Ameri Susanda

Ameri Susanda was the daughter of Susanda Kristinta. She liked to help others in Najer but most enjoyed spending time with family. Ameri was the governor of Teju'aja, Governer of Najera'jad, and Faircril of The Lost Gods. She enjoyed baking, sewing, and reading in her free time. She was holder of the Venzun and continued her family's legacy.

Abandoned
As soon after Ameri was born, her parents abandoned her in the desert. One night the wanderer found her under the crescent moon. He took Ameri to the Bacri Pom and trusted them with her care. They raised Ameri like one of their own and trusted Susanda Kristinta to take care of her. He asked the tribe if he could bring her to Kigea’jad and they agreed.

Life in Kigea'jad
Very few knew of Ameri's existence in Kigea'jad. Susanda rarely told anyone about her. She mostly spent her life inside cooking, reading, and sewing. She learned many recipes in her time at home and loves to cook for guests. However, there was a horrible incident in 75 AB.

Ameri was outside to watering the garden when she got jumped by five Vulpers. She was then kidnapped and taken to a dark alley. There they started abusing her. Unfortunately for them, Ameri had her crystal of Venzun on her. She pulled it out and stabbed all five of her kidnappers.

Part 1, Departure
Ameri lies down for a bath in her home. It had been a while since she relaxed in the warm water. All the current events were too stressful for her, and the worst part was that she didn’t know how to help. She remembered the days of living with her father. It had been six long years since then. Ameri wished that she could talk to Susanda one last time.

After her bath, Ameri slipped on a gown and headed for bed. Lying down underneath the covers, Ameri recalled going through the ritual of The Venzun with her father.

“Ameri!” Susanda calls while standing in the doorway, clenching his bag full of tattered books, “We need to go before the sun rises.”

“I know!” Ameri shouts back while running down the spiral staircase. Her long hair flowing behind her. Quickly she grabs two loaves of bread, a lantern, and her bag of clothes and medicine. They rush outside to the pen. Susanda straps the two-person saddle to Bada Kash while Ameri locks the front door. “The moon isn’t even halfway up in the sky. why must we leave so early?” Ameri questions speculatively.

“It’s because we have far to travel. Now hop on,” Susanda states firmly. Ameri hoists herself onto the white steed behind her father. As the duo gallop through the city Ameri gazes at the twinkling stars of the night sky and marvels at their beauty. She knew it would be a while before she would see them again. As they approach the gate, a young guard strides out of the checkpoint, waiting to ask where they are off to. Already knowing the question, Susanda tells the boy, “We are off to my plantation.” This is a lie, but whatever got them through would have to do. The guard gave a nod and shoved open the gate.

Ameri always enjoyed riding at night with her father, the cool breeze and enjoyable company always put her into a state of bliss. However, this night was different. The two stayed mostly quiet for the whole trip, only exchanging a few words now and then. They spent hours cantering on the stone road across the dimly lit desert. On the trip, they ride past Najera’jad, a city full of life. With shouts from the city being heard from the road. On their travel, they also pass a magnificent blackstone pyramid with lava pouring throughout it.

Around midnight, Susanda steers Bada Kash off the road. They gallop towards a small dune with a short tree on top. Stopping at the base of the hill, Ameri and her father dismount. They walk up the dune, and Susanda ties Bada Kash to the nearby tree. While he does that, Ameri looks in front of them. It’s a deep cave that seems to glow a slight purple hue.

Susanda strides up to Ameri, “I remember when my father took me here.” He recalls. “The night was just like this, the sand was cool, and our robes swayed in the slight breeze. The stars filled the night sky like snow being sprinkled into a cauldron.”

“Dad, you brew too much.” Ameri jokes. “Oh shush, back then I was scared to enter, probably more than you are, I knew that I could see the sky for days or even see my father, but I made it so don’t worry.”

