Ryori
Im not sure that we can trust him. Yae muttered as Zima started to pad forward.
What choice do we have? Zima asked, starting to quicken her pace and leave Yae behind. Zuris out there and we have to find her! Yae let out a deep sigh before scuttling after his friend.
Zima trotted up to the Warrior, Yae trailing behind. The ryori gave a nod before leaping into the dark underbrush of the forest, Zima and Yae following cautiously.

(Major apologies for my absence. My husband had pneumonia.)

Ryori.

Zima gasped in shock, "But how did you know about my sister Zuri."
The Ryori looked at her with wise eyes, "One does not live this close to danger, without knowing all that happens in the territory. I heard the coven as they passed mocking thier young prisoner, who was stubborn in her belief that someone would come to rescue her."
Yae looked at the ryori curiously. "Do you think we are strong enough to beat the Blood coven?"
The ryori blinked at her, "Where we are going strength will be useless. It is stealth and wit that will win the day. Now we must hurry. We have a long wat to travel and only a short time to get there...if we wish to arrive before it is too late."

Ryori

Zima looked at the ryori. 'Are you telling the truth?' She asked as she stumbled to keep up.

The ryori nodded, going forward. 'I did tell you we had to hurry. Are you coming?' He asked, never allowing down. Zuma looked art Yae with a tad bit of worry.

You're leading is in a trap, aren't you?' She asked, struggling to find sturdy for holds in the slickening road. It had started to rain a tiny bit ago. The ryori growled ominously.

' no questions. Just keep going. He said, urging them forward. ' the sun rises. '

Zuma wondered if that was a code or something, for the next moment, a Bush rustled, and Zuma jumped. The ryori continued, unafraid.

Then the whole forest turned into a cacophony of noises, as multiple animals ambushed them. The ryori quickened his pace, Soon leaving the hatchings In the mayhem off the trap.

Ryori

Yae huffed and sat up, inspecting their surroundings for no real reason before returning back to her seated position. "Zima?" she whispered, a quaver of doubt in her high-pitched voice. Zima hummed a yes in response. "I really don't think this is wise...". Zima slowed her pace slightly, despite the warrior's previous words imploring them to hurry. "Why? Yae- what's got you so worked up? The Hunter told us to find him and... well, here he is.". Yae shuffled about nervously "Yes, that's just the thing. Where's he gone?". Zima looked forward up the pathway to try and spot the mysterious ryori. He'd vanished. "Oh- oh no. Where's he gone?" Zima hesitated, a thought forming in her mind "He's a ryori... he can become shadows, a phantom. Why, he could be anywhere...".

Suddenly, the pair of hatchlings heard the same sibilant, hollow voice that belonged to the warrior. "Why, yes. I could be anywhere... but-" it stopped. A second later Zima and Yae saw him reappear about two metres infront of them. "I'm right here." he laughed, a strange sight was a ryori laughing. "What did I say, child? I know many things... your thoughts, your feelings. You did not trust me and ...you still do not, but... I ask you, lunemara. Why? Why do you plant seeds of doubt in your friend's mind? I was merely showing you the way to your destination. When I disappeared I was searching the area for danger in my phantom form. Those vorkids disappeared because I put a vanishing spell on them- I would not let young ones such as yourselves see such a gruesome sight! Lunemara, how did you come to know of the Hunter? How did you come to find this young vulnyx? Dumb luck was it? Or are you not quite what you make out to be?". Yae scowled as the Warrior finished his sentence. "Young vulnyx, I implore you do not speak a word... instead listen to what your friend has to say...".

Word count: 298, sorry for going over!

Day 13 Prompt

Hello everyone! This upcoming entry will be the last for the story. Because of that the word limit will be lifted, so write your hearts out to finish it up.

Also there is going to be a special prize for everyone that participates for the last entry, you will receive a Wheel of Themed Ticket. Also everyone that has already gotten their entry chosen, will receive one so that it's fair. :)

Please put the word Savior at the top of the post so I know that you are replying to the current version of the story.

Click to View to Full Story

By Asviloka


Wandering on their own wouldn't accomplish anything. Even if Zima harbored doubts about his trustworthiness, even if she felt more than a little afraid, she wouldn't give up. She'd come this far, she wasn't going to abandon her sister.

Zima hurried to catch up. The mysterious Ryori continued forward as though nothing had happened.

"What happened to Zuri?" Yae asked. "If you know so much, you must know how this all started."

"Obviously," the Ryori replied. "Why else would I seek you out? But it's unwise to share all that one knows. Especially in a wild place such as this. Anyone could overhear."

Zima glanced fearfully at the trees around them, wondering who or what might be there. Watching. Listening.

