Heyo, whoever is reading this please enjoy and write something yourself. If you made it this far in the story then you can stand my way of writing and not want to nail me on a cross. I've made sure to not bold my chapter this time, and I'm sorry, but I'm still just as bad at writing as the last chapter. Anywho, let's see how long I take writing this chapter.
" It looks like you were right about them not being able to make it. You lot keep going until we make it to that clearing up ahead. You guys can rest for the night then."
This looks like a good spot to rest. It's next to the road, nice and flat, and a small lake looks to be just a few minutes away from us.
Hopefully the bandits don't get any funny ideas when the sun sets here soon. How about I just shove the weapons into the ground circling them. It'd be a good way to scare them into staying. Hmm... I did trade the swords to the magic man.
" Do you mind if I use the weapons I traded to you? They'll still be yours but I just need to set a marker around the bandits." He doesn't even look at me as he furiously nods. As I lean over to look him in the eyes he quickly darts into the carriage. I should probably just let him sleep for now. There's no telling how he'll take today after the shock wears off. Now what to do about these guys.
" I'm going to get some water from the lake over there. If anyone wants to join me then come along. Anyone not going please stay inside the circle. I don't want to clean up another mess." With that said I start to walk off to the lake. I don't really want to drink dirty lake water, but I also don't want to wake up the magic merchant for a pot. Maybe I can just make one out of stone?
I slightly look back to see five of the bandits following me and one about to make a run for it. Let's just raise up the axe near him and...He sits right back down. Now, time to make a good pot. That boulder should work good enough for it. Let's just make the unwanted pieces fall off and give it a good wash in the water. Looking back none of the sitting ones moved. Let's make some cups for the good ones to drink out of. I barely see something push up out of the water before jumping back.
" Now you are one big shrimp. I really hope you taste better then you look." With that said I move water around it's head and give it a squeeze.It popped like a grape strapped to a firecracker. Well, it was a lot more crunchy then a grape. Anywho, looks like meats on the menu tonight. Let's just float everything back on over.
" Whenever your done over here, would you kindly come on back. You'll even get to eat if you behave." With that said I start to walk on back to the camp. Oh ya, I really should remember to get the water. Let's just float it into the pot. I'm going to need a bigger pot if I want to boil this big fucker. Luckily there's plenty of rocks around to make the pot bigger. Now more water and let's finally go on back.
Setting the pot down I start to think about how to go about this. You know what, let's just wing it. Let's just heat up the water... not that hot! That could have been soo bad... Let's not flash heat the water. I'm pretty sure it's only a bad thing. Well, at least it's boiling now.
" Should I just dump this in or does it have anything harmful I should remove in it?" One of the guys that washed up comes closer.
" I don't think it's poisonous. Or at least I never heard of anyone dying from eating one. I've never got to eat any. They be hard to kill." He steps back and goes to sit with the others that just got back. Here's hoping that this doesn't taste too bad without any spices.
Hours fly by with me just making the water lightly spin and every now and again heating it up. Reaching in I rip off one of its arms and take a bite of the white meat.
"Needs more salt... Come on over if you want some." It takes a little bit for one to work up the nerve to come up. Cracks sound out as I rip it apart. I rip a fist sized chunk out of the arm and hand the closes person it and a cup of the water. He gives a look of surprise before rushing off. That seems to be a signal as everyone else start coming over. Handful by handful the shrimp gets smaller and after some time all have some. I take a rather large piece and walk over to the carriage.
"I made some food. Would you like some?" I hear some shuffling before the back door opens.
" Yes... Thank you." He takes the offered food and gently closes the door. With that all out of the way I guess I'll just watch over them until morning. Thankfully I'm still no where near tired.
Change of POV- Priest Douglas
Another day spent protecting the temple is another good day to me. It's definitely sad to see so many of the faithful stray from the path of his holiness purity. This great temple was something to behold in it's prime. This holy sight is the center of Pure Mountain faith.
I still remember the first time I walked inside here as a young lad. So full of hate for the scourge I'd do anything to wipe them out. Just like how they killed my entire tribe. When I was washed in Petran's light for the first time I felt something I never felt before. Faith in something far greater then me.
