Video: Kiss from a Rose

Chapter II - Captivating Soul

Their skimmer floated in front of the huge wall. The teenager looked up and noticed that wasn't just a wall, though... It was a tower. And not any tower, it was a very high castle tower. He flew around it, studying it carefully. It didn't look abandoned nor anything. Whoever lived there was definitely some rich royalty.

He took a quick look around: there weren't any Terras nearby. He had managed to take them to a castle with a massive tower far off the known boundaries of the Atmos... He shrugged it off. Since they were there, they might as well take a look at the place, huh?

The noise from the skyride drew the attention of someone who peered outside from behind a curtain. After spotting the flying skyride, the person stepped into the balcony, revealing themselves: it was a girl with dark skin, midnight blue hair tied in a fancy way and orange eyes. She was dressed in a long pink dress with pink gloves that reached her shoulders and some jewelry. One important detail was the crown she had settled in her head.

The boy circled the tower and went higher and higher towards the top, once he caught sight of the girl he blinked. Wow... There was someone there after all! She was a Princess or a Queen! And... A very, very beautiful one alright... Radarr noticed his friend's distraction and waved a paw in front of his eyes, but the boy didn't even blink. The animal glanced at whatever had gotten the teenager's attention like that and saw the girl in the pink dress. He rolled his eyes. Figures... But then he realized they were heading straight into the roof!

He jumped in front of the boy and grabbed his head with his paws, turning it to the other side. The red-haired young man saw the ceiling coming closer and got startled. He immediately pulled on the handlers of the skimmer and caused it to stop abruptly, nearly sending the poor animal flying over the windshield. That was close... Radarr glared at him with a look that said "C'mon, twice in a row?!".

They heard someone giggling: it was the Princess/Queen. She stopped at the very moment she noticed their gaze on her. The boy smiled and decided to approach the balcony. He stood up and jumped into the balcony, leaving Radarr to keep the skyride afloat. As he stepped closer, the girl nearly backed away hesitantly, but then she stopped herself and showed she'd be courageous and meet that stranger face to face.

"What is your business here?" - she inquired.

After seeing her from up close he realized she was the same age as him. He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly at her question.

"Hm... I have no business, really. I got here by accident." - he explained - "My name's Aerrow. I'm a Sky Knight."

She studied him for a brief moment. Well, he looked like a trustworthy person... Probably...

"I see." - she said, then she smiled softly - "I am Piper, Princess of Terra Solaris. Welcome to my kingdom, please, feel free to land your magic flying ride in the balcony." - she pointed at the poor animal who looked as bored as ever having to keep the skimmer afloat.

"My magic... Flying ride?" - he glanced at Radarr, who seemed just as confused - "You mean my skimmer?"

"Skimmer? So that's what it's called." - the Princess said as the animal parked the blue, red and silver ride beside them.

"Wait... You've never seen a skyride before?" - Aerrow questioned her.

"No, I haven't." - she told him - "Terra Solaris isn't exactly known for its technology. We don't use machines. We do most of the work ourselves and sometimes we're aided by crystals. But that's all." - she gestured to some peasants working on the garden.

The people used the simplest tools, the Terra looked like it was... Behind the times. But they probably had a motive for that.

"Uh... Any particular reason for that?" - he was curious.