Kitsune of the Blue Sun

Chapter 203- The Journey Resumes

[Keeno POV]

We stayed in Solheim another two weeks after my rendezvous with Ama. It was a lovely date where I took Ama flying around canyons as we kissed in the skies. Red and her Fated Ones took the time to get closer. Eblana and a Loughshinny just lazed around getting a well deserved rest from the troubles happening in the splintering Odeen. Mum and Emma used this opportunity to go on a few dates and, in mum’s case, dote on me. Once we all got the amount of rest we deemed necessary, everyone started to go their separate ways again.

The first to leave were Eblana and her sister, followed by mum and Emma. Red was torn between wanting to stay with us longer or going back to Vanir, but decided Vanir was what she needed to focus on. She did say she’d be in contact more often though, which pleased Geri and Freki greatly.  Fia was going to go back to her own mission, but Ama said she was needed elsewhere. She didn’t expand on what exactly, but I trusted Ama enough to not push the subject.  Once Fia left, we also began our preparations to leave. Pram was looking over the things we needed to go on foot, but I stopped her before she got to far into it.

“As a reward for dealing with those pests hurting the homunculi, the guild master is granting us an amnesty regarding the Gate. He said we can use it once free of charge, but only to the last place we used it from.” (Keeno)

“Well, that makes it much easier then. We still need supplies if we’re going to be traveling from Lokir’s city to the bridge to the other continent.” (Mostima)

“Speaking of that bridge, I’ve been told about it by both Fia and Ama, but is it really a straight bridge to the other continent?” (Keeno)

“Yep.  Since the seas are too dangerous to sail on for extended periods of time, all the biggest countries on both continents, Falheim excluded, planned and created a bridge that connected the two. It took almost 200 years to finish, but when it was done, it made things a lot easier to trade, even if it takes a really long time to cross.” (Mostima)

“How’s they manage to coordinate that from separate continents?  I know telepathy could work, but it’s only words and, ignoring our circumstances, would cost too much mana to maintain reliably along such distances.” (Pram)

“That I don’t know. I was too busy doing other things to pay too much attention to something like that back then. If you want more information, then we should ask our resident Goddess of Magic.” (Mostima)

{It was thanks to a divine beast. It helped the people back then by acting as a sort of scaffolding.}

I narrowed my eyes at that.

“What kind of divine beast can do that?  Wouldn’t it be forced into the Divine Domain at that point?” (Freya)

{Not necessarily.  Take Huginn and Muninn as an example, they are also divine beasts, but they are allowed to stay down there in the mortal world. As long as they don’t do something drastic like sink half a continent or wipe out a majority of the world’s population, they are treated as closer to spirits than actual divine beings. It’s honestly a bit unfair, but it is how it is.}

“You didn’t answer what kind of beast it was.” (Pram)

{I don’t know. I know it’s a divine beast and it’s very, VERY large, but not what it is. There is some kind of causality manipulation protecting its identity that even us gods at the very top can’t see through.}

“It’s probably a snake.” (Keeno)

{Oh?}

“A snake as long as the world that has, does, and always will exist.” (Keeno)

“That’s a weird way to phrase it.” (Mostima)

“Yeah, but it’s still a fact.” (Keeno)

{Is it that one from those stories you told before?  The one with the long, hard to spell name?}

“Yep.” (Keeno)

“That aside, when do we leave?” (Freya)

“I was thinking today or tomorrow, but I’m open to changing that if anyone disagrees.” (Keeno)

“I think today is good.” (Pram)

“I agree with Pram.” (Freya)

“Since Fia left, I’ve just been waiting, so whenever is good with me.” (Mostima)

“Then it’s settled.” (Keeno)

We all stood up to get ready. Pram and Freya left to go let Pram’s people know while Mostima and I went to buy supplies. A few hours later we all met up at the Guild Gate. The guild master was there to see us off along with a few homunculi who all had small, near imperceptible smiles. We bid them farewell and stepped through the Gate. After getting over the weird feeling using the Gates gives, we made our way to the top floor of Lokir’s guild hall before freezing.

The place had changed completely from when we were last here. The once full stonework of the building had become half overrun with roots and greenery. Small animal like lizards scurried around while small birds chirped above us. The already existing architecture seemed to be seamlessly merging into the new, natural formations, and the people who came here for work seemed to accept it like it’s been like this for years. I covered myself with an illusion before anyone saw me and we made our way out of the guild building. Outside was even more surprising than inside. The once desert city had seemingly transformed into a city overgrown and integrated into a jungle. Vines, trees, bushes, and other various plant life growing around it on roots from the biggest tree in the city. The small canals that had been here had grown wider due to the plants breaking through the ground and made it more humid, but in a pleasant way.

“This is getting out of hand.” (Keeno)

“Well, you know what they say about divine miracles.” (Freya)

“They are as ridiculous as the gods that grant them.” (Pram)

“Hey!  I’m not that ridiculous!” (Keeno)

“Pfft.” (Mostima)

“Words are cheap, and so far your actions have proven otherwise.” (Pram)

{She has a point.}

“You too, Ama!?” (Keeno)

{What can I say?  It’s not like I’m any better.}

“…” (Keeno)

Not knowing what to say, I decided to just leave. They could catch up with me.  As I was walking, I contacted Margaret.

‘Margaret, we’ve returned to Lokir. We’re thinking of heading out immediately, but is there anything you need from me before we go?’ (Keeno)

‘Oh, welcome back. There’s nothing we need particularly, but we can provide a guide for you if needed. You know where to go, right?’ (Margaret)

‘Yeah, Fia let us know and Mostima said she’d be able to guide us.’ (Keeno)

‘Alright, just be careful, I’m sure you’re seeing the city already, but more than just the city has changed already. I’ve gotten reports and seen several strange new monsters out there, though we’ve been unable to assess their danger levels.’ (Margaret)

‘New monsters?’ (Keeno)

‘It’s…hard to describe, you’ll just have to see them for yourself.’ (Margaret)

‘O…k?’ (Keeno)

{Hehehe.}

“You know anything, Ama?” (Keeno)

{I do, but I’m not gonna spoil it. But I will say that they don’t pose any danger to people’s lives.  Chastity, maybe less so, but meh.}

That last part she said in a whisper that I could barely understand.

“What was that last part?” (Keeno)

{Nothing, just know that these new monsters won’t bother you too much.}

I nodded.  Soon enough the others finally caught up to me and we reached the overgrown gate to the city, ready to finally resume  our journey.

Chaos Realm:

Luna: You’ve been busy.

Yeah.

Luna: Tired?

Yeah.

Luna: Since Order is out with Astraea, I’ll let you pat my tails for a bit.

Nn.

Luna: I know I’m the last person who should say anything, but rest every once in a while.  Nothing good happens if you don’t.