After getting washed away through a thunderstorm, Timothy and Alpha found themselves on an untitled island. It's a small island, but not isolated. It's split into two small islands which aren't far from each other, one covered with a floating island.
"I've heard of several islands, but I don't recall somebody mentioning its name to me. Doesn't seem to be much of a sky island either. It's only a few meters off the floor." Timothy claimed, trying to think back if anybody mentioned a floating island.
Alpha observed its bottom from the height she stood on and thought about it as well. "Well... we should ask the people on it. Doesn't look like there're many people down on the ground." She explained while Timothy tried to find a way to climb it.
They arrived at the rope that was hanging from the floating island. They tested its durability and if it was tight enough to hold multiple people.
Timothy standing behind Alpha, asked, "Don't tell me we're planning to climb to the top?" Alpha pulled the rope and without any other words, began climbing. "Yeah, we are. Maybe there are people at the top who can help us in one way or another." Alpha's suggestion didn't seem to appeal to Timothy, but he had no response. "You know... This is where my ability would come in handy. I could've just launched myself to the top." He sighed, feeling ashamed.
"Look, there's nothing we can do about it. We'll be fine. There doesn't seem to be a danger. So, let's just-!" but before she could finish her sentence, she spotted a head in front of her own face. The head was smaller than hers, but it had a long tongue.
The head hissed and kicked up a conversation, "Mm, a full-bodied human with flesh. What a delicious treat." Its voice was slithery and it quickly astonished Alpha. After getting scared, she screamed out loud and lost her balance. She tumbled down onto Timothy's body and squashed him against the ground with her behind pressed onto his stomach.
Timothy could hear bones cracking again and instantly flinched. The snake wiggled its long body closer to Alpha and exchanged views with her. "Why, hello there. Are you trying to climb onto Twilight Island?" the snake inquired. "A snake?!" Alpha questioned after trying to figure out what was happening.
"Oh, sweet little girl. Don't tell me you don't know me. My name's Echidna." The snake hissed again, chuckling. "You didn't need to scare me to death! Do it again, and I'll slice your body!" shouted Alpha, infuriated by Echidna.
"Why should I worry? You were the one who tried to climb me without permission." Claimed Echidna and responded as Alpha stood up. She slithered around Alpha's body and continuously observed her from different angles. "What? Climb you?! How was I supposed to know that you were a snake? It looked like a rope to me. I didn't think there would be an over 100-meter snake acting as a source to climb on!" Said Alpha putting her hands in her pockets.
Echidna's head leaned closer to Alpha and looked her dead in the eyes. "But of course, young lady. I've been here for decades and helped Etoceans climb to their homes. But you don't seem like someone I've met before. There hasn't been a human here for 70 years. What brings you here now of all times?"
Alpha didn't feel comfortable in the long snake's presence, and Timothy finally managed to stand back up. "We didn't have a choice but to come here, snake! We got dragged onto this island from the sea. We're just trying to find a boat to head to our targeted island." Alpha explained, raising Echidan's curiosity.
"Anyway, you mentioned that people climb you. So, would you mind letting us climb and get up there? We really want to see if someone could help us." Timothy entered, interrupting their conversation.
"Another pair that only uses me to climb. Perhaps I wish not to, but I'll let you climb me this one time. Try not to fall, my skin can be a bit slippery at times." Laughed Echidna as Timothy thanked her. Finally he and Alpha began climbing to the top hoping to see if somebody could help them. But that was merely a question.
It didn't take long for both to reach the peak, and finally, they set foot on an island. "Looks like we made it..." Timothy and Alpha froze on the spot. They were immediately surrounded by a group of people.
They seemed passive, but they looked defensive. What stood out about them was their different appearance from a usual human. Each of them stood on both feet. Their faces were like elves while others looked to have an animal-like element.
"You are to stand still and not move, pirates! If you do not comply with our request, we'll be required to throw you off the island." One of the people warned. "What? Whoa! Hold on! We didn't come here to cause trouble. We just want some help." Timothy tried to converse with them, but it wasn't as successful as he hoped.
"That's what they all say. You are pirates here to raid our village. We cannot afford another loss than we already had!" Timothy and Alpha couldn't do much as the people had them outnumbered, and they were worried, seeing that the people around them had electricity rapidly sparking around their hands.
"But I'm telling the truth. We got washed on this island and guessed we would come to visit yours to see if you could help us. We just want to help one of our friends." Alpha made sure to keep calm. She removed her hand from her swords before the people would assume they came to raid their village.
The people began talking to each other, but neither believed Timothy's words until somebody called out to them. "Now, now. Let us not greet them with disrespect. As you can see, the person we confronted is no other than the white-haired pirate Timothy. A true pirate who's done some incredible deeds for several occasions."
Upon that person's information, the Etoceans gazed into Timothy's face. "I won't lie. He does look like the white-haired pirate. But what would he be doing here?" questioned a man. Timothy became unamused. "I still don't know who gave me that name. Couldn't they come up with something cooler?" Timothy sighed, disappointed.
"Well, no need to get feisty. Come, let's talk." Smiled the elder, happy to welcome them.
The Etoceans deactivated their electrified limbs and stepped aside. They welcomed them and see what they needed.
To be continued...