A truth awakens

A young Yaiza fifteen-year-old wandering in Crawling Jungle. A snow blanket covers the land in an eternal quiet serenity. Frozen trees sentinels wearing ice armor keeping guard. In the swirling snow flurries an agitated wind specter wail. In the spiraling storm Ashe stumbles on a slippery narrow path. His breath is visible in the frosty air has he’s trudges through. Just an ordinary soul he’s caught up in this strange situation. Set out on to his way home after visiting his guardian.

In this frozen moment Ashe find solace in self-reflection. Along the way the bare trees reflect modesty of his thoughts. The world becomes upside down for him turning dark. The snow is disorienting bring him deeper in the jungle. Tries ducking under trees’ branches for a moment rest. Hope in discovering a way out of this storm. Forces himself haste in trying go out once more. In this swirling chaos a shadowy guiding light appears.

His sight spies it’s a person walking toward his location. Who is this wander out in this storm to retrieve me. The storm flowing around a seventeen-year-old Kumori male. His white lightning bolts strikes out on his orchid skin. The male’s gray eyes sparkle like the tinkling night stars. He has to be a Druis from the mysterious society. Ashe being closer to the black snow begins falling in. Kumori’s long legs takes big steps on the snow.

He notices a puffy fur quick grabs the beast. Places the beast in his tunic shirt for warmth. Struggle in standing up he sits on a flat rock. The male joins him for a rest has the storm settles. A familiarly stirs in his spirit but takes a breath. Kumori puts his cloak on Ashe engulf his body. Smiles pulls together save what little heat he has. The male whistles pierce the silence hears a barking nearby. A gloved hand pops in his face leans back.

His voice flow steady in the wind states, “Name’s Thorne, follow me or be lost,” stare in trees.

Ashe hesitated unsure if he could trust Thorne. Something flares up forces him rush up to meet Thorne halfway. His desperation or familiarly is last push he needs. Ashe grasps Kyde's hand radiating with his nature’s warmth. They moved quickly before the storm stirs up. Thorne aids him on his cano mount the duo leaves hastily. Kyde’s cano weaves through the hanging icicles. His hands hold on the violet fur for his safety.

Entering in ancient trees grove discovers it not touched. Lavender zoa beast skims across Ashe’s skin making it tingling. Feels the frightening and fascinating force of magh. Have heard Druises stories didn’t think to meet one. Yet a true Druis is truly standing in from him. Thorne wanders off collecting berries hurts himself. Trots over patches Thorne’s hand shows how it’s down. Kyde’s eyes widen stares at him but doesn’t saying.

When they sat down on a tree stump asks, “Why are you out here? Name’s Ashe,” eating the plump berries.

Toss a few in his mouth before answering, “Seek those who are lost,” his voice is calm but soothing, “Wandering souls like you.”

Frowns realizing Thorne thinks he’s a soul, not a person. Wants to go back home to his warm cottage with this beast. Twisting his pants trembling to inquire, “Can you aid us to find a cub?” hope flickers in his chest.

Sudden stormy winds lash out against the trees. Thorne nods back swiftly lifting him in his strong arms. They dash over to the cano jumps on rides out. Their peril becomes real when the storm’s rages toward them. The cano reaches a clearing has the winds are dying. But the peace they feel is brief sensing a new danger. Looming shadowy dark figures are revealing from the storm. They are lost souls who are trapped by their despair. Goosebumps springs up on Ashe shivers realizes the danger they are in. Thorne’s magh swirls when stepping up a zoa poofs in.

A zoa flies over him has he urges, “Stay as close you can,” taps a metal bangle.

Shadowy figures forms into deformed lost souls. They furious attack has one sending out shadow bolts. Thorne raises crosses his hands a wood barrier rising. The duo watches it bounces back flinging back the bolts. Vigne creepers are spouting under the lost souls. Trapping them has Thorne's claw hands comes together squeezing. Some are vanishing from their sight but few stay to fight on. Something shifts inside him sensing he’s not usual person.

 Awe mix of fear mingle in his hear has he watches. “You can’t fight them alone,” shouts over the winds. Suddenly ordering, “Shars aid us they taken the shadows,” whistles.

Indigo shadows slide over growls comes from in. Freezes but his instincts kick starts him back up. Azure spiked shade beasts’ golden eyes glisten. The shars’ swath have arrive forming a protective circle around them. Steps beside Kyde show him that he has his own strength. Today they join his will and Thorne's zira magh face their enemies. Pulls out his ocarina plays a haunting melody. Shars unleashes their strikes on the shadows.

Thorne blows on his hand throwing burrs at the deformed. His heart desires in returning to his cottage so Ashe focus on it. The thoughts of sincerity, care, and amity fills him. Shars has the shadows recoiling when their forms flicker. Thorne takes a breath have his natura magic intensifying. Feeling a surge coming to him from the beasts. Shars and themselves push hard together for to have the lost souls vanish. Shars retreated back to the shadows without a sound.

The ravaging storm is beginning to fade over time. An emerald moon and stars are lighting up the ruby sky. They sit down to take a breather for a moment. Putting his ocarina safety away in his hip pouch. Thorne mediates regaining his magh and strength. Keeps an eye out for any troubles that comes their way. Someday would love to know Thorne personally. Several wandering beasts crosses the area ignores them. Thorne stumbles for a bit catches himself before he falls.

Softly speaks, “Thank you for saving us,” taking out a awaken cub.

Stares in his eyes when stating, “You and beasts are now link,” smirks to him, “We have a special bond in us not time to speak. Will return you back home for now,” whistles.

His eyes widen in hearing those words. Barking startling him badly hide behind Thorne's legs. Thorne pats his head like he does his mount. They ride the cano journey cross the Falade. Watching the lands pasting them by smiling. Hope one day find out what our bond truly is. The sapphire sun is rises above the horizon. His life has changed for now he’s found his path. Ashe has learned if someone can face the storm emerges stronger.

---

This is a memory or a dream for Ashe later on when they meet again.