[❂ Q ❂] The Legend of the Chimati [❂ Q ❂]
[- 4,369 words -]
[- Zena -]
[- Zena -]
[ Nuri has spent nearly two years traveling throughout Tendaji, focused on taming and learning about the beasts outside of Oba. These travels have helped him grow in the army, but have also put a strain on his relationships. One such relationship being with Aseara. When they last spoke, she spoke of marriage and children, leaving him with a lot on his mind as he traveled north.
Upon arriving to Zena, Nuri hears rumors of a rare beast sighting atop the tall mountains. He travels with Freya as his guide, and they get lost in a storm. Nuri contemplates his life direction, what may have been had he not met Aseara, and the future that awaits his return. Before, he was uncertain about the impact of a relationship with the woman if made public through marriage. However, after thinking hard during the storm, he realizes his own growth and how ready he is to settle down with the woman he loves. He survives the storm and accomplishes his goal, and is ready to go home and finally embrace his future. ]
** Kana has approved the legend and plot ideas part of this post. This by no means indicates a new familiar will result from this quest. It is simply a reward for his mission up the mountain
Upon arriving to Zena, Nuri hears rumors of a rare beast sighting atop the tall mountains. He travels with Freya as his guide, and they get lost in a storm. Nuri contemplates his life direction, what may have been had he not met Aseara, and the future that awaits his return. Before, he was uncertain about the impact of a relationship with the woman if made public through marriage. However, after thinking hard during the storm, he realizes his own growth and how ready he is to settle down with the woman he loves. He survives the storm and accomplishes his goal, and is ready to go home and finally embrace his future. ]
** Kana has approved the legend and plot ideas part of this post. This by no means indicates a new familiar will result from this quest. It is simply a reward for his mission up the mountain
The past few months of travel had begun to wear Nuri down. He had spent nearly two years going across the land of Tendaji, seeking the great beasts of foreign lands to tame and to train. His entire trip had started at the worst of times in terms of his relationships - he had left just after he admitted his adoration of Aseara. Now, nearly two years later, he was filled with a mind of what ifs.
What if he had stayed home?
What if he had admitted his feelings for her sooner?
What if he followed his heart instead of his head?
As the snows grew heavy and their journey slowed, Nuri's mind continued to fill with such staggering thoughts. He couldn't ignore the tugging of his heart back to his home, the urge to rush through the final leg of his journey and finally, finally, settle down without any pressure to do more. Finally, if he finished this last leg of the journey, he could go home.
Oh, what a motivation that was.
As Nuri moved closer to the large settlement of Zidel, he began to hear rumors. He was well aware of the fact that the area was the location of the mysterious council, the group that broke up the last great battle, but otherwise the area was a mystery. So, he made sure to keep his ears keen and his eyes on a swivel as he finally entered the settlement of the north.
It didn't take long for his small party to scatter, exhausted from the last leg of their journey and willing to find the first warm bed they came across. Nuri, with his four familiars, focused on them first. His janarim and limbara were much colder than the others, despite his temporary solution of covering them in cloths. The small kinfa was a bit easier to deal with as the size meant the bird cuddled into his warmth. His newest companion, a raptrix, seemed to not mind the cold at all, which was reassuring for the beast tamer.
When all of his familiars were settled, Nuri finally made his way to the local inn, where he saw some of his traveling companions. Content to just warm himself with a drink, the oban moved to the bar and settled down, waving the tender and getting his drink. It didn't take long for him to down the strong and burning liquid, and it quickly warmed his belly and soothed his bones. Picking up his second, he sipped it slowly as he listened around.
After all, eavesdropping often was the best way for him to hear about potential beasts for taming.
Whispers filled his ears, most revolving around the outbreak of Limbara terrorizing the lands. Nuri scoffed a bit, but recalled his own interaction with the kidnapped and released beasts. Others spoke of the oracles and the council, speculating about the next move especially considering the tan skinned strangers way in the south. And one group, they caught his attention right away.
A woman was sipping her own drink, her eyes smokey as she mumbled to herself about great birds of the mountain.
Nuri was interested.
