The Champion's Shadow

Camp for Lost Souls

Daria

    "You can't be serious," the Sendaris folded her arms in protest while fighting back the urge of dropping her jaw in astonishment. The camp was like nothing Daria had ever seen.

    Ardoni of all colors sat together and talked like they were one big family. Kaltaris, Sendaris, Mendoris, and Nestoris were spread all throughout the clearing. Few were tending to newly-sprouted crops around a pond, some were sparring with wooden swords carved and crafted to simulate an iron blade, and the younger ones ran in circles all around. Daria smiled.

    "It's beautiful, isn't it?" Krystellis held her hands on her hips as she offered Daria a smirk. "Most of them are refugees and either ran away from home or were forced out. They're just happy that they're with people who don't hate them."

    "So this is like a 'camp for misfits' sort of thing?" Daria wondered if any of them shared a similar experience with her.

    "You could say that. I prefer calling it 'Camp for Lost Souls'." Her arm reached out as she was revealing its title as if it were engraved on an overhead sign. "But hey, this'll be awesome for you! A new opportunity to meet new people, right? The more, the merrier, they say."

    "Yeah..." her voice trailed off as her eyes drifted to the ground. "Do you think they're still out there looking for me?"

    "Oh, who?" Krystellis's demeanor shifted as she brought her arms down. Her face looked apologetic and caring, worried for her new friend.

    "You know... my family."

    "Of course they are! And hey, if you ever want to go looking for them, I can whip up a search team for you in no time. I could come as well!"

Daria looked back up at Krystellis with tears welling up in her eyes. "You'd really do that for me?"

"Of course! That's the whole point of this place: to help people either find new lives or help them recover their past one with a whole bunch of supporters. My brother and I started it after a certain event, but I won't burden you with my problems. Just know that I as well as everyone else here are willing to help at a moment's notice." The Kaltaris offered her hand to the Sendaris. "Want a personal tour by yours truly?"

Daria nodded her head slightly and took her hand after a pause. Krystellis's sudden kindness took her off guard. The appearance of the Voltaris master and tension of the choosing of Champion arose to violence and hostility. On top of her mother's harsh, verbal whip, everything seemed to be rallying against her all at once. She hoped this time of peace and quiet with Krystellis would last long.

Krystellis took the first step forward and beckoned for Daria to follow. "We'll start with the commons area and work our way around. I'll even drop a few quick facts about this place along the way!" Krystellis's positive attitude was contagious, drawing a small grin on Daria's lips. Her head nodded after each of the Kaltaris's sentences, showing how she was listening to Krystellis's every word.

The tour started with a short walk forward through the clearing. As they made their way across the grassy lands, Krystellis waved and smiled to a few Arodoni, mostly Kaltaris, and they returned the gesture. Friendliness wafted in and around every Ardoni. It shone through their body language, speech, and face. Even with how beautiful it seemed to have so much joy, some of it felt fake. Forced, even. As if there was a puppeteer behind all of the stone grey puppets sparkled with yellow, blue, green, and pink gems. The strings attached strung out and connected to the figure walking in the center of them, Krystellis. Her bubbly smile turned malicious in Daria's eyes, plotting and secretive. She wondered how much you could hide behind a bland and blank showing of teeth, thought to be perceived as joy.