TALES OF ZALE: ELVA'S SONG, CHAPTER 4
Elva and Zale continued their Rush through the forest, weaving through the undergrowth until they reached a field of long strands.
Elva perched herself on a branch as she gazed down the steppe "This place is different..." Elva noted with her eyes gazing down upon the fields until she saw what looked to be another version of the ruins. "Hey, what did you see Elva?" Zale asked curiously as he looked up at Elva with wide eyes, "I think there's another ruins... but it looks different".
Zale stared back at the new ruins, before looking back towards Elva to ask him a question "Do you think we could go there?".
Elva pondered, "Well... they could be just as dangerous as the one nearby, but I don't think Morpheus or Phonas have gone there." Elva hesitantly sighed before continuing her statement, "I think we could, but we shouldn't go there directly. I have a feeling those tunnels below the Ruins are connected to these ones somehow".
Around 10 minutes later, Zale and Elva rushed back into the ruins, though this time they were very weary to avoid the second level of Silvania city, the two friends walked down the sidewalk until they found the ruins of what used to be an subway station.
"Well, this is a bit scary Zale..." Elva whispered to Zale cautiously, "we should be fine if we know what we're doing" Zale followed up, before Elva followed him into the abandoned Subway car. "Do you even know how to run this thing Zale?" Elva questioned her friend, though trying to still remain kind. "Uhhhh, I think this throttle does something" Zale said as he flicked it to the max.
An droning Whirr escaped the Subway car was it flared to life, the lights of the Train lighting up once more as it suddenly sped foreward through the Tracks
Elva and Zale were knocked off their seats, "ZALE, what did you do." Elva said as she felt the Train moving through the pitch black tunnel around them. Zale watched as the Subway sped through the tunnel, seemingly hypnotized by the darkness around them. "I don't know, think we might be going to our destination soon, Elva" Zale replied.
Suddenly after around 2 minutes of moving, the Train suddenly skidded to a grinding hault "LOW POWER" boomed a Deep mechanical voice from the system as it dropped in pitch. Catching both Elva and Zale offguard, "WAAH!" yelped Elva, her brownish tan feathers shooken by the voice. "ELVA! Are you alright?!" Zale worriedly asked his friend, "I-I'm fine Zale, don't worry yourself please" Elva chuckled halfheartedly as she tried to regain her composure. "Now, I think we should get out of here" Elva suggested to Zale, his tail swaying slowly.
As she and Zale were getting out, the dust was quite an problem as Elva softly sneezed.
"Achoo.... oh, sorry about that Zale.." Elva sheepishly apologized until she heard the Train flicker to life once more, only to ram against the end of the tracks.
Suddenly the entrance Underground station they were in began to collapse, Zale and Elva's eyes both widening in caution as they quickly rushed towards the exit. "ZALE! HURRY!" Elva yelled frantically as she bolted towards the exit, making sure to glance back at the blue eyed fox behind her, "RIGHT BEHIND YOU!" Yelled Zale in tandem as he caught up to her.
The two friends barely got out, Elva and Zale both hitting the ground with a soft thud. "Zale! Are you alright?!" Elva worriedly asked her friend as she got off the ground. "I'm alright..." answered Zale as he stood up.
Elva looked forwards, analyzing the landscape around her "Well... for the good news, I think we're in the other ruins now..." Elva stated, before continuing. "And as for the bad news... the shortcut is destroyed". Elva ended her statement with a groan of annoyance as she realized she and Zale would have to walk down to the forest the long way.
Zale's ears pivoted "Sorry Elva..." apologized the fox as his snout drooped downward, Elva turned to speak to her friend "No, it's my fault Zale for sneezing..." Elva quickly replied, Elva looked at the ruined buildings behind her friend before glancing back at him and putting up a calm smile, "since we're here anyway we might as well just go explore the rest of this place Zale". Zale looked up as Elva put her left wing on his shoulder "come on, let's go" Elva said cheerfully, "Right behind you!" Zale said as he quickly bounced up, trying to respond to the Tan Barn Owl's comfort with his own usual enthusiasm.
