Hi guys, I am back! Sorry that I haven`t been able to post an update. I`ve been busy for these past few days.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I appreciate it!
vinicio5 – I don`t know how to respond to "cool" but thanks!
And again, I apologized for any grammatical errors and repeating words you will find as English is not my first language.
I Don`t own SVTFOE.
Dimension ? ? ?
It has been three months since they landed on this unknown world and within those three months, they discovered that the village they encounter on their first day was one of the many villages that rallied together to wage war on an expanding empire up north. The first month they spend mostly their time learning ways to live out the land and avoiding the world`s inhabitants and it`s constant skirmishes. Once they learn the usual moves being conducted by the natives, the two then took their time learning the language by sneaking inside the village in the dead of nights but find it difficult to understand it as the natives use growls and clicks to communicate with one another. Although having difficulties with the language the two persevere and are soon able to produce basic words for communicating. Even though they were able to decipher a bit of the language they are still not confident enough to perform a greet and meet with the natives.
The heat coming from the two suns above barely distract her from the scene that unravel in front of her. Stench from the pools of blood and littered bodies didn't help on keeping the bile from her stomach to from rising out of her body. Even though this is not her first time to witness the cruelty of life, she couldn't help but feel sick at the sight of it. The memory of her first time witnessing the horrors of war she was plague with vivid visions of them getting caught up in the skirmishes and with it ending with their lives being taken away. A soft grunt from her companion brought her out from her reverie.
Looking over her shoulder she sees Marco was shoving strips of leather on his nearly full bag. Like herself. Marco was wearing a leather armor worn by the natives, created from the skin of the animals they saw on their first day on this dimension called Rakkar. But seeing that the native inhabitants are far taller than them they have to make a few alterations on the armor for it to properly fit them. Seeing that the natives don`t sweat like they do. They have decided to remove the sleeves transforming it into a leather cuirass that reduce its capabilities to protect them but it in return becomes a bit more comfortable to move in.
And like her. Marco decides to alter his pants and turn it into a make shift short as he claims how his temperature rose faster when he was wearing pants as they trek through the blazing dimension.
Throughout their scavenging missions they managed to replace their sticks with proper weapons. Marco decides to replace his with a short double edge bronze sword for close combat while using a hunting bow for some range. Jackie originally wanted to use a sword like Marco but decided to use an eight feet long spear instead and acquiring a hunting bow for long range.
Throughout their times here at this dimension, Jackie slowly notices Marco`s demeanor changing day by day. His scowl starts appearing more and more and Jackie couldn`t remember the last time she saw him without it. Was it because of her? Was it because she`s slowing him down? She knows she`s not like Star, she doesn`t have any magical powers that can help them in their situation nor does she have any knowledge in magical topics.
Maybe it really was her. Maybe he wouldn`t be stressing himself out too much if wasn`t busy trying to survive while making sure she stays alive as she has no experience in hand-to-hand combat, no magical wand, barely able to use her newly acquired spear and laughable skills in archery.
Night time once again fell on the world, the suns have set and finally make way for the single moon to take the skies. Two figures can be seen resting on top of a rocky plateau overlooking the plains below. Marco has just finished first watched and is now soundly asleep but Jackie on the other hand is wide awake, occasionally casting a few glances at her companion who is the only reminder of her home.
Every night on her shift, she keeps looking at the moon above them, silently watching it, anxiously waiting for it to turn red. Ever since her encounter with the mysterious figure, the moon hasn`t turned red since then. Aside from watching the moon. She kept a close look out for the mysterious visitor to show herself to her again but like the celestial body above, the figure to disappear as if not existing at all.
Jackie would have thought she just imagined all of it because of the stress if it wasn`t for the fact that the mark left on her hand is constantly reminding her with its faint glow.
When Marco first saw the mark on her hand. He quickly inquired about on where it came from. Jackie contemplated on telling him what happened to her but decided to no to share it with him for the time being after seeing how stressed and tired he look as times goes on and instead lied to him. Telling him that she doesn`t know how she got it and simply give a simple excuse that she might got it when they accepted Hekapoo`s trial. Marco didn`t look convince with her excuse as he wonders why he didn`t get a marked like her. Jackie froze up as she didn`t have any answer for that question.
Marco looks at her expectantly, patiently waiting for her to answer his question. Minutes has past without getting any answer from her Marco give out a sigh of acceptance and ask her if the mark on her hand is affecting her negatively in anyway. She shook her head, explaining to him that she`s not feeling any side effect from the mark. Marco let out a sigh of relief from her answer and dismissing the topic but not before telling her to notify him if once she experiences anything from the mark. It has been month since he asks his question and nothing happened. No mysterious figure appearing out of nowhere, and no blood moon appearing on the night.
Back in the present. Morning has once again taken over the world. After eating their breakfast, the two quickly gathered their belongings before heading out towards the direction of the imperial soldiers are coming from.
"How long do you think before we reach the border of the empire?" Jackie curiously asks while scanning their surroundings.
"I am not sure." Marco replied. "But hopefully, we`ll be there by the end of the day."
