//------------------------------// // EP 1: Where Destiny Lies|CH 9 // Story: 8 Realms of Magic // by AzuraKeres //------------------------------// Star and her friends bolted through the forest, hoping to distance themselves from the mysterious roots as much as possible. However, their scamper came to a halt when Yuki stopped to catch her breath. As Yuki breathed raggedly, she noted a small wound on her side where the roots had coiled upon. A small speck of her blood seeped out from it. Yori came to her sister with a spray and bandaged whisked from her purse. “I got you, sis.” Yuki flinched when Yori sprayed upon her wound. Yori then bandaged her and she received a thank you from her sister. And then, Yuki asked what was running through all of their minds, “Just what in the Cosmos did we just see?” “I don’t know,” Ratty said. “I didn’t see those things when I came here in the evening.” Chip approached Yuki with a canteen of water to drink from his purse. “Either it’s a mutation in the forest or an invasive species,” he suggested. “Regardless, I have doubts it will leave us alone. We find another way out of the forest before that happens.” “What!?” Star cried. “You can’t be serious. We've been already gone so far. We can’t turn back now just because some plant wants to bother us.” “Plants that have never been seen in this forest,” Chip added. “We have no idea what we’re dealing with. From their behavior, we can assume them to be aggressive. I have to report this to the officials and ban entry to this forest until this is resolved.” Star glowered at Chip, but he held down his hooves. “Fine,” she said. “But while you’re busy playing the guard with the others, I’m getting my prediction.” Star went off down the dirt path, but then Chip stepped in front of her. “Star, you know we can’t allow that. Are you really okay with dragging your friends into danger?” “Isn’t that why you’re here?” Star questioned. “You’re a Sollothean guard, right? Then why not do some guarding?” “Would it kill you to stop being so selfish? One of these days, it’ll get somebody hurt.” “Alright you two,” Ratty said, hopping between the two. “Break it up. I say we settle this with a vote.” “I like that idea,” Yori concurred. “Let democracy take its course.” “Fine then,” Star said. “But just know whether or not you all decide to go back, I have no intention of heading back yet.” “We can’t just leave you and Ratty alone with that thing,” Yuki said. “How are we certain you will come back unscathed?” “Is that a hint of bravery I’m hearing?” Ratty asked with a cocky grin. “Plants can I probably put up with, but putrid creates of the sea are whole other predicament.” “You do realize only one of those are dangerous here, right?” “Are we going to start the vote?” Yori asked. A brief pause circulated between them as they shared a gaze at each other. Star was the first to disrupt the silence with a sigh and looked to Ratty. “Alright, go ahead,” she said. “Okay,” Ratty said. “Who here wants to keep going for the spirit? Raise your hoof if you’re still up for it.” Star was the first to raise hoof. Noting her conviction, the twins relented a vote on Star’s side. Chip frowned in response and submitted his vote to continue as well. “Guess it’s unanimous then,” Ratty concluded. “Alright, then let’s keep it moving then.” “Why are you always like this?” Chip asked. “All my life I wondered what pursues I served in the Cosmos,” Star confessed. “None of you could possibly understand how it’s like to live so lost and aimless. And now, there’s rumor of a spirit that could finally give me direction.” Star gave an intense gaze towards Chip. The resolute in her crimson eyes was obvious to him. “This is too important to let slip away,” Star said. “And I won’t let you, mom, and anyone in the nine realms stop me from getting there.” Chip frowned. “Too important, huh? I see. So, I guess you value the spirit more than your friends.” Star frowned at Chip. “What?” His words shot a prick somewhere inside her. “Fine then,” Chip continued. “If we’re going further, then I need all of you to stay close to me. I don’t want any moving a foot apart from each other.” They heeded his demand and continued their path onward for the spirit. However, that heavy feeling did not ease Star. But Star believed that once she was giving her rightful spoil from her journey, then it would all worth it. It just had to.