Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2014 4:40:13 GMT -5
It wasn’t the dull sun light that beamed through his eyes but the small shifts of feet across that ground that moved him from his slumber, he wasn’t exactly sure what it was that was but it was close…and heading towards his direction. Keeping his eyes closed Anri kept still on the ground to take better assessment of the situation as the sound was not something that an animal would generate but that one of a Vennor, the all too familiar sound was not one he would soon forget having spent so much time around his own people. The gentle crackles that they made across the shrubbery made it seem that whoever it was that they doing their best to keep their presence as low as possible as not to arose suspicion, making seem all the more likely that they were not friendly, though given the environment whoever it was could have been possibly scared. Anri was unlike many of the Vennor in which his fear was not something that ever had an effect on him, it was a great trait to have but it also brought him into many unfavorable scenes often, usually running in head first without fully considering just what he was doing. Other times if lead him into the best of conditions destroying everything that lay in his path just so he could be the victor.
This far into the jungle as he was there were a few possibilities of what it could have been, a lone Vennor who had been lost in the jungles for quite some time, someone from his unit that had broken away and took lead ahead of the rest or a member of the rebel factions he had been thinking of the day prior. All options were not good in his prospective, if it had been a lost person or a member of his group then he would have to slow down in order for them to keep up which meant it would take him even longer to return home, and it was the rebels that were inclosing on him then that would mean he would have a fight on his hands. A tough as he was numbers weren’t something one could very easily overcome with just strength alone, he would have to be tactile in his effort less they get the better of him even worse if they also brought weapons with them. Though Anri had trained well to defend against modern weapons they had been specifically design to penetrate the thick armor that surrounded the Vennor frame, with such firearms at their side it would have been close to a one sided fight on their behalf, the disadvantages of running off by himself.
Hearing the breaking of ferns under their weighted body over the crackles of the fire meant that whoever it was they were very close nearby, and it was time to act before they did so themselves. Eyes breaking open he took in the dull beams of that light that swayed through the gaps in of the large trees above, it was blinding for a second as he was still waking up but he didn’t have time to waste on making sure he was fully awake. Placing his palm on the ground did Anri twist his body’s weight through his legs as they snapped off the ground and swung out in front of him, in one quick motion he was on his feet as he glanced around the surrounding area but found no sight of anyone nearby. Puzzled and still half asleep he kept in a fighting stance expecting for something to come barging out from the woods with a gun pointed at him but nothing ever came. Slowly he lowered his hands as he moved his head back and forth across the clearing trying to make head or tails of what he had heard; clearly there had been someone there not but a few seconds ago… but…where were they now? He had never met anyone that could out pace him or for that fact turn invisible but even now as he make a round through the campsite did he see no visible signs that anyone had been there, no feet print, no broken plants other than the ones he had made… an uneasy feeling went through his chest at seeing all of this.
How was it someone that had OBVIOSLY been there, who he had heard breaking plants and waking through the soft dirt not make a signal track? It was next to impossible… right? There had never been a recorded case of anything such as he was experiencing making him befuddled at what was going on… but what was really going on was the real question? So distracted by the events that had occurred he was losing focus of his main goal here which was that the sun was now out and it was time to proceed toward home once more, whatever it was that was in his camp didn’t seem to want to cause any harm too him otherwise he wouldn’t still be alive… it wasn’t a rebel…and it wasn’t one of his unit…then who was it? Scratching the back of his head plating he took one final glance around the area even making a few rounds in and out of the trees but decided that it was best left alone, if someone was watching him they had a good reason too since they had not attacked him. Shrugging his shoulder he walked back to the center of the camp where his weights lay heavily on the ground waiting for its master’s return once more, with a simple slip over his shoulder he locked the metal plates to his body and started on a few stretches. While it was possible that he was being watched and he was already burning day light he would have been completely useless the rest of the day if his body was stiff from the nights rest.
It appeared as though the fires had done their trick, nothing had disturbed him during the night and whereas it hadn’t been the most comfortable rest it had more than done its trick in refreshing his batteries, though his stomach felt empty once again. The fried meat he had enjoyed the night before had hit the spot but now that was all gone he was finding that hunger was clawing its way back into his body. It was always trifling on such training not having a readily supply of food or water within hands reach having to rely on ones skills to fend for themselves and find the supplies they needed, but that was the purpose of doing these things in the first place. Finding food would been something he needed to do though it would be awhile before he would need to dine once again, with all the fat stores that his body held he could go a week without any adding nutrients too his body but it would severely effect his abilities. Shoving the hunger away for now did Anri turn to face north once again ready to head back on the track out of his damned place, however it was the small blue shimmer out of the corner of his eye that caught his attention and made him stop in his tracks.
Blue was a tad off when Anri turned his head to take a better look at what had caught his attention, azul, a much richer and deeper color but a mistake that any untrained eye could make especially in such a dim environment but it wasn’t the color that caught his attention but the amazing shimmer that came off the berries as they clung low on the small bush. Anri had never seen such berries before so close up but he knew all too well about them. A sensation of awe overcame him as he watched the swirl of color that seemed to dance inside the thin shelled berries; over the years he had heard about the amazing properties that they had; as most people referred to them as pools of life, or Rivan berries taking its name sake after the world that hosted life in their system. Said to make a person feel anew with a strange sense of euphoria and power not to mention their practically fine taste was not something that was easy to replicate. So rare as they were too find they had never been found outside the Jungles of Riva, where the climate had to be just right, and the amount of life they received every day had to just the correct amount. Many times they had been tried to grow outside their normal habitat but to no luck the seeds did not take, and replicating them through DNA had proved a fruitless endeavor on the Vennor people. Their clear glassy shells were said be to produce in a chemical reaction that the blubs of the plant under went in the early stages of the plants life and took many years too grow too their full potential in which that time they were at their highest peak to enjoy. Though appearing to be made of glass it was actually a thin coat of sugar molecules that had forming into a thin sheet in which the plant would dump excess amounts of its juices too store for colder months. The plant in itself was the finest piece of work that Mother Nature could ever craft, its pristine colors, processes and taste were something that where out of the Vennor's grasp, how such a plant was ever formed was way beyond him.
