Planetoid Volume 1: Forest

Chapter 9: Aya's Return

Aya awoke without knowing the exact time of day. Not only was she deep in an underground sanctuary, but that sanctuary was in a forest where the spirit trees kept out most of the sunlight. She would have to escape the forest before knowing how much time had passed. She rolled over from her back and saw Old Wing sleeping with his paws stretched out with one providing a pillow for his head. He mumbled and whined in his sleep much like a human would do. Aya listened closely and heard him breathing in and out again while saying one word: "Eterna..."

Aya couldn't help but manage a small giggle at him. He acted cute and lovesick for Eterna who now commanded his respect and love even if she had essentially made him an outcast. Aya chalked it up to being a wolfhound thing since she knew she wouldn't be as forgiving to the one who scorned her. Hearing her giggle, he awoke with a start, shuffling to his feet with his wing flapping. He gave a worried expression that made Aya feel a bit guilty. "Were you laughing at me?"

"Sorry," she said quickly. "I didn't want to wake you. Wolfhounds are just funny sleepers."

"I could say the same for you uh..." He glared at her but as he glared his eyes softened and he muttered, "Just forget it. Don't you need to get your staff back?"

"Yes," Aya said. "If you could help me get it, it'd be much appreciated."

"What do you want me do?"

Aya moved her paw forward and trailed it along the floor of the catacombs. "Just back me up in the village. We need to gain some intel on where my staff."

"O-k," the purple wolfhound said, standing up straight.

"You might need to back me up too if they spot us, but let's try our best to avoid confrontation."

The two wolfhounds left Nature's Gate and proceeded up the stony steps. They were greeted by the same stillborn wilderness they had left the following night. Even with the withered trees, sunlight poked through the forest letting them know it was day even if the exact time still alluded them. Both slinked through the forest, heading from one Atma tree to the next in order to avoid any pursuers. The forest was strangely still and barren until Aya turned the corner of one Atma tree and found an empty eyed carcass of a yellow streaked thunder boar buzzing with hungry flies. She gasped before bowing her head in sorrow. "Looks like it just keeled over," said Old Wing.

"We need to regenerate this planetoid before this sacred place becomes a bog," Aya said, rising with determination.

They saw a streak of gold in the distance and soon after they emerged from the forest into the sunlight. Both squinted at first, their candragon vision unused to the brightness; but as soon as they adjusted, Aya lead Old Wing straight to their town.

Aya found it hard to creep along the grass and dirt. Her paws and sharp claws pressed across the dirt with a dry but distinct sound. She walked up against the shadows of a nearby cabin and peered around the edge. She heard soft chattering in the distance coming from the beer barn. "I hear people," Old Wing said in her ear, making her jump. Old Wing was much better at creeping silently and had moved from the grass hill right to where she was.

"Don't scare me like that," she growled, causing him to flinch.

She realized her mistake and quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, Old Wing. I'm going to listen and see if I can make out the conversation. You can too."

Aya closed her eyes and began to hear the mumbling become clear to her. The voices became very distinct, not just because of her enhanced candragon hearing but because she knew exactly who they were.

"Lovely day we're having, Flora. And it makes you bloom like a flower in the sun."

"Please, Mr. Lunsford. Call me Miss Du Bois. Daddy likes it when men are formal around me."