Elva and Zale dashed across the path, with Elva making sure to keep her friend in her line of sights.. though she was not noticing the giant watching them in the shade between the trees as it let out an aggravated growl.
Elva landed on one of the lampposts, before feeling a slimy sensation now "huh?" blurted Elva before she looked at her Talons, now covered in moss. "eughhh" Elva sneered right before she hopped off the lamppost, and gracefully landed on the ground below feet first, clearing her talons quickly, put off from the texture of the moss on them.
Zale skidded by exhausted, "sorry I'm late" Zale huffed as he walked up to Elva, "It's fine. Besides, you were the one who wanted me to come anyways" Elva chuckled softly as she and her friend walked forward deeper into the Suburban Ruins.
Elva continued her path until she heard something scurrying amidst the debris... "Zale, hold on..." Elva said as she perked up, trying to locate the target "I think I notice something".
The mouse carried an small piece of Seeds to a pile of things they had, "phew, that should hopefully do for now..." wheezed the rodent as she laid down tiredly. "Hey there!" Suddenly exclaimed Zale as Elva moved away the top of their den.
"AAAH" Yelled the Mouse as she backed herself up into a concrete corner "DON'T EAT ME!!"
Elva looked at the Mouse with confusion "... What? We're not even hungry, and besides. Mice don't taste very good to me or Zale..." Elva clarified towards the Mouse as she looked up back at her, a sense of relief befalling them. "Phew.... well it is a bit odd seeing a Fox around here considering how... long it's been" the Mouse said as she looked at Zale, Zale's ears perked "Wait? Have you seen a Fox?" Zale said, his tail swaying for answers as he moved up close to the Mouse, now a lot more uncomfortable.
"Ehhh... I think so, but I'll need a book. My friends usually refer to me as "The Teller" since I tend to keep a lot of info stored in my Noggin, but you can call me Auroa if you want". Auroa said nervously as they stared at Zale.
"Okay!" Zale said joyfully, "so, where do we get that book?".
Auroa looked back up at Zale as she tried to regain composure "well, i-it's in the library, but I should warn you I haven't gone there in months and for good reason" Auroa's tone shifted as she closed her eyes, "there's a Bear who started using it as his Den... and I'm very worried you two could get hurt".
Elva looked at Zale "Did she just say what I think she did?" Elva asked in disbelief towards Zale. Noticing the Mouse turned up to look at her, "Yes, and he's not a very nice one..". Auroa sighed, "look this is mostly for my own goals as that book is quite important and I'm not strong enough to get that Book out of there, but you don't have to risk your lives to get my Book if you want".
Zale, noticing Elva's concern discreetly got both Auroa and Elva's attention, "Hey, do you mind if I talk with you on this Elva?" Zale asked politely. Elva quickly perked up to confront her friend's request as she composed herself hastily, "sure".
Zale got ready to speak as he was going first. "I think we should go help Auroa out, I know that you are there for me. But I am honestly a bit worried that whatever happened to the other Foxes could happen to me..." Zale's ears drooped as he continued, seeing Elva attentively listen "so I think we should check for the book Elva, you've always wanted to keep me safe so this may help". Elva nodded, "Look, I'd usually object to something like this. But I'm willing to make an exception here" Elva inhaled as she was about to continue, "I just want to ask this, are you sure we'll be able to avoid Tartarus, Zale? I'm all ears if you think we are, but in my opinion if you aren't. I really don't want to risk losing you" Elva said with a bit of shakiness in her voice, her talons clenching the ground anxiously.
Zale put on a comforting smile as he shifted to a more friendly stance, "you were brave enough to stand up to Morpheus Elva, I'm sure we'll be able to pass right by Tartarus without him even knowing" Zale replied calmly, looking at his friend encouragingly.
Elva sighed, "fine, I suppose it won't be too much of a hassle to move around that Bear."
Elva, Auroa, and Zale quietly moved towards the Library, "it seems like he's not there.." Auroa said as she sat on top of Zale's head, Zale smiled, "well, let's go!". Zale and Elva scurried into the Library as they moved silently across the bookshelves, eventually finding a green backed diary, "that's the one!" Auroa said joyfully, Elva smiled, "well all that we need to do is go and—". CLONK!
