Endless Blue

Mira would have taken much longer to find the way to the beach again; she was unconscious when she got here. But once they passed through Laotaan’s western gate, the Kattwyan Riviera was upon them. Before her stretched endless shorelines with low hills and mountains. Lush shrubbery, palm trees and ficus dotted the landscape. A warm wind was blowing from the seaside and carried the scent of plants and salt with it. They saw exotic birds overhead, their vibrant shades a stark contrast against the cloudless blue.

The road they walked was partially paved and only five minutes after walking this street, the paving gave way to cobblestones. Mira let her gaze wander over the endless blue and the lush riviera. Her mouth was half open. Just like with seeing Laotaan for the first time, seeing stretching landscape sated a hunger in her she didn’t know she had.

It really goes on forever… she thought to herself, overlooking the ocean.

And it wasn’t the only thing she noticed. Maybe it was the shade provided in Laotaan but only now did she really notice how much the tropical heat was bearing down on her. She began fanning herself and wiping her forehead again, rinse and repeat.

“Ah… Phew, I’m glad these robes aren’t too thick. I just realized how warm it is.” She said and watched the rolling waves crashing into the beaches.

“Well, it is summer. However…” Rhys smirked and palmed his chin. “It is unseemly to let a fair maiden be exposed to such heat! If you wish, I can offer you shade with my cape!” he said, his face once more sparkling.

“That’s nice of you, but I can do without. But thanks.” She said sheepishly and folded her hands before herself while walking side by side with him.

“Come to think of it… You weren’t the one who found me. How do we know where your gramps picked me up?”

“Gramps is delivering herbs and other medicine to a nearby fishing hamlet. He always takes the same route to get there.” He said and pocketed a hand. “If we find a beach filled with wreckage, we know it’s the right place.”

“I see. So he found me on his way back, yes?” she said while rubbing her cheek.

“Yup, that’s it. We’ll have to take the high road though. There used to be a low one but… Ah, you’ll see.” He kept it short and walked ahead. Mira raised her brows and followed him.

“You mean the old road isn’t usable anymore? Was it a landslide?” she asked and he shook his head. They came to a crossroads and took to the left, climbing a hillside.

“Much worse. You’ll see it in a few moments.” He said, his voice sounding solemn.

They walked ahead, climbing the hill until they reached a wooden bridge. It appeared old and worn, long overdue for renovation. It was a few meters wide, enough to fit carriages or Albert’s cart. They stepped onto the creaking wood and when they did, Mira could see what he was talking about.

Deep below a chasm opened up with a little river flowing through it. The trees below had a sickly dark color and their leaves ranging from dark blue to purple and magenta. Orange glowing and pulsing cysts clung to the bark, spreading out like a cancerous growth. They couldn’t see the ground properly, most of it was clouded in a thick, purple haze.

Something about it felt wrong. Deeply so. Simply looking at it made Mira tense up and a shiver run down her spine. She couldn’t tell what felt wrong, only that it did. This place was not welcoming. It had nothing to do with the unnatural colors. But there was a feeling in the air, a tension so thick it could be cut with a knife. There were magicks afoot, foul ones. That much she could tell. There was something unseen within it, something she couldn’t place. It felt and looked like a wound in the world that wouldn’t heal. And by listening to it, she could hear movement. Chittering and chirping. Not like that of birds. Something was down there.

“W-what… What is that, Rhys…?” she asked with a small voice.

“That’s what blocks the low road.” Rhys said. “Taint, Blight… Most people just call it Twilight. It’s like a magical sickness, if I had to describe it. And that purple haze is called Miasma. It’s a poisonous gas you’ll only find in the Twilight. You don’t want to be down there…” he said and eyed Mira from the corner of his eye.

“You’re a wizard, right? Is there anything else you can see?”

Mira swallowed and felt her breath hitch.

“It’s wrong… It’s like the ambient Vis is upended and corrupted… Like its very nature is being twisted into something foul…” she muttered. “…A sickness, that sounds right.”

She peered down again, trying to look beyond the haze. But the miasma obscured everything within, like thick, low-hanging fog. Her eyes focused on the blighted land below, unaware of where she walked.

“Ah!” she yelped. Her foot caught between two planks and she fell. Rhys rushed to her side and caught her.

“Careful, Mira. This is the last place you want to be in. Don’t fall.” He said and helped her get back up.

 Her legs were unsteady and shaking, not at least because of her injury.

“Thanks. Let… Let’s get away from here, fast. Please…” she said and sped up her steps.

Anything to get off this bridge. She couldn’t believe she was unconscious when Albert brought her to Laotaan, when he brought her over this chasm. She rubbed her arms together. What may only have looked like a purple forest with sick trees had unsettled something deep within in her. It felt like something eldritch had tried to grasp at her.

“Easy, Mira.” Rhys said and patted her shoulder.

“That reaction is normal for most people. It can’t harm you up here.” He reassured her with a smile as they walked over the bridge together.