I've spent my whole life following the light of the mountain now. My armor is my skin, my sword a extension of his might, and my shield unbreakable as my faith. Many shield priest called this place home. Now many have went on starting families of their own. With the scourge nearly just a bad memory most didn't see the need to fight more. At the very least some still wish to learn the way of the mountain.
" Get up young ones. It's time for breakfast and then training, and before you start complaining just remember. A mountain isn't moved in a day." My two apprentices get up slowly and start to eat. It's sad to think how the once might force is reduced to one old man and two young adults. Hopefully they'll continue the faith when I'm long gone.
I still remember when the two walked inside hoping for help. As long as I'm able I shall help any in need, just like the priests before me. While they eat up I should clean up the temple. Here soon I may need to hire a mason for all of the cracks in the walls. It'll be good exercise for...
" Who dares! Whoever desecrated Petran's statue shall be hunted till my last breath!" I see my disciples rush out to see what's happening. They walk up to the destroyed statue and start to pick through it.
" Hey pops, there isn't really enough here to make that huge statue. Do you think someone stole some of it?" My mind goes into a white hot rage at the thought of some common thugs riping up Petran's statue just for some quick gold.
" Didn't you say Petran was a guy? This chest plate has nearly double the chest room then mine has, and I thought mine are too big." My mind goes blank as Lana shows me the back half of Petran's chest plate. If he's a woman then what else is wrong in the Pure Mountain teachings?
"I need some time to think and pray. Please... clean up and look around." Stepping outside the temple will hopefully calm me down. Taking a seat on the grass I freeze seeing the hand of god pick up a ship and drop it off at Cierzo's port. Petran has given me one last mission before old age claims me. The hand of Petran saved that ship for a reason and destroyed his statue to show me the one I must help is a woman of great... size.
" Girls! Pack up everything! We're going on a holy mission!" We must follow Petran's guiding hand post haste. In all of the orders history Petran hasn't given a single order. He's only acted as a guiding light and a purifier against corruption. Hopefully this will mark the restoration of the Pure Mountain order.
POV back
The night passed without any surprises. I mainly fought off boredom with making a huge stone hammer. A sapling was used as the handle and I had a lot of fun making it. Getting the wood to tightly hold the stone and look good was a bit of a challenge. Some Nordic runes finish off the look. It's definitely not a practical weapon, but it's weight makes up for it. This bad boy looks like a monster hunter sized club, but most people seem to be around tit high to me so it's absolutely massive.
Whenever the bandits start to wake up they only panic a litte bit. Maybe magically flying a hammer bigger than they are over their heads scared them? Hm, that sentence sounded right but painful in my head. Let's just get the weapons back on his carriage and start the day.
" Good morning! If you don't mind me asking, how much longer do we have to go?" I lean down to see into the cracks in his window. Not much happening in there.
" Hn? Oh, Oh! Uh, it should be about a day and a half my lady." He doesn't even get up to say that... Must not be a morning person. I set down on the main seat and gesture forward. I idly touch up my hammer as they rush to wake each other up and begin pushing.
"I'm desperately needing a bath so I'll hurry this up. Try not moving around a lot." With a thought I pick them all up without any effort. At the sight of them choking I think fast and imagine a small cat in a box instead of a full body grab. At the sight of them breathing again I start spinning the wheels. There's only a few close calls as I figure out how to juggle all of the task at hand.
By midday we see the gates of Berg. We're greeted by a small group of heavily armored knights on deer back and many ballistas on the wall pointing at us. I slow us down as we approach the gate. The knights ride up to about twenty feet from us before the most elite looking one gets closer.
" I have no time to figure out what you are or why you're here. The Troglodytes are about to send another wave. Either stand and fight or run for your lives!" With that yell I hear the ballistas above fire in sync. Looking at were they shot shows a small army of ugly ass bug things charging at us from the other side of a bridge. The knights charge off in the direction we came from? Another horde of them crest the hills.
The bandits get dropped on the ground as I watch the knights brace. Blue light covers the riders as they break into the horde. Larger bugs crest the hill and being throwing magic and bombs. The blows slide off the knights magical shields and onto the horde of bugs. They finally break through and begin to slaughter the magical elites. Without stopping they turn back around and begin to charge through the horde once more.
