NestLibrary the Floicol

Writer: @hfjone
Words: 631
Travel: Airledawn Mountain
Travel Description: "Airledawn sits in the heavens? A floating mountain!"

"Did we really have to come all this way?" Frollux groaned. The Trefulp was dragging his feet as he walked, straying behind his companion.

"You won't regret coming here. Trust me." Plotches the Yazan replied. Despite the long trek, she seemed just as full of energy as she had been when their journey started.

"You'd better be right." Frollux grumbled, head low as he bounded to catch up with her.

The two creatures were traversing a mountain, one that floated in the heavens. Though it was long untouched by humans, it was still very much accessible to creatures with access to flight, and those who had come before had left behind winding desire paths that Plotches and her friend were now following to the peak.

"How did Airledawn even start floating to begin with? There's nothing to hold it up!" Frollux grumbled, batting aside a tiny rock with his forepaws.

"No one knows for sure." Plotches answered him smoothly, unfazed by the smaller creature's sour attitude. "It happened a very, very long time ago. Some say that it was lifted by the magic of a very powerful creature. Others say that the mountain itself decided that it wished to become a cloud!" She chuckled.

"That sounds dumb. The second one, I mean." After yet another muttered complaint about his aching paws, the foxlike creature decided that he was done walking and he hastily scrambled onto Plotches' back.

"Well, there are some locals that live on this mountain. Why don't we ask one of them?" Plotches was unfazed as Frollux chose to nest in her dense fur. She continued forward, opting to carry him the rest of the way.

"I don't see why anyone would want to live on this stupid mountain, but whatever." Frollux hissed under his breath.

If Plotches heard him, she didn't dignify a response.

Eventually, the two creatures reached the peak. The mountain's summit granted them a dazzling bird's eye view of the sea of clouds that surrounded it, and the sky was painted shades of pink and orange.

"The SUN is SETTING?!" Frollux exclaimed loudly, eyes wide as he poked his head out to stare. "How long were we here for?! That's some valuable time you've taken from me, weasel." He said to Plotches sharply.

"There's no need to raise your voice, now." The arrival of a third voice caused the two to lift their ears in its direction. A Nubbe had floated up to join them, the cloud creature's expression a relaxed smile despite the intrusion.

"My apologies. We didn't mean to disturb you." Plotches dipped her head. "We were curious about Airledawn and decided to pay a visit. Do you live here?"

"Yes I do," The Nubbe's smile grew. "Since before it left the ground."

"Then maybe you can tell us about this place! Why is the mountain floating?" Plotches perked up at this. Frollux rolled his eyes.

"That's a simple question." The Nubbe floated down to join them. "It was magic."

"So I was right…" Plotches murmured.

"A high concentration of magic in the lands below, used by the people who dwelled there, caused the mountain to steadily rise. It's a thing of legend, and the magic still streams back to the earth to this day." Nubbe explained. "No one really knows what the connection is, or what magic exactly caused it to float, but it's rather marvelous when you think about it, yes?"

"Y…Yes!" Plotches nodded vigorously. "Thank you! This is what we came here for!" She looked over at Frollux, her eyes shining. "See? Didn't I tell you this was worth it? We got to learn about the mountain after all! And we got a nice view out of it too!"

Frollux shrugged and looked away, trying to hide his growing smile.




Writer: @vivian
Words: 746
Travel: Abandoned Dark Castle
Travel Description: "Most say that those who enter never return... sounds dicey!"

I woke, frightened, feeling a chilling wind rattling through my bones. Feeling stiff as I sit up, I start to survey the atmosphere.Interesting...

Gazing upon the desolate land, dotted with decaying trees and plants. Above I see the dark and vast sky. Soon, clouds sprawled across these warning skies. Paranoid, I turn around to check behind me, seeing a large towering castle close by. How I had not noticed it beforehand baffles me! I don't know why I did it, but I decided to enter the castle.

Somehow, the castle was unguarded and the door creeeakked open with a simple push! Surprised, I slip through the door and pull it shut with a clank! echoing along the empty halls of the forgotten castle.
Unbelievably, the inside of this castle felt larger than outside. It seemed to once full of people, yet empty and abandoned for decades. Dust collected on the neglected trophy shelves, clung to family photos displayed on the walls... it felt unloved for a long time. With this in mind , I didn't expect to find anyone else around. I carefully treaded along, noticing my reflection in a mirror at the end of the hallway. But, I'm not myself... I'm.. a human!? I sprinted to the end of the hall, grabbing my face, fascinated. Fair skin, brown eyes, green curly hair that flowed down my shoulders. Incredible! However... how in heaven have I turned into a human!? This must be a dream.. I think, pinching myself. Wake up!