Shifting away from the bar, Nuri moved close to the woman, nodding to his peers before settling across from her. Her mumbling stopped, and she lifted her head to stare unseeing into his face. Nuri cleared his throat and set his glass down.
"Mind if I join you?" He asked softly, and she shifted but said nothing to deter him. He took a sip, slowly waiting for her to speak but realizing she was just as keen to wait as he was, "I am a traveling tamer looking to see the great beasts of Tendaji...I couldn't help but overhear you speaking of a great bird? I haven't actually heard of such a thing this far north...outside of the Suhurama of Sauti..."
Nuri was cut off by the laugh from the woman, before she shook her head at the name of the Sacred Firebird. Well this was interesting indeed.
"If you think the Suhurama is all the skies have to offer, you are poorly mistaken, boy." The woman finally scratched out, taking a drink and humming with content. Nuri waited once more, as if to prod her, and she finally shifted and continued, "Many of the Windlings of the south believe Suhurama to be a blessing from the sun, a creature of fire and smoke. It is rumored that the Alkidike invasion was all caused because of a single girl's interest in the legendary bird...little did she know of a greater creature worth finding..."
Yes, Nuri knew that the Alkidike mystic had sought out the Suhurama during the festival; many bragged of seeing the girl and hearing her demands. Yet, it seemed as if the legendary sun bird was not the best catch, and as a tamer he was painfully interested to hear more, "Go on, old woman...you've got me interested, and I'm not going to leave until you tell me your story..."
She scoffed in return, shifting again before studying him slowly. Nuri got the feeling she could see him, but her eyes were as milky as the Yaeli's eyes glowed. She had to be blind, and yet she acted as if she could see him down to his crystals. It seemed as if she were looking into his soul. After a long moment, she nodded as if pleased, and leaned back.
"Let me tell you a legend, one that has been long forgotten by my people. It all revolves around Chi, the goddess of the mountains..."
"Now Chi has been known to take on many different forms. She is believed to have been both the wind and the snow, some even claim to have seen Her face in the stone of the mountain. No matter what form She takes, She will always choose the best one to accomplish her goals..."
"Now...when the people of Zena first came to this world, it is believed that they actually came from the mountains. Upon traveling down into the earth, they were faced with a world of elements they were not ready for. Sun, wind, snow, and cold...they needed to adapt, but the elements were relentless, and they were at risk of perishing to the cold and the wind before the year was over..."
"Chi, seeing her children suffering so, took on the form of a great bird. She was so large that She covered the sky and blocked the sun and Her wings brought forth a great wind filled with snow. She controlled the storms with each beat of her wings, and so She created a new storm. With Her feathered back to her people, She was able to block off the cold and protect them through the winter so they could begin to find tools and furs and warm themselves in their new settlement. As the great storm faded, so did the great bird who protected their lands, no longer needed."
It was an interesting tale, and Nuri found himself entranced by her smokey eyes, soft voice, and the story alone. The noises of the bar around him began to fade as he leaned closer, drink forgotten.
"It is said, by the oracles, that Chi will return to protect our nation. Even if She cannot come in her bird form once more, it is believed that She will send Her children to bless the tribe and protect them from a great calamity. "
"And so, when the storms picked up on the great mountain, many assumed they would see Chi once more, with Her glorious form of feathers and snow. Instead, smaller birds journeyed down from the mountain, their wings and body solid and their resistance to the cold quite clear. These children of Chi, the Chimati, are believed to be messengers of Chi, and omen bringers. Their journey tells of a great threat to come, but also of great protection from the mother of the mountains. The Chimati are the messengers of Chi, and the protectors of her children."
"Snow birds? No one has spoken or seen such a thing..."
The old woman laughed, before taking another drink and shaking her head as if disbelieving of his foolishness.
"Many have forgotten such a tale...but, my dear Nuri...they have begun to return."
As she moved to stand and walk away, Nuri was left with his thoughts reeling. It took until his companion appeared, a hand upon his shoulder, for him to jump with the realization that he had never told the woman his name.
It was time for him to learn more about this legend.
---
After the few days the group spent in Zidel, everyone was now aware of the beast tamer's intention to scale the great mountain. At first, many appeared quite concerned with his decision, assuming he was attempting to head to the Oracle's nest. However, Nuri was quick to clear it up by explaining he was after the great snow bird...something that actually caused him to receive even more looks of skepticism.
