~Min~
"So what now?" I asked Nimi.
"Hm? Ah. Well, I think I'm leaving."
"Again?" I raised my eyebrow inquisitively. "So I suppose I'm leading in your place."
"Right." She nodded, her long, curly hair bouncing. "You get to listen to all that crap." She gave me a silly smirk.
"I suppose I do." I laughed. "Where to first?"
"Well, I have been examining the board. Apparently, it also shows populations of races, where and what they are."
"I see." I nodded.
"So, I say I'm going after the Halflings and Elves first."
"Good choice. They are definitely nice races."
"Right." I nodded again.
"There's also a colony of Humans."
"Are you sure?" I knew she could tell I wasn't asking if sure was sure about them existing, but that they're a good choice.
"The spirit said I'd be the one to reunite the races. Besides, I'm the Ultimate Source. I can't be hurt anymore."
"I suppose that's true." I laughed. "Well, goodbye." She smiled and left.
~Nimi~
After I left him, I went to Samu and Saph, my travel companions, and spoke with them in the same manner. "So now we are going after Halflings and Elves?" Samu asked.
"Yes." I smiled and nodded. "Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be." She responded.
"Saph?"
"Same." She smiled.
"Then let's go."
"Lady Nimi?"
"Jina? You've been rather quiet recently. What did you need?"
"C-C-Can I-I- Uh.." She glanced at Saph who nodded. "C-Can I c-come w-with you?"
"Yeah! That's a great idea!"
"R-Really?" I nodded and she smiled. "Yes! I did it Saph!"
"Good job." Saph's gray lips curled into a smile.
"I feel like you were conspiring against me." I laughed, turning to Saph.
"Maybe I was. What'll you do about it?"
"Absolutely nothing." I giggled. "Now, Jina."
"Yes?" She looked right at me.
"I want you to be a healer."
"But I don't- Oh! You mean herbology! I can do that."
"Right. I know you can't use magic. Now, you remember your training right?"
"Yes." Jina nodded.
~Jina~
Nimi began quizzing me on poisons and their antidotes, how to make the poisons and how to make their antidotes, as well as what their symptoms were. Then she moved on to other important things such as what plants are safe to eat and which aren't. Once she confirmed that I remembered everything, she stopped and nodded. "Good. Now, go to the gardens. You know what to do." I nodded and left.
Once at the gardens, I went first to the kitchen ones. I got herbs and spices that might be needed or useful if we camp for long periods of time. Then I moved to the herb gardens. There I got the healing salve types of herbs and set them also in my bag.
Once I gathered all the fruits and other plants I thought we'd need, I headed back. "Done."
"Good." Nimi smiled. "Let's get going now. Give me the things that'll spoil." I handed them over and she opened some sort of portal.
"What's that?"
"An awesome new ability!" She flashed me a grin. "I think I got it from the Wind's source."
"You did." My friend Saph spoke up. Her sapphire eyes twinkled, filled with joy. "This is one of those signs-"
"That I'm the Ultimate Source. You've gone on about that so much. When'll you stop?" The words could have been seen as rude, but the tone of her voice said otherwise. Lady Nimi was annoyed, and tired of this, but there was also a hint of a smile, laughter, in that angelic voice of hers.
~Samu~
We left the castle not long after, Lady Nimi with a childish laugh and grin as she threw her arms open and ran through the wind. "Careful!" I called, worried for her safety. "You might fall-" I said right as she fell off the side of the mountain. "Nimi!" I shouted, running after her. I stopped at the edge and saw her standing, totally unharmed, at the bottom. "You scared me!"
"Come on down! It won't hurt! I promise!" I looked doubtfully at Saph, who nodded. I sighed and took a deep breath.
"If I die-"
"You won't! And even if you do I can bring you back." She grinned. I inhaled and jumped down. There was a sense of falling and then I was floating right above the ground. "And... Plop!" Nimi laughed again.
"That was... Unsettling."
"That's normal."
"Hey Saph."
"I don't do well with being in thin air so I went through the ground."
"What? You know what, never mind. You're a Caveling. And a Queen too. That must mean you're good with the Earth."
"You are correct. Just like the ones who live above, I have the ability to basically swim through my element."
"The Air Fae?"
"Yes. Or Cloudlings. The Firelings are rather interesting though."
"Oh? How so?"
"They manipulate their element. Fire can spring up with a single wave of their hand."
"Then shouldn't we have brought one?"
"We could have. But, we've got you. You're just as good with Fire- No, better."
"That's true I suppose." Nimi laughed again. Then, once she convinced Jina to jump, we were off.
We wandered through the woods that once held the Clans of the Were-Creatures. When we came upon a small owl, it began following us.
The bird itself was a dull grey color, similar to that of Min's skin tone, and had black eyes. I pointed out our little companion and Nimi stopped and reached a hand out to it. It climbed onto her hand and as soon as it did, in a flash of white light, the bird changed. It went from grey to a gradient of blue and green and it's eyes were the same as Nimi's, one pink and the other purple.
~Nimi~
As the owl stepped on my hand, I was blinded by the white light that appeared. When I could see again, the bird was looking right into my eyes. |Hello.|
"W-What are you?" I stuttered.
I am called Jezebel. I am the Owl of Wisdom and I came from the Gods. They wish for me to give you wisdom in your future paths.|
"B-But why?"
You've been chosen.|
"By who? And why?"
You are a special being, Nimi, Goddess of all Races, Repairer of the Rift of the Races, and Ultimate Source. You were chosen by Lady Earth herself to champion her in this cause.|
"O-Okay."
"What did Jezebel say?" Saph asked me.
"That I've been chosen."
"As I told you." She smiled. "Let him sit on your shoulder. That will solidify the bond he began creating with you."
"Okay..?" I held up my arm to provide a flatter place for Jezebel to walk along and let him rest upon my shoulder. In the moment when he sat on my shoulder I saw flashes of many things. Once it was over my eyes were wide open and my brain was trying to process what happened when I felt Jezebel ordering my thoughts. When his mental touch disappeared, I could think clearly. One of the things the flashes taught me was how to speak with him directly and silently. |Thank you.|
Always. You are the chosen of the Gods and Lady Earth. It's the least I can do.| I laughed.
"Alright. Ready?"
"Yes." Samu nodded and the other two did the same. "Let's get going."
~Third Person~
They walked for a time before, once more, Nimi heard the mental call of her sister. ~Nimi.~
~Yes Dahlia?~ The Queen sighed.
~Come back up here. There's something you need to see.~
~Is it-~
~It is. Hurry please. I don't know how long I can sustain the vision.~
~Alright.~ Nimi turned to her companions. "I need to go."
"Up again?" Samu asked.
"Yes. I will be back, so make up a camp. It shouldn't take long."
"Alright." Samu nodded. Nimi set down her bag and had Jezebel fly off her shoulder. "Stay safe please."
"I always am." Nimi gave her a smirk and transformed, flying up even faster than she usually did, using the Wind source's abilities. "I am here."