Chapter 3: Ignis, Ventus
Part 1: The Birth of Fire and Wind
It was a long time before Flor, Lumen and Aqua were born, when the mother deer just began to take care of Maze Forest.
On the day when two bright comets fell from the sky, the mother deer who looks after the Maze Forest gave birth to two little souls. The mother deer lovingly gazed at the two bright souls and name them Ignis and Ventus.
Born as the daughters of the warden of the forest, the deer sisters learned many things about the forest. The sisters grew up, and Ignis came to summon the spirit of fire and Ventus the spirit of wind.
The two deers, who lived up to their names by becoming the summoners of sprits of fire and wind, provided animals with warmth in the winter cold and invited cool breezes in the summer with the power of the spirits.
One day, as they were helping animals with their powers, an unprecedented cold spell and heavy snow hit the forest.
Ignis and Ventus helped evacuate animals to the divine flower garden, the only safe place in the forest. And as they were trying to help the squirrel family stuck in the snowstorm, something happened.
"Ignis! I don't think I can withstand the snowstorm anymore. I'm sorry, but we have to go back!"
"What are you talking about, Ventus? We can't give up!"
They could not calm the snowstorm with the power of the wind spirit, or melt down snowflakes with blazing flame. Their powers were helpless against the power of nature. The sisters accepted their helplessness and began to head back. But, just as they were leaving, Ignis stopped and said to Ventus.
"Ventus! If we used our powers together to create a huge flame, wouldn't we be able to save the squirrel family from the snowstorm?"
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 2: Power and Responsibility
Ventus thought for a moment and said.
"This is the very last thing we can try. Any more than this, and we might lose our lives."
"I promise, this'll be it!"
Ignis created a blazing flame even before Ventus was finished and Ventus created a gust of wind. When the powers of the two spirits merged, a scorching pillar of fire soared high above the forest canopy.
With the pillar of fire, the raging snowstorm slowly melted away and the frightened squirrel family was able to escape safely. But the real problem came after that. Ignis and Ventus, who has no experience handling spirits in this way, could not control the enormous power.
The pillar of fire began to consume the forest. Though the two deer sisters tried to calm the pillars of fire, their efforts were fultile as they are yet to fully harness their powers.
"Ignis! Ventus! What is going on!?"
When Ignis and Ventus were panicking and struggling, the mother deer appeared from the trees, panting. The mother deer gently caressed the spirits of fire and wind and extinguished the burning fire. Only then did the huge fire pillar, which was razing the forest, quickly begin to disappear.
"I saw the pillar of fire appear out of nowhere so I came here to see what happened. What's all this? Do you know what you two have done?"
"Mother, we're sorry. But we had to save the squirrel family."
As Ignis and Ventus answered together sheepishly, the mother deer sighed. Thinking for a while, she said.
"Ignis, Ventus. The snowstorm is getting stronger, let's go back for now."
"Yes, mother..."
The snowstorm died down a few days later. And the mother deer called her daughters to talk.
"Your actions were reckless. I know you had good intentions but you must know that your inexperience almost cost everyone's lives."
"Yes, mother..."
"If you can't control your power, you can't say that power belongs to you. Now, go to the East Forest. You will find Master Owl there. He was my teacher and a dear friend. He will teach you how to harness your powers."
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 3: A Chance Encounter
As the mother deer instructed, the two deer left the Maze Forest and headed east. After half a day's journey, Ignis and Ventus arrived at the East Forest. There, they were able to meet the owl with white feathers.
"Welcome. So, you two are Ignis and Ventus! I'm the keeper of the East Forest."
Ignis and Ventus began their lessons to control spirit magic from the day they met Master Owl. They grew day by day, helping him take care of the East Forest in return for his lessons. As the time went by, their sisters, Flor, Lumen and Aqua were born one after another. Ignis and Ventus would run nonstop to the mother deer to see their younger siblings whenever they got time off from Master Owl.
It was a few year after Aqua, the youngest sibling, was born. Ignis and Ventus had continued to learn from Master Owl. And one day, a horseman came to the entrance of the East Forest.
It was the rule of the forest to stay away from humans. However, the East Forest was an exception as it had to coexist with human due to its barren land. Master Owl had known and trusted the horseman for a long time. Every month, he sold the trees from the forest to the city and bought fertilizer and fresh seeds in exchange.
