Davis groaned, rubbing at his eyes as he stirred. He was apparent that his head hurt. Must have hit his head or something, and his chest felt numb slightly. He grunted as he pushed himself up with his arms and opened his eyes and looked around. It looked like the inside of a tent, the entrance flap open showing what looked like a dark sky and woods off in the distance. The ground beneath him looked dry or drained of nutrients. Almost like what happened when farmers didn't rotate crops, only it had not reached the level of over usage to cause a dust bowl.
Davis started to chuckle, placing a hand over his face as he shook his head, "It wasn't a dream. It's really real…..it's real. Ehehehehehe." Davis felt pretty sure, he was starting to lose his mind.
He set his hand down from his face, and felt something beside him. The feel of polished wood. He looked down, and felt a sudden feeling of relief wash over him. It was his families sword. The dragon like hilt and dark stone at the pommel, made him feel slightly secure. He couldn't explain why, but having it near made him feel safe. Perhaps because it was familiar…or maybe because it was a weapon and after the zombie encounter, he was glad to have a weapon.
'Though I'd rather have a gun.' He thought, trying to recall which side arm would be preferable, based upon the number of Day of the Dead movies he had seen.
The memories of the encounter started to become clear to him as he recalled the events, and he rubbed his forehead as he tried to come to terms with it. How was it possible, and where the hell was he? Even though he wasn't a physicist even he knew enough to know that he wasn't in his idea of reality.
'Well…I guess this proves String Theory. Maybe I'll win me a prize…if I ever get back home.' Davis thought, with a slight smirk. As he got up, he noticed that he was laying on a bed roll, though the sheets were a bit musty or dirty, and it lacked anything like a pillow. But more importantly was his lack of a shirt, and the lack of a gash on his chest.
"Was it really just…sealed shut by some liquid?" He asked himself, tracing a finger down where he had originally been injured; the skin feeling numb slightly to his touch.
"O-oh, you're up. When you fainted, we were really worried about you for a moment."
Davis turned and saw the girl again. Davis took a step back once, fearing she was going to go full blown demon girl on him. The girl held up a hand, "W-wait. Don't be scared. You're safe now. The risen aren't anywhere here. It's safe."
"Risen?" Davis said, confused.
"The um, the red eyed monster we saved you from. Don't you know about those?" The girl asked.
Davis rubbed his head, "Uh…not really. I don't even know where I am. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm not even in my version of reality!"
The girl tilted her head and looked Davis with a curious look before saying, "Your reality?"
Davis sighed and rubbed his head, "Look….this may sound crazy but-"
"Noire! Has our sleeping beauty woken up yet?"
Davis blinked as he was interrupted and spotted the pink haired guy from before, followed by a guy with blond hair. Davis frankly found the pink hair color to be rather odd. The two newcomers gave smiles when they spotted him.
"Inigo. He is up, though I think he is a bit jumpy still." Noire said.
"Well, such a brush with death is sure to be shocking for any. But fear not my good man; you are now in the company of hero's bloods. And the foul spawn of the Fell Dragon are nowhere near us now." The blond haired youth said, his right hand twitching slightly.
Davis lifted a brow, a bit amused by the blond haired ones dramatics. From the way the Inigo guy and Noire sighed, made Davis suspect that this was ordinary for the blondy?
"I'm not jumpy….well maybe a bit. But I got my reasons now that I am a bit calmer." Davis said.
Inigo looked at Davis, "Oh? What is that then my good man?"
Noire, Blondy, and Inigo all looked at Davis, waiting for an answer. Davis felt a bit of hesitance, but took a calming breath and found his calm area. Public Speaking class actually coming into practice; he owed his friend Jason seventy bucks if he ever got home.
"Okay. Bare with me, this could be a little hard to swallow. But believe me, it's the truth." Davis said, before starting to explain his situation to the three gathered.
As he explained, as best he could based upon what he knew of parallel worlds and the events leading up to all of this. The family shrine, and a skimming over of the family sword story, the strange ruins, the strange eye gate. Not surprisingly, Noire, Blondy and Inigo all started looking at him funny, or that he grew a second head.
Inigo chuckled, "Oh that is rich. You and Owain would make a good couple; you both have such odd fantasies of reality." Inigo said, laughing.
"Hey! Now my fantasies aren't even remotely that farfetched-I mean the Scion of Heros does not create such farfetched tales. My exploits speak for themselves their truthful nature!" Blondy, or as he was really called, Owain said, flushing slightly.
