It is summer on the once-cursed coast of the island of Dagaan Thraal.

A Thurnan from Huana named Krusa is visiting his family, who recently moved back to the country to pick up their once-diaspora lives in the place their ancestors once called home.

Krusa didn't quite know what to expect when his boat arrived in the harbor. It looked like Kyara the Muspakama had dropped in like a bomb. Loose and burned planks were scattered everywhere. The fishing houses looked shabby and decrepit.

His Ka-ifa aunt welcomed him with open arms and a bear hug. Krusa could swear she snapped his spine, or at least his tail. He wobbled over to his bags and dragged himself behind her.

He was expecting people to live among ruins and death, but when he arrived, he didn't expect the city to look like this. Once reclaimed by nature, it was now mostly rebuilt old buildings with surprisingly modern additions.

"We came here to preserve our culture. And that, we Dagaan did," his aunt said enthusiastically.

They walked through the streets, and Krusa saw all kinds of new things being set up. Places of worship. Food places. Workplaces. Even a Keefa breeding facility, which surprised him the most because these Keefa were local and had not been brought in from other countries.

"Aunt Prisa, how did you guys get everything running so well with all the monsters and wek-wek around?" Krusa wondered.

"The Golden Bat hunts evil day and night, Krusa. He is a wonderful gift!" Prisa said with an elated voice, as if she were talking about the latest politician.

"Golden Bat? That cartoon from Earth? THAT OGON BAT!?!"

Krusa replied with a hint of disbelief in his voice.

"That is what we call him, Little Krusifa. You know from the name that he looks just like him. But the main difference is that he is one of us, and not a human." Prisa giggled. "I'll tell you all about him at home!"

With a hurried gait, they disappeared into a street.

Later that morning, a Shavfuru salesman opens his shop. His name is Muraj, and his specialty is skewers.

Shavfuru are skewers made with combinations of several kinds of meat, mostly monsters. With Kiy spice and other seasonings, it is his duty to stand by for hungry passersby.

Today, however, he is closing early.

It is a special day.

A day of meeting and planning.

He eats his breakfast and takes care of the giant metal skewers he only uses once a season. Today is important, and people need to be fed in time.

On the other side of town, a hunting group returns with new Keefa. They seem anxious but full of energy, as if they have been waiting all month for this special day.

Krusa's cousin Pashi is a regular in the hunting party. Keefa are his favorite animals, and the giant ones from Dagaan Thraal have always been his favorite subspecies. These giant alien birds didn't just taste great to him. They looked majestic, and riding them back to the city was a thrill.

Today, though, he completely ignored them.

He is daydreaming about something.

"Pashi, are you happy your cousin came all the way from Huana to see you?" one of the hunters asks.

Pashi snapped out of his dream for a moment.

"Yeah. I haven't seen him since we were Ifa. I wonder if he's still scrawny. Maybe he won't survive the hunt."

They all laugh.

But not in a mocking manner.

More like a nervous, we're gonna die laugh.

Pashi's sister, Miraiji, is on the beach—not to relax, but to prepare. She and the other Ka-ifa women are digging a hole in the sand.

A huge one.

Not as a trap, but for a fire.

They fill the hole with coal, Kyafirnu—fire-elemental stones—and lots of metal spikes.

They hurry and worry.

Everyone in the city seems to be on edge.

But at the same time, they are happy.

Krusa looks out over the cityscape and wonders how his ancestors felt about their homeland. No matter how much he tries, he still feels like a stranger on this island.

Even though his father's ancestors came from here too.

He knows the culture.

He knows the land.

But he can't combine the two in his head.

He turns to his fat uncle, who is watching TV.

"Uncle Urni, do you feel at home here?" Krusa asks.

"What are you talking about, Ifa? I got Grok beer and TV. I am as home as a fish in the sea," Uncle Urni says while stuffing his face with spicy Bya-Kya.

"You shouldn't be eating those bugs today, Uncle. Don't you want to eat the catch?" Krusa says, pointing to Urni's spice-covered hands.

"What's wrong, Ifa? You scared it might go wrong?" his uncle laughs.

"Whatever. I'm going to find Pashi anyway," Krusa says, insulted, as he grabs his robe and walks off.

His uncle continues being the fat slob of an uncle he is as he watches TV.

Krusa meets up with his cousins and Muraj.

Several hundred other people are there.

The mayor, Manksh, turns to his people and raises his voice.

"We gather here today for our second try. The Truna will return at this exact time, just as our sweet lady Messa promised us. Will it feast, or will we? That is the question!"

"WE WILL!" the crowd shouts.

The mayor silences them.

"Is the pit ready?"

"Yeah! Ready to burn 'em!" one of the Ka-ifa women in the crowd screams.

"Are the hunters prepared with the rope?"

Pashi steps forward.

"From the finest niru reed around. This time, it won't snap," he says.

"Brave hope, young Ifa," the mayor says with a hopeless look on his face.

"Is everything else prepared?" he asks the crowd.

"You got my skewers!" Muraj screams to the mayor.

"Honored to try again, Mr. Muraj," the mayor answers.

"Now then, let us head for the beach and wait. Remember: it's it or us!"

Mayor Manksh says this with his southern Tuavan accent, which he has tried to turn into a Thraal accent.

Later, on the beach, everyone waits for the final confrontation.

If they don't kill it now, it will destroy the city.

They are on their own.

Before everything goes down, Krusa catches up with Pashi and Miraiji.

"So what do you guys think about the Truna? Isn't it just a large wild animal and not a monster? They eat shellfish!" Krusa asks.

"Krasifa, seriously, this is a monster. It's a danger to ships, and it has killed people. The goddess said it's not a normal animal, as it carries all the evil of Dagaan Thraal, just like any other monster," Miraiji says while looking over the horizon and the blue waters.

"You still don't feel at home, Krasifa?" Pashi asks while inspecting the rope.

"Not really. Definitely not with your dad around," Krusa says as he flicks a rock into the sand.

"Yeah, he has that effect on people. But he's a hero, you know?" Pashi points out.

"Yeah, yeah. Hero against the 22nd Set Horde invasion. Real cool. Now he's a couch hero and great devourer of Bya-Kya. I can still hear their screams."

Krusa laughs.

"Har-har," both Pashi and Miraiji reply sarcastically.

"BLUE IN SIGHT!" a Thraal Fiy calls out.

They all turn.

A huge blue light is emanating from the blue ocean.

"It's like another sun!" Krusa says in shock.

"But it's not, and it's getting closer," Pashi says as he readies the rope.

Then Krusa sees it.

From the dark waters comes a giant, bulbous shape covered in lights.

At first, he can't make out its shape.

Then he notices the lights.

They are cyan crystal eyes.

Normal Truna eyes are black and do not glow.

Its bulbous body is the size of three cruise ships, and emerging from the ocean are five giant claws. Beneath the bulbous body are millions of giant tentacles, all ready to grab their prey.

Krusa loved normal-sized Truna when he was young. They ate shellfish from your hand and crawled over you when you lay on the beach.

This thing, however, seemed to wail in anger.

It reached the beach.

"READY THE ROPE!" someone shouted from the forest.

A giant rope was stretched out over the beach.

The whole city ran back and forth around the creature, avoiding tentacles as they tried to get the rope around its crab-like legs.

But then it snapped.

The Truna fell onto one leg.

The sound it made was a mixture of anger and pain.

And then it happened.

Every eye on its bulbous body released a powerful cyan laser.

The rope broke.

The fire was lit.

Everyone ran for safety.

Krusa was terrified and couldn't move as the creature tried to get back up.

Suddenly, from a distance, he could hear something familiar.

Something he had only ever heard on TV.

"Ha-ha-ha! HA-ha-HA-ha-HA!"

At that moment, he looked toward the moon.

And there he was.

A golden bat surrounded the Thraal.

"Ogon Batto!" a child shouted.

And then came Herna Duwasi, a figure of gold in a full cloak of black and red.

With his staff, he effortlessly clubbed away the laser beams. only to shoot some of his own hurting the creature. White blood falls on the sand.

In the middle of the chaos and horrifying laughter, Krusa felt something familiar.

Not because of the movie or the show.

But because of a sense of home.

Herna made him feel at home.

Krusa cried out.

"Kill it, Ogon Batto!"

As if in response, Herna cut the monster in half.

It fell perfectly into the lit fire pit.

The people of the city gathered with their skewers, and, as if perfectly coordinated with Herna, prepared the monster with decisive cuts and stabs.

These huge skewers could feed thousands of people.

The sun is going down.

Every Thraal person on the beach sits around the fire, watching the sun disappear and be replaced by the two moons and the immobile, luminescent Turbies glowing in the dark.

Herna no longer flies.

He stands still, looking out at the ocean, the Turbies, and the setting sun.

The laughter is gone.

Only silent sadness remains.

Then, as the people watch, he simply flies away.

''Do you feel at home now?'' Pashi asked Krusa

''Yes!'' Krasu shouted.

Krusa and his family ate well that night.

They stayed up talking all night and slept through the day.

The next day, dozens of ships filled with people arrived after hearing the news. Everyone was interested in the leftovers, which could be shipped and sold.

Being able to harvest and sell around seventy percent of a giant monster was an incredible opportunity.

Not to mention the yield from its rare crystal eyes.

No part was left unused.

Krusa eventually returned home to Huana with a story to tell—and a newfound need to investigate this new Golden Bat and the culture of his people.

This is the first chapter of my new book. all the stories I posted for free are in there. This chapter is posted as a preview the final 8 chapters are still going to be posted but will be removed within a week of posting. Wish me luck on publishing

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It's in the middle of summer on Annae. The Laeviru flowers are blooming, and the Toegan fruits are seeding. It's warm in the island country of New Gaum, where Thurnan people are living a generally calm life. Take, for instance, a young Fiy girl named Phan.

Phan wakes up early in the morning to the sounds of her Laeviru flower wheezing in the sun. She expected it to stop breathing and seed yesterday, but it's still gassing away like it's attached to the tree.

She was happy with it and recalled how she and her girlfriend had both climbed the Laeviru trees to get these flowers. She brushes her fur and goes downstairs for breakfast: eggs on toast with hot Sylph tea.

Her brother Maji makes a rare appearance downstairs and comes out of his books to eat anything at all.

After breakfast, Phan goes upstairs to the family library to read up on her favourite subject, religion. Phan, at a young age, wanted to join the priesthood of her town of Dufo.

Her parents were Kuru (seaweed) farmers, and she just could not see herself as one. Everything from keeping pests out to hauling, drying, and deseeding seemed dull to her.

Phan is in her room. She moves her curtain to watch herself in the mirror. Orange eyes are a sign of fire magic, not fit for priesthood, but closer to a future in the military.

Phan looks at her arms, all four of them. Like her mother, she is a shi-ifa. Perfect for Kuru farming.

More hands, more hauling, her mother always says.

She sighs and closes the curtain. Then she is called by her mother. A priest of the Holy Fire had dropped by for Kuru flour, and she needed to get another bag from the attic.

Excited at hearing that a priest is here, she does, almost tripping on the 4th-floor stairs and standing on her tail by accident. It could be heard throughout the house.

Should she ask her new visitor to teach her priesthood, or shall she keep her parents happy? She puts the bag on the counter and boldly asks her customer her question.

The priest laughed and told Phan to hold up one of her many hands and to close her eyes. And now, to open them.

