Location: Airoquay, Kahmunra. 

Date: Eripme Calendar year 3,047/ Winter season day 122/ 25th hour

The waters of *Ephangi ran in many colors depending on the location one was in as it was a large world with many mysterious valleys and rivers, some still undisturbed by the ambitions and needs of the *Nampu. Still, no color dominated so much as the neo golden waves that had become the tone of the vast majority of the planet's seas and lakes ever since the spectacular miracle of light had been performed by the great Lord Thiesz. Some cities used both natural and *nam made waterways to their advantage, their roads like the veins of humans near the skin acting as pathways for the folk who were the habitat's life blood to traverse its body. 

Airoquay was one such city in the *Eripme province of Kahmunra and those clans and tribes who called it home exercised almost every means to not only make their residence one who’s beauty would be remarked on with adoration by others who visited, but also one who’s aesthetic and architecture served a purpose of a greater enchantment. 

Amaryxs face broke the surface of the tiny waves with the majority of her body submerged within the warm waters of the bath chamber as she began floating on her back through the spacious synthetic hot spring. Large subtly ribbed columns of ivory and jade rose from beneath the water, slight vibrations emanating from each one positioned around the perimeter projected relaxing frequencies. Glowing sigils of blue and yellow light traced their sides flowing through the floors and across the walls. The ceiling was open and revealed a beautiful sky of soft tangerine. As she relaxed her muscles and inhaled mouth closed, the vapors gently drifted around her septum ring and into her black spike pierced nose with the scents reminiscent of lavender and rosemary. 

She closed her eyes…

‘Cmon Amaryx, why you always hesitatin n shit?! We know you want to come out with us.’ Said an adolescent boy from outside the window of a humble home which rested within the side of a tree as thick as a city block. 

‘Yea, stop being such a baby! No ones afraid of your dumb powers. We just want to kick it, code!’ Another voice from a young girl shouted out. 

As a young blue skinned foxish eared nampia looked down from her window she smiled as she laid eyes upon the group of her friends who awaited her to join them and complete the roster for the evening's festivities. Apparently their pleas worked as she snuck out to do just that, the reflection of the cityscape alive in her eyes.

+The water around Amaryx began to ripple disruptively and fluctuate as she continued to reminisce…

‘Ooooo Amaryx I think Mirko likes you!’ Said one of the fox’s friends as she pulled her to the side during their walk into town. Her skin was a creamy brown, raccoon like markings on her eyes. Her  hair braided and bound into two balls on either side of her head.

‘Yea, yea, I overheard him saying he’s got a ting for ya. It’s true!’ Said another one of them, her skin was a light green and small red rounded studs ran across her brow and down the bridge of her nose. 

The foxish *nampia looked over at the yout *nam and just as she did he glanced at her causing one of her friends to quickly grab her to disrupt the look. His skin was purple and he had short antennacles that flowed to the base of his neck. 

‘Don’t look at him now or he’ll know we’re talking about him’ she said under her breath as the girls giggled.

‘We’re almost in town! Don’t worry girl, we’ll hook you up’ said the other.

+The sauna was beginning to steam now as in spots it was flash freezing before instantly melting again. 

The blue foxish *nampia and her friends ran through the town with glee as they shopped, ate, flirted and caused light mischief for their own entertainment. A mix of young nam and nampia, like all good friends, it never mattered what they did really, but that they did it together. 

No good hangout goes without snack time and so the group stopped for a moment to eat and relax. The fox’s friends, as if all in collusion, made it so she ended up near her admirer and they did so beneath the watch of a statue in the likeness of the Eripme’s emperor himself near a city center. It stood somn 50 feet tall, its detail and specifications of the highest caliber. It was a reminder of the power, position and influence that *nam held. Being one of the yout from the Ephangian Eripme territories it was not something one forgot easily as the infrastructure of the new cities and wealth gave cause for many to support and uplift the divine prophet. 

Many had paid the price in blood willingly. Some made the sacrifice for the security of a better future for their kin while others joined the military in hopes of obtaining more of the adventure, riches and glory that came with the growth of the dynasty. Regardless they followed the prophets call. 

War never seemed like a good reason for anything, but at the same time Amaryx had noticed the way the tribes and the clans had come together behind him and for the most part put their ancient differences aside. She had seen the advancement in wealth, technology and social standards and though she herself had not seen the emperor himself in action, she had heard the stories of miracles he had performed and the great deeds he had done.