Still in a state of awe Anri closed in the distance between himself and the plant in a few large steps as he took a gentle knee in front of it being careful not to damage any of its leaves, it would be a shame if such a plant was to die because of how carelessly he acted around it. Restraining his own strength as much as he could Anri slowly reached out and wrapped two of his fingers around the glowing blue shell, even now as he held it in his hand he could swear he felt it pulsate with his touch…almost as if it had its own heart beat. He knew the idea was crazy but being as caught up in moment he thought it might have been true. With a small tug on the plant the berry came loose causing the plant to shake at the pull; pulling back a little with shock at the idea he had damaged the plant he took solace that it still seemed fine. With the little berry now in his hand he looked the glowing sphere over as he rolled it around in his fingers; the blue light that came from its core glowed brighter than it had a few seconds ago, Anri was unsure as too why that was but as beautiful as the orb was he knew that once it was picked it had to be eaten quickly before the light faded from it, once it did the berry became bland, tasteless like wood.
Not needing a second thought Anri opened his mouth widely and popped the small berry into his mouth, clamping his mouth shut as soon as it entered the sugar shell melted over his mouth as a burst of blue light shot out from his mouth. Not expecting such a reaction he coughed slightly as a sputter of light emerged from his mouth, quick to recoil he shut his mouth once again as the un-described flavor washed over his mouth. Eyes growing wide as if he was going on a trip Anri fell backwards in the ferns and let his mind wander as a under sense of calmness rushed over his mouth, then his head, until his how body felt as light as a feather. From a distance he would have looked like a drooling buffoon but in reality he was experiencing what it must have left like to have no worries… just like flying, flying away from everything, all his cares had faded as he leaned his head on the forest floor. Staring up at the dim light that flooded from above the world seemed to take on new colors that he had never noticed before, where the forest before had been mostly greys and green it was now blue, red, yellow, even new colors he had never seen before, it was as though a gate way to another world had opened just for his eyes to see and it was beautiful.
Even though he had just woken up the need to sleep was quickly over taken Anri as he lay there among the forest shrubs and dirt, usually he would have fought against the urge to sleep as he had to keep moving but he didn’t care anymore, nothing mattered right now, just the colors and nothing else. Closing his eyes did the display of magic before him only follow him into his head as he watched the rainbow dance before him wavering as if being blown through a breeze. It was no wonder the berries were so sought after… this was amazing. Slowly he drifted back to sleep, his cares were gone and for once he found himself truly happy. Though Anri had found inner peace the world kept rotating around, the quite sounds of the forest gave way to heavy feet as there sound quickly picked up too a trot.
It wasn’t until hours later that Anri slowly came back to life, the berries high effect had long worn off but the persistent call of calmness had stuck around the utter bliss of its magic was still coating the inside of his body making him feel the best he had in years. With his back on the ground he kept his eyes closed and enjoyed the feeling of being lazy for once in his life letting his muscles go limp as he found he had no need to be prepared to fight or train. Shifting his hand along the ground to find a better spot to relax did he notice that something felt off as he slid his fingers across the ground only too feel that it was not in fact the brushy soil he had fallen asleep on but instead feeling like wood. Now that was cause enough for alarm as Anri quickly sat up from the ground to find himself sitting a small wooden room, there was one visible wooden door in front of him and a small window with light filtering through.
Confusion quickly set in but there was no need to panic though not as though he would have or even could have as the plants effect was still swirling around in his head. Looking down at his legs he took notice of how a blanket was draped across his lower body, however it was unlike any which he had seen before. It wasn’t poorly made but it wasn’t fancy, looking to have been woven and not by the use of machines and as he looked around the rest of the rest of the room seemed to be in such a similar manner, everything seemed to have the appearance of having been made by hand. The wooden shelves that rested on the wall, the small cabinet in the corner and the clay blow that sat in the light of the window, even the housing its self seemed to be handmade. Such an oddity in the modern world to see anything that wasn’t made in a factory, hand crafted jewelry, pottery and furniture were usually only found in special shops in the capital and went for thousands of *gilla.Just where was he at? Why had he been brought here? And most importantly who had brought him here in the first place?
Kicking the blanket off with his legs did Anri stand up slowly as his vision blurred with every small movement he made, he guessed the effects of the berry had been more powerful than he first thought. Placing his hand on the wall to better gain his balance Anri took notice that he could see out the window. Inching a few steps forward he leaned in as he looked outside to get somewhat of an better idea of where he was and what he might be up against. Whoever had brought him here didn’t seem to want to harm him in any case otherwise he would have been dead long ago… on top of that they had provided him with a personal room without a guard, and a blanket… how bad could they really be?
Outside the window he found the source of light was coming from a brightly burning torch that was close nearby too him, the torch seemed to be made out of iron as it was drilled deep into the base of the wall that was shared with the building… wait… no it was drilled into a tree… which meant… that the room he was in was craved into a tree… talk about architecture. Looking up out the widow Anri could make out the swaying of the large leaves not but fifty feet away, the now much brighter light drifted between the open gaps that brighten it up enough that he could see much further out than when he was down in the forest flooring. Well it was apparent that he was near the tops of the canopy but it really only raised more questions than it actually answered but wasn’t that always the case when it came to mysteries? The trees that he could make out in the distance all seemed to have a similar buildings craved into their side but with the trees being as large as they were the small chuck that was taking out of them would make it so that they could still grow, but wouldn’t it damage the trees in the long run? Mind boggling with questions Anri needed to get out of the room, if not to find someone then just to get some fresh air; with being how close he was to the top he was sure there was at least some new air for him to take in. While he could survive down in the forest for a long time without a breeze he found the air seem to be stale as the winds blew so rarely.
