Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction using characters from the Moss game, which belongs to Polyarc, thus I am sure they are pleased to see them here on Fanfiction
Chapter 1 - By an inch
For centuries there were feelings. Those we used to create varying types of bonds. Some of them connect our minds, others entangle our hearts or beliefs. But never in her life, did she feel a bond so strong and true, when The Reader chose her, the tiny white mouse of great heart and faith, out of all certainly bigger and more powerful creatures, to defeat the darkness plaguing her world. The connection so much different from everything she'd ever encountered. This mysterious being, cautiously watching her every move and guiding actions drawn out by the white mouse, became her silent guardian and advisor. But after the defeat of Sarffog - the dark-scaled snake, and, despite her uncle's protests, their journey back home for some much-needed rest, Quill found herself in desperate need of an adventure. She longed for new experiences. And since The Reader has disappeared for a longer while, as well as all the creatures of darkness Quill had unpleasantness of meeting during her grueling journey, still lurking in shadows and ruins, it all started to bore the mouse to the point she could not cope with the burning desire of new discoveries just like when she found the shard of glass. She felt tired and lonely. With no one to back her in clashes with the enemy, her uncle injured and Reader absent, Quill began losing her courage.
It was one of those days - a cold and rainy weather, weak sunlight painting bark and leaves with dull late summer colors, strong smell of wet grass and an unpleasant stench of rotting roots creating mysterious yet perturbing atmosphere. The effect only intensified by all the strange sounds of the forest's flora and fauna. Quill found herself in a small clearing with gargantuan oak trees and mossy stones surrounding a large muddy puddle. Wet soil clinging to her ruffled cream white fur and pink tail added weight to her small and already weary frame. Irritated by the mud and fatigued, she was on her way back home from another sally, looking for new adventures. But just as she was about to go through the gates of her home village, an odd looking vagrant with dark grey fur, doughy complexion and wrinkled face, wearing worn robes with holes in the fabric, came up to her and with a hint of sadness and worry in his green eyes he spoke - Excuse me..., hi there young lady. Are you by any chance familiar with the name Quill? I'm looking for him to ask his help, but it seems to me he has gone out somewhere. Maybe you've seen him passing by?
Why of course I've seen Quill! I am him… , I mean her. So, what bothers you, sir? - said Quill.
Wait, YOU are that great warrior who def... Ah, never mind. I..I need your help. I've asked one boy to fetch me some fresh herbs for my medicine since I am not strong enough to do it myself, but he's still out there and it will soon be dark. If he gets hurt, I will never forgive myself! What if a fox eats him, or some raven rips him to bits, or…
Hey, hey, calm down and tell me what he looks like? And I wander what he's wearing? - she asked.
Oooh… I do not remember...
Sir, if you want me to find him I need to know who I should be looking for! Please, try to recall his clothing or any distinctive marks!
He had a bow on his back and carried wooden staff as far as I can remember. He was weird though, no talk, only nodded from time to time when I waited for an answer… - the vagrant exclaimed.
Well, it is not much, but I will do my best to find and get him to safety. I promise.
And with that Quill ran off into the forest, her body still aching and the heart pounding hard against her chest. She knew that the night was just around the corner, and even though the little mouse was fine with darkness and uneasiness which comes with it, finding another animal in such conditions and bringing it to the village could be a very hard, or even grueling task.
While with the Reader, Quill could use his glow to navigate through the dense forest, but now her only sources of light were the moon and a small torch she had brought in her backpack, in case she would not make her way back to the village before dusk. The sun began it's ceremonial, hiding behind treetops and forest's thick foliage, leaving the small and messy white furred heroine in the orange light silhouette. Quill tore through grass and small bushes, wandering deeper into the wilderness, trying to search for any clues to where this young archer could be. Legs slightly shaking due to the strain forbid her running, and the arms had no more strength to pull her up any ledge. Quill was utterly exhausted. She desperately needed a break, but there was someone's life in danger and she had to keep moving. But the further she went, the more her head started spinning. Before the tiny mouse could hold on to something, she tripped over a root and landed in a puddle of mud. Too tired to move, Quill fought the urge to close her eyes and let a deep sleep take away all the strenuousness.