She heard it again. A chittering below. Like something was watching them. But she didn’t bring it up. She was certain Rhys heard it too. And if he didn’t say anything about it, then it probably was nothing worth worrying about. With hasty steps they crossed the gap into safety. Anything to leave behind what they just saw.

Once they left the bridge, Mira exhaled deeply. She could feel her heart pounding against her chest and curled her hand above it. Nervously she looked over her shoulder again.

“How long… Has this been here? Where does it come from? This… Twilight?” she asked.

“I’m not sure. It was already here when gramps and I moved to Laotaan. But it’s been spreading.” Rhys explained and pointed down the chasm.

“Do you see this valley? It used to be green. It swallowed the lower roads five years ago. Now we can’t use it anymore.”

“Five years ago?” she muttered and narrowed her eyes, her mind racing already.

It’s some sort of magical blight, I can tell that. But it’s been spreading? Like mold on a slice of bread? Then… she was lost in her own thoughts, following the path while curling her finger against her chin.

Does it feed on ambient Vis then? That would explain how it spreads. I’d need to take a closer look but… I don’t want to get closer to it. She continued her train of thought, absentmindedly walking down the path.

I wonder if there is some books about it… I’m sure there are. If it appeared five years ago, that means it’s not an unknown phenomenon. People would know and Rhys labeled it Twilight. I can probably find something about it.

“Mira?” Rhys asked from right next to her. Mira snapped out of her thoughts and turned her head to look at him.

“Oh. Yes, Rhys?” she asked with raised brows.

“I asked you if your leg is doing fine.” He said with a concerned smile.

“Oh! Yes, sorry. I didn’t hear you. I was just thinking.” She said sheepishly and scratched the back of her head. “But it’s manageable. Though if I’m being honest… My feet are starting to hurt…” she added and slumped forward a bit.

“I guess I wasn’t used to walking so much. We’ve been at it the entire day already…”

“It seems like even your energy starts running out eventually.” Rhys chuckled bemused.

“Sort of. Ah, I could try to levitate my staff and sit on it but I don’t think my spell could keep my weight.” She said in exasperation.

Maybe she knew a stronger version of that spell. But with her old spellbook unreadable, she wouldn’t find out. Or without her memories for that matter.

“My oh my, what a dilemma! Should your legs fail you, fair maiden, it would be my honor to carry you back to town!” Rhys said.

With closed eyes, a hand splayed on his chest and the glittering sparkles floating around his face. Mira pursed her lips and looked sideways. She almost felt flustered by the offer. But she didn’t want to intrude; not even mentioning that being carried back like that would look really embarrassing!

“That is a sweet offer but uhm… I don’t know, I might be heavy! And I can’t really let you do that in good conscience.” She said with a wry smile. “But thanks. I’ll keep walking for now.” She said.

“I see. Well do not hesitate to ask for my aid, should you need it!” Rhys said with pride.

They continued down the street which soon transitioned from cobbled to dirt. Tracks in the dirt showed it was well used by carriages and wagons; Albert’s being one of those. She was sure about it. It took them maybe half an hour more of walking until Mira quickened her steps.

“There! I recognize this place!” she said.

Mira walked off the beaten path to slide down a shallow drop. Her boots met sand and she hurried forward, quickly followed by Rhys. When she raised her head, she saw a familiar sight. Debris, a lot of driftwood. Remains of masts, crates and large chunks of wood from a ship’s hull. Mira slowed her steps to overlook the debris, her head following her gaze.

“I’ve washed up here… I remember passing out right there in the sand.”

She surveyed the area and pointed at a small ditch in the sand, from which tatters stuck, the same colors as her old robe.

“Yes, right here…” she muttered.

Now comes the bigger problem… she thought to herself while surveying this shoreline. There were plenty of debris pieces. But there was no guarantee that any of them would hold what she was looking for. She sighed in exasperation and and turned her head to Rhys.

“We won’t find anything if we turn over every plank…” Rhys said and held a hand over his eyes to shield them from the sun.

“We don’t even know how big that ship was. I suggest we narrow it down. Ignore the crates, look for larger pieces. If we’re lucky, we’ll find part of the hull.” He added.

“That sounds good. But it’s a huge beach…” she said, her ears drooping. But complaining wouldn’t get the work done and it was her only lead. So she went off to search with Rhys.Hours went by and the sun climbed higher, leaving them searching well into late afternoon. They took breaks on occasion to rest, snatched coconuts from the palms to drink and return to their search. They found old wooden beams, broken crates, destroyed lifeboats but nothing pointed to the main wreck. They were just about to give up when far beyond the cliffs, they found a mast sticking out.

“Hey, Mira. Check this out over here.” Rhys called out to her.

Mira had been lifting a piece if driftwood to check beneath when he called to her. She promptly dropped it and hurried over to his side.

“On my way!” she called back and walked past him.