Rushing creeks and waterfalls echoed over the oversized cliff edges.
The strawberry-blonde-haired vampire tore grass into little pieces, her face showing an uninterested look as she watched the world go by.
Aletha was restless, clearly worried about her friends' whereabouts and unsure about how to reunite with them.
While Aletha pondered her next steps, Rinnea rocked her back, sniffed the fresh air, yawned in boredom, and then whispered to her, noticing her unease.
"You know, if you want to know where your friends are, I can show you." She tapped Aletha's shoulder and pointed to the glowing lanterns dotted about the mist-embraced trail. Rinnea continued in a friendly and bright tone, hoping to persuade Aletha to join her on the journey. "It's not that far. And trust me, the destination will be well worth it. You can rest, get something to eat, meet new friends, and so on."
A small and relieved smile curled up from Aletha's mouth.
Although her concerns about the "training session" have been completely wiped away, the memories of it occasionally linger, leaving a subtle imprint on her mind. The training hadn't just been a series of exercises; it had marked a transition in her life, forcing her to confront her limitations and fears. This experience was intertwined with thoughts of her brother, whose safety and well-being constantly occupied her mind. Aletha's concern for him was not just for his physical safety but also about the bond they shared, which had been a source of strength and comfort amidst the growing chaos around them.
Nonetheless, even if she was welcomed with peace, Aletha still couldn't grasp the idea that Drimi, the woman who saved them and encouraged her—the captain who took them to Linuxina—was slaughtered at the hands of her father. Aletha felt compelled to understand how this tragedy connected to her current journey, fueling her determination to find answers.
She clenched her fists and looked over to the ground, shaking her arms and muttering.
"If only… I was there."
Rinnea tapped Aletha's head and asked.
"Hey, um, so are you going to come with me or not?"
Because she wasn't focused, Aletha responded with a tone of confusion.
"Where?!"
Frustrated, Rinnea lowered her eyebrows and squinted at Aletha with a look of irritation.
"I thought I told you already. Were you not paying attention?"
A silence brooded in the air. Aletha shrugged her shoulders and made a quirky smirk, looking down at the ground and truthfully answering.
"Yes… I was. I'm sorry, Rinnea, I was focused on what happened before."
The vampire girl made a forgiving giggle.
"Haha, it's alright! It's not that BIG of a deal. I was just testing if you're a liar or not."
Aletha's eyes shrank in disbelief, answering with a trembling voice.
"A liar?! W-What?! I'm not a liar! Do you even know who I am?!"
Rinnea crossed her arms, shook her head, and replied sarcastically.
"Oh, of course, strangers like me know who you are." She exhaled deeply. "Come on. I thought a girl like you was smarter than that. Right, I didn't even catch what your name was. So… what's your name?"
"Aletha."
Rinnea's round ruby eyes widened like a tomato.
"Aletha…? Wow, even your name sounds beautiful. You are the perfect cake in this world, aren't you?"
After a long silence, Rinnea clutched Aletha's hand and said in a gentle tone. "Anyways, let's go and follow that stream over there. I want to have a little chit-chat with you while we travel to Clearstar."
"Clearstar?"
"Just follow me and stop asking questions."
* * *
Vines slithered down the cliff face like snakes, seeking the pool of tepid water below.
Flying feet trailed excitedly along streams rushing through the thick patches of foliage. Monastery quiet, rivers lined with pine trees, and the whiff of mint wafted up to them.
Aletha and Rinnea set out toward Clear Falls, expecting to find a flat plain ahead.
Instead, as they arrived, the breathtaking scene before them left them speechless.
The hollowness of the valley magnified all sounds, from burbling streams to the bumble of bees. The visage of the streams, waterfalls, and a lake was clear and tranquil, flanked by an avenue of colossal pine trees conquering the height of tall mountains. But that wasn't all. Just barely holding their breath, Aletha tilted her head, feeling the breeze brush against her face.
Frenzied pulses of happiness ran down her spine.
She gasped, watched her step, and turned over to Rinnea with a smile on her face, exclaiming as the sounds of the tall waterfalls eclipsed everything.
"Oh my goodness, Rinnea, come here!"
Struggling to pass through the skinny streams, Rinnea vaulted over a small shore of pebbles and replied to Aletha with a breathy tone.
"Yes… w… what?"
Then, out of astonishment and disbelief, the vampire's crimson eyes broadened in shock at what stood before her. She backed away, afraid not to make a wrong step, feeling the sunlight tap on her head.
As she saw drifting clouds glide over the low terrain beyond the waterfalls, Rinnea clenched Aletha's hand and led her through the narrow stone paths winding down into the lower-level lake.
She commented with a nervous tone as Aletha showered herself with spiraling emotions.
"Wow, I completely forgot just how amazing this place is! It's so high up, too! Aletha, be careful. This place is too high for you to stumble around and do crazy stunts."
Aletha answered, giving a thumbs up.