Part 2, The Dive
Susanda hands his bag of books over to Ameri. He asks her, “Do you have everything? Food, water, medicine?” “Yes, I do. You don’t need to worry.” Ameri replies. Susanda leans forward and hugs Ameri, “May the Lost Gods guide you.” And with that, Ameri sets off into the cave.

The cave’s walls narrow, and the ceilings quite low. Ameri must crouch to descend. She has to sometimes turn sideways to fit through. Crawling through the caves, getting lower and lower, Ameri stumbles into a dome-like room. In the center was a stone table covered with ash and cracks. Molten purple liquid dripped from the ceiling forming crystals on the floor and filling the entire room with a faint purple hue. Ameri gazes around, spinning in place to admire the beauty of it all.

Crunching beneath her step, Ameri tried to avoid the small crystals. She wondered what this room was used for. Her father told her that the texts left by Delium Venzun would guide her. Tiny crystals chime as she brushes them away to clear a spot to sit down. She reaches into the satchel and grabs an old leather book. “Let’s see, where are we?” Ameri muttered to herself while flipping through the old pages.

After some time, Ameri fails to locate the room she is in in the book and decides it was made after the founders’ time. She guesses the room is a place to collect crystals for jewelry but is not completely sure. Ameri decides to collect a few crystals anyways for a new set of earrings. After stashing some of the rocks into her bag, she asks herself, “Is there anything of importance in this book, in the first place?”

Hunt for Her Father
In 78 A.B. right before Susanda went missing, he gave Ameri the crown of the Venzun. This crown makes her age four times slower than the normal human would.

Ameri Susanda was very involved for the hunt for her father, Susanda Kristinta. She was greatly affected mentally and was forced to become more independent.

The Book
The Magic of Our Caves, A Guide for Our Descendants

By Delium Venzun, Para Shutte and Jeshika Zone

This book is dedicated to our descendants, those who wish to partake in the sacred ways of our family. We have written this in order of encounter from the surface to the very depths of this cave.

While this book may not be found after our deaths, anyone in this cave must learn the dangers and difficulties faced when exploring these sacred grounds. Here is our unprofessional guide to the cave.

Part 1, The basics.

As you may know, the crystals in this cave are magnificent. As soon as I saw them, I wanted one.

However, I must warn you that untreated crystals are highly unstable. Para’s hand is gone because of that one. Any exposure to rapid temperature changes will result in pure unrefined crystals exploding.

While pure crystals are dangerous, they can only be found at very low depths. It took us over ten days to descend to the bottom, so pack plenty of supplies. When you are at the upper parts of the cave, the only worry you should have is the lack of ways to explain how majestical the cave looks.

Ameri believes she has read enough to continue exploring the wonderful underground system. Storing her book away in her pack and conjuring some water with the help of a crystal, she walks across the room to the next set of tunnels.

Slowly walking, admiring the walls and floors, Ameri notices that the cave is opening. After a sharp left turn, Ameri comes face to face with a staggering hall. The ceiling stretches past the torch’s illumination. Pillars of a dark stone support the weight of the earth above. Ameri is but a small figure in the dazzling hall of stone and gem. Shocked and amazed, Ameri decides to camp there for her first night in the cave. She sits down and lights a small fire to draw some of the scenes she has seen so far.

Hirudo Talvos Stepping Down
When Hirudo Talvos stepped down from Emir in late 77 AB, Ameri was greatly saddened. Especially as this was during her father's disappearance. She was inspired by Hirudo and loved what he stood for. However, with him stepping down, Ameri gained great ambition to climb the ranks of The Najer Government. She wishes to strengthen Najer.

Kafas niv Jaseda
In 78 A.B. Asdrubal entrusted Ameri with the ownership of Kafas niv Jaseda. This was the first step in Ameri's path towards increased service to Najer.

Ameri Susanda built a home for herself in Kafas and planned to move there. However, in 79 A.B. after her home was complete, Orshav asked her to become the mayor of Kigea'jad. Ameri turned down the offer with the reasoning of, "Vulpers live there, I don't trust them." After that incident Ameri completed her home in Kafas by furnishing her bedroom, kitchen and dining room.

