'I wondered who it was making such a racket.' An older man said leaning over the fence. The sweat trickling down his face smeared the blue paint markings into simple lines that ran down his face. The silver stripes that glided down his long hair glistened as he limped around the fence towards them. A stilted creak followed the wooden prostate that sat where his leg used to.
'Dad.' Viper said tackling the man and forcing him to take a few steps back.
'Chesmu. Stop. You're going to break me, damn it.' The man said as a smile crossed his face.
'Oh? If the hero of fields were to fall by my hands wouldn't that make me a greater man?' Viper said tightening his grip.
'You're a few years too early, my boy.' The old man said ripping himself from Viper's grip.
'Elder Ash' Sky said as she formed a circle with her hands.
Elder Ash nodded his head slightly before turning to the outsiders. Ash stared Irene dead in the eyes. The crease over her jade eyes told him all he needed to know about her. "Rash, brazen and dangerous." He thought. They glared at each other as Ash's deep brown eyes enveloped everything around him. They reminded her of her father's. A chill slithered down Irene's back as she instinctively fixed her posture. Muscle memory kicked in as she slightly bowed her head and bent her knees.
'It's an honor. My name is Irene. They are Hilo, Leon, and Oran.' Irene said. Ash's deep brown eyes slowly glanced over the others coming to a stop at Oran.
'You let Outsiders into the village?' he asked turning over to Sky who blankly stared back. 'Send them back.' He said.
'Scorch asked us to bring in any outsiders we spot.' Anoki said.
Ash grit his teeth as he tried not to say something he'd regret. "Wuyi you bastard. Did he not tell me because he knew I'd be against this?" Ash thought to himself.
Irene stood there frozen clenching her fist as her heart stopped. It pissed her off that the slightest resemblance is all it took for her to automatically revert to her old self. After years of avoiding people with any semblance of aristocracy, meeting one here made all her effort to move on mean nothing.
'Strange names you all have. What even is a Hilo or Irene?' Ash said.
"The hell you say, you bastard?" Irene thought to herself.
'Are you being serious? Ash isn't exactly a normal name either.' Hilo said.
Ash's eyes shot open as his head swayed towards the boy. As green as the fields, he harvested daily. [Clop, Clop, Clop] Ash's wooden foot went as he limped closer to the boy. 'You think my name is weird?'
'T-'
'No, he didn't mean it like that.' Oran said cutting Hilo off.
'Yes, I did.' Hilo said pulling Oran aside.
'What are you doing?' Oran whispered.
Ignoring him Hilo turned his attention back to Ash. 'I don't really care about names but before you call our names weird you should look at yours first.' Hilo said. His eyes not wavering as he stared Ash dead in the eyes.
'Our names are a gift from Bennu. They are what connect us with each other.' Ash asked.
'And? Am I supposed to care just because your God gave it to you? I got mine from my grandpa. He may not be a God but if you disrespect him you disrespect me.' Hilo said.
"Damn way to go kid." Irene thought as a smile shot across her face.
Anoki's tattoo stretched out as he made his way towards Hilo. 'Bastard!' Anoki roared as veins began popping from his forehead.
'Stop.' Sky said grabbing his shoulder. Anoki pulled himself from her grip.
'He just disrespected our people. Death would not be enough for him to atone.' Anoki said dashing at Hilo with a dropkick. Pulling out his sword Hilo readied himself.
'None of that now.' Ash said grabbing Anoki's kick and hurling him back. Sliding backward on the rubber ground Anoki stopped on his knees.
'Old man Ash h-'
'Anoki. I understand your loyalties but attacking others randomly is never the right way.' Ash said cutting Anoki off.
Anoki's tattoos slowly retreated as he came back to his feet. Crossing his arms he turned towards the waterfall. Ash let out an exasperated sigh before turning over to the outsiders.
'Words aren't something that can be easily taken back.' Ash said.
'We'll keep that in mind.' Irene said placing her hand on Hilo's shoulder. Ash staring at the two of them couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
'Oh, Wuyi is going to love you two.' Ash said limping back to the wooden fence. 'Sky, did you run into Takoda on your way here?'
'No, didn't Falcon say he couldn't come with us because he had to help you and old man Oak?' Sky said.
"Falcon? Oak? These people can't be serious." Leon thought while chuckling to himself.
'What you laughing at?' Irene whispered. The sides of her face lightly twitching.
'You know why.'
'Oak?' The two began snickering by themselves.
'What's with them?' Viper asked.
'Ignore them. Please.' Oran said.
'That damn brat thinks this is a game. With the Bhorra coming up we can't afford any slacking.' Ash said.
'We really haven't seen h- what in the name of Alo is he doing?' Sky said pointing at a tall figure decorated with a bright array of purple feathers.
