Request for  Altallo

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(Story by Koviell Sashermasock)

It's been 2 days since I was wandering around in the nature. I wanted a sample from a rare flower growing in the region, but I've lost my way. At least the wild animals are kind and the fruits are delicious. Where that flower does might be? And where is the way to the city too? I should have bought a map. I need a place to rest and think.

Trees, trees everywhere and no road in sight. I pay attention to the sounds around; animals ruffling somewhere, birds chanting, the wind in the leaves and the water of a spring. Mmm… A spring? The flower could be there. Otherwise, it would be a good place to rest a bit.

I walk in this forest, with the sound of the water to guide me. There is a spring indeed. I can see a deer drinking from it. When he noticed me, he left. I think I scared him. This is a nice place. With the forest around, it's like some kind of private area in the nature. The water is warm, I should take a bath.

"Enjoying the view?" Asked a voice nearby.

"Who it is?"

"The guy that was peacefully taking a bath." Said the voice.

I was looking around to see a big bull man in the water. I didn't even notice him.

"Oh sorry, I didn't know that someone was already there. I wanted to take a bath too."

"Do as you want, but stop staring like that." Said the bull man.

So I take off my poncho, my shirt and my shorts and put them aside before jumping in the water.

"The water is so warm; I didn't know that there was a hot spring or something in this forest."

"There is no natural hot spring here. I simply made it." Said the bull man.

"You… You've made the spring?"

"Yes, it's not that hard. It's handy when you travel in the nature and it leaves a source of water for the wild animals after."

"But how can you do that?"

"By reshaping the land." Said the bull man.

"Reshaping the land?! This isn't something a simple creature can do!"

The bull man was looking at me. He pointed in my direction and opens his palm and raise his hand. Suddenly, the ground was rising under me. I was out of the water on a newly formed grass.

"Is it enough for you?" Asked the bull man.

"This is more than impressive. Do you have control over any kind of land?"

"Yes." Said the bull man.

"Even deserts?"

"Yes." Said the bull man.

"Even swamps?"

"Yes." Said the bull man.

"Even tundras?"

"Look pal, I can simply reshape the land if I want to" Said the bull man.

"Oh yeah, sorry. I just wanted to know. Oh and yeah, my name is Altallo. Who are you?"

"I'm Yuuril Masock and this is Istatus. Don't search for him, you won't be able to see him." Said the bull man.

"Istatus? Who it is? And why can't I see him? Is he shy?"

"Shy? Naa. He's a guardian spirit. He's from another world. Only I can see and interact with him."

"Is he some kind of ghost?"

"Not exactly. He's not from this world, well, not exactly from this world. When a shaman makes his first contact with the spirit world, a spirit of an ancestor manifest as a guardian spirit to guide him on his path." Said Yuuril.

"You're a shaman then? Do you make rituals to speak with the spirits and such?"

"Not anymore." Said Yuuril.

"Why so?"

"Because I'm a Thunder Lord now." Said Yuuril.

"A Thunder Lord? Does that mean that you play with thunder?"

"Sometime." Said Yuuril.

"Isn't it dangerous?"

"It can be. I don't fear lightning anymore. I got stuck by it twice." Said Yuuril.

"Does it hurt?"

"First time I was unconscious for an hour, second time I was in the other world." Said Yuuril.

"In the other world? You… you died?"

"Yes, but only to return with this new title." Said Yuuril.

"But what does a Thunder Lord do?"

"Bring the storm where it's required." Said Yuuril.

"Wouldn't it be better not to?"

"There are some places where the rain simply doesn't fall naturally. So it does require a little divine intervention." Said Yuuril.

"Why not simply make it rain instead of a storm?"

"It must be a storm, so the locals know it's a gift from a deity." Said Yuuril.

"Can't they know it's a gift from a deity simply because of the rain?"

"They could, but that's how it's done by me." Said Yuuril.

"Aw, but can't you do it another way?"

"No, I can't. That's the will of the Nameless One." Said Yuuril.

"Who's this Nameless One? One without a name?"

"The Nameless One is a fallen deity of the storm." Said Yuuril.

"So he's no longer a deity?"

"Yes, but it doesn't mean that he's unable to grant powers." Said Yuuril.

"So he still grants powers?"

"Yes" Said Yuuril.

"Hum, weird. What do you do when not bringing the storm somewhere?"

"I travel." Said Yuuril.

"Where?"

"Where my path leads me." Said Yuuril.

"Wouldn't it be better to have a specific place to travel to?"

"I don't have one." Said Yuuril.

"Why?"

"Because I don't need one." Said Yuuril.

"Do you always travel alone?"

"I'm not alone; Istatus is travelling with me." Said Yuuril.

"I mean, with someone else than him."

"It happens sometime." Said Yuuril.

"Can I travel with you?"

"Maybe, where were you going?" Said Yuuril.

"Actually, I was searching for a rare flower, growing somewhere nearby, but I lost my way."

"So you want me to bring you to a town?" Asked Yuuril.

"It would be great. I don't know where the closest town is."

Yuuril then step out of the water. He was looking around, searching for something.

"Can you tell me the name of the flower you're looking for?"

"It's a Dreamshade."

"I don't know who tell you this, but there is no Dreamshade around. You've wasted your time."

"Aaaww, maybe, but I met you by searching for it."

"Yes? And so?" Asked Yuuril.

"You look cuddly"

"Thanks, I guess?" Said Yuuril.

"Can I hug you?"

"I guess you can." Said Yuuril.

"Wonderful."

I rush to Yuuril to hug his belly, since he's way taller than me.

"I would have preferred to get dressed before this, but you did it anyway." Said Yuuril.

"Oh yeah, sorry. Silly me."

Yuuril then picked his clothes and get dressed up.

"We can travel to town whenever you're ready." Said Yuuril.

"Sure, I dress up and I'm ready to go."

And so I dress up and we were ready to move. This is going to be a fun travel.