Hey there! Welcome to chapter two! Thanks to anyone actually reading this story. It means a lot to me. Please do tell me your opinion of it! I want to make everything more enjoyable for you all to read. Thank you!
After the beast had been vanquished it was a lot harder to get back to sleep for the other two; However, Lovino seemed to have no problem after yelling at Antonio to keep a better watch. Thus Gilbert decided to keep Antonio company for a bit. Who (Besides Lovino) Could sleep right after seeing a monster of that degree? And watch the Monster bleed and scream was a bit of a scaring incident for them.
"Lovino sure is something huh? Back in the colony he sure did seem like a crybaby. After screaming and fleeing when those thugs chased him before the walls fell down. Didn't you have to save him Toni?" Gilbert managed to say in one breath. Talking seemed to be a big skill of his.
"Yeah. But he didn't even bat an eyelash at that… thing.. And he even burned the body… Good thing we both have strong stomachs huh?" Gilbert nodded in agreement. Both staring off into the sky now.
"I'm sure we can handle ourselves better next time.. right?" Gilbert murmured. Antonio didn't answer. Not having a for sure answer himself. A long night of silence passed. Gilbert going to Sleep (Or at least trying to) after a few minutes of staring into the nothingness of the sky. By the time it was Lovino's turn to keep watch Antonio could barely keep his own eyes open.
"Hey dumbass. Go to bed. I'll take over now." The Italian roughly pushed him towards his bed. Antonio had no arguments there. As soon as his head hit his pillow he was out. Leaving a now silent Italian to think to himself.
When dawn came the two who still were very much passed out were startled out of their beds by a loud banging of a pot right beside their heads.
"Wake up you lazy asses! I'm not fucking dragging you across the plains!" A familiar yell of a energetic Italian.
The yelling resulted in the groans and complaints from the sleeping bags. Completely ignored by Lovino who is now making breakfast and checking on their supplies. Their water level was decent but should find somewhere to stock up and soon. Food level was great after stopping at the previous colony. All of their clothes were currently mended as far as he knew. Very glad his younger brother had taught him how to sew. Gilbert had made fun of him at first, Until he was told to mend his own clothes. Then he learned better of it. So when he found out Lovino could knit too he said nothing. Not daring to make the same mistake.
"Alright guys. Our goal is to get over the mountain in that direction in at least 3 days. There are few plants there so food and water should be available either up there or on the other side." Lovino explained with his back to the two. They were changing into their other pair of clothes.
"Will We wash our clothes there?" Antonio who was one of the more germaphobic of the three asked with utmost concern.
"Only if there's enough water to drink first." Lovino hears a dramatic sigh from behind him. Rolling his eyes. After a lot of complaining and a few arguments about the importance of being clean the three manage to sit and scarf down the breakfast. Lovino being the first to finish -as was usual- began to take apart the makeshift camp and place it in his large backpack. It had been a gift from his grandfather. The best gift he could have ever gotten Lovino believed. It was like a black hole due to the fact that he could fit nearly anything into it that he needed. The other two aided in the remainder of what needed to be put away before they were all ready to move out.
"All ready?" Before two can respond Lovino is already walking.
"Let's go." Antonio picked up some confidence from Lovino's voice. Also Finding an unusual smile upon the Italian's face. The first time he's seen him smile. Although not quite one he expected from such a petite man. As if he's ready to take on every monster in an on coming army. Antonio wished he had that confidence. He shook at the thought of the monster last night. Maeromalum, Lovino had called the beast. Were there a lot of those things out and about? He hoped not and he didn't have the guts to ask. Feeling he was better off finding out himself.
The three began traveling for many miles. They would take a break about every 7 hours. This time not stopping for the night as they had been doing. Only taking small naps during their breaks to keep up energy levels. It's best to travel quickly at night so that beasts and abominations don't attack you like you're sitting ducks.
The days and nights passed with only false alarms, but mostly with Antonio and Gilbert jumping at everything they heard. Even from small creatures just scavenging for food in a small bush. Antonio still tried his best at being optimistic. Pointing out that life seemed to be coming back to the earth. Rambling about how he's seen some green plants and the sound of creatures. Lovino doesn't respond other than just snorting at his ridiculous ramble.