Dazzled with purple earrings and a feathered bandana with a purple crystal at its center running across their head. Prancing around with the façade of elegance and dignity. Next to him walked a dull-eyed girl with blue feathers and a paint pattern going from her neck to the bottom half of her face.
Her eyes brightened up when she saw the group. She dashed towards them and Viper opened his arms with a giant grin on his face. Zipping past him she tackled Anoki.
Falcon glared at Anoki. Ever since they were kids the two would butt heads over every little thing. When it came to Ulama Anoki always had better reflexes and speed. When it came to forming a pact with Bennu. Anoki received his first even though he was younger. He's not even worth hating Flacon would always tell himself whenever he thought of Anoki. Viper's face morphed into a frown as he stood there with his arms still open.
'Ano when did you get back? I thought you went out to the surface. Why didn't you come to find me when you came back? Are you avoiding me?'
'We just got back and w-'
'Welcome back young Scorch. Oh sorry, I meant young Smoke.' Falcon said.
Anoki's mind blanked as his heart skipped a beat. A scowl fell onto Drizzle's face before he stormed away.
'Why're you mad?' Falcon said.
'Ano, why're you ignoring me? I-'
'Chenoa! What are you doing here?' Ash interrupted.
'Dad? Wait, what are you doing here?' Chenoa looked around her only now noticing Hilo and the others. The color drained from her face. She tightened her grip on Anoki's arms. 'Outsiders!' she said.
The gang looked at each other uncomfortably not sure how to react.
'Enough aren't you supposed to be helping with preparations for tonight?'
'Mom asked me to give you these. I ran into Falcon and he offered to walk me here.' Chenoa said handing over a small pouch.
'I got it you can go back now.'
'But Ano just got back an-'
'Chenoa.' Chenoa frowned before strolling back.
'Send my regards to madam Bloom.' Falcon said.
'Hey, idiot. Where were you?' Ash said.
'I was around…' Falcon said.
'Takoda. We don't have much time left. With Anoki's initiation tonight, we have even less time. You're not a child anymore. You can't just disappear as you please.'
'I don't understand why his initiation should inconvenience all of us but only the best for the young Smoke.' Falcon said.
Ash's eyebrows dropped.
'Okay, I just went to the pit. The last thing I ate was the duck Anoki brought for us yesterday.' Falcon said.
Anoki's eyes shot open as he flipped his head around.
'Luckily it seems like I was the only one who got sick.'
'What're-' Ash stretched his hand out stopping Anoki.
'I'm not saying he did anything I know Anoki wouldn't ever try something like that.' Falcon said.
'I gave him that duck.' Ash said.
'Which is why I don't think it's the duck.'
'Even if you were sick. Leaving for the whole morning is ridiculous, even for you.' Ash said.
'I don't control how my body works, unfortunately. And what's the big deal anyway mother's predictions said we still had enough time.' Falcon said.
'I don't remember your mother ever plowing the fields.'
'Yes, but I don't believe the words of the head shamaness would be wrong do you?'
The squeaking sound of the kids running around blended together with the gurgle of the gushing water. Ash grit his teeth as he forced a smile onto his face.
'No. Of course not.'
'Sorry for inconveniencing you. I'll report to my father right away.' Falcon said jumping over the fence.
'Why didn't he use the gate right there?' Oran said.
'Overly dramatic prick but what can you do?' Viper said.
'You people sure are tolerant when it comes to your own.' Oran said
'It's just the way things are. ' Sky said.
"What a damn pain. I feel for you, Tate. If Viper was even a fraction of that I'd have killed him by now. Onida spoiled him far too much." Ash thought to himself. 'I should be heading back now. We'll talk more tonight.' Ash said looking at the outsiders.
'As long as you have alcohol I'll be willing to talk forever.' Ash shook his head chuckling before turning to Anoki. The boy was still pissed.
"Maybe I shouldn't have stopped him. No, Aranck would get mad at me." Ash thought staring. He took a deep breath as he placed his hand on Anoki's shoulder. 'Bennu be with you tonight my boy. As the days go by you look more and more like your father.'
Anoki grit his teeth at the word father. But he calmed himself down as quickly as he could. Ash was one of the few people he genuinely respected.
'Thank you, I hope to not let you all down.' Anoki said.
Ash nodded his head before limping back to the field. Anoki stood there frozen his clenched fist shaking as Ash's words ran back into his mind.
"Why? I'm not him. I'm better-I" Sky's hand pressing on his shoulder shook him back to reality.
'It's going to be fine. I'm here.' Sky whispered in his ear before turning to everyone else.
"The hell do you know? I don't need you." Anoki thought to himself.
'Well that's it for me I need to go see what I can help with for tonight.' Viper said before walking away.
'What are we going to do about them?' Anoki asked.
'I'm not sure we should probably take them home for now.' Sky said.
'If you're busy we could just wander around.' Irene said.