Elva had accidentally knocked over an hard covered book with her wings, the sound it made stirred a large, imposing figure outside. As he marched into the building.
Elva without a second to spare suddenly yelled in alarm, "EVERYBODY RUN!" Zale quickly picked up speed as Elva grabbed the book in her talons. Tartarus uttered words of rage "GET... OUT.. NOW!" yelled the Bear in a voice that was just as uncanny as it was terrifying, the yell quickly fading into a thunderous roar as the Brown Bear pounded forward with unnatural speed. His body slamming into the Walls of the Library hard.
Elva, taken off guard suddenly lost grip of the Diary as it fell to the floor with a faint thud, "NO!" gasped Elva as she tried to grab it, only for Tartarus to budge in as he roared at the Owl, "GET OUT!!". Elva rolled out of the way, barely dodging the Bear. Elva having gotten out of the building turned as she saw Zale backed into a corner, her body tensed as it seemingly got ready to try fight Tartarus, "ZALE! GET OUT OF THERE!" Elva yelled in Fear for her friend's life. Zale turned to look at Elva as Tartarus stared him down, "But we won't get the book if I don't-". Auroa cut in, "IT'S JUST A BOOK! GET OUT OF THERE NOW!". Screamed the Mouse.
Zale tried to evaluate his decisions until he noticed Tartarus starting to rear on his hind legs getting ready to claw him into the ground in the corner of his eye. The fear causing him to freeze in place for a split second.
Elva gasped quickly grabbed a book with her talons as she dashed into the library for just a minute and flinging it towards Tartarus with all of her might, and not a moment too soon. Its heard cover smacked Tartarus in the face as he quickly lost his balance and fell into a bookshelf, allowing Zale to escape.
Auroa clung to Zale as he and Elva rushed away from the building. "I'm sorry I dragged the both of you two into this" Auroa whimpered guiltily, "We'll be fine" Zale replied as the three stopped near the edge of the Suburban Ruins. Elva and Zale skidded on the ground, the two panting as they stared at the Library. Elva almost collapsed onto the ground, exhausted from the encounter. "I think we lost him" Elva panted as she turned towards Zale.
Zale sighed, "Well I'm glad that's over..." huffed the Fox. Meanwhile, Elva glanced at Auroa, who was currently sitting on top of Zale's head "Sorry I dropped your Book, Auroa" Elva said Apologetically. "Don't be, I think I'll try record my findings in a new book..." Auroa sighed before a thought popped into her head, "say, you two are from the forest right?" Asked the Mouse.
"Yeah, what about it?" Zale replied in turn, Auroa tried to steady herself, "well, I suggest you two head back soon, Tartarus usually patrols nearby and it's currently noon." Auroa informed Elva and Zale as she hopped off Zale's head.
"In other words, it's for the best you two head back now". Elva and Zale nodded, "we will then" Elva responded softly, looking at the Mouse with respect. "Take care Auroa!" Zale yelled happily as he and Elva rushed away from the Rodent. "You too kids!" Auroa replied joyously.
The two rushed through the broken village with high speed, leaves rushing past the two as if they were frozen in time. "So since we'll have to take the long way home, do you need me to look out?" Elva enquired Zale as she soared overhead, "Maybe, but I'd prefer if you stay nearby!" Zale answered as the wind blew behind him.
Eventually however, something caught Elva's eye. "Zale, I think I see something" Elva stated as she went to investigate, "following right behind you!" said Zale.
The two friends hopped off the edge of the Suburban Ruins, with Zale quickly bouncing down various pieces of Debris whilst Elva gracefully landed near the shiny object. "Hmmm..." Elva thought to herself as she picked up the object, "seems like its meant to help navigate".
The object in her hand had some kind of arrow, with the letters 'N, S, W, E' arranged in a way that opposed each other. Dials like that of a clock pointing around, Elva moved the object in her talons, watching the Arrow spin towards some kind of direction as she held turned it. The Arrow almost gyroscopically staying in place.
"Zale, I think this could help us head home" Elva remarked, "maybe we should follow the Arrow?" Zale chimed. Elva looked, "I'm not sure, but we should try, though it may be a bit of an issue holding this."
