AN- CHAPPA TWO!
Sarid: Magma does not own Terraria. Any references to movies, games, products, TV shows, etc. are also not owned by Magma. Only I belong to Magma.
For now, enjoy this one! :D
The Island
When dawn broke, the dark lump of land known as Terraria was on the rosy horizon. Sarid stood at the bow of the ship, watching as they grew closer, never taking her eyes away from the land. It took a few more hours to reach, and just as the captain said, they stopped the ship right at the shallow; not an inch closer.
"A'ight, landlubbers, you two best be on ye ways." Sinbad told them, Asher leaning against the ship railing, looking at the island with a big smile.
"We still have the cart and the horse." Sarid told him.
"Add on two gold bars and me'll give ye a boat ta transport 'hem." Sinbad offered.
"Done."
"Good." The captain answered. "Anyhow, laddie, we'll be back in a week time fer our payment, and if ye don't come out to meet us, we'll be expectin' ye dead."
"Understood." Sarid said to him. "Let's be off, Asher."
An hour later…
Sarid went ahead of the cart, cutting through the vegetation with a copper short sword, Asher leading the horse by its reins. They had pulled the boat they bought high onto the sandy shore, and tied it to one of the numerous palm trees.
"Any idea how much farther?" He asked Sarid. His feet ached and he had tied his coat around his waist, showing the off-white shirt he wore under it. Sarid stopped, and slowly looked around, then looking back forward.
"I'll know in a minute." He answered, they continuing on. Not too long later, Sarid stopped again, forcing Asher to stop.
"What's wrong?" He asked Sarid.
"We'll be at our destination very soon." Sarid said.
"…How…?"
In response, Sarid stepped to the side to allow Asher to see ahead.
Across their path laid a crumbling wall of stone, over taken by all kinds of vegetation, webbing lichens crept over it like veins underneath flesh, grass swaying in the wind and a couple shrubs that cared not a bit.
"This…this was from that kingdom that was here?" Asher asked, staring at it with his brown doe eyes.
"Aye." Sarid told him, then pointing at the top of a hill, right off to the side of the path. It was steep, and just barely could he make out the ancient steps carved into it, the seeing what Sarid was really pointing at: a stump of crumbling, vine-covered stone that had a young tree growing from it.
"…Oh…" He said, realizing it. "This was a watch tower."
"Correct." Sarid told him, continuing on. Now that he looked at the path they went along, Asher could tell it had once been a clear road of hard packed dirt, and even after not haven been in use, plants still struggled to claim it.
After some time of the hard travel, they found their destination.
Rubble of stone covered in vegetation, wooden supports and furniture charred by fire, shards of glass scattered all over the ground. Wooden arrows stuck from the ground, which had several, random depressions in it from explosions, where water had gathered over time, trees grew from the rotting wood floors of the buildings, and rusted, broken weapons were strewn about.
The largest building's roof was completely collapsed in, the towers fallen, the bridges that once arched between them completely crumbled, the stained glass windows shattered to crumbs and throwing colored light onto the remaining walls of the building.
"…" Asher was silent, looking over the ruins. "…This…this was the kingdom?"
"Aye." Sarid answered. "Come, we need to find shelter."
They went down into the ruins, skirting the pools of water and stepping over rubble, often having to stop and push the cart from the back to move it forward.
Finally, they arrived at the large building, broken and burned furniture all about. Asher unhitched the horse, Sarid unloading the crates from the back with surprising ease. After that, Asher led the horse to a grassy area to graze, and Sarid searched through for gold bars to pay Sinbad with.
Later…
Asher explored the ruins, looking for anything useful. He had found some tools stashed in a half-buried chest, and some metal from broken tools that could be re-used. The sun's rays were turning gold, making him look to the sky. It wouldn't be long before dark. He began gathering any wood that wasn't ruined or rotting, then started back towards the large building he and Sarid were holed up in.
When he arrived, Sarid was nowhere, but had set up a room of stone for protection, the crates of books pushed against the outer walls. Going in, he saw a furnace, workbench, campfire and two bed rolls unraveled, and a chest. He went and stored the things he had gathered in the chest, putting the wood in a pile against the wall, then walking back out.
"Sarid!" Asher called. "…Sarid?!"
"Come hither!" Sarid's emotionless voice called, Asher following it. He climbed over a pile of rubble from a wall rather than the large, rotten wood and rusted iron doors, seeing Sarid a ways up a hill, standing beneath a tree. He trekked up the hill, coming beside Sarid to see a slab of stone, with letters carved in:
To those who lived and died here,
May you have died with bravery in your hearts and a sword in your hand,
So that it will be known you did not pass without a fight.
Rest in peace, good citizens.
A candle sat atop the slab, lit so that the flickering light glowed. With it were random objects, such as a pearl necklace, a tool with the initials K.A.T. carved in, a faded oil painting, a rusted sword still in one piece, faded initials on the hilt, and finally, a boutique of flowers, tied with a frayed ribbon.