Finding that some of his balance had been returned Anri quickly made his way over to the door only to find that the door its self-had an old fashion nob on it, unlike the ones in the city which opened automatically. Having never seen or used one before Anri was a little confused at what to do with this newly faced challenged, with a creature such as himself who could take down a full grown beast and he could not function with a door knob. Pressing his finger against the cool knob he gave it a small push hoping that it would slide open or even move out of the way but it stayed budged the way it was. Next he tried pulling on the door but yet again the door stood strong against his force. Eventually getting fed up with the idea of the old fashion door he swung his fist forward as the wood splitter off his hinges and flung out wildly down into the darkness of the forest below.
“That will teach ya….” Anri mumbled under breath as he stepped out onto a wooden walk way that ran its course from tree to tree, eventually disappearing off into the distance.
Finally with a better look at what he was dealing with did he notice that everything seem to be based off the trees, clinging to the bark of the beasts for support and stability for the buildings and the long wooden pathway that seemed to be the major road way up here. It was strange with how many houses he saw and the infrastructure that there weren’t more people… or any people at all around. Strange… he had half expected there be at least one person there to greet him but there was not a soul in sight either way he looked up and down the platform. Other than the occasional flicker from the nearby torch everything seemed to be quite, as if no one was around for miles, even the creatures that usually loomed just outside his range of vision seemed to have vanished as if they never existed before. Everything about this place seemed off, the lack of noise, the lack of people, even the air seemed off from the world that bunked down below him, just where was this exactly… the training had long escaped from his mind now that the levels of curiosity in his head were boiling over, there were just too many questions that loomed in his head to wander away any more, there were questions that need answering and he was damned if he wasn’t going to get them… though first he needed to find someone and hope they whoever it was he would be able to understand what they spoke. Such a backwards place of living gave him the idea that whoever it was that he meet up here wouldn’t have near the same vocabulary skills that he would, looking as though it was a the way his great, great grandfather would have lived.
Making sure that the weights were still well held to his body he gave the black cords a tight pull and ventured down the path that lay before him, there were two different paths but he had the feeling that either way would eventually lead him to someone with a range of answer for him. Anri was surprised at just how well built everything was, with the appearance of the wooden path way he was sure it was going to buckle under his massive weight along with the extra weight he carried with him but the structure held true and strong in his presence. There was a pull at his body to test just how much pressure and force it would really take but he wasn’t sure how much the locals would like the idea not to mention such a fall would be difficult for him to climb back up… though the extra challenge did spark his mind… he would have to safe that venture for another day, his work was else were as of right now; adding it to a mental list of things he had yet to do did he continue down the wooden path way and towards answers, at least he hoped. There was really no way of knowing what exactly when he might come across up here, he had never heard of anyone living out in the trees in such a mannerism. With so much technological advancement as their people had overcome in that last hundred years it was amazing to see that anyone would live in such a way, why have wooden housing when metal and brick housing was much stronger and lasted for years, or for that fact fire torches? Those hadn’t been used in the last hundred years, mostly due to pollution and cost, everything was either thermal powered, solar, wind, or nuclear in this day and age, and here he was seeing rows of torches that kept the path lit from the darkness that shrouded the woods around him.
This was beyond odd at this point seeing all that revealed itself to him, wooden building, torches, a wooden sky way and as he moved further down the wooden platform more buildings began to appear, how they had managed to keep everything a float on such a small amount of space was beyond him. If it wasn’t for the fact that he was standing amongst the buildings right now he wouldn’t have believe such a place existed in the first place, even now as he looked up above into the high leaves that cast long shadows over the tress below it would have been impossible to know it was here. Mapping the jungles of Riva had only been possible now and even in the past with manual mapping, satellite, and fly overs with planes had left little results as the gaps in the trees gave so little light through it proved the maps useless, and while yes they tired thermal mapping the giant leaves of the trees blocked out any clear results of the ground below. In short mapping the jungles was a difficult, time consuming task in which no one wanted any part of, the only maps where from survey teams and those who went on similar missions/ training as Anri was on right now, but such maps were usually inaccurate, leaving the jungles in a vale of mystery even in the modern era. For so much to be under the radar was a shame to the Vennor government and its military for so much to go hidden away… and who knew for how long, it must have taken years to build these structures, without the use of modern tools, not to mention just how big was this structure? Already he had been walking for quite a ways and just when he thought he had reached the end of it another path opened up for him, triangulating the distance using the trees as makers it the area it covered was over a few miles and growing with every step. With the number of building that he passed this place was starting to seem more and more like a city and less like a scattered group of back water homes.
With every step he had been taking did he notice a small shimmering light out of the corner of his eye, at first he had though it was light filtering down from the leaves above but after a while it became apparent that it was not, holding steady with every step he took did the light seem to keep in place no matter from where he looked. Whatever it was it was not natural, something that had to be placed there by someone, and with something so bright it had to amass more than a little attention which also meant it called to him as well, if anyone was there then that meant he should go there as well. If any of all places someone would be there to answer what he had in store, but at this point he was in no hurry for more than one reason. As well as the wooden structure was holding his weight on its own he didn’t know how well it would hold under his force of running as quickly as he could run, and he was enjoying the sites of the hard worked on buildings. Only drawings of the old civilization had survived over the years, it was like he had stepped in to the past and was able to see it first hand, not something that most people would ever get the chance to take on themselves. For now he would head in the general direction of which the light source bloomed but he would enjoy the trip, it wasn’t a straight path there regardless so even if he walked quickly it wasn’t clear just how long it would take him to get there anyway.
