(13A) The Lands of Ralosia: The Orephi (7k words)

Jirro and Ruben are relaxing on Platt Mountain when they see a peculiar sight - flying ships. Visitors arrive who claim to be from a place called the Expanse, the space that extends beyond the sky. They're in pursuit of outlaws known as the Orephi. These strange visitors take a keen interest in the Densius Ruben, as well as ascertaining that the Lands of Ralosia is cursed.

(8/10/21) Self Edited, Audio Edited, and Peer edited.

Peer edited by Mikrokosmostae

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~Chapter 1- Flying Ships~

~Age 989B~

         Jirro sat around a campfire with the Densius people among the Platt Mountains. The grey-scale mountain range spanned much of the Lands of Ralosia and was surrounded by lush green plains on all sides.

         The blond-haired 14-year-old had been staying within the Densius settlement for a while. These beings composed entirely of rock and earth were comprised of grey stones and took on humanoid shapes. At the center of each Densius's being was a Heartstone, a gem that acted as their source of life.

         Jirro sat beside the red-eyed Densius known as Ruben. It's round, boulder-like body had relatively short arms and legs. The two chatted about old times together, recalling the time they faced off against bandits and explored a volcano. Fun times.

         But Jirro felt guilty for relaxing. He hadn't seen his dad in over a year, and his search hadn't brought him any closer. He believed that tracking him down should be the priority.

         "I think I'll have to get going soon," Jirro remarked as they looked at the fire, "I should keep looking for my dad."

         Ruben furrowed its rocky brow, "I wish you could stay longer, but I get it. When will you go?"

         "Probably in the morning."

         "We'll see each other again at the tournament though, right?"

         "Of course!"

         Embers of fire drifted up towards the night sky. Jirro gazed up at the vibrantly colored stars to the west. He saw... something. Two masses moved through the air at great speed, with lights streaming behind them.      

         "What is that?" Ruben asked.

         "No clue," Jirro responded. The other Densius around them were astounded by the sight as well. They looked at the two masses as they drew closer to the ground. It almost looked like boats flying through the air. They never saw anything like it.

         A flying boat made of wood was being followed closely by a metal ship; its size made it look like a brigantine. Muzzle fire shot out from the metal ship, and a cannonball rocketed from it and struck the wooden ship. 

         The wooden ship began to spiral out of control before striking down in a wooded area among the plains. The metal ship circled above the impact point in the air.

         Jirro had many questions, but most of all, he was concerned for whoever crashed. "We should check that out."

         "Yeah," Ruben agreed.

         The other Densius told them to be careful, and they hurried down the mountain. They jumped high into the air, falling from heights that no normal person could withstand. Fortunately, they were both very formidable. Despite Ruben's rocky form, it was quite agile.

         Their descent from the mountain led them into the plains. Ruben tucked it arms, legs, and head around its boulder-like body and began rolling along the ground. Jirro ran alongside him towards the crash site of the peculiar flying boat.

         The metal ship flew overhead. Jirro could see spouts of fire emerging from the underside and back of the metal ship, seeming to propel it through the air. It gently landed around a series of hills outside of the wooded area where the other ship crashed.

         Whoever was manning the vessel was clearly not aware of the area. The hill it landed near was the home of some groundhogs. Large holes dotted the ground around the hill where the massive furry creatures resided. Jirro and Ruben hurried.

         They climbed to the top of a hill for a good view of the ship and those who sailed it. It had dark-colored sails which bore an emblem representing flames on them. There was a crew of about twenty on the ship; all of them wore rough clothing making Jirro think of sailors. There were a few Ralosians like Jirro among the crew, but most of them were something else. Something foreign to the Lands of Ralosia.

         Beings with curled horns on their heads, hooves at their feet and along their knuckles, and crimped, curled fur across their body. They had snouts that extended from their faces as well and ears that hung to the sides. Their appearance made Jirro think of a ram or a sheep.

         One of the ram-like individuals had blue fur, standing at least 2 meters tall, and his arms were muscular. His horns were significantly thicker and longer than the others. He pointed at the crew, and they hurried to his attention. He was probably their leader.