Jackie gives a hum of agreement as she nimbly jumps over a fallen log on their path. "I hope you`re right, I don`t think I can go another day of walking under this heat. Jackie grumbled. Wiping the sweat off her brow. "And hauling all of this equipment isn't really making our journey easy."
"Do you think we can learn how to tame a Rakkar to help us on this trial?" Jackie suggested making her companion stop in his track. "Uhh… Marco, are you ok?" Jackie asks as she notice Marco stop walking besides her.
Looking over shoulder she sees Marco with his mouth agape, a look of realization quickly donning on his face. "Why didn`t I think of that! We`ve been here for three months now and it didn`t even cross my mind!" Marco exclaimed. An excited smile blooming on his lips.
Seeing his expression. Jackie mirrored him and give out a smile on her own. Unlike his, Jackie`s reason is that of seeing a rare smile of his feature appear. "Well to be fair the idea didn`t cross my mind until now."
"Now the problem is how are we going to tame one?" Marco asks with a pensive look. "Getting close to a wild herd without spooking them would be nearly impossible." Marco continued before looking back at his companion. "Any idea on how we are going to get our ride?"
"Uh… we could try stealing one?" Jackie sheepishly answered while scratching the back of her head. Marco gives her an inquisitive look, urging her to continue with sharing her idea. "So, you remember when we saw the skirmishes between the tribes and the imperials?" Jackie asks earning a nod from the latino teen. "The imperials are utilizing cavalry units to fight against the tribal coalitions."
"Wait doesn`t the warriors from the tribes also use cavalry units?" Marco countered. Jackie nodded acknowledging his statement. "But then again, we only see a few riders on the tribal side. That mean only the chieftain or commanders use the rakkars` as mounts." He continued.
"So, I guess we go find a nearby tribal village to acquire a mount then?" Jackie asks earning a grunt from Marco.
"No, that would be nearly impossible to do." Marco answered. "The rakkars use by the chieftain would be closely guarded as it is an important asset for them."
"Then are you suggesting that we get our ride from the imperials?" Jackie asks after realizing that Marco seems to be leaning on going to the imperial city. "Wouldn`t the mounts of the imperials be as heavily or even more tightly guarded than those of the tribes?" Marco only hummed a response from Jackie`s question.
"Yes, but when I last visited Star`s home, they keep built their stables outside of the castle gates." Marco answered. "I don`t know if the imperials built their stables outside of the walls like back in Star`s home dimension but if they do happen to place it outside, we would have easier time getting to it than trying to sneak inside a center of a village."
"Then I guess we have one more reason on going to an imperial city then." Jackie noted as they resume their journey. Marco hummed in agreement, he`s usual frowned slowly appearing on his face.
Their journey towards the city was rather uneventful, as they were expecting patrols roaming the dirt path leading to the imperial city but was instead greeted by a deserted path with no sentient soul in sight. "Somethings doesn`t feel right here." Marco said. Earning a nod from Jackie. "I am pretty sure were already inside the border of the city. But we haven't seen any imperial patrols since we saw the outline of the city from a distance." He continues before he turns towards his companion. "How about you, Jackie? Any ideas?"
"Maybe they needed extra soldiers elsewhere?" Jackie suggested.
"Hmm… I guess. But there should had been at least a few patrols going around the area." Marco said with a pensive look. "Do you think we`re walking into a trap?"
Jackie`s eyes widen after hearing his question. "Hopefully that's not the case. And besides why would they set a trap for us? We`re not in anyway or form a threat to them."
"I hope your right about the fact that we are not a threat to them but what I was saying was that they might have set up a trap for their enemies." Marco said trying to calm Jackie down as panic is clearly evident on her face. "If it wasn`t for the fact that we need to go to an imperial city, I would have stayed far away from the city or a tribal village."
Jackie let out a frustrated groan while pinching the bridge of her nose. "Great. Just great." She said in exasperation before putting the leather bag she was carrying in front of her. "I shouldn`t have pointed out this damn banner all those months ago!"
With a frustrated huffed, Jackie pulls out a simple black cloth from her leather bag. In her hand a rectangular black cloth, gently swaying from the hot breeze. A yellow embroidery stitched on the middle of the cloth could be found forming two horns mirroring each other. Above the horns an orange and red embroidery is seen merging together forming an image of a small fire.
"Well, I am glad that you find it. We now have a lead on where to find Hekapoo instead of just aimlessly wandering this dimension."
"You`re right. "Jackie said with a tired sigh as she put the banner back in her bag. "I just wish things got a bit easier, you know?" She continued not noticing a scowl on Marco`s face appeared before vanishing the moment she looked back at him.
"Let`s set up camp for tonight." Marco suddenly said as he grabs her bag and started looking around their surroundings. Before Jackie can protest that she can carry her own bag. Marco quickly walks away towards a flat area away from the road.
Jackie just stares in confusion at the back of her partner before shaking her head and jogging towards him.
A big thank you again for reading my story!
I am open to criticism, so feel free to leave a review.