Syberia
Legacy Name: Syberia

"Remind me, why do we come here so often, commander?" Sven complained low under his breath, shivering. Him, Elfric, Asch and Ragnarok were in the frozen fields of the Arctic Frost. It was a sunny day, a light breeze brushed through their fur, but it was extremely cold in temperature. Fresh snow laid undisturbed except for their tracks being left behind.

"Charting the area, as I've mentioned before. We're less likely to get lost in if we establish landmarks," Elfric explained as he looked over the map. "Asch, is there really a hot spring around here?"

"In the fucking cold, don't be daft..." Sven muttered. Asch looked back; he was leading the way as he knew the area very well, having grown up in the Arctic.

"Yes, there truly is! The hot spring is hidden very well though, but when you need a break from the bitter cold, it is remarkably useful. We're looking for a cave entrance that has amethyst crystals." he lifts a paw to the rising mountains in the distance. "We have to go to that peak, known as the Peak of Fangs."

Ragnarok, who was falling behind in the group, due to his excitement of seeing snow, frolicked up to beside Asch. He puffed out a breath of cold air.
"Why is it called that? Does it have rock structures that look like teeth??"

"No, it's home to several Telenine packs, including the very dangerous Tusk and Crookfang. Commander, you're familiar with them, I'm sure." Ragnarok could hear the nervousness in Asch's voice. The big cat was easily picked on by other Celinox and predators.

"Yeah, they're not exactly welcoming to anyone on their turf. If we can avoid them, that would be preferable."

"Glacier Telenines! I wonder how they look!" Ragnarok wondered aloud as he ran ahead.

"They look like you, stupid," Sven shook snow off his back. Why was he always being dragged into the cold arctic?

"Hanji believes there are regional differences with each species. A forest Urubu is not the same as a polar variety," Elfric corrected Sven. He drew a path to the peak on the map, labeled it and shoved it back in his pack. "come on, Sven, the young pup's gonna get there before dusk if we don't keep up with him."

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-xAs they climb the peak, a light snow storm moves in. Ragnarok is still full of energy. "Look at that! A waterfall in the distance!" he noticed as they were ascending a cliffside.

"That would probably be Sparkling Waterfall. It flows into a lake further south that is home to a kind of red fish that smells bad. We call them the reekfish," Asch confirmed.
"You really know the area well, Asch!" the young firey Telenine was impressed. This was his first ever excursion into the tundra, and Asch had told him many stories of living here. To see it firsthand, it took his breath away. Having lived in Darkside his entire life, the only mountains he knew were the ones that burned of sulfur and soot.

"The only thing that makes traveling through here bearable, is having you and Sirius knowing the land best so we no longer can get lost," Elfric praised and patted Asch on the shoulder. Sven walked past the three, and grumbled, "More moving, less talking and sight-seeing."

"Sven's right, we don't want to linger too long. And remember, we're now in Telenine territory. Stay on your guard, and we need to all stay close to each other," Elfric ordered.

Hours pass, and the group is still looking for the proper cave entrance. "Not this one," Elfric sighs as he walks out of a cave he entered moments ago. "No crystals."

"Asch, you don't know where this particular cave is, do you?" Sven sighed. Asch reached a front paw behind his head to scratch at his ear uncomfortably.

"Well, I only went to the hot spring once as a younger cub."

"Hey guys! I found a cave over here we didn't check!" Ragnarok had disappeared from the group following a scent and footprints that went into the cave he found. Elfric furrowed his eyebrows. "Good, but don't wander off on your own."

"There's a scent of someone though, maybe if we find them they can guide us to the hot spring!"

The group of 4 explore the cave. The footprints disappear after so long as the cave transitions to rock and stone. Ragnarok keeps his nose to the ground, tracking the scent, while the others examine for amethyst crystals. Soon, Ragnarok wanders too far and because he's too focused on tracking the scent, he slides down an embankment into cold water below.

