-POV: Sumi-
Slowly regaining consciousness, I wake up from the darkness. Yet, still feeling dizzy from the shaking feeling transmitted to me, I can't even open my eyes, feeling my stomach churning.
With the acidic smell coming up my throat, I want to throw up, yet swallow it instead. I honestly feel very uncomfortable with the shaking feeling, yet at the same time I also notice something else. From my right hand, I realize as a comfortable warmth flows into me, making me calm down.
Yet, still confused with my head spinning, I try to search for the source, finding something extremely comfortable and soft, even more so than the blanket on top of me.
With still closed eyes, and feeling as my drowsiness took over once more, I embrace the comfortable feeling, pulling it close to myself.
Somehow I feel safe and warm, so slowly drifting off, I strongly hold onto the comfortable feeling, fully embracing it.
Though even before I knew it, my consciousness begun fading, as my drowsiness won over me and I slipped to sleep once more.
-POV: Saria-
Waking up in the morning due to the ship staggering a bit, I open my eyes and sit up. Putting on my clothes, I look over to Sumi's bed, trying to see if her situation became better.
Yet, what stepped into my sight surpassed my expectations, in a good way. On the bed not far away from me, Sumi was still comfortably lying there, with both her breathing and complexion having become a lot better.
Yet the most surprising off all things was probably the thing between her arms. She is strongly holding onto the silver bundle in her arms, hugging it tightly while nuzzling her face on the cute bundles head.
The silver bundle, Arin, didn't appear to be disturbed in the slightest, and just kept on breathing softly while being hugged by Sumi. His face actually even revealed an innocent smile, making me blush. If it wasn't for them still sleeping, I would probably have trouble keeping myself from squealing in delight, as the scene in front of me was just the epitome of cute.
I am sure I have that stupid grin on my face, but I just can't help it. Watching as Arin completely furled himself up, with his tails intertwining with Sumi's, while his ears perked up beneath the silver hair. On the other hand, Sumi pulled Arin closer, hugging him while she sometimes appeared to giggle due to Arin's fluffy ears tickling her nose.
Honestly, this is a sight for sore eyes, and I don't have any regrets anymore to have come with Sir Geyser onto this Journey, so whatever will happen, I have to protect that innocent expression.
Clenching my fist while thinking back to... certain events... I once more look at the young pair of foxes, before I silently stand up to leave the room. Breakfast on the ship isn't with everyone, due to the strain of the ship-traveling causing some of the more sensible people to be rather weak in the morning.
So, walking towards the kitchen where I can already spot several crew-members taking in their breakfast, I pass them and pick up three portions. The Chef looks at me funny, but after I tell him that it is for the kids, he only smiled for a moment as he returned to work.
Now, with three portions worth of breakfast in my arms, I make my way back to my room. Entering through the door, I place the breakfast-plates on the table in the middle between the beds.
Yet, due to me accidentally knocking one of the forks off the table, letting it fall to the ground, a crisp noise sounded throughout the room, waking the two calmly sleeping children up.
The first one to open his eyes is Arin, slightly befuddled by his situation, he took a look around. Though, sensing as he begun moving ever so slightly, it appears that Sumi woke up as well, roused from her slumber.
It didn't take long until the two of them actually gained awareness that they just awoke, and before I knew it, both of them were staring at one another. This kept going for a few seconds, with both of them seemingly deep in though.
Actually, even with both of them now awake, aside from his head, Arin was still fully furled up, while Sumi was still hugging him, holding him close to herself. So, the moment they met each others eyes, there was only a distance of a few centimeters between them.
However, after a short amount of time, both appear to have realized something, suddenly turning completely red in their faces as their eyes were wide open.
Honestly, I am unsure, should I interfere... no, let's see how this plays out.
Waiting at the table, having lifted the fork off the ground already, I keep watching the two young foxes whose ears suddenly seem to take on a shade of red.
Yet, the reaction of both of them seem unexpected. As after a certain amount of time passed, Arin only furled his head in again, summoning up his tails to cover him, seemingly in shame. I expected him to jump away or shove away Sumi, yet he is probably to surprised to do so, as his concealed face definitely took on a deep shade of red.
