants from their houses as payment."
"She doesn't sound like a very nice lady." Usopp commented.
"Kind of sounds like she's a pirate." Luffy added.
The two boys then took loud slurps from their cups, which had Wren giving them a look. She took a light, silent sip from her own cup.
"But how is a woman as old as she capable of getting down that mountain?" Vivi questioned.
"Well, he said she's a witch." Luffy pointed out. "Just like Wren."
"Should I feel insulted?" Wren asked Luffy who blinked looking confused by her inquiry.
Sanji seemed to think she should since he kicked Luffy in the face. Luffy went smack into the wall behind him as Usopp gasped in shock at the indent left behind by Luffy's impact.
"I dare you to say that again, Luffy!" Sanji snapped as he grabbed Luffy to throttle him. "Wren-chan, isn't some wrinkly old witch! She's a beautiful, magical goddess! Got that?!"
Wren shook her head at the two boys as Luffy was apologizing with tears in his eyes.
"That's enough," Wren scolded them. "You're being rude to our host. I apologize for the rowdiness, Dalton."
Dalton, who was staring at her silently, snapped out of it as he shook his head.
"It's fine." Dalton assured her. "Though I am curious as to what they mean."
"Perhaps that can be discussed at another time," Wren said. "We have more important things to deal with. For example, how Dr. Kureha makes her rounds."
Wren believed that if they figured out how Dr. Kureha got around and even how she made the decision on what village to visit looking for patients, they might be able to cross paths with her.
"Well, it's an odd rumor around here," Dalton explained. "Several of the villagers claimed to have seen her at night riding some sleigh of some kind through the sky. They see her silhouette when the moon is out. It's the reason why she's thought to be a witch. There are others who claim to have seen her with a strange creature. A creature none of them recognize."
'A familiar maybe?' Wren wondered.
It wouldn't be too farfetched for a witch or even a mage to use their familiars as transport. Witches more so than mages as the latter tended to use a form of magical leaping to get from Point A to Point B.
"Dr. Kureha is the only doctor we have, but she's still a woman I'd prefer to stay away from." Dalton warned the group as Usopp was kicking up a fuss in the background about the creature Dalton mentioned. "All we can do is wait until the next time she comes down that mountain."
"We unfortunately do not have that kind of time." Wren said. "Nami needs to see Dr. Kureha now before it is too late. What my father did to ease her pain isn't helping any longer."
Vivi and Sanji frowned because they knew Wren was right. They didn't have the time to just wait around. Not only did they need to save Nami, but the longer they had to sit and wait around the longer Alabasta was in trouble.
'Perhaps I could travel to this mountain and bring Dr. Kureha here myself,' Wren thought. 'Though…if she is a true witch, she might not want to lend her aid to someone like me. Our people might not be enemies, but witches and mages along with alchemists tended to stay away from each other. Though she is also an acquaintance of my father...so that means she's either not a witch at all or she cares little for the thin lines that divide our people.'
She frowned. As Wren wondered what they could possibly do, Luffy stood up to walk over to Nami's bedside.
"Hey, Nami," Luffy said to the navigator while gently slapping her cheeks. "Nami, wake up now."
"Luffy, you idiot!" Sanji, Vivi, and Usopp snapped as Luffy continued to slap the girl. "What are you doing to her?!"
Whether it was the shouting or Luffy slapping her, Nami did finally open her eyes to look at her captain.
"Hey look, she's awake!" Luffy said to the others before he addressed Nami, "Here's the thing, the only way to see the doctor is to climb the mountain. So, we're gonna have to climb the mountain."
Wren's brow quirked at the boy's decision. It wasn't exactly a safe one. However, it might be the only real option they had if they wanted to get Nami to Dr. Kureha as soon as possible.
"Are you crazy?" Sanji asked Luffy. "What about Nami? How do you expect to get her up there?"
"Easy," Luffy replied. "She'll ride on my back."
The blonde looked at Luffy as if he had a few screws loose as Vivi was shaking her head in disbelief.
"That's only going to make her even more sick!" Vivi protested.
"What's the problem?" Luffy asked. "I thought we needed to hurry?"
"We do, but you'll never make it up there!" Vivi said as she pointed towards the mountain that could be seen through the window. "Look at how steep and tall that thing is!"
"I can do it." Luffy said unfazed.