"Mr Horseman! Here's the wood we promised. We'd like to have the same amount of fertilizer and seeds as last month. Oh! And a lot of trees and flowers were swept away in the last month flood. So we'd like to get some fertilizer as soon as possible. Would that be okay?"
Disguised as the daughters of a merchant who owns the East Forest, Ignis and Ventus asked the rider.
"Of course, my ladies. You sell quality lumber at such good prices. I'll do as you bid. It won't take long this time. I have an errand boy to help me, so I'll stop by the village and leave today with the straw I have packed to the deliver to the city. I will return in a few days. Farewell untill then."
"Thank you!"
The horseman raised his hat and bowed, then he rode away.
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 4: Aqua's Disappearance
It was early in the morning. The day after the rider left the East Forest, the wolf pack's leader was sent by the mother deer from the Maze Forest and rushed to the East Forest, gasping for breath.
"Huh? Aren't you the leader of the wolf pack of the Maze Forest? What brings you here at this hour?"
Panting heavily, the wolf delivered the news to the owl. Master Owl then rushed back to wake Ignis and Ventus, his face deadly pale.
"Ignis! Ventus! You must wake up this instant!"
Master Owl shouted while flapping his wings. At his voice, the two woke up and answered.
"What is it, Master? I thing it is still dark outside."
"I was told that your youngest sister has gone missing in the forest! Hurry and go back to the Maze Forest."
Hearing the terrible news, Ignis and Ventus immediately left to the Maze Forest. Racing to the Maze Forest since the dawn, the two sisters arrived at noon.
"Mother! What do you mean that Aqua has gone missing?"
Before she could warmly greet her daughters, the mother deer began to explain what had happened. Ventus immediately asked the spirtis of the wind to find traces of Aqua. Shortly after, she found out that Aqua had left the forest and headed for the Royal Capital.
"Mother, don't worry. We've tracked Aqua down. We'll be able to find her soon. There is someone we know well in the village where her traces are left so we will be able to get help. We'll find Aqua and bring her back."
With that, Ignis and Ventus left to chase after Aqua. Watching her two daughters leave the forest, the mother deer whispered to herself.
"Please be safe, Aqua..."
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 5: Crossed Paths
Ignis and Ventus came down to the human village after Aqua traces and went to the horseman to ask his help. But the horseman had already departed the day before to get the fertilizer and seeds to sow on the East Forest at their request.
"I never thought things would go wrong like this. I'm so exhausted from running all day since early yesterday and I'm hungry too. If Mr Horseman were here, I'm sure he would tell us the shortcut to the city."
"Ventus! We need to stay strong! The slower we are, the more danger Aqua might be in. Let's ask for our spirits' help to track Aqua down."
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 6: An Encounter with the Horseman
It was already sunset when Ignis and Ventus arrived at the gate of the Royal Capital.
"This is where the traces of Aqua's water spirit has gone. Spirits tend to hate such crowed places."
Ventus explained, exhausted for having summoned the spirits of the wind for a long time. Then, Ignis shook Ventus's shoulders and pointed to the gate of the city.
"Look at the gate! It's Mr Horseman! Let's ask him if there's any place we can get help in the city!"
Ignis approached the horseman, who seemed anxious.
"Mr Horseman!"
When Ignis said hello, the horseman was startled.
"Oh! Aren't you the ladies from the East Forest? What a surprise to see you in the city. No, this isn't the time! I'd better hurry up and find those kids..."
The horseman replied to Ignis with a worried look.
"You said kids?"
"Yes... my errand boy and the other one is..."
The horseman thought for a while and continued.
"I found a girl that fell asleep in the back of my carriage. Her name is... Right! Aqua, that's her name."
Ignis and Ventus looked at each other in surprise when they heard the name.
"Anyway, the festival is on the way. So I told her she could play with my errand boy and meet at the gate of the city by evening. But I've been here for ages and they're not here. It's not easy to find little children in the crowded city."
The horseman seem anxious. And so, Ignis and Ventus told him.
"What a coincidence that we've ran into each other here. We'll help you find them. Can you tell us which way they went?"
"Oh, thank goodness! I was wondering how I'm supposed to do this. Thank you so much."
To Ignis and Ventus, the horseman bowed his head continuously while saying thank you. Then, they decided to spread out in different directions.
"I think they went to the fountain first.. It's the most beautiful place in the city. I'd appreciate it if you could search for them there. I'll have a look in the circus tent. I really don't know how I might repay you for this."
"Don't mention it! We have to help each other in crises like this. If we find something, we'll go to the circus tent. Let's meet up there."