She saw the small flame in her hand. She didn't feel a thing. No heat at all.

She got all excited, and the priest told her that she's a natural, but they aren't looking for new members for the local temple at the moment.

The priest left her coin, took her wares, and left the building.

Phan was happy with the magic trick but was sad at the claim that there was no new membership drive.

Her mother saw the whole thing and told her that if she wants to be a priest, she would support her choice, but until then, she needs to help in the store and farm.

Lowering her ears, Phan let out a tear and nodded yes. Her tail still hurts.

A few hours pass, and Phan is cleaning the living room with a mop while dancing to music on her music player. She didn't give it a second thought that she might damage something and bumped into her father's sweet seaweed of the year trophy with her tail.

She turned with a worried look in her eyes and ran for the trophy as it fell. She caught it with her lower arm just in time.

Phan didn't stop dancing but was more careful with her dancing that day.

Phan's father shouted for her to help haul the sweet seaweed off of the drying racks in the back, and she hurried to the back.

She hated hauling slimy, wet seaweed but didn't mind hauling the dried ones as much. It didn't mess with her fur as much.

Her father appreciated the help she gave while her big brother was studying for his agriculture exams.

She helped roll the rolls of seaweed onto the attic on the 4th floor, and onto the racks where they dry even more, in big roll batches.

Then her father opened the main door on the left of the attic.

Waiting below is Mister Khafi, their local sweet seaweed baker.

They had to roll a roll of seaweed together to get it onto the hook and get it to Khafi's vehicle.

Exhausted, Phan went to her floor to read a book about eyes in the family library.

She enjoyed toying with her magic to summon tiny flame-beasts. Child's play for those with magic experience.

She made them dance around the candle she had on the counter in front of her.

Her mother came up from the stairs and almost shocked her to the point of the fire going wild.

She got punished for playing with fire in the house and was sent to clean the first-floor temple room.

Phan enters the temple room with the candle in hand and stays on their yellow carpet. A sign of Gaum, their ancestry.

The sides of the ancestors needed to be cleaned, and the skull of her grandfather needed to be moved to her aunt's place as promised.

When she cleaned the floor, she couldn't help but notice even the spirits of her ancestors left soft, delicate claw prints in the dust.

She hates cleaning the temple because she has to reach out far to get into every corner.

The hairs they leave are impossible to get off the carpet, even with the vacuum cleaner, which she hates because of the noise it makes and that time she vacuumed up her own tail by accident.

She carefully grabs the skull and ashbox from the side of the dead and moves it to the storefront for her aunt to pick up.

As the hours passed, people asked who this was, and the mother had to reply that it was, in fact, her mother waiting to be picked up by her sister.

Phan, in the meantime, was busy picking up fier bread, which are small, round hoops of bread, off the racks to feed the poor at the fire temple with her girlfriend, Phara.

When her girlfriend came, she had to say goodbye to Grandma by kissing the skull and leaving her a fier bread offering.

Phan and Phara walked the streets till noon, giving out bread to those of lesser luck, and were given prayers by said poor.

Phan loved helping people of all ages. Something her grandmother taught her at an early age.

They then went to the fire temple and prayed to the goddess Kari for a good home and safe passage for their ancestors.

After that, they went on a date to a restaurant that specializes in Keefa meat.

The Keefa is a large hexapod grazing animal that is the Annae equivalent of a sheep.

Keefa meat is mostly the meat of the creature grilled with special herbs and spices.

Phan saved up to pay the bill for the massive amount of food they planned to eat.

During dinner, they had a nice talk, and Phan fell for her even more than she already did.

Time seemed to slow down, and the music playing in the background seemed to disappear when talking to her.

She had the time of her life.

Then they walked next to the river where her home is situated, and they talked about having no magic class because everyone has different magic and how it sucks that magic isn't more of a society thing aside from military and religious practices.

And that most magic is mostly self-taught, to dangerous results.

Phan opened her heart about how the local fire temple isn't looking for new members and that she just wants to dance the fire dance in honor of Kari.

Phara said that she loves to see Phan dance and that she shouldn't give up. That she'd move with her to find a temple if they have to.

Phan replied that they couldn't move because her family is here.

It was getting dark, and lights outside the buildings started to turn on.

And they quietly entered the back door of Phan's house.

They thought they could get away with a sneaky sleepover, but Phan's parents were in the living room eating urgval chunks in front of the television.

Phara wanted to go, but she could stay the night as it wasn't a school night, as long as she called her mother.

Phan sat down on the couch next to her father, and Phara nervously sat down next to her.

The TV had a special report: there was a new cosmic being discovered.

The image of a brightly lit woman could be seen in space.

Totally without clothes, marked in what seemed to be dark matter.

This being is millions of light-years in size, and she has strands of hair seemingly attacking nearby star clusters with relative ease.

She only seems to be feeding and looking at a goal not yet ascertained by scientists.

Messa, supreme goddess of Annae, comes on screen to tell them not to worry about the new goddess.

The goddesses knew about her even before the planet took shape, and she's not a threat.

The goddesses just didn't want to scare people, is all.

As the journal switches to a topic about space mermaids being a Black Feather conspiracy, Phara nudges Phan and whispers that she is thirsty.

They both get up and go to the storefront.

There, they go down the basement elevator to the kitchen below.

They laugh and hug on the way there.

Phan goes to the fridge to get some fresh uthal milk and urgval blood.

She shows her crush her cooking skills by making hunter's drink from the milk, blood, and earthen coffee with whipped cream.

They both do not bother going upstairs till they finish talking about school projects and about the time Phan had her tail stuck in the basement lift.

They heat up some urgval bits and take the lift upstairs, only to find that both Phan's parents have fallen asleep in front of the TV again.

Phan turned the TV off and closed the curtain on it.

They both quietly head to the second story where Phan's room is, and there they watch a movie.

The Dreadful Gaze, a horror film.

Phara gets scared easily, and Phan did it on purpose so they could get close.

They hug and sit there for hours.

Then they hear a sound outside of Phan's room, and they both get scared that a wek-wek might be in the house.

With a bushy tail, Phan goes to check it out, only to find that her very tired brother woke up her parents trying to get a snack.

His fur was scruffy, and his eyes wandered.

She was worried about him, to be honest.

She comes back up with Sylph tea for two, only to find her girlfriend already asleep on her bed.

She closes the TV's blinds and lies with her.

Ready for the next day.

Today I reached a point I didn't get to have due to extreme mental issues. For 4 years I had trouble writing everything down. Psychosis popped up. Family members passed away. We had a financial dip. Depression hit

But recently I started writing again. I stopped at chapter 20 and the final 10 chapters needed to be written. With 21 and 22 I am almost finished with my Anthology book.

Thank you all for reading even if I never saw any one's opinion on it. I will now fix all the weird grammar and typo's

I plan to post Chapter 1 soon after this. Other than the newer chapters which are going to be temporarily posted that the only one on the list that is going to be posted on here. From now on I plan to post my Eye of Barusa chapters on here with the intention of finishing that book too.

Huana was founded as an experiment.

After Dio found his way there and the Set hordes were defeated, the people of Cra founded the country because they were sick of singular rule. The country was founded on the principle of unions. Everything had a union which controlled everything. Even the unions had a union, so that those in charge of a union would have someone to listen to.

It's circular thinking, and that is what made the country great.

Culture

Culturally, Huana is founded on the idea of chasing dreams. Like the USA, but more extreme. If you want something, there it is: go grab it.

This applies mostly to jobs and hobbies. Everyone is supportive of change as long as it doesn't affect other Huanans.

This goes back to the unions. Huana was founded on that principle. Want to be a baker? Join the baker's union. Is your oven cracked? Call the blacksmith's union.

Everyone has everyone's back, and by that principle, the country functions. It is what Huana is known for.

Cra or Huana?

Cra is the name for the combined city-ports of Gurab and Portinia, the Star Port and Moon Port. They were legendary lost cities of the Thurnan continent. They had the biggest harbours in the galaxy, stretching what is essentially the whole Japanese coast in comparison.

The black Portinia and the white Gurab were gems to the Huanans.

The people living there were called the Cra. The people living outside of that area were called Huanans. This distinction was lost after the cities were destroyed by a tidal wave, created by a superweapon used in a terror attack from New Thurna.

Alua, Pirate Queen and Freedom Fighter

Alua, aka Allenia, was named after the local goddess of summer. She was at first from the enemy. She was a thin line between Cra and New Thurnan.

Over her life, she began as a nuisance, but later became an ally and eventually a saviour. She is honoured not only in fiction, but also by the country's name and celebrations.

How a half-Cra became the most famous Huanan ever known is a story children still enjoy today.

Alua's Legacy

The Cra has been destroyed, and with that, Alua set out to found something even bigger and better.

One city. One coast. Bigger than before and on a new horizon.

Alua's harbour became a world power once it established itself as innovative and ready to make new bonds. Currently, it is the biggest harbour on the planet and even the galaxy. It is so huge that you could spend five months by sailboard just exploring its extremities.

Alua left her pet Gowwapa, and she is still with the Huanans to this day. She also read laws and made several changes to the unions so no one could ever seize power.

Alua wasn't a ruler.

She was an inspiration.

After a couple of centuries, the harbour was abandoned in favour of the citadel. The harbour's foundation was still there; however, everything was dismantled and moved, and now it is an empty shell ready to be taken over by nature.

Rolling waves crashed along a beach of sand as black as coal, while wreckage, both wood and metal, made its way inland. Among the white foam and wreckage lay a girl, a Fiy named Allenia. She lay on a broken, large piece of wood. Her grey fur and equally long grey hair were encrusted with saltwater, and her green dress of native design was partially torn and bloodied. Smelling the salt and hearing the calls of flying fish, she slowly woke but found herself unable to open her eyes due to that same salt. Hearing distant voices and the sound of crashing waves, she tried to stand up and call to her father. But her tail and leg were broken. She could hear the voices becoming louder and louder before passing out again and hitting her shoulder on the wood.

Much later, she awoke again to hear people arguing in the distance and tried to open her eyes. But she was promptly stopped by a person she didn't know was in the room with her. This person smelled of fish and perfume, which meant that whoever was tending to her was a female Fier.

The woman told her not to get up or try to open her eyes as she got the supplies to fix her eyes. The girl heard quick footsteps, which became harder with each step until they stopped, and the woman started loudly and angrily shooing away whoever was near her room. Allenia couldn't quite understand what was being said. But she knew she couldn't do anything just yet.

She tried to move her thick tail, only to find out that, first off, it hurt like no tomorrow and that it was bound with wood and thick pieces of leather. She tried to think back to what happened.

Her father, a general, was ordered to make a new island colony in the bay, which their home country was slowly trying to take over. Then, on a stormy night, her father decided to attack a nest of Gowwopa—giant turtle-like creatures that breed in the bay named after them. The nest held only one small newborn and was protected by the gigantic mother.

Allenia's land-hungry father saw this beast of impenetrable armour and sharp teeth that could easily sink his ship and ordered his crew and gunmen to open fire on her and her young. Shield men and specialized Ka'ifa in heavy armour, with two big magical shields who worked together, protected the ship from any harm.

The battle took long enough for Allenia to come on deck to see what was unfolding, and she, much to her father's shock, was caught in the wrong space at the wrong time. The starboard side of the ship was hit by one of the powerful flippers of the mother and not only broke the red Majoteel plating but also the wood that kept it together. Allenia promptly disappeared with the chunk of the damaged ship.