"Wait!" Zale said loudly as he got an idea I've got something in mind...", Zale fetched a piece of blue String, "Elva, could you tie this around my neck?" Zale asked his friend politely, "Oh? Sure!" Elva obliged as she threaded the string through the compass with her beak, loosely tying it to her friend's head. "There, that should do for now" Elva stated as Zale looked at the new pendant.
"I think it fits me quite well" Zale happily said as he turned towards Elva "I think I'm as stylish as you now" joked the Fox with a smirk on his face, "Well you don't have to say that twice" Elva sassily chuckled, amused by her friend.
Meanwhile within the Ruins, Baltazar was sniffing around, "where are they..." the Golden Retriever said with an focused look on his face, "Are you sure they went right back here after what happened with Phonas?" Evelyn commented, Baltazar turned "Well as a hound, I seem to have an extremely strong sense of smell. And I think they went down that tunnel?". Evelyn and Baltazar went down into the station, "it seems they took one of those wheeled things and rode away on it". Remarked the Golden Retriever. Evelyn groaned, "well we're not gonna get to them fast enough if we go down this route" Evelyn remarked as she rushed up the steps, "Hey! Where are you going Evelyn!?" Baltazar confusedly said as he chased the Wolf. "The fastest point is a straight line, so we're going to those weird buildings in the distance!" Replied Evelyn.
Back with Elva and Zale, the Fox and Owl were moving through the undergrowth at an leisurely pace, "you know Elva, I wonder how Sesam is feeling right now" Zale asked his friend. Elva turned to look at Zale, "Well I hope to see Ses soon, I do want to bring something to him as..." Elva trailed off as her tone fell "well as an gift for what happened Earlier". Elva remnisced on what Sesam said under his brief manipulation from Phonas, the words of hatred and betrayal uttered by him feeling as fresh wounds that had only just begun to heal. Pain still apparent beneath her surface as she shakily sighed, trying to focus away from her pain.
Zale turned upward, "Hey, he knows that your care for him is truly geniune. Right Elva?" Zale reminded his friend as he watched her glance back down to look at him for just a brief bit. "Yeah, I hope", replied Elva with a bit of unease.
Suddenly, heavy pounding was shaking the forest Floor. The two friends heard a familiar Roar that struck all too well...
"ZALE! RUN!" Elva yelled as she turned towards the sound. "COME HERE!!!" Howled Tartarus as he rushed towards Elva and Zale, moving as an avalanche of fur and muscle, his booming voice echoing with wrongness. Elva swooped at the Bear, "WHY WON'T YOU LEAVE MY FRIEND ALONE" Elva yelled in both anger and fear as she swooped at the Ursine to protect her friend. Tartarus animalistically in turn roared at the Owl, the deafening sound seemingly without thought or reason.
Tartarus Swiped at Elva as she turned and fled into the treetops, thrusting through the branches with impeccable speed as the Roars of the Bear Became fainter. Elva looked around as she decided to reunite with Zale, "I hope he's okay..." Elva whispered to herself as she glided down.
Elva landed on the forest floor "Zale! Where are you!" Elva yelled, concerned of her friend's current status. Zale peaked out of his hiding spot as he heard her voice, "I'm here Elva!".
Elva rushed over and gave her friend a Hug, "Thank goodness you're okay" Elva sighed as her wings wrapped around Zale tightly. Zale rested his neck over Elva "I'm fine, don't worry" Zale said assuredly. Elva and Zale got back on their feet as Elva thought hard, "Alright, that Compass seems to have been quite Helpful so far, so I suggest we need to hurry up!" Elva stated confidently, "only issue is I don't actually think we've-".
"Come here." Tartarus Murmured as he stepped out of the Shade. "You two will be hunted... until your lifeforce is extinguished" said the bear, his Brown body looming over the two with anticipation.
Elva and Zale tensed, as Elva realized the true context of Tartarus's aggression, "he's hunting us." Elva whispered to Zale fearfully, but a spark of hope glinted through her mind. "Zale, I have a plan".
Elva moved in front of Zale, putting herself between Tartarus and her friend, "I don't know if you can understand me Tartarus, but if you want my friend, you'll have to go through me'. Elva asserted at the Bear, caught within its Shadow.
