[IC] Blossoming Friendship [Silver Fox & rivaan]

[Silver Fox]

@rivaan

Spira. It was a mystical world filled with magic, monsters and the tales of wonderful adventures. Legends surrounded the world, from the tales of High Summoner Braska to his daughter Yuna who brought upon the eternal calm by finally defeating Sin for good along with the help of her Guardians. Over four years have passed since that time, and this story follows some young adventurers. For now, reliving their lives of the past that made them who they are today.

This is their story.

A short red haired child poked their head out of a older building. Blue eyes darting around cautiously before stepping out and bounding along deeper into the village. Glancing back at the orphanage to make sure the keeper wasn't around. The child was a bit abnormally larger then other kids of the age of four, just turned four recently. Despite being a girl, she looked about just like a boy. Tanned copper skin, wearing the black choker with the silver pendant of Valefor, the large scar running from cheek bone to cheek bone, crossing the bridge of her nose and just under her eyes. Wearing blue raggy shorts and a grey tank top.

Feeling sick of being in the lonely building, the child decided to go exploring around the village by herself. Hah! Who needed that keeper anyway? She can take care of herself just as well on her own! And have fun doing it! The girl was named Alexandra, but she just called herself Alex. Short and simple.

She came across a group of children, playing with a blue sphere. They were a bit older than her and when she came closer with wide curious eyes and happily picked up the ball that rolled over to her, they looked at her a bit cautiously. She didn't quite understand why though and was too young to really see it.

"Hihi! Cwan ah pway yah?" Alex said, her words a bit slurred. Be it because she was young, or she hadn't really gotten proper education other than the words she heard.

A couple of the boys looked at one another before looking at her again. "Um. Sorry dude.. But you're kinda...." one boy said before a girl cut him off.

"Like super weird. The priests say you're bad luck and we shouldn't get near you. And you're just... So off. Who'd want to play with you? Plus, your to young to play with the big kids." she said with a huff making Alex slightly recoil.

Her blue eyes blinked in confusion, saddening a little before suddenly flaring in a glare. "Well.... Wwo whants to pway with dwummies lwike you?!" Alex snapped before dropping the ball and giving it a hard kick, smashing it against the girl's shoulder, making her cry out. The red head stiffened as the girl cried out painfully, realizing her abnormal strength probably actually hurt to a little girl.

The girl cried and sobbed before the boys glared at her. "That's why. Now go away. You've done enough damage. Go back to being locked up in that parentless home." he spat.

Alex down casted her eyes before retreating, feeling bad to having lost her temper and going overboard like that. But she didn't want to go back to the orphanage so she walked to the beach instead. Walking through the forest with a slight hum before spotting a stick. She picked up before giving it a few playful swings. Smiling brightly, she swung it against the trunk of a tree with a thwak.

"Alex hwere to swave the dway! Mwightiest hwero in Spira!" Alex spoke to herself as she swatted the stick against a rock, deciding to play pretend by herself. If no one wanted to play with her, guess she's just have to have fun on her own and go adventuring.

[rivaan]

As usual Naisha was already at the beach since a little after breakfast. Her parents had often warned her about fiends that may appear at the ocean, but since she never really got too deep into the water, she never saw one. Besides the young girl had already learned to swim with quite the speed for someone of the age of 5, she appeared to have natural born talent for physical activities such as running and swimming. Even among the slightly older children barely any of them could match her in speed and dexterity. Which wasn’t completely surprising as she did spend most of her time training, she had made a promise with one of her friends who only came every summer or so to one day play together Blitzball on a real stadium. She had made great progress in the direction, though she still had problems kicking the ball underwater with the body of a child, so she continued to practice her swimming for now.

After deciding that she swam enough for the day, Naisha quickly headed towards the beach and soon she found herself on the sand. Her clothes were all wet, but in a hot sunny day like this it didn’t matter, she was going to be dry soon enough. What mattered was that she found something quite interesting. There was someone near her, there was this boyish looking figure about ten or so meters away that was hitting a rock with a stick. If memory served her well, that should have been the child that stayed at the orphanage… a girl at that. She seemed tall and strong. In fact she was already slightly bigger than Naisha who was supposed to be an year older. Nai hadn’t really talked with this girl before, mainly because Alex was always hushed away by the priests and Nai was mostly running around so they never really did met like this before. Hey who cared, she decided to become friends with redheaded girl anyways.

