Aisling viewed the new landscape around her. It really was amazing and it still had the same tranquil atmosphere so they were still in Sanctuary. But what confused her was that spirits kept showing up, they were animal spirits or Earth Spirits but Aisling felt that it was fine.
“Come on!” Aiba suddenly took Aisling’s hand. Aisling blinked in surprise and Aiba started running down the hill. “I’ll show you stuff!” They ran down hill, Aiba appeared to be used to running down the slope and through the wild path. Aisling wasn’t used to running down hill and almost tripped several times but she managed to keep up.
Puck stared after them blinking. He shrugged and was about to go after them when Puma appeared out of no where and pounced the little fairy. “Hey get off!” Puck yelped and tried to squirm out of the large cat’s weight. The puma started licking him, Waaah! I’m going to be eaten!!! Puck tried to escape again then he saw the wolf Ookami approaching them. The wolf growled at the large cat. The puma looked at him and let out a hiss before releasing Puck and walking away. Puck let out a sigh of relief and tried to wipe off the Puma drool. He felt gently picked by the collar of his shirt with his teeth.
“Hey let go! I can walk or fly let go!” Puck tangled from the wolf’s mouth. But the wolf ignored his protest and carried him as he ran deeper into the forest.
Aisling followed Aiba as he ran through several paths and had no idea where he was taking them. “Aiba slow down! I’m…” Aisling tripped on a root and collided into Aiba and they tumbled down until they hit a tree. “Ow…” She groaned and blinked in confusion. She didn’t know why it hurt, this wasn’t the real world and she almost gotten over that the pain you feel here is all in your head. Then she released that Aiba was sitting on her. This scene made her think back when the first met and she almost laughed out loud.
Aiba forced himself up and extant a hand out to help her up, “Sorry…” He said rubbing the back of his head and laughed nervously. She thought she saw him tense for a split second but he looked relaxed again. She took hold of his hand and he helped her stand up.
“Where were we running to anyways?” Aisling asked him as she looked around the unfamiliar landscape.
“Its right this way,” Aiba said moving away and went through more trees. Aisling followed him and saw from the corner of her eye animals scuttling away from them. Then Aiba led them to a large clearing at by the beach. Aiba looked back at Aisling with a big smile on his face and pointed forward laughing “See?”
Aisling looked and saw what appeared to be totems and they looked enormous. They were made of wood and carved into shapes of animals "They're called the Sea and Land guards. They're supposed to keep others out, but we do too," Aiba laughed rubbing the back of his head. "They let us in... because... we're shamans I guess hah..."
"Did someone you know make these?" Aisling asked gazing up at the statues in awe. They looked amazing and design of the artwork looked familiar.
"Nope," Aiba answered back. "They've supposedly been here since before man walked here... it was supposedly the Higher Spirits' doing."
"They're very detailed..." Aisling said looking up at a bear shaped totem. She couldn’t tell if it was staring down at them or out towards the sea. They heard a wolf howl and Aisling looked away from the towers and saw a wolf standing on a hill top. The wolf was howling with its heart out and the song sounded beautiful and longing.
“What was that about?” Aiba asked out loud watching the wolf howling.
Aisling listening to the sound and said, “Was he…missing home?” She guessed. Aiba nodded as if agreeing with her.
“Probably,” Aiba said gazing up at the wolf. “I kind of…missed it to…” He almost looked sad but then his face lit up again. “Hey! Let’s have some fun! Come on,” He said and offered his hand again. “We’ll go see the temple!” Aisling looked at his hand wondering what’s with the holding hands thing. She took his hand and fought hard not to blush. Aiba led her away from the beach and she wondered where Puck was at the moment.
After brushing past more trees and greenery Aiba turned to the right and entered another clearing. Aiba led them in the clearing and said to Aisling, “This was said to be made by the master of the island,” He smiled looking up at a giant stone wall and a stone steps that led upward. It looked very old. Aisling looked up and saw a house made of wood and stone that must be the temple. She moved forward wanting to inspect the building closely but Aiba took her arm to stop her.
She looked back at him confused, “We’re not allowed up there,” Aiba explained to her. “I just wanted to show you…It’s supposed to be the highest spirit’s home…”
“Ah,” Aisling said looking up at the temple again. "Not even in Sanctuary, I guess....,” She said nodding. Even though they weren’t on the real island it was still considered very rude to trespass on Hollowed Grounds even in this dimension. "What animal is the Highest Spirit?" she asked stepping down from the stair case and stood next to Aiba.
"He's supposed to not even have a true form...I think..." Aiba answered back. "From what I've heard... he can take any form he likes...Anyways... ya..." he smiled crossing his arms behind his head and looked carefree and happy. "This place is amazing..." Aisling smiled glad that he was enjoying himself and at peace.
"Help!!!!!!!!!!!" Aisling jump at the sound of Puck’s voice. She turned her head and saw Puck being chased by a puma. Aisling stared and covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing. It looked so funny like a cat chasing a butterfly but poor Puck looked terrified.
“Aisling!” Puck shouted flailing his arms while flying away from the large wild cat. He flew over to her and sat on top of her head panting heavily. The puma stopped looked up at Puck on top of Aisling’s head as if wondering what to do next, then it turned around and walked away.
“That’s right! Walk away ya big fur ball!” Puck shouted after the Puma waving his fist. “You were lucky I didn’t blow you away!” The puma looked back and eyed Puck as if saying, oh really? Puck gulped and moved to sat on Aisling’s shoulder.
Aisling laughed and Aiba grinned. “Alright alright,” Puck muttered crossly. He looked up at the temple and then at Aiba. “So what do you want to do now?”
“Hm,” Aiba said rubbing the back of his head and looked around. “Well…” He started but then his eyes widen when something behind Aisling caught his attention.
Aisling turned around and saw Brant. “Hey Brant,” She said to the knight. The knight nodded his head. “Aurelius said you should go back to training.” Although Brant was mute but here in Sanctuary he could speak freely.
“But…” Aisling said looking at Aiba.
“It’s okay I’ll keep him company!” Puck said jumping off of Aisling shoulder and hovered over to Aiba. “You go on and take your time.”
Aisling looked Aiba “Its fine,” Aiba said shrugging and smiled at her. “Go ahead I like to stay around here.”
“And maybe we’ll go watch you train.” Puck added.
“Okay…” Aisling said. She turned to follow Brant.
Brant held up his hand and a shiny tall door appeared. The edges shimmered and faded. Brant step inside and disappeared. Aisling went through the door and found herself in the training area. “We will continue where we left off,” Brant told her.
Aisling nodded. She went over to the ring and summoned a sword to her hand. She looked down at herself and her outfit was instantly changed to the training clothes the card spirits made for her. A white sleeveless shirt and white pants held up by a black sash.
She walked into the ring and looked around. “Who am I fighting now?”
Brant entered the ring and stood before her. “Me.”
*****
Gah I didn’t know what to write so I came up with this on the spur of the moment. I wanted more Aisling&Aiba time but I couldn’t think of anything. ….so I thought it would be interesting it Aiba watched Aisling fight and maybe join her XD
OMG Aisling versus Brant how will that turn out!