It wasn't long before a certain leader of the council appeared, sharp willed and unwavering in determining exactly what Nuri was planning up in the mountains.
"Where is the traveler who seeks to scale the mountain!" The sharp voice of the ice tamer spoke up in the tavern, causing everyone to freeze and silence to fall upon the room. Freya was tall and dominating, her gaze as sharp as the wind and her lips curving down in a bit of a scowl. No one spoke up under her gaze, so instead she glanced about the room until she caught sight of Nuri, his dark skin standing out.
It took but a second for her to swiftly stomp over and settle across from him at the table.
"Listen here outsider. You are going to tell me exactly why you want to go up the mountain, and you will tell me the truth. I can easily send you back to where you came from, preferably with a few reminders as to why we don't take kindly to strangers scaling our mountains."
Nuri was at a loss. The woman's abruptness and certainty that he was wrong overwhelming him for a long moment. He knew she was someone of importance, as no one had approached him with such an air of aggressiveness since he arrive. If he had to wager, he'd assume the woman was of the council, and clearly was protecting him from some sort of secret. Most likely, the oracles of the mountains.
If he wanted to complete his task, he'd need to gain her approval first.
"I am a beast tamer from the Oban army, and I have been tasked to travel the world to seek out the great beasts of the lands. Zena is my last stop on this trip. I overheard a woman speaking of a great bird, one that overshadows the fire bird of the south, and I plan on seeing for myself if they indeed have returned..."
As he spoke, he saw her eyes narrow more, and had to resist leaning down in his seat. She seemed less than pleased with his response, and as he finished, she kept silent for another moment.
"...there are no birds. Go home."
Nuri's jaw dropped as she glared at him, but he got it together enough to scramble when she made move to stand, "Wait...wait a second. You can't just say no and leave without a reason as to why!"
He resisted grabbing her arm, and was glad for the decision when she scoffed and looked down upon him from her place above.
"You are ill prepared to travel the mountain. You are chasing a legend that only younglings still believe in. And you reasoning for your task alone is borderline treason. I will not permit a solider to spy upon our beasts simply to train them for war!"
"You are wrong." He cried out in response, before shrinking at her sharp gaze, "You are wrong...I'm not here to train them for war...I mean that's why the army sent me, but that is not why I'm here..."
He waited for her to huff and leave, but she seemed interested enough. Finally, he looked up, and she waved him on as if she were only here to listen because she had the time, and not because she even cared.
"The oban army currently trains to fight against the beasts of the lands. We keep them in cages, and only learn their weaknesses. I...I refuse to let that continue. I want to learn about the strengths of the beasts of the world, so that the army may see value in keeping them as companions. Treating them fairly and not as punching bags. My goal is to tame as many as possible so that I may teach others to do the same, so that I may teach others to treat all beasts as companions and not simply as enemies..."
He paused, his voice having been passionate before finally softening once more, "Even if we face enemies, I wish to educate others on the best ways to win, so that those creatures may not suffer. I may be of the army, but at heart I wish to know all I can about the great creatures of Tendaji. That is why I've come here, and that is why I need to follow this legend and see if the Chimati really existed, and have a chance to return once more..."
Freya, in all her glory, seemed to ponder his words for a moment before settling down. As she relaxed in the chair, she looked him in the eye.
"If you are permitted to scale the mountain, you will need a guide. You will not be able to take all your large, lumbering...familiars. You will take only what you need, and must understand that this is no easy trip and you will risk your life chasing a dream..."
Nuri couldn't believe it, and he all but sputtered in response, "You mean...you are going to permit me to go?"
Freya stood, brushing off her clothing as if it were actually dirty, and delaying her response. She finally set her hand on the table and leaned down, keeping her voice low.
"I will permit you to come with me. I too admit some curiosity for such legends, as they are beginning to spread across our land. The Chimati are a dream, but if we can indeed find them up in the snow of the peaks...well I guess that would benefit me greatly."
The smile on her face was one Nuri wasn't certain he should trust, nor should feel reassured about. Instead, he simply decided to appreciate her approval, and the fact he'd have a guide to assist with the nightmare of a journey he was about to begin.