The year of promotions
In 80 A.B. Ameri Susanda achieved another goal towards serving Najer. She was promoted to Governor of Najera'jad and Faircril of The Lost gods after Orshav stepped down. Ameri took a year to figure out what to do, and in this time, she decided to finish the investigation of her father.

New Wealth Opportunities
In 85 A.B., Ameri took on reading lots of new books. She decided to open a bookstore and made over 300k there with the help of some friends. After her success with the bookstore, she worked on Najera'jad infrastructure, she spent a lot of money funding roads, canals and bridges.

Around 88 A.B. Ameri took on the name Belna and started working as a secret assassin and sometimes a bandit. From this job she gained wealth along with some valuable and skilled friends. however, the results of her childhood and new jobs have caused her to become a little blood lusted. She tries to keep herself under control, but sometimes finds herself going to the Nether to kill.

Giving up Faircril
In 90 A.B. Ameri gave the position of Faircril to Alaxander. She believed he was a much better leader for the Lost Gods then she was. She then exited from church activities.

Melthir's Death
Ameri was given the task of stopping Melthir from joining Avmos'tal. She snuck into the inn he was staying at in the middle of the night and harvested his soul. She stored his soul in the crystal of Venzun, stopping it from giving off its standard health effects.

Marriage 91 A.B.
Caria Heshtevc was a merchant nomad who traveled to Kafas niv Jaseda seeking to sell his goods. However, he got trampled by one of Ameri's horses in the streets on the way. Ameri apologized profusely, asking if there was anything she could do. To which he responded he needed a place to stay. Knowing of an empty residence, she helped him move into a tiny house across from her home.

After that incident, they saw each other regularly and often chatted around the city. Ameri began to get feelings for Caria and tested him. Her test was morally screwed up, as expected from Ameri. She handed him a mug full of "Black Tea" to drink. However, he noticed something was off and set it alight with a flint and steel. The entire cup ignited in his hand. Caria chuckled while on fire, "Decay absinthe ey?" Ameri astonished he didn't fall for her trick like so many others, rushed him to her bathtub and extinguished his hands. Once his wounds were properly dressed, Ameri confessed to him, "Caria, I-I like y-you..." "Says the girl who just tried to poison me."

They started dating, and after two years, they got married. They started living together in Kafas and are a happy couple.

Opening Kafas 96 A.B.
After completing the Spice Guild Headquarters in Kafas niv Jaseda, Ameri worked on advertising the market to increase traffic to the area. Many new stalls and shops were opened, and it is now a thriving market.

Ameri's Children 97 A.B.
Shortly after Opening Kafas to the public, Ameri gave birth to twins. Due to the stress of parenting and how much effort it took, Ameri slowly became less and less reliable. She decided it would be best for her and her people if she took a break. In 102 A.B. Ameri officially stepped down as governor temporarily after the split of the province.

The children's names are unique from the standard naming practices of Najer people. Instead of using the fist name of the parent of respective gender, Ameri decided to use her last name instead.

Kyoko Susanda and Myria Susanda
Kyoko and Myria Susanda were both born in 97 A.B. They both grew up in Ameri's Kafas home and were tutored by the local merchants on many aspects of life.

Goodbye Najera'jad 102 AB
In 102 AB Emir Alsham Talvos puts into effect the new province system. While Ameri had been the Governor of Najera'jad for 22 years, she did not apply to be the governor of the new Teju'aja province. Instead, she took the time to teach, play, and care for her children. While she missed the old provinces and friends, she enjoyed her new life as a mother and Seyoh. She completely disappeared from Najer politics and lived a mostly calming life free from the intensity of governmental management.

First Kafas Boat Race 109 AB
After being free from the stress of government Ameri wanted to host something that would be fun for many citizens. So, Ameri decided to use the canals in place at Kafas as a sort of racetrack. She invited all from across the lands to come and race their boats down the rapids, up waterfalls and around tight turns with the promise of prize money for the fastest. The whole event probed a huge success with many coming and enjoying the event, made even better when the Emir himself hired a band to play music during the whole event.