         The ground around the ship shook, and from a mound of dirt nearby emerged a groundhog, a furry creature several times larger than any of them. They had short tails and incisor teeth that could gnaw through trees. Several groundhogs emerged from around the ship and beset the crew.

         The crew grabbed the metal mechanisms hoisted at their hips. They pressed a trigger on the mechanism, and a muzzle flashed fired from them. They were some sort of weapons that could fire tiny projectiles. They did the groundhogs little harm.

         "Should we help them?" Ruben asked.

         Jirro paused. He had no idea why these people were here, or whether they were good or bad. But by the looks of things down there, those groundhogs could seriously hurt one of them.

         "Yeah, let's help," Jirro answered, "We'll figure out more about them afterward."

         Jirro and Ruben hurried down the hill towards the ship to help the strange individuals. Ruben jumped through the air and struck a groundhog in its side, causing the large creature to screech and scurry back into a hole in the ground.

         A groundhog charged at one of the crew members, but Jirro gripped its short tail and stopped it. It turned on him with open incisors. The blonde-haired boy grabbed each of its teeth and held it back. With a twist of his hips, he threw the groundhog onto its back. It clambered back to its feet and tunneled into a hole.

         Another groundhog charged at the metal ship, and the blue-furred leader of the crew stood in its path. Jirro watched as he picked the groundhog up over his head and threw it. He was certainly the strongest of the group. With Jirro and Ruben's help, they fended off the groundhogs.

         Jirro looked to the crew, "Are you all okay?"

         The mix of Ralosians and Ram-like people all stared with bewildered looks. They seemed as surprised by Jirro and Ruben as they were of them.

         A woman of the Ram-like people spoke up, one with white fur, "We're fine. Thanks for your help back there!"

         Silence again. They simply stared at each other for a moment. Jirro asked, "So... are you guys... good?"

         The blue-furred leader of the crew responded flatly, "Are you?"

         "If you're not looking to cause any trouble, we won't give you any," Jirro said, keeping his face serious.

         The leader maintained a stoic expression before smiling. He walked forward, his hooves created a thudding sound as he went. He extended a hand to Jirro, "Good to hear. I'm Mauri."

         Jirro smiled right back and took his hand, "I'm Jirro, and this is my friend Ruben."

         "Hiya!" Ruben said with a rocky smile.

         The disposition of the group became more friendly. Mauri introduced his crew to them, including his girlfriend Mala, another of the ram-like people. He said that his people were called the Pizon.

         Jirro eyed the metal brigantine behind them, "So, how did you get your boat to fly like that?"

         Ladi, a Ralosian man with tan skin and sandy hair spoke up, "It's been fitted with a drive that allows it to do that... I take it that your world doesn't have ships like that?"

         "Nope! I mean there are people who've learned how to fly on birds, but I've never seen anything like a flying ship," Jirro explained, "Where did you all come from exactly?"

         "Oh, we're from all over the Expanse. Lately, we've traveled wherever there's work."

         "The Expanse?"

         Mala laughed, "Wow! Your world really is primitive, isn't it? The Expanse is everything out there!" Mala gestured to the stars above them.

         "You're from the sky?" Jirro asked.

         "Beyond the sky. All those stars you see up there could be other worlds."

         Jirro looked up at the stars. The idea that another world might wait in each of those stars was unbelievable. The idea was exciting to him. But he was doubtful of everything they were telling him; it seemed too far-fetched to be true.

         "Why did you come here anyways?" Ruben asked.

         "We were after..." Mauri paused, "...After a ship of outlaws. We chased them here. They're two Orephi. Do you have any Orephi on your world?"

         Jirro folded his arms, "I have no idea what that is, so I don't think so."

         Jirro recalled the wooden ship they were chasing through the sky. That must've been the ship of the outlaws. He asked, "Do you want help finding em'?"

         Mauri and Mala looked at one another before answering, "Sure! We could use a local's help. You'll know the area much better than us."