Rise Of Kana

♕ C𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖r 7 ♕

Days had passed since the fire that destroyed many homes.  We were working on rebuilding, but today I had a more important mission; finding what brought the fire.

Today, Pluvia and I would set off to find whatever brought this hell on us.  It would be a week long journey at the most, and I was a little weary about leaving my people so soon, but I needed to.  Besides, not everybody lived in Sema.  I was planning on stopping at small towns and villages along the way, so people could meet their new Kana.

I'm going to ride horseback, while Pluvia rides beside me.  Someday, when Pluvia is the biggest she can be, she'll be the size of a horse, and I'll ride on her back.  Then we won't have to risk the life of livestock, and it'll be less work.

My horse is called Ona, meaning Storm.  She's a beautiful young mare with a dark gray snout and her pelt is the lightest shade of grey.  The Fay says she's fast; the fastest horse they have.

I'm not looking forward to riding horseback; I've been used to walking my whole life, and it sure won't be a smooth ride, but I'll manage, as long as I have my beloved Pluvia by my side.

"Lithia, saddle your horse.  It's time to go." Pluvia instructs me in my head.  I make my way to the stable, where Ona waits patiently in her stall, watching me thoughtfully with her big brown eyes.

"Hey girl.  Ready to go?"  I ask her, bringing her out of the stall.  I pull a saddle of the wall.  This saddle is hardly a saddle; it's very light and small, so we're not slowed down by anything.  Because she is going to carry the Kana upon her back, she's dressed specially.

A square of fabric, hand crafted with a deep purple and silver yarn, sits between her ears, and runs down to her velvety snout.  The seal of Kana is on it, in purple and silver.

She also has a silver strap on her chest.  This strap holds up a dark purple blanket that covers her flank and back.  The blanket is lined with silver, and also has the Kana's seal.

I strap on the little saddle and a saddle bag that holds some rations and about a hundred credits.  Of course, Pluvia and I plan to hunt for food, but you can never be too careful.

I pull myself onto Ona's back, and get into a good position.  I call out to Pluvia with my mind, telling her I'm ready.

Ona is tall, and when Pluvia arrives, Ona towers over her like a bear to a dog, and I chuckle.  "You've got a lot of growing to do, Pluvia."  I joke. Pluvia rolls her eyes.  "Let's get going, we want to get to the nearest town before nightfall."  Pluvia tells me.  I nod.

I grab Ona's long reins and give them a flick, and Ona rears up then bolts forward at an incredible speed.  The cold wind whips my face and makes my eyes water, so I pull down my helmet the Fays gave me.  The old Kana wore a helmet like this into battle, and I know I must have looked very intimidating.

I had a long black cloak that trailed behind me, that the wind tossed and flipped.  I was wearing all black, with silver gloves and long boots.  I had the war paint on under my helmet, the Fays had insisted I wore it as this was a somewhat political mission.

The helmet itself was the classic Kana's helmet; it was black, and covered all of my face, except for a narrow slit in which I could see out of, but presented others from seeing into it.  A long black feather stuck out of the top, the tip of the feather black and purple, like Ona's fabric armor.

I hoped I wouldn't scare my people too much; ever since I lost Rose I was more worried about making sure every single one of my people was safe, and not how well they listened to my orders.

At this point, Sema was the size of an anthill behind us, Ona was incredibly fast.  Pluvia trailed behind.  I made a clicking noise with my mouth so Ona slowed to a stop.  I leaned forward and patted her neck, then looked down at Pluvia.

"You're going to get in some exercise in from this trip, huh?"  I told Pluvia.  Pluvia just panted heavily in response.  "Ona is ... very ... fast ... but by the end .... I ... will be .... faster."  Vowed Pluvia in between deep, exhausted breaths.

"Whatever."  I said, and urged Ona on.  

- -

The sun had begun to set, and Ona was beginning to tire out.  I let her go at a bumpy walk as she regained some energy.  I think Pluvia was glad we were resting, too.  But we couldn't rest for long.  The woods we were traveling through could be treacherous, especially at night, and in the dark.

We weren't exactly sure where the Flamma Streges - Fire Rock - had landed, but we knew it fell in the North; where Starkai dwelled.  I was also hoping the cowardly panther would be here, so I could kill it once and for all.

"Come on, Ona, one last burst of energy."  I said, and flicked her reins.  She reared up, neighing in protest, but charged forward.  She was slower than before, but we wouldn't need to run for much longer.

"Just a little bit farther, you got this."  I tell her, running my fingers through her mane.  She whinnied weakly, telling me she could do it.

I can feel Pluvia slipping up, she's pushed herself too far.  So I shut my eyes and focus, and it works.  I give some of my energy to Pluvia.  Her eyes - which had been dull - lit up and she put on a burst of speed, running beside Ona.

Sometimes, when the Kana and her Companion are strongly bonded, they can give energy, and take all the pain from the other, something pretty rare as the Companion and Human must learn this trick on their own.

"There!  I see the village!"  Howled Pluvia.  I smile.  She's right.  Up ahead is buildings, standing tall and sturdy.

Ona neighs happily and we gallop through the village's gates, where Starkai Fay eagerly smile and wave at me.