“Hard to lose fights when the rock never fights back~” Naisha said with smile when she approached. Her speech was quite clear mostly because she talked a lot with the older people around Besaid. “ Hi, my name is Naisha, wana be friends?” The black haired girl asked, reaching hand for a handshake.

[Silver Fox]

Alex perked up as a voice spoke and her head snapped toward where it came from as she froze in place in mid swing. Blue eyes widely staring at the black haired girl that had spoke to her in surprise. Lowering her stance, the red head tilted her head as she looked over the black haired girl that called herself Naisha. She looked like a pretty fit girl, and Alex was sure she caught glimpses of her but they had never spoken since she was supposed to stay in the Orphange rather than running about outside. Despite several times sneaking out at night and roaming the forest. She was also a natural in physical activity. Perhaps too well as noting her odd superior strenght compared to others her age.

Blinking a little cautiously but curiously, Alex perked a little at the mention of wanting to be friends. Friend... She's never had one before. The other kids didn't seem to want anything to do with her. So with a bright bubbly smile, the red head curiously looked at the outstretched hand before clasping her free hand around it, gripping it unknowingly tightly. She found it difficult to have control over her strength, having no mind over it until the reproductions happened. But she quickly realized and loosened the grip.

"YwepYwep! I'm Alex! Nwice to mweet you... Nai....sha... Nai!" Alex chirped, struggling a little with the name before deciding to just nickname the girl. Friends do that right?

"Wanna pway? We cwan rwace or pway fwight or or..... Whatever gwames there are!" Alex cheered with bubbly excitement as she kind of bounced in place. Excited to have someone to finally play with, who didn't say something mean or was almost scared of her.

[rivaan]

The black haired girl giggled as the Alex thought figured out her nickname.” Yes, Nai is just fine, everybody calls me like that~” She said as the other took her hand for a handshake. This girl was strong! “ Hey, you are indeed strong! Most likely you are the strongest of all the people around our age! You will make perfect defender!” Nai said in excitement.

“Hmmm we can do all of those!” Nai said with a huge smile!” We have all the time we want~ Alright, it’s decided! Follow me, let’s go get us some proper weapons!” The black haired girl said and waved to her friend to follow her.” I have some wooden swords back at home to train with! The other children refuse to fight me because I’m too fast for them. You seem strong… let’s train together then! Later I will teach you the rules of Blitzball~ you will love it!”

"Let's see who's faster! Race to the edge of the village!" Nai shouted waiting for her new friend to start running so they have equal start.

[Silver Fox]

Alex blinked a little as her apparent new and first friend spoke cheerfully, seeming to compliment the strength the red head had, unlike many others who've experienced it. She felt a little pride at the praise and her smile brightened, tiling her head a little curiously at the mention of being a good defender. She didn't really know too much on Blitzball other than the conversations she managed to overhear. It was a common topic to talk about and the other children seemed to enjoy it.

When Naisha mentioned the other children and how they didn't want to play with the black haired girl either, Alex scoffed a little. "Yweah.... They dwont wanna pway with me either." she said before perking a little at the mention of going to get some real weapons so they could train, Naisha even offered to teach Blitzball to the boyish girl whom beamed a little.

"Okway!" Alex chirped before grinning at the offer of a race. "Ywou're on! Don't be too down when you lose!" the red head teased and challenged before bolting into a sprint. Making beeline toward the village.

The wild girl was pretty fast and she bounded through the forest like a dingo. Still it was nice to have a challenge, or at least someone to share some time with. It got lonely just playing by yourself.

[rivaan]

“Don’t think much about them… they are idiots!” Naisha stated with big smile and very loud voice.” They just don’t like anyone that can beat them up~ last time they tried something I beat the them up so much they went ahead and rat me out to their parents, who came to mine and I got grounded… they still seem to fearing me though… hehehee…”

“Me, lose? MMmmmaybe, it's going to be good to have competition for once!” Naisha giggled as she also dashed towards the village. The black haired girl was incredibly agile for her age and her running speed was also incredible on that account too, but Alex seemed to be born for physical activities.

“Ohh no, you don’t!” Nai shouted when she began to slowly drag behind Alex. There was a little bit something that was slowing her and she didn’t account for it. Her wet clothes were heavier… Still, pushing herself some more, she at least managed to not drag behind more than about two steps behind Alex.” This… time… you… win… *huff, huff, huff*” Naisha said in between heavy breaths. Alex was fast and strong and if Nai’s clothes weren’t dragging her down, they were indeed going to be about even. It was entirely possible next race was going to be won by Nai herself… She though they probably were about equal in speed.