---
Everything had been going so well, and that was the opportune moment for it to go to hell.
Nuri had chosen his raptrix to go up the mountain, specifically for the creature's thick down and its sturdy coat. Although he'd prefer his closest familiar, Nuri knew that Naraka would struggle being from the south and the heat. So, he was stuck with his most recent familiar, which at least provided a bit of bonding between the pair as they carried the packs up the snow blown path.
It took them a few days and some cold nights before they finally got hit by the force of Chi.
The storm was relentless, and covered their vision with a sheet of white. The group, filled with only four members, were forced to use ropes to keep them together. Freya led, followed by Nuri, Eidan, and then another Ice Tribesman. Eventually, they were hit by such strong winds that they were forced to seek shelter, and not shelter that was in the form of a camp. The group needed to find a cave and wait out the storm...otherwise they might become lost or killed by the cold and the gusts.
When they finally found a suitable cave, they used some spare fabric and kindling to start a fire, the group huddled close to ward off the cold. Freya and her Ice tribesman whispered softly to themselves, possibly speaking of potential options if the storm didn't clear up.
Nuri, and Eidan, huddled to the side with the raptrix to their back, focused on getting the feeling back into their fingers and their nose. Finally, after what felt like hours, Eidan broke the silence and turned to his friend.
"So...we seem to have gotten ourselves into some trouble..."
"It was expected..." Nuri grumbled in reply, checking his raptrix to confirm the beast was content and without harm, "The locals call this the great storm that nearly killed them ages ago...one that forced Chi to come down and protect Her children..."
Eidan scoffed, "Right...well I'm sure like any storm, it will pass..."
Both men were quiet for a long time, the sound of the flickering fire filling the small cave and the smoke both warming and causing their eyes to water. After another long pause between the group, Eidan began to smirk as he turned back to Nuri.
"If you don't make it, I can give your belt to your fair haired dancer back home."
The words made Nuri's mouth dry, and his eyes snapped to his friend's with a glare. He had never spoken of Aseara around the others, originally out of shame for turning against his tribe, but eventually to protect her from the dark side of the obans. For the man beside him to know of her profession, including her hair coloring, showed a bit more knowledge than he was comfortable with.
"How do you know about her...?"
Eidan laughed, "Well, the gang assumed it was something with how often you would visit her. And then someone saw you rushing off during your month off, and I couldn't help but put two and two together. Hey...don't look like that, the whole reason we changed was for people like you, right?"
As Eidan bumped shoulders with Nuri, the red-haired oban couldn't help but feel sick. He knew their nation had changed, he was living proof, but the thought of his peers still knowing left him feeling sick.
Eidan backed off when he realized he crossed a line, and focused on himself for a bit, allowing Nuri to really think over what had happened.
He couldn't help but be reminded of the treatment he underwent when he first joined the army. The single-mindedness of the group of peers who went out of their way to haze him. Sure, Eidan stepped away, but originally he was part of that group; a group that represented the hatred and pride of the obans. Just because Eidan jested over his adoration of Aseara didn't mean everyone else would be so open and understanding.
In fact, had he grown any other way, Nuri was sure he too would be disgusted with an oban who willingly joined with one from the wind tribe. It was hard to imagine the him back then, the one who was so keen to please his father that he blindly believed in his nation.
A nation that had killed and left orphans to be entrapped just as Aseara was.
Gods, what a fool he had been. The blind child who couldn't see past the sand and who believed that they were above all. Even today, he still had the lingering belief that the obans were the strong, powerful tribe who could take anyone down without a fight. However, he had changed. Changed enough to see that there was strength in others, which led him to make this journey to see the world and accept that other practices (especially around war beasts) may just be better than their own.
It was a noble cause, and one he knew many of his peers didn't share. They saw worth because of strength, and he had to argue that the obans would train the beast better than their potential enemies to even get the approval to leave.
Now, stuck in the cold and with his thoughts, Nuri couldn't help but regret once again the blindness of his culture.
