Elaine Valorrey-
Dusk.
I gazed at the mass number of stars, visible behind the slim, crooked branches of trees that stilly loomed over my sight.
Military officers and soldiers of the kingdom were all searching for a missing boy; Skysin.
It's been a couple of days since his disappearance, and everyone's been looking for him all over the Nova Region.
"Skysin!!!"
"Sin, where are you?!"
"Sin!!"
Crim cursed, kicking a small rock at a tree, "dammit, where could that little Reynard be?"
Nirvana rubbed the bottom of her chin, "weird... how did he even manage to get lost in the first place? It's a straight shot to the rift from master's house."
We walked down the trail, muddled by the turn of events, but my eyes caught a distinct, rough gash on the trunk of a tree near the right of me. I tilted my head, slowly advancing to it, "wait, guys...look at this."
"What is it?" Crim asked with haste, walking behind me.
I grew a bit worried, inspecting the damaged tree, "this claw mark... Do you think Sin could've been in a fight?"
Crim bent forward, examining it closely, "it might be possible… but knowing how fast he can run; he should've escaped without a problem thoug-"
"Guys, over here!!" Nirvana had shouted in unsettlement, interrupting Crim.
Me and Crim quickly dashed through the small obstacles of bushes and trees to where Nirvana's voice was discerned. Approaching our destination, we came across a vast field of basil green grass. I could see Nirvana standing in the center, waving at us with a face of fret. Crim and I headed to her, I could only hope she encountered a possible clue for what happened to Sin.
Just as we got there, Crim questioned her, "Vana, what is it? Did you find anything?"
Nirvana merely pointed down, at what's deemed to be pools of dry blood, tons of it, splattered across the ground.
I felt chills on my neck, "w-what happened here?"
Nirvana moved closer, thoroughly inspecting the scene, "do you think Sin could've...."
Crim quickly denied possibility, "no! Dammit… this can't be him." Crim's face blenched in anger, quickly turning around and crossing his arms.
If it's not Sin, then who's blood? It looks as if a one-sided massacre occurred. I frowned staring at this scene, nothing but a plethora of horrid questions shot in my mind.
"I-I'm gonna get Uncle Rellgis, he should be near!" Nirvana stated as fright lingered in her voice. She coated her body in a light gale of wind, causing her hot-pink hair to flow rapidly, then lifted off the ground and quickly flew out of sight.
I observed more of the bloodied scene and noticed a great amount of beast prints embedded in the grass. There's a lot, to the point that I can't even give an estimate on how many there could've been. This is very abnormal...
"It's not him, there's no way he'd die like that," Crim gritted his teeth, furiously clenching his hands into a fist, to the point I could hear vague cracks from his knuckles.
My head started to ache from anxiety, I can feel an endless pain of throbbing, as if a hammer was harshly pounding on the back of my skull. My breath had shortened, my breathing grew rugged. Like a snake constricting my chest, it felt as if my lungs were immobilized to intake air.
The one and only thing I felt was terror.
I don't want to lose Skysin, he's my friend, my first in fact. But I care about him more than just a friend. My feelings for Skysin surpasses that, I can't stand the idea of him being gone. He needs to be alive; he must be.
"Where is it?" A man's deep and calm voice was heard.
I turned around, spotting uncle Rellgis pacing behind Nirvana, making their way over to us. His wild sky-blue hair tied into a low ponytail, wearing a black and red military-esque uniform, including a long, dark blue sheath latched to his waist.
Just as they got to us, I feebly pointed at the dried puddles of blood.
Rellgis' yellow eyes had broadened. With haste, he took a knee in front of the reddish-brown fluids and began to examine the scene.
"It's not him, thank Malerenz..." He sighed and erected back to his feet.
All three of us were surprised from Rellgis' statement. I felt some reassurance knowing that it wasn't Skysin who was killed here. Still though, this means that Skyin is out somewhere.
Crim looked up at Rellgis, having a confused expression, "how could you tell?"
Rellgis replied, his eyes still surveying the ground, "even when a person dies, their raw vital and aura will still live on for some time, depending on how strong they are. And judging by how dense they are, these people were at Flurite; the fourth phase of the crystal. They must've been challengers or something."