Gilbert was just as noisy as him. Much to Lovino's great displeasure. He talked about himself way too much. About how he was going to be a great hero to rid of all the ugly nasty creatures. Things of that sort. He got pissed when Lovino laughed and told him he's too much of a pansy to do something like that. An argument going off -that lasted a surprising amount of time- ended only when they reached the top of the smaller mountain.
"Is that.. a Colony?" Antonio asked. Eyes big with shock.
In front of them was a large walled city. The walls reaching amazing heights. The city seemed to be overflowing with life and movement. Though no noise could reach their current place they knew how noisy it would be up close. The three could only stare in a trance for a few minutes. the spell broken when Lovino let out a startling and harsh sounding laugh. Gilbert and Antonio looking at him with curiosity.
"What's so funny?" Gilbert asked. Head slightly tilted and eyebrows furrowed. They had found a place that was safe for heavens sake! What was there to laugh about?
"You two didn't learn from your own city did you? No wall is forever. And the bigger they are? the harder they fall. I can see the arrogance of the people there and it's almost painful how funny it is. Taking no precaution against the outside. No guards atop the wall. Even your city had that." Lovino laughed again. Looking rather amused. This disturbed the other two. But they followed him down the mountain anyways. It had taken four days to reach this place. Lucky traveling to run into no major problems. The two had seen this city as a heaven. But only Lovino saw that it as it was. No heaven and that's for sure.
The three approached Uselessly large gates covered in an intricate pattern. Lovino maked a 'Tsk' noise. Drawing curious looks from his company. Was it necessary to make something for protection so gaunty? It'll attract unwanted attention Lovino believed.
"Who goes there?!" Boomed a loud voice. an older man in a flashy guard uniform stood in front of the Huge gate. At least they had a guard here.
"We're just travelers. We come from far north west of here. The Colony of abstergo." The other two looked like they were going to argue something but Lovino cut them off with a raised hand.
"We have some wares to sell if-" He was cut off by the guard
"Go in Go in. Don't have time for your useless wares." Lovino nodded his thanks and dragged the other two in before any other word could be spoken. hurrying past the guard and into a large crowd.
"Stay close. We'll talk once we find a hotel or something of the sort. But shut up until then." The other two nodded hesitantly and followed him through the stampeding crowd. Lovino made sure to keep a pace that the other two could keep up with while looking for somewhere they could stay. It took what felt to them like hours before they found a small rundown hotel. Going in and taking a look around. It was a decent place. Not falling apart but it certainly wasn't high class either. The best part though was that it appeared to be mostly empty besides a young girl behind the desk.
"Hello! Are you here to check in?" She seemed enthusiastic at the sight of paying customers. Nearly running over to them.
"My name is Mei! One room is 5 Kuzl please!" Lovino nods. Reaching into a pocket and pulling out a small pouch. Opening it to pull out two shiny coins and place them in her hand. She nods and starts to head up the stairs.
"This way!" She hurries up the stairs with the group in tow. Showing them to a small room with two beds. Informing them that she'll be downstairs if they need anything before shutting the door. The Trio sit down all with exhausted sighs.
"Okay. First things first you dumbasses. If I'm lying it's for a reason. I don't want no Dumb ass guard knowing where we all are from. Too much wasted time and It's pointless. Second thing. We'll stay here a few days but Not long. Just enough for some information alright? If either of you two get lost or cause some kind of trouble I'm not dealing with your shit. Got it?" He huffs angrily out. the other two nodding.
"Hey Lovino, No need to be so angry. Damnn." Gilbert pouts but is ignored. Lovino instead using his time to answer a soft knock at the door.
"Excuse me I heard you're the newcomers. Did you perhaps come from outside these w-... Wait… Lovino?" A look of surprise spreads across Lovino's face. Obviously aware of who it is. Gilbert and Antonio peered curiously at the new face. It was a young Asian man who looked to be something of a scientist. His hair is cut short and eyes seemed to be a chocolate brown. A white coat graced his shoulders and arms. Holding some kind of paper. A slowly. A mischievous smile spreads across Lovino's face.
"Hey there Kiku. Long time no see."