Keeping his pace slowed to enjoy the buildings Anri slowly made his way down the path, that every turn that came to him, growing ever closer to the light that loom just off in the distance. Now burning brighter than ever did the high woods open to show a largely light area, it was the combined mass of many torches that made it so visible from so far away, that and the mighty fire that burned wildly in the middle of what seemed to be a large stone structure in the middle of wide platform. It was then that he saw people, and there were a lot of them, more than he could count with a simple glance and they all seemed to be surrounding a large fire that burned brightly in the center, though it was not the fire they watched but a tall, board chested figure that stood in front of. From the distance he was at he could see the man’s mouth move with great passion with his body’s movement but his words were quiet and dull when they finally reached Anri’s ears. For what reason where they there? And who was this man… what we’re they doing here in all places? Anri wanted to find out, he needed to find out, the curiosity that had been boiling inside of him had finally spilled over the pots edge and was now flooding his mind.
There was no going back now that he was so close to what could possibly be truth and maybe a way out of here, there was no telling if he was closer to home or further than he had stated but he doubt the later of two, it would have taken a person with more strength than him to carry him that far away. Head first as always Anri made his way towards the crowd as the wooden platform he had been standing on gave way to the stone platform, even more surprising as just as the wooden one it seemed to be built into the side of four massive trees all of which seemed exactly fifty feet apart in a square, was it natural? Or something they had done themselves? Just another question he needed an answer for, the more in learned about this place the more question he got, whenever he finally got a hold of someone with answers they might not last long against his torrent of questions.
Finally meeting the back of mass of people did the man’s words break through the air and meet his ears.
“They will not stop until they destroy our way of life, the way we think, I am not sure whether they are jealous or simply hate us for the way we live. But hold this true, as much as they wish to face us on the field of battle we shall not, fighting is born into us but it should not be the answer to everything.” The man’s words were filled with passion, whoever he spoke of he had great hate towards but instilled truth and belief in his words, even Anri who was a stranger too these people found his words filling him with trust with the man.
It wasn’t until Anri was pushing his way through the people did anyone actually take notice of the foreigner, a few gasps and shouts echoed out from the group at the sudden appearance of the man but he shrugged the shock off, for whatever reason they didn’t seem like him being there, which was odd since they had kept him alive up to this point, would they not expect him to wake up during some point. Stopping about half way through the crowd did the voice he heard before call out too him, as the people that were closest too him slide off to the side leaving a large circle of empty space between him.
“You! What are you doing in these lands!”
Anri gave off a grunt of a laugh as he did his best to cover the amusement at the mans choice of words, as they weren’t technically on land but floating in the sky but he decided to leave that out for now. More for the matter was just how well he had been speaking the common tongue he had been expecting them to be speaking in some long forgotten language that only the ancient mountains themselves would speak to the oceans in. Even with how backwards everything was around here it was refreshing to know that something common was not out of the loop, almost as if he was speaking to normal people… not tree folk.
“I was hoping someone here could answer that for me, as you seem to be the leader of these people I guess my question should best be directed towards you sir. I was render unconsciousness for several hours and when I woke I found myself where I am now, where ever this place is. I have no recollection of getting here, but by the dirt that lines my weights I would guess I was dragged quite a ways.” Anri stated as he cleared his throat.
The strewn look of the man’s face gave away took a look of thought in his eyes at Anri’s words, but gave little else away other than that.
“What was it that you were doing in this woods to begin with?” He asked boldy.
“Pretty direct aren’t you?” Anri said just as boldy back.
“I was on a training mission, to survive and make my way home.”
A grimace soon appeared on the man’s face as he had heard all that needed to be said as he turned his back away from Anri as he made his way around the large fire.
“Take care of him, no one can know where it is that we are at. I know our ways but sometimes violence is the way.” His orders came out coldly.
Well that certainly wasn’t the response Anri had been hoping for and neither had his people as they held a confused look their faces, so quickly he had gone against what he had previously said… but orders were orders no matter where a Vennor was. Quickly those that had been surrounding him pulled out long blades that shined dimly in the light of the fire as the closed in the circle around him. Anri knew all too well where this was going and even though he was out numbered he was sure that he could take them on, even with their weapons they were no match for his plates… he would have to take great care not too let one of the blades enter a vital spot, he was powerful but one wrong slip was all it took.
Just as the blades began to fall around him did a voice call out through the air which called all the attention away from Anri.
“Stop this!” The high pitched voice called out from in front of the fire as a young female Vennor stood in front of the blazing flames, making her seem to glow with valor.
Even from this distance she couldn’t have been much older than he himself but with female Vennor it was often hard to tell just how old they were as once they reached a certain age much of their outward appearance didn’t change making them to look young for many years until they reached their late three hundreds, but it was the high pitched almost squeaky voice of her that displayed a great amount of youth. Eyes locking together Anri could see the same passion burning in her eyes as the mane that he had spoken too before… in fact she had his eyes… well it didn’t take a genius to figure this one out.
“Syica! Hold your tongue!” The man from before rushed back on the platform and pulled at his daughters arm, trying to pull her back past the flames.
“I shall not! It was me! If anyone should be punished then direct towards me!” She shouted out, not giving an inch on the man’s pull.
“What are you saying?” The man lessened his grip on her arm ceasing the pulling.
“I was the one that brought him here! If that is the crime then I should be the one to be punished.” It was her words that struck the man as Anri could see a physical recoil at the words processed through his mind.
“… how… how could you… all of our lives could been in danger now.” He said with a tone of hurt in his voice.
“I know….” She looked shyly towards the ground.
“… but I think he could be the one to help us.” She snapped her head back up to meet her father in the eyes, the passion returning to her vision.
“They are all the same, just look at him, he wears their clothes, their symbols of greed and oppression.” He raised his voice and pointed his finger at Anri, who at this point was just watched the debate back and forth between the two them along with the rest of on lookers, moving their heads back and forth when either of them talked.
“He wears their clothes, but shares our heart. Is it not what on the inside that matters?” She said all well to knowing he had said that long ago.
Her words took him back once again as he looked her deep in the eyes, deciding on what to do next. After a long pause between the two them he turned his attention towards Anri and raised his hand.
“We shall talk, then deal with you.”
