Glow of the Lantern
A/N: Hey, everyone! I've recently got into this franchise after watching the films and playing some of the games, so I decided to write this fic. I wanted to try my hand at making up some lore for the world.
Enjoy!
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"Obelix!" Asterix called out. When no response came from the darkening forest, he cupped his hands over his mouth again. "Obelix, are you there?"
They were ambushed earlier today during their usual hunt and got separated while fighting off the Romans. Covered in scratches and having lost his helmet, worry festered within him over his missing friend. He was in an unfamiliar part of the forest with no clue on how to go back.
If only I still some Potion left. It would have made searching for Obelix and finding the way back home a breeze, but he used it all up when dealing with his attackers. He cursed his luck and looked around frantically. Especially for someone his size, the trees were towering giants, constantly looming over him and making him feel smaller. Obelix, where are you?
He eventually gave up. He would have to find the way out tomorrow. No sense in wandering the forest after dark. He gathered a few twigs and sticks for a small fire and sat by a tree. The orange light of dusk soon faded and night fell. There was nothing but the sound of owls and wind around him. Asterix hugged himself, gazing about for any sign of Obelix. If he wasn't already back in the village, he hoped his friend found shelter for the night at least.
Asterix was never scared of the forest, having played in it as a child and been on many hunts with Obelix before, but something about how alone he felt made the place a bit unsettling for him tonight.
He rested on the ground with his view to the fire. It wasn't exactly the most comfortable, but he couldn't exactly complain. Pressing a hand against his stomach, he realized hadn't gotten the chance to eat all afternoon. He had to push it down though. There would plenty to eat tomorrow once he went back to the village. Right now the fatigue from the day was already catching up to him. With a heavy yawn, he closed his eyes and drifted off.
He only got a few minutes of rest when a sound reached his ears; something moving in the trees.
Startled awake, Asterix glanced around frantically until he saw an orange glow in the dark. His body tensed up with wariness. Who could be wandering the forest this late? More Romans? Obelix maybe?
Despite hoping for the latter, he wished he had some Magic Potion left now more than ever. He may be resourceful and nimble, but without the potion he wasn't exactly the strongest, and certainly not enough to fight for his life if he needed to. "Who's there?" he yelled, trying to mask the fear in his voice.
But the person kept moving through the bushes without a pause. Clutching his fists, he was ready to get into another fight when his vision adjusted to the light and he recognized the thin figure. The pair of blue shoes and white beard dangling in the air erased any doubt he might have had.
"Getafix?" Asterix mumbled.
The druid wore a brown cloak that hid most of his face save for his beard and nose. An old, bronze lantern with bird engravings was hooked to his staff. The little warrior didn't recall seeing that in his hut before.
Still, relief washed over him and he lowered his guard. "Getafix, I-I'm so glad to see you!" he said, hurrying over to him. As much as he didn't wish for his old friend to have ventured through the dangerous forest looking for them, he couldn't be happier to have been found. "Romans attacked. Obelix and I got separated. I looked for him everywhere, but…he's still missing…" he huffed anxiously.
The druid said nothing, merely tilting his head then gesturing for Asterix to follow him. The little Gaul's grew confused at his friend's silence, having expected questions about his wellbeing, Obelix or the Romans but he followed him regardless.
The druid led him through the dark forest, not even once speaking or making an attempt to start a conversation. The end of his cloak trailed on the ground like a tail, making Asterix wonder why he wore something clearly bigger than he was. He wringed his hands together and looked at his friend in concern. It was a bit uncanny. The druid walked with the same stride as ever and smelled of herbs and potions as always, but something just felt…off about the way he was acting. "Are you okay, Getafix? You've been…awfully quiet," he said while trying to keep up with the old man and stay in the circle of light. Something akin to a grunt came from the druid but he gave no response.
What's happening here? Asterix thought hard on what could be wrong. This wasn't like Getafix, not at all.
It then hit him. Could he be upset with us?
And looking back on it, he realized he couldn't blame him. He and Obelix practically ran into that ambush and lost each other. He must be a sight to see; all banged up and without even his helmet. He ducked his head in shame at the thought of having let his friend down this much. He tugged at the druid's cloak, causing him to stop walking for the first time.
