Sun & Purity Vs. Darkness - A new Legend (Marissonshipping) [Wattys 2016]

Chapter 15: Ryoshima Coast here we come

The next morning:

Manon slowly opened her eyes, sat up and rubbed the sleep out of them. Then a loud yawn escaped her lips and she stood up from the bed. She put on her shoes and her cap, walked to the table, on which she had laid down her weapon last night, took it and put it on her back again.

Once that was done, Manon headed to the door and opened it. She stepped out of the room and bumped into someone.

When she was about to fall backwards, because of that impact two strong arms grabbed her and she slowly opened her eyes, which she had closed seconds ago. Her light brown eyes met blue ones.

They stared at each other for a few more moments, before Manon realized their closeness, which turned her cheeks into a light shade of red. Alan, who also noticed it, loosened his grip around her and took a step back.

''Sorry, I didn't expect, that you would come out of the door when I wanted to wake you.'' Alan apologized slightly embarrassed.

''It's okay.'' Manon replied smiling.

Seeing her real smile, brought one on Alan's face. I'm glad, that she's herself again. She must have slept well.

''We should go downstairs. Amaterasu and Issun are waiting for us.'' Alan suggested.

Manon nodded, closed the door of her room, locked it and together they went down to the first floor. There, they walked to the reception desk and gave the keys of their rooms to the old woman. She took them with a friendly smile on her face. Then both turned around and headed to the exit, where Amaterasu and Issun were waiting. Together they left the inn.

Once outside, Manon asked cheerfully:

''What's our next destination?''

''Our next stop is the Ryoshima Coast. It is located right behind the City Checkpoint.'' Issun answered, relieved, that she had returned to her usual self.

''Then let's go!'' Manon said smiling brightly and ran ahead.

The rest of the group hurried after her.

When they caught up with her at the beginning of the stairs, which led to Kusa Village, Issun called:

''Manon, wait! You don't even know where to go to reach the City Checkpoint!''

Manon stopped in her tracks.

''Oh. You're right. So how do we get there?'' Manon asked smiling embarrassedly.

''Just follow furball.'' Issun replied.

Manon smiled in response and walked next to Alan, while Amaterasu took the lead.

The group turned left, walked straight on, crossed the little, wooden bridge and continued to walk ahead. So they arrived the City Checkpoint.

It was a large, red, wooden bridge, which led over a canyon, which had a river within. In front of the bridge was one phoenix statue on each side. These statues were blazing.

As they crossed the bridge, a fresh breeze was blown through the canyon. Once on the other side, they headed straight.

When the group reached the Ryoshima Coast, a coastal region, they saw, that it had also turned into a Cursed Zone. Most of the ocean and the land were covered with those black spots, which left little room to explore. The usually loud ocean was dead silent and no wind blew. Seagulls, who normally would fly around the coast were nowhere to find.

When Manon wanted to ask Issun about the location of the Guardian Sapling, he said ordering:

''Follow us!''