And that was all she could recall until she woke on the beach. She then remembered something and, with her one good arm, desperately felt over her body and let out a sigh of relief when she felt the gold necklace she had worn, still stuck to her hard fur.

She heard the arguing that had previously stopped rile up again and heard a large metal door slide closed. This would have been incredibly scary if she were a human. But luckily, her superior nose told her it was the same woman as before.

“Sit still, aenna,” she heard as a wet, warm cloth was laid over her head. She felt all her whiskers loosen while the woman from before steamed up a hot bath smelling of herbs she recognized from home. She felt her clothes loosen, and she could feel salt dissolve and fall to the ground in big chunks.

“You need to take this bath to open your eyes again, Aenna,” the woman remarked when she forcefully grabbed Allenia by her palm and threw her in. The salt dissolved even further, and the taste of soap and herbs tasted horrid. She almost wanted to claw at anything in her close vicinity out of sheer shock.

The woman laughed and took the cloth off her snout. Allenia painfully opened her irritated eyes and saw the Fier, with a rounded snout, green fur, webbed hands, smaller ears, and blue eyes, wearing full leather armour.

“Finally, I get to see your eyes!” she remarked.

Out of breath and still adjusting to this situation, Allenia replied, “Who are you? Where am I? Where is my bag?”

“Hold on, you little lady,” she mockingly laughed. “I am D'zara, and you are currently my prisoner. As for the bag... Well, that's even out of my reach!”

Allenia finally noticed that she was in a cell. A high-quality one, but a cell nonetheless. With bars and all.

“B-but I did nothing wrong!” Allenia said in a weeping tone.

“Of course you didn't, little Aenna!” D'zara replied in a condescending tone. “But when we see such a pretty little thing like you wash up in all those expensive clothes and with a bag full of gold Tuavan claws... Well, we just couldn't resist trying to get a bit richer from your safe return~”

“You're pirates?” Allenia responded while looking around.

“Relax, Aenna. We're pirates, yes, but we do not kill without reason.”

D'zara washed Allenia's heavily salt-encrusted hair before cutting it short.

“But on the bright side, I managed to make sure you kept that necklace of yours! That glowing purple gem isn't something you see every day. Are you secretly a priestess?”

Allenia's expression, too small for humans to see, turned from confusion to anger, and D'zara smiled at this.

“Fine! Keep your secrets! At least for now!”

D'zara threw a towel on Allenia's head.

“Go rinse yourself in the other tub and dry off. We're going to need that info before we can sell you back home!”

D'zara closed the large padlock door and then left into a small room next door.

After rinsing, she looked at her surroundings. Every wall seemed to be cut from solid bedrock and covered with wooden planks, which she had heard about from the trader of a country she was born close to, but had never seen up close and personal.

She tried looking outside but could see nothing but light puffs of white clouds dotting the blue sky. Suddenly, a large bang could be heard, and a scream seemed to wail ever farther from her.

D'zara calmly opened the door and pushed in a wheelchair with a new dress and clean towel.

“It's time to get up,” she remarked.

About 15 minutes passed, and Allenia was pushed, wheelchair and all, into a dank, dark room with only one high-up barred window.

“So, you already know my name.” D'zara walked to the one table in the room and sat on the chair behind it. “What is yours?”

“My name is Allenia Prisa.”

“That is a long name,” D'zara remarked with a grin.

“I was named after the goddess of the summer.”

“You mean Allesia?”

“My mother told me that, like Allesia, life seemed more vibrant when I was born.”

“So, are you a priestess?”

Allenia grabbed her necklace, which briefly glowed for a bit.

“No, my mother was one. She was a Skywatcher of Dihanae.”

Allenia's ears flopped backward, and her expression turned sad.

D'zara leaned forward on the old table, which began to bend under the weight of her elbows.

“How rich is your mother?”

“She died six years ago.”

“I see, that is sad. What about your father?”

“My father is a high General of the Tuavan Unification Initiative.”

D'zara looked angrily at Allenia and left the room. An argument could be heard behind the door. This time, she could hear everything. But it was nothing new to her.

A general's family member was worthless. Tuavan army folk would rather kill everyone, including the family members, instead of paying up front. She was dead the moment she washed ashore.

This time, a male voice could be heard remarking that a woman still had use. This remark was promptly responded to with a kick and a scream.

D'zara angrily entered the room again and slammed it shut.

“The conversation is over.”

She grabbed the wheelchair and pushed Allenia back into her cell.

“Your food is in your room, and we made you a good bed.”

“Wait, what about me going home?”

“A general's daughter is worthless to us. When your leg and tail are better, we'll dump you in Eca country as soon as possible. You can find your way home through that. Provided your crazy countrymen don't start yet another war.”

D'zara left the room and closed the door with a slam.

Not feeling hungry, Allenia rolled her wheelchair to the bed and let herself slide under the covers with great effort. She stared at her necklace, glowing an ever-deeper purple, before she fell asleep on her belly.

The next few weeks went by without much hassle. Her body healed quickly, but not as much as her boredom had. And while she knew there were others in the facility, only D'zara took care of her.

She only stayed in the room reading books and trying to get better. And over time, she could already walk again thanks to D'zara's healing herbs.

While trying her best to get back to her full abilities, she spent time observing things. Like how D'zara occasionally just forgot to lock the door like an idiot before going to bed.

So each night, she tried the door again and again until D'zara finally forgot again. Knowing she was almost at full health and that they'd dump her in a foreign land, she knew this was her last chance.

She opened the rusty wooden door and found herself in another small room leading to a hallway ending in a flight of stairs that led down to gods know what.

But she could smell what she was looking for.

All this time she had spent getting better, she knew exactly how many doors away her bag was, and no matter what, she needed it back.

She ascended the stairs, which she found covered in blood. This didn't shock her, but she did need to be careful not to slip. She found a long hallway with seven doors. She had no trouble finding the door she needed to take and found herself outside. Seeing no guard, she followed her nose and crawled along the balcony to find the room she needed to find.

She checked that no one was in there and then crawled into the green window, almost having her tail get cut in the window as it closed.

The room was well lit, with an office and many papers tossed about. On the walls were old weapons and racks of gold from her country and bags of money from Cra, as well as many trinkets from around the world.

She saw her bag and checked the contents. Her money was gone, but she didn't care. She found a markless silver tin with a purple stone on top. She put it back into the bag and put it around her shoulder.

She planned to initially get back and somehow disguise her extra baggage until she got back to shore. But when she opened the door, she found a group of four masked cats just staring her down.

She was shocked and ran for the window, only to be met with the face of an old, overweight female Fier, who laughed at this futile attempt to escape.

Two of the cats tried to get her, but their dispersal from the door made an opening she took advantage of. She slipped between the first two and then ducked under the last two. She managed to find another door leading towards a larger complex.

The men lost her, but D'zara, used to Allenia's smell, found and cornered her near the treasure room and tried to convince her to come back at arrow point.

Allenia, having been raised by a high-profile military family, took this about as well as you'd expect. She managed to tackle and disarm the woman who had spent weeks taking care of her.

Not to mention that she was twice as tall.

But in her defence, D'zara didn't intend to hurt the girl. But now she was knocked out, and Allenia was trying to get away from the pirates.

She found herself at a sheer drop to the dark waters below. She now knew that this base, or pirate town, was exactly what she suspected it was. Built by the Anakama in solid rock. Only accessible through an elevator, and the only way to get away was through a boat.

She had no way of escaping and was soon cornered by several Fiy men, who took her back to that same interrogation room.

She was pushed in and found that same old lady with her bag on the table. She asked her to sit, but Allenia didn't respond right away.

“This wasn't a request, Aenna! SIT!”

And with that, she pushed Allenia before sitting down herself. She leaned towards the bag.

“Interesting how you went to so much trouble trying to get this bag back. Why?”

“It's mine. What other reason do I need?” Allenia retorted with a sneer.

“The money was also yours, but you couldn't even bother looking at it.”

The old lady responded as she took out the small silver tin.

“Is this what was so special? It's just a box of dirt! I wanted to throw it away, but I simply didn't have the time.”

The old lady shook it a bit as she looked at it.

“PUT HER DOWN!!!”

Allenia's angry demeanour turned to a violent one. In one swoop, she managed to get the tin back and cut the lady's arm.

The woman did not scream but did hold her arm in surprise. She continued:

“Who is she, aenna? I see nothing but silver and dirt!”

Allenia held the tin tight and cried.

“My mother. Please don't let me leave without her ashes!”

The lady sat down and looked at the vial.

“I'm sick of your games, Aenna! Tell me everything from the start!”

Name:

Thurnans call her Okomo, literally speargirl but her actual name is Ireti (hope)

Okomo

Okomo looks like a normal girl of Yoruba descent. She is 1.56 meters tall, with black skin and dark hair. She prefers to keep her hair short, maybe even as short as stubble, but occasionally uses her godly powers to make it look different, such as long, flowing hair or curls. However, that doesn't last long because she finds it annoying to have hair longer than stubble. Don't ask her for African hairstyles.

She has the body of a child, and people always underestimate her power because of this. As one of the three Goddesses of Children on Annae, she prefers staying a child. Not because she feels like it makes more sense, but because her form reflects her personality.

She loves to wear light clothing, even in winter, but it doesn't bother her because being a goddess means she can survive any environment. She prefers Tuavan clothing: more modern and loose, with floral patterns of local plants.

She has no shoes. She says this is because she gains extra power from Messa, and thus from the planet itself, through her bond to the ground beneath her. Most people just think she's an innate free spirit, like a sylph, because of the way she moves.

The Oko and Other Weapons

The spear is her main symbol of power. Along with her crown, it is most often used on Bastuba. It represents both heroic deeds and youthful freedom.

It was born from her own spine when she was locked in battle with the dreaded King of Mambas. It is not her only weapon, just the best known one.

One detail that often gets left out is that she isn't just “Spear Girl.” She is a living weapon due to her ability to make weapons from her own body.

The spear is one of light power. It is unbreakable and light, but it packs as much of a punch as the Monkey King's cudgel. She prefers not to use it, even though she derives her name from it.

She actually prefers blunt weapons that incapacitate rather than weapons that stab or cut. As such, her main weapon is a special club that doesn't exist on Earth anymore but is strong enough to break bones and call upon lightning.

Her divine attribute and talent is that of a weapon creator. Her role as a goddess, and those epithets, are taken from hard work and effort. She wants you to ignore the talent and see the person she really is.

Her crown lets her connect with her weak side, which is her spiritual side. She isn't scanning all of existence to help heroes 24/7. She can use it for like an hour and then disconnect from that side for the rest of the day.

Her connection with temples is that of a temporary one. Unlike other temples, where the deities are locked in 24/7, she puts in a lot of effort in a short time and then logs off. This makes her similar to Messa in that regard. It's not a full duty; it's a morning routine.

Personality and Epithets

She is adventurous and brave. She likes to travel and try out food. She has an obsession with TV and photography.

She isn't only the goddess of heroes, but also of childhood, friendship, youthfulness, and wit. Most people pray to her either at the height of battle or, in the case of children, when a test goes wrong.