Called Back 113 AB
In 133, AB Ameri received a letter from Maeryna about becoming the new governor of Teju'aja as the previous governor had resigned. Craving the stress and entertainment of goverership, she agreed and was officially promoted to governor of Teju'aja. However, she was much older now and did not want to manage so many things at once, instead, she made the decision to pass Seyohship of Kafas to her daughter, Kyoko. However, Kyoko still needed guidance and help. Seeing her daughter work hard to keep Kafas in shape made Ameri very proud.

Ameri's Account of Soonsandbash’s Death, 114 AB
It was another casual morning for Ameri. She woke up to prepare breakfast for the family. Working by candlelight as it was wintertime and still dark, she quietly whisked the meal together. Glorious golden eggs and cinnamon buns lay on the table. The sweet air filled the entire house. “Breakfast is ready!” she called, and the kids came rushing down the stairs.

After they had eaten, everyone got ready for the day. Kyoko and Myria got dressed for school, Caria cleaned the dishes, and Ameri slipped her sandals on for the short walk to the office. However, Caria handed her a letter from the Emir. The letter read, “Official notice, Soonsandbash is to be exiled from all Najer territory.” “What!? I will need to read this later.” Said Ameri with a confused look on her face.

As soon as the family stepped out the door, they knew something was wrong. Soonsandbash, their neighbor and great-grandfather, still had candles flickering. At this time, he was always asleep, candles out, and sometimes snoring loud enough to hear through the open windows. Ameri decided it would be best to walk the children to school before checking the home, Soonsandbash was getting quite old, and Ameri was concerned he may have had an accident late at night or had drunk himself to waste after receiving the letter.

After dropping off the children, she rushed back to Soonsandbash’s home. Her heart pounding and aching with the dread of the worst. She knocked on the spruce door a few times. No reply. “Soonsandbash, you awake?”

Still no reply. Dreadfully Ameri slowly opened the door. She walked into the dimly lit room. She instantly recognized the scent of blood. After recognizing the scent, she ran up the stairs. She gasps and stumbles to the ground. As she hit the ground, she felt a slimy, sticky substance under her.

The wooden floor was stained red, and an empty bottle of liquor lay next to Soonsandbash. The room reeked of old blood and alcohol. Ameri’s pink clothes looked more like a butcher’s apron than a dress after she fell into the pools of blood. There was a kitchen knife shoved through Soonsandbash’s chest. Crimson blood oozed out of his still body. Stained and torn, his robes slowly fluttered in the breeze. Dried tears stained his cheeks. There was a gaping hole in his thigh filled with coagulated blood and slices all over his body. His neck was sliced open. Soonsandbash was dead, really really dead.

`Ameri resisted the urge to puke. Swallowing back down the acid. It had been ages since she had seen something like this. Scared, shocked, and upset, Ameri fled back to the safety of her home. She immediately removed her stained clothes and dove into her bath.

While scrubbing the dark red liquid off herself, she thought, “Who did this? Why? How? No one has been seen entering the city for the last day. No one here would hate Soonsandbash this much.” Ameri struggled to think of who did this, but no one came to mind. She didn’t want to accept it, but this could have happened only if Soonsandbash had done it to himself.

Ameri cried on her bed for hours. Caria tried his best to comfort her but was shaken himself. A local investigator searched through the scene for evidence that this wasn’t a suicide. Soonsandbash’s death was a shock to the entire town. The right bell rang, and the whole city mourned.

Shattered Crystal 119 AB
Ameri was on the run. The army fled like a group of pigs. It was a decisive defeat. Sprinting through the fields, Ameri attempted to flee the slaughter in the fortress. The enemy had breached the walls, and she was separated from her allies.