"…This…is very considerate of you." Asher told Sarid, who stared down at the slab.
"I must be that way if I am to become this island's new ruler." Sarid replied. "I am going to rebuild and protect this place. Not even will I let death stop me."
"…" Asher blinked, looking back at the slab. "…Could I place something here?"
"If you find something." Sarid told him. "An item that would have had some value of emotion to one of them."
They stand in silence for a time longer, Asher looking back at the ruins. The sun bathed them in gold, and past the forest surrounding them was a beautiful, snow-capped mountain with rolling plains down its side, and just beyond it was yet another, smaller mountain, and he could see nothing farther.
"…The sun sets." Sarid said, turning and walking down the hill towards the ruins. "Let's go."
That night had to be the longest of Asher's life.
As soon as the moon rose, moans surrounded them in the stone shelter Sarid had constructed and bangs on the door did nothing to help, even when Sarid barricaded it. He could barely remember a thing through the fear, worry, and being tired, but he remembered rocking back forth in a corner, Sarid sitting across him from the fire, fast asleep, nibbling at a slice of bread, dozing in and out, and the clearest one: a zombie fitting through a small gap in the wall. He remembered grabbing a branch from the fire and waving it at the zombie, only to have Sarid appear in front of him, her copper short sword in the zombie's gut.
After pulling out the sword, killing the zombie, she turned to Asher, and told him:
"Sleep."
Sarid walked through the ruins, the morning dew wetting her boots and the crisp air filling her lungs. Asher was still back at the shelter, tucked under a blanket and asleep.
She felt nothing as he walked, unable to even use the emotions she had buried away so long ago.
Many of the buildings would have to be completely re-built, and the ground needed to be evened and the water drained from the depressions in the ground. The largest building – once the castle – also need major repairs, maybe even a complete re-build.
Oh, how thoughts of what to do rushed into her mind.
It would be greatest building the world would ever have the honor to lay eyes upon, filled with all sorts of tapestries, paintings, trophies and such wonders only Terraria had to offer, glittering jewels and shining suits of armor of all kinds, vaulted ceilings and curving arches, tall windows and rooms lit with the sun.
All she needed was plenty of resources.
Stone was widely available with the crumbling buildings, and Sarid would need wood to fuel fire and make torches, then-
Splat.
…Splat? Sarid wondered, stopping. She looked around, drawing her short sword, then seeing what had made the noise.
It was a blob, green in color and moved slightly, as if bouncing. It shook, and then did bounce, closer to Sarid, before being still, then bouncing again. She stabbed it, causing it to disappear, leaving three blue blobs of slime.
Asher woke with a start from his dream.
It had been horrible, some eerie voice had called to him and he had seen some grotesque flesh monster.
Just a dream, though.
He pushed his blanket off, then pulled on his coat, buttoning up the front. The door opened, he looking up to see Sarid.
"Good morning." Asher said to her, Sarid tossing him three blue blobs.
"What can you tell me about these?"
"…Well…" He looked at them, sitting with his legs crossed. "They're flammable, and can be used as ammo, or smeared over bombs so that they stick."
"So I can use them for torches?" Sarid asked.
"Yep." Asher told him, handing him the gel. Sarid went to the work bench, making the torches, Asher leaving the stone shelter. He climbed over the destroyed doors, and went down into the ruins, walking around, looking for anymore materials.
A few minutes later…
"Come on! COME ON!" Asher grunted, pulling on an axel that was half-buried, unable to pull it up. "Sarid needs this metal!"
He pulled harder, still to no avail.
"Did this turn into a tree?!" He asked, giving it another yank, only to have it slip from his hands. Asher fell back, falling into one of the water filled depressions in the ground with a splash. He tumbles through the water, able to feel the hundreds of air bubbles around him, he clawing through the water. His head splashes above water, he gasping for air as panic started to fill him.
"HELP!" He yelled, furiously kicking his legs and trying to gulp down air. "HELP! I CAN'T SWIM! HEEEELP!"
Asher fell underwater again, kicking his legs as hard as he could, clawing at the water when a he felt a rock under his foot. He pushes off it, a root jabbing into his back, but he grabbed it, pulling himself out of the water, gasping for breath. After regaining it, he drags himself onto the solid ground, laying on his stomach.
That…was terrible… Asher thought, panting and shivering. After a moment, he lifted his head, then stopped.
Right in front of him was a teddy bear.
It was faded and ragged, the stuffing coming out from where the left arm was missing, and one of the button eyes was gone, the tangled thread remaining.
"…Oh…" He sounded, pushing himself up. Carefully, he picked up the teddy bear looking at it. It was old, and there was a small tag on it with the initials P. S. T. on it.
Asher stood, and went to the hill where Sarid had put the memorial, putting the bear at the base of it.
"ASHER!"
