As the sun warmed Homewood in perfect bliss a certain Dire Rat was already preparing for an adventure, Her first and foremost idea was bathing till her fur remained silky. Relapses of the Bog stirred her senses always remembering to clean properly. Once she was settled Athena poked her head around the corner. Artemis was already awake it seemed probably out hunting which was her favorite pastime after all. Grabbing the satchels she packed them with several things she'd need in her exploration. Water was definite as were scrolls, vials of water, and snacks. Once everything was packed with perfection she initiated another cleaning before heading out into Homewood to find Artemis.
The air smelled of flowers leaving the large rat content with her decision to thrive in this paradise. For most of her life, Athena knew nothing other than the Barrens and the life of Dire Rats. As the males hunted the females dug burrows, prepared food, made home a life. Athena's heart desired more causing her to sneak out after the dens were intruded upon by the noulicorns. They had taken the abandoned young as they journeyed deeper into the Barrens themselves. So, on a whim, she followed them through that rescue until they returned into Homewood. Never had she thought of returning after her departure for Homewood was a paradise one could only dream of? Creating a den of her own while growing a garden for foraging. A certain noul named Muse always kept a watchful eye over the scattered gardens keeping them happy and weeded of pests.
Artemis was a completely blank slate for Athena leaving her to learn her companion's habits while living together. The cockatrice was a bit smaller than others she encountered though, she was feisty in her own right. Athena never had to worry about the peacock familiar as Artemis always returned after her hunts. A loyal companion to the very end Athena knew without a doubt Artemis would always be by her side to face whatever plagued them.
Athena seated herself on a nearby tree root awaiting the cockatrice's return as her front paws rested for balance. Before she had received her gift the young female rat would have just noted herself resting on a tree's roots. Currently, as she was seated she could feel all of Vykelli flowing through her entire being. It was an amazing feeling knowing that her kind could also assist in the healing of the world.
"Morning" a voice announced as a bright blue and green cockatrice arrived as if on cue.
Athena opened her eyes smiling, "Are you ready to depart to the Misfruit forest? Eyes sparkling she raised upward from the branch adjusting her satchels, "Everything is packed and ready to go".
Artemis bobbed her head, claws scratching the ground, "Ready! No worries I'm your sentry should something appear!"
After a spell, both creatures arrived staring into the mouth of the Misfruit forest. The air here consisted of mist as the trees painfully stretched out in skeletal masses toward the sky. The foilage was unrepairable by first glance, dead to its very core. Everything here just seemed suspended in time gasping for oxygen it could never fathom. The sheer sight left both rat and familiar transfixed in a horrid state.
"Wow", Artemis spoke first, "This place is downright depressing".
Athena frowned, "This is... worse than the Barrens. Even if you dig deep enough there's water to be found".
With each corresponding step, both familiar and Dire Rat sensed nothing but despair. They had left early enough in the morning so the light wouldn't be a problem unless something hindered their journey. The mist remaining very unbecoming held a staleness to its very core yet it was damp leaving Athena to note there was water here, somewhere. Cold tendrils swirled around fur and feathers causing both of them to be stiff in a rigid stance. This trail was leading downward into a strange gully as the familiar skeletal trees and plants remained the same. Artemis stayed directly by Athena's side as they made their way downward toward something that looked like a huge contraption that rose as high as the sun possibly. The closer they neared to this place the cooler it remained. Athena could taste the water yet her eyes couldn't determine where it was. Her magic that swirled within was reacting to this strange anomaly
"Strange" she murmured sniffing the air as they reached the massive dam, "The water isn't in view yet I can smell it as it's right here"'.
Artemis could smell it as well leaving her on edge, "I'm going to check this out. Be right back". Taking off like a rocket she sped into the forest following the great wall in hopes of solving this puzzling case.
Athena was about to respond when Artemis tore off following the huge wall leaving the Dire Rat to content with herself. She shook her head just sitting down on a broken down log letting her paw touch upon the brittle bark. Unlike Homewood, no aura or magic flowed here leaving an imprint this place was forgotten. While she did sense the residue of a once beautiful ecosystem her eyes only sensed pain and suffering. Deep within her mind, all she could ponder is who would be so barbaric to destroy such a beautiful place?
Within a while, Artemis returned to her companion, chest heaving from such a fast pace, "Water. So much water trapped behind this huge wall. Whoever did this certainly wanted to keep the water trapped? The Barrens I think its why there's no water flowing topside... It's all here."
"This place" Athena murmured, "It used to be beautiful and thriving. There used to be so much life here till someone destroyed it". The female's rat's voice was grim as she spoke what she absorbed when her paw touched the log she was seated upon. Listening as Artemis described the water being trapped, left the young rat pondering why her birthplace was nothing but sand and death. If the water was initially trapped here it would explain why the gorge in the Barrens ran with nothing but dust. This manifestation was created to contain the water leaving the Barrens to wither and become a wasteland.