“Okey, my home’s this way!” Nai eventually said when she gathered her energy for a few moments and walked towards her house.” Mom, I’m home for a little to take my wooden swords!” She exclaimed when she entered her home.” Are you going to cause troubles again, you little daredevil?” Nai’s mother asked as she walked into the room and her eyes stopped on Alex. “ And whom might that be?” The older woman asked with friendly smile. “ That’s Alex! I met her at the beach, she is my friend!” Nai quickly chirped happily and ran to grab the wooden swords. The older woman quickly thought for a moment and remembered who the redhead was. She smiled friendly.” Nice to meet you, Alex. I’m Rika, I hope you two get along fine…” The woman said gently and quickly turned back towards the kitchen.” Don’t stay out of the town after sunset you two. Fiends get more active at night…” Nai’s mother warned as she went into the other room.” Alright, mom!” Nai replied as she ran to Alex with a pair of two wooden swords.

[Silver Fox]

Alex couldn't help but let out a laugh as Naisha explained her experience with the other children and called them idiots. This girl sounded a bit like the red head, so perhaps they'd get along quite well. "Mhmm yeah, they're all jwust a bwunch of wimps." she grinned.

As they raced, Alex could hear the black haired girl's footsteps, and they occasionally dragged behind but they caught up pretty quickly. It was surprising, Alex hadn't met someone who actually kept pace and provided a decent challenge. When they finally reached the village, Alex halted to a stop with a wide victorious smirk, panting a little as her chest huffed and heaved but grinned at the huffing Naisha as she admitted defeat this round.

Giving a slight laugh, the red head lightly punched Naisha's shoulder playfully. "Of cwourse! But that was imprwessive! I've nwever sween someone run that fwast! Pwetty good Nai!" she said cheerfully, excited for more future races. A true challenge where she could lose wasn't so bad at all.

Nodding happily as Naisha led the way to her home, Alex slowed her pace a little when reaching the little house that her new friend lived. She's never been to someone's house before. Slowly walking up to the doorway as Naisha entered the home, she listened to Naisha call out to her other, announcing their arrival. Not too long, a woman entered the room as she replied to Naisha's call before looking to Alex and questioning who the red head was.

Alex shifted a little, cautiously looking up at the adult and her friendly smile. As Naisha introduced Alex before running off to get the wooden swords. The woman looked at the red haired child and still gave a friendly smile and introduced herself. Something that made Alex tilt her head a little, but feel a little warm. Giving a soft smile.

Nice to meetcha too! I hwope we cwan!" Alex chirped a reply before listening to the warning as Rika turned back toward the kitchen. The red head decided not to say anything how nighttime was when she mostly wandered about. Still it was nice. So this was what a mother was like. A real nice one like those told in books and stories. Rika seemed really nice, even to Alex. Naisha sure was lucky.

"Okway!" Alex said before looking to Naisha as she returned with a pair of wooden swords and grinned happily. "Wow! Cool!" she cheered as she looked over the wooden weapons. Sure she's seen other kids play with them, but she always had to settle with simple sticks she found in the forest.

[rivaan]

“Here, which one do you choose?” Nai asked as she showed her new friend the two swords. One was a little bit longer than the other, but that also meant a little bit heavier. It was going to be perfect for Alex actually. As she was slightly bigger than Nai herself and probably wasn’t going to have any problems with the longer sword.” Hehe… here, hold both of them and choose the one that feels better for you.” Naisha stated and handed the two swords over to the red head.

“Ohh hey, look it’s that bad luck bringing tomboy from the orphanage!” A boy’s voice rang behind them on the street.” And look, she now has a friend! Who was the idiot who would befriend her anyway!?” The boy shouted to his mates and all of them began laughing. They were all around the age of 5 to 6 and were bigger physically than Nai and some than Alex even.” Ohh!?” Nai asked as she slowly turned around, her arms on her waist.” Didn’t I teach all of you a lesson last time you showed around this part of town?” She asked with a grin.

