Akiko and Ryden

Akiko and Ryden stepped out of the dim tavern, immediately submerging themselves in the bustling labyrinth of Hollowhaven. Everywhere they turned, their senses were bombarded. Spicy aromas mixed with sweet ones wafted from food stalls, the hawking of traders merged with the chatter of townsfolk, and vivid banners fluttered high above them, vying for their attention.

"A whole season together, Ryden, and yet you've never spoken of your past in Frotia." Akiko's voice held a mixture of curiosity and slight reproach. She locked her gaze with his, searching for answers in the depths of his eyes.

Pausing briefly, Ryden exhaled heavily. "I was looking for my brother. He journeyed to Welford, in the deep north of Frotia, and vanished. Our people believe he went to retrieve a long-lost artifact – one the Walrins supposedly unearthed from a glacier." His voice trailed off, the weight of his worry evident even without his direct gaze.

Akiko leaned in, concern in her eyes.

"Fenrir's slavers tortured the Walrins for information and let slip that he had the artifact. He told the Walrins he would head to Gaara – a city of the dead. Why there, I can't fathom." Ryden's voice grew determined. "So, Gaara is where I must go."

"But that's far from our path to Babylon. Crossing the vast desert east from Hollowhaven isn't easy." Akiko's voice wavered, the thought of losing a dear friend weighing heavily on her heart.

Ryden's lips curved into a playful smirk, "First, we journey to Babylon. We need resources for the trek to Gaara"

Her heart lighter, Akiko teased, "Awww, Ryry, so you're sticking around for us?"

Ryden's faux glare softened. "Never call me that again. Especially not in public."

Chuckling, she replied, "Got it, Rybear."

His feigned annoyance didn't last long. "Ruby Bridge – what should we expect?"

She shrugged, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Honestly? I’m winging it. But asking around might lead us to some Babylon-bound travelers."

As they approached the Ruby Bridge, the rising sun cast a brilliant hue on the ruby-hued stones beneath their feet, which glittered like a carpet of diamonds. To their left, the majestic Vastsea Gorge opened up, its depths as black as night. On their right, a parade of buildings stood tall, each housing a bustling enterprise. Signs of Hollowhaven's industrious nature were everywhere: men and women with tools, intricate devices for crafting, and mighty bulls carting stones in every shade. The town was alive with purpose.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

As Akiko and Ryden tread on the gleaming ruby-hued stones of the bridge, Akiko notices the air charged with an otherworldly energy. Each of her footstep emits a soft glow, casting ephemeral illuminations that dance around them. A feeling of awe and unease settles within her; there is magic here - ancient and potent.

A fog, mystical and silken, descends without warning, enshrouding the Ruby Bridge in an enigmatic veil. The vibrant hubbub of Hollowhaven, the traders’ shouts, and the metallic clangs of the blacksmiths’ hammers become muffled, distant echoes. They are alone in this ethereal mist, or so it seems.

From the dense fog, Akiko and Ryden could see figures dashing about.

“Fenrirs spies” Ryden growled with ferocity.

Ryden unclasped his hammer from his belt.

However before they could do anything they froze as well as the figures in the mist.

Another silhouette appeared moving through the dense fog. A Kitsune.

The Kitsune's presence was commanding, a stillness amid the chaos of the fog. Every detail of her – from the six tails that swayed gracefully behind her to the intricate patterns on her midnight-blue robes – emanated an ethereal beauty. Her gaze, intense and knowing, rested on the shadowy figures of Fenrir's spies.

“I’ll kill you witch” the spies growled bluntly.

With a graceful wave of her hand, silken strands of blue magic erupted from her fingers, ensnaring the shadowy spies. She pulled them closer now Akiko and Ryden getting a better look at them. Four werewolves, all covered in black fur and piercing red eyes. 3 had swords at the ready, one was holding a staff, the fog still pouring from its tip. Their muffled protests were silenced by the ethereal magic that bound them. With a slight push of her other hand, the captured spies levitated and, in a swift motion, were flung off the bridge, disappearing into the inky depths of the Vastsea Gorge.

"Your presence has stirred up trouble in my city, Why shouldn’t I throw you over into the depths as well," the Kitsune intoned, her voice like a haunting lullaby.

Akiko decided she needed to be honest with this Kitsune. “We are just passing through your city, We escaped forced conscription of Fenrir's army. We are heading across the desert to Babylon.”

“Hm, and where is your Fenrir mark?” The kitsune inquired.

“A general from Babylon removed it. Enkidu”

At the sound of the name her hard face softened to a more gentle smile.

“Enkidu did that?” she walked up closer to them, they could now see her features more clearly. Her eyes are deep cerulean blue, like tranquil ponds, shimmering with ancient wisdom and unfathomable depths. Cascading in silky waves, her hair is a mix of twilight blues and silvery whites, reminiscent of the transition between day and night.

"I am Senara, Guardian of Hollowhaven." she walked closer to Akiko, glancing over her. She looked over at her three tails. One dark and two light. She placed a hand on Akikos shoulder and released her from the stasis. Ryden was released shortly after. “I wouldn’t dwell in the city for two long, Fenrirs spies can become crafty when they need to be.

Ryden, ever cautious, tightened his grip on his hammer, "Why let us go?”

Senara's eyes gleamed with mischief. "The weave of fate is intricate, young warrior and I trust Enkidu’s eye.”

Akiko, always the diplomat, stepped forward with a bow. "We're honored for the help. We will be leaving tomorrow.”

Senara's eyes softened, the shimmer in them revealing glimpses of far-off galaxies. “A zephyr storm will be here shortly, you will need to get back to the tavern, tell Kyro your stay is on me and she placed a wooden figure in Akiko’s hand. It was a small baby fox. With a wave of her hand a portal appeared before them made of beautiful glistening blue water. “Okay hurry now” She waved her hand and they were thrown through the portal.

They fell through and into the dimly lit Hanging Bridge Brews.

Kitsune's words hung heavily in the air as the storm began to beat against the tavern like a drum. Turning the figure around in her hands, she could feel an energy coming from it. It felt warm, like home.

“Ah, I see you met Senara” Kyro bellowed