"Okay!"
They continued through the changing landscape, journeying side by side.
As Aletha sat on a rock nearest to the small shore, she sat and pondered. She thought to herself how the trip below wasn't as dangerous as Rinnea claimed it would be. There were a few rough edges, but overall, it was manageable without much trouble.
Aletha remembered Rinnea's warning, 'What did I say? Watch your step!' Whatever the vampire had said, it really wasn't that bad.
"What did I say? Watch your step!" Whatever that vampire said, it really wasn't that bad.
Anyways...
As they crested the ridge, the lake appeared as if by magic. It glowed luminescent cyan and lay before them, shaped like a flexible disc of sweet nectar. No sound rang out from the shimmering emptiness of space around it.
It was weirdly peaceful, like a slice of paradise.
Sheer happiness overwhelmed Aletha as she gazed out at the world before her.
Golden light shimmered on argent-silver waterfalls pouring into the lake, surrounded by hills like Aletha's thoughts. Honestly, if not for her brother, she wouldn't even know those words.
"Come on, Aletha, stop staring into space!"
"I am NOT staring into space."
The more Aletha spent time with Rinnea, the more she began to feel trust issues arise. She couldn't begin to describe the anxiety that filled her whenever Rinnea was around.
Maybe it was because of that encounter, but...
Another sight distracted her.
Aletha's mind drifted off track again.
As they approached the strange lake at the bottom, Rinnea informed Aletha…
"Alright, here we are. Clearstar!"
Aletha didn't understand what Rinnea meant until the other girl pointed beneath her feet.
"Here it is!" Rinnea blurted with a grin plastered on her face. "Come here! "
Tired, Aletha took deep breaths and called back to her.
"Okay, give me a minute!"
After catching her senses, Aletha hurriedly sprinted to the pink-haired girl, asking as pine leaves flew around in the air.
"Yes, what do you want?"
Rinnea's eyes looked like they had been both annoyed and excited by this unexpected encounter.
"Do you know where you are?"
"No, not at all," Aletha replied.
Why would she ask that?
I only followed her for the necklace the man wants.
It's important—it holds my best friend—but still...
One slip, and the necklace—and Drimi's soul—would be lost.
What does this have to do with training?
Wasn't she supposed to gather crops?
Somehow, everything was related.
Why gather crops on a train? My brother's probably having more fun. This feels pointless.
And where is everyone?!
There's no one here but a stranger. Did they all vanish? Oh, right—Rinnea said they were in Clearstar. Still!
My mind feels numb from all this chaos. Anyone would agree.
This feels like a fever dream. It all felt like a fever dream. It had started when Aletha was caught in a sudden tornado, its force tossing her around like a rag doll. As she tried to find her way, she nearly drowned in turbulent waters. From there, she encountered strange people from nations she hadn't known existed. In the process, she was infected by a bizarre virus that made her feel inexplicably happy, as if in a perpetual state of euphoria. On top of that, she explored the strangest places, much like this one, where nothing seemed to make sense. Less than mountains!
The story pressed on as Aletha's thoughts spun with the changing landscape for a reason.
I can't imagine what my brother thinks. I fought a creature I drew—then we just ran from it!
Breathe, Aletha. My brother always says: Focus on one thing. I need to clear my head and pick one thing. That's...
* * * * * * *
Out on the lake, flopping trout werOut on the lake, trout slapped the surface. A sudden eureka moment struck. Looking up at the mountains, the sky, and the crystalline pond, Aletha stepped forward and announced: About it!" She swung her hands in the air. "Now, how do I get that necklace? What do I have to do to get it?! Tell me now!"
With a perfusing and careless expression, Rinnea crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, replying as her feet met the surface of the magical lake.
"Oh, you're done? Finally! You had me waiting here for at least twenty minutes, and all you had thought of was that?! Were you just staring into space?!"
Aletha's face heated red with slight hints of embarrassment.
"W-What?! I wasn't staring into space! I was thinking!"
A disrespectful smirk shone on Rinnea's manipulative face.
"Pfft, thinking about what? Surely you were not thinking about anything remotely important."
"That's where you're wrong!" Aletha said as she raised her finger. "See, I have been through a lot these last couple of days. I never intended to be in a train crash, travel with someone like you, and chase after a stupid necklace! All I have ever cared about was my brother and my family, no one else. So please, stop wasting my time and give me the necklace!"
A loud silence brooded in the air.
Rinnea rubbed the back of her head and looked over to the flock of seagulls soaring in the distance, pondering her thoughts.
(I recognize this power. It's…)
Rinnea's smile lowered into a frown, and the atmosphere around her grew cold, with the insects and birds stopping mid-air. Her crimson eyes reflected Aletha's startled face as she warned her, holding the necklace in her palm.
"Aletha, I've seen this power before. It is… not something to be meddled with."
The white-haired girl raised an eyebrow and backed away.
"Huh? Why?! It's just a necklace!"