“AAAAaaaa!!! It’s that crazy girl!!!” The boy from earlier exclaimed taking a few steps back along with his friends. It was a few weeks back when Nai beat them like sacks of potatoes, she got into trouble for it, but who cared! She wasn’t going to just let someone try to bully her.”Hmm Alex, you know I will demonstrate you how you use these wooden swords for their proper purpose… beat people up…” She said with a huge smile as the leading boy’s face turned pale and quickly ran away with his mates, shouting stuff about ratting her out for this.

“Pfffff… good luck with that!” Nai shouted at him and turned towards Alex.” Never let someone bully you! Beat them if you have to, that way next time they won’t dare even try hehehe…”

[Silver Fox]

Alex grinned a little as Naisha offered the two swords to the red head, allowing the tomboy to choose which she wanted. Blue eyes looking over the wooden swords and holding them in her hands. Swinging them both in her hands in a dual wielding fashion before handing the slightly shorter one back to her friend. Deciding to go with the one that suited her bigger body. It was a little heavier but Alex didn't mind it too much, it didn't matter much to her.

"Thwink I'll gwo with thwis one!" Alex chirped before tensing as she heard the laughter of older children, turning a blue icy glare toward the boy who's voice rang out. The red head growled a little, hands clenching tightly into fists and gripping the hilt of the wooden sword. Lips creasing into a frown.

Feeling a sense of dread course through her veins. Not because she was afraid of these bullies or anything, not because she was afraid to hurt them if she lost her temper, but she feared that maybe Naisha hadn't heard the rumors. Why everyone simply ignores or avoids her. Would the black haired girl start doing the same? Thinking the orphan who the priests say is badluck can't be approached? No longer want to be friends?

But instead, Naisha came to her defense and Alex couldn't help but stare at Naisha with wide, admiring blue eyes as the black haired girl scared the group of older children off. Naisha then turned to Alex, telling the slightly bigger girl to basically not take any flak from them. Blinking a little, Alex could only stare in awe of her, like Naisha was he most amazing person in the world. Never had Alex had anyone stand up for her. And be so... Cool. Alex couldn't help but feel warm and fuzzy. She liked the feeling. Like she wasn't alone.

Smiling brightly, the red head suddenly glomped Naisha, arms enveloped around Naisha and practically squishing her close. Left arm wrapped around the shoulders while the right went around the waist. A unfamiliar action, for she couldn't ever recall doing such a thing. But it felt right.

"Nai ywou're so cwool! Ywou're my hero!" Alex chirped before grinning as she released Naisha and pounded a fist against her own chest. "Don't worry! I'm swuper twough!" she laughed.

[rivaan]

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?” Nai screamed in surprise when the redhead hugged her suddenly. Alex had squished her so tightly, that Nai could practically sense the other’s heartbeat. She felt somewhat embarrassed being hugged like this in public, but also it felt nice. She didn’t really have many friends in Besaid most of the time, so this was a nice change of pace. Nai also hugged the redhead.

“Hehehe… Glad you like me that much then!” Naisha herself giggled when she was finally let free.” I’m tough myself so let’s continue being tough together! Come now, let’s go and teach you how to deal with weak bullies like them!” Nai said and pointed her sword in a direction where she usually was practicing. It was an old clearing in the woods near the town. There were a few tree stumps there with marks from real swords. Probably from someone practicing there years before them.

"I found it a little while ago... it's a really neat place! It's in the forest, but no monsters appear there even at night! There is also a old training dummies put there! You will love it!" Nai said with a giggle as she lead the way towards the place. It felt good to have a company for once!

[Silver Fox]

Jumping a little at the scream that was made, Alex feared that she may have hurt her new friend during her excitment, but soon calmed as Naisha returned the embrace. Alex excitedly watched Naisha as the black haired girl giggled, explaining about the place they were going before leading the way. The red head gleefully trotted after her new friend. Eager to spend her entire time with Naisha with whatever and just having fun!

"Swounds awesome!" Alex chirped cheerfully. Seeing the clearing when they arrived, Alex stood in awe before cheerfully running about the area like the eager energetic little girl she was.

"Ywou weren't kwidding!! This is amwazing!" Alex cheered as she jumped up to one of the stumps and swung the wooden blade before pointing it at Naisha with a wide playful grin.

"Rweady to get bweaten agwain?" Alex teased as she held up the sword confidently.