Anri wasn’t about to just let them have an hour long conversation while he just sat around and let them vent their father daughter relationship issues.
“I’m not about to wait arou-.” His words cut off as something sharp pricked him in the neck.
“Son of a- what the hell was that?” Anri pulled a feathery dart from his neck seeing a small glowing drop hanging from its tip… wait… was that?
“Ah sh-“ Was all Anri could get out as his vision blurred as he feel to his knees, within seconds he was out cold on the hard stones.
*Gilla- currency on Riva used by the Vennors
This far into the jungle as he was there were a few possibilities of what it could have been, a lone Vennor who had been lost in the jungles for quite some time, someone from his unit that had broken away and took lead ahead of the rest or a member of the rebel factions he had been thinking of the day prior. All options were not good in his prospective, if it had been a lost person or a member of his group then he would have to slow down in order for them to keep up which meant it would take him even longer to return home, and it was the rebels that were inclosing on him then that would mean he would have a fight on his hands. A tough as he was numbers weren’t something one could very easily overcome with just strength alone, he would have to be tactile in his effort less they get the better of him even worse if they also brought weapons with them. Though Anri had trained well to defend against modern weapons they had been specifically design to penetrate the thick armor that surrounded the Vennor frame, with such firearms at their side it would have been close to a one sided fight on their behalf, the disadvantages of running off by himself.
Hearing the breaking of ferns under their weighted body over the crackles of the fire meant that whoever it was they were very close nearby, and it was time to act before they did so themselves. Eyes breaking open he took in the dull beams of that light that swayed through the gaps in of the large trees above, it was blinding for a second as he was still waking up but he didn’t have time to waste on making sure he was fully awake. Placing his palm on the ground did Anri twist his body’s weight through his legs as they snapped off the ground and swung out in front of him, in one quick motion he was on his feet as he glanced around the surrounding area but found no sight of anyone nearby. Puzzled and still half asleep he kept in a fighting stance expecting for something to come barging out from the woods with a gun pointed at him but nothing ever came. Slowly he lowered his hands as he moved his head back and forth across the clearing trying to make head or tails of what he had heard; clearly there had been someone there not but a few seconds ago… but…where were they now? He had never met anyone that could out pace him or for that fact turn invisible but even now as he make a round through the campsite did he see no visible signs that anyone had been there, no feet print, no broken plants other than the ones he had made… an uneasy feeling went through his chest at seeing all of this.
How was it someone that had OBVIOSLY been there, who he had heard breaking plants and waking through the soft dirt not make a signal track? It was next to impossible… right? There had never been a recorded case of anything such as he was experiencing making him befuddled at what was going on… but what was really going on was the real question? So distracted by the events that had occurred he was losing focus of his main goal here which was that the sun was now out and it was time to proceed toward home once more, whatever it was that was in his camp didn’t seem to want to cause any harm too him otherwise he wouldn’t still be alive… it wasn’t a rebel…and it wasn’t one of his unit…then who was it? Scratching the back of his head plating he took one final glance around the area even making a few rounds in and out of the trees but decided that it was best left alone, if someone was watching him they had a good reason too since they had not attacked him. Shrugging his shoulder he walked back to the center of the camp where his weights lay heavily on the ground waiting for its master’s return once more, with a simple slip over his shoulder he locked the metal plates to his body and started on a few stretches. While it was possible that he was being watched and he was already burning day light he would have been completely useless the rest of the day if his body was stiff from the nights rest.
It appeared as though the fires had done their trick, nothing had disturbed him during the night and whereas it hadn’t been the most comfortable rest it had more than done its trick in refreshing his batteries, though his stomach felt empty once again. The fried meat he had enjoyed the night before had hit the spot but now that was all gone he was finding that hunger was clawing its way back into his body. It was always trifling on such training not having a readily supply of food or water within hands reach having to rely on ones skills to fend for themselves and find the supplies they needed, but that was the purpose of doing these things in the first place. Finding food would been something he needed to do though it would be awhile before he would need to dine once again, with all the fat stores that his body held he could go a week without any adding nutrients too his body but it would severely effect his abilities. Shoving the hunger away for now did Anri turn to face north once again ready to head back on the track out of his damned place, however it was the small blue shimmer out of the corner of his eye that caught his attention and made him stop in his tracks.
Blue was a tad off when Anri turned his head to take a better look at what had caught his attention, azul, a much richer and deeper color but a mistake that any untrained eye could make especially in such a dim environment but it wasn’t the color that caught his attention but the amazing shimmer that came off the berries as they clung low on the small bush. Anri had never seen such berries before so close up but he knew all too well about them. A sensation of awe overcame him as he watched the swirl of color that seemed to dance inside the thin shelled berries; over the years he had heard about the amazing properties that they had; as most people referred to them as pools of life, or Rivan berries taking its name sake after the world that hosted life in their system. Said to make a person feel anew with a strange sense of euphoria and power not to mention their practically fine taste was not something that was easy to replicate. So rare as they were too find they had never been found outside the Jungles of Riva, where the climate had to be just right, and the amount of life they received every day had to just the correct amount. Many times they had been tried to grow outside their normal habitat but to no luck the seeds did not take, and replicating them through DNA had proved a fruitless endeavor on the Vennor people. Their clear glassy shells were said be to produce in a chemical reaction that the blubs of the plant under went in the early stages of the plants life and took many years too grow too their full potential in which that time they were at their highest peak to enjoy. Though appearing to be made of glass it was actually a thin coat of sugar molecules that had forming into a thin sheet in which the plant would dump excess amounts of its juices too store for colder months. The plant in itself was the finest piece of work that Mother Nature could ever craft, its pristine colors, processes and taste were something that where out of the Vennor's grasp, how such a plant was ever formed was way beyond him.