Despite my attempts , I had no luck.I gotta learn how to get out of here and get back to normal! Anxiously, I roamed the long halls, noticing a staircase at the end of the opposite side, spiraling down to a dark basement. Maybe I can get some answers to what this castle is all about! I decide to take the risk, and the staircase. My feet felt heavier with each descending step. At the last step, to my horror, I see many cells lining the long hall. It didn't take me long to realize this was the dungeon. It was below zero in the dark hallway... soon I heard a thwip!

A large, glowing orange flame had been lit in one of the torches hung on the walls. I jumped, watching it fill the hall with light, unfortunately not warm enough to keep the chill away. In seconds, a mysterious apparition was in front of me. It was... an Augga. I have seen these before. Maybe he will help me get out of this mess..

"Excuse me, where am I?" My voice bounced off the walls and caused the flame to flicker intensely.
"Why, yoooouu've sssstumbled into the Dark Castle, dear," spoke the Augga in an almost cooing deep voice, "What exactly are yoooouu doing here? Thossse who sssstumble upon thissss place never return, yoouu know!"
"No, I don't," I plead, "That's what I'm trying to find out. Could you please tell me how to get out?"
"Lossssst sssspiritss like yoooouuu end up here when you become loosssst in your life path!" the Augga retorted sharply.
"But how do I get back?" I ask desperately. What did he mean, lost? What's going on?
"Read the riddle book on the top of the sssstairss. Yooooooouu're welcommme!" Squawked the Augga, disappearing into the flame, burning out and fizzling away. I raced to the top of the stairs, finding the book on the very top. Opening it directed me to go to various pages! The final page simply stated, "If you would like to leave safe and sound, simply find a way to ground."

That's it! If I can ground myself and be in the current moment, I will be able to wake up! I run outside as the castle starts to crumble behind me, running as fast as my legs could go. "I am at home in my bed! I am safe! I am in the moment!" chanting my affirmations, running far from the abandoned dark castle, fading into the smoky purple skies...

I open my eyes, and lift my head abruptly, scrambling to my bedroom mirror. Ahh, back to my fluffy Coarach self again. I sigh of relief. I will never forget to live in the moment and love myself again! Now that I'm in the here and now... guess I'll get breakfast! I trot away, hooves clicking down the hall, Bacon & Eggs Ice Cream Cup waiting for me on the kitchen table. My favorite!

~ THE END ~




Writer: @pastelrabbit
Words: 274
Travel: Rain Amulet
Travel Description: "The Rain Amulet gives its wearer the ability to summon rain at random times."

The Rain Amulet is rumoured to be one of the most powerful magical artifacts (aside from The Moon Amulet) known to the citizens of Ark.

It is a necklace that has an deep blue raindrop shaped jewel attached to a sparkly decently sized silver chain, and those who have touched it have said that it is smooth and that it gives off a magically calming aura, soothing anyone who wears it.
However some citizens have said that they felt drenched despite not being wet after wearing the amulet as if a rainstorm had hit them by surprise.

It’s powers are rumoured by some to being able to summon and manipulate rain, while others think it gives you the power to being able to control water in general. It’s magical properties and origins have been studied by the science and research centre of ark city.

Some of Ark’s citizens theorize that it was created by a powerful “High Priest” Krow when a terrible drought that had caused most of the plants and trees in a lot of Ark’s forests to wither and die, as a last effort to save their coven’s home from disaster.

While others speculate that a grieving spell-casting creature like a Bruxa or Krow that lived by the mountains had created it as a way to remember a deceased Nubbe friend they had a inseparable bond and lifelong friendship with, thus creating a Rain Amulet to remember their rain-making cloud friend.

However these speculations are not yet confirmed officially by the science and research centre of ark city, and it’s true origins and powers may be a mystery for a long time.




Writer: @kataclysm
Words: 606
Travel: Golden Party Hall
Travel Description: "This looks like the best place to party!"

