Seis : the Ruins of the Wind

Chapter 6: The Pursuit ( Part 1)

« On the road, it's even better to look ahead. Behind you, very often, there are only troubles trying to catch up with you. »

Popular song of the bards of Albion

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Seis awoke gently, the cool, damp air tickling his nostrils. He stretched slowly. He had fallen asleep at the edge of the lush forest. A carpet of lichen had served as his bed. Sunlight pierced through the canopy, casting dancing shadows on the moss-covered ground. He remained still for a moment, letting the sounds of nature fill his senses, trying to reconnect with this soothing atmosphere. It had been three days since he left Rita-Ori, the first two spent on a rough sea. Mikou had left him a small boat to escape the island after his misdeeds. Seis was not an expert in boats or the sea in general. Fortunately for him, Mikou had provided a compass that always pointed towards the same island, Parseko. The peculiarity of this island was that it was the last bordering island of the Kingdom of Burr before entering the territory of Chapelle. There was a very busy commercial port that allowed travel all over the northern seas of Albion. This border between the two countries was very important for military as well as commercial reasons. Although the two countries were enemies, there were economic exchanges between them, and this place attracted merchants who wanted to work with both countries. The place was bustling year-round with all sorts of foreigners, a perfect spot for Seis if he wanted to disappear and find a new direction. For two days, Seis followed the compass needle with his small boat. Finally, in the middle of the night, he crashed his boat against the rocks of Parseko. Exhausted, he had dragged his body to the nearby clearing and had fallen asleep.

Seis felt his stomach growl; he was hungry. Luckily for him, he was Level 3 Phase 3, so he needed to eat and drink less than normal people. He touched the X1 in his pants pocket, which he had stolen from Henri. Thanks to the SCM, he could easily find something to eat. During the two days at sea, he had spent his time touching the object in his pocket to make sure it hadn't fallen into the water. It had almost become second nature because every time he touched it and felt it was still there, it oddly brought him comfort.

Parseko was a mysterious place for Seis. He planned to remain very discreet and avoid people as much as possible before reaching the Grand Port. But first, he had to eat. He activated his SCM. He focused his attention on his nose. He smelled a sweet, enticing scent a few hundred steps away. Without hesitation, he headed toward his goal. Seis suddenly stopped when he saw a tree with clusters of bright red fruits hanging from its branches. Intrigued, he approached the tree, gently touching the fruits covered with fine spines. Seis picked a few fruits, being careful not to prick himself, then sat under the tree's soothing shade to savor them. The fruit was sweet and slightly tangy, with a succulent texture that melted in his mouth. He ate passionately, savoring each bite. He stayed there for a while, in harmony with the surrounding nature, letting his thoughts wander. He wondered how Uma was doing. He really hoped his good friend had managed to get away without attracting the guards' attention. He knew it wasn't very realistic, but he didn't like the other version of the story. He stood up, feeling surprisingly refreshed. Suddenly, he had a flash of understanding for the first time in several years: he was no longer having nightmares.

On his fifth day on Parseko, he decided to find a village of hunters or fishermen to gather information. He encountered two small canids on his way. Their ears, like alert antennas, scanned the air to catch the slightest whisper of the life-giving wind, their large eyes, reflecting a discreet intelligence, observed the world with curiosity tinged with caution. The angular snout had a small black nose resembling a mushroom. The soft, silky fur, adorned with subtle shades of orange, covered a slender body with six muscular legs. He leaped over the two animals in a single bound, catching them by the neck as he landed. In one swift move, he killed the two beasts. He touched the X1 in his pocket again, smiling; Henri's little toy was really very practical. As Seis walked through the clearing, his loot on his shoulder, his sharp senses led him to discover a small village. The town was modest, consisting of a handful of wooden houses and other simple structures. Smoke rose from fires, attesting to the inhabitants' activity. Seis could hear laughter and conversations floating in the air, giving the place a friendly and warm atmosphere. He approached, hoping his presence would go unnoticed among the other visitors and strangers in the village. He was wrong. The curious gazes of the villagers fell upon him, but he offered them a friendly smile in return, hoping to allay any suspicions. He approached a small merchant's stall and placed the two dead animals on the table. In a cheerful tone, he started a conversation with the merchant, a rather small man with a lean physique.