Then out of nowhere came the sound so fierce and horrifying, penetrating every inch of Quill's body with fear. She jumped up with new power to run away from its source. Her heart thumping against ribs faster than ever made her turn back, but just before she would head out a reminder of the task came to her mind. Maybe a creature creating such a terrifying roar was provoked to do so. Maybe it was angry at something - the mouse she was looking for! Turning on her heel, Quill gathered all the courage she could muster and ran in the direction of sound which still ringed in her large ears.
Running through the dense forest foliage she came to a stop by an area covered with mossy stones of different shapes and sizes, surrounded by dark pines and tall beeches. She had to catch her breath and while resting, Quill took in her surrounding, scanning for clues to where her objective or the source of that horrifying sound could be. But there was no one there, everything was quiet except for crickets and owls somewhere far away. She walked around the clearing but found nothing. Her eyes teared up as all hope left her. She failed and that archer she was supposed to find was probably dead because she was not fast or smart enough to rescue him. Huge guilt dropped down on Quill's heart and she felt a lump in her throat.
The tiny mouse was ready to leave, so she turned around to go back. Then, where would she go? The shame of letting someone die was too great of a burden for her already weakened spirit, and villagers will surely pounce on her for such a failure. But before she could come with an answer, cold sweat run down her neck when her eyes met with two glowing orange orbs and shining fangs gleaming back at her in the deepening nigritude of an approaching night. A black silhouette of wolf towering above her like one of those old oaks made her heart skip a beat.
She quickly glanced around her surroundings for an escape route only to find herself out in the open - no cover, no distraction, no chance to run. Her mind started panicking as Quill waited for an imminent death. Memories of her past came rushing violently before the little heroine's eyes, but before she could make last amends with her life, someone's hand grabbed hers and yanked her out of the wolf's pointy teeth. The animal had missed it's pounce as Quill lost her footing and toppled over a nearby rock. In a matter of seconds, she met the eyes of the other mouse and immediately recognized him to be the guy she was looking for. Yet there was no time for her to take in his appearance as the wolf made another strike, this time grazing the archer who, stunned by their fall, did not see the oncoming blow. Quill quickly dashed to him and pushed away from danger as the wolf snapped his jaws right where they just have been. She drew her sword ready to defend herself, but the other mouse was already aiming at their offender's nose planting two accurate shots, drawing wolf's attention to the arrows painfully sticking out of it, thereby buying them some precious time to hide. She felt him take her hand once again as he dragged her in the direction of the nearest tree hollow. While still running Quill saw him draw another arrow - shooting once again beneath the hollow's entrance he created some kind of horizontal rod to help them reach it. As they reached to the base of a tree she caught a glance of the horrifying wolf reading itself for another pounce. They were short on time and her helper was wounded and out of breath. She made a quick decision and impaled her sword into the wood, creating a small step to aid his climb, simultaneously putting together her opened hands to boost him up to it.
Come on, I will help you reach it! - Quill commended, fierce determination to survive burning in her irises.- Hurry up!
Unfortunately that son-of-a-rat predator was cutting the distance between them in no time and was already close. Quill felt the other mouse's foot on her hands and turned her attention back to the archer shakily making his way up to the hollow. As soon as he stepped off her, she grabbed that sticking out arrow and pulled herself up, and just in time. A mere second after she reached the entrance, the wolf's teeth made contact with a trunk and shook the entire tree. The white mouse had missed her demise by an inch. Exhausted and terrified, her heart still racing, body terribly aching and lungs burning, Quill felt herself losing consciousness and after a short while she fell asleep.
A/N
Hello there, it is nice to meet you. I am Pan Jogurtek. It might confuse you, but the nickname (believe me no matter what, you pronounce it wrong) originates from the country I live in which is Poland. The direct translation is Mr Yoghurt but you shall call me MC Yoghurt. That is also why I would really appreciate it if you could help me out with my mistakes so together we could create something unique.
Also, sorry for the big... I mean huge... well humongous, or even gargantuan delay. Last year was a bit stressing and full of work, but 2019 came crashing on me like a 18 wheels of steel with new problems. Do not worry thought, chapter 2 is on its way and it is going to be twice (maybe even thrice) as long as the first one.