I didn't even know that was a possibility. For a person's vital and aura to still be perceivable, even after death. But with Rellgis being far more experienced than us, it's not surprising for him to know this. And if that's the case, then what really happened here?
Rellgis quietly hummed, "there's something strange going on..."
"Couldn't we try to find Sin's aura if he had used it uncle?" I pondered, clasping my hands together.
"No... It's not that simple kiddo. When someone uses their kinetics and aura, it'll disappear within a certain timeframe, also depending on how strong that person is. And Sin should be on par with Crim, and he's in the peak of gypsum. So, give or take, Skysin's had vanished within the day he had disappeared. We can only hope he's safe as of now, until we get more clues… shit," Rellgis lifted his head, staring at the night sky. "I'll take you kids home, can't risk any monsters attacking you three."
Crim furrowed his brows, shaking his head, "come on uncle, we want to help!"
"No, it'll only unsettle me more. Skysin already disappeared; I can't take a chance losing any of you three," Rellgis firmly denied.
"But we're stronger now, we can help uncle!" Nirvana pleaded.
"You kids already helped more than enough, especially finding this scene. Something unnatural happened here. You're all going back home, end of discussion," Rellgis dismissed us.
Crim dropped his head, "...dammit..." he cursed quietly in anger.
Nirvana had patted Crim's back, "it'll...be okay Crim. We can try to come back tomorrow morning." -Nirvana turned to me, giving me a hopeful smile- "Right Elaine?"
"Yeah," I gave a resolute nod. I know Skysin's okay, he's not the type to go down that easily.
Just as we were preparing to leave, there was a loud 'thud'.
The aggravation in Rellgis' voice was evident as he huffed, "...what is it now...?"
We all turned our heads, coming to see a giant, twenty-foot black tiger-like beast with two long jagged teeth suspended under its snout, prowling towards us.
"It's a Sabre Tiger! Those are in the Apex rank!!" Nirvana called out, wielding pink aura around her body.
The giant tiger viciously growled, baring its dangerous jade-like claws and beastly teeth.
Me and Crim both followed suit, incasing ourselves in aura prepared for battle.
The tiger lowered its stance, its muscles started to increase in size, growing larger by the second.
It pounced at us.
Rellgis clicked his tongue in aggravation, quickly walking in between us and the beast.
Under a split-second, the giant tiger had been sliced in half.
As it fell a part, crystal ice coated the corpse, shattering into pieces when it collided onto the ground.
Astonished is all I was by what took place. Rellgis is just as mother and father stated; exceptionally powerful. His movements weren't even perceptible, it seemed as if the monster was magically split in two. Rellgis really is a mountain of true strength.
This is the type of power I want to achieve when I'm older.
While the three of us gazed at the shattered, crystalline cadaver in awe, Rellgis turned to us, setting his hands in his pockets, "come on kids. Let's get out of here before another one shows up."
We all returned to the trail, making our way back to the rift.
I put my hands together, praying to our mighty goddess Malerenz, "please be safe, Skysin."
*****
Skysin Rillem-
I felt something warm, soft, like a heated marshmallow pressed against my cheek. Very soft. It feels like this cozy pillow is at least the same size as my head.
"Nyuh..."
I heard a woman's soft, melodious moan next to my ear, like she's sleeping quite pleasantly. However, that's when it hit me.
Now that I took the time to notice this, I could feel something wrapped around me. The soft skin of a woman holding me closely...
WAIT A MINUTE!!!
I opened my eyes. Seram's holding me close to her, sleeping soundly. Her plump pink lips formed a small smile, lightly snoring.
My face felt like water that was slowly boiling.
Seram's vermillion kimono is loosened from sleeping, it's not even around her shoulders anymore...
I caught sight of a red strap that's held around slender neck. My eyes had slowly followed this, going lower to her chest.
Oh Malerenz....
That's when I came to understand what I was laying atop of. Seram's large bosom, attired in a blood-red lingerie bra that accentuated her rosy skin tone.
The water's starting to get hotter...
I even felt something warm wrapped around my legs. I turned my neck, looking over at Seram's thick thighs, wearing a matching set of see-through stockings.
At this point, it felt like I was reaching my boiling point.
