CH 005 - First Mountain

I just looked into the fire for a while, every now and then I thought I would see Jakir's face in the flames, always smiling and laughing. I never thought I would be a sentimental person, but every turn of life seems to have a surprise. I pull at my red hair, letting it dangle in front of my face. I comb through my hair, remembering the silky feel it's always had. My claws clack into my horns, which causes me to flinch and my tail to suddenly smacks into a rock.... ouch...

I rub my the spot on my tail which I hurt, some of my scales were damaged and fell off. My eyes are a little clouded from the tears due to the stinging pain. Why didn't I feel this when I got a cut on my abdomen?

I just sit there, rubbing my tail until the pain subsides. Since it's getting late, might as well start setting up a place to sleep. Pulling a rune out of my bag, I send Aether into it and watch as a nearby tree grows and warps into a small cocoon like structure. Grabbing my food and snuffing out my fire, I enter the cocoon, closing it behind myself.

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I wake up as the first Ray's of the sun filter through my wooden cocoon. I let my magic flow into a rune, deforming my sturdy and safe sleeping area so that I can leave. Placing a rune on the ground, I conjure some water to wash myself. I feel the cold chill as it passes down my bare body, dampening my hair and making my scales slippery with moisture. I put my clothes back on before continuing my trek.

All around me are Kurh trees, their spiky and knotted wood ominously holding up beautiful flowers and leaves. As time goes by, I see little Carbolgs hopping between the trees, their dark fur sticking out like a sore thumb in the bright light. I see a few choice creatures to hunt, but stop short of the grass, it feels like there's something off about it. Brushing aside a few blades reveals the large spiky horn within. Horn Grass, my arch-nemesis.

I turn away from the game, knowing that it would be easier to hunt in a place where things aren't constantly stabbing my feet.

As I face forward again, I pull out my map, looking at my destination. Syril, a city of moderate size, surrounded by mountain ranges, waterfalls, and known for being a place where alchemists gather. I have yet to get near the mountain ranges, but from my estimation, I should reach the foot of the first by the end of the week.

Putting the map back, I start walking again. Faster, pushing my legs to their limits, aiming to get as far as I can before I need to eat. The trees race by, and I start funneling Ether into a tattoo I have on my left hand, a rune to increase my running speed, and accelerate further.

The creatures I zip past all scatter in shock, a large cloud of dust follows behind me. I know that if I stop running, I will be sent flying by the massive draft behind me. I don't care right now, the wind making my hair whip wildly, and the sensation of my skin being exfoliated, all result in the massive high I'm feeling, and I dont want to stop.

As the mountain gets bigger and bigger in my eyes, I also see that noon is slowly approaching, with the 3rd moon starting to dip over the horizon. I slow down, feeling the wind rushing in behind me ever faster, blowing me forwards. As I finally slow down enough to stop, I see a small lake to my left. Turning and rolling, I come up in a low-crouch as I feel a powerful wind rush over my head. The birds in the surrounding trees all fly away, leaving me alone to my thoughts as their flapping winds and chirps sow a grand melody.

Sitting down at the waters edge, I pulls some meat, herbs, and fungi put of my pack. Making a quick fire, I cut the ingredients into bite sized pieces before making myself some stir fry.