As the horseman headed toward the circus tent, Ignis and Ventus looked at each other.
"He said Aqua, right?"
"Yes, he did. Ignis, let's go to the fountain."
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 7: The Traces
At the fountain, Ignis and Ventus found something that they thought they would never find in the city. There were spirits of water, playing in the clean fountain.
"Aqua must have been here. Hey, spirits! Do you happen to know where Aqua went?"
The spirit of water nodded without saying a word and pointed to the paper on the ground. Ventus picked up the paper and read it slowly.
"Come and see the lion jump through a ring of fire and a bear doing tricks on a ball. It's the best circus on the continent?"
"Let's go there. We might find some clues that will leave us to Aqua."
"Yes. And we supposed to meet up with Mr Horseman there, anyway."
Ignis and Ventus left the fountain and headed for the circus tent. They walked across the Royal Capital Square for quite some time. Soon, they could see a long line of people from a distance.
"Come see the Lion Circus! The evening performance will begin shortly! Only 1 silver!"
In the middle of a long line, clowns dressed up in ridiculous costumes were holding signs and howling the show at the top of their lungs.
"I guess that's the circus tent. But 1 silver? How can we get in there? We don't have money and it's going to be difficult to sneak in when there are so many people."
As Ventus talked worriedly, Ignis said.
"Let's find Mr Horseman and ask about it."
Ignis and Ventus began to go around the tent to find the horseman. Soon after, they were able to find the horseman hiding behind a wooden barrel and peeking at the circus warehouse.
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 8: A Suspicious Tent
"Mister! What are you doing here?"
"Shh! Shh! Come here!"
The horseman put his index finger on his lips. At the horseman's gesture, Ignis and Ventus hurriedly leaned down and approached him.
"I think I've found the culprits. I found a suspicious tent while looking for the kids around the circus but I can't go in because of the beast tamer. I heard that the Circus Master here is a cruel man who does anything to make money..." Clenching his fist, the horseman said.
"Then, let's hurry up and report it to the guards!"
At Ventus's words, the horseman said with a bitter look.
"Actually, I reported it to the guards already. But the beast tamer, who's guarding the tent over there, said the guards could not investigate private property without evidence. And he told them to bring evidence if they had to investigate."
"What? What kind of nonsense is that? If he's going to do things that way, we'll have to break in."
As Ventus rolled up her sleeves and tried to go to at the tent, the horseman stopped her and continued.
"Wait! Look!"
With that, they looked closely at the back of the tamer. There, they could see three mean-looking hyenas but Ignis and Ventus replied to the horseman like they were nothing.
"You just take care of that beast tamer."
"What about those hyenas?"
"Leave them to us!"
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 9: Three Hyenas
At the sudden appearance of Ignis, Ventus and the horseman, the beast tamer immediately got defensive.
"This area is for authorized personnel only. Begone!"
The horseman quietly spoke to Ignis and Ventus, while starring at the beast tamer wagging his finger at them.
"I don't know what you two have planned, but hyenas are feral beasts. Be careful." Saying not to worry, the two gave a signal. At their signal, the horseman went at the beast tamer.
"Argh!"
"What... What the? Let go of me!"
Surprised by the sudden attack from the horseman, the beast tamer collapsed on the ground in a panic.
"Let go of the kids! You punk!"
"What the heck! So it was you who reported to the guards! Bring the evidence! Hey! Let go of me! Hyenas! Kick these guys out!"
The beast tamer shouted urgently as he realized that he couldn't beat the horseman. The moment the snarling hyenas pounced at the horseman, Ignis and Ventus stood their ground and said.
"Wait! Why are you guys listening to such a bad human?"
The largest hyena replied to Ignis.
"What?! You two are not humans! I can tell by the smell! Get out of my way! If we don't listen to that scary tamer, our siblings and friends will be whipped and left to starve!"
"Please calm down and listen to us! They got our sister here! If you help us, we will help you escape from this place in return."
"Sister? Are you her friends? The deer that turn into a human? The one that came here today?"
"Right! She is our youngest sister!"
"Unfortunately, that kid will be sold at the secret auction in a few days. She can never escape from this place. The same goes for us and you'd better just give up. Now, step back. Or else."
The hyenas stubbornly rejected Ignis and Ventus's help out of fear of the beast tamer. In the meantime, the beast tamer succeeded in breaking free from the horseman. Panting, the beast tamer shouted at the three.