Meanwhile, Sumi was fighting against the urge to shove him away, as clearly visible from her expression. Yet somehow, there is also reluctance to part seen in her eyes, meaning that she isn't completely against snuggling Arin.
It appears that Arin just went into hiding, too surprised to flee the situation, while Sumi was only able to hopelessly wail with her arms in the air, unable to cope with the situation.
Amused by the sight of the two kids completely shocked states, I decide to make my presence known.
“So you little sleepyheads, finally up?” (Saria)
With that simple line, both Arin's and Sumi's attention is gathered on me, with Arin watching me through a small gap between his tails.
Yet, the moment they notice that I was watching them, Sumi's face suddenly surpasses the earlier shade of red, as she begun wailing her arms in front of her. Meanwhile, Arin was unable to react to Sumi's sudden behavior and was thrown off the bed.
Both of them wore embarrassed and confused expressions, especially Arin as he probably doesn't know that I was the one to put him next to Sumi.
Though it took a while until both of them calmed down, we finally managed to eat breakfast together, with Sumi only continuing to stare at her plate, while Arin did the same, though he did shoot me an angry look from time to time.
However, seeing as there was neither malice nor killing-intent, it means he was only angry out of embarrassment.
Anyway, luckily neither of the two seemed to carry any grudge, and aside from being awkward with one another for a few hours, nothing serious occurred. Well, aside from the fact that Sumi later lost her reluctance to sleep with Arin of course, though that would still take a while.
Well, at least Sumi seems to have gotten better, with her complexion regaining color while she herself said that she was well again.
And when we finally finished eating, I left the room with the dirty plates while the two of them left for the deck. Today we will remain on the ship, and tomorrow evening we should arrive, so I heard Sir Illois is actually going to be the one to teach them something while they travel. Anyway, being satisfied with today's morning, I walk towards the kitchen with a slight spring in my steps.
-POV: Arin-
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Muuh, still slightly pouting I make my way towards the deck, with Sumi following me close behind.
Saria is no better than Uncle Black when it comes to such things, suddenly placing me and Sumi in the same bed. Why would she even do that?
Looking back, I can see Sumi still slightly red in her face while she keeps watching my tails. I don't know what she is thinking about, yet the moment she notices that I am watching her, she makes a little jump backwards in surprise as she then looks me in the eye.
“I... I am sorry, I...was unaware...” (Sumi)
Oh, so that was what she was worried about? Thinking that far, I also have to apologize, as even I had been unaware.
“Well, its fine. I have to apologize myself, so... sorry.” (Arin)
Saying so with a bitter smile, Sumi's face lightens up a little before she nods and accepts my apology. I believe she even muttered something under her breath, yet I couldn't catch that, even with my enhanced hearing.
Seeing as both of us cheered up a bit, we both made our way back onto deck. Surprisingly, Sumi didn't seem to be affected by the shacking anymore, leaving her to actually remain calm and with a healthy complexion.
Well, it didn't take long until we reached the place and walked towards the front end of the ship. Not too far from there, the others could already be seen, with Anna, Alice, Saria, Illois and even Uncle Black sitting on the ground, chatting about different topics.
However, the moment Sumi and me arrived, their attention was on us, with everyone, except Illois, suddenly having a stupid grin on their faces.
If I didn't misunderstand, then Saria must have told them what happened, so slightly angered, I ignore their annoying comments and just take a seat next to them.
Sumi herself becomes more embarrassed than angry, which results in her hiding behind me from the gazes of the others. Sadly, that action caused most of the others to suddenly grin like idiots and make even more stupid comments such as 'look at those lovers, etc...', I really want to punch them, I am only 9 years old, I have no such interests...!
While having trouble keeping my embarrassment from showing, Illois suddenly claps his hands, letting a crisp sound wallow through the wind.
Having our attention focus on him, he only cleared his throat once before he begun speaking.
“Old Lizard, I know you like teasing the boy, but please keep it in moderation. And you girls, yes Saria, you too. Please hold yourself back, as always trying to embarrass a person might come biting back at you, and I am talking out of experience. Anyway, today I planned to actually continue our history-lesson from over a month ago, so please pay attention.” (Illois)
Making his word strict yet without becoming loud, everyone lowered their heads towards us and said sorry. Uncle Black also let out a long sigh and mumbled something about him having let loose too much, while also apologizing. He afterwards stroke my head a bit, before he then returned to being the good-natured Uncle I know. Well, I am not really mad at anyone, but being made fun off left me with a bad aftertaste.
