“Hope rises like a phoenix from the ashes of shattered dreams.”
They call them to the Mountain, however, it is not a friendly call. The inky black young woman is among those who answer the call, among those willing to do what it takes to please the fairies. But it is not their approval and content that motivates her, everything but that, instead Jinju is here, on the incline of the Mountain, to cure whatever decease is terrorizing Beqanna.
She does not stand first in line, her hard ruby eyes ahead on the half circle of demi-gods that stare down at them just as unhappy. No, coming to the Mountain has never been something Jinju thought of as good, as the place had only ever done things that were wrong in the reborn woman’s eyes. And today is just another reminder that the Mountain stands for something negative, and the fairies with them. Never had Jinju thought well of them, but with each little hiccup they get closer to her bad side. Today is no different.
However, she’ll still do what they ask of her, because that is a sacrifice she is willing to make to save her beloved home from the plague. Even if she does not like them, nor the way they look at them, or address them.
But, believe it or not, this task they give them sounds easy enough. Cold has never bothered Jinju, her own fire had kept her warm even in the coldest winter. The inky lady’s coat is still paper thin, simply because she hadn’t needed it to protect her from the cold. A freezing pond would not harm her either, or would it? Discontent is written all over her young face as she looks up at them, snorting annoyed and stomping her hoof. Of course they had to throw in one of their nasty tricks, but before she can verbally retort, they are gone.
Ruby eyes widen and instantly Jinju gasps for air. Well damn, this was not what she had been expecting. Just like that, the fairies have taken her magic away again. Taken the only thing that had always kept her safe from the cold, which now wraps around her as an unforgiving blanket. Her lanky form is shaking, and her breath forms little clouds before disappearing into the air. Fuck them, she silently curses them all, stomping the ground in an almost childish manner as she makes her way down the slope of the Mountain.
Of course, instead of trying to help, the fairies only try to discourage them again. And they still wonder why death and destruction got brought back to Beqanna over and over again? Perhaps they should learn how to love, instead of only to punish and turn backs.
Was this what her father always felt like? Probably not, because her own flames have never made her feel hot either, but sweet lord, this is impossible. Even walking is not enough to keep her body warm, her dark form still trembling with cold as she has finished her decline. Jinju does not hesitate, and pushes herself forward, ignoring the biting cold, hoping that a quick trot would warm her body. She stomps over the mainland, across the river, along Hyalines border, and then through her beloved Taiga. It is here she rests, at home, under her father’s watchful eye. For once, Jinju lies cuddled up with her siblings, desperate for the warmth of their bodies, where Ruan’s would only offer her more of the freezing cold that consumes her.
The next morning, before dawn, she says goodbye. The velvet of her nose pressed against his cold one, making her shiver, but nonetheless trying to hide it the best she can. “I have to go to Icicle Isle, it is there where the first ingredient to cure Beqanna can be found..” Her smile is soft, but sad, then a flicker of anger travels over her features, but none is directed at the wolf in front of her. She does not need to voice out the words that lie on her tongue. I love you, dad. Instead she says; “I will be back.”
She continues her way shivering, through Taiga, only to reach Nerine. For a moment she hesitates, always having had respect for the border of one’s home, but this was for all of them. And thus she enters the land where both the Sister- and Brotherhood now reside. Down the cliffs, onto the beach.
In the distance, Jinju can see one of the four new safe havens. Her ruby eyes narrow, as her teeth are chattering. It’s too damn cold. And although Jinju cannot say she dislikes it, she is not liking it at this very moment. She is not used to it, not even Ruan’s chill is enough to prepare her for this. For the fire girl it is hard to imagine the cold can get worse.
Which it does, once she sets hoof in the water. “Shit,” she murmurs in a low curse under her breath, staggering backwards as her head is held high. Her breath escapes towards the sky in little clouds as her nares flare, and ears press back against her skull. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Stupid fairies. Stupid quest. But all for the sake of saving their home. Jinju grumbles some more under her breath, trying to encourage herself, before throwing herself forward into the water without a second thought. Hesitating would get her nowhere.
The cold steals her breath away. Panic shows as she tries to gasp for air, her body momentarily frozen due to the shock of the cold water. Her head dips underneath the surface, which is enough to shake her awake. The frigid air hurts her lungs, and tears cloud her ruby eyes, but her legs start to kick her forward. It is slow, and her movements are quite uncontrollable, which does not get any better. Instead of warming up due to the exercise, Jinju is now sure these waters must have been cursed. She’s freezing, the cold holding her in its grasp, slowing her down tremendously.
By the time she reaches Icicle Isle, Jinju is nothing more than a frozen lollipop. That’s the most accurate description she can offer.
OOC: Fixed a not closed tag issue.