Yet, he was proud, and he was proud enough to see the potential to make Oba great. To take what he learned, to fight to be a leader, and to train others to see strength and the proper way to handle it. It was a life he would be proud to live, and one he felt was influenced by Aseara alone.
The weak wind girl who was actually stronger than most obans he knew. Her strength and drive to fight for her freedom, to crawl back from the deepest and to come out on top. He knew and he believed in her. And he wanted to marry her.
"I want to marry her." He repeated out loud from his amazement at his line of thoughts, getting a surprised look from his companions. Freya and the Ice tribesman had been listening, but it was Eidan who spoke up.
"Marry a windling? My, you do like to cause a fuss..." The jest was soft and clear, and Nuri found himself smirking a bit before shrugging. He ignored the curious looks of the Zeneans as he let out a breath.
"You need to meet her, Eidan. If not for her skin and hair, she would make a strong and powerful oban...maybe I can help her really make a name for herself."
The pride in his voice and the acceptance of the thought left the others silent for a moment, before Freya let out a laugh of her own, "If anything, your babies would be cute."
Nuri, with a stupid smile on his face and his brain thinking over how striking Aseara's blue eyes would look on dark skin, kept silent as the others spoke up. His mind was back home, and he was ready to finally speak with Aseara about their future, challenges and all. Yes, he would marry her, and he would make sure she would be protected from that day forward. No one would stand in his way, not the army, not his brother, and not his father. He would do anything for Aseara, anything to make her as happy as she made him. All he needed to do was get home first.
---
It took nearly a week for the storm to lighten up enough for them to safely travel, which was good fortune as their supplies were starting to dwindle. The group, haggard and frustrated with each other's presence in such an enclosed space, all but rushed into the sun that peaked through the soft snowfall. Nuri took the time to glance around, realizing they were actually in an area with a few cave systems. Curious, he moved around to look in each.
Maybe these were the previous homes of the native ice tribe. It was possible, as some caves went far back. Yet, there was one formation that appeared to be a loop, moving back around to a higher opening. Determined to explore all spaces for clues, Nuri climbed up the rocky wall and entered the higher cavern.
Snow covered everything, and where there wasn't snow there was ice. It gleamed sharp and bright, and illuminated the space. It seemed smooth and empty at first, but eventually Nuri was caught off guard at a strange rock formation.
He moved closer, and brushed his hand over the layers of snow. Below, it looked like five large crystal rocks lay. They shimmered with ice, as if frozen solid. However, it was clear that it was some sort of shell, as the inside was milky and solid. Nuri took a long moment to realize exactly what he was looking at, before scrambling to the opening and shouting for everyone to come up.
Freya was first to examine the eggs, her gaze sharp before she stepped back with a perplexed face. The other two also looked, Eidan expressing excitement while the tribesman was apprehensive.
"This is...unexpected..." Freya finally provided, turning toward the group, "These are...impossible...but..."
"They are eggs. Frozen and crystallized, but they are eggs. Proof that something roosted here in the past..." Nuri provided, blinking a moment before adding, "This may be proof...proof of the Chimati being more than a legend..."
"Even if it is proof, there is no sign of a recent occupation..."
Nuri nodded, before moving back to the eggs and gently moving them. There was no cracking, and they seemed to roll into his arms. They were large, about the size of a kinfa egg, and cold to the touch. He couldn't hold them for long, and had to wrap the one he had in a blanket. When he went to get another, Freya slapped his hand away.
"I'll allow you to keep that for your own curiosity, but the rest belong to Zena. Do what you will with yours, let it melt in your sun, but we will keep these for our own research..."
Nuri wasn't sure if she would research or destroy, but he knew the look in her eyes. Freya was not going to budge, and he would do best to accept her charity and let her take the rest. As the ice tribesman helped Freya get the other eggs, Nuri turned to his companion. Eidan too saw no use in fighting, but he showed a bit of jealousy as he poked the egg. Both knew this was something special, and Nuri hoped he could get it back home without it melting.
Maybe it was ice, but the tamer had and idea that it was probably something more. Once he returned home, to his family and to Aseara, he would study the egg in detail. He had some resources to reach out to, a breeder as well as some of the scholars of the area. But to find out more, he needed to get back home.
He couldn't arrive soon enough.