Still in a state of awe Anri closed in the distance between himself and the plant in a few large steps as he took a gentle knee in front of it being careful not to damage any of its leaves, it would be a shame if such a plant was to die because of how carelessly he acted around it. Restraining his own strength as much as he could Anri slowly reached out and wrapped two of his fingers around the glowing blue shell, even now as he held it in his hand he could swear he felt it pulsate with his touch…almost as if it had its own heart beat. He knew the idea was crazy but being as caught up in moment he thought it might have been true. With a small tug on the plant the berry came loose causing the plant to shake at the pull; pulling back a little with shock at the idea he had damaged the plant he took solace that it still seemed fine. With the little berry now in his hand he looked the glowing sphere over as he rolled it around in his fingers; the blue light that came from its core glowed brighter than it had a few seconds ago, Anri was unsure as too why that was but as beautiful as the orb was he knew that once it was picked it had to be eaten quickly before the light faded from it, once it did the berry became bland, tasteless like wood.
Not needing a second thought Anri opened his mouth widely and popped the small berry into his mouth, clamping his mouth shut as soon as it entered the sugar shell melted over his mouth as a burst of blue light shot out from his mouth. Not expecting such a reaction he coughed slightly as a sputter of light emerged from his mouth, quick to recoil he shut his mouth once again as the un-described flavor washed over his mouth. Eyes growing wide as if he was going on a trip Anri fell backwards in the ferns and let his mind wander as a under sense of calmness rushed over his mouth, then his head, until his how body felt as light as a feather. From a distance he would have looked like a drooling buffoon but in reality he was experiencing what it must have left like to have no worries… just like flying, flying away from everything, all his cares had faded as he leaned his head on the forest floor. Staring up at the dim light that flooded from above the world seemed to take on new colors that he had never noticed before, where the forest before had been mostly greys and green it was now blue, red, yellow, even new colors he had never seen before, it was as though a gate way to another world had opened just for his eyes to see and it was beautiful.
Even though he had just woken up the need to sleep was quickly over taken Anri as he lay there among the forest shrubs and dirt, usually he would have fought against the urge to sleep as he had to keep moving but he didn’t care anymore, nothing mattered right now, just the colors and nothing else. Closing his eyes did the display of magic before him only follow him into his head as he watched the rainbow dance before him wavering as if being blown through a breeze. It was no wonder the berries were so sought after… this was amazing. Slowly he drifted back to sleep, his cares were gone and for once he found himself truly happy. Though Anri had found inner peace the world kept rotating around, the quite sounds of the forest gave way to heavy feet as there sound quickly picked up too a trot.
It wasn’t until hours later that Anri slowly came back to life, the berries high effect had long worn off but the persistent call of calmness had stuck around the utter bliss of its magic was still coating the inside of his body making him feel the best he had in years. With his back on the ground he kept his eyes closed and enjoyed the feeling of being lazy for once in his life letting his muscles go limp as he found he had no need to be prepared to fight or train. Shifting his hand along the ground to find a better spot to relax did he notice that something felt off as he slid his fingers across the ground only too feel that it was not in fact the brushy soil he had fallen asleep on but instead feeling like wood. Now that was cause enough for alarm as Anri quickly sat up from the ground to find himself sitting a small wooden room, there was one visible wooden door in front of him and a small window with light filtering through.
Confusion quickly set in but there was no need to panic though not as though he would have or even could have as the plants effect was still swirling around in his head. Looking down at his legs he took notice of how a blanket was draped across his lower body, however it was unlike any which he had seen before. It wasn’t poorly made but it wasn’t fancy, looking to have been woven and not by the use of machines and as he looked around the rest of the rest of the room seemed to be in such a similar manner, everything seemed to have the appearance of having been made by hand. The wooden shelves that rested on the wall, the small cabinet in the corner and the clay blow that sat in the light of the window, even the housing its self seemed to be handmade. Such an oddity in the modern world to see anything that wasn’t made in a factory, hand crafted jewelry, pottery and furniture were usually only found in special shops in the capital and went for thousands of *gilla.Just where was he at? Why had he been brought here? And most importantly who had brought him here in the first place?
Kicking the blanket off with his legs did Anri stand up slowly as his vision blurred with every small movement he made, he guessed the effects of the berry had been more powerful than he first thought. Placing his hand on the wall to better gain his balance Anri took notice that he could see out the window. Inching a few steps forward he leaned in as he looked outside to get somewhat of an better idea of where he was and what he might be up against. Whoever had brought him here didn’t seem to want to harm him in any case otherwise he would have been dead long ago… on top of that they had provided him with a personal room without a guard, and a blanket… how bad could they really be?
Outside the window he found the source of light was coming from a brightly burning torch that was close nearby too him, the torch seemed to be made out of iron as it was drilled deep into the base of the wall that was shared with the building… wait… no it was drilled into a tree… which meant… that the room he was in was craved into a tree… talk about architecture. Looking up out the widow Anri could make out the swaying of the large leaves not but fifty feet away, the now much brighter light drifted between the open gaps that brighten it up enough that he could see much further out than when he was down in the forest flooring. Well it was apparent that he was near the tops of the canopy but it really only raised more questions than it actually answered but wasn’t that always the case when it came to mysteries? The trees that he could make out in the distance all seemed to have a similar buildings craved into their side but with the trees being as large as they were the small chuck that was taking out of them would make it so that they could still grow, but wouldn’t it damage the trees in the long run? Mind boggling with questions Anri needed to get out of the room, if not to find someone then just to get some fresh air; with being how close he was to the top he was sure there was at least some new air for him to take in. While he could survive down in the forest for a long time without a breeze he found the air seem to be stale as the winds blew so rarely.
Finding that some of his balance had been returned Anri quickly made his way over to the door only to find that the door its self-had an old fashion nob on it, unlike the ones in the city which opened automatically. Having never seen or used one before Anri was a little confused at what to do with this newly faced challenged, with a creature such as himself who could take down a full grown beast and he could not function with a door knob. Pressing his finger against the cool knob he gave it a small push hoping that it would slide open or even move out of the way but it stayed budged the way it was. Next he tried pulling on the door but yet again the door stood strong against his force. Eventually getting fed up with the idea of the old fashion door he swung his fist forward as the wood splitter off his hinges and flung out wildly down into the darkness of the forest below.