Tartarus scowled, as he reared up on his hind legs. Elva quickly got ready to take off, "ZALE! NOW!" Yelled Elva as Tartarus got ready to slam his body on top of the two. They both narrowly dodged with only seconds to spare, Elva dive bombed Tartarus on his head, hitting him right in the eye. Tartarus roared in fury as he clutched his eye, growling with seething rage as he saw Elva rush away to reunite with her friend.
Meanwhile just a few minutes away, the roar of Tartarus hit two Familiar Canids. "That's a Bear Roar!" gasped Baltazar, "we need to turn back now-". The Golden Retriever's sentence was cut off "WHAT IF ELVA AND ZALE ARE IN TROUBLE!" Evelyn Snapped towards him. "I'm going to save them, and I don't care about what you think. Our friends might be in danger, so if you want to stay here. THEN SO BE BALTS!".
Evelyn quickly rushed off as Baltazar, still trying to process what happened softened up a little. "I'm really gonna regret this.." Bemoaned the Golden Retriever as he followed behind.
As Elva and Zale were rushing away, seemingly about to enter a clearance. Until Zale suddenly caught something snag the string Elva tied around his neck and the compass, "ACK!" Zale suddenly blurted out. Elva turned, "ZALE! What's wrong!?" Elva asked with panic in her voice.
Zale tugged, "IT'S STUCK!" Zale grunted as he tried to get free. Elva quickly sprung up and found out the String was caught in similar vines to the ones she got stuck in as she was going to see him at the ruins a few months ago, "I'll help" Elva grunted as she tried to steady herself hastily, trying to yank the string free with her talons and beak as she heard the pounding of Tartarus in the distance. "Just... got it..." Elva grunted as was almost about to cut the last few fibers, until Tartarus came in.
Elva and Zale by instinct dodged, the String's last fibers giving out from the jolt of Zale as Tartarus slammed right into the spot the Barn Owl and Fox were just standing.
Zale soon realized the danger he was in as he was about to fall off the cliff, "ELVA! HELP!" Zale yelled before he quickly yanked the compass, clutching, but failing to stay on the cliff with his paws as he slid off. Elva quickly noticed and swooped in, "I'VE GOT YOU ZALE!" Elva yelled as she grabbed Zale by his tail, Zale turned, "Thanks.. Elva" Zale sighed, only to notice that she was starting to struggle. "You're... too... heavy..." Elva grunted as she started loosing Altitude, she tried to secure herself by grabbing onto a root with her beak and flapping as hard as she could, "just... need.. to hold on.. longer!".
Tartarus loomed over the two on a nearby cliff as Evelyn and Baltazar arrived, all three watching Elva and Zale struggle on the edge of the cliff, "THEY'RE GONNA FALL!" Evelyn exclaimed. Evelyn's confidence began to falter as she assumed that her friends' fate had been sealed, "T-this is so bad.. I-I" the Wolf's whimpers were suddenly cut off by Baltazar, "WELL DON'T JUST STAND THERE IN FEAR" Baltazar barked, understanding how serious things were. "COME AND HELP OUT!" yelled the dog he rushed to grab a large branch that had fallen to the forest floor right after the forest fire a while ago. Evelyn walked and saw Baltazar heaving to grab the branch as she contemplated her decision.
Tartarus was about to inch closer, ready to knock the both off as a rustle in the bushes caught his attention. "Stay there..." snarled the Bear as he walked into the forest.
Seeing the opportunity, Baltazar and Evelyn grabbing the stick leaned it over the cliff edge, "COME ON! GRAB IT!" Baltazar Barked, muffled by the woody object in his mouth. Zale and Elva clutched onto the branch, with Zale allowing Elva some respite as he held the Owl close to him as the two Canids pulled them up.
Meanwhile back in the forest, Tartarus was about to turn back, realizing that Elva and Zale had escaped... only for a different being just as strong, if not. Stronger than him to stop him in his tracks.