+Frost began to expand across the ceiling and stalagmites formed and grew as they gradually jutted out juxtaposed to the growing heat from the sauna. 

‘Don’t you think it would be amazing? All the different planets and strange peoples. How many do you think there are out there? And here, try this. You’ll like it.’ The yout nam Mirko said as he ate his nahdoo bread, but not before ripping a piece to share with the fox. He was strong, but not above kindness. The fox accepted his offer happily as she responded.

‘How many, what? Planets or strange people? Cus they're both probably infinite’ She replied.

‘Well then why bother asking which one I referred to?’ Mirko said laughing ‘Witcho strange ass’

‘I don’t know’ the foxish *nampia said with a slight blush before taking a bite of the bread she had received, her ears shooting straight up in approval. ‘Ayyyyooo, but if they have this I’m down to go and see it all!’ 

They both laughed together.

‘I knew you’d like it and good cus I want you come with me when I go’

+Suddenly the growing stalagmites and the restless water stopped as if time had stood still for them.

‘How you know what I like? And you want me to go with you? Into deep space?’

‘I’m psychic’ Mirko responded with a smirk as he glanced at the fox with confidence, ‘And yea! Just imagine it. You and me and maybe some of the others too. We can leave here and go anywhere and do anything we want to so why stay?’

‘What about our families and clans and life quests? What about what they would think of “us”’

‘What about them? I mean they’re important, don’t get me wrong, but this is our life to live, not theirs. What sits with weight on their hearts doesn't anchor me in that way. Not to mention how else will the Eripme spread if we all stay here? We can start our own family, maybe even have our own planet. Who knows, but the decision is both yours and mine to choose, no one else’s’ 

‘Our own planet huh? I can’t lie, that would be nice,’ the fox laughed, ‘You’re a big dreamer Mirko’

‘You’re right. I am. And you should know I don’t share mine with just anyone. Now granted we’ve known each other for sometime, it don’t take a whole day to recognize sunshine. I want you to come with me when I enlist Amaryx. Let’s go see everything together.’

+The stalagmites began to fracture and drip. 

A voice who was not present in the dream spoke as if so “Most pay no attention to the roots of flowers, giving all their attention to the pedals. They become infatuated with their shades, textures and scents..” melodic and airy this time, it sounded as if someone else was watching her thoughts with her within her mind. Too deep in her thoughts however Amaryx failed to notice the presence.

Mirko leaned in to make his move, but the fox stopped him, afraid of her powers. 

‘Wait. I don’t know if this is smart. You know I have a condition’ the fox said wearily.

‘Yea I know. And?’ 

+The water began to bubble and evaporate.

The voice who was not present spoke again, becoming  more solid as it continued, but the allure of it more trancing.

“Because of the beauty of their pedals some flowers are adored and picked while others are discarded and neglected.”

‘And what if something bad happens?!’ She said.

‘Worse than you curvin me?’ He laughed.

‘No. I’m serious, Mirko. I don’t think it’s safe’ 

‘And who likes to live their life in safety? We are Ephangian after all. It’s in our blood to take risks and to feel deeply. But to feel as we do now and deny it…’ He looked to the sky before he whispered in her ear. She grinned laughing as she submitted to the idea things could go right. 

‘Yea, ok hehe. I think I’d like that’ 

‘Yea, I knew that too’ 

Mirko leaned in once more, but as the two met lips in memory, suddenly flashes of blood splatter and feelings of betrayal crashed into Amaryx’s mind. War overtook everything and as blood rained from the sky it rose from the sea. The twisted mouths of those she cared for spewing hate. The hearts of those who cared for her crushed under the strain of her existence. Images of her friends dead and her tribe destroyed came without warning or mercy. Anger and painful things she didn’t want to hear from faces whom she adored flashed traumatically through her psyche like lightning bolts of regret and confusion. The image of a wide golden grin appeared at the last second and then…

+The stalagmites broke free all at once and became liquid before they hit the pool as the steam dissipated. 

‘And though the pedals are beautiful, the true beauty of a flower are not those, but the roots which determine not only the beauty of the pedals, but ultimately the fruits that flower will bear’. 

The voice became real as Amaryx’s eyes ripped open like she had come back to her body from somewhere else.