But Yae wasn't so easily distracted. "Why do you need our help to save her, if you can fight so well on your own?"

The Ryori laughed softly, in that way older creatures did sometimes when they thought you were being foolish. Zima bristled. She didn't like that kind of attitude.

"Why?" Yae persisted.

"There are other forces at work beyond the mere physical. You, Lunemara, are unnecessary. But one whose blood is the same, ahhh, she will be instrumental in thwarting those who would harm Zuri."

Zima shivered. "But we can save her? Right?" Her voice came out faint.

"If you are strong enough to do what is required," the Ryori said cryptically. "There will be a cost, one you must pay. But yes. We can save her."

Savior

"Well, what's the cost?" asked Zima impatiently. They had been traveling for a week. They could see the Beyond lands now. They were dusty and muddy.

"We are here." the Ryori avoided the question and pointed to a dark tunnel. "This will bring us to the volcano and Zuri. Best to be on your guard. We aren't the only ones here." He threw a rock into the tunnel and with no booby traps triggered, they walked on.

Yae yelled as they turned a bend to "Duck!" Zima trusted her friend and ducked. She pulled the Ryori with her and fluffed up her fur. Twin blades sliced over their heads.

"Thanks Yae," Zima breathed a sigh of relief.

"How did you see that coming?" asked the Ryori. His tone was that of disbelief.

"Easy" Yae said with confidence. "The slits in the walls."

They ran on and came to Zuri's cage. The Ryori picked the lock and she ran out and hugged her sister. "Go, go. You tripped an alarm when you opened my cage door."

They all sprinted back through the tunnel and kept running until they were exhausted. They were Umbra Forest now. They had left the Ryori a couple of hours ago. They got home, dusty and dirty and the Umbra Forest Vulnyx council heard their story. They said they would be more alert from now on, But i didn't believe them. The Ryori asked Yae to be his apprentice, and she accepted. I like adventure, but not that much!

Saviour

Zima shivered again "What is the cost?" she queried, nervous of what she must do. The Warrior's honey hued eyes suddenly turned sad. To see a ryori show true emotion was a rare sight; both Zima and Yae exchanged looks of terrified bewilderment at his melancholy expression. "You must sacrifice something, little vulnyx, it must be" he gulped"... your own life." Zima gasped, her eyes lit with an emotion she couldn't explain. Was it sadness, anger, annoyance, apprehension? Yae was silent, staring straight into the warrior's miserable gaze. "This is what we must do to save Zuri?" she finally said. The Warrior nodded, a low-spirited air about him. Zima's azure eyes turned glassy as she came to a conclusion. "I'll do it.".Yae stared at her, mouth agape. The ryori paused before saying "You are sure you are willing to do this?". Zima whispered a faint "Yes. For Zuri. Yes I will.". The warrior smiled a barely visible, sad smile before bowing and nodding.
"You are the bravest sylesti I have ever come across, young one. I wish that this wasn't the only way. I truly do." he paused and rose from his bow "Now, swiftly we must go or all efforts shall be in vain." he didn't walk far infront of them anymore, he stayed by their side, rarely saying a word. None of them said anything at all as they carried on down the path through the Beyond Lands.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A large crack in the face of a cliff came into view as they managed to finally leave the thick woodland they'd been travelling in. The sun was low upon the horizon, sending golden rays onto everything around them and casting long shadows across the hard, stony ground. "This is the Coven's base. We have got here just in time. We may say that Lady Luck is on our side..." the Warrior said, melancholy obvious in his voice. Yae sniffed, as if holding back tears "Hardly.". The lunemara shed a single tear as Zima whispered a weak:
"It's okay... it's all for Zuri, isn't it? It's worth it.". As she turned to face the crevace in the dying light, she heard the Warrior whisper "It's all for Zuri. We'll do this.". Zima turned, a delicate smile upon her face.
"Yes we will. The only question is," she turned to face her ryori friend "how?".
"We're going to have to sneak through the crevice, avoid guards and get to the central chamber. I've dealt with the coven before, I know how they work... this is all about stealth and precision. We're lucky to be here today as well. It's the new moon. The coven member's energy is drained during the new moon due to the lack of Vaeluna's rays, somewhat like luporas."
Yae wriggled forward "Why's that?".
The Warrior shook his head "I've no idea. They just draw their energy from the moon.". Yae nodded before querying "Shall we go now?". The Warrior stepped forward before murmuring:
"There's no time like the present.". As they entered the Coven's base the Sun set, leaving the world in shadows and darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stalactites hung from the grimy ceiling of the cavern. Rats ran across the ground, squealing and fighting over scraps of rotting meat that gave off a sickeningly repugnant smell that would make even the most stoic and proud ny'venes shudder. The narrow tunnel sloped steeply downwards, it seemed to go on forever. Down, down, down the travelled, trying to avoid littered bones sharp stones. "How much farther?" Zima questioned, alert for any danger that may come their way. "Not too far...," the Warrior replied "In fact we're nearly at the end of the tunnel now." as he said this they finally got clear of the dark, dismal passageway and found themselves in a square, stone-brick room. A single flickering torch was placed in a bracket upon the wall. "Finally, some light." Yae muttered as they stopped to collect their thoughts (and courage) in the aged chamber. The Warrior turned to look at them "If I remember rightly, the central chamber is down those flights of stairs.". He motioned with his tail, leaves whirling about him.

