~Chapter 1~
~Age 988 B~
Five youths entered an apple orchard among the lush green plains of the Lands of Ralosia. Among them was a young Phantine named Nout, a being with large ears, circular feet, small tusks, and a trunk. He was short and had a pink tint to his skin, and wore orange garbs. He shook a tree and caught apples as they fell with his trunk.
The red haired girl Corri climbed trees and began plucking apples from them one by one. Her extroverted brother Aero kicked the trees, knocking the fruits to the ground. Twigs fell into his rough black hair. Ruben laid his rocky body against a tree and watched. As a Densius, a being composed entirely of rocks and earth, it didn't need to eat or drink.
The blonde haired Jirro punched the air, and dim bursts of blue light emerged from his hand and struck the apples, knocking them down. He'd been practicing with Focus often lately. He moved with confidence, something Nout wished he had more of.
They youths ate a few of the apples, and packed a few extras into their bags for their travels. The children had been traveling through the plains towards Titus Forest, the largest forest in the land.
The kids climbed a tall hill, and the forest came into view. A large area was populated with thick tress and shrubbery, and at the center of it all was a great mountain which emerged from the forest, high into the sky. Titus Mountain. The top of the mountain appeared to have a sort of platform where sky riders could fly to and from.
"We're here!" Nout uttered as he looked on the Forest, curling his trunk in excitement. Aero and Jirro and were anxious to begin their training there. Ruben could see the mountain showing through the forest, and wondered if other Densius lived up there. Corri was anxious to see the sky riders, she'd always been interested in meeting some of them, maybe even going up to the Sky Lands themselves.
Nout led the children into into the forest, it was his birthplace. When he was young, several factions of the Phantine people decided to migrate around the world. Nout and his father ended up moving to the Bog Woods south of Platt Mountain.
The forest was brimming with wildlife and fauna. Parts of the forest were like a swampy bayou, others a dense jungle. Through it all was a path made for tourists.
Other Phantines roamed around the forests, sharing Nout's anatomy. Large open ears, tusks, a trunk, large circular feet and bulky bodies. At 12 years old, Nout was still fairly small though. The kids saw a Phantine dulling his tusks along a tree. It was common for them to blunt their tusks to avoid accidents.
There were a series of huts made from upright logs, leaves. They were weaved together with vines in the forest. Phantine women and children watched as they passed through their settlements.
"A lot more Phantine people live here then in the Bog Woods," Jirro commented as he looked around.
Nout kept his eyes forward, trying his best to look strong. He needed to find Chief Theo, leader of the Phantine tribe in Titus Forest, and by extension leader of the entire forest.
The people living there directed the children to the Chief. Theo was helping his people tend to their crops when Nout and the others approached them. Nout knelt to his knees and bowed his head.
"Chief Theo," Nout said stiffly, nervousness apparent in his voice. The others saw him bow and followed suit.
Chief Theo's massive frame turned to Nout and the other children. He wore regal looking clothes while leaving his chest exposed, and he looked down at the young Phantine.
"You're Cmar's kid, aren't you?" Theo asked, the light pink tint in Nout's skin must've made it obvious.
"Yes sir. My name is Nout. My father sent me here in hopes that I might train under you and become stronger," Nout said, just as he had rehearsed with himself before. Just as his father told him.
"We want to train under you too!" Aero added in an overly casual way. Jirro punched him in the arm and Aero bowed his head back down.
"My friends also wanted to train under you," Nout said as politely as he could, trying to make up for Aero's brashness.
Theo smiled, "You may stand children." Nout hesitantly raised his head and stood to his feet, as did the others. "I'd be happy to help a brother tribe flourish. Especially if Chief Cmar sent you. Which of you would like training from me?"
Aero raised his hand high into air, and Jirro more casually did the same.
"I've never trained Ralosian's before," Theo said as he looked at Aero and Jirro, "I'm sure I'll have to adjust my methods slightly for the two of you.
"We're quick learners," Jirro lightly bragged, "My cousin and I made it into semi-finals of the Fighting Tournament. I'm sure we can handle whatever you throw at us."
Theo laughed heartily, "Pah, don't let that go to your head boys. No serious fighter would join that tournament. I'm sure any warrior of our tribe could've won it with ease."
Theo continued, "You boys will begin your training tomorrow. Keep in mind I have other things to attend to in the tribe as Chief. I will not be able to work with you every single day, and I will expect all of you to help out around the forest as needed. Understood?"
"Yes sir!" The three boys said in unison.
"Nout," Theo said strongly, causing the young Phantine to tremble slightly, "Might I speak with you privately?"
Theo guided Nout to his private quarters, there was a modest throne made from stone and vines which he took a seat in, "Alright, tell me why you're really here kid."
Nout trembled slightly, "... My tribe has been struggling lately. We've had a hard time defending ourselves. My father believed if we grew in strength we'd be fine. He would've liked to come here to train under you, but he didn't want to leave the rest of the tribe undefended that long. So he sent me, hoping that I might be able to teach our tribe what you'll teach me."
Theo interlocked his stubby fingers between each other, "I see."
Nout dropped his head, "But... I honestly don't know if I can do it. I know he's counting on me. But I'm not strong like my dad. Or like Jirro or Aero. I'll do my best, but I don't know if I can do it."
Theo looked at the young Phantine, "Would you like me to let you in on a secret?"
Nout nodded.
"Everyone is much stronger than they think they are," Theo said, "Once you realize that truth, you'll know that there is no limit to how powerful you can become. I sense that Aero and Jirro have already learned that."
Theo stood and placed a hand on Nout's hunched shoulders, "Have faith in yourself. You will grow powerful enough to defend your people."
Nout had tears well up in his eyes. He nodded enthusiastically, ready to do whatever it might take.
Theo smiled, wiping Nout's tears with his trunk, "Very good." 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXFkj5hc5S
