Hi everyone! I'm back with a new chapter to this Dota2 story! Here's a response to a recent review I got from ngalot3
"This is really great. I think you nailed it on giving more character/depth on Hoodwink. Keep it up.
Although I think you're basing the Moonshard on Selemene? Cuz of the pink instead of grey. If so, is this following Dragon's Blood lore?"
RE: Thanks for the review! I hoped I wasn't getting too carried away with her backstory. I tried making sense of it from the lore given to us in the game.
Speaking of the game: the Moonshard that gave Caleb powers was actually based on the ones from the Nemestice event (actually the same one that gave HoodWink her powers in the Nemestice trailer.) I'm actually basing this story on the game and not the Anime, although I thought both were the same? I dunno, but that's what the Moonshard is based on in my story (could be the same thing you're talking about if I'm wrong).
Anyways, a short note: the last half of this chapter is in third-person. I hope you all enjoy this next addition to the story, peace!
…
Part IV
Welp, I might actually die. Did I ever think it would be from big hairy, man-eating, spiders…probably not? HoodWink and I found ourselves surrounded by a swarm of them…all skittering down toward us from above.
The squirrel had no time to waste! She pushed me aside and pulled out what appeared to be a boomerang: throwing it at the beasts. The weapon managed to strike several before swiftly returning to its owner. To add to her attack, she released an acorn shot toward our tree, which bounced off it and struck the monsters. Unbeknownst to me: the boomerang made the spiders more susceptible to damage and thus were destroyed easily by the acorns. Did that stop a dozen others that marched for us with the intent to kill…no…it didn't.
Sure enough, HoodWink gave the most concerned face she could ever give me, "jump!"
"B-but, we're high up!"
"Just do it!" She shouted, pointing down to the ground...about fifteen feet below. With the creatures only a few feet away, I closed my eyes: joining HoodWink below. To my surprise, I struck the ground without any injury (I did feel pain, however!)
I didn't have time to think about it, for Hood grabbed my hand and forced me to follow, "this way!"
And so, a chase ensued…with an army of hungry, aggressive, spiders after us. The thing is…they soon became less than a threat once we realize a larger spider began stomping its way toward us!
I looked back momentarily and yelped as a result, "a-ah…is that the Queen!?"
"Actually, it's their mother…"
"No wonder she's pissed!"
Unfortunately, the spiders are gaining on us, but HoodWink had a trick up her sleeve. With a grin, she jumped on me and hopped off: taking out her bolas the squirrel aimed for two trees along the narrow path…perfect for her plan. And so, she threw her weapon, and it wrapped between the trees…resulting in an obstruction. The result: the large spider trips on the vines and collapses…creating quite the wreck behind us.
I would have celebrated her feat, but sure enough, a spider managed to shoot a web at my legs…ensnaring me! Having heard my yelp of surprise, HoodWink stopped running to look at what's happening: I'm being carried above by a strand of the web. The rodent had to act…otherwise, I'm a goner!
Unbeknownst to me, she used a hidden ability that allowed her to run faster to catch up, and the squirrel climbed the tree to follow. Upon catching sight of us, HoodWink used a free hand to aim her weapon and fired a bolt: killing the arachnid.
Soon after she freed me I, unfortunately, hit the ground hard but again…no injury. Again, powers…need I say more? Either way, Hood had to stop some other creatures from getting to us: using her usual tactics of binding them to trees.
Eventually, though, I recovered. The rodent girl joins my side, but we've run out of time. Sure enough, the monsters had surrounded us and there's too many to fend off now.
Hood and I look at each other…possibly for the last time. Sure, she could run…but me…not as fast as her.
Then, it happened…a loud deafening roar and an earthquake sent the spiders running back into the trees they came from…leaving us both behind to figure out what just happened. It isn't long before HoodWink next to me recognized the cry…and dread filled every inch of her fur. Her ears pointed to the sky as if attracted to magnets and her eyes widened ten-fold, "oh no…"
"Please don't tell me…" I begged her not to…it had to be nothing good…
"He's here…HE'S HERE! RUN!"
I didn't even have time to ask who it was, for the earth begins shaking again but more violently now. Sure enough, we both hear the low growls and the stomping…
HoodWink wasted no time, she got up to her feet and began running…panic setting in. I had no choice but to, again, follow. Sure enough, my curiosity gets the better of me…especially when I hear the trees collapsing behind us. My eyes widened in shock and horror.