"Maybe you can but climbing that thing would be way too hard on Nami." Sanji said as he agreed with Vivi.
The group argued for a bit more before coming silent when Wren cleared her throat.
"The decision isn't ours to make." Wren told them. "It is Nami's choice. Let her be the one to decide whether she has the strength to make it or not."
Sanji and Vivi looked flabbergasted at Wren's suggestion. From the bed, a small, subtle smile pulled across Nami's face.
"I need to get over this thing and quickly." Nami said in between labored breaths. "We need to hurry for Vivi."
Nami then lifted her hand out from underneath the blankets to hold out to Luffy.
"Come on, Captain." Nami said with a smile. "Let's go."
Luffy grinned at Nami's decision while giving the sick girl a high five. Wren felt her own lips turn up.
'She's a strong one,' Wren thought.
"That's what I'm talking about." Luffy said. "Leave it to me."
Sanji, Usopp, and Vivi all still looked concerned. Though did not protest as Wren got up from the bed and started to prepare Nami to leave. With Vivi's help, they got Nami bundled up and placed securely on Luffy's back.
"Alright, ready to go," Wren said as she gently patted Nami on the back. "Be careful walking with her, Luffy."
Luffy nodded before he headed outside with Wren getting the door for him. The others followed at a slower pace. Obviously not happy with this decision.
"I can't believe this." Usopp griped. "Now our navigator is as crazy as our captain."
"You know you're in no shape for a trip like this, Nami-san." Sanji voiced his concern.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Vivi fretted. "It'll take you hours to get there."
Nami weakly nodded her head before allowing Wren to pull the hood of her coat farther over her head. As Wren did some final adjustments to ensure Nami was completely secure on Luffy's back, the young captain turned towards Dalton.
"Hey, old guy, give me some meat for the road." Luffy demanded as he looked to Dalton.
As the man looked at him in confusion, Wren shook her head at Luffy's manners.
"We really don't have time for that, Luffy." Wren told Luffy as she poked him in the forehead. "We need to quickly get Nami to Dr. Kureha. We can't stop for you to eat, understand?"
Luffy pouted but nodded in understanding. Satisfied with his answer, Wren stopped poking him on the forehead.
"You're going with him, Wren-san?" Vivi questioned looking astonished.
"Of course," Wren replied. "I am not a doctor. However, I took responsibility for Nami and her wellbeing the moment I stepped onto the Going Merry. Until we get to Dr. Kureha, she is still in my care. Therefore, I am going as well to keep an eye on her."
Vivi looked at Wren in awe as she didn't expect Wren to take this so seriously. To her knowledge, Wren only joined them because they happened to be going in the same direction. She had also learned that Wren had a similar goal in wanting to defeat Crocodile.
'I had no idea she cared so much,' Vivi thought.
"Right, I'm coming to." Sanji said as he stepped up. "I can't trust Luffy to keep an eye out for Nami-san and Wren-chan on his own."
As Usopp was telling Luffy to be extra careful with Nami and Vivi was triple checking that Nami was secure on Luffy's back, Sanji looked to Wren. Like Vivi, he had been a bit surprised when she stated she was going along with Luffy and Nami. He had no idea she felt such a responsibility for Nami and her health. Though he supposed he shouldn't really be surprised.
'Wren went days without sleep to care for Nami,' Sanji reminded himself. 'Making sure she took her medicine and eat what she could. She even took the time to clean the sweat off Nami and to help her dress because she's too weak to do it herself.'
Sanji smiled at Wren while thinking she was truly a kind person at heart despite how she might come off as indifferent to those around her.
"I'm going to wait for you all here." Vivi told Luffy. "If I came with you guys, I'd only get in the way."
"Yep, me too!" Usopp quickly added.
He wasn't sure about Wren, but he knew there was no way he could keep up with Luffy and Sanji's monstrous speed and stamina. However, more so than that, he didn't want to be anywhere near a witch or her unknown, mystery monster.
"Alright." Luffy said to their friends before glancing over his shoulder at Nami. "Now, you just hold on tight to me, okay, Nami?"
The navigator, who was breathing heavily due to strain, didn't reply verbally. She did, however, squeeze her arms around Luffy's shoulders to show him that she understood.
"I guess you're set on going." Dalton spoke up. "I'm not going to try and stop you, but I will at least ask you to climb up from the other side. That way you can avoid the lapahns that are on this side. They're fierce carnivorous rabbits."
