The World Of Fantasy

The Castle Calls

River felt Nix panting, tiring. She cursed under her breath and patted her friend's side encouragingly. Nix grunted in response.

They had been traveling for three days, only stopping for brief rest and eating dried bird meat which River had shot down with careful traps. River wished she could summon some sort of power to help her friend, after all most people nowadays were either;

Elf,

Mage,

A spirit, which can range from fire to grass to tree to rock,

Dwarf,

Psychic, a species normally having bland hair and eye colours along with no abilities other than future predictions and smarts.

There were many other species but River, not knowing her parents meant she did not know what species she was. Species aren't always transparent through looks, along with the added factor that she would need a teacher to teach her how to use her ( possible ) powers. Nix panted, her mouth cracked open as she desperately tried to bring her body temperature down.

River led Nix to a small cave, praying it wasn't a nest to something else she leaned against the refreshingly cold wall. They weren't too far from the city and had traveled across the international bridge, and had made it past two other large island-cities.

River trotted up to Nix and opened the pouch tied to her saddle. She then retrieved a small piece of dried meat she began chewing on it eagerly "Nix, you can go hunt later," River suggested to Nix. The beast's ears perked up happily, River sat down on the ground again, shifting her weight.

River heard a small grunt and a rustle in the leaves. River shifted, alarmed and spun to face the entrance of the cave. River got up slowly without making a sound, she heard Nix do the same. The two stayed crouched down and they watched the entrance, a shadow fell over the opening, it looked small and humanoid. River tensed and fished her dagger out of her leather boot.

River hunched down and saw a girl enter the cave, she had a large weapon which she held with pride, the girl had porcelain-like skin and crimson red eyes, with dark blood-red hair held in a neat ponytail. The girl had a stoic look on her face "Who are you? You seem foreign." the girl spoke carefully. River tightened her grip around the dagger, glaring slightly "I'm River, I travel with Nix." River explained and gestured briefly towards the saber-tooth beside her, who was baring her fangs at the girl.

"I see, I am Wren. Nice to meet you." the girl politely bowed and closed her eyes, she was either trusting or arrogant. River nodded, however remained tense "Why are you here?" River asked cautiously. The girl looked up again, her expression somewhat curious, it was hard to tell "I was fetching food for my sensei and I sensed you, I saw your beast and became curious," Wren explained while her hands remained nonthreateningly at her side. River nodded and finally un-tensed, she sensed no lies or ill-intentions.

Wren let out a ghost of a smile, River grinned sheepishly in response "Sorry, trust issues." she stated lightheartedly. Wren nodded knowingly "Would you like to join me, I have already picked up the supplies and I am on my way back to my sensei's dojo." Wren offered generously, River's eyes lit up. She glanced at Nix and saw her friend's predatory eyes shining happily. River turned back to Wren and nodded gratefully "Yep! Sounds great!" Wren's eyes seemed relieved.

The two girls walked out of the cave, Nix following behind them loyally. Wren picked up an armful of bread and some smoked fish and then they headed off.

Walking through the village they approached the seemingly endless flight of stairs. River stared with awe at them "Woah~! This is amazing!" River exclaimed, Wren chuckled and nudged the blue-haired girl in the direction of the dojo.

Once making it up to the dojo they saw an old man, his wrinkled face smiling patiently. River assumed he was the sensei Wren mentioned "Hello, Sensei." Wren spoke while bowing. River internally panicked and sloppily bowed.

Sensei then smiled "Ah, I see it has started."

The two girls looked at him, bewildered.