I know that I said I would update this soon, but with the last few assignments I had to do before college ended which was studying for a class I was about to fail, and writing an 18 page screenplay, I was burnt out with writing. Not only that, I had a slight writer's block. Even though I managed to write another fic here, I wasn't entirely sure how to plan this chapter out. But now that I don't have to go to college until mid-August, I have plenty of time to think and write.
As the sweeps passed, Kankri matured into a respectable teenager, though he no longer had the innocent view of the world around him as he once did. By growing older and seeing the world for what it was, he became serious. However, he never lost his hope or became cold-hearted, to his mother's relief. He was also no longer a feeble child that couldn't stand up for others let alone himself, but if he had a choice, he would prefer not to get physical with others. It wasn't that he was unable to, he grew some muscle and helps with the heavy lifting for his mother, it was the violence itself. Physical violence, in his mind at least, would make him no different than the millions of trolls that kill for fun. And if he had to kill, it would be beasts, and only for food.
The old hive they stayed in until last sweep had long since burned down. Some trolls got drunk and decided it would funny to light a fire in the grass. Horrible idea. The trolls burned to death and the fires reached several hives, including theirs. They managed to get out unharmed, but they were left homeless. The cave they were currently staying in wasn't the best place to live in, certainly not as cozy as a hive, but it was suitable to their needs. It was large, dry, and devoid of trolls or beasts. It also had a reinforced door, his mother saying that it was to prevent a repeat of what happened when he was a grub. It was a cave inside a stable mountain, no volcanoes were nearby, surrounded by dense forest with lush green leaves. It was an ideal temporary home.
The Dolorosa was currently sifting through their supplies, or what was left of it. She needed to figure out what supplies they would need to get, as they were running low. She would've asked Kankri for help, but with him sitting there, staring blankly at the wall and not moving an inch, it would be pointless. He was having another vision, she knew. At first they would only happen in his dreams, but as time passed, they would occur when he was awake. Sometimes he would get them while walking with her, and then he would just stand there. Those were odd times. When he gets like this there isn't much she can do, except wonder what the vision would be about. As she writes on a piece of paper, Kankri finally rouses from the his vision.
"Ugh," he groans, putting a hand on his forehead.
She looks at him. "Oh, you finally came around."
"What are you doing?"
"I was just making a list. Our food and wood supply are running a little lean."
"I see," he says getting up and grabbing his cloak and sickle. "I can hunt for meat and fruit."
"You don't have to do that Kankri, I'd be more than happy to take care of that."
"It's fine, Mother. Besides, I don't make too much sound, and I can carry a lot with me. And I know which plants are safe to eat."
"Well, then I can go gather the wood," she hands him the small paper. "This is what we need, but if you can't find them all, then we can go out again tomorrow."
He takes the list and looks at it. He always liked her handwriting, it was neat and clear.
"Water is very low, there are three empty waterskins for that. Herb supply is good, a little more wouldn't hurt though. No meat, must find soon, small beasts are preferable. Fruit and berry supply low, needs some replenishing."
He saw wood was also on the list, but was crossed out with a single line.
"I'm going to gather the wood, I should be back soon. Be safe out there Kankri, and remember, if you run into any serious danger-"
"Then I should immediately come back to the cave for safety."
"Right. I love you"
"Love you too."
She leaves the cave door open since he will leave too. He grabs the waterskins, a fruit basket, a slingshot with ammo, and a leather bag and heads out the door. While his mother heads towards the slightly weaker trees in the northwest, he heads to the east. There was a small watering hole, which means that beasts were bound to head there. He would save the beasts for last, for now he would just walk along the path, gathering any fruits, herbs, and berry plants he finds along the path.
By the time he reaches the hole, he has a few herbs, rosemary and basil, some apples and peaches that he found on trees, and a couple of berries. He kneels down near the edge and grabs the waterskins. Even if he should get thirsty, he would wait until he gets home. His mother said that boiling the water first would remove any possible bacteria in the water. The last thing they needed to deal with was illness due to tainted water.
"Now I need to find some game."
He finishes filling the last waterskin when he hears a sound. Like someone was stepping on leaves. He gasps as he turns his head to the left. No one was around as far as he saw, yet he could feel like someone or something was watching him. There was a slight breeze as well. He gets up.
"Who's there?"
No response. He slowly bends down to reach for his sickle.
"Is someone there?"
There was no response again. He puts his sickle back in his bag. When he does, he sees a few plump wingbeasts walking on the ground. He quietly grabs his slingshot, as well as a few pieces of ammo Small rounded rocks that, when aimed right, could kill a small beast. He slowly aims and releases, getting one of them in the head. The other wingbeasts fly away. He grabs the leather bag and slowly walks to the wingbeast, wary of the presence around him. No one comes out, and no one says anything. He puts the animal in the bag, and carries on.
As he travels, was able to find and kill two more game, both were small wingbeasts.