'Lapahns?' Wren thought as her eyebrow quirked.
She hasn't seen a lapahn since she left the North Blue all those years ago. However, the lapahns that she knew were sea creatures. Large, blue rabbits with scales, gills, and long nails used to maneuver in the water. The only thing that seemed similar between the lapahns that Wren was familiar with and the ones here is that they were carnivorous.
"You run into a pack of them, you're as good as dead." Dalton finished his warning.
Vivi and Usopp looked frightened by this news as they looked at Dalton in disbelief. Wren just gave a sardonic chuckle.
'It would appear these lapahns are just as aggressive as the ones back in the North Blue are,' Wren thought.
The sea lapahns were known for sinking all whole ships, and it was mostly out of spite for the ship getting too close for their liking. Rarely was it because they were in that desperate of a need for food.
"Really? But we've gotta get up there." Luffy said. "We'll be just fine, right?"
"Yeah, fine." Sanji agreed with a nod.
'They might not be thinking that once we actually run into these lapahns.' Wren thought. 'I can probably handle a few of them, but they're tough and I'm still recovering my injuries…and…I don't want to have to hurt them.'
She mentally sighed at this new dilemma as Dalton frowned at the two younger men.
"You can't be serious!" Dalton said. "You know how easily those things can kill you?"
"Nah, we'll be alright," Luffy said as he took off running. "Now, hurry it up, Sanji, Wren, before Nami dies."
As Sanji glared after Luffy, Wren sweat-dropped at the straw-hatted boy's choice of words. She didn't comment, however, as she and Sanji hurried after Luffy.
"Don't say stuff like that, idiot!" Sanji snapped. "Do you want to jinx us?!"
"Let's not fight amongst ourselves." Wren told them. "Save your energy for when we run into those lapahns."
"Don't worry about them, Wren." Luffy told her. "I mean, how strong can those rabbits be? We can take them."
"You won't be saying that once we meet them," Wren murmured under her breath.
Wren silently ran alongside Luffy and Sanji as they were heading towards the mountain. She had the hood of her coat pulled over her head. Though it did little against the harsh, frigid winds that blew around their small group. The cold air caused her nose and cheeks to flush pink, which gave her pale complexion a splash of color.
"Wren-chan, are you holding up alright?" Sanji asked in concern as he glanced her. "Would you like to have my scarf?"
The last thing he wanted was another one of their crew's lovely ladies to get sick.
"I'm fine, thank you." Wren assured him.
She then frowned when the wind blew the hood of her coat right off her head causing her hair to spill out and whip around her.
"It feels like it's gotten a little colder." Luffy commented as Wren tried to tuck her wild, locks into her hood, so to keep them out of her face. "The wind's picking up too."
Wren gave him a look that said, 'you don't say?' as she gave up trying to keep her hood over her head. She let her hair blow freely in the wind because with or without it in her face, it was still hard to see more than a few feet in front of her due to the thickness of the falling snow.
"So, why don't you think of putting on some real shoes?" Sanji suggested as he pointed to Luffy's sandaled feet. "Even seeing your feet like that is painful."
"No way," Luffy said shaking his head. "This is my police."
Wren and Sanji exchanged a glance before they both gave Luffy a look of confusion.
"Do you mean policy, Luffy?" Wren asked.
"Yeah, that's it." Luffy said with a nod.
Sanji shook his head at the airheaded boy as they continued towards the mountain.
"So, anyway though," Luffy said. "Did you know this: people in snow counties never sleep at all?"
"Huh, why?" Sanji asked.
"Because if they do, they'll freeze to death." Luffy replied.
For more than just the first time that day, Wren had to question what went on through Luffy's head.
"Everyone needs sleep, Luffy." She reminded the boy. "Without it the body cannot recharge itself."
Luffy shook his head in denial, which had Wren giving a sigh. Deciding it was best to just block out her two companions, Wren focused on what was in front of her. As they traveled and the boys talked, Wren noticed a white blur coming their way and quickly. It went for Luffy first, but the boy, who didn't acknowledge the creature, simply jumped over the blur.
As it went sailing underneath Luffy, Wern saw it was a small, sharp-toothed rabbit.
'A lapahn cub,' Wren realized. 'It'd odd seeing one without scales and it's not blue.'