Interesting.
"This is a good place to stop anyway for lunch", Athena mentioned to Artemis so they could relax before seeking out a new path pulling them deeper into the forest. Reaching into her satchel she found some fresh fruits and vegetables which she had already prepared for them both. As her paws picked up her meal her mind still wandered about the barrens, this place, even the ruins that she had yet to visit personally. The "Others" were to blame for this her mind whispered which she agreed upon. How magnificent this place must have been?
"Dust", Artemis spoke, "leading to the Barrens where no water can travel. It's here behind this wall staying put, immobilized from going anywhere. Who do you suppose did such a thing?"
Athena swallowed her vegetable before responding, "Others" she murmured, "Those before we destroyed this place".[/color]
"But why though" Artemis tilted her head before snatching up a fruit.
"Because" the rat sighed, "It was their nature. Take and destroy".
"That's horrible!" Artemis cried.
"Indeed, but what's done is done. If we were to destroy or damage this thing it may take ages to replenish this area", Athena nodded looking out at the skeletal trees.
Once they were finished their meal both drank from the vials of water Athena had securely packed earlier. Raising herself from her resting place she looked around the area once more. Her mind was whispering finding Wanderlust about destroying this wall as Artemis called it. It would take time to heal, but everyone in Homewood had the capability of teaching this land and others to grow green once more.
"I found something!" announced Artemis standing idle looking inward at a path that recently had been tread upon. Thankfully, it was noul-based so there was no need for concern.
Athena hurried to over gazing inward, "Great work Artemis! This path is appearing to go upward so let's get a move on".
As her gaze turned up toward the sky Athena could see the sun was settled in its high point heading downward. Her mind once again thinking hoped they wouldn't get stuck here in the dark. While no creatures were present she didn't want to meet something festering in a bad mood of trespassers. Picking up her pace Athena moved up the hill then stopped. They had traveled quite a bit till this road came to a conclusion near the large lake that stayed hidden behind the huge dam where the river flowed into. While there was another path Athena was more enticed to travel to the water's edge sticking her paws in the water.
Nothing happened.
Pulling off her satchels she placed them on the bank of the lake then took a dip in the river taking a moment to wash her face. It was refreshing, invigorating to feel the water as it touched her paws. This was the life source of this area as she swam around feeling Homewood, Vykelli uplift her. There was life here the Noulicorns needed a way to release the river back to the land, to the Barrens. After a few, she swam back to the river band and crawled out. Fluffing her fur the water sprayed outward like a gentle rain then gathered hr satchels. Curiously she started following the river upward by route of the second path keeping a sharp vigil so the river wouldn't be lost. As she climbed her nose twitched feeling something, surviving?!
Hurridly, she moved toward this feeling until she saw something in the distance.
Artemis captured a gaze of the trees gleaming in silver growing as if to disarm the myth the area was completely devastated.
Taking off in a direct run the cockatrice ran upward till she skidded to a halt, surrounded by mysterious trees growing a fascinating fruit. These trees were incredible as they defied everything. As Athena finally made it to her companion's side she gasped as this grove was proof that this area was potential to be healed. This she had set her heart on as she raced down the hill once more finding a flooded area where the river was trying to escape yet the dam refused that liberty. Taking her paws she placed them gently within the overflow of the river closing her eyes. Digging deeply the familiar glow returned breathing, pulsating with the heartbeat f Vykeli. Exhaling she opened her eyes letting the water evaporate back to the skies from whence it had come. While this small gesture wasn't something significant, it was a start to heal this world.
As the glow from her paws faded away she hurriedly ran back to the grove to rejoin with Artemis.
Looking upward at the fruit she tilted her head, "Sorry about heading off like that, I wanted to use my magic here".
Artemis tilted her head not fully understanding magic but accepted it, "This is the fruit right? The one Wanderlust spoke of?"
Athena panting agreed, "Yes. Yes it is"! Reaching upward she removed a nice sized fruit from the tree.
"Whoa! Would you look at that?!" Artemis squawked looking downward toward the river and lake. Its a rainbow?!"
Athena tucked the fruit in her satchel joining her companion, "It is I think its a sign life does still breathe here! Just a little bit of determination and we can get this place back to normal". Her magic had indeed done something as they looked out over the area. It had brought hope to a dying land.
"We best return before the light fades completely", Artemis nodded, "Wanderlust will be overjoyed we have the fruit".
Athena smiled, "Not just the fruit, but reasoning to find a way to free this place somehow".
Together they headed back down the hill with the knowledge to thrive and share with Wanderlust and the rest of Homewood.
Athena & Artemis WC: 2017 used ~spillway