"I saw your faces! I'm going to report all of you! For trespassing and disrupting business... Be ready to go to jail!"
"My ladies, let's get out of here!"
Circus members began to gather around as it became increasingly noisy. So Ignis, Ventus and the horseman were forced to run away.
"Useless hyenas! What were you doing when your master was getting beating up? Worthless creatures!"
Behind their backs, they could hear a relentless whipping sound and the cries from the poor hyenas.
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 10: To the Mansion
Ignis, Ventus and the horseman ran away from the circus, rushed out of the city with a wagon they had parked at the entrance of the city. As they moved away from the city to some extent, the horseman sighed with relief.
"Thank goodness we didn't got caught. I'm sorry for dragging you into this. I will take you to the mansion with whom I'm acquainted with. We might be able to get some help from there."
"Sorry. We made things worse."
The horseman waved his hands in surprise.
"Not at all! I'm just greatful that you've help me, though it has nothing to do with you two."
The wagon ran for a long time and headed to the aristocrat's mansion. Upon arriving in front of the mansion, the guard opened the gate to the mansion. It seemed the guard knew the horseman well.
As they passed the main gate, a beautiful mansion came into view from afar and a butler was waiting for the horseman. The wagon stopped in front of the mansion and the horseman got off. The old butler welcomed them. Ignis and Ventus did not know much about human society, but by the looks of it, even they could notice that the horseman was acquainted with the people of this mansion.
"It's been a while. As far as I know, you weren't scheduledto visit today. So what brings you here?"
"I had to see the count urgently, so I came here. Please overlook the disrespect on my part."
At the horseman's urgent tone, the old butler answered with a worried look.
"The master is inside, please come in. And who are those ladies behind you?"
"Oh! I forgot to introduce them. They are the daughters of the merchant who owns the East Forest. They happened to help me on the way back here so I brought them with me. I'll explain the whole story inside."
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 11: The Secret Helper
Ignis and Ventus were guided to the reception room with the worried look. No matter how close the horseman was to the count, they didn't think an aristocrat would grant the request of a mere commoner. The two whispered in their ears so that the horseman could not hear them.
"The horseman said the count would help but would it really be okay?"
"Master Owl trusts him so we should trust him as well."
Just then, the door to the reception room opened and the butler came in.
"Please, come! Master wants to see you."
The butler hurried Ignis, Ventus and the horseman to the count's office. The luxurious office door opened and the count stood up and greeted as if he had been waiting.
"Nice to meet you. Please sit."
As soon as Ignis and Ventus sat down, the count introduced himself and continued.
"I heard that you had business with me..."
At the count's words, the horseman briefly explained the whole story to the count. When the horseman's were all over, the count looked over the fireplace burning hot from one side of the room and spoke in a sincere tone.
"You help my family to be in the comfort of warmth every winter.. It's heartbreaking to hear what you've gone through. Actually, you came just in time. I'm scheduled to attend the nobles' meeting in the city tomorrowso I will talk to other noblemen about this to investigate the circus and take appropriate measures."
"Thank you so much, my lord!"
Ignis, Ventus and the horseman showed their gratitude to the count. Smiling, he said.
"It's late so I will prepare rooms for you. Stay here this night and let's talk again when I return from the city tomorrow."
Ignis and Ventus couldn't allow any delay because they were so worried about their younger sister. However, they were too exhausted from running around hastilly all day long so they decided to accept the count's favor.
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 12: The Rescue Plan
The next day, the count returned from the meeting in the Royal Capital. He made a little serious face and told an unexpected story.
"It seems the circus has a lot of nobles backing at it."
The count took something out of his arms and put it on the table with a troubled look. Ignis and Ventus picked it up, what caught their eyes was none other than a luxurious invitation decorated with a gold circus tent seal.
"I've seen this kind of invitation among the nobles. If I intervere now, it could trigger a war among them. Then, someone is bound get hurt. I'm sorry but my hands are tied."
"I can't believe it..."
The horseman, who thought things would go well easily with the count's help, let out a frustrated sigh. But Ignis and Ventus didn't give up, they said while holding an invitation.
"If we have this invitation, we can enter the secret auction, right?"
"Correct."
"My lord, you can just get us dressed, masks and a carriage! We'll take care of the rest!"
Ignis and Ventus clearly had something in their mind.