"Aren't you having the most wonderful time?" Breathed Hestia, toppling tipsily into the arms of her date for the night. Blaine wrapped her up in his embrace, grinning woozily back at her. She was beautiful. Her hair was a violent shade of green and pulled back from her face in a playfully messy updo. She gazed up into the whiskey-brown hue of his eyes and smiled sloppily. He could see tears limning her eyes and squeezed her just that little bit closer.

"I am having the time of my life," he promised her, and worked a smile onto his mouth to prove it. They had been at the party for only an hour, but they were both already drunk enough that one might be forgiven for thinking that they had been there since the start. Hestia's dress hung awkwardly from her shoulders, the spaghetti straps tumbling over the hard bones pressed closed to the skin. Her hand crept up and smoothed over the stubble on his cheek. They smiled at one another.

The couple drifted towards the open archway that led onto the balcony. The white and gold marble stones under their feet echoed their steps back at them, perfectly reflecting their likenesses in their keenly polished surface. Overhead, an eruption of silver sparkles thundered from the heavens.

"Oh," Hestia breathed, leaning into her partner. "A firework show."
"Yeah, it looks pretty good, right?" Blaine responded, noticing that the music of the party had stopped but not saying so. He tipped his chin to the skies and watched as the brilliant fireworks continued, exploding across the void in showers of gold and silver. He didn't want to risk glancing over his shoulder and seeing what was happening behind him. He knew, of course. The very reason they had come to this party was so that they might... They might... No, no, he told himself, look at the fireworks. Enjoy the moment.

Hestia sniffed quietly. Her eyes had drifted to the horizon. It was as dark as the sky; every building was still and quiet. No streetlights were lit, no cars cruised the roads. She couldn't make out the shuffling approach of the undead, but she knew they were there. Once upon a time, those dead monsters had been their faithful companions: creatures of varying sizes and colours, gifts and abilities. Now they crawled and shambled over every obstacle, driven solely by their hunger. Any time a firework exploded overhead, they were briefly illuminated. Their pale and milky eyes saw without seeing, guiding them in the direction of the last humans left alive on Earth. The last humans, having their last party. One final hurrah in a party hall decked in gold.

"I'm glad we came." She said, turning to face Blaine. He looked down into Hestia's face. She was so thin. He couldn't recall the last time either of them had eaten anything substantial. They had gotten through the last of their rations a week ago and had been drinking water just to trick their bellies into feeling full. He found her hand and linked their fingers together.
"I'm glad we came too. We should... Go inside, find something to eat." He felt her body grow tense. Going inside meant never coming out again. He opened his mouth to reassure her, but she put her other hand up to stop him. In the distance, a creature moaned with hunger.
"Yes. Let's go in. I don't... I can't..." Her sentence remained unfinished. Blaine squeezed her hand once more, perhaps for the last time, and turned them away from the balcony.

It was time for a last meal.




Writer: @mitch
Words: 606
Travel: Naharia Forest
Travel Description: "Nothing ever dies in this forest. Everything always stays green."

Naharia forest…A place where everything always stays green and where nothing ever dies. Or so they say…As far as I've read no one has ever set foot in this forest and many have deemed it to be simply a myth, but I must find it…I have to.
I bring with me a small backpack with only the essentials packed and of course, my pet Gestan, the entire reason I'm heading out to find this mysterious place. For days now, my poor friend has been sick and no scientist seems to know why. I know he is from the fairy world, but maybe the Naharia forest where nothing ever dies can help me save my friend…That's all I can hope for now.

Day 1 of my trip…I bought a world map from the Travel agency and asked around, most people seem to be sympathetic and wished me luck, while others called me crazy and told me to just give up. Well I'm not going to!

A few weeks later…I think. I've searched a lot of places now and met many types of people, good and bad, but no sign of a place that would resemble the descriptions of Naharia forest, perhaps it's a myth after all. But that can't be, someone must've been there…Otherwise, how did this old scientist write this book? Did he lie? No, can't be…

It's been nearly a month now, I've run out of supplies and have no more money to buy any…I sit here, watching my Gestan fly around me, he's been looking much better lately. Maybe I got lucky and the sickness has passed. I hear a noise behind me and quickly get up, turning to face an old man who stepped out of the bushes, not seeing him as a threat, I relax.

He speaks gently to me, wondering what I'm doing here. After I tell him my story the man smiles and replies "Naharia forest hm, I've been there, yes, though your Gestan does not appear to be sick."