To my surprise, we're being chased now by a giant dinosaur-like reptile. Its unnatural cyan eyes, with slit angry pupils, locked on us. All over its body is rough tan scales and on its back are long intimating spikes. On its right arm appears to be a piece of armor with an animal skull etched on the creature's shoulder. The beast snarls at us, displaying sharp teeth intended to sink into our frail bodies. Needless to say, this monster is unlike anything I've ever seen before. Unlike me, however, HoodWink seemed to know this fella pretty well, but I digress.
Point is, it's faster…stronger…and deadlier than anything I've encountered so far in Tomo'kan.
"C-Caleb!" The squirrel directed me toward a column of trees. As we pass through, the monster crashes into them, but is hindered by the numerous trunks in its way…I guess that slowed it down a bit. Hood leads me through an endless maze of the forest as we hear the frustrated reptile roaring behind us, smashing through the barrier of trees blocking its way. Once we made it to a clearing, we are met with a small ravine with a raging river below.
"Dead end…" I muttered. HoodWink, meanwhile, wasn't so sure about that. Before she could make her case, we heard a rather large tree being uprooted. We both look up to see one flying toward us in the sky!
"Not good!" She yelled. I suddenly pushed the squirrel out of the way to safety as I managed to catch the trunk albeit with extreme effort. With a loud, strained, yell I threw the tree away…panting in exhaustion afterward. Despite my feat, Hood knew we had to escape…there's no chance of us winning a fight against the beast after us.
Lying down next to the edge of the cliff she sees the river and thinks to herself quickly. Just a few moments from now, the "dinosaur" will break through and kill us!
"Jump, Caleb!" She jumped to her feet and spoke.
I look behind her with a crazed expression in response, "what!? Are you crazy!?"
She didn't say anything else, she jumped off and my eyes widened at the sight, "HoodWink!" I ran over to the edge to see her falling toward the river below. Not a few seconds after, the beast finally smashes the last of the trees blocking its way. I look behind me to be met with it…
Its alien eyes narrow at the sight of me…salivating at what it sees as easy prey. Sure enough, it started rushing for me and I had no choice: I jumped.
Giving a loud cry, I soon smash into the cold waters below and it isn't long before a new problem occurs: the current is dragging me violently down the rapids. I break the surface, gasping for air as I do so, and I frantically search for HoodWink: she's close by but is also being carried downstream.
"M-mate! Caleb!" She yelled upon catching sight of me. I tried swimming toward her, but it was difficult to say the least. The worst is yet to come: the river is leading toward a waterfall…a big drop that could (technically) kill us.
We had to figure something out now! Drawing all the strength I had left in me, I thankfully made it to her and grabbed HoodWink. It's not a minute later that we fall again…this time below the tall waterfall. Instinctively (I guess) I used my body to shield her as she yelled. We slammed into the lake below…
…
Upon waking up, HoodWink found herself lying on the sand…next to the shore. She coughed up water and shook herself like a dog to dry herself. It's not long after she looks around and remembers what just happened: she and Caleb just fell from a waterfall after escaping the monster! Looking around frantically for the human she had grown fond of, she found him lying limp not too far away.
"C-cal…" she said exhaustingly, not able to finish his name. She shambled over to him…soon collapsing on top of his wet form.
A few moments passed, too long for the red squirrel…but she's too weak from everything. Eventually, she gathered enough strength to try again: softly jabbing his side with her paws, "m…mate…"
She smelled his scent…he's not dead, thank goodness; however, he's not breathing! She moved up to his unconscious face, grabbing his cheeks with her small paws, "come on…C-Caleb…"
After numerous attempts to wake him (including pressing down on his chest), she gave up, slumping down from exhaustion. Sure enough, however, she heard coughing from the man and her ears rose in relief and excitement. Water flowed out of his mouth as his closed eyelids shake violently, suggesting that he is waking up!
"Caleb!" She said in worry. He finally opens his eyes, and his green orbs finally focus on the small creature, "H-Hood…" he muttered weakly and silently.
"Thank goodness you're alright, mate" she smiled softly, moving away to give him space. Eventually, he can sit up, rubbing the top of his head in pain (his baseball cap is gone…lost to the river.)
"W-what happened?" He asked before looking around.
She pointed to the waterfall and that's when he remembered: when they fell from the top…Caleb held on to the squirrel tight and used his back to absorb the fall damage. He must have fallen unconscious. He remembered just how much pain he felt before that…
It's not long before he remembers the monster that was chasing them…and he just had to ask, "You two know each other…what…was that thing?"
