Just a faded memory

by bpd-carmen

A little over twenty years before the events of Rune Factory 3, the life of the univer dwelling in the desert was far different especially when a young traveler was taken into their camp. While the univer are known for detesting humans, why was the traveler let in with nothing but the clothes on their back? Or is it possible that they could be useful to the univer- hornless or not?

1. Rockslides

There were plenty of disadvantages to dealing with rain in a desert. For one, all the mud that would form from the sand. Travel conditions were a pain in the ass when you were ploughing through the mud slush and praying you weren't hit by lightning. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, but carrying a large metal lightning rod of a sword could always be an issue.

The figure proceeded through the weather, almost certain they were lost at that point. Shaking hands held a quivering compass in front of them as they walked through the storm. "Sharance is close, I hope." They grumbled, pausing for a moment before tucking the compass in the folds of their clothes, which were course in material and blended into the color of the dark sand.

As soon as they looked back up, however, a loud rumble crashed from the sky. The sky was pitch black at that point, the rain blocking their view even further. A sentence of swears escaped the figure's lips. Reaching their hands behind them, they worked quickly, tying their cloth rucksack around their torso. With a secure tug, the figure pulled the straps tight and broke into a full sprint, cloak flying behind them which rippled in many directions by the wind.

Another rumble echoed through the desert, but not from more thunder. A large rock fell in front of the traveler's path and they cried out in shock, falling to their back. The large hunk of tan stone didn't block their path, thank goodness, but it still extremely startled them. Another rock fell and the figure noticed this one as it fell, rolling away, barely avoiding being crushed. As they tried to scramble to their feet, they fell back down, realizing the cape had been crushed by a stone. They moved quickly, pulling out the knife that was secured around their waist by a hilt of leather. Once the blade had been pulled out, they cut at the fabric which was soon almost free.

With a tug and a rip, the cape was free from the rock and figure quickly put the knife back in its hilt. As they stood, however, more rocks fell from the top of the valley. The figure turned its head as the rockslide reached their location, but it was too late to react.