The Sixevenians

After the peaceful departure of the Guardian of the Mist and its baby, the air in the waterfall village slowly became calm again. The villagers, still amazed by what they had just seen, carefully came out of the oval homes inside the trees. The warriors had put away their light spears and were looking at Willity, Sixsevenin, and the whole group with great admiration. Sage Orom led the explorers inside his large circular home. The place smelled of fresh resin and wet earth, and its walls were decorated with hand-carved pieces of bark that told stories from long ago. Once everyone had taken a seat on blankets made from shining fibers, Orom's eyes immediately fell on the creature resting curled up beside Willity. The old man narrowed his eyes in surprise and slowly leaned forward. —By the pure springs of S7... —Orom whispered with great respect.— It has been many ages since my eyes have seen a shape like this. Willity gently stroked his companion's back, whose glowing scales made ...

The journey through the jungle under guard continued in tense silence. The warriors with metallic skin walked firmly around the group, keeping their light spears pointed toward the ground but never lowering their guard. —At least they don't seem cruel, —Sixsevenin whispered very quietly to Willity.— If they wanted to hurt us, they wouldn't have helped us out of the waterfall current. Willity nodded, watching Deri walk close to his legs, his membranes folded and his ears alert to every sound coming from the vegetation. Beside him, Ramsi adjusted the weight of his huge wet backpack, while Jazzi made sure her crystal branch did not shine too brightly and disturb the guards. After following a path surrounded by enormous glowing ferns, the jungle opened up to reveal a remarkable village. The homes were not made of stone or metal like those in the northern domes. Instead, they were oval structures built harmoniously into the trunks of the thickest trees. Dozens of inhabitants of the ...