A skilled enemy pearled in front of her, she quickly changed her trajectory. However, she made a miss calculation and was pinned against a wall. Fighting for her life, she slashed, ducked, and jumped to fight off this attacker, but she was not strong enough. It had been years since she joined a battle, preferring to fight one on one. Being rusty, she was eventually knocked out and looted.

After the crushing defeat, the enemy side ransomed off the looted items. One of which was The Crystal of Venzun, which Ameri carried on her. Sensing a need to recover it, Ameri attempted to buy it back. However, realizing the value of the crystal, the opposing side put a price that was unaffordable to her. Knowing the crystal was too powerful to be left in enemy hands, she devised a plan to steal it back.

She had lost other war gear in the fight along with the crystal. Ameri told the dealer to bring all her items back, and she would pay for them. The dealer sent a goon out, and Ameri began trading. Once the dealer had given her the items, she started to pay. Slowly counting out her cash. Once she had paid for the weapons and armor, she started to run. Mounting her horse, she galloped off into the wilderness. The goon tried to stop her but only shot an arrow into Ameri’s satchel, and she got away.

Once Ameri returned to Kafas niv Jaseda, she opened her bag and realized. The crystal of Venzun had been shattered. Ameri knew this was the end. With the crystal’s magic gone, all the aging it had prevented before caught up with her. She started to feel weak, calling for Caria, and soon, she collapsed onto her bed.

Death 120 AB
Ameri had lived since 64 AB, she had seen many things, people dying, people arriving, political strife, war, and peace. At times she was stressed, others sad, and sometimes overjoyed. All things that occur with the passing of time. She was now lying on her bed, thinking of the past, surrounded by her family. She had lived a good life. Helped many, cried for many, and fought for many, but now it was time for the bells to toll for her.

Ameri would be remembered, she hoped that the Emirate would live on. She was glad to be free of the stress but was saddened that she couldn’t spend more time with those she loved. Ameri cried as the last time she would see Kafas, her family, and all her friends. There would soon be suffering for all of them.

The right bell rang. People gathered around the shrine. Just as had been said long ago, Ameri’s family chanted the ancient words in the funeral.

Loss creates pain

Death creates sorrow

All is in vain

Nothing left for tomorrow

And with that, the crowd sang the words written long ago by Delium Venzun:

Noh ne dola zun... Toh ne leva zun... Reh zun... Reh zun, leva zun. Noh ne dola zun... Toh ne leva zun... Reh zun... Reh zun... Reh zun...

Wrapped in customary blue robes. Ameri was lowered into the ground. The right bell was rung one more time. Silence filled the streets. Slowly, people walked back to their homes. Ameri was buried but was to be moved to a safer place in time.

Decisions 124 AB
Jolting up from bed, Ameri finds herself sweating and shaking. She had just dreamed of her death, a vision from Mayassioh. Then soon after her waking, she passed out again and received yet another vision. However, this time it was a look to the past.

As she dreamed, she remembered Susanda, her father. Susanda had talked to her about Mayassioh when she was little. He told her about gazing at the crescent moon while burning spices and praying for good sleep. He told her of friendship in the Bacri tribe, speaking of his close friendship with Asdrubal Hanno, how they would play under the moonlight, cause mischief, and all the fun of childhood. Most importantly, though, he told Ameri stories of receiving dreams from Mayassioh. Dreams that, in time, would cause his eventual death.

She remembered how he had once told her of a strange dream where he was killed in Sigtuna. They both dismissed it as a silly dream because why would he ever need to leave for Sigtuna? However, during the investigation after his disappearance, the evidence showed his kidnapping took place in the outskirts of Sigtuna.

Awaking again, Ameri frantically conveyed her dreams to Caria so they would not forget. During breakfast, Ameri brought it up with the family. After a long discussion, they decided it would be best for Ameri to take advice from the dreams, retire and move to a safer, more relaxing place than the harsh sands of The Wandering Desert.

Reluctantly Ameri agreed. She would miss the sand, the warmth and cold, and most especially, the people. Being born in the Desert itself, being rescued by the wanderer and taken to the Bacri for safety, Ameri had no clue how life in another place would be. Thinking for days, Ameri found a location perfect for her retirement.

