[center][H1] Journeys II [/h1][/center] [hr] Fear could see the three colossi from afar, their immense forms marching across the vast sea, traveling to unknown lands. The timid champion could see her sisters led by their Maker continuing onward as they left her behind where she stood on a desolate shore in solitude. They did not need to come back for her. They did not need to see her again. Fear knew this, but the pain in her chest did not recede. Her gaze drifted to the waves that washed along the stony shore, splashing against her red boots before receding back into the sea. The process repeated itself, again and again, and Fear listened to the song of the sea for a time, letting it soothe her hurting heart. She wondered where her own journey would take her, if she would have the opportunity to reunite with her family and return home, or if she would remain alone and adrift until the darkness she had known finally claimed her. Her contemplations came to an end when she heard a distant bellow, and felt the stone beneath her feet shake. She looked towards the horizon where she saw the three colossi once more, seemingly as lost as herself. She watched as they reared back and floundered in the water, as violent waves assailed their legs and threatened to topple them, but she was too far away to do anything to help! She stared aghast as the creatures were battered and broken against the raging sea, and terrible creatures that had emerged from its dark depths came and tore them apart. There was nothing she could do as cruel winds ravaged the last colossus that stood defiant against the storm, until it was eventually eroded and turned to nothing more than rust and rock that was swept away. Fear fell to her knees, and wept. She cried as pieces of the great colossi were carried to shore, scarred fragments of her own colossus, and that of her sister’s. Their shattered innards, and smashed crowns, scattered all around her. She cried as her sisters were carried to shore, pale and lifeless, all of them drowned after being overwhelmed by the tempestuous ocean and horrible monsters of the world. Fear could not look away, seeing their empty eyes stare blankly back at her, accusing her of her own failure to remain at their side. “Where are you?” The corpse of Courage had asked her, her voice hollow. “Maker, please save me…” Fear prayed with desperate tears, hoping Homura would come. Hoping that not all was lost, and she could be saved. Then she had awakened. Warm within the feathery cradle of Viho, the timid champion found herself relaxed after she had abruptly awoke, and that no more tears would come. She was grateful for the respite, and found herself seeking more comfort in the soft and gentle wings of the owl champion. “It was just a dream.” She murmured to herself. “Yes,” Viho’s voice came to her, “Just a dream. I heard you tusseling about, wondering if you would wake. Now here you are.” “I’m sorry if I kept you awake. I didn’t mean to.” Fear answered quietly, feeling a little ashamed that her nightmares were becoming a burden for someone else. She didn’t want to impose further upon the one that had pulled her from the darkness, but she could not help feeling like she had no other options. “Do you know how long we have been here?” She asked. “You did not wake me.” He replied with a small chuckle. “I sleep when I need to and wake when I do not. As for your other question, we have been here upon this stone for a few days since you were rescued. And, I have some bad news.” Fear let out a little “oh.” when he had explained his wakefulness, then found anxiety spreading through her like a cold fire upon hearing there was more misfortune to be had. She felt herself shaking with dread, recalling the horrifying visages she had seen in her dreams. “Fear… I can feel you shaking. Take heart, little one, there is still time for action. These eyes of mine see dark clouds upon the horizon. It might be another storm. It might not. It might hit us if we stay here. It might not. I know you wish to wait for your Maker but Fear, we must make a choice now. Either we stay and hope for the best, or we leave with certainty.” Fear considered his words for a time, hesitant to make a choice, to make a mistake. “She is likely busy with the others. Courage and Kindness need her more than me. I’m not alone right now.” The timid champion concluded and arrived at a decision. “We should leave.” Viho gave a bob and stood to full height, stretching out his legs once more with a groan. “Your decision is wise, Fear. We shall find your homeland together and all will be well, you will see. Now, have you ever flown before?” he asked. “No…” Fear answered, and realized what he was suggesting. Her eyes widened, and she became much more aware of the sound of the waves all around. Flying over the sea, walking on the wind with wings. “I’m not afraid though.” She replied, speaking to both herself and Viho. “Good. There is nothing to be afraid of about flying… Well only if you don’t have wings but we won’t think about that, now will we?” He said as Fear could feel him moving. “You shall climb upon my back, as I do not wish to carry you within my talons. It would