Legend of the Pure Era

Chapter 1 - The Beginning

I've been staring at the Pure Tree for a long while now, I had no reason to, no thoughts swirling around in my head that I needed to be set right. But maybe today I just wanted to stare at something other then the blank wall of the den. Drifting out of the hundred yard stare towards the large protector of the Isle, I heard slow and soft ruffling coming from the grass behind me. "There you are Firera, this should have been the first place I checked." My Heling spoke in a breathless wave of words. "And yet you always spring around the isle, like a head-less Avicat." I countered as they caught their breath. Earning a slight huff from the older Liora. "Ya never know, you might actually go somewhere else besides the den and here, that's a day I'd be interested to see." I could only let out a laugh at that, because we both knew they were right. Already hunting for myself, but that seems to be the only time I move from my two spots. As long as my Bond Pack don't steal me away from them.

"Lightning was around, asking if you'd like to train at dawn." My ears hung on every word of that sentence as it left my Heling's maw. As if they'd read the thoughts of my Bond Pack from the back of my head. "I'll meet with them about it soon, thank you for telling me." I finally turned to give them my full attention. "Ya know, I can't really tell what draws you to this place." They spoke as they looked around themselves and eyed the almost endless grassy view from all sides. I had to lull that statement over for a moment, creating a small air of silence. "You would if you sat in the right place." I finally said as I returned my eyes to the view that they were missing out on from their angle on the hill. Soon after I answered I heard their footfall again, growing nearer. They stood shoulder to shoulder with me as they brought in the sight of the vast isle view, with the Pure Tree center of it all. "So is it the view itself, or the view of the Tree?" This was another question I had to take the time on, even with the slight silence, I couldn't think up the reason for the pull I felt from the spot. I broke the pause. "I'm not quite sure, it might not be the view, but the feeling of calm, if there are thoughts that are running wild, I just come here, although that's not all the time." I heard a understanding hum from my left, along with a flap of a pair of wings.

"You do know Tin, I sent you to bring Firera to the den for food, right?" this voice belonged to my Bond Sheling. "You would be proud of them, asking me about this infamous spot of mine." I knew both would get a laugh out of that, which rung true when said laughter bubbled out from both their maws. "Don't listen to them Flow, I don't know what they're talking about." Tin's statement brought a doubtful curl to Flow's brow. "Sure thing hun, I'll keep that in mind, never trust a thing Firera says when it comes to you." Tin's pupils pin-pricked for a second, "Now, now not everything they say is wrong." Flow just shrugged their shoulders countering Tin's worry with, "So the only things right that leave their maw are things you approve of, and make you look all though, got it." Tin let out a defeated huff of air and slowly followed Flow back down the hill. I fought the chuckle that tickled the back of my throat. I myself following along down to the den. 

"Looks like the master hunter needed help from their mate once again to catch a sitting Avicat." My litter mate Mara Bloom shot the tease right as we past the mouth of the den. Which only got another huff out of Tin, they have had enough teasing for today. We all sat and had our fill of todays hunt. Bloom filling the quiet den with stories of their adventures of the day, most of which was spent with their Bond Pack this time. Which brought them onto the question of mine, "haven't seen Lightning around much, your Bond Pack alright?" I set a chuckle slip from my maw, clearing my throat I eased their mind, "yes, everything is great, we just don't go on amazing adventures every day to call den about." My answer was greeted by a strangled wheeze from our Heling, they knowing full well that it was nothing more then a fact, but they couldn't help themselves. Flow used their wing to bring whatever had gotten stuck in Tin's throat down.

I always enjoy spending time with my Blood Pack, time seems to still, timeless laughter and jokes. Aimless adventures around the isles just to make memories. I know that this isn't always the case, we all have had bad days, weeks, months. There is one, one who's stuck in the bad. "Firera, you're heading to Pearl's den for a bit aren't you?" Bloom changed the subject to bring up that I still have to meet with them. "Old enough to hunt, but not old enough to leave behind bad roots." I countered back bitterly. Rising to stand I began to leave the den. "Just remember, there's no rock on the mouth of the den." Flow always had a way of making me feel safer when I had to leave.

Purple Pearl, my Sheling, as I reach the mouth of the second 'den' I spend time in, I'm just glad I get to see more of my youngest litter mate, Zap Spring. Who I now hear rushing towards me, almost straining their voice with excitement  "Firera! You're back!" I can't help but smile at the ball of energy, "yes, I'm back for a bit, why don't you show me what you've been up to?" They spin on the spot and bolt back into the den, I would have chuckled at the sight, if it didn't mean I had to follow them into that same den. This den never felt like one, the walls aren't kept, and the ground is hard, I've tried in the past to change both, but change isn't welcome to the head of the den. "Pearl has gone somewhere, but you can see them soon probably." Zap's words sent two types of shivers down my form at the same time, I had to ask, "How long have they been gone Zap?" The answer of "A day or two." I got from them, sent another one of those shivers down my spine, anger, that's what that one was for.

"Freedom Firera." Then the second came back, fear. My Sheling had returned without a sound. Most times it's not advised to look them in the eye, but with the tone in their voice, eye contact is needed for safety. "Hello, Pearl. Zap is just showing me what they've been doing." I willed my tone to stay level, even though I knew what was coming next. Pearl sighs and answers with, "It's nothing useful I can tell you, couldn't you just make sure they don't get into anymore trouble." As always Pearl is fed up with the world. I watch as they step over Zap as if they were just an object that was in their way, then as normal, spilled away into the dark part of the den, affectively shutting everything out.

I just wish to bring Zap to Flow and Tin's den forever. They join me for most of the visits I'm allowed to go on to the 'other den' as Pearl would say. This den, this shell of a place that's meant to be full of life and jokes, is a dead hollow hole. I felt trapped whenever entering this cave, and I just needed to leave while I knew I still could, with Pearl asleep. I looked over to Zap, I spoke softly, quietly, "Hey, do you want to see Tin and Flow? Maybe have another visit?" Zap was confused, I could see it, but I just started to turn from the inner part of the den. Zap followed quietly.