Coming back to my senses I notice the bugs are about to reach me. I take three long steps before swinging downwards into the crowd while pushing mana into my hammer. Dirt and guts rain down as the stone hammer shatters. The knights split up riding down both sides of the shattered earth. Looking back I see the other horde start to retreat without even reaching halfway down the bridge. The bugs in front of me turn tail and start scurrying back where they came from.
" HA ha! We've killed enough of those bastard to have them on the back foot. They'll need another few years to get back those numbers. You there, Ash Giants aren't normally around theses parts." He stops Infront of me and opens his helmet. The rugged old man gives me a smile as we lock eyes.
" As you can see I'm not quite normal now and I? Nothing bad I assure you, just uniquely myself. I'm just helping this downtrodden merchant get home, turn in these bandits, and have a nice bath." He looks to the men behind me and nods to the man beside him. At this time the magic merchant finally makes himself known. Seeing his head pop out the old man grins.
" Theo my boy! Nice to see you here so early. We'll need all the usual merchandise. Oh, and maybe you'll finally get some guards this time. We can't have you dying on us now over some petty pride." He about looks like he's eating a lemon when he nods. The knights break off as we near the gate. A group of people start leisurely steering empty carts out of the gates.
The city before my eyes is far larger than the tiny one in the game. About the only thing that looks the same is their main government building off in the distance. Looking around shows many downtrodden people milling about.
"Where do you want your cart? Also, what's happening around here?" While walking I hand off the broken stick to a homeless guy without breaking my stride. The knight takes off his helmet and smiles to me.
" Theo's normal inn is overbooked right now but you two can come stay at my manor. Oh, were are my manners? My name is Sr. Reginald Redcrest, but I let friends and beautiful ladies call me Reg." He gives me a wink that shows just how wrinkled his face is. It takes a few minutes to realize his taking about me. By this point though it's way to awkward to say anything else.
"Could you boys take these criminals down to the jail for me. Don't want to keep the lady waiting." The group of knights split up as we start walking up to the more wealthier part of the city. We're lead to one of the six mansions surrounding the government building.
This doesn't look at all like the game did. I'd figured that it'd be larger, but this is a sprawling City. It's strange though. Lots of homeless and barely anyone in the rich part of the city. I didn't see anyone when walking down here. This, needs some investigation.
" Here we are! My family's manor is in the safest as part of the city. I'll show you to the guest rooms. Oh, you can leave the carriage wherever you'd like." With that said I leave it near the front entrance as we all walk inside. Damn doors are a pain to get through. Lucky the inside of the place has high ceilings.
Looking around shows mainly empty room. The only decorations are ruined suits of armor with weapons next to them. Looking closer shows they each have a plaque next to them. Roland Redcrest- died stalling the troglodyte horde. Vag Redcrest- died fighting elite troglodyte. Dolly Redcrest- died tracking troglodyte nest. Hmm, from what I see there's suits of armor thirty two suits of armor on display. Only one empty one though. Reginald Redcrest-
" Oh, don't mind the family. Right down this hall is the guest rooms for you to stay. It doesn't really matter which one you pick out. The bathing room is the one farthest away down the hall. Now, if you don't mind I'm going to go clean up." With thay said he walks down the other hall all the way to the far door.
There's no more waiting now. It's time to take a bath! Speed walking gets me into the room without delay. Inside is a large pool of water. The most notable thing is how the water is getting in on a tiny bridge. Looking inside the pool shows two steep steps. If I was normal size it'd probably be around waist high on the first step if I sat on it and neck high on the second. I'll have to sprawl out a little bit more than normal but the pool is more than large enough.
The first thing I noticed is they float. Next is how badly angled my back is to get fully in the water. Hm, glowing purple nips. With a flex of my power I start to heat the water. For the first time in a while I can relax and think. Fucking hell, I've been showing a strong face to keep from breaking down. It, hasn't felt real. Ever since choking on sea water and floating down nothing as felt real.
Looking at my hand, I can see my veins beating with each purple pulse. Flexing slices flesh without any blood flowing out. Purple cristal pulses with each beat of my heart. There's barely any feeling of pain from the cut. Laying down even farther is challenging, but I get my nose in line with the water.
I, probably soaked for way too long. Then again I haven't started to prune yet. Drying off is a breeze when you can just manipulate the water away. It's the same with cleaning clothes too. Now just to lay down in... the bed that's too small for me. Fuck it, I'll just steal a few blankets then sleep on the floor.