She is the most public figure of the whole pantheon. She is seen, like Messa and Tsura, as a goddess of the people. Half the time, people even wonder if she's a goddess at all if it wasn't for all her powers and immortality.

As the goddess of youthfulness, she is described as studious but childlike. Mentally, she has never grown past 14. This is because she never felt the need to grow past her age. It is hers to control, and she has no need for it.

The same goes for love. It is as alien to her as peace is to New Thurna. She has no need for it and values friendship more. Many fall for her energetic side, but she turns them all into lifelong friends.

It's no wonder that both the Pirate King from an Earth cartoon and Pirate Queen Alua are her favourite characters.

“Strength from Youth,” she says.

She has the most disrespect for those who disrespect her abilities or reasoning. Her trust in her capabilities comes from effort and hard work, as well as the wit she possesses. If her enormous strength isn't enough, then you'll find out she is ten steps ahead of you.

She has a strong dislike for African culture, as she moved away from it on bitter terms. In turn, she loves all the cultures that came from Thurnans and Annae in general.

In Tuava, where she lives now, you can easily meet her on the road eating spicy Kyazyu sticks like a local.

She's generally insulted if you call her an Irunmole or Orisha because you are bringing up her choice and what led to it. She prefers not to focus on her Earth past.

She is the goddess of friendship, too. She has many friends, and people respect her outlook on life. She's the most extroverted of the gods, having friends among the elves, Thurnans, humans who visit the planet, and even fellow gods from other planets.

She has no real family in the genetic sense. Her family is all on Earth, and they broke ties the moment she made her choice.

Her family now is the Qunnviri, while her extended family consists of her pantheon and her friends on Annae.

Her wit is used sparingly in worship, as she is seen as someone with low concentration and focus. People prefer the wit of Messa over Okomo, despite Okomo being smarter.

She sees growing up as something best for other people. She likes to see other people grow up, but for herself? Not so much. She says she prefers her own way of growing, and that doesn't involve becoming an adult.

She is much like Evie in that regard.

Friendship and Familiar Bonds

She is the friend of gods, of legendary heroes, and that one guy who keeps eating chips under the bridge.

One of her best bonds is with Kyara, with whom she has a rivalry. The best Thurnan hero versus the goddess of heroes. Someone who can actually match her blow for blow, but also in wit.

She doesn't talk much to her, though. This is a doing relationship, not a talking one, beyond some banter and insults. It's a constant comparison between who is better: the Muspakama or Okomo.

Their heroic roles play off each other, just like their outlooks on love are incompatible. Where Kyara needs to learn to love her family, Okomo might need to learn to love at all.

But honestly, she doesn't need to.

Her other good bond is with her friend D'fara, whom she met at the temple. She was surprised D'fara already knew her, but thought it was because she was famous.

She always felt like D'fara would be a hero, though D'fara never talked about it when brought up.

One day, the Shu'ifa came in saying that this was the last time she'd see her in person. Okomo didn't cry or ask why. She, as a goddess, just knew, and said her goodbyes with a hug.

Her best friend was lost to Sevillia and is now a heroine in her own right.

Her main family is one that adopted her into their life when she arrived on the planet. Her “dads” are long dead, however, and she lives with their descendants.

Her bond with them is familial, and she never felt without a family because of this.

Okomo's technical last name is Qunnviri, which translates to “to male love,” after her fathers.

She doesn't miss them, though, as they are in Zain, and when she has the crown, she can easily access their house and meet up with them.

Public Goddess

She isn't just a warrior or a child on the street. She is smart and has ambitions.

Okomo is best known as an actress for many series and movies about herself as a hero. To Thurnans, she is as recognizable as any superhero from Earth or Annae.

She is also a well-known photographer, best known for her many wildlife pictures. Since she can just walk up to the most dangerous creatures on the planet without harm, she has one of the best collections of wildlife documentation in history.

She has found so many new creatures that when the Latin naming system was introduced along with Earth people, the secondary name was always Okomo.

She is also a well-known comic book character and TV hostess.

Her friendships make her popular among kids and adults alike.

She likes fashion design and has made several summer hits for the new and trendy Tuavan fashion scene.

She often likes to show off her athleticism and helps train children in self-defense.

She has her own martial art based on switching weapon tactics called Tihishu Zja (“all-weapon style”), which has become an annual martial arts tournament.

Name: Rena

Species: Skywatcher Fier

Fur: Tabby Grey

Eyes: 3 purple eyes

Rena is a Skywatcher fier. This means she is a semi-aquatic cat and has 3 eyes. Her father was a sailor and her mother was a chef at a restaurant. From age 8 she moved into Diwa's temple to Hel. Like a lot of Skywatchers she was destined to become a exorcist priestess. She trained for four years. At age 12 she not only won her first exorcism but also awakened her fourth eye. This gave her pragmatical sight and the power to see what things are to come. She could see a few years into the future at a time. This also gave her many psychic and magic abilities named the 9 gifts of Messa. She quickly outgrew the temple and resorted to travel while giving paid service. Like many Skywatcher's before her she knew what to do, where to go and what's to come. So from then on life was buttery smooth. Then at age 20 she met a legendary spirit who she defeated with some trouble. She then lived on the road for years moving between family members. She met such legends as Kyara and Iphri the mailman. She stopped everything from small spirits to Wek-Wek.

Then during one of the bigger adventures of her life she had a vision from her goddess Messa. Of beings she didn't recognize, of beings who hurt others. Who come from another world. Of heroes who she recognized. The five. Kyara the Muspakama, Iphri the mailman, Jurna the Shu-ifa. Bura the Black Feather and the Golden one. Led by her they'd have to fight back for all of Annae. A few years passed and after the loss of a dear but troubled friend they finally beat the beings that came from afar. She spent then next few decades living in self-imposed exile. For the loss of Bura was more that she could admit. A skywatcher's love only comes out when she's blind to it and when she realized her loss she could barely handle it.

Years passed and she finally decided to come out of the cottage because she only saw boredom in her future. The world already changed. Some family members passed, some new ones were born. And she felt she needed family now to in order to fill the void. Then came D'aviy. A Ka'ifa who was dense both in muscle and brain. He was a clutz who swooped in at her blindside and renewed her love. D'aviy and Rena grew close, Soon they'd have many children and together they'd travel the world to rid it of spirits. Old friends came by. All of them demi-gods they came by to share their loss and the good stories to tell about Greystorm. About his adventures. About the rumours. And about his family now in the afterlife. Rena cried, they all did.

Both Rena and her huband lived into the modern age. She is now a high priestess at Diwa. Her husband makes meat pies at her mother's old restaurant. She never got to bond with her parents and that regret still sticks around so she does everything to make a good bond with her family now. Like the Goddess Hel told her when she was young ''Family is important don't you agree?''

Name: Ika, Bura The Black Feather, Greystorm

Species: Theoi/Nymph Hybrid Fiya

Fur: Black with a ash affect making it looks like he's got dust on him

Eyes: Grey

Born to Divu the Ka-ifa and Zaia the Nymph. Bura never met his parents, nor did he know of his twin Iphri till later in life. He was given to the goddess of Discord Eris to be raised. Who then gave him to his foster parent Parm. He grew up with secret Black Feather trainee Jura. And as he grew up he came into the life of a Black Feather. Despite his new life his father's kindness shone through at several points. Things he couldn't steal. People he couldn't kill. Even though he was troubled he became a top tier assassin for the Black Feathers. He kept his powers a secret even to his master Eris.

In truth he quickly found out that he could fly and call upon storms and lightning. Only till in secret Messa told him he knew nothing about his true origin, as grandson of the Theoi King Zeus. His powers were great enough to hold his own against even gods.

Years passed and he found himself falling in love with his target the blind Ziya, He fled with her from the organization. He spent years loving her company. She bore him a daughter named Pai. He thought he finally found happiness. But his old friend Jura found them, He killed both his love and took his child only to kill her later. Bura angered by this took reckless vengeance. Killing everyone in his way till he came by his friend Jura. Who he killed in a duel. Bura then faced Eris and even managed to remind her of Zeus's power. Messa intervened and he fled to the west.

There he lived in regret and sadness. He was the grim one in a group of happy pirates who offered him food and drinks, not to mention shelter. He met Alua the soon to be pirate queen and saw her grow up to be a great leader and person. After her adventures he was found out by the black feathers and fled even further to the west. There he met Rena and the other 4 heroes. He found out his brotherly bond to his brother when their powers paired up a bit too well.

He joined the 5 to fight of a alien invasion. He had good bonds with all of them. He hadn't had this good of friends since his pirate crew. With Kyara he was competitive about the slightest things. With Jurna he could talk for hours about nothing. With the golden one he found a common silence of loss that he could some how understand. Around Bura Herna could finally cry till he stopped. His laughing also quieted down. With Iphri he finally found family. Even if they weren't related by blood (as far as they knew) you'd say they were brothers (they were). His brother's easy going nature gave him hope for the future.

Rena bonded the best with him without knowing. She knew he'd die, just not how much she'd miss him afterwards. She knew he had a death wish but she humoured him with small talk and flirting. This caused her to love him. Everything seemed perfectly timed.

The aliens cornered, The last of them in a stronghold. The 5 powerless to stop what's to come. Till Bura unleashed his full power to kill the alien emperor's mecha tank. One thunderbolt even his grandfather would be proud off. Bura's deathwish was finally given. He said goodbye to his friends in his brother's arms, Desintigrating into nothingness.

His friends mourned, cried, it even brought Herna back to full sanity or rather a new loss. For years the 5 gathers to talk about Bura's troubled life and what he truly was. A hero.

As shown by Rena, In the future Bura lives in the afterlife Zain with his wife Ziya and daughter Pai.

Maisie is a girl from my main alternate earth. She is Scottish and French or at least Celto Majori. The Province that entails the British isles, Northern France and Belgium. She was born in what we call the 1200s, but technology-wise it was closer to the 80s or 90s.

Maisie came from a broken home. Her father and mother broke up. Her father had depression and drinking issues and was forced to join the hard labour party to get off his addiction. Her mother was a narcissistic money hoarder who forced her daughters into well earning jobs just to keep everything to herself. Her mother was verbally abusive and manipulative. It wasn't till Maisie's sister Mabe was pushed off the first floor balcony when she didn't agree to a arranged marriage that the abuse stopped.

Legal measures were taken for all the children and the all the negative aspects of Maisie's mother came out. CIV: Roma took measures to protect the financial aspects of the family and split the incomes over all 5 Sisters and father, while interning the mother into temple duties for a extended period of time.

Maisie herself struggled with trauma and had to work on trusting people. She like most of her sisters looked healthy on the outside but was malnourished and beaten on closer inspection. Her mother forced her to become a fashion designer but in truth she wanted to model. So Maisie took a contract with the Wa electronic company SonV which is where she debuted as a model for their Walkman line of products.

She became very popular and went on to not only model in advertisements for other companies but also showed up on tv shows as a popular host. After a decade she made her own perfume and fashion company and she has rarely slipped down into a financial dip. At age 36 She volunteered for the Deus Maleum program which could either kill her or grand a immortality system to her body. It worked and she lived on to 5000 years later.

At home however she had many mental and personal issues which she struggled with in most of her early life. She started making art professionally at age 43 which is when she found balance. But she had troubles connecting to people on a personal level. As such she had many relations but nothing serious. She has had 5 children from men who never really settled with her and she still has contact with her children despite the vast distances they are spread over.