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 13: D-Day
It was a few days before the auction. Ignis and Ventus wanted to save Aqua and the horseman's errand boy as soon as possible before the auction, but even appoarching the suspicious tent was not an easy task because the beast tamer and the guards guarded the tent day and night. To make matters worse, the beast tamer already knew their faces. Like that, the clock just kept on ticking and the last day of the festival when the secret auction is due has come.
Contrary to Ignis and Ventus's feelings of anxiety, a splendid parade procession filled the streets as fireworks burst above their heads, commemorating the final day of the festival. Ignis, Ventus and the horseman headed to the circus in a wagon, leaving the parade behind.
They split into two teams and carried out their rescue plan. Ventus was to drag the auction so that it doesn't end soon, Ignis and the horseman was set out to find the errand boy and free the show animals.
Their plan was to rescue Aqua while the guards and the auction fell into chaos caused by stampeding animals.
"Ventus! We'll get to the auction house as soon as we get the boy and free the animals."
"Okay. Please be careful."
Leaving Ventus heading to the auction house behind, Ignis and the horseman looked at the tent from afar. The boy was probably there.
"As expected, all the guards are manning the auction house today."
When Ignis spoke with relief, the horseman replied cautiously.
"It's good that we spent days scouting this area."
They had patrolled around the circus a few days before the auction. Just by sitting at a bar near the circus, they could eavesdrop and learn information from drunken circus members. And it hadn't been difficult to obtain information, such as guard shifts and which tent the Circus Master frequently headed these days.
"Let's search this place first. I really hope he's safe..."
As Ignis entered the tent, she was hit by the whiff of a stale stench and the murmur of animals. Lifting the black cloths on the animal cages one by one, the horseman and Ignis looked for the boy. A very small moan was heard from one side, they rushed to the cage and lifted the cloth there, thinking there would be the boy they were looking for. However, what was there was a large hyena that they saw last time.
"Please... Please don't whip me!"
"Don't worry. We're here to save you! Do you happen to know where the human boy is?"
Realizing it wasn't the beast tamer, the hyena answered Ignis in a relieved and exhausted voice.
"The boy is hidden in a small cage there. He's probably fainted because he hasn't eaten properly or drank water for days. The beast tamer will back soon so hurry up."
"Okay! Wait a little bit and we'll get you out of there soon."
She lifted the cloth on the small cage. As the hyena said, she found the unconscious boy.
"Mr Horseman! I found the boy!"
The moment Ignis went to the corner of the tent while calling out the horseman, the door of the tent suddenly opened and the tamer came in. Ignis and the horseman hurriedly hid behind the cage.
The beast tamer never suspected someone would be hiding here. So, as usual, he burst with rage at the animals.
"Stay still. We'll move out as soon as the auction is over... Ugh!"
Even before the beast tamer finished his words, the horseman hit the beast tamer's head with a big shovel next to him. The tamer fainted with a thud.
The horseman found a set of keys from the tamer and released the boy and all the animals. He then tied the tamer with rope and put him in a cage.
"You scum. Let's see how well you do in that cage!"
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 14: Patience
Ventus arrived at the secret auction first and was shocked by the sight. The masked people were eager to make a bid. Some were buying animals to show off their wealth and power, some were to get the skins of rare animals.
The place was filled with people's dark greed. Ventus didn't want to be in such a place for a single moment but she calmed down and held back. She tried her best to delay the auction as much as posible by spilling drinks from time to time or deliberately making loud noises. But time was a cruel master, it was already time for the last auction before she even realized it.
"Ignis! We don't have much left. Please hurry."
Ventus had been warned by circus guards that they would ask her to leave if she interrupted the auction again. Unable to do anything, she grew desperate and frustrated. Regardless how Ventus was feeling, the circus master shouted at the audience as he brought the spotlight onto the center of the stage covered in the black cloth.
"Thank you for waiting! Now! Here comes today's highlight!"
With the loud drum sound, the circus master shouted, removing the black cloth under the spotlight.
"It's a doe that turns into a human!"
As the cloth was removed, people began to murmur. What they saw was just a very small deer that looked exhausted and trapped in the cage.
There was a bleak silence in the audience but the circus master continued with an insidious smile without being embarrassed.
"Now! Now! Today's finale! Now begins the spectacle!"
Hitting the bars with a rod in his hand, the circus master said to Aqua.
"If you don't transform quickly, you and that little lad will never see the sunlight again!"
The circus master threatened with a scary face. But being away from the water for a long time, Aqua couldn't even answer. The audience began to buzz. Embarrassed, he shouted and hit the bars harder.
"Now, transform! Come on!"