"I-I have to agree…it is a bit hard to believe. I mean, sure your clothes were a bit strange…but-" Noire said, rubbing her arm slightly.
Davis sighed, 'It wasn't surprising. This is usually the suspected outcome…hey wait a minute.' Davis had a spark of an idea and dug into his pocket.
"Here. This should prove my tale." Davis said, digging into his pocket and pulling out his phone and switched on the i-pod app, letting a random song play from his album collections.
Noire, Owain and Inigo blinked and leaned slightly to look at the strange device that Davis held before them, but jumped back in shock as loud music began playing.
"By the gods!"
"What is it!?"
"What sort of eldritch magic is this!?"
Davis laughed as the three showed the tell tale signs of lesser technological people seeing high technology. It told him enough that this world, still feeling a bit shocked that he was in another world, was not very high tech. Then again…they had some sort of zombies around…so what was it then to cause that? Disease? Magic?
"It's called an I-phone. It's a normal piece of technology from my world. It's able to play music, among a few other things." Davis said, as he turned off the music and turned the phone off; wanting to conserve battery power.
Noire and the others looked at the phone, then at Davis, before all three of them nodded.
"I-It's simply astounding." Inigo said, rubbing the back of his head, trying to comprehend it all.
"I-it almost seems like something from a story." Noire said, "Maybe a form of curse?" Her eyes a look of awe, curiosity and slight fear.
'Curse?' Davis thought, lifting a brow.
Owain was silent for a moment, before his eyes sparkled and he lifted his arms with a laugh, "Ahahah! Truly it is destiny that brings this otherworldly traveler to us! And more so one the blood of ancient heroes and his ancient blade."
Davis, Inigo and Noire all rolled their eyes at Owain's antics. Even here for what he considered was at the most a few hours at most, and already he was starting to get a bit exhausted by Owain's dramatic speak. Still, he gave the guy some credit; he certainly had a thing for acting. It was almost as if he actually believed everything he said as truth.
He didn't though; right?
"Well I hate to burst your bubble Owain, but this Scion of Heroic Blood as you like to say, doesn't know a damned thing on how I use this thing. Let alone any sort of weapon." Davis said, patting the sword on the hilt. Again that feeling of exhilaration coming over him with each pat.
Owain frowned and looked somewhat crestfallen. Davis could practically see the fantasy dying in the young man's eyes. But that was quickly replaced by shock as Owain wrapped his arm around his shoulder.
"Well fear not then my ally beyond time and space. For I see now that it is up to I, Owain Dark, to see that your skills are well tutored so that our combined mighty may once more work in unison to bring light and peace to this world once more!" Owain declared, a smile on his face as he held up his right, which started twitching.
"Down sword hand. Even it can sense your great skill and longs to test our resolves against another. I dare not stay close least I strike you down now." Owain said, gripping his arm and stepping away from Davis.
Davis blinked, confused. Did Owain suffer a form of Alien Hand syndrome perhaps? Actually, he could probably diagnose several different things on this guy.
Inigo sighed, "Forgive Owain. He can be a bit dramatic. But still, he does have a point. If you are from some other world, then you will need to learn how to use that blade of yours. Otherwise you won't survive for long."
Davis frowned, but recalled the way the zombie, or Risen, had almost killed him. How weak he had been. Davis was more a mental strength man then physical in the long run, but…he did not want to die. He looked at the sword, clutched loosely in his hand, the blade dragging on the ground. When had he picked it up?
"Well…I guess I don't have a choice. So when do we start?" Davis asked, "And uh…where can I get a new shirt?"
Davis, getting his t-shirt back. Long cut still on it. He was taken out of the tent to explore the camp that Noire and the others had told him about. Apparently these were people's whose homes and livelihoods had been destroyed by the Risen and pushing them to seek shelter and Ylisstol, the only fortified city remaining next to a place called, Mount Prism.
'Man. I thought it would look like a UN camp for refugees, or even a FEMA one…but this is worse. Look at these people.' He thought as he looked around.
All around him, he saw dozens of people sitting around fires, and shivering as they looked out toward the woods surrounding them in fear. At the edge of the camp armed soldiers patrolling, and looking just as nervous as the refugees. Some were coughing excessively, and all looked like they only had the clothes on their backs for belongings. And those clothes were either dusty or in a bad state of repair with patches and stitch lines apparent. Like there was not enough thread or yarn to fix everything.
