It started out like any normal day the amber sun rose, painting the morning sky with pinks, purples, and oranges. The citizens of CosmosCanyon were already awake by this time, watching as the stars they loved faded one by one into the daylight. This was a place where every being could listen to the voice of the world they loved so much. The Guardians, magnificent creatures resembling a dog and a cat, made their way through the camp, insuring that everything was peaceful as it should be.
~~x~~
Nanaki! Are you still asleep? Get your lazy tail up, pup, the day has started already! echoed a voice through the smooth walls of the cave, one of many in the village.
Quiet, Suru! snarled back a ball of fiery red fur, And dont call me pup, youre just as old as I am. The Guardian inside the den lifted his head groggily, bright golden eyes blinked awake. Nanaki stretched, yawned, and made his way over to a small, but deep puddle at the side of his lair. He snorted, brushing one lock of umber mane that had displaced itself in his sleep back in its proper position.
For the Planets sake, are you coming or not?! growled Suru impatiently.
Hold on! Didnt your mother ever tell you about something called patience?!The red creature took a step forward, paused to admire his newly acquired face paint and tattoo (both of a sign of status), and galloped to the entrance of the den to see the sandy pelt of his companion.
Well, its about time, huffed Nanakis fellow Guardian, cuffing him over the head so that the blue and white feather that decorated his hair fluttered to the ground. Come on, I heard that the chief has something to announce! Surus emerald eyes gleamed with excitement. Without further hesitation, he turned around, the green flame on his tail nearly thwacking Nanakis face. Last ones there is malboro slime!
Curiosity arose in the red beasts heart. The chief usually never made announcements. He rolled his eyes at Surus challenge and followed at a relaxed lope. They had been best friends for 30 years now, and he had never changed. After reaching the bottom and dealing with Surus scoffs about him being slower than a tonberry, he caught his parents making their way over to him. He smiled, feline tail flicking in greeting behind him.
Nanaki, my son said Seto, looking down on him with scolding amber eyes, we Guardians have a great responsibility looking after the people of Cosmos Canyon, and for that we must awaken when the moon declines from the sky. If you sleep as much as you do, our home could be ambushed during the night.
And you must stop telling him such things. Youll scare the fur off of the poor thing, one night wont do any harm, said his mother softly, the warm sunlight made her golden pelt glow luminously. Aya was known to be one of the most soft-spoken Guardians in the tribe, and it was easy to tell why. She had a voice that sounded like the coo of a dove.
~~x~~
A long howl ended the conversation, and man and Guardian gathered around small ledge that spiked up from the ground. The chief sat by the sacred flame with his ebony-furred heir,Tetsuya, close behind. To be honest, Nanaki rather liked the older female, but of course, as the Chiefs only child, she was too important to take heed of him (he had never tried, but he just knew).
The flame burned brightly, its comforting light was said to bring peace and prosperity, and had never gone out in 500 years. People of Cosmos Canyon rasped the chief, his voice was weakened by age, but it was loud enough, I have listened long to the Planet it cries out in pain, as if to say I am suffering. Dark times are ahead of us, my friends. The death of the Planet draws near, but I know not when. An eerie silence fell over the canyon, and when he spoke again, the old Guardians voice shook with rage. But who is responsible for this tragedy? Who is the one who disregards our Planet as if it were a dead thing? ShinRa! ShinRa is draining away the Lifestream itself with their Mako energy! He roared with surprising anger.
A ripple of mounting nervousness rippled through the villagers. But ShinRa is what allows us to live happily said someone.
Another villager piped up, they protect us! They said they would!
Thats impossible!
They wouldnt!
Thats a lie. I dont believe him, It was Suru who said this, hardly above a whisper, his eyes burned, I trust ShinRa. He flicked his tail irritably, No, I wont believe the old man, even if he is our elder!
Nanaki gasped, turning to face his friend in disbelief. How can you say that? Hes our elder! Hes over 2,000 years old! Surely he knows. But to tell the truth, it was a little farfetched for even him. As the meeting went on, he propped himself on his back legs, crossed his arms, and tilted his head; a habit he always did when he was thinking really hard about something. I have to think about this. Without a word, he spun around, retreating back into his den.
The constant rhythm of Nanakis footfalls echoed off the side of the cave as he paced about. The Planets dying? ShinRa is the cause of it? he thought aloud, Gah! Why? It makes no sense! Why would they do something like that? He wailed, shaking his head. The crystals decorating the bands that pulled back his hair chimed. The cub stopped as a pair of paws echoed down the chamber. Aya and Seto entered the den, padding side by side.
I have met with Buninhangen. It appears what the elder said is true. Seto growled bluntly. I knew this would happen someday.
Please try not to think about it too much, Seto. Theres nothing we can do about it, in any sense, Pleaded Aya, rubbing up against the large brown Guardian, and turned to Nanaki. Go to sleep, clear your mind, she advised gently, curling her tail around her son, Tomorrow will be a new day.
If there is tomorrow Nanaki scoffed inwardly, but nodded and curled up. He couldnt sleep knowing it was broad daylight outside. He closed his eyes and meditated, sending out a silent plea. Please if there is a god out there, and you can here me, please protect us from what is to come.
((I thought I should put this up, some people who know Final Fantasy might want to read it. It's that second story I was mentioning. Chapter 2 will be put up if people are willing.))
Thanks, Flamepelt! ^^