"I don't think this is the hot spring guys! Guys?!" he calls out after shaking water off his pelt. His call echoes, but he hears no one else. He looks around, and tries to find a way back up. As he struggles to climb up the side of the dropoff, someone is watching him nearby. Ragnarok loses his grip and falls back into the water. As he sits up, the stranger nearby can't help but chuckle lightly. He turns to see a beautiful blue Telenine watching him. Her tail is super long, and she's extremely fluffy. Even her toes were covered in thick fur. She was smiling though, which made Ragnarok smile back.

"That isn't a good way to go back up," she called to him. He was mesmerized by her beauty and felt a gravitational pull to her.

"Then how do I get out of here? My commander's gonna yell at me for wandering off," he sheepishly lowered his head, showing he was no threat of any kind.

"Then follow me. Hope you don't mind getting more wet though," and she led the way through another tunnel. They get to talking, and Ragnarok discovers her name is Syberia.

"Hey, these are some really pretty crystals...they're purple.." Ragnarok notices above him as he keeps walking. He trips over a small rock in the shallow water and falls with a splash. Syberia laughs as he re-emerges, a slightly annoyed expression his face as he shakes off water. "You weren't kidding about there being so much water."

"There's a small waterfall up ahead we have to pass under to reach the spring," Syberia chuckled. "These are known as amethyst crystals."

"Wait, you mean, this is the hot spring??"

"Yes, Amethyst Pool is what we call it around here."

"Alright! I was the one to find it, wait til the guys hear this," he leapt forward excitedly, before slipping on a wet rock and hitting the water once more.

"You look like a drowned Wyllop," Syberia couldn't contain her laughter. Ragnarok couldn't be too angry with being laughed at, it was admittedly funny how clumsy he was. He grinned cheekily, and splashed water at her with his forepaw. They laughed and followed the path down the tunnel. Sure enough, they ducked underneath a waterfall and they were back outside. The air was humid, and the water was much warmer. They swam to the water's edge and climbed out.

"Wow....there's those amethyst crystals down at the bottom of the water too!"

"Yes, hence it's name. You know, I've never seen a telenine that looked like yourself," Syberia commented. Ragnarok blushed a little.

"I'm from Darkside, which is a volcanic region. This is my first time to the arctic! Do you live by yourself? Where's your pack?" Ragnarok asked. Syberia squirmed a little, frowning.

"I got separated from my family as a pup. I found this hot spring though, and have lived on my own since. Occasionally, travellers wander around aimlessly in the cold and almost succumb to hypothermia. I carry them here to the hot spring, so they may rest and recover."

"Oh...it must be lonely then."

"It is. It's been months since I've last had a visitor. So thank you for coming," Syberia was back to smiling again. Ragnarok thought of something.

"You know, one way I communicate with my friends is by howling. Maybe if we howl together, my friends can find us then," Ragnarok suggested. It was Syberia's turn to blush, but she nodded in agreement.

Inside the cavern, the three are looking for the reborn Telenine. "That dumbass would follow his nose right off a cliff wouldn't he?" Sven berated. Elfric sighed in agreement, while Asch tilted his head.
"Do you guys hear that? It sounds like Ragna....and someone else with him..." Asch murmured.

"Let's follow the sound and see where it leads us," Elfric concluded and the three set off towards the sound of howling. The three then reunite with their comrade.

"So this is the hot spring after all," Elfric decided.

"Yes, Amethyst Pool. I found your friend and am happy to see you reunited," Syberia smiled warmly. But Ragnarok could see sadness behind her eyes.

"Syberia....you know, we're always accepting new members to the guild," Ragnarok started while Sven shifted his jaw side to side in minor irritation. The reborn Telenine ignored that and continued, "You could come with us. And then you wouldn't be alone. Our guild is like a pack."

"The work is hard though, we don't take freeloaders. Everyone trains and fights," Sven gritted. Elfric lightly punched his lieutenant in the shoulder before speaking.

"Perhaps you can take the night to think about it. I personally would like to rest here since the sun is starting to set. We can talk about how our guild functions and if you think it'd suit you, you're more than welcome to travel back with us," Elfric softened his gaze. He could tell the reborn Telenine was smitten for her.

That night, the four of them get to know Syberia and in the morning, she agrees to join the guild.