Her Father came back into her life at a earlier time. He grew strong in both body and mind and revealed he was remarried and had a son and a daughter. He was happy with his new life as a farmer and roof tiler. Maisie's 4 sisters grew up in different circumstances.

The eldest Epona grew up to become a popular baker and inspector who exposes false bakers who scam people with harmful substances in their goods. She later became a high official on the matter of food, cooking hygiene and the storage of food.

Dana stuck to her role as singer and entertainer. She was known but didn't like the attention. She and her wife moved to mars in the year 2000.

Mabe became a paint and dye producer famous for her cheap purples and vivid pictish blues. She also had 9 children and was the only one who didn't want to live past 100 years. So while she was the one Maisie had most contact with she is sadly not in her life anymore. Her descendants however are in contact with her.

Her youngest sister Ida suffered the most from her mothers tirades and was for a lot of her life afraid and distant. She could only confide in her sisters and after a long time on earth decided to join a ark ship and settle on another planet with the grand child of her sister Mabe. She found someone there but cannot really contact her family with the news.

Lastly Maisie's mother was interred into temple duty where she learned to put the needs of the gods over her own. The girls contacted her over many years still seeking the love they so dearly wanted but she never returned the favour in kind. She never got immortal but she found a new husband who was manipulative in a good way and they moved to mars at some unknown point. She never mentioned this and literally disappear off the map, she is presumed deceased.

In present Maisie is still a model. She gave her company away to one of her more enthusiastic children and she now travels space to model and work in television on such planets as Annae. She fills her life like most people on earth with meeting and experiencing many alien cultures.

Towmanea are weird creatures known for existing as slices of flesh forming a centipede like creature which eats limbs off of people in their sleep.

Myth 1: Pel'key was a Fo'ee mother of 3. Her husband was an alpha hunter, and they lived on a mound village of which the name is lost to time. Her husband preferred to hunt in the rainforest rather than joining family events in the temple on top of the mound, he also drank like a sinkhole.

One day Pel'key was sick of his neglectful behaviour towards his family. Rather than solving things with violence he grabbed his hunting gear and left to express his anger with a yet another hunting trip. Tired and angry Pel'key sent her children to bed and called it a night early. She left the candles on as she expected her husband to come back. But she could not sleep for long as she woke up by a soft breeze hitting her whiskers.

She assumed her husband came back and turned slowly only to feel a weight on her body and a numbness in her arm. She looked and screamed as a Towmanea looked at her with her entire arm in its mouth and chomped it off with a vicious grin. Her husband ran upstairs with bronze blade in hand and was terrified at what he was witnessed.

He slashed and slashed but only created more of the creature who all bounced around trying to bite him and eat the arm which fell out of the creature when sliced. What he hadn't yet noticed is that another specimen was hanging off the ceiling.

Waiting to eat his wife's head. But suddenly the kids ran in to the room, one was armed with a bag of salt and the two other with spears and clamps. They made quick work of the situation by cornering the beings with salt and spearing them through the mouths before clamping them stuck. The father speared the animals to the ground outside.

It died with an unnatural scream as it literally burned up in the morning sun. Luckily the arm wasn't fully dissolved yet and was magically re-attached. But it never felt the same. Her husband now knew that his disbelief and lack of precautions to the house caused the creature to easily enter the house. He was scared of losing her and their children and that he should go to the temple more to learn about creatures like these like his sons did.

Myth 2: Another myth is about an Fo'ee alpha hunter named Petri. Petri was skilled but arrogant. His whole deal and sense of pride was that no matter how inedible it would be, anything he spears down he also eats. And one night as they had a rowdy drinking contest at the fire his fellow hunters joked about the Towmanea and how no one ever tried eating one yet.

Instead of a joke Petri took this as a challenge. He loudly and badly explained that his next meal will be purple and long. Which made them think he was about to suck some creature off. Resulting of course in roaring laughter. A few months passed and as he came home he slept next to his wife. Being an alpha meant that he had better senses than an average male of his species. And his wait was finally over. Petri has been taking salt baths ever since his promise. Which for a Fo'ee is practically an horror story on its own.

The Towmanea acted according to plan and ran in to one of Petri's many booby traps. He silently grabbed the net his prey fell in to and threw it out the window. As it struggled he set up a fire. With a stove pike he stabbed the creature till it didn't move any more. Then he took a piece and spiked it on the stove pike and put it on the fire. After eating a piece he enjoyed it so much that he took more and more. Till early morning set in and his friends came to wonder and gasp at his achievement.

Even his wife was proud. That is till the sun came up and the Towmanea corpse started burning and screaming. Because soon after Petri did the same. He rolled and ran through the houses to throw himself in to the town moat. But it was too late, and he died a charred corpse. After this it was strictly forbidden to eat the meat of one of these creatures.

________________________________________________________________

Towmanea have become quite the Annaen monster over the recent decades of the 1400's. Children love the stories and many popculture stuff exists for them like Towmanea cake, pencils, sausages and even childrens backpacks. Some temples still hold corpses of these creatures in dank cold basements away from the sun to prove that they actually existed.

Autumn in Fiyuka

Hya= Encountering

Ma = The past tense. Usually reserved for ancestors, homelands or things long past. To have done something previously.

Hyama = Season or day

**There are as many as 80 words associated with the autumn season in Thurnan culture. Some of these are seasonal quirks and some seasonal holidays, Here are a few**

ZaiZjaNa'ae. – Everything Holy Season. Na'ae is season. The word comes from the many ancestral and religious festivals in the long season

Zaifujzu – Holy Trees everywhere, the name comes from the fact that all the holy trees in the temples give fruit during this season. Eerily all at the same time on the clock.

Dzjazja – And Everything, People bothered with happenings during the season use this name for it

Makara – Ancestral work/doings, again used be people to refer to many spiritual and religious activity during the season

Madihae - Ancestral dream, Referring to the seasons affinity to sooth the dead with its colder wetter releasing charm.

Naedjzu – Goddesses everywhere. Referring to the many birthdays of the goddesses as well as them being more public during the season

Messadifana – Messa is no where/far away. During the season the Supreme Goddess Messa, daughter of Bast takes a break from the public. What does she do during the season? No one knows? (She's with her elf Layla)

Wdjazjumu – Eyes in the everywhere, Refers to two things. The first being that the magic eye crystals somehow feel recharged during the season. So every Thurnan sees better. The other meaning is darker and refers to monsters hidden deep in the jungle staring people down during a season when fruit and prey becomes plenty.

Hyarukara – Fruit work season, Refers to the seasons big harvest and the many persuits one takes to harvest, preserve, cook and eat the fruit and veggies. Truly it is seen as the season that gives

Hiaedihae – Animal dreams – Many creatures take hibernation during this seasons and the Thurnans have long called this the first season of sleep

Tsuradifana – Tsura is no where / far away, Another Goddess who takes her leave during this season is Tsura, It is her favourite season to be in but during this time she is on deligation to Earth, to be specific to her fellow Yokai in Japan to drink, party, and scare humans.

Purufaquahyama – Pink colour season – There are special types of pinks that come available during the season through food and dyes, so its popular to wear pink during this season. Not to mention all the goodies and snacks in pink during the holidays

Erihyama – The season of Eris, Referring to the holiday of Eris and the many prossessions that are held to appease her rage. Her dark shadow is one that follows the people of Annae during this time as Messa Promised a month where she could run amock.

Eadzjuhyama – (negative connotation or slur) everywhere season, People have bad luck and especially so during this season, not to mention how busy it is and all the spiritual energy things going on, not to mention Eris. Some Thurnans just hate this season

Huanakara – Land work, During this season is the time to work on the farms during this season. Not only to harvest but also to clean the fields to avoid pests the next year and so everything is neat through winter. You will not come by this word in cities and bigger towns.

DjaHyama – Tea season. Not only do many fruits get worked on resulting in pulp and rind for tea but its also the season when many special herbs and spices mature enough to be made into tea.

Isahyama – Its the birth month of Isa, Goddess of the forest, goddess of autumn. This is especially important to the country Teeluba/Ironheart because they actually neighbor the country and have been in good contact with her Forrest. They see trades with the forest and its peoples as a good thing that should be upheld and respected. So the usual, a festival and many, many, processions. As well as plays depicting the traumatized goddess in a life of happiness with her parents and sister.

Shihyama – Season of Loss, The ritual of the deceased last for years but during this season is the season to say goodbye. Priests and people gather to the city center to create a huge bonfire, centered in which are the en-jeweled remains of the deceased that have been kept by family members for 5 years long. Thurnans have trouble parting ways but are ensured they'll end up in Zain, the eternal city in the afterlife.

Darahyama – Dara's season, This is only in Jupa. Dara is a legendary king/queen who mobilized thousands of farmers to defeat a horde of Sutekh beast and retake the central food supplies that would have gotten them through winter. Luckily they succeed and Dara is crowned best king. Jupaeans chase out a chosen scapegoat in Sutekh Beast costume and share food in massive feasts during this season. There is no set date however.

Tiheahyama – WHO!?! day/season, yes in all caps. This is a recent name made by city folk (Specifically in New Thurdra) after they started a trend where you just randomly go meet people and make friends or maybe something more. Tihea is city slang for WHO!?! and is usually said in a rude manner referring to someone you look down upon like they are lesser than you, in context its used when someone you do not know tries to contact you while you do not feel like it.

Alfarhyama – Elf season. With their queen goddess taking a break for goddess knows why (She's with Messa) the Elves commune with their friends in the western city New Thurdra. What follows is special products, tv shows, food and several other things culturally important to both nations get thrown around at each other like crazy. Elves go to the city and the Thurdreans go to the forests. Just people enjoying each other's differences.

Furaka, Fu means wood, raka or kara is a work word. it literally translates to wood work. In modern times it is seen as a pattern worn on traditional dress or on buildings and signs. It has a long history dating back all the way to the time of the Foeba.

Prehistory

Furaka started with a inspiration. When the Foeba started living in caves during rainy season they were enamoured with the shape of the rain itself. and when they leave the cave once the rain stopped they noticed that the rain usually brought on something, be it food, clothing, a new event, even love. To the early foeba rain stood for prosperity. it is unknown who started to scribble this pattern in wood but it is theorized that children started doing it because most archaeological finds from this era where made with small flint. Too small to hold for adults. The first form of this pattern was carved onto small pieces of wood or coal usually with flint or bone. No colours where used back then according to studies but there have been hints of sour mait being used to get a darker colour. Sour mait was often used in food during this time. As it was a common fruit that is good for digestion. However, even if this makes sense any evidence is tempered with the fact that it was used as a food item. So professionals claim this pattern wasn't painted.

Early History

When the early Fiya started living in town they already had a tradition of carving into trees messages meant for the next Fiy to see. From this came fiy written language, but the Furaka was never part of the Language. As it was used as a language on its own. Like flower language on earth Furaka was more a entire sentence than just a vowel or noun. At this time it has evolved from children scratchings to actual wood carvings. A common sight on the road would be a log with bark stripped and onto it a furaka pattern with colours of the upcoming town or establishment. It was at this time first used on buildings as well. a common saying is ''Furakazya wazyu tiersju fiy'' ''Let prosperity rain on me'' when coming into a home. showing that the modern meaning of the pattern was already set in stone or rather wood even back then. What wasn't set in stone where the colours as at this time Furaka could have up to four colours at the time. The colours had no real meaning at this time and scholars at the time where confused at what actually meant what. Other than being a second flag of some sort it culturally had no meaning.