At Aqua's weakened look and the circus master shouting at her swinging a rod, Ventus couldn't stand it anymore and was just about to rush for the stage.
"Ventus!"
Finally, Ignis's voice reached her ears.
"The boy and the animals are safe now!"
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 15: The Dance of Fire and Wind
The crowd was getting mad. Everyone came to see the doe turning into a human but Aqua was lying helplessly in the cage.
"Hey, hurry up and make it transform!"
One nobleman threw a glass of wine and people around him began to boo louder and louder. Ignis and Ventus decided to save Aqua before it was too late and looked at each other.
"Well! I think we have no other choice!"
Ignis and Ventus looked at each other and said at the same time.
"Let's begin."
Ignis and Ventus began to summon their spirits. They decided to cause the chaos they'd once done to save the squirrel family again.
The burning spirit of fire and the powerful spirit of wind quickly created a pillar of fire, razing the auction house. Panicked by the swirling flames, the circus master opened the cage with his key to get Aqua out.
"Damn it, what's all this about?! No matter, if I hold onto this one, I can hold an auction again at anytime. So, I'd better take her out first."
The moment he opened the cage and took out Aqua, Ignis rushed in and pushed him away. The circus master was thrown in the cage, knocked his head and passed out. Ignis spoke to Aqua as she struggledto open her eyes and looked up at her.
"Aqua! Don't worry. We're here for you."
The secret auction ended as the burning ashes of the tents were scattered to the ground like snowflakes.
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 16: The Way Home
Aqua, blinded by the warm sunlight, woke up and looked around.
"Where am I?"
"Aqua! You're awake."
Aqua came to her senses in the arms of the mother deer. The warm sun was shining on her and she found herself by the lake in the forest.
"It was close but they barely made it on time."
Aqua had become too weak so the water from a crowded city hadn't been enough for her recovery. Thus, Ignis and Ventus had carried Aqua on their back and run nonstop toward the forest along the shortcut they heard from the horseman.
"We ended up revealing out identities to Mr Horseman but he promised that he pretends to knowed nothing. He would never tell anyone about us."
"Thank you, sisters, for saving my life."
"Of course we would come to save you."
Seeing Aqua returned home safely, Ignis and Ventus prepared to return to Master Owl.
"Mom! Aqua seems okay now so we'll go back to see Master Owl."
_____☆*: .。. *★°.*:☆:*.°★* .。.:*☆_____
Part 17: Epilogue
A few days after the incident at the Royal Capital was over, Mr Horseman arrived at the entrance of the East Forest and cheerfully greeted Ignis and Ventus.
"It's been a while, miladies. How have you been?"
"Yes. You've been well, too, Mr Horseman?"
Mr Horseman nodded and told Ignis and Ventus what he had been through.
"The day the auction was burned and the circus animals were released, I got on the wagon prepared by the count with the escaped animals. As you planned, we headed to the North Forest and dropped the animals off at a sunny field. The freed animals went their own ways. Then something interesting happened. When we were about to drop off the animals and go backs, a large hyena that had threatened us at the circus bowed at us. As if he were saying thank you."
"Maybe you're right. What happened to the errand boy and the circus?"
"He was starved and exhausted but he not seriously injured so I took him home. He was worried about Aqua. The circus master was put on trial for lying to nobleman and arson. He was imprisoned at an asylum as he kept shouting, "There is a deer turning into a person!" As for the beast tamer that we trapped in the cage, I heard that he was kicked out of the circus because all the circus animals had run away and now he had to find something else to do. Oh! And..."
"There's more?"
"I heard that all the mansions of the noblemen who'd been collecting rare animals were burned down, too. So I've been thinking... By any chance..."
"Really? They must have earned the wrath of gods for their evil deeds and selfishness!"
"Well... That sounds about right."
"Of course! Hahaha..."
Ignis and Ventus looked at each other, laughing. After saying goodbye to the horseman, they returned to the East Forest. Many seasons passed since then, Ignis and Ventus have learned to handle their spirits and were about to return to Maze Forest. But then, they'd be leaving the old Master Owl on his own to guard the forest. Worried for their teacher, the two sisters decided to stay and help Master Owl.
Master Owl thanked his pupils, saying that the two doe sisters were the only animals in the forest that could interact with humans except for owls, that made them essential in the East Forest. Ignis and Ventus wanted the East Forest to remain as a beautiful forest that coexists with humans. We shall have to wait and see if their wishes come true.
- The end -
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro