Ann

Feeling bad? I will draw you a sun to brighten your day~

Peeling onions, staying up late, studying, and saying goodbye to my closest friends.

Bubble is the fastest in the Ponpon Fish Village. She can carry me all the way to the treetops. Coco can instantly become super bulky and breathe fire. She can even whip up warm porridge to make me feel better when I'm sick!

We help the villagers, patrol the forest, and keep an eye out for monsters. Each team member has a unique role, and as long as you care about the village, you're considered an honorary member of the Scout Squad.

I don't remember who my parents are. Villagers told me, a few years ago, Coco brought me to the village. I have asked Coco about it, but she only responds with "wuf." Strange—she usually understands me just fine.

The little sister helped me so much and she climbs trees faster than I do! —Teresa

Fluflas are known for their exceptional hearing and natural bond with animals. However, little is understood about their interactions with monsters like Firefangs. The Firefang is a fierce, fire-breathing creature. Its innate pride makes it nearly impossible to tame. That said, Coco, Ann's Firefang companion, is a unique case. Not only has she formed a strong bond with Ann, but she has also picked up abilities that are uncommon for her kind. This makes Coco an intriguing subject for further study. —From a paper archived at Eye of Grace

The villagers laboring in the fields turned to the sage for help, asking how they could lift the curse. The wheat still clung to life, but the villagers were drained, their bodies and spirits worn thin by the curse. The sage stroked his beard thoughtfully and told the villagers that only the legendary Sun Knight could awaken the slumbering sun, whose light would break the curse. The villagers asked eagerly, "Where can we find the Sun Knight?" This time, the sage simply shook his head, offering no answer.

As a matter of fact, the Sun Knight was already on her way. Wrapped in a magic cloak to shield her from the cold, she ventured deep into the damp forest. This was her domain, and she knew every creature that called it home. In return, these creatures adored her. The fluffy-tailed nut identifiers and the flying singers eagerly guided her along the way.

The Sun Knight was on a quest to collect the materials needed to awaken the sun. She gathered handfuls of royal poinciana petals, a large basket of marigold buds, and some tasty onions and purple sweet potatoes—everything packed into a big bag. But no, she wasn't planning to wake the sun with a feast! She also collected spider webs, madder roots, and a barrel of tree sap. Carefully, she loaded the heavy bag onto the back of her most trusted companion, Lady Firefang, and brought them all back to her secret hideout. In a large pot, the ingredients simmered for hours, turning into precious liquid by the time the piles of firewood disappeared. What had once been a heap of materials was now stored in several small jars. The Sun Knight packed the jars carefully, borrowed a few strands of Lady Firefang's beautiful fur, and made her way toward the "tower" in the village.

She squeezed through the crack in the wall and climbed the steps to the top. Below, Lady Firefang stood, her gaze fixed on the Sun Knight as she ascended. The ritual to awaken the sun began. The magical fluid from the jars was poured onto the tower, painting it with golden and fiery-red hues. As the warm colors spread, the sky seemed to recall its memory. The warm hues also healed the clouds, and sunlight returned to the village. But the remnants of the curse clung to the Sun Knight. No one knew where she went after that. As for when the Sun Knight would return... Well, that's a different story.

"Big Bo, don't you think the windmill in the village is lovely?" "It is! But what's that on it? Is that...an orange?" "It's the sun! The color's faded from the rain." "I see, you were working on this the other day." "Yeah. The rainy season was so annoying. But the sun I painted brought smiles to everyone in the village." "So, that's how you caught a cold?" "Achoo! It's nothing, really! I'll be fine in a couple of days. Please, Big Bo, don't buy me any medicine. I really don't want to drink that bitter stuff again."

Once again, the Sun Knight put on her cold-immune magical cloak and stepped into the frozen forest alone. The snowstorm casted unease among the forest creatures, but the Sun Knight returned to her domain undeterred. No cheers of welcome greeted her, but she was determined to help those in need. She carefully placed five pine nuts—forgotten treasures of the fluffy-tailed nut identifiers—at their door. She gently returned three bird eggs—cherished offspring of the flying singers—to their nest. And then, she spotted a set of paw prints—no, not just any paw prints—these were the tracks of Lady Firefang!

The Sun Knight quickened her pace, following the trail deeper into the forest. Through the wind and snow, she saw Lady Firefang up ahead. She was close now—just a few steps away from getting the answer she needed. But as she drew near, a sense of shiver crept over her. The figure before her wasn't Lady Firefang at all—it was a vicious wolf, who looked strikingly similar to her. He wore the disguise of Lady Firefang, hoping to deceive the villagers and break their trust in her. Just as the Sun Knight moved to confront him, the biting wind and snow suddenly numbed her limbs. At the critical moment, the real Lady Firefang appeared and engaged in the fight, shielding the Sun Knight behind her.

The battle soon ended, as the wolf stood no chance against Lady Firefang. But in a final act of desperation, he grabbed Lady Firefang and pulled her down the mountainside with him. The Sun Knight quickly called on the creatures of the forest. They brought spruces, ivy vines, and a large, elastic mushroom. Together, they crafted a sled to ride over the snow. Without hesitation, the Sun Knight jumped onto the sled and sped down the mountain.

In a quiet cave, she found Lady Firefang, injured but still breathing. "Hold on, my friend." the Sun Knight said gently. She reached into her pouch and pulled out two strange stones. Click. Clack. The melodious sounds summoned a fire spirit. It appeared in a flash of flames, offering warmth. "This isn't enough." the Sun Knight murmured, draping her enchanted cloak over Lady Firefang to protect her from the cold. The fire spirit danced through the night. Finally, the long, bitter night ended.

Soon after, the sage led the villagers to the cave. When they learned the truth, their concerns were resolved. However, the Sun Knight, still recovering from her illness, became even weaker. Determined to care for her, Lady Firefang began to learn the villagers' ways of living...

"No matter how many times I see it, I still can't believe Coco can cook!" "Heh, impressive, isn't it?" "Yeah. Coco is impressive! Unlike Ann..." "That's not true! I... I can cook too! I'll show you, Big Bo!" "Hold on! Did you just pour the entire bag of salt in there!?"

"Do you think it was the right thing to tell her? I still remember the sad look on her face that day..." On the moving carriage, the girl spoke regretfully to the boy beside her. "It beats let her discover it for herself. And stop sticking your head out the window, it's dangerous." "I think...I see something strange in the wheat field." "There are some strangely tall stalks, and they're moving towards us." "Impossible, you must be seeing things..." The boy leaned out of the window, and as sunlight swept across the wheat field, he saw a girl on the back of a Firefang. In the golden wheat waves, she was waving a flag made of wheat stalks in the air. "Nalan! Ya! Look, I made this really cool wheat flag!" "When I become the captain of the Scout Squad, I'll carry it with me everywhere!" "I'll hang it high at the village gate, so you will see it when you come back!" The Flufla girl could no longer hear her friends' responses as the carriage carried them away. She stopped and looked at their waving goodbye silhouettes gradually disappearing into the horizon.