Seram had giggled in her sleep, pulling me closer. My head slid in between her deep cleavage.
It's getting hard to breathe now...!
I began to squirm, feeling all the precious air in my lungs grow low, "...seram...!" I squealed like a little mouse. I could barely speak without losing more oxygen.
Seram had chuckled in her sleep, "that tickles..." Seram held me closer than she already did, and I couldn't even budge. Why does this woman have to be so strong?!
Seram had turned over, pressing her large mountains against my face as she laid atop of me. I'm going to die at this point.
No! Not like this!
There's one more thing I can do. Please, forgive me Seram, but it's either life or death at this point...
I managed to wiggle my arm out from under Seram and brought my hand down. Slapping her soft bottom, the crisp sound had reverberated throughout the room.
My small hand stayed on her round rump, but Seram was still sleep.
Hey, this is really soft.
Seram's silver lashes had flickered, and her pink eyes opened. My hand is still on her butt...
I felt my heart sink into the realm of shadows.
Seram's face had flushed in rose, and quickly sat away from me, "oh...oh my, I'm so sorry Sin! Was I suffocating you?"
My lungs had finally been relieved of fresh air! I sat up, catching my breath, "um...yeah, but I'm alright." I paused, my eyes taking in Seram's perfect figure. She's really beautiful, in the face, body and personality.
Seram quickly fixed her clothing, covering herself up, "I do apologize. I didn't think I would...well, you're all fine and well, right?" Seram anxiously chuckled.
I raised a brow, "wait a minute...why'd you come in here?"
Seram poked her lips out, covering her mouth, "you must've been half asleep. You don't remember Sin? You kept asking me to come in here."
I rubbed my chin, trying to contemplate, "uh, no, I don't remember that at all." -I stood at the edge of the bed, squinting my eyes at her- "Are you sure that I asked you?"
Seram pouted, crossing her arms under her chest, "what, is something wrong? You didn't like sleeping with me, Sin?"
I stayed silent. Well, I can definitely say that it wasn't a bad experience.
Seram got onto her hands and knees, steadily crawling on the bed like an animal to me. I could see the outlines of her wonderful figure, her round pink lips curved into a smile, "you don't have to lie, Sin-Sin."
Seram gently clasped my chin with her hand, making me stare into her mesmerizing pink eyes. Seram licked her lips, "I can sleep with you again, if you'd like..."
I felt my face burn in heat.
I quickly dashed out of the house, racing through the dimension at high speeds.
I will not fall for her tricks!! She's teasing me!
I need to clear my head...
****
The cold, chilling winds blew through my hair and clothing as I kept my eyes closed.
Taking a deep breath, I inhaled that crisp air and opened my eyes.
I stood on a cliff, the very top of this glacial mountain, connected to a broad chain of snowy slopes. Beneath me, I gazed at the humongous, wonderful terrain that flowed with such alienated life. The red trees that rustled with the winds, amethyst grass that steadily danced in the breeze, a diversity of strange yet beautiful beasts that walked and ran throughout the glorious plains of hills and clear waters.
Large white birds with red beaks and long feathery tails flew high in the sky near me, cawing in sync.
This is going to be so goddamn awesome.
I turned around, having my back face the opposite direction I was staring at.
I raised my arms to my side, and fell, letting the wind take me.
The chilled winds became stronger as I fell, my hair and clothing chaotically fluttered with the frosty gale. The adrenaline inside me sparked like multiple flashes of lightning.
I noticed the large birds quickly follow me in the sky as I dove to the ground.
A wide grin grew on my face.
"HELL YEAHH!!!"
Quickly, I hugged my legs and performed multiple backflips.
I swiftly twisted my body, and fell feet first, about to plummet into the mounds of steep snow under me.
Hastily, I made thick circular slabs of ice under my feet and crashed into the ground. But I began sliding down the mountain at high speeds.
I swerved, my movements like a snake as I descended this mountain. As a snowy hill came into view, I sped up and leapt off it, high into the air, spinning and flipping my body. It felt as if I was truly flying, and the birds by my side did nothing but enhance my immersion.
I screamed in a mixture of joy and excitement.