She stared at him, owing it to him, "that was the Primal Beast, I should'a've known…but he often does that…sneaky little bugga!"
Caleb had many questions: where the beast came from…why is it here in the Mistwoods? Most importantly, is there a way to stop it?
She answered all these questions for him: the Primal Beast had been in Tomo'Kan for eons…wreaking havoc in the forest…hunting and destroying anything it pleased. Apparently, like Caleb, it came from another world…another dimension, one of which HoodWink couldn't explain herself. She had been evading the creature since she was very young…tried too many times to kill them only to be a minor nuisance to the Primal Beast. In other words, the two are out of luck.
Funny enough, her descriptions reminded Caleb of two characters from his childhood movie: Jumanji. HoodWink reminded him of Alan (the character sucked into the game) while the Primal Beast reminded him of the hunter (the main villain of the movie.) These comparisons made the human grin inwardly, as ridiculous as it sounded in his head.
"C-can it find us…" the human asked, deathly worried.
"It will if we don't keep moving, bro" she stood up before he joined her. Both began making their way into a trail. This divergence from their original path will lead to delays…much to Caleb's disappointment.
As they moved away from the ravine into "friendlier" territory, which consisted of blue and pink foliage that is known to inhabit Tomo'Kan, Caleb turned to face the squirrel (who is walking on all fours.)
"Why is this forest so damn dangerous?" He scoffed.
She looked up at the young adult, giving a sheepish smile in return, "forest wasn't always like this. It was once a paradise…but over time wizards and our friend, the Primal Beast, transformed it into something nasty" she explained.
"I see…" Caleb placed a finger to his chin, thinking about something, "…you said…wizards? There's such a thing in your world?"
"Why wouldn't they?" She raised an eyebrow as the duo approached a rocky hill to ascend.
"Ahh…well…like magic…like dragons…wizards don't exist in my universe" He shrugged.
"Interesting…"
"They don't sound very friendly" he quipped in return.
"Trust me, they're not. You don't want to run into 'em, mate" she nodded.
After a few seconds of walking in silence, the red squirrel turned to the human male, "Caleb…"
"Hmm?"
"T-thank you…for saving me" HoodWink expressed her gratitude. The human across from her couldn't help but smile a bit at that, "you would have done the same…you kinda did with the spiders…I guess I was just returning the favor."
She couldn't help but bounce up and land on his back, rubbing her furry knuckles against his head, "w-what, hey!?"
"I did most of the saving, let's be honest" she chittered mischievously, with a toothy grin. Soon afterward, she jumped off. HoodWink tried to lighten the air, he assumed.
"Yeah, okay" Caleb rolled his eyes back.
They continued their journey. Just before dusk, HoodWink found food (which happened to be a small animal of course.) She cooked it in a small fire the two had prepared…at a place the squirrel deemed safe. By now, Caleb trusted HoodWink…maybe more than he should have, but by this point, he felt comfortable around her, to say the least.
After they were done, they rested for the night on a tree (one they made sure wasn't filled with spiders that is.)
Once the morning arrived, the duo pressed on…heading for a section of the forest that would lead to the cliff where Caleb first woke up. Along the way, the two caught sight of deep gorges, wide rivers, and shimmering lakes along their travels.
As their destination grew evermore closer, HoodWink and the human walked down a steep trail, staying vigilant. The earth-born male turned to the anthropomorphic creature and asked, "so…do you like…have friends around here, Hood?" He just had to ask.
She shrugged, "not many. I'm usually one to be in the company of oneself."
"Nothing wrong with that" Caleb interjected slightly.
"No…of course not, mate…ya feel the same way, ye?" She responded in kind.
"Ehh, believe it or not…I actually like having people around me. I…hate being alone."
"I see" the squirrel nodded. Deep inside she felt the same way in some regard, but most of the time she had no one to rely on…no one holding her back. Yet…Caleb, despite getting in trouble alongside her…is no burden by any means. Ultimately, something in her wanted the gnawer to tell the young man the truth.
"I like 'aving people like ya as company, to tell the truth" she stated.
"Oh…so there are people like me you've met?"
"N-no" she laughed, "far from it…buggers who can actually fight" she quipped amusingly in return, much to the human's annoyance.
"Oh, okay, thanks" Caleb, feeling the circle to be complete. He slapped his hands to his sides, and this amused the creature next to him greatly.
"Kind of wan'ta introduce 'ya to Auntie!"
"Uhh…who?" He raised an eyebrow at that.
"Aiushtha" she simply replied without saying more.