[rivaan]

“Glad you like it!” Nai said with a laugh at seeing how happy her new friend was.” Originally the trail to this place was quite… run down. We passed with no problem because I actually took the time to clean it from the overgrown plants that were on it.” The black haired girl stated with a huge smile.” One day I was running around the village when I really stumbled on a tree root and rolled through the plants and on the trail! It was destined to be found!”

“Ahh this time you aren’t getting any handicaps!” Nai stated and she jumped on the other stump, raising her sword.” In the race my clothes were all wet and heavy, but now I’m dry!” She smirked and jumped upwards, slashing down at Alex. She definitely jumped very high for someone their age and with the speed of the swing, her slash held quite a bit of energy behind it. In reality someone a little bit older than them would probably block all her attacks with no problem strength wise, but her speed was still some quite extraordinary for a five year old.

[Silver Fox]

"Well I'm sure glad Ywou did! Looks amazing!" Alex laughed as Naisha explained how she came up on it and took care of the area. It really must of been a lucky find. Alex had no idea this place was here and she did her fair bit of exploring when she could. But she was glad she got to see it now. She was sure going to remember it.

Smirking at Naisha's words, Alex playfully rolled her eyes. "Oh yweah? Bring it then!" Alex barked before blinking in mild surprise as Naisha jumped and swung her wooden blade with such speed. The red head hadn't quite seen another of their age move that quickly.

Alex could barely react as she tried to move out of the way and raise the wooden sword to block, but in the end she felt a swift sting against her left bare shoulder, making a nice vibrant smack sound. Alex had strength, her abnormal strength, but she was still overall a novice who's been playing by herself with sticks rather than a proper weapon. Well, as proper as a child should be holding. The blow stung but she was overall fine, Alex could always take a hit surprisingly.

Still, to play along, Alex winced painfully and dramatically groaned. "Ack! Lwucky shot Nai the Swift, but hwope you can keep it wup!" Alex shouted before swinging her wooden sword to the side to aim for the black haired girl's waist, with a wide grin on her face.

[rivaan]

“There is nothing lucky about it~” Nai whistled and grinned herself. Her strike that would put the boys their age from the village to their knees seemed to have barely done anything to Alex. Nai was sure the swing connected, she felt the resistance through the handle and also heard the sound from Alex’s shoulder, but the redhead seemed to be almost completely fine. Nai smiled, this girl indeed had the makings of a warrior. Nai was always told her speed was a gift and in time her strength would reach the levels of the strongest, but here in front of Alex, she felt lacking. Her friend was a complete natural when it came to physical abilities it seemed. Things were bound to be interesting for the future with a rival!

“Don’t worry about it!” Nai giggled as she saw Alex swung at her waist. Nai’s reaction to it was probably a move that would surprise almost any fighter. In split of a second Nai body as if a puppet with cut strings, felt to the ground with Alex’s sword passing through the air. In the next moment, she rolled away and quickly stood up with a smile.” Hmmm… I still appear to be faster than you at present~, but when ya learn the proper way to hold a weapon and a stance you will rival me completely…” Nai said tilting her head and rested the wooden sword on her shoulder.

“Know what? Why not come tomorrow morning at my home?” Nai asked with expectation.” We can have breakfast together and we can have my mother show you the basics of swordplay~”

[Silver Fox]

Alex blinked a bit as Naisha suddenly dropped to the ground, and Alex stumbled a bit to regain her balance so she didn't fall from momentum. As Naisha stood with a grin, holding the wooden sword over her shoulder, she appeared to observe Alex as being a little slow but with potential. The red head scoffed but grinned brightly.

"Yweah well, bwet you Ah'd rwival you awny dway with strwength!" Alex giggled as she teasing poked her new friend in the side with the to of the wooden sword before blinking a little as Naisha suggested Alex come over to the black haired girl's house tomorrow for breakfast and practice.

Blue eyes widening in awe. "You're mwom knows how to use a sword?" Alex asked curiously before grinned and nodding excitedly. "Ah'd wuv to!" the red head cheered happily as she bounced a little with excitement.

She then looked to the sky in examination before grinning a little. "Hey! I know this gwood place with a nwice view of the stwars! Wanna check it out?" Alex grinned almost daringly.

[rivaan]

“Hehheehe… strength is good, but it’s not everything you need if you want to learn to fight!” Nai smiled widely as Alex agreed to basically hang around together all day tomorrow. From the counter earlier, Nai knew that if she took that swing instead of dropping to the ground, she most likely wouldn’t be able to take more than a few of the redhead’s swings before her arm goes too numb to be used. This was indeed way more fun than sparring with her mother, who usually took a single strike to defeat her.

