World Wave: Prelude III

Towards the beachside of the world, a teenager with dark blue hair stood, her body covered in a ragged gray cloak as she walked forward through the sand. She could hardly feel her footsteps, or even the heat of the sun. Unlike the others she had not felt a tiredness overcome her, nor anything else. Instead she felt her whole being pulled far away.

‘What an odd place.’ she thought as she wandered on, though she could also tell it was also high in spiritual energy. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be stable.

As the short cerulean haired woman continued, she heard the sound of wings. Turning, she looked up to see another woman with blue hair, though hers was longer and a lighter shade, she also had angelic wings and a halo.

‘An angel?!’

At the same time, the radiant being in the black and burgundy outfit glided down, landing gracefully. It was then that the girl noted her height, being taller than herself as well as the size of her bountiful bosom, contrasting the gray clad traveler’s own flat chest.

With a curious expression, the celestial being spoke.

“Excuse me, young man...Do you know where we are?”

“Young lady.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m a girl.” the traveler explained, surprising the angel.

“Oh, my apologies. May I ask your name?”

“Call me Kim.” the traveler said, “What’s your name?”

“I am Elise. A pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise.” Kim said with a faint smile. “I suppose you’re here to try and guide me to the afterlife...Unless I am already there. I never imagined paradise would look like a beach.”

“Oh, this isn’t paradise, or heaven. Both are wondrous, though this place is a little nice too.” Elise said, “Though I can assume you are a good person, why would I take you to heaven now?”

“Oh, I’ve passed on….Somewhat.” Kim replied before turning transparent, once again surprising Elise.
“You’re a ghost?”

“I am. I had something of a betrayal in my past and ended up dying before my time. Since then, I’ve worked as something of a spiritual mediator.”

“I’ve never heard of this before...How odd. Still as an angel I suppose it is my duty to look out for wayward souls.”

“But I’m not-”

Before Kim could finish her sentence, her hand was taken by Elise, who held it gently but firmly. Kim was so startled that she couldn’t even phase out.

“Come with me, Miss Kim. I will be sure to protect you as we make our way onward.”

Sighing and deciding to just go along with Elise, Kim merely walked with her, hand in hand. The duo was so distracted they did not notice the man a league away, spying on them with a bionic eye.

“Angels and ghosts. Just where have I gone exactly?” the man mused to himself as his blue cape blew in the slight breeze. “I suppose I shall follow them.”

Going on his way, the masked man followed after the two females. Though he had no place to hide, they never looked back, and only forward as they headed inland. He was busy observing them and planning attacks against them. With an angel and a ghost, most normal methods wouldn’t work, but perhaps he could turn them against one another.

As he followed, he felt the wind intensify, blowing harder and harder and tossing sand about. He found himself struggling to stay grounded before, suddenly, he was no longer being hit by gusts of wind. Turning, he saw a woman who was clothed in green energy, her hair wild and having long pointed ears. With her emerald eyes, she focused on the man.

“You’re one of the contestants, aren’t you?”

“I don’t recall entering any competition, but I am Pana. Who or what are you?”

“Aeolus.” she replied, “You should follow me.”

“No, I don’t think I will.” Pana said, “I have to learn about this place and I would rather not deal with distractions.”

“I suppose I will take you by force then.” she said, snapping. A moment later a ball of pure wind swirled around Pana, trapping him inside and keeping him aloft, both containing and spinning him.

“What is this?”

“All will be explained later.” Aeolus said with a friendly smile before flying ahead, the wind carrying Pana. The irate caped mystery man only yelled.

“Help! Help!” he called, hoping the duo ahead would hear him. To his satisfaction, they did.

Looking ahead, Elise and Kim both saw Aeolus flying ahead with Pana. They had no idea what to make of it, save Aeolus going ahead at high speeds.

“Someone is calling for help, should we follow?” Elise asked. Kim thought on it a moment before nodding.

“Follow, but let’s get context on the matter. If we just bust in, we could just make matters worse.”

“Agreed. I’ll fly us in.” Elise said, flying upwards and taking Kim’s hands. “It helps that you are as light as a feather.”

“A perk of being incorporeal.” Kim replied before Elise began takeoff, the two of them flying right after Aeolus. Though Elise wasn’t nearly as fast, they soon made it close to Aeolus’ vicinity until she landed near a mountain top, right near a temple. Pana found himself being put in front of it, still dazed, but not quite out of it.

“Urgh...Where am I?”

“The temple.” Aeolus said, “The other guests should be arriving soon.”

“Other guests?” Pana asked, when Elise and Kim both touched down. “Ah, took you both long enough. This evil woman has captured me.”

“I’m sorry ma’am, is this true?” Elise asked, hoping to get the whole story.

“I’m not evil. I’m helping the one who brought you here.” Aeolus said. Pana stood and spoke to Elise.

“See? She is a kidnapper!”

“Loosely, but you’ll be free to go soon and you get a prize. For now, just listen please.” Aeolus said, “By the by, what’s your names?”

“I am Elise and this is Kim.” Elise said with a friendly air, “I suppose we should listen and see.”

“I guess.” Kim agreed. Pana merely rolled shrugged and chuckled.

“Very well, I will do the same, though I have to say your manners would make it seem as if you’re not the most kind person.”

“I apologize.” Aeolus said to them. “If you will go inside the temple though, you will find a resting area with others.”

“Others?” Elise asked when she heard the sounds of chatter from the stairs that led down the mountain.

“Jonathan, how much further until the top?”

“Just a bit more, Sandra. I can hear people talking.” the male voice replied. A moment later a young man with foxlike ears and a tail. He had brown hair and a slightly tan skin tone, the tip of his vulpine tail being white. “Ah, there are others.”

With him was a slightly plump woman with gray hair and also doglike traits, though hers were more lupine than vulpine. She also had bright yellow eyes and a bored expression, but for some reason there was a cosmic outline around her soft frame.

“Hey, they are, but none of them have this odd aura.” she, Sandra, said.

“It’s because they are contestants.” Aeolus said, “Your outline means you’re only a spectator in this tournament. The young man must be very attached to you.”

“So it’s a tournament? Cool.” Sandra said, “I’m Sandra, and this is my boyfriend Jonathan.”

“It’s a pleasure.” Jonathan said. “Are you also contestants?”

“It seems like it.” Kim said, “I’m Kim, these are Elise, Pana, and Aeolus.”

“You four are entrants, I’m just a moderator. I also want to thank you for making your way here on your own.” Aeolus said, “You’re one of the first to make it here without any interference.”

“Well, we ended up at the base of the stairs.” Jonathan admitted, “Still you look like a nice lot.”

“You look rather nice yourself, sir.” Elise said. Sandra merely moved closer to Jonathan, hugging her body against him.

“He’s also taken.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean it like that!” Elise apologized, but Pana merely smirked.

“This is just getting more interesting by the moment...” Pana said, just as five more entrants came from inside the temple and saw their counterparts.