'No, it's fine. I'm not that busy so taking you home shouldn't be a problem. You should rest up for tonight.' Sky said.
The outsiders followed Sky towards the center of the village where the radiating tree sat. On their way, they occasionally got paraded with inquisitive eyes of people with their tattoos activated who rushed past them carrying entire carts filled with vegetables. Small wooden carts carrying vegetables pulled by llamas passed by them in a rush. A fruity aroma of mildly roasted nuts filled the village. Everyone they passed would stop what they were doing and just stare. Kids would point and some would even try to hide from them. Most of the dome-like buildings were together in sections all surrounded by small fences. Some even had a few buildings inside of their fence. Knotted strings of different colors and lengths hung in front of every house.
'So what's happening? Everyone seems really busy today?' Oran asked.
'It's Anoki's initiation.'
'Initiation?' Hilo said.
'As of today he's 17 years old and tonight he'll be getting his official name from the head priest.' Sky said.
'Bennu gives the names. The priest speaks for Bennu.' Anoki snapped at Sky.
'Sure, what'd I say?' Sky said. Anoki went back to staring at the side. Sky let out a sigh.
'So in short it's very important.'
'This initiation thing seems like it takes a lot of resources and people to do. Seems a bit much if you ask me.' Oran said.
'She didn't' Leon commented.
'Well, normally it's a family thing but since it's the chief's son's initiation everyone participates.'
'Chief's son!?' Oran said.
"Wait a minute I punched the chief's son?" Hilo thought while shooting slight glances at Anoki.
'Didn't I mention that? Sorry.'
'Wait so your name isn't Sky?' Hilo said.
'No, it's Aponi but you're not allowed to call me that.'
'Why?' Hilo said.
'Because you're younger than me. Anoki here will still be Anoki to me after today but to the younger ones he'll be something else.'
They all came to a stop in front of the humming statue that stood in front of the tree. A woman with long flowing hair and pointy ears stood there in a hue of green.
'Who's that?' Oran said pointing at the statue.
'Layla, our first chief and the one who founded this place.' Sky said forming a circle with her hands, Anoki did the same as they stood there in silence. She then turned to Oran who was mesmerized by the statue.
'I believe you're one of her people.' Sky said.
'Elven is relative… There are many of us out there. But she does look…beautiful.'
'You can say that again. Man, a desert piper if I've ever seen one.' Leon said.
They all turned to him with confused faces but he simply shrugged it off. Deciding to ignore him they took a right down the road. Up a slope, a large dome-like building with three smaller ones around it sat in a secluded section of the village.
'Anoki can take it from here.' Sky said.
'Where're you going?' Anoki asked.
'I need to go back to the court. You wanna come?' Sky asked Irene.
'What happened to 'rest up for tonight'?' Irene said. 'Do you need it? It's fine if you do' A smile flashed onto Irene's face.
'Let's go then.' She said.
'Yeah, let's go ladies.' Leon said.
'Ah, sorry but one other person is enough.' Sky said.
Leon stood there in shock as Clint waved his paw from Irene's back. 'Betrayed again? I'll get you for this you damn monkey.' Leon mumbled. Sky made a circle with her hands before leaving with Irene and Clint.
'I wanted to go too.' Hilo said.
'You're joking right?'
'…'
'Don't answer that.' Oran said.
'Let's go, I don't have all day.' Anoki said.
They made their way closer to the buildings. A short stone wall encircled the buildings. The gate swung open with a squeak as they made their way in. The ground had soft swooshing of the grass on the ground surprised them.
'This where you live?' Leon asked.
Anoki carried on heading to the largest building in the center of all the others.
'Yes or no would've been fine.' Leon said.
A young girl came out of the door leading out of the main building. Anoki fumed at the sight of her. Her arms were covered by the thick blanket she had on. Red painted patterns going from her neck to her lower face. As her ink-like eyes made contact with theirs a smile fell on her face.
'Welcome back.' She tried saying as Anoki stormed past her into the building. not even making any eye contact. The girl stood there as her glistening eyes slowly drifted to the floor as she wondered why she even tries.
'Um, hello?' Hilo said standing right next to her.
Frozen for a moment she realized they had guests the girl flashed a smile onto her face. Trying to hide any semblance of sadness she made a circle with her hands.
'Welcome, I am Tayen.'
'Hilo'
'Oran'
'Leon.'
They all answered back. As they stood there Tayen's eyes lit up when she realized they were outsiders.
'Outside…' Tayen said trying to stop herself from smiling.
'What gave it away?' Oran said walking up to her. She was almost as tall as Hilo making him have to look up to talk to her. Tayen down stared at Oran.
'Your hair. Something about it didn't seem normal.' She said as a smile crept onto her face.
'Define normal.' Oran said.
'Even if I did I doubt you'd relate.'
'Lucky for you. I'll be taking that as a compliment.'
