What the Wind Carries Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION
Eldrida, A realm of wonders and dangers, a diverse and sprawling city, its magical essence and powerful inhabitants fill the streets with life and hope. With its many towering buildings and serene landscapes, snowy mountains, and ancient ruins and mysterious artifacts to be discovered. A mix of Medieval & ancient beings living together in harmony, "Wind-kins", a name that represents those who have been "blessed by the Wind". The year is 998 GD (Golden Dawn), a time of great change and adventure in Eldrida. This era marks the beginning of a new epoch, where ancient prophecies are unfolding, and powerful artifacts are being rediscovered. A world ripe for exploration. Fujin Katsuragi, The God of wind, looks over the sprawling metropolis from his tower, gazing in awe at its beauty and hopeful of the upcoming day.
Chapter 1: "A God & A Maiden"
Fujin detects an unusual energy signature breaching the outer bounds of the tower. Intrigued by this, he plummets down from the highest point at an incredible speed to investigate this disturbance.
With the clouds parting as he makes his descent down, he notices a figure watching him as barrels towards the ground.
Lila, A young adventurer who has spent her life researching the phenomena of the tower, feels the wind pick up around, she feels a jolt of electricity jolt her body, as if the fabric of reality itself is being pierced;
Lila: "What's going on? my body, something feels wrong…", Lila exclaims as the figure finally lands in a gust of volatile wind that shakes the very ground beneath her feet. As the figure approaches, long flowing red hair with a line of glowing green beads on a strand come into view, a well-toned young man clad in a flowing white robe with intricate silver trim, resembling both a wispy cloud and a sharp blade, his skin, a luminescent quality, radiating a soft ethereal glow, like the wind itself. Green eyes burning like a star shining with wisdom and untapped potential. His presence alone is serene but terrifying, exuding an aura of strength and calm, as boundless as the universe itself, He focuses on Lila who stands before him;
"Who are you and how did you find this place?", with an authoritative tone, weary of her intentions. Lila, a bit petrified at such an imposing being, calmly walks a bit closer;
"You look a bit young, are you living here by yourself?, My name is Lila, I'm an adventurer from Eldrida, I've heard stories about a tower that sits high up in this sky and got curious and decided to check it out, I had no idea people were living up here, I'm sorry."
Fujin gives her a blank stare, shocked at the remark of his age, He can tell that her intentions are within reason, and senses wonder within her;
"Usually, I would have blown you off this tower, but I think I'll let that slide for now."
Still pestering about her remark towards his age. Fujin implores how she even managed to find this tower despite its treacherous location;
"How did you get up here? the area below and its inhabitants don't take kindly to strangers, I requested that they should turn away any and all who attempt to cross through here."
Lila ponders this question, remembering how rude and interrogative they were on her way up to the tower.
"Folk Creatures", beings created by Ancient Gods to protect sacred landmarks. Those who attempt to attack them or move passed without consent, will eventually lose their mind and have their spirit absorbed.
As for Lila, her constant badgering led to a "betting game" where the Loser would turn back, and the winner is allowed to advance through.
Lila: "Well, it's a really long story, all I could really say is that they underestimated me, and I showed them who's boss!" Lila explains.
Fujin worried about the state of the Folk Creatures quickly dashes past her and jumps straight down into the region, as he searches through the region he sees a large bonfire, littered with food all around, The Folk Creatures sitting on long birch logs speaking in native tongues look to see Fujin standing before them;
"Hey boss, you hungry? We got some delicious food courtesy of that young lady up there."
One of the Folk creatures nudges his arm, 'Her name is Lila, you fool!'. Relieved of their safety, Fujin sits on an adjacent log, "Can I ask you all a question?" Fujin asks calmly while stoking the bonfire with a small gust of wind.
The Folk creatures bewildered quickly scarf down the last of the food preparing to answer the young god's question;
Fujin: "That young lady up there, what are your thoughts, I feel something special within her, yet I know nothing of Humans and their intentions. You've all dealt with their kind in the past, can someone like her be trusted?".