be unsightly, I think. Come Fear, Say hello to the world.” He unfurled his wings and raised them high, letting the light in. Fear closed her eyes before the light shone on her, then slowly opened them to see what had awaited her. The outside world was bright and dark, clouds filling the sky above with the white mingling with the grey, an omen of the coming storm. She did not want to greet such a world. The sea was restless, in anticipation of the tempest to come as well, and Fear felt the winds pushing against her skin. Despite his words, the timid champion was very much aware she lacked wings, and should she fall, it would mean her demise. With reluctance, she began climbing the much larger owl champion, until she was clinging to his back. She held tightly, her hand of ice, shimmering in the light of the day, and called out to him. “I think I’m ready!” “Before we take flight Fear, what should our heading be? Do you have any recollection of your homeland and where it might be?” Viho asked, climbing to a high point. “We were following the rising sun, so Keltra would be the other way, right? The forest and sea are both red like me, so there’s that too. Does that help?” Fear offered, looking skyward to see the sun, which shone brightly from one direction. She looked in the opposite direction, and saw drifting clouds and an endless sea. Hopefully home was beyond the horizon. At least the unknown is better than the approaching storm, she thought to herself. “That will do, look for red, shouldn’t be too hard.” He unfurled his wings once more and flapped a couple times. “Alright Fear, hold on tight and don’t look directly down if you are afraid of heights. Here we go.” Viho said with a bit of excitement in his voice. It had been some time since the Owl had flown after all. With a few flaps of his silent wings and before Fear could even blink, they were falling- then they were flying! Up up up they went, wind ruffling feathers and hair as they took to the sky with general ease. Viho took a sloping path up into the air, well over the water below and before long he was evening out and coasting along an unseen air current. The world above was truly something special. Fear was reminded of the colossi and her view from atop their crowns, watching as the world passed by while they wandered in all directions. They had traveled so fast on their massive machines, that often the timid champion had to hide herself behind the glowing pillars lest she become overwhelmed by the sight, or swept away from the wind. Clinging to Viho, despite not being in control anymore, she felt more secure and connected to the owl champion than her colossus. She stared outwards at the vast stretch of water reflecting the cloudy sky above, and noticed a scarlet shimmer on the horizon. Hope filled her as she realized that her Maker had left her a path that would leave her home. “That way! That way! Keltra is that way!” She called over the rushing winds, wondering whether Viho could hear her. Viho angled them in flight as he looked upon the path of red. Despite the wind, Viho spoke to Fear as if he was right beside her. “Excellent eyes Fear! Are you sure this path will take us to Keltra?” “It’s my Maker! She’s guiding us!” The timid champion answered, feeling a glimmer of hope blossom within her. Her family was waiting for her. Homura had answered her prayers, and Fear found herself wishing she could fly even faster. “That’s Kel-mera, Keltra must be that way!” She continued, ignoring the small voice in her mind that warned her this might be a trap, or worse, another dream filled with horrible visions. She latched onto her memories of her sisters, their voices, and she latched onto the words of Viho. The Divine may be powerful, but they created mortals for a purpose. “Then take it we shall!” Viho exclaimed and banked to angle them further towards the path. “You see Fear, we were meant to follow this path. If we had stayed upon the rock, we would be pathless. This is good!” Fear felt conflicted upon hearing those words, but kept her thoughts to herself. She would have been happy to remain there for longer, and let go of the shame she felt after failing her Maker, her sisters, and her sleeping kin. She wouldn’t have to face them if she simply stayed swathed in the warmth of Viho’s feathers. But she couldn’t deny the part of her that wanted to be reunited as well. To see pride in her Maker’s eyes, and hear the laughter of Courage, and the gentleness of Kindness. “You’re right.” She murmured softly, glad that she would not be alone when she returned as well. Soon she would see them again. [hider=Summary]-Fear has a nightmare and wakes up. -Fear and Viho converse, the latter mentions a coming storm and explains their predicament. -Fear has to make a decision, and chooses to leave their little isle. -The two depart, Viho carrying Fear on his back while he flies. -They see signs of Homura’s passage, and begin following her trail back to hopefully Keltra.[/hider] [hider=Spirit] Viho starting = 4 Spirit +1 for post +1 for collab with other champ = 6 Spirit Fear starting = 3 Spirit +1 for post +1 Main Char +1 for collab with other champ = 6 spirit [/hider]