Mothers clung to their children tightly, who either slept soundly, though clutching tightly to their mothers, or some ate what looked like few scraps of food cooked up. They too were in poor states, dirt covering the clothes or skin. Some even holding minor wounds such as bandaged arms from cuts or gashes, and others broken arms or head injuries that were wrapped with poor quality bandages.
It made Davis start to really stand out, and it made him feel both self conscious…and guilty. He had come from a place where food, clothing and hygine were everyday things. Even with his damaged shirt, it along with his pants were all in better condition then what some of these people had. Also his skin, especially his nails, showed signs of proper cleaning. For some of these people the dirt under their fingernails gave them almost a black color. And he had just had a juicy burger for lunch before coming here….how many of these people would probably kill for a decently proportioned meal.
Davis frowned and looked to Noire, Inigo, and Owain and noticed they too showed similar signs of destitute looks. Now that he had time to really look at them, Inigo's hair looked a little unkept and his clothes and arm dented or stitched up in half finished jobs. Owain looked rather tired himself, dark circles under his eyes and as well his own equipment look in poor, if at least usable shape.
And Noire, Davis felt sure that the girl suffered from some sort of health problem. Anemia probably or just a weak constitution. This entire world was probably not good for her, her own eyes showing exhaustion from lack of proper sleep and her hair tangled. At times he even caught her casting glances at him. Actually…he felt sure everyone was looking at him oddly.
And…Davis wouldn't admit it…but everyone in this camp, save him, stank. Lack of proper bathing and cleaning, he felt sure sickness was an ever present danger for these people. He had to place a hand over his eyes, clenching his fingers tight to dig the nail into the skin of his face and look up. God, just seeing all of this was hitting him with emotional pity. Pity and guilt, and perhaps a great deal of respect. These people were in hell, yet they still strove to survive. It was admirable and sad all at once and the usually dethatched from tragedies man found it hard to deal with it, now that he was seeing it face to face.
"Davis. Are you okay?" Noire asked.
"I-I'm fine. Just…I guess seeing all of this…I just feeling a lot of emotion that I didn't feel before." Davis said as he shook his head and took a calming breath.
"It isn't so bad. There are a lot of lovely ladies here and this is a rather safe place. Besides we will be in Ylisstol soon and that will be a god send." Inigo said, a smile on his face.
Davis frowned, and looked around again. God, he wanted to go home.
"Anyway. We need to speak to the captains about moving procedures. Once we arrive in Ylisstol we can start your training." Inigo said, before walking off.
Owain gave Davis a nodded before following after his friend.
"U-Um, stay safe Davis. I'm sorry we have to leave you alone after al this, but we are sort of-" Noire started.
Davis held up a hand, "It's cool. You guys are obviously in charge of things here so I'll just wait."
Noire nodded, "Okay. Just don't' wander off. Even if the Risen are gone from this location, they could show up again at any moment."
With that the archer girl ran off to catch up with her friends, leaving Davis alone. Davis watched her go, and noticed that the girl actually had a rather well proportioned chest.
….
'AGH! Why am I looking at her chest!?' He thought as he gripped his head and shook it.
He sighed and blamed it on hormones…and the fact that he had been single for three years now. That and being a young male and being torn from his sense of reality. That and he did find that Noire was rather cute….when she wasn't getting all freaky demon.
"Might as well see what I got to work with here while I wait." Davis said to himself and sat down on a rock, keeping away from the masses of people that all stopped as they passed to glance at him. Some of the children even watching him from behind a rock next to him.
Davis ignored them and reached into his pockets of his pants to see what he had on him.
'Let's see.' He thought and looked at his belongings.
I-phone. Multi-tool kit. His wallet. Car keys. Ear phones, and a deck of cards for card tricks; everyone needed a hobby, and the sword. In short, save his ability to listen to music in privacy and perhaps a knife or saw for something, and of course the obvious use for the sword….all this stuff was, in the current situation.
'Totally….worthless….junk.' He thought. Especially his wallet and keys. No atm, or cars here. And no chargers for his phone. He had a full battery, so he was going to have to ration the power. He immediately turned it off so as to save the precious electronic.
Putting things back, he then noticed a little girl had approached him, but gaspsed and ran back to hide when he looked up at her. Davis smiled, and put all his stuff back into his pockets before holding out a hand.
"Hello." He said.