"I ain't letting you get in the way" Bruhn stated authoritatively, the Bison's ghostly form tense and strong. Before Tartarus could even respond, he felt as if he was being hit by an falling tree as Bruhn rammed into the Bear. Tartarus roared in pain, as his heavy body crashed into a tree with a Heavy Thud, the Bear Swiped at Bruhn trying to fight back, only for his claws to phase through as if nothing was there.
Elva turned up, to look at her friends "we need to go before Tartarus gets back!" Elva wheezed as she tried to stand up on her legs, Zale helping her stand. "You don't have to say that twice" The Fox tiredly replied. Just then, a pained Roar emitted from where the Bear was as they heard something crash to the forest floor, it growled at something else that bellowed with seemingly unnatural might.
"Well come on, let's go!" Evelyn hastily said as she allowed Elva to clutch onto her back. The four friends rushed away, not to find out who'd be the victor of the battle.
Back nearing the end of the day, an recently recovered Elva flew just under the canopy, watching her friend slowly glide over him with grace. I think I'll take a break from our adventures together for a While Zale." Elva chuckled, whilst she was a bit tired from the ordeal she had just went through. The Sass in her voice was still apparent as she smiled softly at her friend.
"Oh? Hello dear" Elanor said as she peaked up from the hollow, "Hey Mom, sorry I came back so late.." Elva apologized as she felt someone hug her leg, only to see them bashfully turn away. "It was fun being on my own for a bit, but I missed you for most of the day" Sesam muttered as he looked to the ground.
Elva hugged her little brother with her wings, "I missed you too Ses" Elva lovingly responded as she held him close. Zale looked up as the skies above started to turn to night before focusing on the hollow, "Hey Elva?" Zale yelled, hoping to get his friend's attention. Elva heard the sound and looked at her little brother "Hey, I need to talk to Zale for a bit Ses" Elva whispered as she let go of Sesam, and hopped over to look at her friend. "What is it Zale?"
Zale turned to focus on her friend's face, knowing the recent adventure they went through. "Do you mind if I sleep near your hollow tonight?" Zale asked calmly. Elva focused down on the fox, his blue eyes glinting softly, "I don't see why not" Elva answered caringly as she turned to her little brother.
"Well, good night for now Zale!" Elva chirped as she looked at her friend for just a bit, "Good night to you too Elva!" Zale happily responded in Turn as he curled up to a particularly comfortable spot behind Elva's Tree.
Elva tucked right next to her little brother, holding him close with her wings. "Goodnight Sesam" Elva sleepily said as she closed her eyes. Watching the stars begin to twinkle on the horizon.
-------------------------
To be continued, in chapter 5 of Elva's Song.
-------------------------
And now with that done, I can finally say this scene is now complete ^^
With the art I drew of Elva and Stellan fighting... maybe something else is on the way...
I haven't really used Telsk in a bit, and there's still a few things to go through...
But I may need to redo the map first anyways 'lD
Anyways, cya later for Chapter 5 y'all :]
-------------------------
Deep within the Ruins ontop of one of the skyscrapers. Phonas watched as the Sun began to set over the horizon. As an old foe of his walked behind him, "I think we need to talk about your... recent actions, Noctule."
"Well, if it isn't my old friend" Phonas said, knowing who was standing behind him in confrontation of the Chiropteran, "Don't shift the topic here, you know what you've done to someone connected to an certain Blue Eyed Fox I know, Phonas." Snarled the voice behind him.
Phonas turned pridefully as he locked eyes with who he was talking with, his own guess now confirmed. "Ah, still got that scar from the boss I see" Phonas sleazily taunted, the sun setting behind him as he looked down the at Feline as if he was above him.
The Cat stood up as his own claws were on the verge of unsheathing as he stared down the Noctule. "If that wasn't clear enough to you, then let me repeat this one last time, what did you do to Elva's brother Phonas?" Morpheus Asserted, ready to strike alongside his fellow cats as they watched around behind him carefully...
A showdown was about to begin.
-------------------------
Elva, Zale, Evelyn, Baltazar, and Teller/Auroa are from Tales of Zale (Webseries), and are owned by Sif savery (Teller despite being a Reboot character has a Webseries design, and I think Auroa (who was from the VERY early 2000s Pilot) was Teller's first incarnation)