The Folk Creatures look at each other in confusion, wondering why he would say such a statement. "Boss, you should give her a shot, she could be the one who changes everything." The first Creature states, the other two nod in agreement, "Yeah!, let her be the one who fulfills the prophecy!",
Fujin looks to the sky watching as the stars begin to shine, "Hmmm, that would be nice, I wouldn't have to leave the comfort of my tower, I'll be safe, no need to risk my life for nothing."
Despite a god's immense power, they are not immortal. Their durability is above those of minor deities, Although, enough damage will eventually diminish their life force. For a god, this slow and painful death is to be avoided at all costs.
Fujin sits contemplating such a difficult decision, should he allow himself to entrust a sacred mission to a Human, or should he be the one to undertake it? This weighed heavily on his mind.
The Folk Creatures head back to their homes ready for bed, one of the creatures turns around and waves back to Fujin,
"Don't worry Boss, we will be with you in spirit, just do what you want, we got your back".
Fujin hears these words and begins to feel a warmth encumber his whole body, "Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea…, I know one day both Humans & Gods may coexist, no longer separated, one and the same".
Fujin makes his way up the tower adamant on his decision, knowing well the adversity they will have to overcome. As he makes his way up the smell of smoke fills the air, the aroma of succulent meat attracts Fujin and prompts him to speed towards the tower.
As he lands near the tower, Lila can be seen slowly roasting the meat over a small
bonfire made of small stones and firewood gathered from the nearby trees and rivers. He sits close to her while he watches her. Curious as to how innocent humanity truly is, Lila turns to Fujin with a smile and asks if he's hungry;
Lila: "Hey, you hungry? I have more than enough here for both of us".
Fujin nods in acceptance, it's been a while since he's eaten food made by another person, 500 years to be exact.
Fujin: "Sure, thank you".
Lila: "Think nothing of it, I always make sure there's enough to share with a friend. How are the creatures doing down there? not too crazy I hope".
Fujin: "They took a liking to you, something along the lines of being special".
Her eyes lit up, flattered by such a compliment she stands up and screams out in
excitement loud enough so that the Folk Creatures may hear her
Lila: "Thank you!!!, You guys are awesome!"
Fujin smiles knowing he made the right decision of not blowing her off the mountaintop, he politely asks Lila to sit next to him for a moment;
Fujin: Why exactly are you here? What were planning once you've reached this tower?
She looks directly to the top of the tower and a smirk can be seen forming.
Lila: "I wanted to see if the legends were true is all, I was told stories as a child that atop the mountain lived a benevolent god who watched over Eldrida in earnest hoping one day they could be friends. I thought it would be such a huge honor to meet someone that incredible, you know. Maybe i would be wrong, but something like that wouldn't stop me, I've prayed for this, to have to the strength to make it up here, following in the footsteps of a 'Great Hero'. Someone I idolized for so long. Sorry, I must be boring you with all this, bare no mind to my rambling".
Fujin listens attentively wondering who this "Great Hero" could be, he then stands up, determined to ask Lila an important question, one that could intertwine both their destinies together…
Fujin: "Would you be willing to join me in learning the secrets of this world? The journey is dangerous, but if you're with me, I think everything will work out just fine".
Lila looks up to Fujin, seeing the stars and sky glowing over him, she lifts herself up using the log underneath her.
Lila: "I will, let's do it, and who knows, I might find the Great Hero along the way, that
would be so cool, right?"
Fujin: "I wouldn't doubt it".
Fujin and Lila begin their journey to learn all the secrets this world has to offer. They thoroughly prepare for the trial ahead, and stumble upon some information leading to an unknown area known as "The Enchanted Forest". Both register as Adventurers and begin their journey North of Eldrida. Unknowing what waits for them, with blind confidence in what they shall find, excited about what this journey will reveal.
by Prestigious_Egg5628