13 Chapter 12 - Finding a Way
The crisp air tickled his skin as Shuien opened his eyes. His breath was the only source of heat around as he realized it was dark. He glanced around and saw Archer leaned against a tree with his arms wrapped around himself and he appeared to be dozed off. Remnants of blood remained on Archers tunic, causing Shuien to recollect his thoughts of the events that had happened prior. He then paid attention to the dull throb that was emanating from his shoulder. Pulling his shirt aside, he noticed that his wound was firmly wrapped in bandages, although it would be about time to replace them. Slowly standing up, he strode over to where Archer was resting and placed a hand on his shoulder. The prince didn't budge. Shuien knew that he was exhausted.
Leaving him where he was, Shuien turned to asses his surroundings. There were dead trees several paces to their back, towards the way they had come from the kingdom. He knew this was just off the path to Hammerstone. "How far did he carry me?" Shuien thought to himself, glancing over to the prince with a newfound respect. That was no easy task for even an experienced warrior, and to dodge any potential enemies in the process made it all the more remarkable. Upon further observation, they were camped in a small break in the woods. The road wasn't visible from where they were located unless you were intentionally looking for it. On the opposite side of the clearing, across from the path, the moon was reflecting off a partially frozen body of water. Everything seemed peaceful at the moment, but he knew that was only cause they were so far away from civilization.
Shuien headed towards the makeshift bed that was made for him. Bundles of leaves were wrapped together with strips of linen and laid side by side. The same was done for where his head was at, it was just a larger bundle. Looking at Archer, he could see that he had ripped the cloth from his sleeves to do this for him. Shuien looked at his black coat that hung off a low hanging branch on a tree that was nearby, he grabbed it and gazed at it, remembering what it meant to him as a bit of discomfort contorted his stomach. Walking back to the prince, he draped over the top of him to keep the nip of the air from his skin. He gazed at the prince for a while longer as the slight shivering quit. Happy at that sight, he turned and began to walk to his bed. Laying down, he closed his eyes again, feeling anticipation as the scenes of what happened kept flashing through his head.
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The wind between his wings felt better that he ever remembered. Alirick had left his minions to deal with the insects that were in a frenzy. As he took flight, several arrows had been launched at him but simply bounce off of him. Turning towards the first tower he saw as he stretched his wings, he unleashed a stream of flame that crackled the air as it traveled. It connected with the tower and exploded the stone on impact due to the sheer force, crumbling the tower as he growled a satisfied hum in his mind. Turning away from the battle, he set his path in the direction where the sun would set later that day and never looked back. His destination was the mountainside just past the point where the Snale and Pochem rivers forked.
Aliricks eyes missed nothing. He took solace in the sight of the humans running at the sight of him. The heat that just passed through his maw has warmed him up on the chilly night and seemed to fill his body with a glowing feeling. After doing a pass over a little town and snatching a couple of horses to feed himself, he let out a deafening roar that border line deafened everyone present and cowering. His words he spoke seemed to imprint themselves within everyone's mind.
"This world is mine again and you have nothing to help you this time.." as he opened his mouth and began to raze the town with his scorching breath.
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The morning sun was merciless on the tired duos eyes as their eyes flitted open. Archer looked down to see his masters jacket over him and after processing the information, jumped up and dashed to Shuien. The master had been awake slightly longer than his pupil and sat up at the sound of Archers footsteps stomping the ground towards him. Archer knelt down, his heart ready to burst out of chest from the anticipation of seeing his friend again. The master looked into Archers eyes, "strange, his eyes have changed. Their brighter than I've ever seen them," Shuien thought. He knew where the red eyes originated from so it was no mystery to him. The difference was that Archers eyes weren't the usual dull red, now they shone with a brighter orange - or red. It was hard to tell.
"How are you feeling??" Archer asked, glancing down at the bandages that were obviously on their last leg.
"It still hurts, and I can't move my arm. However, I'm alive. Did anyone follow you from yesterday?"
"No, nobody saw me. I was able to grab your bandages before anyone noticed they were gone. I grabbed some alcohol from a guy passed out on the street as well. I used it to disinfect the wound as best as I could before wrapping you up."
"Hol-Hold on. Yesterday we were in Draconvale. What are you talking about?" The master asked confused.
"You've been out for two days, sir. I stayed with you, caring for your wound. A small party caught our scent shortly after leaving the town and I couldn't lose them. There were a couple wolves and a demon thing. They were attracted to the scent of your blood I assume, so I propped you up and lured them in for dispatch."