Though it made sense that the lapahns here would be covered in white fur. Not only did the thick fur keep them warm, but it also kept them camouflaged in the snow.
'I wonder where its parents are,' Wren wondered as the tiny carnivorous rabbit attacked again.
Sanji seemed to be its new target as it went for the blonde who easily avoided it. Wren ducked her head when the lapahn cub tried attacking her next. It went soaring over her into a tree. Its jaws snapped the trunk of the tree with ease, which cause the tree to fall over. Wren and the boys jumped over the fallen tree.
"He sure is persistent, isn't he?" Wren commented as she jumped back to dodge his gaping jaws that tried to take a bite out of her.
"Yeah, well, he's becoming a pain in my ass!" Sanji snapped as he finally got fed up and kicked the furball.
Wren winced watching as the poor cub was sent flying into the distance. She knew lapahns—even their young—were tough. However, she couldn't help but feel concerned for the cub.
"Yeah, what was with that thing?" Luffy asked.
"He must be very hungry if he is attacking us without his parents," Wren said. "Do you think he was left behind by his pack?"
The thought just made her heart feel for the poor, little cub. It also brought a sense of guilt to her chest for running off without it.
"I'm sure the little guy will be fine, Wren-chan," Sanji said reassuringly. "And I'm sorry, but we couldn't keep letting him get in the way. We need to get Nami-san to Dr. Kureha."
Wren nodded silently. She knew that was true. However, it didn't make her feel any better about what happened to the cub.
"Nami-san, just hang in there a little bit longer," Sanji said as they made it closer to the mountain. "We're going to get you to Dr. Kureha, alright?"
Nami didn't even respond to Sanji's words as she slept fitfully on Luffy's back.
"The snow is getting really deep around here." Luffy said.
"Luffy, try to run more smoothly, will you?" Sanji ordered. "You're just making it harder on Nami."
He then came to a stop when Wren suddenly held her arm out in front of him. He looked concernedly at the woman wondering what was wrong. However, when seeing her attention focused on something in front of them, Sanji followed her line of sight. His eyes widened when he saw that in front of them were large—very large—white rabbits. And one of them was holding the little rabbit that he had kicked earlier.
"What are these things?" Sanji asked.
"Well, they're big and they're white." Luffy said. "So, they must be polar bears!"
"No, those of lapahns." Wren told her companions. "And it's as Dalton said, they're dangerous…and highly aggressive."
As soon as the words left her mouth, one of the lapahns launched itself right at them.
"Look out!" Sanji called.
Wren jumped backwards quickly and just in time too as the lapahn landed right where she had been standing.
"There sure are a lot of these things," Sanji said with a frown.
Wren, who knew they traveled in large groups, frowned because this amount of lapahns seemed a bit much for one pack. Or maybe this was normal for this island as the lapahns here didn't have as much space as the sea lapahns back in the North Blue. Meaning there was most likely no reason to form several packs to control different territories.
'Either way, their numbers alone are going to make it hard enough on us,' Wren thought.
She then turned her head when she thought she heard a noise come from Nami. She and the boys turned towards the sick girl as she shifted in Luffy's hold.
"Hurry…to…Alabas…" Nami murmured.
Wren stared momentarily in disbelief at the sickly navigator. The boys didn't seem surprised by Nami's slurred words as they smiled.
"Nami, just rest." Luffy said. "We'll worry about that later, kay?"
"She's not even worried about her own life." Sanji said. "Just hang in there a little while, Nami-san."
'She's at death's door, but she's more concerned with helping Vivi get to Alabasta.' Wren thought. 'What an interesting girl.'
Wren came out of her thoughts as Luffy moved to her side. She looked to him as he turned his back to her, so she was facing Nami.
"Here, Wren." Luffy said. "You take Nami and keep going."
Wren didn't move right away as she glanced between Luffy and the lapahns who were poised to attack.
"Are you certain?" Wren asked she looked back to Luffy.
"Yeah," Luffy said nodding. "So, please take Nami."
Wren nodded then accepted Sanji's help in transferring Nami from Luffy's back to hers. Sanji tied the cloth holding Nami around Wren tightly. Once he was done with that, Sanji placed his hand on Wren's shoulder.
"Please, look after Nami-san, Wren-chan." Sanji requested. "And get to the doctor safely."
