RE:WRITTEN

009: Smooth Landings

I feel so dizzy right now.

Everything continues to spin around Sakasu and I as we fall through the portal. I let out a squeal. Are we going to crash?! What's going to happen to us when we reach Destiny?! I'm worried about my sister being alone in this world, but what about the five of us?!

Just then, my thoughts are interrupted. The scene changes around us. Instead of a multitude of colors, I'm met with a vivid forest. My feet land on the ground, but I still feel like the world is spinning.

"Whoa..." I whisper. "Did it work? Are we in Destiny?"

I feel two arms catch me as I stumble forward. I look up and see Ikimono. Her two-colored eyes squint as she grins.

"It's alright. We're safe." She moves me so I can rest against a tree. "Let's recuperate for a second. Then we can get moving."

I start to look around as that dizzy feeling goes away. I can see Nova and Saisho standing next to one another, talking amongst themselves. Sakasu leans on a tree for support, looking around.

"This is beautiful." I hear Sakasu say aloud.

I start to look around at our surroundings now. The sky is a gradient of seafoam to lavender, and the forest is brightly colored. There's a shining sun above us with a few clouds. Flowers bloom from the bushes around, and there's a soft chirping of a creature. Maybe birds.

Destiny is beautiful.

"Alright. How's everyone feeling?" Ikimono asks us.

I watch Nova bounce a bit as she comes over. "Feeling great!"

Saisho follows the bouncing girl. "I'm fine."

"All good over here." Sakasu speaks up.

I nod. "I'm okay."

Ikimono grins. As she nods, she walks to be in the center of our group. She looks around before nodding again. "We landed in one of the forests. I think this is the Forest of Vibrance, should I be correct. Which is great. We're not too far from Soveliss' observatory."

"Who's Soveliss?" I ask.

"He's probably the one who gave you that hair pin!" Nova giggles, pointing to my hair. "I really like your Charm, by the way. It's really pretty. I've never seen one like that before!"

"Alright, we can compliment our jewelry later. We really need to get to the observatory." Ikimono interjects calmly.

"How come?" Sakasu asks.

"Trust me. Being in any of the forests at night is a death wish, especially for young Written like us. That Corruption will not care if you're just sleeping. It will attack anyone and everyone who isn't safely inside. I've been inside Soveliss' observatory before. He and a friend of his use magic to keep it safe from attacks."

Saisho's eyes widen. "Great! Let's get going!"

"Well, who all can transform into their Written Forms?" Ikimono asks. "We could use our speeds to get there faster."

Nova raises her hand. "I can!"

Saisho also nods in answer.

Sakasu and I look at one another. I can tell my best friend shares my confusion.

"Iki, I don't think Amai even knows what that is. And I only just learned about it earlier." Sakasu speaks up.

The taller girl sighs, gently resting her hand on her forehead. "That's right. I forgot not everyone is as experienced. That's fine. We can protect the group, and you'll both be inside the pack."

Nova bounces. "Can we transform?!" She asks. "I want to show Sakasu and Amai my outfit!"

Saisho grins. "Go for it, Nova."

Before my very eyes, I watch as Nova's body glows a turquoise color. She has the biggest smile upon her face as she looks at me. I see her wink before she raises a hand. She snaps a finger and swiftly brings her hand down, causing her whole body to glow brightly to a point where I can't even see her features. In the outline of magic surrounding her, a cape flashes out behind her. The glow eventually fades, and before me, I see Nova wearing a silver turtleneck tank top with similar colored armbands up to her elbows. One armband has teal jewels around her wrist. The tank top is tucked into a black pair of leggings, and she also wears black boots. Her cape is teal in color, and there are silver stars littering the fabric as she spins around.

"Tada! You have met the Masked Starling!" She giggles, tapping the right side of her face. A white half-mask rests over where she touched, but I can still see her eyes. Nova's classic white hair ribbon is nowhere to be seen after this transformation.

Sakasu gasps. "Nova, you look amazing!"

Saisho also starts to glow in the same way Nova did, however his glow is a dark blue color. As the glow takes over his body, he crosses his arms to touch his shoulders. I watch as the glow fades away, revealing his outfit. He wears a white button-up shirt with a sleeveless navy blue, swallow-tailed vest overtop. The shirt is tucked into gray dress pants. He taps his feet to the ground as they change from sneakers into black dress shoes, and his earrings have definitely multiplied. The little piece of hair sticking up from his head seems to be a little more curled than before.

"Azure Riptide," Saisho gives everyone a little bow with his introduction. "At your service."

"Whoa... your outfit is so fancy." I lift myself up from where I was sitting.

Ikimono gives a hum. "First I've seen the two of you in your Written Forms." She gestures to Nova and Saisho. "You look great."

"Thanks Iki!" Nova chirps as she swishes her cape around. "Are you going to transform now?"

Saisho's face lights up. "Oh yeah! We've never seen yours either!"

Ikimono's body immediately starts to glow purple, and she puts a hand on her hip.

"You're in for a treat then."

The glow overtakes Ikimono's features. I can tell her appearance itself is changing as her braided hair shifts into a high ponytail. The glow quickly becomes flame-like as it rages around her. The minute she puts a hand up to snap her fingers, the energy fades, and before me, I see Ikimono wearing silver and indigo armor. The ring remains on her hand, which she lowers as she starts to rotate around a little.

"Oh, how good it feels to be back in my Written Form." Iki rolls her neck a little. "Just as I remember it too." She glances at Sakasu, grinning and giving a wink. She then takes a step towards me, putting a hand out in my direction. "How do you girls like the Shining Knight?"

Sakasu's face is bright red. I can't tell if it's from Ikimono winking at her, the armor, or both. But she's starting to grin. "I really like it..." She says.

"You look great, Ikimono!" I smile, taking her hand.

She smirks, then looks at the others.

"Alright. Now that the show's over, we need to get moving. I don't think the sun will be up for very long." She instructs. "Nova, I want you up front with me to help with navigation. Saisho, stay behind and make sure nothing is following us. Amai and Sakasu, you'll stay between the three of us."

Everyone nods. Immediately, Nova takes a place by Ikimono's side. Saisho moves to walk behind everyone. Sakasu comes over near me.

"I hope we're able to transform like them one day." I whisper to Sakasu.

She looks at me. "I know right? They all look strong..."

"I'm sure we'll be like that too, 'Kasu!" I smile. "Give it time. We got power too, and we'll figure this all out eventually."

Or, at least I hope so. Right now, I can't stop thinking about my sister. She's alone in this world that neither of us know, and Ikimono said there's danger lurking around everywhere. I want to bring her home. I want her to be safe, so my family can be happy once again.

I just want everything to be okay.