He looked over his shoulder, seeing Sarid running up the hill.
"I heard your yell. What happened?" She asks, still showing no emotion.
"I fell into one of the ponds." Asher told her. "I can't swim…"
"Ah." Sarid answered. "Forgive my lateness. I was examining the mine."
"Mine?" Asher blinked, Sarid waving a hand for him to follow. They descended the hill and skirted the ruins until they arrived at the southern area, an opening in the base of the hill there.
"That mine." Sarid told him. "It's suffered cave-ins and flooding, but that can be fixed."
"Wow…"
The rest of the day was spent clearing out some of the houses in the ruins, rebuilding them made of nothing but stone bricks, and furnishing one.
"Here you are, Asher." Sarid told him, he looking around the house. The first floor was nothing but a study, filled with bookshelves packed with the books he had brought, a desk and chair for him to sit at, an abacus, quill and inkwell, as well as papers to write on.
Upstairs, there was a kitchen stocked with clay dishes, a cook pot, cupboards, table with chairs, a bed room with dresser, bed, night stand, rug, reading chair, and a door to a bathroom.
"Wow…" Asher says, walking through the rooms, then going back to the first floor where Sarid stood in the doorway. "Thank you! This place is much nicer than my old house."
"It will be nicer once I have more materials." Sarid said to him. "Hopefully you'll have some sleep tonight."
"Oh I will! Goodnight!" Asher told him.
"Same to you." Sarid replied.
Later, Asher had changed and laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, moonlight coming through the windows. He had to wonder if Sarid had done anything with the stone shelter.
Sarid laid on her bed mat in the stone shelter, which was fixed completely with solid stone walls and some windows.
She turned her head to look into the fire, remembering back to where she lived before she was branded a traitor…
It was a good thing that had happened for her.
The army wouldn't look for her when they found out she had left…
Hopefully.
Doc sat on his porch, rocking in his rocking chair. The sun was getting lower, bathing the town in gold light.
Ah…Nice and peaceful… Doc thought. Children ran about, laughing and playing, neighbors sat out on the porches, resting and reading.
Yes, this was the time of the day where everyone just sat back and enjoyed the peace…
Until a horse whinnied.
People went to the edge of their porches, pounding hoof beats coming fast and fierce up the dirt road, right into the main area where Doc's porch faced.
Three riders, one on a black horse, one a bay and another on a chestnut. The first seemed to be the head, the other two right behind him. Their saddles were military issue, their navy cloaks having the brooches with the army insignias, hoods over their heads, and their blue uniforms showing.
They rode in a circle, then to the center, where the head rider stopped their horse, which reared up on their hind legs.
He threw his hood back, showing his black hair and dark grey eyes, which held a look of inexperienced authority, and were half-lidded.
"Attention, citizens!" He shouted, people gathering around, while Doc continued rocking in his chair.
"We are here searching for a cowardly traitor!" He stated, taking a roll of paper from his coat, flicking his wrist down so that it unrolled, people's eyes widening, he having his horse walk in a slow circle, so that everyone could see.
It was picture of Sarid.
"This man is charged with deserting the Kingdom Army without serving his five years! Anyone who assists him shall be charged with Second Hand Treason! Anyone who hides him shall be charged with Second Hand Treason! Anyone who refuses to give information pertaining to his whereabouts will be charged with Second Hand Treason!" The lead rider yelled.
"Any information regarding this man is to be relayed straight to our post in Halgo City, five miles north!" He turned to look at the two riders with him, exchanging words. The three trotted to the inn, dismounting their horses and handing the reins to the stable boy.
They walked around town, asking about Sarid, before the leader walked up onto Doc's porch, holding up the wanted poster.
"I have been told that you know this man." He told Doc, his voice high and mighty. "Tell me everything you can on this traitor."
"Hm…" Doc hummed, taking the poster, and pushing his spectacles into place. "Well, let's see…"
"Do you have any information or not?" The solider asked, impatient.
"Well, my memory isn't quite what it used to be, sonny." Doc told him. "Blonde hair…bright blue eyes…around 16! Well, what can you chase him for?"
"Did you not listen?!" The solider hissed. "He ran off before serving his five years!"
"Well, you need to go back and learn your manners." Doc said to him. "You won't get far with that attitude."
"Do you know anything or not?!" The solider asked, again.
"Well, blue-eyed blonde, 16…Hmm…He does sound familiar…"
"…WELL…?"
"…Oh yes!" Doc said. "He was here a few days ago! Near death, he was."
"Where is he now?"
"I'm not sure."
"DID HE SAY WHERE HE WAS GOING?"
"No."
"Then stop wasting my time!" He said, snatching the wanted poster away, and stamping off, Doc shaking his head.
"No manners…" He said to himself. I hope you're at your island, girly. They won't find you there.
AN-To those of you who are questioning why it's sundown at Doc's place and night at Terraria, the two places are in different times zones. Hope you enjoyed it!