As the ground quickly came towards me, I made the ice on my feet disappear and began to run on the snow.
I looked back, watching the birds still behind me as I dashed at great speeds. I laughed, "...You guys wanna race?"
The birds cawed in unison, pulling their wings in and making themselves more aerodynamic. They're pretty fast.
I copied their moves, pulling my arms behind and slightly lowering my head. Maybe I'll end up moving faster just like the birds?
I grinned, "ready!"
"Set!"
"GO!!"
I increased my speed drastically, and my view began to broaden. Everything around me looked as if it had extended and wrapped my eyes.
Before I knew it, I had made it to the plains, running at the speed of sound. I couldn't hear anything, but this feels absolutely amazing. Like I've become the wind itself.
The plethora of animals around me seemed as if they stopped moving as I sped past them. As if I stopped time in a whole.
However, as I ran at such speeds, it doesn't feel like I hit my limit at all. I think I have a lot more energy to spare, I've only unleashed a small percentage of my actual potential.
I wonder how fast I really am?
I further increased my speed, and my vision continued to broaden more. I could see miles upon miles ahead of me. By the time I took one step, I was already there!
This feels amazing!
However, I came to see a large steep hill right in front of me.
Oh shit...
I shot off the hill like a cannon, taking off into the air like a beam of light. I opened my arms and glided across the sky, watching the landscape under me slowly alter into the woodland of red trees.
I crossed my legs as if I was sitting, pondering to myself, "hm. Now that I think about it... How am I gonna land this?"
My eyes widened, coming to see a tree I'm aimed at, wrapped in humongous blue vines that separated onto other large stocks.
Hastily, I fixed my posture and created jagged ice claws on my hand. I swung my arm at a large blue vine on the tree, trying to stop my fall.
But my claws simply latched onto the vine, and my momentum had redirected me, shooting me high into the air.
"OH GOD!!!"
I fell back down, watching an individual vine grow closer to me. I used gravity to soften my fall and slide onto the vine upright.
I struggled to keep my balance as I sled on this vine. I quickly used my arms to hold myself up, and before I knew it, I wasn't having any trouble.
"This is pretty cool..."
I began to easily follow the movements of the vine, letting it guide me as I slid throughout out the large forest.
The vine weaved and swayed back and forth like an eel, then went upwards, looping multiple times.
My eyes caught sight of a smaller individual vine sitting in a tree, getting closer by the second.
I leapt off this large blue plant, and caught the smaller vine, swinging through the trees like a monkey.
When the vine reached the limit of its length, I let go, soaring over to the large trunk of a tree. But I fixed myself, landing onto it feet first.
I focused all my aura on the balls of my feet and jumped from one tree to another.
In air, I raised my arms and used my hands to land on a thick, yet slim branch. With my momentum, I swung and leapt off, shooting into the sky.
I performed multiple flips, and swiftly landed onto the ground.
I placed my hands onto my waist, "that was awesome."
I'm really surprised by how fast I was running. I never thought I could move at such speeds before. I'm pretty sure I was well beyond sound. I could've kept going faster too, if it wasn't for that random hill in the way. I need to try that again some time.
Lucky for me though, I landed by Seram's cottage.
I walked over to her home, coming to see Seram sitting on a chair outside on the porch. Her silver hair is bundled into a messy bun, wearing a more loose-fitting pink dress, drinking what seems to be a glass of wine.
Seram's quite the classy woman.
Seram waved at me, taking another sip of her wine, "hey Sin, I heard a loud crack just a few seconds ago. Was that you?"
I chuckled, "yeah, I was running around. I wanted to see how fast I could move."
"Oh? Did you get an idea on how fast you really are, Sin-Sin?"
My expression became deadpan, hearing her call me that nickname, just like how she was teasing me earlier this morning. I know she's having a blast with this because I'm a kid...
I shook my head, "mmm, sort of...? I kinda flew off a hill by accident..." I wryly stated, rubbing my head.
Seram laughed and made her glass of wine float beside herself. The pretty woman stood, and looked at me, "I'm sure you'll find out eventually. But, how about I start teaching you how to control your spatial kinetics more, hm?"
I beamed from her words, "yeah, I'm ready!"
"Good, then let's get started."