Re-unification of Najera'jad 124 AB
In 124 AB, Ameri pushed the idea of reunifying the old Province of Najera'jad. While there was good reason for this, Ameri just wanted to be Governor of Najera'jad once more before she left Najer forever. With aproval from the Grand Najer Forum, she reunified the Teju'aja and Silkov'jira provinces unto the Province of Najera'jad.

Departure 125 AB (3/5/23)
After Ameri made all the necessary preparations for her retirement, she planned a retirement party. At the party there were drinks, fireworks, songs, speeches, trivia and many other fun games. After two nights of celebrations and congratulations, Ameri lead the crowds down the Rinja niv Almara, the river on the south side of Kafas, to the great city of Najera'jad. It was at the Najera'jad port that Ameri boared a boat bound for the small village of Starfallen.

Arrival in Starfallen 128 AB
Ameri arrives at the small Starfallen port. Ameri slowly walks onto the docks after 3 years at sea. She looks around and sighs. Beautiful scenery sprawls in front of her while the cool breeze cools her. Compared to the crashing of waves and heaves of sailors, the quite sound of birds and rustling trees clam her. Ameri slowly walks to the town center, where Nasri awaits her arrival.

Ameri is old and quite slow, her days of fast-moving assassination. Ameri chose Starfallen as a place of rest and peacefulness from the harsh desert winds of Najer. With a small home in the upper housing district, Ameri moved her possessions and settled down.

Sayori's Refraction 138 AB
Sayori sat patiently on the floor of her parent’s cramped and dusty home, forced to listen to the humming insects while waiting for her parents to sit down. Once they had settled, she started unwrapping her gifts. Now her parents had just recently returned from The Emirate of Najer, so she suspected the gifts were souvenirs from their travels. Little did she know these gifts were more than simple jewels and baubles.

Sayori first reached for the largest present, a navy-blue bundle tied with a golden bow. Carefully, Sayori untied the string that held the present together. As she lifted the package for a better look, it unrolled into a dark woolen cloak with golden highlights and a small leather satchel attached. “Over in Najer, everyone wore one of these! They say it protects them from the sun,” commented Sayori’s father.

After carefully clipping on the large blue cloak, Sayori peered into the next gift, a box that held silver earrings with amethyst crystals. However, unlike amethyst, the jewels had a glow to them and seemed to flash with a methodic rhythm. Their strange magical properties piqued Sayori’s curiosity and demanded her attention.

After a few more gifts and a celebratory treat, Sayori’s eleventh birthday concluded. Her parents left to go work in the field, leaving her alone. Perplexed by their rhythmic pulsations, Sayori studied the crystal earrings until she could no longer withhold herself. Excited yet carefully, Sayori dissected the masterfully crafted silver ornaments to unveil those coveted gemstones inside.

Amazed by their glow, Sayori made a cave with her hands. Observing the illumination of the fleshy cave, Sayori started to reassemble the silver earrings as she imagined the baubles glowing in the dark evenings. Dreadfully though, amidst all the excitement, she dropped a crystal. As it hit the ground, it shattered like glass. She hastily swept up the dust and hid it in a pouch, not wanting her parents to see what she’d done.

Devastated by the mistake, Sayori failed to rest that night, tossing and turning, trying to think of how she would replace the crystal. When she was about to give up, she remembered a folk tale about the Enders. Legends say, “They were tall, dark creatures with purple eyes.” However, what intrigued Sayori the most was what materials could be reaped from these monsters when slain. “On death, an Ender could drop a magical crystal-like pearl.”

Seeing the resemblance to her crystals, Sayori plotted to acquire one of these pearls. With the rarity of an Ender and the skill it would takes to kill, Sayori had to think of another way to acquire the pearl. Sayori remembered hearing of the goods stashed in the clan leaders’ home and quickly constructed a plan. At the crack of dawn, Sayori set out towards the castle that housed Tempo Kyoká Isen, the clan’s leader. While Kyoká was away on proper business, Sayori snuck into the Tempo’s home and stole a pearl. Quickly, she scampered home and started to experiment.