Anyway, after everyone, including Sumi, calmed down, Illois begun speaking again.
“So, where did we left off last time... let me think for a moment.” (Illois)
While Illois is holding his chin with his hand, I try to think back, arriving on the part where Illois ended the story last time.
“I believe it was when the High-Humans drilled into the worlds-core, which led to the collapse of both the core and the world... Am I right?” (Arin)
Asking in a probing manner, Illois eyes suddenly light up, meaning he had figured it out. Still, Illois first took a deep breath, as he then sat up strait again and looked into everyone's eyes at least once.
After doing so, he let out a sigh, and begun speaking.
“True little Arin, back then the Humans believed to be able to extract the ability of the core to manifest Magic-Power, yet that wasn't what occurred. The moment they breached the core, it was like a unsealable wound, causing the core to rip apart, while the world itself lost its stabilizer, resulting in the collapse.
When the collapse came to be, the world itself fell apart, with the continents parting and the sea splitting in the middle. It was a nightmare, an event that killed 98% of all living beings at that time. The only survivors were the people who took refuge in one of the three holy-lands, as well as those few that managed to weather the catastrophe through various means.” (Illois)
Ending it there to take a sip of water, everyone was expectantly watching Illois every move, waiting for him to continue telling the story. However, I had some doubts...
“Illois, if the world collapsed, how come Treia exists as it is?” (Arin)
Posing the questions, the girls around me nod as well, agreeing with me, while Illois only let out a deprived, hollow smile.
“That would be... because of the Origins sacrifice. Tell me kids, do you know how big this world once was?” (Illois)
Asking in a testing manner, Illois looks at us all in turn, to which we can only shake our heads. Though Uncle Black and Saria appear to know, Illois made a gesture towards them, telling them to remain silent.
Anyway, after about thirty seconds with no answer, Alice answered with a unsure tone.
“Could it be, that it was once actually bigger?” (Alice)
With insecurity written all over her face, Alice was watching Illois, who only thinks for a moment, before he begins laughing and tells the truth.
“Good conjecture, that might actually have the greatest possibility if not for one fact. The truth is, it is actually quite the opposite, as this world is about 8 times as large as the former Treia. That is also one of the reasons why even though only five continents are known, there are indeed further land-masses far away, yet only dragons and long-lived races are aware of this.
Especially since if you used a boat to travel there, without any accidents, you would at least require a year to get there. Anyway, back to the topic, the reason why the world became so much larger after the collapse, as said, is the self-sacrifice of the two origins.” (Illois)
Hearing the words coming from Illois, everyone in the round, myself included, is confused and astonished. How come that the world grew after the collapse? Doesn't a collapse mean losing something, or falling apart?
While my thoughts were going everywhere, trying to figure out what Illois was talking about, the latter didn't wait for us and continued to tell his tale.
“Back then, only the three regions that had the protection of a origin-power were kept stable, meaning the dragon mountains, the Kitsune-Mountains, or better known as Silver-Lake by now, and the fairy-forest, mostly due to the Tree of life planted there by the origins even before the Humans arrived. Well, today it is also better known as the World-Tree, but that has it own reason, and a very important one at that.
So, when the day came where the continents shifted and fell apart, and the atmosphere lost its stability, it was those three that were raised from the old world and lifted up, rising from the ground. They are also the only territories remaining on the surface, coming from the old Treia.” (Illois)
With those words, Illois took a quick break where he threw a snack into his mouth, before returning to reality and regaining his posture.
Yet before he could continue, Sumi threw in a question.
“Uhm, if they were safe, how come the world is larger with only those three territories? Where did the rest come from?” (Sumi)
Listening to the question, Illois only made a short annoyed expression before he returned to his casual look.
“I will come to this now. As said, the world collapsed, so in order to prevent Treia from vanishing, the Origins used up every last bit of power they had, even literally offering up their bodies which were filled with said power to reconnect the lost parts of the world. Afterwards they begun forming a new layer around it, being filled with earth, water, minerals or just pure magic-power. And with those things done, the world grew bigger, with the old civilization being buried beneath.
