Wings and Webs 2: Discovery

Yukinaru ~Charred River~ 2

"I'm surprised he didn't force me." Killua steps up beside me instantly.
"It wouldn't have been worth the fight, he didn't wanna chance you getting hurt." I laugh, messing his hair, "I got us three days. Pack up, we leave swiftly to the Flame Tree."
"What is that?" His curious gaze full of wonder.
"It marks the entrance to Fire Valley. We have to cross by foot mainly. A few spots I can fly us over but not for long." I grin with engery.
"This is exciting!" Kil grins widely.
"Well first let me shadow jump. You are gonna wait here for me." I smile pleased that he doesn't instantly object.
I stand hastily and drop through my shadow. I step from the shadow of the tree instantly, doing a quick check for anything hostile close by. The tree sits on a ledge hanging over the ridge line, stepping around the tree and looking down I see the valley of fire.
I stand at the edge of the volcanic valley, a haunting stillness envelops me, broken only by the subtle whisper of the wind. The landscape is stark and desolate below. Devoid of any foliage, a monochrome tapestry that stretches as far as the eye can see.
The ground down there is a fine, powdery sand that shifts slightly with each step, leaving behind faint imprints that seem to vanish in the dry breeze. Groaning as I continue to gaze, I know that sand below will not be so pretty soon.
Scattered across this barren expanse are jagged rocks, remnants of a once mighty eruption. Their dark surfaces glisten in the hazey light, a river of flowing ash weaves its way through the stark terrain, a ghostly stream that glimmers with the shifting hues of gray and silver.
It moves slowly yet deliberately, as if it were also alive and thriving. It has slowly transformed the landscape with its relentless flow. Ash billows softly in the breeze, releasing a faint, sulfuric scent that lingers in the air, a reminder of the raw power that once shaped this land.
Above, the sky is a muted canvas, streaked with wisps of clouds that mirror the valley's somber tones. The sun shines a dim orb and casts an eerie glow. In turn the valley's contours are enhanced by the shadows created. In this volcanic wasteland, the absence of life is palpable, yet there is a haunting beauty in its emptiness.
I reach down through my shadow, shaking my head and pull Killua up next to me.
"If I remember correctly following this path from the Fire Tree will lead us to down to the Charred River." I walk over to the edge and point to the little stone path.
"That's what we are heading?" He looks unsure for a moment, it's not very assuring.
"Press your back against the cliff side and crab walk it. Use nen to hold yourself steady as you walk. You wanted an adventure and once we start the decent down don't stop." I grin wickedly and toss a rope to him, "Grab the rope and tie it around your waist tightly."
"Why?" Kil takes one end of the rope and secures it around his waist.
"Cause I'm gonna tie you to me, if you fall this is what's gonna keep us together. I'd fly us down but the far side of the ridge has cling vines that snatch flying prey." I point across in front of us.
"Those brown wiggling vines? Are those rocks stuck to them?" Kil squint slightly to try and get a better look.
The sticky brown vines are thick and gnarled like the twisted fingers of a giant. They snake their way down the rugged cliffs, clinging fiercely to the jagged rocks. Their surface exude a glistening sheen, betraying the treacherous adhesive that enables them to ensnare anything that ventures too close.
As a gust of wind rustles the leaves above and as some dirt below these monstrous vines spring to life. Killua's eyes widen as tendrils coil and spring out with alarming speed. With an almost predatory grace, they launch outward instantly snagging the floating leafs.
The air crackles with tension as the vines stretch and sway. What Killua pointed out however does not budge or move with the vines.
"No brother, those are decaying creatures, the whole of the vine is essentially like Hisoka's bungee gum. Once it touches you, your trapped. It begins to disenagrade it's prey nearly instantly, luckily it will only hunt that which flies." I shrug my shoulders, "Or floats."
"That is terrifying but still so cool Yuki."
We continue to shuffle downwards, my legs starting to ache after a few hours. We have managed to avoid any issues at least, only a few times did the footing fall away.
"We are close to the bottom at last." Kil points a finger to the sand below, "We can just jum-"
I slam my arm out forcing him back up against the wall, a rock breaking from the path hits the ground hard. In moments the sand begins to rapidly sink. Sucking the rock in along with the surrounding area. Leaving a clean circle in its wake.
"What was that!?"
"Sand fish you could say, they respond to strong vibrations. The bigger the vibrations the more aggressive they respond. We can muffle our sound easily and as long as we don't disturb the surface there is no threat."
"I'm realizing you really do mean everything here will try to eat you. I thought it was a bit of sarcasm at first."
"Well we are gonna have to be sure to walk steady, stay close. Aside from the sand hunters, there are hounds that hunt this area too."
I seprate myself from Kil and take the first step onto solid ground. I coushin my steps not even leaving a print behind. Satisfied it will work I motion Killua to copy the way I shroud my feet in nen.
"Wow sis look at that river! It is black as ash!"
"It is pretty cool, I call it the Charred River. It flows through this whole Canyon. I bet if we follow it will lead us to the Mist Lands."
*It'll be safer then the last route I took around at least.. maybe...*
"What creatures are around here aside from the sand fish?" Kil asks excitingly as we walk over to the edge of the river.
"Well there are ash snakes that flow in the currents," I point out towards the middle of the river, "You see that little red ridge sticking out?"
"Yeah?"
"That's apart of them, the bigger the sail the stronger the snake." I laugh as he looks for more.
The ashen snake, with its elongated body and raised red ridge, shimmer like a dark ember. Each of their scales are subtle color of charcoal gray, speckled with subtle hints of orange. It leaves a trail of fine ash stirring in its wake with a whisper of smoke that curls upward.