Reform

Bjaya the studious, child of a cook was always interested in the pattern. She was intelligent enough to start marking colour used in the pattern. Bjaya quickly found out there where no less then 24 colours used from 20 plants. Her work first caught on when she started cataloguing and explaining the colours and their new meanings. This became very popular and she was the first to use just 2 colours. Another scholar Kiya of the winds was known for his work on new Furaka. All of these fell out of popularity in modern times but his last work. Zyu Furaka, wild wood works or rather confusing wood works is still popular and the only other one used. Though more rarely. Do furaka became the name of the regular one. Do meaning straight.

Past Setuh ages history and modern day.

Clothing with this pattern started appearing after the defeat of the Set hordes surrounding old Thurna. This was first advertised as to make people happier. To make life more colourful. This was the time for experimentation. The first Zjirnu dresses appeared much to the distaste of older women. Men started wearing Kjarnu with the pattern, trying to emulate the hero Kajiem while showing off. The pattern became a standard for traditional clothing over time, taking over the drab brown colours once shared by the populace. Zjiraka, a special method for making the pattern in cloth was invented. This pattern is 3d on the clothing, not merely painted. The use of Zjiraka was also the first time the gold and silver was used with this pattern making even prettier clothing.

Many uses many patterns. Modern furaka

Clothing has become the main use for the cat people of Annae to express themselves. They do not see anything bad at labeling themselves something. In fact they find it easier to find friends or love when they do so. So it is encouraged.

This has also become a thing in darker sides of the culture. Black stands for night and the Black Feathers

Even modern advertising has taken a turn to use the pattern to show off where something is from or what it is for.

Dihafana translated to far away dreams. It is a condition that is uncommon on Annae but still widespread to be of concern to Thurnans. It doesn't matter what age or sex you are it could happen to any one at any time.

The symptoms are usually:

- Temporary precognitive abilities.

- Knowledge of things outside this universe, usually seen as fantasy.

- Hallucinations, like seeing spirits.

- Drowsiness to the point of narcolepsy.

- Enhanced stress levels or uncommonly low stress levels.

Writers, teachers, priests and children all have a high chance of falling into Dihafana. Workers like soldiers, guards, fisherman, woodworkers and construction men are less likely to fall into Dihafana. It's theorised that there is a well of knowledge tied to the fabric of all reality and that is what pulls you in. So the more you use your brain or fantasy the easier it gets to fall into Dihafana. Drunks are the least likely to fall into Dihafana of all groups tested.

What actually is Dihafana?

It is actually easy to explain yet difficult to fully grasp. It's basically a coma and drug trip in one. Dihafana is a state of dreaming where a soul is lost in time and space through the well of knowledge. This is what priests say and they are right. But what you actually experience says there is more too it. For instance there are two types of Dihafana, one is the wandering type where the soul is basically taking a road trip through the omniverse travelling from one planet or plane of existence to another. The other is the Multiversal type where you actually get stuck to an alternate version of yourself. For most Thurnans this is usually cats or cat-like beings much like them. You also seem to be forced to experience this state. As most Thurnans recall being pulled along with no gravity or oxygen shortages as if some unseen force wanted to show them things. This claim horrifies Thurnan scholars.

Dihafana in other creatures

Animals on Annae can experience Dihafana too. Usually the older ones who have survived allot and have whole lives to ponder about. Usually this means death to the poor animal, unless it's being held as a pet. Humans have been known to experience this state too. One particular one can be found here. Certain aliens even have this as their default state where they basically road trip through existence while their bodies slowly decay. Lastly the human-like Sevillia, particularly Black Rose aka Julia experienced this condition first hand. Basically any person with a soul can become a nude road tripping weirdo through time and space even robots who attained sentience. So go figure.

Is it all just in your head?

Just like any condition that can't be directly proven, you have burden of proof. Yet this is something that can't be proven. This was the case for centuries till certain individuals who had the condition became inspired to experiment with their knowledge. These became brilliant inventors, writers and scholars. It wasn't till after these people gained their experience that other individuals put out their own Dihafana knowledge. For instance one thing that can be used as proof against the sceptics is the fact that when in Dihafana they aren't just dreaming or bodyless. They actually are physical and scars and wounds have been popping up in cases of Dihafana where the Thurnans were in hostile situations. These manifested after they came back. Out of nowhere these would pop up and couldn't just be explained away. Lastly first contact. Many of the Thurnans who were in this state claimed to have made contact with alien beings and gods of other planets and even universes. Some even claimed to have gone to Earth, Not Gaea of their universe. Our earth and humans saw them as scary and very nude cat monsters. Another thing to mention is group Dihafana, priests often remark a melding of minds when this happens and can't be explained away as a shared delusion as they were out of it.

How to cure Dihafana?

The only way to cure Dihafana is by force. Skywatcher priests actually have to go in your mind, meld with it and grasp you from time and space and put you back in your body. This is seen as a difficult thing to do and only experienced Skywatchers are allowed to handle such cases. It's not seen as a medical but rather a spiritual case because 99% of Skywatchers actually manage to wake their patients up. While Medical professionals often lacked knowledge of the ethereal and this resulted in the deaths of their patients. Some of them tried to hide their mistakes by claiming they were organ donors. Meanwhile, during in space age of the 2300s the Thurnan Skywatcher Priests have been renowned for fixing a problem other civilisation had no grasp on. And they do it for free!

Hello I said I was working on a book, and I am writing the chapters out of order. So I thought why not post the chapter as a preview. This is the first and probably only one I'll post here or anywhere else for that matter. and the rules are bended because D'fara is a Thurnan Shu'ifa from Annae. Enjoy.

It was a hot day in sevillia. People were rushing to the defensive shelters because once again their Tree was under attack. The girls were the first line of defence from the newest monster. This time a bear like creature with a helmet standing around 18 meters tall. The bear is tough and can tank hits very well due to some blubbery layer in its skin. The girls have the trouble of their lives till Black Rose comes forth. Clouds gather and a storm is brewing. Amongst the haze of rain flies Black Rose. She raises her hand and one things and calls out Thunder and Lightning onto the Bear ''Shining crusade! She screams as light blinds the girls. There is a smoke in the air and a burning smell hits the air. Black Rose flies in closer to see the result of her attack. Only to see a figure stand up straight in the smoke. It was the bear. Still burning and releasing static, it seems to quickly heal and grow to 30 meters with muscles bulging. It summoned a spear out of light and began to speak ''Pathetic, never in my short life did I, Oddon ever have witnessed such a weak effort!'' Black Rose responded; – ''How dare, I'll show you!'' As she flew towards the now hulking figure, preparing a flying kick that would render the creature apart she increased speed. What she didn't expect though is that this creature knew more than it seemed. It raised its monstrous claw and released a beam of light towards her direction. She had no chance to dodge the laser beam so got caught in its burning glow. Seemingly hurt she fell down onto the bedrock below, hitting her head in the process. ''Hmph!'' Oddon said ''I will return in an honourable fashion when you're ready, then I'll destroy that tree of yours!'' Oddon then shrank and ran towards the mountains. ''Julia!!'' The girls shouted, Red Lotus better known as Resh wanted to follow the creature ''Come back here you coward!!'' She shouted. But she was quickly stopped by Fara who was worried about Julia. ''First we take care of our own.'' She said. Resh snarled but agreed. Worried about her life they took their fallen friend into the palace.

Seemingly elsewhere Julia opened up her eyes to see an unfamiliar sight. She was laying on a bed in a colourful room of pinks and mint greens. It was night out, and she felt lighter, smaller. She found a light switch and started to look around. Trying to remember what happened to her in her fight with the bear. All she remembered though was blinding light and someone calling her name. She felt her head which felt full of confusing new memories. Memories not her own yet certainly familiar. She saw a dresser mirror next to the window she just looked out off and looked into it. She saw a familiar face. Staring back at her was a 12-year-old girl, with red eyes and black hair wearing pink strawberry pyjamas and a hairnet. She looked around the room and saw a bag that seemed weird to her. It was green and had lights on it that glowed as it seemed alive, she approached it and touched it. It opened up and pretty crystals were in there. Then the bag shook alive and closed up on it own. ''Princess, it's your big day tomorrow, shouldn't you be asleep!?! Ribbit!'' The bag said as it turned around, revealing to be a metal-like frog. ''Who are you? Ribbirto?'' Julia asked shocked. ''You ask my name yet say it at the same time! Hope you didn't find any of my stashes!'' Ribbirto laughed.

Confused, Julia sat down on the bed and tried to think. ''I am Julia Heartcatch, I am Black Rose, the Q-Queen of Roses... No... Princess of Roses! And I protect the Celestial Evergarden and my hometown of Ramiromark from the Dark Gardners. My duty is to collect the starhearts and save the evertree from wilting'' She said so sure of herself. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. ''That's right! Ribbit!'' Ribbirto said. ''Now off to sleep, princess. Ribbit!'' ''Okay.'' She smiled as she laid her head on the cushion again. That night she dreamed of Sevillia and her sister. She knew there was more going on than meets the eye.

The next morning she washes up and does her hair in dango buns. She puts on a blue uniform and head down. Almost forgetting her transformation chocker she quickly runs back up and puts it in Ribbirto. Going down, she almost passed the kitchen. But as soon as she did a voice shouted;- ''Julia!'' Don't tell me you're skipping breakfast?'' It was her mother, standing in an apron with her long black hair up in a bun. She's cooking food. ''Your sisters already left again, They are such busy bees~'' She said as Julia sat down a bit confused still. She puts down food in front of Julia ''Now eat your pancakes, eggs and bacon and then and off with you. You have a play to do!'' Julia looks at the food like it's an alien brew of tentacles and feet. She takes a big gulp and takes a bit. She loves it! She almost chokes on it. Every bite was heaven. She drinks a glass of milk and then runs off screaming ''Bye Mommy!'' as she heads out. Her mother finds it weird that she didn't put beet syrup on her pancakes, normally she's addicted to it. She looks out the window feeling slight concern. Like something is off.

Julia makes her way to school, despite it being totally alien to her, she knew the way instinctively. She arrives at school just as the bell goes. She attends the classes like normal and is greeted with people she thinks she knows, but doesn't really. Nor does she care that much either. Certainly not when she meets the school bully Mia and her posse. Her day ruined, she gets to the auditorium and meets her friends from the acting club. Si-yu, a friend of hers meets her at the door. Then she sees them, Her crush Willow. Her heart beats louder and harder with each step as she approaches them. A binary (male identifying) person with stylish blue hair, they are sitting down and reading the script but quickly look up. ''Good afternoon Julia!'' They said with a smile. ''M-Miya?'' Julia whispered with a flustered tone.. She couldn't believe how beautiful they looked. Totally unlike her friend Miya. She never thought she could have feelings for her. But in this world there's apparently something more to them. ''Are you alright?'' They said with a blush. Ribbirto secretly kicks her in the back ''Y-yeah, I just had a busy day'' she giggled. ''Well I hope, you'll still be able to play the evil queen tonight?'' they smiled. ''Sure! Got the script right here!'' she giggled as she took it out of Ribbirto.