'That yo-' She was interrupted by Anoki storming out of the house.
'ALO BE…with you.' Tayen said as her smile slowly disappeared. Oran and Hilo looked at each other.
'So, do you live here?' Hilo said.
'Uh…Yeah. I live in that one with my sister. You want to see it?' Tayen said pointing at one of the smaller buildings on the side.
'Sure why not.' Oran said as the boys followed her Leon stayed behind. His attention was on the village which could be seen from the view.
'You coming?' Hilo asked.
'Nah, I'll stay here.' Leon said. As soon as the kids left Leon fell to the ground on his back. Staring at the illuminated shell he wondered what he was doing there. "This was supposed to be a simple job. Why am I inside of a turtle?" He wondered as he flipped on his side.
Noticing a woman pass the tree and head in his direction he jumped to his feet. The closer she got the clearer she'd become. She had braided hair flowing in front of her shoulders. White paint over her face. When her hazelnut eyes met with him she froze and took a step back. Leon fumbled around before trying to copy the circular greeting but did it the wrong way.
'Not like that.' She chuckled.
"Yeah, but you laughed." Leon thought.
Making a circle with her hands she. 'Hello, I am frost.' She said.
'Frost? More like scorch.'
'What?' She said staring at him blankly.
"Too much? Of course, that was too much. What's wrong with me."
'I mean I'm Leon. I'm not very savvy when it comes to talking.'
'Savvy?'
'Good at this, I mean…' Leon chuckled uncontrollably.
'I'm not sure what you are talking about but it's nice to meet you, Leon.' Frost said.
Leon stood there with a giant grin on his face. 'Ah, what can I help you with?'
'Oh, I almost forgot are Anoki or Sky here?'
'No, you just missed them but is there anything I can help with?'
'Actually-no I can't do that to you. I barely know you.'
'I insist. I don't have anything I'm doing right now and you could show me around the village as compensation.'
'Uh…Okay.'
'Hilo, I'll be back later.' Leon said. No reaction came from them. Leon shrugged them off and followed Frost.
They went past the statue and headed straight towards the river. Anoki stood on the other side of the wooden bridge that sat over the bridge. He went towards a large set of buildings comparable to the chief's residence near the waterfall. Climbing over the wooden bridge that creaked with every step they took a right going the opposite direction from Anoki.
They followed the stream that rushed down the river. Passing patches of land with dozens of harpies with their tattoos activated plowing the earth. While others harvested. All absorbed in what they were doing.
'Know that pain.' Leon remarked.
'Are you a farmer as well?'
'Not anymore. The early mornings weren't doing it for me.' Leon chuckled.
'So you stopped? Why?'
'What's the point of all that hard work?'
'The hand that does not sow cannot harvest.'
'Hah, what's the use if your hands don't work anymore, or if you lose them then what?'
'Then your family helps.'
'Why would they though? You just said the hand that doesn't sow won't harvest. Why would they help someone…who's useless?'
'No. I don't know how you outsiders do things out there but family is all we can truly rely on in this world. Even if you don't always agree.'
'A pretty optimistic view. What about your God though. Isn't he reliable?' Frost kept her head forward and began walking faster.
"Ha, look at you being coy. What if sh- wait what's that?" he thought as he noticed a red substance on her hands and most of the bottom half of her shirt. "What is that!? The hell? How didn't I notice it? Actually, I know why but- no it can't be anything like that. Wait what is it Irene said earlier? 'Cannibals' No. NO. NO! It can't be the chances these people are cannibals are very little. They have livestock so I'm fine. It would be bad if she took me to a quiet area where she'd rip me apart. Actually… Wait No! This isn't right." Leon thought to himself as he found his legs frozen.
"The hell are you doing legs? You were all jittery a little while ago. Now you're taking the cowards route out. Don't do this to me I'll need you to run."
'Are you okay?' Frost interrupts Leon's internal arguing.
'Uh, Yeah I think I'm a bit tired.'
'Oh, I'm sorry for making you do this.'
"Yes, now tell me to go back already. Say something like 'oh no making you do this would be wrong of me.' Be the better person." Leon thought.
'You know what?'
"Yes?" Leon thought.
'You could rest up at my place after this. I live right next to where we're going.' Frost said.
"Noooo!! How dare you! Why are you doing this to me? Wait rest at her place? Maybe- NO! Stop mind you're gonna get me killed. Okay look I just need to calm down. It's probably just paint, yes very dark…red…strange smelling paint. Yeah." 'Ah…sure. Thanks.'
They arrive at another cluster of small square-shaped buildings. "Wait a minute houses?" Leon thought.
Long gray smoke stretched out from the biggest one. The crunching sound of pottery being broken followed by a barrage of cursing shot out from the main building.
Leon turned to Frost who had a nervous grin on her face. "The hell is this?" Leon thought