Era, Chapter 1: Exploration

Ion was ored to be a madman, a psychopath. He was an explorer, but close friends say that he was a treasure hunter. And now, from his point of view, he was after the biggest treasure in the world; The Forest of Era. When he had announced this to the world, they didn’t applaud; like they normally did, they started to laugh. Then they looked up at where Ion stood, and they saw in his deep-set blue eyes that he was serious.
It was then that they knew he was losing his mind.

Ion sat in the desert sand, remembering it all. His dark, silky hair lightly blowing in the wind. He looked around at his companions, of which he had only two, not including his camel.
“Kole!” he snapped at one of his compainions. Kole looked at him, his hazel eyes cutting into Ion, making Ion look away. “What time is it?” he said in a nicer tone. Kole looked up at the sun, drawing his eyes away from Ion, Ion relaxed.
“It’s around midday, sir. We’d best rest now, wait till its night. It’s cooler then. Do you think we’ll ever find it?” Kole asked, taking a sip from his canteen.
“I guarantee we will.” Ion said, “How’s Babit?”
“The poison is eating her away bit by bit. Azul will have to carry her. Which means you’ll have to walk.” Kole looked across the barren desert. “Why do you think it’s in here, sir? This is the emptiest place I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen lots of empty places.”
“It’s in here alright. This is the only place that would meet the description of ‘the home of the sun’.” Ion said in a raspy voice. He rubbed his throat, it hurt so much, he needed water. He grabbed his canteen and drank savegely.
“Well I suppose you are right, this is the hottest place I’ve ever been.” Kole said. Then he started to laugh.
Ion looked at him strangely, “why are you laughing?” he asked.
“It’s just funny,” Kole managed to say between his bursts of laughter. “Here we are looking for a mythical forest in the desert. Think about it…we must be insane. Hahaha” Kole threw his head back, facing the sky.
Ion started to laugh. Giggle at first, but then he burst out laughing. But inside his head he knew that if they didn’t find the forest, he and Kole would become insane, and then sooner or later, die. It was already happening to Babit. So how long will it be before that happens to Kole and I, he wondered.

It was dark now, and slightly cooler, slightly. The dunes of the desert resembled mountains. Ion had to go on all fours to be able to climb the steep sand mountains. Ion paused and chanced a look behind him. Kole stood upright, Azul’s reins in his hands, he could hardly make it up the slope at all. Poor Kole, Ion thought, was it right to bring him along? But the thought went straight to the back of his mind, it was too late, he couldn’t send Kole back now, he needed at warrior at his side just in case the sand shark came back. He looked back at Kole, and he knew they had to stop. “Kole!” Ion started to slide down the dune to where Kole was struggling. “Kole, why don’t we take a-Kole, Kole where are you going.” Kole had brushed passed him, handing him the reins to the camel. He started to crawl, his hazel eyes fixated on the top of the dune.
“Kole! Kole! Where are you going? Kole! Come here! I’m talking to you! Kole!” Ion shouted as he let go of the reins and scrambled up the dune after Kole, who had already reached the top. He was now staring down the gigantic dune at something, Kole turned and motioned for Ion to hurry. When Ion finally reached the top he looked down at what Kole had been so determined to get to. It was the border of a great forest, that streched for miles and miles. The tops of the trees were so lush and green that it seemed almost unreal.
Ion started to slide down the dune, but before he went he turned to look at Kole, who had an amazed look upon his face. “Meet me at the bottom with Azul. Oh, and good job Kole; you found The Forest Of Era.” Then he dashed down the slope.

It was a joyful day in the forest. The forest danced and swayed along with the villager’s music. Laughter echoed around the forest, as the people danced, ignoring the sadness of the world. It was just another festival in The Forest of Era.
An eighteen-year-old danced merrily to the joyful music. Her long brown hair twirling around her as she spun around. Her emerald green eyes held no misery in them. She had no sorrow in her heart except for the fact that the day was drawing to a close. And thus the festival would end. But it hadn’t ended yet and that was good enough.
She danced her way over to her sister who was sitting on the flax platform that the festival was being held on. She plopped down next to her sister, her feet dangling off the edge of the platform. “What’s wrong?” She asked.
Her sister looked at her. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m fine, Era.” She smiled at her. But it was false. Era could tell, she could always tell, ‘it was a gift’ as her father said. Of course everyone in the forest had a gift.
“Something is wrong. I can see it in your eyes. Now tell me, or I’ll be forced to tickle you until you do.”
Her sister smiled, and this time it was real.
“I keep having dreams of a world outside of the forest.” She said.
Era laughed. “Well sister you know that’s impossible! The only thing out there is the barren desert! It stretches on forever, well at least that’s what our Miku flyers tell us.” Era said trying to convice her mind that what she was saying was right. Her sister’s gift was her dreams; she saw visions in her slumber.
“The Flyers lie. I know that there is a world out there.” She said, not even looking at Era.
“Fine, then tell me, Yuki, tell me one of your dreams. I will decide if it’s realistic or not.” Era said.
Yuki sighed. “Fine, I’ll tell you my most recent dream. Okay, you see first there was this kingdom, but it wasn’t just any kingdom, it glowed. But only when the sun was setting. And then there was this huge window, I looked inside, and I saw two men. One was sitting in what looked like jeweled throne. He was old. Leaning against his throne was a twisted bow.”
“And what of the other one?” Era asked.
“I’m getting there. The other one was younger, he looked about your age, maybe one year older. He had a bow also, except he had his over his back. He was standing next to the throne. I think that he was the heir. That’s at least what it looked like.” Yuki said.
“Was there anything else?” Era asked.
“Oh, yes. The young one…He had hazel eyes, but it seemed that if he stared at you long enough he would be able to burn a hole in the middle of you. And that’s it.” Yuki finished. “I suppose it does sound a bit ridiculous. I mean a glowing city! That’s just silly!” She started to laugh. “Come,” she said when she had finished laughing, “let us enjoy the festivities!”
They both got up and went back to dancing.

A few minutes later a Miku Flyer landed on a higher platform and the pilot slid off. The pilot ran down to the festival, he was being followed. He waved his hands urgently in the air so he could get attention. “MY PEOPLE!” he shouted. The villagers stopped dancing and turned their attention to the pilot.
“MY PEOPLE, I HAVE FOUND OUTSIDERS. THEY WERE WANDERING ABOUT DOWN ON THE LOWER LEVEL. LET US WELCOME…ION, BABIT, AND KOLE!” He stepped aside and let the village see the visitors. Yuki was speechless. She pointed at Kole, and screamed, “THAT’S THE ONE I SAW IN MY DREAM!” And then she fainted.

please tell me what you think of this.