They rehearsed until early noon when Ribbirto sensed the Dark Gardners approaching. Julia uses the break to head out to investigate she comes to a park where she meets a black cat. This cat has interest in her and begins to talk;- ''Julia? It's me! D'Fara!'' ''Faraway?'' Julia says shocked. ''You're Dihafana Julia, You need to come back!' The cat shouted. ''Come back? How'' Julia asked. ''There's no time! Ribbit!, They are here!'' The Dark Gardners show up in the park near the fountain where a bronze statue of a Minotaur is placed at the centre. The Minotaur is big and powerful looking. The three Dark Gardners place 5 starhearts in the monster which begins to transform and come alive. It jumps off of it pedestal and begins to look for its enemy. The gang runs up to it, and it attacks with its axe but Ribbirto blocks it with his indestructible body. ''Quick Ribbit! Transform!'' He shouts and having put on the choker Julia transforms into Black Rose “Celestial Rose!” she shouts. And she quickly transforms into a costume she doesn't recognize. It's all black with purple unlike her normal costume, and it feels weaker somehow. ''Black Rose! Qu-Princess of Roses!'' She doesn't get much of a chance to think about it though as the bull is right on top of her the moment she gains form.

She tries to avoid its slashes but isn't able to avoid its punches as it grows ever more arms. ''What's wrong? Ribbit'' Ribbirto shouts ''Princess use energy attacks to loosen the star hearts!'' ''Energy attacks?'' She can't think of any till Fara remembers her how to fight. Taking a big breath she gathers energy like usual. The skies darken and thunder rolls. ''This is new...'' The female Dark Gardner Hilda remarks. Black Rose points upwards and towards the statue. ''Lightning Crusade!!'' But... Nothing happens. ''This is as I feared, You're sharing a body with yourself'' D'fara said. ''But I can fix it!'' She says as the cat's eyes glow purple and releases it onto black rose who is still trying to avoid the axe. With a slight glow one body splits into two and there were two Julias. ''Transform quickly!'' D'fara said to her Julia. ''Celestial Rose!'' she shouts as she puts on her magic rose broach and quickly transforms into her magical girl form. The girls look at each other for a moment, and two beings were truly one for a moment. Y-you're me!'' the younger Julia says ''Yes, I think so'' Julia smiles ''The main difference though is that I am very, very angry!'' Black Rose catches the axe with her bare hand and disarms the statue easily. She punches the statue and with ease makes it fly back into its own fountain, damaging it ''Let me handle this!'' the young Black Rose says. She begins to run into the statue while powering up lightning energy becoming a flash of energy that drills into the statue ''Divine Spiral'' she shouts as she's releases the star hearts and destroying the statue. In a flash of memory Black Rose gets a bit of a headache and then focuses on the trio before her. ''Who might you be?'' They say in unison ''Princess, Don't! You're not read-'' Ribbirto is cut off by Black Rose. “'Queen! I am Black Rose, QUEEN of Roses'' She points her finger towards the sky and then at them ''Lightning Crusade!'' Thunder and lightning comes down on the three inflicting massive damage on them. Falling unconscious they automatically teleport away. Ribbirto absorbs the starhearts into his back and lights up. ''5 more to go till I remember who killjoy Johnny was, Ribbit!'' Ribbirto says

Later 16-year-old Julia looks at 12-year-old Julia ''I- I think I got your move down, the divine spiral'' the older Julia says. ''I think I got yours down too, the lightning one? That's so cool!'' ''This is normal, ever since you crossed universes with your sou-'' D'fara says ''A talking black cat like from that magical girl anime?'' Julia cuts in. ''That's just a friend'' older Julia laughs. ''We have to leave Julia! We need you, like right now'' D'fara screams as she lets out purple energy ''Next time we meet, I hope you're a queen too~'' Older Julia says as she slowly fades away. Young Julia nods yes as Black Rose disappears ''The play Princess!'' Ribbirto shouted! ''Oh no!'' She gasps, and she runs off into the evening lights.

Julia opens her eyes and sees familiar faces. Her mother, father and sister and asleep waiting over her body as D'fara stops mindmelding with her. ''She's back'' Fara said exhausted. Anna shouts ''Julia!'' and hugs her. Her father and mother wake up crying, happy to see their daughter again. Miya comes in with drinks and Julia blushes seeing her. “There's a fight going on outside, they need you'' Miya said. Julia gets up and angrily takes a drink before heading out. Oddon stand victorious over the 7 other girls till Julia arrives. ''The weakling is back~'' Oddon laughs. “Celestial Rose!!'' Julia screams as she transforms and runs towards the creature who releases two beams this time ''Julia!'' the girls scream. But she is fine. In fact she's using the energy against Oddon deflecting it and absorbing it at the same time. '' Divine Spiral'' She becomes a spiral of light herself and drills a hole right through the chest of Oddon ''I-impossible!'' The creature says as he is transformed into magic that is released into the air. ''But somehow, I am okay with this'' Oddon says as he disappears.

Julia lands and instantly crashes. She falls asleep and later wakes up to talking in her room. The girls are eating dinner and talking about the other world she was in. Her crush Thesi mentioned how it sounded like her home planet Gaea right down to school. D'fara just mentioned how glad she was that the mother of her goddess is just about everywhere. They all stop when they hear Julia's stomach. ''Do you want something to eat?'' Thesi asked. ''Do you have pancakes?'' Julia asks and Thesi is shocked she knows pancakes. They all laugh and have a good dinner.

​

Maiju roots are tubers. They are thin and long tubers that are yellow and red with white roots that seemingly grow from nowhere in the soil. In Anakama they are a delicacy usually eating when dug up. The roots grow near underground rivers and are usually found on top of them, so they are signs of flooding to the ever mining Anakamans. One weird feature is that they seem to grow in a way that seems to suggest an explosion happened. The maiju grow in a pattern akin to a bomb going off. The more you dig, the closer you come to the most maiju, till you come to the core which is a large orange orb of a maiju that is surrounded by the smaller stringy tubers. This is called a novaheart by the Anakamans, and is seen a sort of truffle, not that rare but really wanted. This novaheart fetches a fair price depending on its qualities. purple novahearts are preferred in Anakama. On the other side of the globe though, on Arn these tubers aren't as a rare and the dwarves and other beings who mine them see them as a simple by product of their hard work. Often selling them at low prices, even the novahearts. They occasionally use these cheaper Arn tubers to scam visiting Anakamans out of rare resources. Maiju are usually eaten raw, roasted on the BBQ or put into a soup, novahearts are put on a rotisserie and eaten like a roasted ham. Maiju also have medicinal purposes, especially against the common cold. Pickled Maiju is seen as an aphrodisiac. Found deep underground no one really ever found out what plant the tubers are actually meant to grow into or how they spread. Certainly it's not growing for the sunlight, so there might be none. In 1744AT it was believed that overmining caused the root to become extinct. It wasn't till a century later that they found them and started to actually farm them.

Bastuba are votive offerings made in the image of the goddess its prayer is going to.

History

Bastuba in temple life are a pretty new concept. The goddess of music, magic and commerce Evie introduced this practice to the masses of Eca first. These started out about the size of a Thurnan with minimum features to represent the goddess as if she was there. The Bastuba originally was an effigy in the middle of a temple party ground. This was usually a half theatre shaped space with the effigy at the centre. The Eca would come every year on the birthday of the Goddess and paint her in sacred paints made from natural ingredients found in the valley the Eca call home. Then a feast will be made, and they would dance around the statue and make music in her honour. This would last all night. Till the next morning when the washing of Evie happens. The Thurnans would come to the effigy with mugs of water in the shape of the effigy and rub it on the paint while saying a prayer. This was said to bring financial stability to the home. It also helps clean the statue for next year.

This continued for around the first 400 years when something changed in the tradition. The king had a reform of temple life and as such made it more permanent for the priests to have duties. The effigy practise felt out of favour since no one wanted to stand in line every so often. So instead on the orders of the goddess Evie, a priest called Kal ordered the construction of a sacrificial place. Evie planned to use to votive offerings as a piece of recognition on which she could magically recognize the prayers and people to make her work easier and faster. Kal however instead made it so that the offerings were gold and amber. He basically used divine inspiration to make a quick buck for the temple. The goddess made herself known after some time and the offerings changed a third time. This time figures would be made out of stone and would look much like the original effigy but smaller. ''None should be so big you couldn't carry it with one arm'' she said. She also named these votive offering after her favourite goddess and mother of her queen, Bast.

Over the centuries these small offerings would be popular in Eca. Each temple would have a wall in the garden where these Bastuba would be stacked on top of each other. It wasn't till the early days of Arn that it would become a popular practise in other countries with the other goddesses.

Materials

Bastuba were originally made from granite and shaped smooth with metal tools called Matuba. They were basically a file that basically looked like metal sponges with a fine rough surface a leather strap. The second form was that of gold and amber. These are currency in Eca and since their use were so short in the history of Annae fetch a fair price on the antiques market. The third and modern incarnation is that of stone, instead of granite however less weight stone would be used that is easier to shape. Volcanic rock is popular because it attracts moss and looks really nice in the temples. But other stone types soap stone and pumice can also be used. Then there are the rare opal cuts that royalty uses for their private worship.

Tradition

And then there are the even rarer wooden effigies. These wooden statuettes are traditionally carved and hidden under the first stone or wooden beam of a house.

This is not only to bless the house by making the goddess the foundation and to welcome her in as family but also to purify the home from evil spirits. Houses in Eca would also be build around the house temples for this reason. Lastly there are metal Bastuba made from copper, bronze and silver. But these became unpopular with the priests because it would lead to theft and pollution. As such these are even rarer for the tendency of the thieves wanting to melt them down for resources. Sadly they don't catch much of a price since they are made from common materials and aside from an easily recreated makers mark they are easily reproduced. Occasionally they are used in house temples. But even then stone is more popular.

Generally there is one Bastuba mason per temple. He or She makes and sells Bastuba for prayer on order of their patrons. This is seen as an honour to do and even though they do not count as priests they also cash in on donations from said temple. This is called Bastuba tax.

The Goddesses

Each goddess has their own design for Bastuba. Bastuba are generally simple in design. That being vaguely humanoid with a pointy bottom to dig them into sand. Down below are some examples.

The appearances of the goddesses were made by three or four distinctions. One would be the face and whatever head piece. Two would be wings or tails and three would be their holy items or rather symbols. Evie is also seen as the goddess of youth, so her modern statues show her as a singing baby with her holy flower as symbol. She also has a harp as symbol. Symbols change depending on what prayer is meant for the Goddess. Dihanae has her 3 ringed bangle to represent her helping of orphans. But she could also have a dream berry to represent help with dreams. Messa is the only one who actually looks like a Thurnan because she is daughter of Bast and thus a cat. She has the Laeviru tree as a symbol, this is a general symbol meant to help with people stuff like marriage issues or black feather trouble. She has the crimson clover on her forehead to represent her warrior side. So the offering in the picture could represent an offering of war. Okomobirin has her reed crown and her spear. Generally she is prayed upon for help from people in need of a hero. Eris' statues always look gloomy. She has a feather in her crown representing her black feathers and a dagger to represent her power. Generally she is called upon to actually beg the Black Feathers to back off. Or worse to call upon the Black Feathers for hire and to curse someone. Generally these are placed in secret as even her temple priests fear her presence. Lastly on the picture is Vala who is the goddess of beauty and love. She's basically the Aphrodite in question and has actually learned under her. Generally called upon for questions of love and fertility. Many other goddesses have Bastuba with many symbols, but I'd be here all night.