“Yeah, my mom was a soldier before she met my father and left to live here in peace. Seems she got into disagreements with her superiors and left.” Nai explained, but she herself wasn’t really completely aware of her parent’s stories. They preferred to not talk much about their pasts.

“Yes! I want too see that place!” Nai chirped.” What about tonight? Before each of us heads home for the night?”

[Silver Fox]

"Sure Sure, bwut it sure hwelps!" Alex smirked a response before listening Naisha explain about her mother and could only state in wonder. "Wow, you have a amazing mom. You're lucky to have her." dNo wonder Naisha was so tough! Her own mother used to be a respectble soldier! In her heart, Alex did feel jealous of Naisha. The girl seemed to have everything. Even a amazing mother like Mrs Rika. All the while, Alex didn't have any parents and couldn't help but wonder as she observed other children with their parents. She had asked the keeper before where her own mother and father were, but the only response she received was 'you don't have one' and that was that.

Despite that feeling of jealousy, Alex's feeling of happiness overpowered, just happy to have a friend.

At Naisha's eager agreement, Alex smirked more. "Sounds like a plan then! Hope your good at climbing though." Alex teased.

[rivaan]

“Amazing is one way of putting it!” Nai smiled and looked at Alex, realizing Alex don't have a family. Nai felt bad about bringing the topic like that.” Don't mind it! You can always hang around with me now! I know my mother will also look after you!” She stated with a smile. It was a truth actually. She remembered her mother bringing Alex in a talk she had with lady Yuna and some priests... She was even younger back then so she barely remembered any of it, but she did know, her mother was raising protests of keeping Alex alone like that. How she regretted being too young to remember properly the entire argument between her mother and Lady Yuna against the priests. A truly mysterios girl Alex was...

“Mind you, I've been climbing a lot of trees and cliffs... don't tell that last one to my parents! I'm gonna get grounded for a year if ya do.” Nai chirped with 'scared' voice, but was actually laughing about it. True enough if caught she was gonna get punished, but not really that severe. Her mother was mostly alright with her taking risks as long as she doesn't get hurt and learns something new.

[Silver Fox]

Alex perked up a bit as Naisha comforted her over the fact that she had the black haired girl now. Speaking how Rika would look after the mystery girl as well. Blinking a little before returning the bright smile. Indeed, Naisha and Rika were pretty nice and had that family air around them when they were together. That strange yet warm atmosphere. The strong child probably would have to sneak away from containment to spend some more time with this welcoming family. They may not be hers by blood, but she wouldn't mind pretending they were.

"Ah'd lwwike thwat." Alex smiled before grinning a little as Naisha boasted how she's climbed a bunch of trees and cliffs, but not to tell the parents otherwise she'd be grounded.

"Hehe pwromise. Cross my heart, swear Ah won't twell." Alex smirked as she used her right hand and crossed her a finger in a cross over her heart before grinning.

"Now cwome on!" Alex chirped before bounding out of the clearing and through the jungle. Feet carrying her with ease as weaved around trees and lept over old tree roots. Ducking under some low branches, she moved with a soft laugh before coming across a mossy rocky surface. The roar of the waterfalls able to be heard, sparkling a little and waters glowing a faint orange as the sun slowly sank.

Glancing back to Naisha, Alex grinned before pointing up. "There's a door way up there that leads the way to the special place." Alex chirped before she started scrambling up rocks. Pulling herself up with ease.

[rivaan]

“Hehehehe....” Nai laughed as her new friend swore to not rat her about climbing trees and cliffs.” In all seriousness though, my mother warned me to keep careful around when climbing. She said I'm still to young to climb a lot.” The black haired girl shrugged with her shoulders.

Naisha followed after Alex who moved quite fast in the jungle. She was indeed natural! Nai herself wasn't falling far behind her, but she slightly harder time moving through the path she hadn't ran before. Still she didn't really fall behind, she just kept the same distance from Alex from the beginning to the end.

“A door? Are there ruins or something up there?” Nai asked as she also jumped at the cliff and started climbing after the redhead. She hadn't heard anything about ruins up there... Then again she also hadn't heard about that cave she found underwater a few days back. She concluded that the small quake a few months ago may have revealed it. She planned to tell Alex about it, as soon as she checked if it was safe.