Chapter V - The Emerald Plains

Finally, the last day of their journey, or at least what they assumed was the last day of their journey, had finally started. Alex, feeling like they were close enough has left Alberto and Anna a map and departed to a journey back to his town, leaving the two to complete their journey to the Depot. It was very much like a Tutorial period for Anna. She had learned a lot in those few days they took to travel from town to town, such as firing a gun, using magic, and how to hunt. She also managed to get a single animal kill, though, she did expend a few cartridges trying to pursue the animal. She assumed she killed it at least. She did pelt it with a few lead balls. If it didn't die from the bullets, it would die from the lead and the blood loss.

The two had continued moving through the forest silently, not speaking a word to each other. It seemed that Alberto had yet to warm up to her. She will make him respect her! Maybe she could bring her otherworldly ideas to this place. She did know a lot of things, mostly from her study and WeTube. She was no engineer, computer scientist, or rocket scientist, but she did have the knowledge and information to build some things to make her life easier. Though, most of her knowledge falls into chemistry and food. She was really into food. It was something that made her feel calm. In her old world, she owned a good-sized kitchen with a lot of decent appliances to make any meal. She, of course, also learned how to cook good food from taking care of her friend's kids, who all seemed to be very picky eaters. She felt like she was pampering them, but she didn't want to cause trouble between her and her friends. That would be mostly bad. She wonders if Alberto was a picky eater. All they have been eating were mushrooms, plants, and the occasional bird.

Strangely enough, she had not found any kinds of candies in the region. She couldn't find any being sold in any store or a vendor, which she found strange. Candy was something she felt would be here in this world. She knew that Sugar Canes should be able to grow here. It definitely felt warm enough for sugar canes to grow. Maybe they did have sugar canes, but they just haven't utilized it. Or maybe, it is the same situation with her world's European Colonizers and the American "Indian" Corn. She couldn't make any assumptions though. She had only been in this world for just over a week, and most of that time was stuck in a very forested area.

"Hey, don't you think we should be trying to find something to eat? We've been walking for hours and we haven't even eaten anything since last night," she said, calling out to Alberto, who was busy following the map. He stopped for a moment, slipping the map into his pocket, as if thinking about what their next step should be. He had seemingly decided, taking off his bag, taking out a packet. It seemed to be filled with crackers, Alberto breaking the package in half, handing half of it to her.

"We can't stray off of the path or we'll end up lost. Just eat this while you walk. We have enough water anyway," he said, starting off through the path, consuming his crackers as he went off. Anna took out a cracker, studying its features. She didn't know he had this in his bag, assuming that they had to forage for their food for the whole adventure. Then again, they probably needed something to have just in case they end up somewhere bad. She found the cracker to be somewhat thin and hard. It felt very structurally strong, not feeling like the crackers that crumble. Biting into it, she found it savoury and slightly spicy. She liked it. She was sure to snack on it for the rest of the day. Strangely enough, she found it to be oddly filling. She suspected this wasn't for nutrition, but to make sure the person doesn't drop from hunger.

After another while of walking, they had finally cleared the great forests. She was calling it the great forests. At the pace that they were moving, the forest must have been massive. She suspected that she had travelled a few dozen miles. But, that didn't matter as she found herself overlooking a cliffside, staring into flatlands, which seemed to be comprised of only brilliantly green grass. There were many animals grazing the grass, Anna also being able to barely make out a lake in the distance. She found it jaw-dropping. It was a sight that she wouldn't even dream to see in her world. Just imagine that this was what the land was like back before massive cities and pollution was so commonplace. Lucky people, they get to live the natural way, no matter how hard it might have been to survive.

Even Alberto had decided to take a rest and take in the sights. Unlike her, he has probably seen sights like this many times. Had he not, she would start to doubt if he was a native of this world. Though there is an Old World, which she would very much like to see, but she doubts that would happen any time soon. She was practically trapped here if she must say so herself. If there was a way to get to the Old World, she was most likely never going to be able to do it. After all, she was culturally naive and even worse, probably not welcomed there. She feels like she wouldn't be welcomed at least. She doesn't know, maybe the people who live in the New World are unsavoury or some sort.

"Come, let's go. We still have a few leagues to travel until we arrive at the outskirts," called out Alberto, who had just daringly slid down the side of the cliff, down onto the ground. The cliff wasn't very high. Or at least high enough to scare the man. She stood at where he had jumped, down, seeming hesitant to do so. He gestured to her to get her to follow. She can't, well, she shouldn't argue. He is, after all, her only real guide in the world.

She tentatively slid down the side of the cliff, finding herself to land on a rather soft platform of dirt, grass, and some gravel. Not as soft as a bed, but soft enough to stop her from breaking her legs. The next drop was much smaller, Anna simply hopping off and quickly moving after Alberto, who had started to move without her. Seems like she had taken too long for his liking.

Travelling through the fields, she spotted a group of various animals. Some were those of the common kind, like elk, deer, and the such. But one thing had caught her eye. A large bird-like creature. When she meant large, she means large. The largest was at least twice her size in height. It really just looked like a sized up bushtit. Just sized up by at least a few hundred times. It looked adorable to her, Anna quick to point them out to her companion.

"Alberto, what are those? They're massive!" she exclaimed, quickly catching the attention of his. Looking at where she was pointing, he saw the large pack of birds, shrugging at her.

"Just some common Emperor Dorks. No different from any bird. Just massive. Don't mind them and they won't hurt you, simple," he replied, walking off yet again. She was going to make it her mission to find another one and... hopefully touch one. They looked so fluffy and fuzzy. But for now, she shall just follow after her friend. She hopes he is her friend.

Off to the great city of Marble, Glass, and all of the above. It was probably some really great city. Definitely better than whatever was known as the dock town. Definitely right? Definitely or not, she was going there with high expectations.