The little girl, as well as several other kids with her, both flinched from the offered hand. But slowly, came out of hiding and moved toward him. They all stared at him, or perhaps his hand with curiosity, and one even slowly took his hand in his. The children all eventually placing their hands on his and frowning to themselves. One girl even pulling her hand back and hugging it to her chest, hiding her fingers. Embarrassed at the dirtiness of her hands to his?
Davis frowned, but smiled and had an idea. He took out his deck of cards and said, "Say. Would you all like to see something?" He smiled and proceeded to shuffle the cards.
Noire sighed as she sat down with the commanders. They were discussing the usual, movement of the refugees and removal of roaming risen bands. They had to capitalize on this, no doubt temporary, lightening of patrols and move the people to the capital where fresh supplies could be had.
'How much longer can the storages hold out though?' Noire thought.
With the land a barren place, acquire fresh supplies was difficult. True some roots and berries grew, and the occasional wild animal was hunted, those that hadn't either died out or moved elsewhere to escape this hell on earth. But it was not enough to feed everyone decently…especially not a world made refugee.
Would they die by the hands of risen and Grima? Or starvation? Both would not be pleasant.
And now there was the appearance of Davis. It was both inspiring, and also worrying. Inspiring that there were worlds out there, untouched by the decay of Grima. Yet saddening and worrying to know that someone, who was not really a part of this world and thus undeserving of the suffering it would bring, was now here and unable to return to their home.
'I won't let him die. I won't let anyone else die. I will work twice as hard to protect him, just as I help protect everyone else.' She thought. Even if she had just met him, Noire felt that considering his situation; that Davis did not deserve to suffer in a world that was not his. She would keep him safe till he could leave this world and return to his, or die trying.
"We should press out now. The way should be clear, and the people will be better off in the safety of the capital." One of the commanders spoke.
Noire inhaled and shook her head to refocus. Time to worry later.
"We shouldn't be in a rush. The people are still tired and exhausted. Many of them have been through a lot. Let us at least give them a few more hours of rest." Another spoke.
Noire sighed, along with Owain and Inigo. All three of them were not really needed for this sort of talk, since they mostly were responsible for the scouting and fighting. Still, they had to be in touch with the commanding officers had instructed to the other soldiers in order to respond better in the situations to come.
Inigo leaned over and whispered, "So. What do you think of this all? I mean, even with that strange device he had, it is still rather hard to believe."
Owain looked over and whispered, "Truly you still don't think he is lying. I for one know in my blood that what he speaks is true. And it is only fate that should bring another scion of heroic blood to us in our time of need."
Inigo and Noire sighed, Noire then looked at her two friends and said, "I-I don't know what to think. But….he is telling the truth. Actually…its kinda nice to know that there are other worlds that aren't like ours."
Owain and Inigo were silent, but both nodded.
"Still, m-maybe it is best we keep Davis' origins a secret. If just to help him avoid unwanted attetntion." Noire said to them. Inigo and Owain nodded again.
The war council was beginning to wrap up, with the refugees given another hour left to rest before they were ordered to move out. Noire rose and left, Inigo and Owain with her. The three would go collect their tents and few belongings, and spread the word around. Then they would find Davis.
As she went, Noire noticed Inigo, obviously, moving toward a group of young ladies of the news, and casting them a flirting line. Noire bit her lip slightly, and fought back the urge to shoot the philandering swordsman where it hurt the most. She quickened her pace, ignoring the feelings of jealousy that sprouted up.
Davis smiled as he flipped over a card, "And is this your card?"
The child before him gasped and nodded, "Yeah. That's it!" Then with a giggle, joined by the other kids around they all clapped.
Davis smiled and gave a bow of his head, gathering up the cards. He was rather glad to see a smile on these kid's faces, and he even noticed a few of the adults around also wore slight grins on their faces. It was amazing how the sound of a child's laughter could ease even the most desperate of situations.
As he shuffled up the cards again, Davis took notice that now the guards were starting to aid in gathering up tents and supplies, and folks were also gathering up what they could. The feeling that they would soon be moving became apparent.
"Alright kids. It looks like we are all moving soon. Find your parents and stay with them. I promise to show you more tricks when we get to Ylisstol." He said, putting the cards away.
The children gave a disappointed aww, but nodded and ran off to find their parents. Though they all still looked a sad sight, Davis thought that perhaps…there was a lighter skip in their step where there had not been before.
Davis stood up, taking hold of the hilt of the sword that had lain by his feet. He really needed to get this thing a scabbard or something. But, that could be attended to later. For now…Ylisstol awaited.