Cringing at the thought of being used as bait, he shook the thought. "Besides the point, I'm alive because of you, and for that you have my gratitude."
"It's the least I could do. You're all I have left and you almost gave your life for mine. I need you cause I have no direction in this world. I don't know where anything is or what I'm supposed to do. So just as much as I want you with me, I need you here as well."
Climbing to his feet, Shuien grabbed his coat that Archer extended to him. He wasn't able to shove his right arm through the sleeve but the coat draped far enough over his shoulder that it remained on him with the support of this left arm that was unfazed. After wrapping his sword around his waist, he nodded for Archer to gather his gear. Archer walked over to his armor and began to slide on his sabotons.
"No. No armor. Out here, that crest is a beacon as to who you are. This world will leap at the opportunity to claim you and ransom you. And if those creatures hold true to their teachings, your a target for them as you pose a threat."
Archer gazed at his armor. The same armor he has owned since he was young enough to hold a sword. The same metal had always been used to craft him a new set when he outgrew his old, as a means of sentimental value, and it worked. He sighed, and picked it up, brushing his fingers over the phoenix crest on the chest of it.
"The best place would probably be the lake." Shuien suggested.
Nodding his head in agreeance, Archer walked through a thicket that tried to snag his tunic. Despite the grabbing from the bushes, Archer squatted next to the shoreline and began to fill his chest plate his rocks till he could barely lift it. We followed suite with the rest of his armor. After the pieces of armor were filled with rocks, Archer picked up a couple of decent sized rocks to break the ice over the water. Once the pieces hit the water, Archer picked up his pieces and began to toss them into the water. It pained him as he watched each on drop below the waters surface.
Once the deed was done, the prince walked back to his campsite and rendezvoused with Shuien. He handed Spada to Archer and began to walk towards the path on the opposite side of the clearing. Following the masters lead, Archer asked, " Where are we off to first?"
"We are heading to Hammerstone. I have an old friend there who I suspect could help us. He's only slightly younger than me, the bastard has always been stubborn. So I'm sure he's alive."
As they made it back to the path, the screaming of crows screamed through the forest again as though they were yelling "LEAVE, GET OUT!" Ignoring it, they duo continued on their path. The forest was oddly enticing despite everything being dead, and Archer couldn't help but notice all the little things. The snow falling from the branches, a couple of rabbits hopping across the ground that hadn't made it to hibernation yet, and the growl of a bear in the distance warning them to stay away. Shuien began to explain outside life to Archer, drawing his full attention as he did so.
The master began explaining how the lower world infrastructure worked. He informed Archer that everyone was out for their own best interests and that the world was a "the better man" lives. He explained that although there was bad, to embrace the good moments of the world as well to appreciate it regardless.
As their talk continued, almost in unison, their stomachs began to growl. Luckily, they saw the outskirts of another clearing in the woods, giving way to the small town that laid past that. A couple of kids were running around the edge of the forest, both had sticks and were slapping them back and forth, as though to mimic a swordfight. Archer smiled and walked their way.
As he approached the kids, he said, "if you slide your left leg across your front as you bring your sword the same way..."
"AHHHHHHHH!"
The kids screamed out loud and dropped their sticks, bolting back to their town as though they had seen a ghost. Looking down at himself, Archer can't say he blamed them. He still had blood across his tunic and his Master didn't look to be in much better shape. Scowling, they continued forward till Shuien halted Archer outside of a house a several paces away. Ignoring the looks they were receiving from the townsfolk, Shuien lifted his hand to knock.
*KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!*
There was a shuffling that sounded like it came from the back of the house. After a few minutes, the door burst open, "WHO THE FU..." his words trailed off as he looked towards Shuien, with his eyes getting wide. The man looked to be several years older compared to Shuien despite being younger, many thanks to the gift bestowed on him from King Smitten. He had a faded blonde beard and a balding head. His gut wasn't massive, but protruded slightly over his belt. His eyes were a light blue and his nose looked as though it had been broken several times.
"SHUIEN! Come in my old friend, come in!" Chuckling, the man turned to walk back into his house, placing his old looking warhammer aside and motioning the duo to follow suite. Archer stared at his master, confused as to what was going on as they walked carefully through the threshold of the doorway and into the little house, enjoying the bit warmth that was tickling their skin as they walked inside.