Sayori realized the pearl would not fit into the earring. Using her problem-solving skills, she decided it best to crush the pearl and try to reshape it later. As she pulverized the pearl, she became paranoid that her parents would come to check the commotion. Deciding it would be best to avoid them, she moved to the ocean beach to finish grinding the pearl into a fine powder. After that, she poured in the remnants of her shattered crystal, creating a strange concoction of magical powders.

Realizing she could try casting a melted version of the powders, she went home and heated the mixture on the stove. Surprisingly, the molten mixture was ready within minutes. Sayori took the pot of soupy gem-liquid and poured it into a quickly made earthen cast. What resulted was a teardrop-shaped greenish-purple crystal the size of her hand.

Elated, Sayori ran back to the beach to wash off the dirt but tripped on a large root. She desperately tried to shield the tear from breaking again, but these attempts proved fruitless. The gem shattered in the blink of an eye, and Sayori’s world slipped away from her. Falling down an infinite pit surrounded by a purple glow, slowly seeing her home disappear, Sayori started to panic. She tried to orient herself to climb back up, yet this threw her into an uncontrollable spin. Dizzy, disoriented, tiered, and scared, Sayori blacked out.

Part 2

Waking up to the sound of chirping birds, Sayori rolled over and promptly fell off the bed. Stunned, she took a moment to realize she was not in her bedroom. Discombobulated, she peered out a nearby window, trying to learn her situation. As she feared, she didn’t recognize any of the flora or fauna outside the window.

Turning back to the room she was in, she noticed another bed across the room, neatly made, with a purple crystal hanging just above it. Curious, she strolled over to investigate. While climbing onto the bed to take a closer look, she felt heat still radiating from the covers. Sayori attempts to process what has happened, but in the meantime, a delicious aroma drifted into the room. Sayori looked around to find the source of the scent.

Famished, Sayori located a staircase and began to head down it. However, in her usual klutziness, she missed a step and ended up falling down the stairs. “Oh! Good morning, Dear. Are you all right?” asked an old lady standing beside a stove. Recovering, Sayori managed to give a slight nod. “Breakfast is just about ready. Why don’t you take a seat?”

Sayori waddled over to the small table in front of the fireplace and sat in one of two chairs. Soon after, the lady brought over two steaming bowls, each with a fried egg, bread, and soup. The old lady also brought over a glass of water, which Sayori used to wash down the starchy breakfast. As the old lady takes a seat, Sayori questioned, “Um, excuse me, but who are you, and where am I?”

The old lady chuckled, “Don’t worry, Dear, you’re in good hands. I’m your grandfather’s cousin, Ameri, but you can call me whatever you want. As for where you are, you’re in Starfallen, a little village in the Magisterium. I believe you messed with Venzun crystals and ended up teleporting here. Unfortunately, there’s no good way to get you home.”

Months passed, and the stir in Kawatoumi caused by Sayori’s disappearance faded. Shiori and Makoto mourned, assuming their daughter was killed. However, back in Starfallen, Sayori had grown accustomed to living with her new grandma. She attended the small Starfallen school, helped with chores, and studied Najer History with Ameri.

One night, Ameri told Sayori, “I am getting very old. The doctor doesn’t expect me to make it much longer. When I pass, will you return my body to lay in the sands of Najera’jad?” Thoughtlessly, Sayori agreed instantly and swore to bring Ameri home. On the Fidan (the first month) of 144 AB, Ameri passed away in her sleep. Starfallen mourned the death of their beloved member and commemorated a festival in her honor.

Just as she promised, Sayori boarded a ship headed for Plagatea and planned to disembark at the port of Ajek Point, Najer. When she arrived, she navigated the desert roads toward the capital of Najer to inform the Emir of Ameri's death.