“That will teach ya….” Anri mumbled under breath as he stepped out onto a wooden walk way that ran its course from tree to tree, eventually disappearing off into the distance.
Finally with a better look at what he was dealing with did he notice that everything seem to be based off the trees, clinging to the bark of the beasts for support and stability for the buildings and the long wooden pathway that seemed to be the major road way up here. It was strange with how many houses he saw and the infrastructure that there weren’t more people… or any people at all around. Strange… he had half expected there be at least one person there to greet him but there was not a soul in sight either way he looked up and down the platform. Other than the occasional flicker from the nearby torch everything seemed to be quite, as if no one was around for miles, even the creatures that usually loomed just outside his range of vision seemed to have vanished as if they never existed before. Everything about this place seemed off, the lack of noise, the lack of people, even the air seemed off from the world that bunked down below him, just where was this exactly… the training had long escaped from his mind now that the levels of curiosity in his head were boiling over, there were just too many questions that loomed in his head to wander away any more, there were questions that need answering and he was damned if he wasn’t going to get them… though first he needed to find someone and hope they whoever it was he would be able to understand what they spoke. Such a backwards place of living gave him the idea that whoever it was that he meet up here wouldn’t have near the same vocabulary skills that he would, looking as though it was a the way his great, great grandfather would have lived.
Making sure that the weights were still well held to his body he gave the black cords a tight pull and ventured down the path that lay before him, there were two different paths but he had the feeling that either way would eventually lead him to someone with a range of answer for him. Anri was surprised at just how well built everything was, with the appearance of the wooden path way he was sure it was going to buckle under his massive weight along with the extra weight he carried with him but the structure held true and strong in his presence. There was a pull at his body to test just how much pressure and force it would really take but he wasn’t sure how much the locals would like the idea not to mention such a fall would be difficult for him to climb back up… though the extra challenge did spark his mind… he would have to safe that venture for another day, his work was else were as of right now; adding it to a mental list of things he had yet to do did he continue down the wooden path way and towards answers, at least he hoped. There was really no way of knowing what exactly when he might come across up here, he had never heard of anyone living out in the trees in such a mannerism. With so much technological advancement as their people had overcome in that last hundred years it was amazing to see that anyone would live in such a way, why have wooden housing when metal and brick housing was much stronger and lasted for years, or for that fact fire torches? Those hadn’t been used in the last hundred years, mostly due to pollution and cost, everything was either thermal powered, solar, wind, or nuclear in this day and age, and here he was seeing rows of torches that kept the path lit from the darkness that shrouded the woods around him.
This was beyond odd at this point seeing all that revealed itself to him, wooden building, torches, a wooden sky way and as he moved further down the wooden platform more buildings began to appear, how they had managed to keep everything a float on such a small amount of space was beyond him. If it wasn’t for the fact that he was standing amongst the buildings right now he wouldn’t have believe such a place existed in the first place, even now as he looked up above into the high leaves that cast long shadows over the tress below it would have been impossible to know it was here. Mapping the jungles of Riva had only been possible now and even in the past with manual mapping, satellite, and fly overs with planes had left little results as the gaps in the trees gave so little light through it proved the maps useless, and while yes they tired thermal mapping the giant leaves of the trees blocked out any clear results of the ground below. In short mapping the jungles was a difficult, time consuming task in which no one wanted any part of, the only maps where from survey teams and those who went on similar missions/ training as Anri was on right now, but such maps were usually inaccurate, leaving the jungles in a vale of mystery even in the modern era. For so much to be under the radar was a shame to the Vennor government and its military for so much to go hidden away… and who knew for how long, it must have taken years to build these structures, without the use of modern tools, not to mention just how big was this structure? Already he had been walking for quite a ways and just when he thought he had reached the end of it another path opened up for him, triangulating the distance using the trees as makers it the area it covered was over a few miles and growing with every step. With the number of building that he passed this place was starting to seem more and more like a city and less like a scattered group of back water homes.
With every step he had been taking did he notice a small shimmering light out of the corner of his eye, at first he had though it was light filtering down from the leaves above but after a while it became apparent that it was not, holding steady with every step he took did the light seem to keep in place no matter from where he looked. Whatever it was it was not natural, something that had to be placed there by someone, and with something so bright it had to amass more than a little attention which also meant it called to him as well, if anyone was there then that meant he should go there as well. If any of all places someone would be there to answer what he had in store, but at this point he was in no hurry for more than one reason. As well as the wooden structure was holding his weight on its own he didn’t know how well it would hold under his force of running as quickly as he could run, and he was enjoying the sites of the hard worked on buildings. Only drawings of the old civilization had survived over the years, it was like he had stepped in to the past and was able to see it first hand, not something that most people would ever get the chance to take on themselves. For now he would head in the general direction of which the light source bloomed but he would enjoy the trip, it wasn’t a straight path there regardless so even if he walked quickly it wasn’t clear just how long it would take him to get there anyway.
Keeping his pace slowed to enjoy the buildings Anri slowly made his way down the path, that every turn that came to him, growing ever closer to the light that loom just off in the distance. Now burning brighter than ever did the high woods open to show a largely light area, it was the combined mass of many torches that made it so visible from so far away, that and the mighty fire that burned wildly in the middle of what seemed to be a large stone structure in the middle of wide platform. It was then that he saw people, and there were a lot of them, more than he could count with a simple glance and they all seemed to be surrounding a large fire that burned brightly in the center, though it was not the fire they watched but a tall, board chested figure that stood in front of. From the distance he was at he could see the man’s mouth move with great passion with his body’s movement but his words were quiet and dull when they finally reached Anri’s ears. For what reason where they there? And who was this man… what we’re they doing here in all places? Anri wanted to find out, he needed to find out, the curiosity that had been boiling inside of him had finally spilled over the pots edge and was now flooding his mind.