"Nami and I will be fine." Wren assured him. "Worry about yourself and Luffy, Sanji."
Sanji gave Wren a reassuring grin as he placed his cigarette back in his lips.
"Don't worry, my dear." Sanji said. "We'll take care of these overfed bunnies, and get back to you in no time, I promise."
"Yeah, so get going." Luffy said as he grinned. "And we'll meet you at the top of the mountain."
Wren nodded silently then prepared to run as the boys rushed the lapahns. They created an opening for Wren, which allowed the red-eyed girl to slip by. She hurried through the snow mindful of her footing. The last thing she needed was to trip when she was carrying a sick passenger on her back.
"L…Luffy…Sanji." Said girl murmured as Wren kept going.
"Don't worry, Nami," Wren told the girl. "Sanji promised he and Luffy would catch up to us. He doesn't seem like the type to break his word."
Nami was too weak to even respond, which had Wren picking up the pace. They were too close to their destination to lose Nami now. With nothing in their way, Wren made it to the bottom of the mountain in no time. She looked up at the steep incline. It would be impossible to climb. Or rather near impossible. Either way it would slow her down.
"I don't have the time to climb this ludicrous incline." Wren said. "Nor can I simply leap up there."
To do that she would have had to have been to the castle before, which she obviously hasn't, otherwise, she would had used a leap to get up there sooner to save them from trekking through the snow. She could try using the wind to fly to the top of the mountain. However, it was currently very unstable, and she's never flown with a passenger before. She couldn't take the chance of being slammed against this mountain when Nami was so weak.
"What can I do?" Wren murmured aloud.
The snow crunched behind her causing Wren to whirl around startled because she hadn't sensed anything coming in their direction. Her gaze widened when her eye landed on what had managed to sneak up on her.
The creature before her was a large stag. However, instead of the usual brown pelt deer were known for, this animal's fur was as white as the freshly falling snow. Even its horns were just as white and stood tall upon its head. The only color on the creature were its blue eyes that bored into Wren.
'A white stag,' Wren thought. 'What could it be doing here?'
White stags were known as messengers. Usually for King Oberon or his wife Titiana. However, sometimes white stags would also appear to those they saw as worthy and offer their aid. It is also said that a white stag will appear before those who are natural rulers. People who are pure of heart and will serve their people and not simply just rule them.
The white stag stomped its hoof at Wren as he snorted loudly. He jerked his head to the side as if beckoning Wren to follow him. Wren took an unsure step forward.
'Is he going to help me find a way up the mountain?' Wren wondered as the stag turned to trek through the snow.
Wren only hesitated a moment longer before she hurried after the stag. She followed the regal creature farther into the forest. After a few minutes of hiking through the snow, the stag stopped in a clearing just near the mountain. Wren squinted her eyes as the snow blew into her face. Some of the snowflakes collected on her eyelashes, which caused her to flutter her eyes. Beside her, the stag raised his head letting out a piercing call that echoed throughout the trees.
At first nothing responded to the call. Wren stood in silence with the white stag before the sound of giggling reached her ears. She turned her head with her gaze locking on the flying shapes of neighbors she was quite used to.
"Aerials." Wren breathed out with her breath visible in the frosty air.
However, these aerials were different than the ones she knew back from Magus and even Era. These aerials hadn't a speck of green on them. They were mostly white with their skin having a blue hue. They also had blue-colored hair and wings. In addition, they had extra feathers around their necks and legs and chests, which was most likely to keep them warm in this cold climate.
Other neighbors appeared around the trees and were watching Wren carefully. They made no move to come closer. Only the aerials flew to greet Wren.
"Oh, it's a little mage," one of them cooed as they flew closer. "What a precious little flower."
The aerial flew around Wren's head before perching herself on top of Nami's head.
"It looks like she has an ill human with her." A male aerial said. "Which means she must be looking for the mean granny doctor."
"Yes," Wren said nodding. "I need to get to the top of the mountain to Dr. Kureha. Please, will you help me? My companion doesn't have much longer. Though…I'm afraid I have nothing to give you all in return."
While neighbors were happy to help. Especially those they took a liking to, it was always polite to give something in return. Some neighbors would even refuse to offer their aid if they were not given something in return. Whether big or small, a favor is always returned with another favor or gift of some sorts if possible.