"Getafix…I…I'm really sorry," he said, eyes darting to the ground. "We should have been more careful. Those Romans wouldn't have ambushed us if I hadn't let my guard down. We don't even have anything to bring to the village and it's all my fault,"
Asterix hesitantly looked up at the old man, expecting a sigh or a scolding. He tried to see his eyes, but they remained hidden underneath the shadow of the hood. From the way he pursed his lips, he seemed almost puzzled more than anything. Getafix slowly held up his hand and reached over, patting Asterix on the head. The gesture was so awkward it made the warrior stiffen up.
"Um, okay…" Asterix couldn't help feeling unnerved by that. "But we still need to find Obelix! Do you know where he is?"
He nearly missed it, but the druid gave a brief nod. That at least set Asterix's mind at ease, just a little. The two of them made their way through the forest silently, with the warrior having given up on getting anything out of the druid. Soon enough, the warrior saw another light in the distance. "The village! We made it!" The thought of being within the safety of their home made him rush toward the gate. Before he could even call at the guards, the gate was shoved open with a startling force that made Asterix jerk back and a massive figure swept him into a hug.
"Mr. Asterix!" Obelix swung him around in his embrace vigorously. "Are you okay? I thought you would be here when I got back, but the chief told me to wait for you a-and-"
"Don't worry, Obelix," Asterix laughed while the concerned villagers came to check on him. Dogmatix barked happily while running around them in circles.
"Watch it, Obelix. You nearly broke our gate!" a guard huffed while Obelix just tightened his hug on him.
"Welcome back, Asterix!"
"Oh my, are you alright, dear?"
Asterix was flustered by all the attention from everyone. His eyes searched the crowd and froze on one person in particular; Getafix was coming through the crowd, smiling with his hands behind his back. No cloak, no lantern….
"It's good to see you're okay, Asterix,"
Asterix stared at him, his thoughts coming to a screeching halt. He glanced around for the person that was accompanying him while the druid checked on him for injuries.
"Hmm, it's nothing a few herbs can't fix,"
"I can't imagine how you found your way back. It's almost pitch black out there," Fulliautomatix said.
"But…Getafix, it was you who helped me," Asterix finally said, catching everyone off-guard.
"Huh?"
"Y-you were there. You came to me and led me back here!" Asterix stammered, his mind buzzing with questions. Everyone exchanged confused glances with each other.
Getafix was looking lost for a moment before speaking again. "Asterix, I…I've been here all day. I never left the village,"
What?
"That…you're joking, right?" Asterix laughed nervously but the serious look on the druid's face told otherwise. "B-but that makes no sense! I saw you back there! I did! You looked the same and had your lantern with you!"
The druid's eyes widened at that.
Obelix placed a hand on the little Gaul's shoulder, looking a bit concerned. "Um, Asterix, maybe you need some rest,"
"Yeah, you probably got pretty banged up back there," Unhygienix said.
Asterix shook his head, refusing to believe that. "No, I'm telling the truth! You have to believe me. He even touched my head and I-"
"Asterix, it's okay! I know you wouldn't lie!" Getafix assured and knelt to his level. "I think I know what you saw,"
"What do you mean?"
Getafix sighed and ran a hand over his head. "There are strange and mystical things that dwell in the forest, Asterix. Things not even I fully understand. But whatever it was that helped you come back, it wasn't me,"
A chill ran through Asterix at his friend's words and he glanced to the dark forest surrounding their village, having more questions than answers now.
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What am I doing? It had been several days since the incident, yet he couldn't stop thinking about it. Most of the Gauls shrugged off his story as his imagination playing tricks on him and moved on. Obelix was frightened out of his wits, but was the only one besides the druid who believed what happened.
He was at the edge of the forest with a roasted boar leg. "Um, hello? I…" he sighed. "I wanted to thank you for helping me the other night, so…" Shuffling awkwardly, he set the food on a pile of leaves under a tree. He looked around the towering trees, watching the autumn leaves fall before groaning. This is stupid.
He should be back with Obelix and Dogmatix. Turning around, he made his way back to the village. He glanced to the tree one more time and jerked back.
There on the pile of leave, instead of the boar leg, was his helmet!
Asterix took a few hesitant steps, looking around curiously for a glimpse of the figure in the cloak. He picked up his helmet. It was indeed his, looking exactly like the day he lost it. As he set it back on his head, he looked at the forest. "You've got to stop doing that. Gave me a fright, you know?" he couldn't help saying, a little awkward smile making its way over his face.
He didn't expect a response, having become familiar with their silence, but he could've sworn he heard the faintest chuckle in the wind.
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A/N: Thanks for reading!