There was no going back now that he was so close to what could possibly be truth and maybe a way out of here, there was no telling if he was closer to home or further than he had stated but he doubt the later of two, it would have taken a person with more strength than him to carry him that far away. Head first as always Anri made his way towards the crowd as the wooden platform he had been standing on gave way to the stone platform, even more surprising as just as the wooden one it seemed to be built into the side of four massive trees all of which seemed exactly fifty feet apart in a square, was it natural? Or something they had done themselves? Just another question he needed an answer for, the more in learned about this place the more question he got, whenever he finally got a hold of someone with answers they might not last long against his torrent of questions.
Finally meeting the back of mass of people did the man’s words break through the air and meet his ears.
“They will not stop until they destroy our way of life, the way we think, I am not sure whether they are jealous or simply hate us for the way we live. But hold this true, as much as they wish to face us on the field of battle we shall not, fighting is born into us but it should not be the answer to everything.” The man’s words were filled with passion, whoever he spoke of he had great hate towards but instilled truth and belief in his words, even Anri who was a stranger too these people found his words filling him with trust with the man.
It wasn’t until Anri was pushing his way through the people did anyone actually take notice of the foreigner, a few gasps and shouts echoed out from the group at the sudden appearance of the man but he shrugged the shock off, for whatever reason they didn’t seem like him being there, which was odd since they had kept him alive up to this point, would they not expect him to wake up during some point. Stopping about half way through the crowd did the voice he heard before call out too him, as the people that were closest too him slide off to the side leaving a large circle of empty space between him.
“You! What are you doing in these lands!”
Anri gave off a grunt of a laugh as he did his best to cover the amusement at the mans choice of words, as they weren’t technically on land but floating in the sky but he decided to leave that out for now. More for the matter was just how well he had been speaking the common tongue he had been expecting them to be speaking in some long forgotten language that only the ancient mountains themselves would speak to the oceans in. Even with how backwards everything was around here it was refreshing to know that something common was not out of the loop, almost as if he was speaking to normal people… not tree folk.
“I was hoping someone here could answer that for me, as you seem to be the leader of these people I guess my question should best be directed towards you sir. I was render unconsciousness for several hours and when I woke I found myself where I am now, where ever this place is. I have no recollection of getting here, but by the dirt that lines my weights I would guess I was dragged quite a ways.” Anri stated as he cleared his throat.
The strewn look of the man’s face gave away took a look of thought in his eyes at Anri’s words, but gave little else away other than that.
“What was it that you were doing in this woods to begin with?” He asked boldy.
“Pretty direct aren’t you?” Anri said just as boldy back.
“I was on a training mission, to survive and make my way home.”
A grimace soon appeared on the man’s face as he had heard all that needed to be said as he turned his back away from Anri as he made his way around the large fire.
“Take care of him, no one can know where it is that we are at. I know our ways but sometimes violence is the way.” His orders came out coldly.
Well that certainly wasn’t the response Anri had been hoping for and neither had his people as they held a confused look their faces, so quickly he had gone against what he had previously said… but orders were orders no matter where a Vennor was. Quickly those that had been surrounding him pulled out long blades that shined dimly in the light of the fire as the closed in the circle around him. Anri knew all too well where this was going and even though he was out numbered he was sure that he could take them on, even with their weapons they were no match for his plates… he would have to take great care not too let one of the blades enter a vital spot, he was powerful but one wrong slip was all it took.
Just as the blades began to fall around him did a voice call out through the air which called all the attention away from Anri.
“Stop this!” The high pitched voice called out from in front of the fire as a young female Vennor stood in front of the blazing flames, making her seem to glow with valor.
Even from this distance she couldn’t have been much older than he himself but with female Vennor it was often hard to tell just how old they were as once they reached a certain age much of their outward appearance didn’t change making them to look young for many years until they reached their late three hundreds, but it was the high pitched almost squeaky voice of her that displayed a great amount of youth. Eyes locking together Anri could see the same passion burning in her eyes as the mane that he had spoken too before… in fact she had his eyes… well it didn’t take a genius to figure this one out.
“Syica! Hold your tongue!” The man from before rushed back on the platform and pulled at his daughters arm, trying to pull her back past the flames.
“I shall not! It was me! If anyone should be punished then direct towards me!” She shouted out, not giving an inch on the man’s pull.
“What are you saying?” The man lessened his grip on her arm ceasing the pulling.
“I was the one that brought him here! If that is the crime then I should be the one to be punished.” It was her words that struck the man as Anri could see a physical recoil at the words processed through his mind.
“… how… how could you… all of our lives could been in danger now.” He said with a tone of hurt in his voice.
“I know….” She looked shyly towards the ground.
“… but I think he could be the one to help us.” She snapped her head back up to meet her father in the eyes, the passion returning to her vision.
“They are all the same, just look at him, he wears their clothes, their symbols of greed and oppression.” He raised his voice and pointed his finger at Anri, who at this point was just watched the debate back and forth between the two them along with the rest of on lookers, moving their heads back and forth when either of them talked.
“He wears their clothes, but shares our heart. Is it not what on the inside that matters?” She said all well to knowing he had said that long ago.
Her words took him back once again as he looked her deep in the eyes, deciding on what to do next. After a long pause between the two them he turned his attention towards Anri and raised his hand.
“We shall talk, then deal with you.”
Anri wasn’t about to just let them have an hour long conversation while he just sat around and let them vent their father daughter relationship issues.
“I’m not about to wait arou-.” His words cut off as something sharp pricked him in the neck.
“Son of a- what the hell was that?” Anri pulled a feathery dart from his neck seeing a small glowing drop hanging from its tip… wait… was that?
“Ah sh-“ Was all Anri could get out as his vision blurred as he feel to his knees, within seconds he was out cold on the hard stones.
*Gilla- currency on Riva used by the Vennors