Cracked steps crumbled beneath their feet, small stones falling and breaking off into dust. "It seems no one's been here in a long time..." Yae whispered, clinging tightly onto Zima's bristling fur.
"The members of the coven rarely leave. I wouldn't be surprised if these steps hadn't been climbed or descended in over a decade... there are multiple entrances, they must've taken your sister through a different way." Zima grimaced at the thought of her sister being taken away by these blood thirsty vulnyxes.

At the bottom of the stairs was an archway. Ancient spiderwebs hung from it. "The central chamber is just past this room..." whispered their ryori friend. This room was very similar to the one they'd just come from. Square and dismal; a single torch lit the room with it's warm, flickering glow. Suddenly, a blood red vulnyx entered the room from a door to their left: a stone key hanging around his neck. It started to growl, a deep, throaty sound that made both Yae and Zima quiver in fear. The Warrior seemed calm and composed, assessing the situation, unperturbed. The ryori swiftly ran forward, ducking beneath the coven member and sliding behind him. He made quick work of the malicious, deep red vulnyx, stealing the key in the process and hanging it around Zima's far smaller neck. "Swiftly, young ones, if I'm correct she should be just down this hallway." he ran forward, Zima and Yae close behind and turned a sharp left and-yes! There she was. A vulnyx huddled up in a metal cage in the corner of the room. She had a few cuts and grazes on her neck, flank and legs but nothing too fatal or gory. "Zuri!" Zima exclaimed as she entered the decrepit chamber. Excitement was clear in Zima's azure eyes as she sprinted forward, shaking the key off her neck and unlocking the door to her sister's cage. "Zima? Zima? My god! You came! You came!" the slightly older vulnyx squealed, tears of joys welling up in her pale blue eyes as she leapt forward to hug Zima tightly. Yae and the Warrior looked on happily as the siblings reunited. The Warrior's sibilant, hollow voice gently rang out through the room, a smile evident on his face. "Young ones, we must be going... but, Zima...". Zima perked up, a serious expression forming "What?" she queried nervously. The ryori grimaced, all signs of joy had disappeared. "Zima, only one of you can leave the Beyond Lands...". Zima, Yae and the newly found Zuri's happiness faltered and left. "Only one?" Zuri whispered, her pale brown fur bristling and her icy blue eyes filling with tears. The Warrior nodded "Yes, I'm sorry-" Yae interrupted.
"So this has been for- for nothing?". Zima stepped forward
"Not nothing, Yae. I'll stay... I came here to save Zuri and if that means me having to stay then... I- I'll do it.". Zuri whimpered "No! It was my fault I got captured. I was walking outside the den on the blood moon. Mama told me not to, she said the Coven would get me but I didn't listen. Go back home Zima, you deserve it more than I do.". The Warrior shed a single tear as Yae wept several.Suddenly he stepped forward, a thought forming in his head, and whispered "My friends... there is another way. It isn't perfect but it is certainly better than one of you having to stay in this dismal hovel for eternity.". The others perked up immediately, eyes filled with hope. "I can transform one of you into a ryori. A wanderer never able to stay in one place.". Zima stepped forward and smiled weakly.
"I'll do it.". Zuri protested again but neither Zima or the Warrior took notice.
"You are sure? It cannot be undone."
"Yes. Warrior, please.". The ryori smiled again, bowed and said
"You needn't call me Warrior. My real name I shall give you. My name is Au'Rakal. Only the worthy get to know even of my name and, Zima, you are certainly worthy.". He rose from his bow and motioned for them to follow him.

They went back the same way they'd came, through square rooms and rat-infested tunnels. The stars shone bright in the inky back sky, not a cloud could be seen. The fresh air greeted them all kindly, enveloping them with t's grace and wonder. "Again, Zima, are you sure you wish to do this?".
"Yes. I certainly am, Au'Rakal. I am ready.".
"Then so be it." Autumnal leaves fell from the surrounding trees and wrapped themselves around the young vulnyx's form. Oranges, reds and ambers swirling about in a flurry of wind. Au'Rakal's eyes glowed with a strange light as he chanted in a language only known to the highest ranking ryoris could interpret. The wind suddenly stopped, leaves dropping to the floor as Yae and Zuri exclaimed in utter awe. In place of the young azure eyed Zima was an azure eyed ryori.



