Chapter 2 - Finding Footing

Within Echo's cozy home, Arke sat in awe, surrounded by primitive yet functional furnishings that belied their simplicity. The soft glow of the lighting, devoid of bulbs or LEDs, fascinated him.

"Your home is incredible," Arke exclaimed, "and the lighting is amazing.”

Eiravyn, Echo's mother, smiled warmly as she introduced herself. "I'm Eiravyn. Welcome, young one.”

Kael, Echo's father, sat beside Arke, his eyes filled with curiosity. "We've heard you don't recall much about yourself.”

Arke hesitated, collecting his thoughts. "I remember being in a cave, and Echo calling out to me. That's all.”

Eiravyn's expression turned compassionate. "No need to apologize, Arke. It's understandable. We're just glad you're here.”

Kael leaned forward, his voice encouraging. "Tell us, young one, what are your plans now?”

Arke's uncertainty was palpable. "To be honest, I'm not sure. I feel... different. I don't possess the abilities Echo has, and I'm struggling to understand my place here.”

Eiravyn's gentle touch on his arm offered comfort. "You're among friends now, Arke. We'll help you uncover your past and find your way.”

Echo returned with steaming cups, her smile warm. "Try our local specialty, Arke."

As they sipped, Arke's eyes lit up. "This tastes familiar. Is it made from sugarcane?"

Echo's brow furrowed. "Sugarcane? I'm not sure what that is.”

She gestured toward the kitchen, where Arke spotted a peculiar contraption harvesting a caterpillar's slime. His curiosity piqued.

"This is Canebor," Echo explained. "It eats the bark of the Xylophia tree, which is toxic to us. But Canebor absorbs the poison, releasing a nutritious slime.”

Arke's expression mixed surprise and apprehension. “Uh-huh...okay."

Eiravyn's interest sparked. "Different from your homeland, I presume?"

Arke hesitated, comparing experiences. "We usually derive drinks from plants or...synthetic compounds.”

Kael's eyes narrowed. “Synthetic?"

Arke clarified, "Manufactured from chemical resources.”

Echo leaned in, fascinated. "Your world sounds…complex."

As Arke savored the unique flavor, he detected an unusual sensation coursing through his body. It was as if the drink was amplifying his senses, making him stronger and more attuned to his surroundings.

"Is this drink... altering me somehow?" Arke asked, intrigued.

Kael chuckled. "This is our traditional energizer, consumed before embarking on physically demanding tasks.”

Arke's curiosity piqued. "What kind of tasks?”

"We harvest resources, tend to our lands, and maintain the balance of nature," Kael explained.

Arke's thoughts turned to contributing. "Is it possible for me to work here... in exchange for something like money?”

Echo's parents exchanged amused glances.

"Money?" Kael repeated, perplexed. "What do you mean by that?”

Arke clarified, "A trade for services? Is there something I can do to earn my keep?"

The room erupted in warm laughter.

"Ah, you're from a truly foreign land," Eiravyn said, smiling. "In Xeridia, we've never needed such concepts. Our ancestors spoke of trade, but with abundant resources, we've never required it.”

Kael added, "We share, we help, and we thrive together. No need for... ‘money'."

Arke's eyes widened, grasping the profound differences between his world and Xeridia.

Kael patted Arke's back. "Don't worry, young one. We'll help you catch up on lost time. Literally. Let's go fishing!”

Echo squealed, "Fishing trip! Time to gear up!" She dragged Arke toward a room, shutting the door behind them.

Arke's eyes widened as Echo swiftly shed her clothes. "Uh, Echo? What's the hurry?" He averted his gaze, face flushing.

Echo chuckled. "Changing into swimwear, silly! Don't be shy." She handed him a sleek, scale-like garment.

Arke's embarrassment turned to curiosity. "This material... it's from a fish?”

"Zhilakai fish scales," Echo confirmed. "Water-resistant, flexible, and surprisingly comfy." She winked.

As Arke donned the garment, he marveled at its softness. "This is... unexpected.”

Echo grinned, noticing Arke's gaze lingering on her. "Enjoying the view?”

Arke's face burned. "Uh, no! Just... admiring the... fishing gear."

Echo playfully rolled her eyes. "Save it, city boy.”

As they exited the room, Kael chuckled. "Looks like Arke's getting acquainted with Xeridian fashion and Echo's... enthusiasm.”

Eiravyn smiled. "Well, at least he's dressed for success... or should I say, dressed for swimming?"

As they left the house, Eiravyn waved goodbye, her smile warm. The group made their way toward the sea, the village nestled nearby. Arke's eyes widened as they reached the beach.

"Breath-taking!" Arke exclaimed, gazing at the crystal-clear waters. "No signs of pollution whatsoever.”

Echo chuckled. "Garbage? What's that?" Her curiosity piqued.

Arke's expression turned wistful. "In my world... we haven't been kind to our oceans. Pollution, waste, it's a huge problem.”

Echo's eyes sparkled with concern. "Irresponsible people, huh? We Xeridians live in harmony with nature. Our ancestors taught us to respect the land and sea.”

Kael added, "We've developed Elyrian ways to coexist. No waste, no harm. Our waters remain pristine.”

Arke's awe deepened. "This is... incredible. I've never seen anything like it.”

Echo handed Arke a unique fishing spear with a blunt, rounded tip. "Let's head out to sea."

Arke's eyes widened as Echo led him to a magnificent, giant sea horse. Its scales shimmered in the sunlight.

"Meet Finny," Echo said, patting the creature's neck. "They're gentle and loyal companions.”

Kael grasped the sea horse's harness, offering Arke a reassuring smile. "Come on, young one. Finny's safe.”

Arke hesitated, but Kael's calm demeanor eased his doubts. He settled behind Kael, Echo following on another sea horse.

As they glided across the water, Arke marveled at the sea horse's speed. "What are we catching?" he asked Kael.

"A Luminari fish," Kael replied. "Soft meat, but tricky to catch. Needs skill and patience."

Echo effortlessly navigated the waves, her sea horse jumping and splashing through the calm waters.

Arke asked, "Are there storms here?”

Kael chuckled. "Rarely. Our air is calm, unlike the deeper ocean where the Saltborn people live. Their seas are treacherous.”

Arke puzzled over the term "Saltborn," noticing the water's unusual freshness.

As Kael expertly guided Finny through the waves, Arke's excitement grew. "We're close," Kael whispered, his eyes scanning the water.

Echo rode up alongside them, her sea horse effortlessly gliding through the calm waters. "Get ready, Arke!" she called out.

Arke grasped the specialized spear, its blunt tip gleaming in the sunlight. He took a deep breath, anticipating the thrill of the catch.

But as they approached the school of fish, Arke's confusion deepened. The fish didn't resemble any he'd seen before. Their scales shimmered with an ethereal glow, and their movements seemed almost... orchestrated.

"Wait, what are we catching?" Arke asked again, his curiosity piqued.

Kael's enigmatic smile hinted at secrets untold. "You'll see.”

Echo's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Just be prepared for a surprise.”

As Arke gazed into the water, the fish began to swirl around Finny, their glowing scales hypnotic. Suddenly, one fish broke away from the school, darting toward Arke with incredible speed.

"Now!" Kael shouted.

Arke raised his spear, poised for the catch. But as he gazed into the fish's glowing eyes, he felt an unexpected sense of trepidation…

To Be Continued