5 Part 4

I have no idea how long we took, but we rummaged the entire town and succeeded in gathering supplies for the long haul. I've been getting a lot of looks from the towns' folk, probably because of my uniform and my weapon hanging in-front of my chest, which was attached to a sling, obviously. But I get why I probably look like something from the future to these people, and one thing I found well, interesting was the fact that most males here tend to carry a sword on their back. Now, I'm guessing they're probably guards or knights here. That would make the most sense.

"Well, I've gotten everything on the list. The only thing I haven't bought yet is something for Flora... What would a half cat half tiger something want? A ball of yarn? But I wouldn't want to insult her." Trace alleged as his eyes were glued to a piece of paper he was reading in his hand in front of him.

"What about Jewelry? I know women love those, and hey-" I pointed at a large building made of stone and wood in front of us. It had the words "Jewelry" written on a large sign on top of it with a drawing of a diamond next to it. "There's a Jewelry store over there."

We marched to the store and opened the heavy wooden door leading inside. Once I swung the door open, we heard the ding of a bell above us which echoed throughout the entire store and noticed the shopkeeper behind a desk. Along with some swords resting on the wall behind him, some items like a piece of paper, feathers, etc., and the desk had a couple of shiny objects on shelves. The shopkeeper didn't look too great, he was just an ordinary guy, with brown hair and light blue eyes. I saw a golden cross on his necklace, hanging down there like one of those sicarios in cartels. He also wore a brown coat with a grey shirt underneath and had a bandage wrapped around his right hand, and he was tall as Trace, but I was a bit taller.

"Ah, a customer! Oh, the Grand Templar himself and a follower, I see!" He announced in surprise. "For what do I owe this honor?"

"I need to buy something for... a girl." Trace answered. I almost chuckled from that pause at the end. Dunno why.

"Oh? To win the favor of a Templar. She must be quite the fox!" The shopkeeper commented. Yeah, no. More like a fucking tiger to say the least.

"I have just the thing." The shopkeeper said with a smirk and took out a small marble-like object with a weird-looking, red symbol on it and it illuminated the color purple. That thing had red flags all over it and just looked really weird. I had never seen such a thing, this was a first for me. "What the hell is that... thing?" I asked.

"This is a Subtleseed Crystal. Sure to woo any girl you might have eyes on."

Holy shit, this thing? No way works. Then again, this is a totally different world, filled with fucking weird shit, so I might be wrong. I just nodded in response, not knowing what to say further.

"Wow! It's... Perfect!" Trace chirped in excitement. "How much is it?"

"Oh please. Who do you think I am? For you, Great Templar, no charge." Damn, he must be REALLY popular with the locals here to get things for free.

"Wow, really? Thanks!"

"Heh. Yes, well good day to you two. Have a pleasant journey, now." The shopkeeper said.

I and Trace spun around and marched out the door, making the bell above the door Ding once again, announcing our exit. I can't shake the feeling that something's wrong here. He acted suspicious, giving us stuff for free, the way he acted. I know because of Trace's status, but something about that shopkeeper feels fishy.

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We reached the border of the town where we left Flora off, but couldn't find her. Maybe she was spotted and ran off? Was spooked and ran off or was getting ready to kill us. I swear to God I better not be killed by some kind of tiger hybrid on this piece of the shit world, I will be very upset if I do. "Flora?" Trace called out but silence responded.

"We got all the supplies! Flora?" Still no answer from her. Then Keith came from beside us, confused about who Trace was calling. "Uh, who is this Flora?" Keith asked.

"Oh? You didn't know? Well, Flora is a-" I got interrupted when Flora came down from a tree and waved at us. "Hiya!" She greeted, smiling.

"It's a Keidran! Let me handle this!" Keith declared while pulled out his sword. I was caught by surprise because I thought they were allies, but I guess not. "Whoa, whoa!" I said shockingly as I brought my carbine rifle up.

"Keith, stop!" Trace pleaded

Keith was about to perform a finishing blow at Flora with his sword when I noticed Trace starting to glow yellow, his eyes were also entirely yellow. I looked over and I was speechless, confused, and shocked. Then Keith also started glowing yellow but he looked like he was also surprised. "What the hell?!" Keith yelled before being thrown to a nearby tree.

"Oh my!" Flora articulated.

"What the fuck?! What was that?!" I voiced before switching my rifle between Keith and Trace. After that, the yellow disappeared and Trace's eyes returned to normal and he looked like he was in great pain, on the ground and rubbing his temple.

"Ow... my head. What just happened?" Trace asked, completely unaware of what just happened.

"Okay, next time you plan on exploding. Try giving me a little warning." Keith said, unamused and sarcastically. "What's the deal? I was just trying to kill that mangy feline."

"Huh? Aren't y'all supposed to be allies or somethin'? or at least similar to each other? You got fuckin' fur all over you, same as her." I stated.

"We're two different races! I'm a Basitin, she's a Keidran! They are a race of animals. We should kill her now, while we have the chance."

"What? We can't just kill her!"

"You don't understand. Just look at her! She's the pure essence of evil!"

I lowered my weapon and we three turned our heads to see Flora happily playing with a blue, glowing butterfly. "Um.. yeah.. see, what'd I'd tell you? Pure... evil." Keith faintly spoke. Bullshit.