"Z-Zima?" Yae stuttered. The purple ryori smiled, astral garbs flowing in the cool breeze.
"Yes, Yae?" her voice was still the same, as were her mannerisms and speech.
"My God!," Zuri exclaimed in surprise "Why, look at you. My dearest Zima, you look so different!". The Warrior stepped toward Zima and said in a joyous tone "Are you well?". Zima beamed and chuckled in happiness.
"I certainly am! Au'Rakal, I thank you dearly.". Au'Rakal nodded
"It is my pleasure to travel with you on your journey Zima, Yae." he smiled warmly as he motioned for them to follow him out of the Beyond lands.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The straw dens of their tribe came into view as the reached the zenith of a hill. "There! There it is! Home! Oh home- how utterly brilliant!" Zuri exclaimed in joy. Zima and her sprinted down the hill into the village, Au'Rakal in his phantom form running in the air above them whilst carrying the far slower Yae. "Mama! Papa! We're home! We're home!" Zima shouted this as they entered the village. "Zima? Zuri?" the voice of their parents could be heard as the entire tribe exited their huts to see what the ruckus was about. Au'Rakal morphed back into his physical form as the pair eventually stopped running. It would be an understatement to say that the tribe was surprised to see not only a lunemara but two ryoris with the still recognisable Zuri. "Zuri! My God, you're alright!" her mother cried as she hugged her tightly, her father in turn did the same. "Who are these two?" the leader questioned, eyes confused and slightly wary. "This is Zima.". Zima stepped forward and smiled brightly "Hello mama, papa.". She silently leapt forward to embrace her parents in a tight hug. "How? Why- you- you're a ryori! How can that be?!" her mother questioned, eyes alight in joy in both her kits return. Zima turned to face the leader of the Vulnyx Council, scowling in anger. "The Blood Cascade Coven is real. I've been there. We've been there. And you didn't believe me. You thought I'd killed her! My own sister!" Zima composed herself before continuing "Me, Yae and," she paused, remembering to not say Au'Rakal's name in front of other company "the Warrior saved her. But only one of Zuri and I could leave the Coven alive so... he turned me into a ryori. A being that is not quite dead yet not quite alive. In limbo. I am now sworn to wander Sylestia. A ryori can never stay in a single place and a ryori can never break a promise." she smiled at the end of her sentence as Yae and Au'Rakal came forward to stand level with Zuri and herself. Her azure eyes gleamed in the light of the firepit's flickering light. "Yae, Warrior. I thank you greatly for returning my daughters home." Zuri and Zima's father said. Yae bowed and smiled"It was no problem, sir.", Au'Rakal did the same. All retired to the firepit to tell the entire tale of their journey.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two months had passed and Yae had grown into a fully fledged lunemara.



Pale golden rays shone down onto the land as Zima, Yae and Au'Rakal got ready to leave to unknown places and strange lands. "Mama, papa, my dearest Zuri. A ryori must wander... I have Yae, I have the Warrior. I shall be fine. Do not worry." Zuri wept lightly
"I cannot help but worry, Zima. Just- just be safe.". Zima beamed at her and whispered
"I promise. A ryori can't break a promise." with that she turned and set off, Yae on her left and Au'Rakal on her right. Out into the unknown.



When there's no word limit, I go overboard. Sorry!

Savior

"Cost? What cost? There's no cost too big for me help the people that I love so dearly."
Zima exclaimed at Yae, with a look of courage in her eyes, but under that courage lies an everlasting fear.

"Well now, you are very determined to help Zuri, you are indeed brave, but I ask you, would she do the same for you?"
Yae asked. Zima paused as she looked to the ground,

"Well, yes, of course she would, she is my sister, isn't she?"
Zima asked back with slight sadness in her voice, Yae looked at her and Zima glanced back,

"You're very sure of yourself, maybe you're stronger than I thought."
Yae said crypticly. Yae looked at Zima dead in the eyes and asked her,

"I hope you know that the price may very well end up being your life, do you really wish to continue?"
Zima stood there, trying to process the question.

"Yes, just help me save her, please."
Zima said with courage and fear. To that Yae replied with,

"Very well, let us find your beloved sister."
And with that, they were off.

(I'm sorry it's not longer or better, my grammar and spelling are also kind of bad so you have to excuse me if this is hard to read)