Killua watches them closely as they create an ethereal aura around the river. Its eyes peak over to us, the glowing orbs of molten amber burn with an otherworldly intelligence. I shiver knowing if we got to close a swarm of them would try and pull us in.
One moves closer to Killua who is watching every movement it makes with an unsettling sense of calm. As it coils and uncoils, the snake emits a soft crackling sound, reminiscent of wood catching fire.
I watch my little brother shutter as the snake's tongue flickers in and out, a thin wisp of smoke trailing from its mouth. With a final flick of its tail, it vanishes under the river. Leaving only the faint scent of burnt wood and a lingering sense of wonder in its wake.
"Come on, let's keep walking. Can't dwell for too long." I usher him forward, "The most common creature in this area are Flame Hounds though."
"Have you fought them before?" He eyes bright with excitement.
"Once when I was with Haiji. It wasn't that hard I suppose. They usually hunt the Canyon trails that lead up to the woodlands above."
"Do you know anything about them?" He continues to question curiously.
"Just some stuff my uncle told me, Flame Hounds don't normally travel in packs and are only a lvl 2 threat by the Known World standards."
"Are they smart like Haiji is?"
"I don't think they are. At least I never tried to study them. The males give off a putrid sulfur scent and the females have no smell."
"Do they pocess nen too?"
"No but the fire they breathe out is incredibly hot. It has been said to melt anything that it touches instantly." I shrug as we step over a falled tree.
"How long are we gonna follow this river sis?" Killua moans
"At the end of this should be a fall. We will be following it down to the edge of fire plains."
"How come you didn't just port us there through your shadow?"
"I tried a few times but I haven't found a safe spot to ripple into. Even shadows here can fight too you know." I shrug, "I'm not some all powerful being brother."
Finally after a few more hours we reach the edge of the canyon. The roar of the thunderous fall drowns out even my thoughts.
"THATS ALONG WAY DOWN SIS!" Killua shouts.
"WE ARE GONNA JUMP FROM THAT LEDGE OVER THERE!" I tell him
"WHAT?"
I point, "OVER THERE! JUMP!"
He looks at me still not hearing what I'm saying. It's pointless, I grab his hand and pull him to the edge. Flicking out my wings, I jump pulling him with me.
It's been along time since I seen this territory. I look around as my wings float us down like a parachute. I can feel Killua's annoyance as we land.
"Don't just surprise me like that!" I stormed over to me as I landed.
"The ashen hounds that hunt here aren't all that different from the flame hounds in the Canyons." I continue where I left off, hoping to avoid his scolding.
"Why?" Kil ask with excitement to learn at least.
I turn my back and start building camp a few feet away from the flowing river, near some weeping trees. The branches that hang down will give us some extra cover at least.
I can feel Killua's eyes digging into me. "Well I think that the ashen hounds are flame hounds that fell into the charred river and went over the falls."
"Can that happen to anything that falls into it?" From the corner of my eye, I can see him glancing over.
"I don't believe so. So don't go getting any ideas little man." I chuckle softly and add some dirt to the makeshift walls of our shelter.
"You are really good at building huts Yuki. It didn't take you very long at all." He smiles and walks over to cluster of trees, "Why did you cover it all in dirt though?"
"It better hides our scent. Using the trees and fallen branches helps blend it in to the scenery but does not mask our scent." I lift some of the thick soil up.
"Give this a good wiff. If you ever think you may be in danger here, look for this soil. It mask all scents incredibly well and could hide you from alot of the minor threats." I laugh as he brings his nose down closer.
"It is so fowl, yet the area around us doesn't stink like that." Kil pinches his nose pulling away.
"The soil is alive in itself. The scent is defensive and only upon disruption to the soil does it release. Bare in mind the release of this scent can also alert other things to your location. It is a double edge sword at times." I chuckle as Kil rolls his eyes.
"I think I will take my chances without it. I have faith in my skills." He smiles wickedly.
"Too much self confidence can also kill you." I laugh hard and ruffle up his hair.
Sure enough an ash hound leaps from the river bank. It looks between me and Kil, settling on Kil as the easier target it leaps swiftly. Killua ducks and flicks his hand upwards with sharpen finger nails. In doing so he rips the spine straight out. The hound's body crumbles to the ground, slowly fading to pure ash.
"That should be the only one for a few hours give or take." I smile walking up to pat his back, "You should rest while you can."
"And miss the first watch? No way sis." He beams excitedly, looking up and down the river edges.
"We are well concealed for now." I grin proudly, "Our presence will remain hidden long enough to rest. For the journey ahead will require much strength to make it through."
"How so?"
"Killua we aren't in the world you knew and trained for. Here it is survival of the strong and only death applies to the weak." I sigh heavily, "Meaning here Kil, we are the prey and the hunter."
"Even with my abilitie-"
"I am deadly serious. I honestly shouldn't even bring you further out. I don't even know if I can make it myself." I rub my temples second guessing my choices, "If I had Haiji to back me up we probably could push further out..."
"Where is he anyway?" Kil asks with slight curiosity.
"I guessing he stayed to keep watch over my interest on the main land." I giggle lightly, "Probably annoying Hisoka as we speak."
"Why do you care so much for Hisoka? He is so creepy and strange." Kil shudders as he speaks, "I mean yeah I get he is strong but I don't trust him."
"My feelings for Hisoka are complicated to even myself but when I was.. lost he was there for me. I find his existence entertaining and comforting I suppose." I roll my eyes not wanting to discuss this with him.
"I guess I get it. Gon isn't accepted by my family at all, yet I want his friendship. I feel strength being near him in a way." Kil shrugs his shoulders as he kicks at a rock, sitting down next to me.
We spend the next few hours chatting and eating. Soon the darkness is upon us, and nothing but the glow of the river for light. Curling up in my wings, we both rest our eyes for the morning journey.