This action formed a whole new world, with new water and land-masses, the one we now know better as Treia, the very ground we live on. However, if you were do dig deep down, through layers of earth, stone and minerals, you may even find old remnants of the ancient civilization, or even at the deepest parts of the sea, you may find the cities that once housed millions of people.” (Illois)
Pausing on that note, Illois revealed a melancholic expression. Though, unlike him, me and the girls were all wearing shocked expressions. I had a few ideas, but I never thought that this world... was just an overcast over the previous one...
“Doesn't that make it like a middle-earth within this world?” (Alice)
Towards Alice comment, Anna only nods. Though, seeing as it is something only they understand, it must be a reference to something. So, seeing as I had confusion written all over my face, she only smiled, realizing that no one understood her except Anna.
Anyway, regaining my composure, I ask Illois a question burning on my mind.
“Illois, so if one dug strait down, would they suddenly fall through the ground to hit the former world?” (Arin)
Asking curiously, I watch Illois closely. Yet, Illois denied it.
“There may be places where caverns were formed around them, making a scenario as you described it possible, yet mostly everything is just covered in whatever material they were near. So, most cities are completely covered in stone or dirt. Some are even flooded with water, or some rare ones are even sunk in a lake of magma.
In the end, the civilization is lost, with only rarely anything being found from back then. Also, with most of the devices being made to be used by High-Humans with magic-power, to most races except a few they are useless.” (Illois)
Making his point clear, I close my mouth, accepting the answer as it was given. Though I wonder...
Before I could think of further questions, Anna threw one into the mix.
“I have a question. What actually happened to the three holy-lands? If I don't misunderstand they are currently part of the new Treia, but how?” (Anna)
To Anna's question, Illois only sighted before he continued to talk.
“Hmm, that happened actually just as the collapse ended. The origins used the last of their power to descend the three holy-lands at certain locations where they wouldn't disturb the world-balance.
The first two, being the Silver-Lake and the Dragon-Mountains, descended without much purpose except for locations easy to defend, meaning the Silver-Lake became a half-island on the southern end, while the Dragon-Mountains became a part of the link between the Yphil- and Dranar-Continent. “ (Illois)
“Then what happened to the Fairy-Forest?” (Anna)
Interfering in his story-telling, Illois shoots Anna an angry gaze before he continues talking with a sigh.
“Fuuh, I'm coming to that point, so shush. That one was peculiar. As said before, the Tree of Life is in said forest, and it was, and still is, of great importance. The core of the world was still damaged, and if nothing was done, it would fall apart and be ruined once again. This is where the Tree of Life came in, as when they decided where to place the fairy-forest, they made the whole thing land in the sea, becoming an independent island.
And the position isn't random either, as the tree itself is perfectly above the wound in the core, as the tree is the one keeping it from expanding. In the end, the World-Trees roots have grown down to the core, filling the wound while also stabilizing it as a whole, which results in the tree officially turning into the World-Tree. Though I did hear that the wound is slowly closing again, but if it continues like that, it would at least require a few more hundreds of thousands of years until it is fully closed. So as a deterrent, the roots completely encompass the core, creating a secondary shielding measure. Anyway, this is how the new Treia came to be, with all its continents and seas.” (Illois)
Ending his explanation, Illois sat back into his chair, leaning back as he watched the cloudless sky above him. Though, having heard of the events occurring in the past, I feel terrified. Because, who knew that Treia once had to go through such... events.
Being shocked at everything that was told to me today, I could only sit there, silently thinking about everything. Honestly, it was a bit much info for me, even if I can remember every word he said. Well, could it be? Maybe Abryssal canyon is close to one of those sites.
No, overthinking won't help, Uncle Black said that the world is now mostly fine as it is, and I don't have to worry about it. So, trusting his words, I try to think about other things, calming my agitated breath, when suddenly, I catch a whiff of a delicious scent. Being the first to react, I am shortly followed by Sumi, Saria and Uncle Black, with the latter announcing that Lunch is probably ready.
And so, with lightly dampened spirits, all of us make our way towards the kitchen. Even so, the History-lesson wasn't over, and with it, Humanities darkest past.