"Do not fret, sweet flower." The male aerial told Wren. "We need nothing in return for giving aid to you. If it's the top of the mountain you need to reach, we will get you there."
"Yes, yes,~" The first aerial chirped with a nod.
Wren thanked the two aerials then looked at the white stag who was peering back at her. His ears twitched as he regarded her in a way that made Wren feel as if he could see within the deepest parts of her body and soul. It was an unnerving feeling. However, despite that, Wren carefully bowed to the creature while careful not to jostle Nami.
"Thank you." She said.
The stag bowed his head to her in return before it bounded off into the forest.
"The white stag must have taken a liking to you," the aerial on top of Wren's head said. "It's very rare for the white stag to come down from his mountain."
"Yes, yes," the other aerial agreed. "Now, shall we go, sweet one? To the castle on the mountain?"
Wren nodded then followed the aerials back to the bottom of the mountain. The aerials circled around her as Wren took a deep breath and tightened her hold on Nami.
"Hold on tight," the male aerial told Wren.
The next second, Wren and Nami were lifted off the ground in a cocoon made of wind. This protective dome of wind made by the aerials, who began flying the two women up the mountain, kept the girls from being tossed around by the wind outside that was howling loudly. It didn't take them long to make it to the top thanks to the aerials. Once Wren's feet touched down on the snow, the wind dome dispersed. Wren raised her head to look at the aerials.
"Thank you." Wren said.
"You're quite welcome, little one." The female aerial said. "We were happy to help. Please take care."
"And watch out for the cranky doctor!" The male aerial added. "I once saw her throw a scalpel at one of her patients~!"
He giggled while saying this as he and his companion flew away. A bread of sweat rolled down Wren's temple when hearing his warning.
'It would seem my father has made an interesting acquaintance.' She thought.
She then looked up at the castle that was powdered with thick layers of snow and decorated with long icicles. From first glance, the place appeared to be abandoned. Wren could see the front door to the castle was open. Allowing the elements within its stone walls. However, when she peered closer, she could see a light flickering in one of the higher up windows.
'Someone is home,' Wren thought.
She went to step forward to head towards the castle, but hearing a voice to her left, her head turned in that direction. Her gaze zeroed in on a small creature peeking the wrong way around a tree. It was nothing like she's seen before, which was saying something as neighbors came in such a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.
This little one looked as if a reindeer was mixed with a raccoon dog. It also wore little, reddish-colored shorts and a pink top hat with a white x-mark on the front. Its blue nose twitched, and its ears flicked up and down as it stared at Wren. She blinked at the creature who blinked back at her.
'What is this creature?' Wren wondered. '…It's…it's so cute…'
Coco: And that is the end of, yet another chapter and the next chapter is already on the way. I'm just having trouble rewriting the scene where Wren goes back for the boys...I'm not sure if I want her caught up in the avalanche again this time or not. I could have her save the boys from it, but then Luffy wouldn't have that moment with the lapahns where he helps them out and they come to an understanding. And then, I feel like Luffy climbing the mountain to help his friends, impacted Chopper's initial opinion of him even if just a little bit. So, I'm not sure if I want to take away from that either. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them.
Now, for today's CLC, we shall we discussing the different magical communities. I have a chart and everything made on my laptop, but sadly, I cannot add it here on this site, so we must go without it DX
So, here's the outline:
Let's say magic as a whole is like the trunk of a tree and the different communities and sub-communities are the branches of the tree. The three major branches are Natural Magic, Ritual Magic, and finally the Scientific/Sorcery Magic. And from those branches you have more limbs branching off. For example,
Nature Magic gave birth to the neighbors, which then led to the mages. And later on, halflings came along. And within the mage community you also have druids, which we've discussed before, diviners who have been blessed by the Lady of the Lake and share her ability to see into the future (but not as deeply as the Lady), and changelings which are neighbors snuck into human homes lose some of their power due to being surrounded by humans and not natural magic (they're like the reverse of the mages who became mages due to long exposure to the neighbor's natural magic).
*It is unknown how or when this magic came to be, but it is said it is the oldest form of magic in the world.
*It is also said this magic might have come from another world as the homeland of the neighbors is in a pocket dimension of existence. This homeland has gone by many names throughout the millenniums such as Avalon, Land of Youth, the Otherworld. It's true name is unpronounceable by any tongue that is not Faeish. But in the human tongue the rulers of the land have come to call it the Promise Isles.