"I think this should be enough. I should head back."
He starts heading back to the cave, successful with his gathering. The load was slightly heavy, but he has carried heavier. It takes about ten minutes before he reaches the cave again, the door closed as he left it. He puts his stuff down and opens it, only to find his mother wasn't there.
"Odd. Mother is usually back quickly if she is gathering wood. Maybe there aren't as many branches right now."
He puts the stuff inside the cave, and was about to start a fire with the little bits of wood they had left, until he felt the strange presence again. The air around him became chill.
"Kankri."
He felt a chill down his spine. This voice was feminine with a slight accent, but it was cold and whispery, almost like a ghost. Scared, he runs to the door to close it.
"Don't close the door, lest your fate be sealed."
"...My fate? Wait, who are you? And how do you know my name?"
"That is none of your concern."
He should have guessed that she wouldn't answer that.
"If you want to find your purpose, follow me."
"Why should I follow you? You could be a murderer for all I know."
"I swear that you shall not perish if you follow me. But if you close the door now, you shall live the rest of your days without finding your purpose in this life. Those visions of yours mean something. Don't let them go to waste by hiding yourself away."
He was surprised that she knew about that. No one beside his mother knew about the visions he had. He opens the door. And looks around.
"Where are you?"
He feels the wind fiercely pass by him, as if someone passed by in the blink of an eye. The wind blows to the east, sweeping all fallen leafs with it and causing the trees to be harshly blown. He follows after the wind, wherever it took him. After going east for about half a mile, the direction changes, the wind blowing to the southeast. He continues to follow the wind, and after running about two miles the wind slows in its tracks. He slows and sees that there was a large thick wooden wall covered with ivy. Looking up, he sees smoke rising.
"What's behind here?"
"Climb this wall, and you shall see for yourself."
"But that would be trespassing. And if highbloods live here, I could be killed."
"You won't be killed, but they might be scared at first. But if you have this experience, the answer for your purpose may come, even if it doesn't come to you at once. Trust me."
He closes his eyes and takes a breath, rubbing his hands together. His heart is pumping fast. Despite the chilling voice, she does seem to be sincere. And important if she knew about him in the first place. At the same time, though, he can't help but feel that this could potentially be a trick. Taking another deep breath, he comes to a conclusion.
"This is probably a very stupid thing to do."
He goes to the wall and climbs it. He almost slips once but he catches his footing. Before climbing over, he takes a peek over the wall. He sees a few hives made of wood, a lusus looking like a moobeast was eating the grass, a fire was in the middle with three trolls gathered around it, another troll was working on building another hive.
"This is just a small little community. What's so special about this place?"
"It may look simple, but there is more to it. Now go."
He takes another deep breath, and climbs over the wall. However, he jumps with a bit too much strength and he loses his footing, so he falls into a few bushes on the ground. The sound grabs the trolls' attention. A rather buff indigo troll, who was working on the hives, walks over to the bushes where the sound comes from. Kankri tries to get up, but then finds himself being grabbed by the cloak by the buff troll.
"Who are you," the troll questioned in a serious manner. "Who sent you?"
The trolls behind him seemed shocked, and slightly frightened.
"N-No one sir," Kankri said trying to ease the suspicion. "Well, I mean I heard a voice that told me to come here, but I mean no harm. Honest!"
"A voice, whose was it?"
"I don't know, I never saw her. But she said if I came here, I can find my purpose in life. I swear I won't cause any harm, I don't have any weapons on me, and I came alone!" Please don't hurt me," he pleaded as he bowed his head and clasped his hands together.
The gruff troll looks at him for a moment. Kankri was shaking slightly, if only because of the fact this troll was a highblood, bringing back bad memories of witnessing highbloods do terrible things. In his surprise however, the indigo troll puts him down gently. Kankri looks up at him.
"I'm unsure about that voice you heard, but I look at you and see a guy who wouldn't do harm to anyone."
Kankri breathes a sigh in relief, and fixes his cloak. The trolls that were once slightly cowering eased up, seeing that Kankri wasn't a threat.
"My name is Zetcel by the way."
"My name is Kankri."
"It's a little chilly, come sit by the fire with the other guys."
"Alright, thanks."
Kankri walks towards the fire with Zetcel, grateful that the voice that led him here was right. Whatever it was that made coming here so important, he was eager to find out.
Again, I'm sorry for the long wait...again. But I got a bit of my inspiration back, so I hope to come up with the next chapter soon. Now who may this mysterious voice belong to I wonder? I decided to keep her words in english, because he wouldn't have understood her if she spoke in another language. There is more to this chapter, but I thought it was going a little too long. And with the stuff I wanted to write, it would have.
Zetcel is based on the star "Zeta Sagittari", or "Ascella (pronounced Uh-Sell-uh), a star found in the Sagittarius constellation. A combination of Zeta and Ascella.