As he speaks those words my Gestan flies around him, the man seems to understand my friend as he then addresses me "I see now…You will find what you seek by heading west…Your creature…You haven't spent much time with him, have you?"
"Well, no…I've been busy running a new shop."
"Creatures can be helpful companions, never neglect them, my friend."

At that time I did not quite understand his words, but as we start heading in the direction he sent us my friend started appearing more and more lively, we played a lot on the way there and he even helped me find some wild berries I could eat.

Once we reached Naharia forest and gazed upon it I turned my gaze to my friend, who floated by my shoulder "you were never sick, were you? Before I got distracted by work we were always travelling together and I made a living by exploring and helping other travellers…It was when I settled down that you started acting that way…You missed our adventures, didn't you, my friend?" I gently petted him and he made a sound that I seemed to understand.

All this time I forgot an important thing about creature keeping…Never lose the connection you have with your creature, it will only hurt you and them. We never did return to the city, instead we resumed our life as adventurers and this time…For life.

As for Naharia forest, we never forgot it, it was a place that helped me remember what I had forgotten so maybe it's not just nature that never dies there, but love and friendship as well.




Writer: @passionate
Words: 🥑548
Travel: Red Moon
Travel Description: "The moon at the Halloween Fair is blood red. Many say a witch casts a spell on the moon each night in the month of October."

The red moon hangs above the Halloween fair threatening to split the sky, eclipsed by thick stormclouds, the remnants of a dying storm. Waning twilight grandiosely debuts before the nighttime's inky black swallows it whole. As the clouds lazily disperse, they part to reveal a menacing crimson hue that submerges the fair in a haunting glow. It is said that a witch casts a spell over the moon every day of October. This year, the curse has been particularly potent.

The fair is crowded with people, some festively costumed, others in their usual garb. There are many stalls selling food and drink, but a few particularly unusual items are on display. A man offers a variety of potions promising stars. A woman peddles charms for protection against hunger. A figure with a bandanna covering most of their face teases an intrigued onlooker with the prospect of a rare egg. The evening is alight with toiling and trickery.

The stars begin to come out, one by one, shining feebly beyond the red moon, taking away none of its splendor as citizens of Ark gather beneath it, obliviously spinning tales, excitedly sharing treats, and mingling with the protective creatures from their coves. Deep in the spreading darkness beyond the fair, there is a muffled crackling in the bushes. Footsteps then whispering is hushed away by a mounting breeze. A wild yeep patrols the darkness. Usually deep in slumber by this time, pangs of hunger have driven it from the sewer, and it forages wildly amongst the dead leaves, masking any threats of approaching dangers by reckless rustling.

A sinister cackle splits the cool air nearby, and the yeep freezes instantly and then begins to back up. It listens momentarily as no sound can be heard in the thick stands of trees. A twig snaps out of nowhere, seemingly deliberately. The yeep decides to make a break for it rather than wait around and find out. It begins desperately struggling against the brush in a tangled frenzy. The briars trapping it almost resemble long spindly claws, or maybe that is the dark playing tricks? A strong gust barrels through the cemetery and envelopes the surrounding woods. The footsteps are approaching. More laughing. It's coming closer now... and then it abruptly stops. The wind dies down, procuring perfect silence. The yeep, stiff with fear, opens its eye and stares down the tenebrosity, trembling. Then--

SNATCH!

It flees shrieking back to its den. But the witch has already gotten what they came for, a handful of red hairs gripped by bony fingers. Why red? Well, to match the moon, of course... The curse requires an essence.

The footsteps swiftly end and a strong gust billows up, whipping tents sideways at the fair, the swaying of sparse branches now mixing with a melody of cries of surprise and wonder. Tired autumn gales sigh and dissipate, resulting in an unnatural quiet lucidity. The witch has mysteriously disappeared, rewarded with stolen terror. A vibrant red moon languishes luxuriously, slipping lower and lower in the sky, but its enchantment can still be enjoyed. It appears to expand in size above the fair as it approaches deep moonset, smothering all gathered figures in a ghastly red incandescence. It's Halloween night, and it's the red moon's night to shine.




Writer: @froot
Words: 705
Travel: Naharia Forest
Travel Description: "Nothing ever dies in this forest. Everything always stays green."

