The Frozen Melody

14.New.

This world was a small world of two lands divided by a grand bottomless canyon. There was no intermingling between creatures of the Southland and Northland because of the magic barrier separating the two lands.

Humans of Northland lived in villages with a population ranging from fifty to a few thousand people at most. They kept a peaceful relationship with the supernatural creatures of their world. Although humans cannot use magic, all of them have the ability to bond with a being that can. Potential list of possible 'Companions' vary drastically, from dragons, elves, and vampires, to shape shifters, tree sprites, fairies, ... the list goes on.

There were only two seasons in this village of Northland where Hibie Ki grew up in; autumn and winter.

That morning, the little girl of nine woke up early and dressed warmly, her small body bursting with excitement for her big day. She quickly pulled on her purple snow pants and matching sweater before crashing out of her bedroom.

"Keith! I'm ready!" She shouted while pounding down the wooden stairs toward the kitchen.

Her mother, a kind lady nearing her 40s looked up at her dramatic entrance with a stern frown on her face, but the twitch of her lips wanting to smile ruined the affect, "Hibie! Look at that mess of hair! It's like you're sporting a bird nest up there!" She exclaimed with wide eyes, trying to be serious while the sandy-haired man sitting at the counter, her Companion, snickered into his hands.

Hibie giggled and started to climb onto the other counter chair, her short black hair sticking out every which way.

The man reached down and helped her onto the chair with a laugh, "Looks like someone's got one crazy bed hair!"

Hibie ran her small hand through her hair carelessly and bounced in her chair, "When're we leaving?!"

Mrs.Ki shook her head at her hopeless daughter and went back to cooking the omelets. She'll let Keith handle the girl while she finished making their breakfast. Today was going to be Hibie's first time going into the woods to search for her Companion, and she was not about to send her child off without a full breakfast.

Keith chuckled and ruffled the girl's soft hair, "Remember what we talked about yesterday? We'll go after breakfast."

Hibie pouted at him then sent a puppy-eye to Mrs.Ki, "Mommyyyy! Hurry up so we can go!"

"I'm almost done sweetie, patience."

Hibie was about to whine again when her father came downstairs with a huge smile on his face, "My little girl all ready for her big day?"

"Daddie!" She screamed happily and jumped off the chair, her sudden action making Keith jump to catch her in case she hurt herself. Of course she didn't even notice as she landed safely and ran to her father.

Mr.Ki was a jolly plump man in his early 40s, he bent down and scooped his daughter up in one motion, making the girl squeal and giggle uncontrollably.

Keith ran a hand through his long hair and sighed in defeat, "I swear this girl is going to give me a heart attack one of these days..."

Mr.Ki laughed his booming laugh and came over, giving the other man an encouraging pat on the back, "Be strong Keith, you've already survived nine years of this ball of energy." He joked and bounced Hibie up and down in his arm.

Her mother finally came over to the counter and set down the plates full of omelets, "Oh easy for you to say John, you're away from the house ten hours a day. Poor Keith is the one who had to take care of Hibie all those hours we're away at work." She said and leaned in, kissing Keith on the forehead.