Mirae Walkers

Chapter VI

Keoni was overjoyed when she found out that the Mirae World had books too. Qaye had brought her three different stories translated into her language. The first one was folklore about a lynx with an odd color fur, with a long journey but a sweet explanation. The second was about the flora and fauna in the Mirae, as Ryley had told Qaye that Keoni loved to care for plants. The third was a tall tale - this one warning about wandering in groups of six. It was silly, it was creative, and she enjoyed reading that one. Ryley had read all three over her shoulder, though she knew he didn't pay attention to the second book.

It'd taken her most of the "night" of the Mirae to finish, and by the time she did, the sun was rising. The sun also had that odd, inverted color. It was a mystifying blue, that Keoni had to stare at for several minutes before she registered what she was looking at. The sunrise also had the colors of blue, purple, and green. As for the color of the sky... it was orange. Keoni certainly wasn't expecting that, even though she'd seen the peachy orange earlier when she found a small pond while exploring nearby. Other than that, it was the day spent in Qaye's classes. Later in the day, he excused everyone, then knelt down in the center of the runes. Ryley stopped Keoni from asking what he was doing.

They were sitting nearby, still watching him. It was interesting to see that he did not hold a straight face the whole time. He smiled at moments, winced in others. Qaye had to have been there for a couple hours.

Finally, around midday, a small Mir-Gate opened nearby. A fox came out gently, and by himself. Ryley quickly ran over to greet Caste, Keoni following close behind.

"Toppe," Caste said, then realized it was the wrong language. "Sorry. I mix the two up when I switch back and forth sometimes."

Ryley laughed. "You're fine. How did it go?"

"I listened to Qaye for once," Caste started teasingly. "And actually went to see a doctor so the healing process could be accelerated. Of course, there were a thousand more things wrong with me, but all of it should be healed. Per usual, I'm asked to refrain from any magic for the rest of the day, but I lived without it for much longer."

Caste looked a lot healthier than when Keoni had seen him at first. Then again, he looked entirely different in this world, period.

"And that's all?" Ryley asked teasingly. You were gone for at least twelve hours.

Caste rolled his eyes. "I informed the people in charge of running the city that I escaped, in simple terms."

"Oh, Caste!" Keoni turned her ears to where Qaye had called out. He teleported the walk in a second and appeared next to the three. "Great timing. I just finished." Qaye stepped forward and wrapped a cord around Caste's neck. Tied to the end was a small blue stone with a symbol engraved on it. "Return the rune to me when you're done."

"Thank you, Qaye." Caste bowed, and so did Qaye. "I will repay you somehow for your kindness."

Qaye smiled. "Oh, you already have." He tapped on the blue stone and poofed! back to the runes.

Keoni felt as though someone's eyes were bearing down on her. She saw nobody around her looking, so she became wary.

"Qaye always does Mir-Gate lessons at midnight and midday. He'll be starting another one soon." Caste said, pulling her back from her mini panic. "He tells me you got pretty close, and this will be an excellent time to try again."

"Alright," Keoni responded, still uncomfortable by the presence she'd just felt. She joined him as he walked to Qaye's class. Ryley trailed behind.

Qaye was already speaking to the class when they got there. Keoni could see the whole class's eyes closed, which meant Qaye was doing the whole focus thing again.