From the base of the mountain, you've followed trail after trail until you've ascended quite a distance. It's hard to say exactly how far you've gone but the air is getting thin. You suddenly feel very dizzy and it feels as though the ground is teetering back and forth, faster and faster. You stagger a few feet before doubling over. Just as your fingertips brush the rough flesh of the rocks, the ground gives way and you tumble forward into the abyss. Vaguely aware that you're falling freely, you watch the various hues of green dance by you. With a heavy, relaxed sigh, you enjoy the free fall and close your heavy eyelids. You feel your hind end press against something very light and fluffy; you bounce up again a few times before settling. Your consciousness slowly regains itself and you wiggle around in a mess of thick grass. You're just about to slide off the bed of foliage when you notice the sky. The midnight blue above you is filled with so many sparkling stars, your eyes are hypnotized. Mouth gaping, eyes wide, you gaze up at the web of lights. A soft thrumming rises and falls in the distance breaking the spell of the night sky. You shake your head free of the daze and look around at your surroundings. It's like you're sitting in a crown atop some magnificent diety's head. The mountain encircles the entire valley and you notice how pointless it would be to try and get out of the large, grassy valley. The strangely soothing thrumming sound vibrates through your chest. It sounds like someone's singing. You follow the sound across the hollow until you reach the top of a small hill. Reclining peacefully by a fire is an enchanting creature whose pelt resembles the night sky with big white blotches. You're about to approach when a hand catches your shoulder. Spinning around, you come face to face with Lady Reaper who signals you to keep quiet. You both watch the creature by the flames.  Chirruping loudly to the sky, he takes a moment's silence then rises. He looks dead at you and your hostess nonchalantly. You watch him stress his beautifully long legs and he gives you both a curt nod. Smiling at you but still remaining silent, the feline-morph trots down the hill with you in tow. When you're a few feet from the creature you realize how very tall he is. Holding his head high, you gawk in amazement. "Traveller," Lady Reaper clears her throat, "I present you to Lorekeeper Kyoushou, resident Corpadra from Lanse'shri, the Edge of Shadows." She bows down before the Lorekeeper and you quickly do the same. He reciprocates the gesture by bowing his elegant head. There's a certain kind of charm in his bright red eyes that mystifies you. The Corpadra holds you in awe much like the night sky. His fine turquoise horn glimmers, accented by the purple spikes along his muscled neck, as he nudges Lady Reaper's hand. She curtsies as her ivory hand caresses his cheek. The Lorekeeper looks over at you curiously. You hear Lady Reaper chuckle. "He's wondering if you know what he is." She giggles with her sapphire eyes staring at you now. Blushing a little, you shake your head and she smiles in return. "The Corpadra are creations of mages, an amalgamation of leopards, dragons and unicorns. They were borne to serve as soldiers in war games from long ago. Now, their descendents take on titles and live a more peaceful life. Kyoushou is the keeper of history, of legends and myths. You can imagine the fun he has around here!" As Eve finishes her sentence, Kyousou replies with a wild thrumming to the heavens. He rears up, stretching his great feathered wings, and his cloven hooves thrash at the air momentarily. Taken aback, you didn't realize he put out the fire. He sways his tail as he settles then gives you both a toothy grin. His bright eyes regard you with convincing allure and you feel lost in his eyes as you were with the star-spangled sky. Leaping backwards, Kyoushou spreads his mighty wings, slashes them through the air and is gone. You stare off after the Corpadra until a gentle purr brings you out of the enchantment. "Charming, isn't he?" You nod at this understatement but your eyes stay on the sky. "For a Lorekeeper, he doesn't speak much." She laughs lightly and leads off into the valley. You inquire absently as to how there can be stars in a realm between realms. "Oh well that's simple. All the various rifts that let you travel from one place to another, be it in death or by teleportation, passes through here. They glow in the dark." Lady Reaper answers you matter-of-factly. She offers to accompany you throughout the valley. Side by side, you continue on.
Mountain Realm Entrance Lady Reaper |
