Fer.al Series #2 - The Blood Tundra

Chapter 3: Rumor Has It

"Aref? What does that have to do with Aref and why is she mixing up Aref and the Wingwatchers?"

Pug, after hearing the whole story, paced around in circles.

"Aref. We heard that." Lillie and Robin said together. Pug just shook her head. "After so many years they still believe in that story," she mumbled as she swished her tail.

"The Blood Tundra is the most isolated place in Fer.al," Arc chimed in. "So it's possible they still believe in that kind of stuff."

"Well, maybe," Lillie snapped. "It is also the most secret and enchanted place, so maybe the Wingwatchers tricked them into that. They tried that to me, but I didn't fall for it." the Senri rolled her eyes.

"Wait, so this Cyanheart, is she insane?" Pug spun around. "Maybe she's out of her sanity, and then she screams Aref Aref this and that because it's a story everyone knows. I mean, us Feralians usually say 'Oh, Fera!' or 'By Fera!' as exclamations because Fera is our spiritual ruler, so maybe she uses Aref as a metaphor, for something she is scared of."

"Oh, my, Sapnap save me!" Lillie yowled before flopping onto the ground. Arc face-pawed.

"Any idea what this is?" Pug frowned at Lillie.

"No idea. Probably something she made up on the way, or just now, since everybody says 'Fera' and she needs something else." Robin tried.

"So that's exactly what I mean!" Pug banged her paws on the floor as Lillie jumped up. "She used Aref to say a thing, something bad, she used Aref as a cover-up, just like what Lillie did for Fera. And that Aref she said was the Wingwatchers, and she doesn't want to say Wingwatchers because it's either she doesn't know or she doesn't want to say it."

"But, what if," Lillie drooped her ears. "What if Aref is real? Aref was banished into the Blood Tundra, and now there's the Wingwatchers causing all this chaos, she might make a comeback. With Tynim. Maybe they're allies."

Brave Lillie never felt so afraid before.

"Uh," Robin shook his head, trying to find a logical way for Lillie to believe that Cyanheart's Aref is Wingwatchers. Finally, he gave up.

"Is Sapnap real?"

"No."

"There we go. Aref isn't, either."

"But that's not how it works!" Lillie literally screamed at Robin, her tail went up, her teeth bared. "THAT'S NOT HOW ANY OF THIS WORKS!!" Flares began to burst out of her.

"Uh, fine, fine," Arc pushed Robin and Lillie apart. "We are not sure. We need more evidence. We should go to the Village and see. Lillie and Robin, why don't you take a look at those potions I made? I guess they're going to be useful."

"Maybe," Lillie shrunk back, then, with a heavy heart, followed Arc into the belly of the Nekomata Skyship.

Robin, her best friend, disagreed with her over one stupid thing she made up.

Things really do change in the Blood Tundra.