Sharp pains shot up my leg as I hobbled along, chest heaving with each breath. All the while, I stared with disdain at the dark tendrils wrapping intensely around my calf like a stubborn infestation. Slowly but steadily, they had begun to creep onto my torso, but even the best city doctors dismissed my concerns - my vitals were fine and to them, that was that. The exhaustion would likely take me soon but I pressed on for now, and slowly, as the air in my lungs grew lighter, the surrounding groves lusher with every step I took, I knew I had to be heading the right way.

Golden rays filtered through the leaves as I pushed forward, emerging from a cluster of bushes into a clearing, where the surrounding trees grew mighty and strong, their flourishing leaves branching off from a million little twigs, arching over me protectively. The breeze wrapped around me in a comforting embrace, caressing my skin and running its fingers through my hair as I marvelled at it all; the way the sun dappled the ground, the way the trunks and branches swelled with life, the way the leaves seemed to sing as the wind blew past, rustling gently like a hushed, flowing applause.

Here, the life pulsed vigorously through my veins and thrummed in my ears, like a wave that crashed over me and melted into every pore of my being. It was intoxicating, and I realised, even with my dysfunctional leg, that I had never felt so blissfully alive.

A rumbling beneath my feet broke me out of my drunken stupor as I stumbled back, clutching at my stick. The air carried a light laughter that floated from behind into my ears, the pure sound causing me to shudder.

“That’s the Erduri.”

The voice was melodic, like chimes in the wind. I whirled around, only to be captured by a pair of emerald eyes. They twinkled with a beautiful electric green beneath the warm glow of the sunlight, but what caught my attention was the burning red gem in his chest, blindingly bright.

It was a Naharian.

I gasped in disbelief, incredulous of the fact that I was standing before one of Ark’s most revered, elusive druids. Already I could feel the aura of his magical power emanating from the large stone in his chest as it shone a bright amber, shimmering in the light. The magic wasn’t stifling like I’d expected it to be, but rather firm and gentle, like the guiding hand of a parent rested on your shoulder.

I must have been staring at his chest for quite some time, because after a while, he began to look a bit uncomfortable. I watched as he pawed at the clovers in the ground, shifting slightly in his spot as he peered at me curiously.

I cleared my throat, about to speak, when a searing pain shot up my leg, contorting my body. The coils glowed now, as if living and breathing, feeding on the essence of my vitality. I could feel them clasp my withered leg like a vice, suffocating and territorial, draining me of my energy, of my life. My vision went spotty.

The Naharian tilted his head, gazing at me as I clutched my leg in agony. “Oh yes,” he mused wistfully, “I remember when I first got here. I was just like you.” He took one step closer towards me, and something swirled in his green eyes. Something foreign, something… human. But just as quickly as it came, it was gone, dissipating so swiftly that I doubted I ever saw it at all.

“Nothing ever dies in this forest,” he breathed, cupping my head in his hands. Even in my delirious state, I noticed how the pads of his fingers held the soothing warmth of a sun-bathed rock.

The last thing I saw was a flash of blinding red, before I felt something stiff being shoved forcefully into my chest. I could feel as my raw flesh split open, parting to give way to the harsh object, but there was no pain at all. Suddenly, my body felt heavy, as if it were made of rock.

My eyes fluttered closed.

“You’re safe now.”




Writer: @dragrawr
Words: 233
Travel: In A Painting
Travel Description: "This is one of the most famous paintings in all of Ark."

You walk into the art gallery, perturbed by the day you just had. You apathetically move towards a room labeled, "The Most Famous Painting." You walk in to see a large canvas sitting alone in a dark room, nobody around to admire it. You're intrigued, this painting is...? All black? Why? You reach out, and it absorbs you. It takes you in, and you gasp at the sensation of diving into paint. You stumble around the darkness, pushing your way through the oily black nothingness. The lack of color, described as nothing, or noir, surrounds you, thick and heavy. Suddenly, a swirling, flittering bit of yellow seeps into the void that felt so sorrowful, so suffocating. You reach towards it, and it reaches towards you. For once, in a long time, you smile. The yellow, almost as a shock to you smiling, bursts into orange and blues, surrounding you with its light. The blue waves beneath you rush up to greet you happily, making wisps of art in a beautiful monsoon. The waves curl and flow, like beautiful strokes in a painting. You begin to wonder if this ever was a painting to begin with, or rather, one you had to make yourself. Even though you were once consumed by such a gloomy emotion... these beautiful colors and shapes swirling around you excitedly are from your own heart. Make the most of it.