*Mages are also the most spiritual of the three major branches. However, they do not follow Christianity or anything similar. They pray and leave offerings to the elder fae beings who carry the same power of gods. They celebrate holidays such as the solstices, which is when the seasons change. And offer their prayers/wishes to the fae who bring the changes of those seasons.
*This community is also the most open and accepting of other races (aside from humans due to their long history of conflict) as their kind come in such a variety.
Ritual Magic is dark magic used mostly by witches who gained their abilities by making deals with powerful magical beings like demons/dark spirits/curses/etc. And witches can be broken down into other categories as well such as necromancers, cursed ones (witches who didn't ask for power but were given it. But not as a gift, which means the power given comes with curse either to that particular person to their whole family of its a bloodline curse), and demonoids (the witch equivalent of a halfling as they are born through a union between a witch and demon/curse/etc.).
*This magic's history is a dark one due to where its power originates from. And even if witches didn't have ill intents with their magic, they were all treated the same. Persocuted and hunted like animals by those who didn't understand them or didn't care to try and understand them.
*Due to being in fear for their lives, witches had used magic to hide their home from the outside world. Its location is now unknown as its very name has been wiped from history. Its name also cannot be spoken by its residences as the moment they are born a sigil is placed on their tongue, so they may never give any information of their home that might put it in danger. The name also cannot by written down as it disappears off the page just as quickly as it is written. Only those of magical means can travel to the forgotten isles as protective wards will attack any of those who do not carry any magic within their veins.
*There have been flukes where things/people from the outside world have landed on the island. Though once they land on the isle they are not permitted to leave unless they agree to be marked by the sigil.
*Not all residences of the isle are witches as there are other creatures/beings who call it home. And while the creatures are not all female, the witches are. There are very, very few warlocks who call the isles home, but the isles are a Queendom and always have been since the first witch queen was appointed. The reason for there being so little warlocks is because warlocks in the past have turned against the witches. They would throw the witches to the humans hunting them in order to save their own skin while the witches were left to be burned.
*And while witches tend to keep to themselves, they are friendly enough with their fellow magic users such as the mages and alchemists. The mages more so than the alchemists.
And as for the last branch, it is the branch for Alchemist. It takes magic and combines it with magical energy, which is made through the user and not pulled from the natural magical energy around them. This magic also has the least number of subclasses when compared to its counterparts. In fact, there is only two known subclasses after Alchemist, one of which is the homunculus which breaks down into two categories. Either the homunculus was made by an alchemist (through dangerous and challenging means) and acts almost like an assistant to its creator but also has the ability to use alchemy, or you have an alchemist who has used an altered method to homunculus creation on their own body to gain a homunculus body (which is a false body). Then you have the Transcendi whose bodies have become mutated due to too much experimentation. The only difference between them and the alchemist turned homunculus is that the latter chose to make the change and it was done through controlled means.
*This magic is the youngest of the magic and was picked up by humans who were curious of the magical world and wished to study it. Some wished to do so as a means to fight back against the magic they seemed to be powerless against. Some did it merely out of curiosity. And through study and scientific practice the first alchemist learned how to use magic.
*There are much fewer alchemists nowadays as magic has become folklore and with the other two magical communities keeping themselves mostly hidden from the world, there isn't a need for humans to pick up alchemy as a way to counteract against the others.
*Alchemy originated from the island Alchemi, which is where the name for alchemist came from. However, before that island even disappeared a hundred years ago, there had been only one family of true alchemists living there. The others had scattered across the world to teach their crafts or further their own understanding in magic.
*Very few have settled down and become scientists or doctors using their methods to perform miracles and mostly they have become recluses and only keep to themselves. They are the most secretive of the three magic users and tend to act hostile towards mages and witches. After all most of them had picked up alchemy to fight on equal grounds with the other mentioned two. And then most humans turned their backs on alchemists when they picked up the craft saying they were no better than the mages and witches. They don't even gather together as a community.
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And I believe that is where we're going to leave it for now. I could go in deeper with each different community, but I believe I'll save that for another time. I do have plans for all three different uses of magic in this story. It all plays a part in some way even if only small. And I can't wait to introduce more of it to you.
Now, as always, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I can't wait to be posting the next chapter for you guys.
So, until next time we meet, remember to keep being your beautiful selves and stay safe out there~