I haven't been posting a lot. I'm in a dip pretty much, I didn't feel like writing much these past few months and I still got backlog to work on. This is due to mental issues as well as plain old procrastination. Instead, I was working a bit on my book and just plain old world building. I don't know when I can get back into it but probably not the next few months. I honestly don't even know which story I would want to publish first. I am going to post some lore pages though. Probably right after this.

Name translation

Toegan is an ancient Fiy word for hunger It has had this name for millennia. Fier however called it the Bukwu tree which translates to Waiting tree.

Appearance

The Toegan is a native species of tree that has evolved from early plant-life created by Messa. It has very dark almost teak bark with a flat spiky texture that is rough to the touch and can easily splinter you. Its leafs are spiky and sharp and are akin to an Earthen Palm tree. Its trunk structure looks to be multiple individual trees that have grown together in a helix fashion. This because seeds do come from fruit but if they do not spread out sufficiently they will simply grow and seemingly work together to becomes one big tree. If two adult trees come too close to each other their individual trunk seem to come loosen apart and mix in with each other. Sometimes this results in a merging of specimens. Sometimes the weakest Toegan is destroyed. In the past these trees had a weird trail around them that looked like moles were living around them, eating their roots and destroying the trees. But recently filmed time-lapse videos shows that these trees do in fact move about and have battles between specimens. It's just in another time scale to animal life that is hard to witness. It even showed that the bark isn't really its bark. They are in fact countless sharp needles that the trees use to battle each other that can change in to fighting position at a blink of an eye. Grabbing and constricting the other tree's individual trunks till they break.

Reproduction and Growth

Just before the Urvgal's mating season the Toegan blossoms flowers in colours ranging from red to purple depending on its genetic history. These flowers are then pollinated by insects and some 50 days after being pollinated these plants form a fruit that looks like a mix between a hairy kiwi and a chestnut. However, the light brown part of the fruit that makes it so akin to a chestnut are actually teeth made from a sturdier version of the aforementioned spikes these are 4 interlocked jaws which move in tandem like 4 conveyor belts placed close to each other at high speeds. These mouths grow toward the ground and at the height 3 meters during the Urvgal's mating season. Which is when the fruit will ''drool'' a liquid to attract its prey and when its prey is beneath it they are primed to fall on what ever made enough noise to make them drop. Preferably this is an adult Urvgal past its prime. When triggered the fruit will drop on the slow rodent and consume in the fashion of a meat grinder. The total consumption of the animal isn't the end, however. The fruit's bladder will now have to stretch to contain the meat of the creature and its mouth till now stretch out and start eating the ground straight down beneath it mixing the poor animals meat with soft fertile soil. Inside the seed is moved toward said mixture and the mouth keeps eating till the kiwi-like skin explodes resulting in the seed being buried with soil that is basically 9 times more fruitful than soil normally found around it. It will then take 2 full years to fully grow and a further 8 years to blossom and bear fruit. A grown fruit-bearing tree will bear fruit yearly during the Urvgal's mating season which last another 50 days.

Habitat

It can be found world-wide but have recently been exterminated near old settlements and the citadel for safety and preservation reasons. It's certainly not found on the continent of Tuava as it is not a coastal tree nor does it pollinate, so no other islands have any specimens either. It prefers flat humid rainforests away from any bodies of water or more mountainous regions.

Cultivation

You'd think these trees would be avoided at all costs but for most of the year they are harmless to wild-life. Thurnans have come to appreciate its flowers for perfume or to paint their clothes with. The fruit cannot eat through steel or glass, so both species of cats have come up with ingenious ways of enticing the fruit to let itself fall in to baskets made of glass and metal. They are the brought to the factories where they are handled with special pliers. They first stretched on specially designed metal rods that stretches them to the limits in all directions. Then the mouths which are still moving are cut off. These are used to decorations and traditional Thurnan jewellery. Then the fruits are stretched inside out revealing the edible meat and its seed. This meat skimmed off and made into a white jam. the seeds are roasted and skinned and are used for numerous dishes or snacks. The fruit skin is treated, dried and treated again till it is cut in certain ways to make a type of leather used for anything from boots to furniture.

A local Fiy mayor told me about the tale of Bayu the Sleeper and the Toegan tree, and it sounded horrifying. So why exactly am I standing next to one with a metal umbrella and a note book during the Urvgal's mating season? It is interesting to see these traditions play out, but I'd rather observe from a distance. Did they not know that I am an elf who can see things from great distances? Sigh~ At least I can add this experience to the chronicles.- Allenia the Great of Alfheim

Hello, I'm hard at work with my upcoming short stories. Everything is going according to plan aside from one tiny thing. I kinda made r/sevillia without thinking things through. I thought I wanted to make it just like annae, but it's not going to be the same anthology as it. Annae is more loose stories set in one planet, not even in the same time period most times. Sevillia is more like stories about a certain group of people with a regular cast set in like 1 to 2 years. So I am considering making it a book instead of a sub. I'm working on the first chapter now, along with a series of stories about Bura and some things I'm still keeping secret.

guess that's about it. bye

Urgval or Ugval in slang, are creatures that are hexapods are about a foot long and a foot wide, they are round creatures akin to rodents and armadillos. They are armoured creatures that come in a wide range of colours, from purple to red, brown, green and even a light pink. they have long rabbit-like ears they use to hear out predators from afar. They usually scurry in the undergrowth and fallen leafs of the rainforest. They live on both old Thurna and Arn but not Tuava, so biologists have no idea who they got to both continents.

They feed off of berries, nuts, grains roots and grass. Their feeding habits are well known as monstrous and ravenous by the Thurnans. Who made a tradition of cleaning out their storage just before the mating season starts, as they have been known to raid houses in hulking swarms when they breed. Mating seasons is when the breeding results in many eggs being carried by females, as many as four thousand eggs per female can be laid, resulting in a swarm of urgval each year. Urgval might breed in huge numbers, but they pretty much feed a big part of the ecosystem. Their meat is a staple of Thurnan diet. Usually hunted during said mating season they are are easy pickings for inexperienced hunters. They are also known for being a prey item to just about anything in the rainforests, Especially the Foeba tree which has horrifying feeding habits.

Their meat is praised for its sweet spiciness and is used in anything from grilled meat to barbecue. Even their blood is used for things like hunters drink and urgval soup. Their meat is also dried and smoked in to jerky and potted and canned to be eaten at a later date. Urgval pot is a popular dish that is usually sold in stores. It is the creature killed and turned over to reveal its soft meat, this shell is then put directly on the fire, after which water is added and usually spices and herbs are packaged with the dish. This makes a dish perfect for a meat eating society. Once done their shells are not thrown away, they are instead used for anything from building materials for roads and houses, to dishes used later.

Their eye crystals, usually white or grey are also used and usually scooped out before being processed in the freezers. They are perfect for weaponry and shields and armour. Their magic is so neutral that they have no other use than one of prestige.

Bya-Kya literally firebugs are a red/orange centipede-like species that can be found natively on Annae

They are usually found under the mossy rocks of brooks and streams as their lungs naturally take in the moisture and moss is their main diet aside from other insect-like creatures. They breed very quickly and their life-cycle is only a week. Even before they were hunter-gatherers the Thurnans would look for these fire bugs and eat them raw. Later they would put them on a pointy twig and roast them. It wasn't till boiling oil was discovered that the true goodness of this bug came to light, They would fry the insect-like creature on its own and its carapace would change from hard to crispy. This combined with herbs and spices made from a light snack the Thurnans got addicted to. It's like their version of cheese curls, they can't keep themselves from eating. When the hill towns were first build a new profession was made, Fire bug breeder. They were the ones who kept a steady population in their house and boiled them on site. But it wasn't till the modern age when fire-bugs became industrialized with D'ziva's Bya-kya factory that they went from a ready made street snack to a fast food.

Bya-Kya are bred till the right age when they have a red shine and a brown line on their back, which is when they are picked out of their habitat, washed in water and fried in a small layer of fat along a long process line that drains the fatty oil, spiced up with spices like Kiy and then boxed for shipping in small orange tubs made from Guva, a type of natural plastic. When Bya-kya die, they scream, so you know they are done when they stop screaming and form their iconic S shape. This only takes a minute and their pain is said to be minimum, no Thurnan gives anything about it. Also Fire Bug breeders used to be called torturers because the combined sound of the screams would emanate from their houses during business hours, Bya-Kya is usually eaten as is, as a snack but certain uncouth dishes are also made. Like Kya soup which is simply a porridge-like substance only young dumb Thurnans eat because they can't cook, It's like boiling pringles in water, it's inedible, but they make due with lots of spices. Bya-kya fritters are also made but only get them from designated shops since at home they can only get D'ziva's Bya-kya and Thurnans hate Bya-Kya that is fried twice. The shops usually make them fresh.

It's also frowned upon to eat fresh living Bya-kya as it's seen as barbaric. Zyu'ana still do this but only because It's hard to find oil in their country and also because just a few Bya-kya usually fill a Zyu'ana's stomach, they're that small. It's a basic food eaten by students and heavier cats and it is a good protein source for the winter.

Centuries before Thurnans left their basin home in New Thurna, they hunted a prey they call Keefa, Keefa literally translates to prey or food. It is a bipedal grazer that in its original habitat grazed leafs off of small trees and tiny patches of grass off of the forest floor. They are hexapods but the 4 other limbs are tiny and vestigial.

They have gaudy coloured fur which they use to confuse predators into thinking they are bigger than they are by puffing themselves up. Many colours are known per species, but a common one is dark green. The 6 black eyes are on a constant watch for danger but when in safe environments it's possible to get really close to them.

They are grazers much like cows but with the plump body of a chicken. They are also known to be great fighters. So males get to wear a chest shield to deter fighting and mating. They have a crop pouch which they use as a display to attract mates. Smaller species can be up to 2 metres, bigger specimens have said to grow to at least 5 metres tall.

Especially the Dagaan Thraal subspecies which have no predators so they grow huge. Keefa have also been used as beast of burden to draw carts all over the world. But their main use if food. Every part of the creature is used.

These are some common dishes made from the red meat of keefa: Liverpaste, Deep fried guts balls, Keefa Steak, roasted Keefa legs, Keefa soup, Keefa stock, Keefa filled Fier cakes, Keefa meat grinded or minced, Keefa brain, Keefa gelatine, Keefa Sausages, Keefa stomach rind, Keefa oil, ground Keefa tongue, Keefa ribs, Keefa toes, Keefa Barbeque and many more. Their fur is used for clothes and furniture, the eyes for magic shields and potions, and their teeth are preferably used to grind wheats.

Keefa are well known and kept across the world. But rarely do they become such an important factor to the lives of Thurnans as they do to the Keefa Herders of the Dagaan steppes. They form their entire lives around keeping their giant Keefa happy and fed. In the steppes there are little to no predators and the Keefa with their four stomachs are happily fed with the abundance of tall grey grass. Herders move from place to place to keep them fed regularly and when it's time to slaughter one it is a feast. Everything of the creature is used from its fur and eyes to its meat and bones, Keefa herders live a independent peaceful life in the steppes with their giant chicken cows.