Explorers of Sky's Hidden Land
Jung looked up at the tall tree and took in a deep breath, the chilling winter winds keeping him awake. He was exhausted after the day-long trek from Mama Lax's Inn towards the Clover Guild for some sort of celebration, but at least he knew that in a few day's time they'd be close enough to the equator that snow should no longer be a problem.
Until then, though, he needed to gather firewood for himself and Sara to stay warm through the night that was almost upon them. He crouched down and concentrated for a moment, letting him feel the energy within him carefully surge forth.
Naturally, he directed it to his right forearm and stood back up, eyeing the tree as his arm buzzed in anticipation. Jung couldn't help but let out a small grin as in one great bound -- he redirected a bit of his energy to his legs to reach-- he leapt well above the ground.
The energy flowed from his forearm into his twin leaves protruding outwards, hardening and sharpening them as the sceptile in one swift motion removed a low-lying branch from the trunk of the tree.
The leafless branch made a quiet tumbling sound as it scraped against a nearby tree before tumbling to the ground. It landed with a quiet thud, the thin layer of snow softening the impact while throwing bits of the soft white powder into the air. Jung landed with slightly greater force and had to wipe the snow off his legs once he stood up. He stepped over to where the branch landed and inspected it.
It'll work.
He once more surged energy towards his arms, and in a flurry of swipes the branch was divided into two large logs with a multitude of smaller ones for light kindling. He stood proud over the sight as he felt his energy diminish once more. He started to pick up the logs and smaller kindling until he realized his hands were full and he had only half of all the wood gathered.
He dropped the wood from one arm and scratched his chin before he spoke aloud. "Agh, I should've cut the branch back at the clearing."
Jung tossed the last bits of wood under the stacked logs, wiping his hands together to get rid of any remaining wooden fragments and bits of snow. Sara looked at him after staring at the campfire for a brief moment and asked, "Is that all?"
Jung eyed his shinx partner. "Yep, that's it. It should last us most the night."
"Jung, this'll only last us a few hours."
"Sara, I'm getting cold. Can't we just--"
"Jung, no! Get it now so we don't have to do this when it's the middle of the night!"
"It's already dark out! Listen, if it runs out I give you permission to wake me up, okay?"
Sara rolled her eyes. "Fine. But even if the fire doesn't last our blanket is too close to the ground. You're gonna get woken up."
Jung unfurled the purple blanket he had packed in the air and laid it over the ground close to the pile of wood. It quietly spread thin and wide save for a few creases which Jung, using his foot, flattened out. With a yawn he let himself fall onto the blanket with a thud before he focused on his partner and said, "Well, now it's time for you to steal the show."
Sara turned towards the pile of wood and, like her partner earlier, let the energy surge within, but instead of it being redirected towards a different type of energy that wasn't inherent to her, she let it crackle and surge into electricity, the sheer ease of doing so rendering it all the more potent. She let a charge loose at the kindling beneath the flames.
The small clap of thunder, muffled by the fine snow on the ground, resounded throughout the forest but did not echo.
Sure enough, one of the smaller branches struck by Sara's attack was ignited by the sheer energy and caught fire. It spread from one to the other, leaping until two, then four, then the entirety of the pile of kindling was alight. The fire grew enough that it leapt skywards, over the large wooden logs.
The fire roared a gentle lullaby as Jung splayed himself down on the blanket, taking up more than half of it. This wasn't an issue for Sara, however, as she turned back from the fire with a look of satisfaction already mixed with a bit of tiredness. Even though Jung had carried her some ways of the way due to her small stature, she still walked far more than she was used to.
She let out a yawn as she approached him and curled up beside him, closer to the fire. Her back was turned to Jung, but he could still hear a hint of tired mischief in her voice. "I'm going to have to wake you up when I get cold, Jung."
Jung closed his eyes and enjoyed the ensuing silence for a moment. The crisp burning of flames and warmth from the fire enticed him to sleep. The smell of smoke -- of torched pine that let out an earthy aroma -- seemed in this situation to act like a calming incense, ready to whisk he and his partner away to some faraway dreamland as it promised a warm night.
Art by Togetic-anon
Jung drew a heavy breath and exhaled. Sara's probably right, but I'm too tired now. I can sacrifice a complete sleep, I guess. I'd have to wake up anyways to replenish the fire if it dies so it's not that big of a deal.
"Okay, Sara," Jung said, "that's fine. Even if the fire's not out but you feel cold, just let me know and I'll get us more firewood."
Sara gave a tired acknowledgement before her breathing shallowed out. It wasn't long before Jung, too, slipped into a blissful unconsciousness.
Jung's eye lazily cracked open. He could make out the sun which was starting to peek over the horizon, the serene mix of purple and orange driving back the cold dark midnight blue. His eye rolled over to the fire as it answered his question as to why he felt especially cold.
The fire was out and -- judging by the lack of embers -- it seemed to have been out for sometime.
Oddly, he didn't remember waking up. He shifted his head to glance towards Sara who had been curled beside him, only for him to instantly be woken up by her absence.
He almost jolted upwards, ready to search for her, realizing that she must've wanted to not wake him and gather firewood herself, his eyes darting all around the blanket of soft white snow that must've gently fallen overnight, leaving no trace of any of her footsteps to be seen.
He stopped himself when he heard a quiet purring vibrate on his back.
His eyes darted to the source, and the sharp worry was replaced by a soothing calmness as he saw Sara sleeping on him, the delicate rise and fall of her chest in sync with his.
She must have climbed up to get herself off the cold ground and to feel the warmth of my body, Jung thought.
The sun was still low, barely looming over the horizon, and they had a lot of distance to go -- two days' worth, in fact. Jung would hate to be late to the New Year's festival that the Clover Guild was hosting, especially since Sara was interested in seeing the fireworks show and Mama Lax insisted someone go attend the festivities in a show of good will.
Still, he couldn't bear to wake up Sara. He wasn't fully sleepy, either, the anxiety that had woken him leaving him in that state of alertness.
He decided the best course of action was to enjoy the moment. He closed one eye since he certainly didn't look forward to another day of walking and would've very much liked to sleep, but he left one eye cracked open as he looked at Sara sleeping on top of him, away from the cold of the snow below.
It was a quiet moment for the two of them to share before they had to face the countless members of the Clover Guild in a few days. One he alone would enjoy as Sara slept, but that didn't make it any less special.
Art by Linoone-anon