So, it took some time to convince Keith to not murder Flora in cold blood, God he's just as stubborn as General MacArthur. "Fine, I'll travel with her for now. But we go to my city first. Afterward, do whatever you like. I won't be with you though." Keith said before he turned around. "But believe me, if you go with that Keidran, she will kill you." He said and disappeared into the forest. Man, what an asshole.

I can't stop thinking about what had happened earlier. Did Trace know he had powers? When was he planning to tell us? But by his reactions, he was shocked as we were. What concerns me is that does he have more? And if so, can he control his powers? I'm just speechless, all the more reason why I need to get back home.

"Um, Flora? What he said isn't true, is it? Would you-?" Trace suddenly questioned Flora.

"No, no, no! Of course not!" She retorted while waving her paws dismissively. "I'm different from other Keidran! I wouldn't kill anyone!"

"I'll trust you, for now. By the way, Trace has somethin' he's got for you." I said with my arms crossed.

"Something... for me?"

"Here! It's a... um... what was it called?"

"I think it was called a Subtl-"

"MEEEARR!" Flora immediately jumped and screeched when Trace showed her that thing, which I will admit, made me jump. She then fell onto the ground with a tremor as he glared at the thing. I was confused, why would she, a fucking tiger hybrid thing be scared of a, well a necklace?

"Er, sorry if I did something wrong. You don't have to take it if you don't want-"

"Wait! I do want it!"

Flora then sat upright and reached out for the necklace. When her paw made direct contact, they jumped like they were hit with an electrical shockwave. So much so that Trace accidentally dropped the thing when that happened. "Jeez! That's some strong static electricity!" Trace commented.

"Jesus, you alright?" I asked.

"Yeah..."

"What have I done?! I knew Subtleseed Crystals were used in human marriages to bind two people together... But I didn't know that there was magic in the crystals that actually did something! Just how strong are we bound together?" Flora whispered underneath her breath. "Well, I think it only works if I'm wearing it. I'll just take it off later." She then took it off the ground and wore the crystal around her neck.

Later that Night...

We managed to step up a decent camp in the woods. Keith had brought us some pieces of chicken to feast, which is a good thing. All of us sat in front of the campfire on the wet, grassy ground. I was busy checking my 416, making sure it was clean and wasn't prone to jamming, while the rest just consumed cooked chicken. "Thanks for the food, Keith." Trace announced.

"No problem. I'm pretty good at hunting." Keith responded.

"Another hunter? That might come in handy." I stated.

"Hey, Flora. We're going to have a lot of time on our hands. I was wondering if you could try to teach me some of your Language." Asked Trace as he turns his head to Flora.

"Well, sure. Let's see... the grass is ch'rall."

"Chall?" Trace butchered it.

"Heehee! Try again. It's ch'rall."

"Ch'rall?"

"Yeah. And Trees are marich'ren."

"What?!"

"Hahaha!"

I let out a small chuckle and slowly shook my head while smirking. "It's gonna take some time, but trust me, fellas. I'm gonna learn this language." I said.

Sometime later, Trace had brought us alcohol or ale as they would call it here for us to drink. It wasn't like the beer I was used to before, but it'll do. It was served in those medieval-looking wooden cups they served in taverns, which is cool. I dig it. I took a small sip and the taste of what I can only describe as 'Liquid Bread' flooded my mouth. Wasn't that bad actually.

"Ah! T'anks for 'ta drinks, Tracy... Isn't Camphing out here fun? We shoul' do it more often, huh?" Flora said drunkenly. I scoffed. Surprised to see how easily she could get drunk from simple ale. "Heh, uh Flora, you good?" I asked.

"What did you put in that drink?" Keith asked Trace.

"Just ale, I think..."

"Hah! You mean human ale. Keidran can't handle much of that stuff."

"So they get drunk from a couple of sips? Jesus, that's interesting." I said while pondering why. I guess that their system isn't that good for ale. Flore then slither to Trace and placed her paw on his shoulder and her other paw on his chest. "Hah, I just noti'd how funny you humans look without fur on!" Flora uttered.

"She gets quite honest when she's had a few, doesn't she?" Keith remarked.

"Let me try somethin'. Say uh, Flora. How do ya really feel 'bout Trace, me and Keith over here?" I asked her.

"Huh, Trace? I likes him. He's nice to me, not like other humans. Sames for you. I know humans an' Keidran aren't –hic- s'pose to get along, bu' I can't help it. ...oh, an' Keith? Umm... he's kinda a jerk."

I chuckled at her response and returned to cleaning my gun. "Er, thanks, Flora." Trace said.

"You're welcome!"

"Maybe I should help you to bed now."

"Okay!"

I lifted my head to see Trace helping Flora on her feet, guiding her back to the tent. "How's 'bout you come to bed wits me?" Flora asked.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Trace suggested.

They two do make a good couple, but Trace is human and Flora is well... a tiger. I don't even think it's bestiality; considering Flora's human characteristics. But it's weird, a human and a smart animal together in a relationship? That's both disgusting and weird. Trace can woo whoever he wants, but I would never be in a relationship with any of them.