"Gee…that cleared everything up" Caleb grumbled as she giggled back.
After a few minutes, they reached an open area where the sun shone on the squirrel's green necklace…making it glitter…catching the attention of the male next to her, "what's that necklace, anyway" he asked.
HoodWink looked down to see it but suddenly looked away as if hesitant to answer his question, "t-this…"
He could tell this question didn't sit well with her, so he stopped. Hood inside, however, thought about it…she already told him about her dark past...maybe she should tell Caleb about its origins? She didn't know, but strangely enough…she felt worse not telling him…telling her story to someone she is beginning to be VERY fond of.
"T-this…belonged to my mother…" she finally said, and he stopped walking upon hearing this statement. The human glanced over to his friend and sadness filled his form right away. Something in him made him try to lighten the mood, "I see…at least your mother gave you something."
The cynicism from Caleb to his family that had abandoned him got a mixed response from the furry beast. She didn't EXPECT that response from him, and she couldn't help but raise her defenses just a wee bit; however, before she could retort, Caleb kneeled to be eye level with the squirrel, "you have something to remember them by, and you honor that. It means a lot to you, I could tell. I'm…sorry that I asked in the first place."
He sighed in defeat, but his responses gave HoodWink a reason to back down on her aggressive stance…something deep within her made the creature respond in kind. She sighed back, trying to be louder than the man across from her, "my mother gave me this when I was very young. It's an ornament from my tribe…all our members had one, in fact."
"Amazing." Caleb smiled softly. In a way, it felt great to know she carried the legacy of her people with her, but it also felt bittersweet. Surely some are still out there? M-maybe they can be brought back?
"Hood…" he began, "is there any way we can save your people?"
She just had to scoff. HoodWink tried…once…when she was younger. Krimwohl is not without its unforgiving dangerous, filthy, avenues and polluted waterways. Her teenage maw tasted the water in their sewer unintentionally…when she tried to bypass security leading to a work camp which had her kind. There's was virtually no way she could gain access. And, when she was eventually found by the city's advanced defense grid…she had no choice but to flee…never to attempt such a rescue again.
So, when it was time to answer her new friend, HoodWink chose to raise a furry brow at Caleb, "are yer just saying that to make me feel better?" She blurted out, much to his surprise.
"What do you think?" That is all he simply said. She scanned Caleb's eyes…tried to find lies in his words and his face, but before she could make her thoughts known…she is interrupted.
"I was being honest, Hood. This might come as a surprise to you…but I've come to admire you" he stared into her blue eyes with such intensity, "my world is similar to yours in some ways. Do you believe I would think any differently here? Is there a way to SAVE your people?" He repeated the earlier question.
"B-but…why would this concern 'ya, Caleb? Ya want to go back to yer world…isn't that what 'ya want?"
"That would be nice…but you brought me into this on day one" he couldn't help but quip, "I guess you should have finished me off, yesterday."
The anthropomorphic rodent looked away finally, giving a long sigh in response, "there's…really no way. I've tried. Besides, most of 'em gotten used to Krimwohl…now they're refugees…prisoners really."
Caleb looked away, nodding softly at the thought, "Krimwohl…sounds…like a city?"
"It's a kingdom…in the Outlands."
When he gave a blank face, she rolled her eyes at him, "it's a desert."
"I see…" finally standing up he dusted himself and sighed, "I'm sorry to hear. I really am."
The squirrel pondered…she never met a human as curious or concerned as Caleb…a person who would even bother to ask about the wellbeing of another species…especially her kind. "I am beyond stunned by this" she began, pacing back and forth, "ya really are somethin' special. No human has ever cared to ask…or care at all…why are 'ya…so different?"
"To start: I'm not exactly from this dimension" the man shrugged.
"Heh, maybe someone DID send you 'ere. But…maybe not, I'll be fine when you leave for your world. Don't worry about me."
He looked away. Deep inside, Caleb did wish to return home, but the more he spent time with this creature…the more he wanted to delay it…as if…he wanted to stay? Why would he? There's no way he would survive in Tomo'Kan! Yet…something in him was calling out to him: calling him to say his feelings right then and there. He could see the frustration on her face from the conversation.
He's only known her for a DAY…a blasted day! Why does he feel so weird, so suddenly?
"HoodWink" he prepared himself…preparing for the worst, "I can't explain this very well…but I DO worry about you. I've only known you for such a short time, yet you've had a BIG impact on me…life-changing even. I…I've never met anyone like you…" he couldn't help but crouch down to be eye level with her again. She had to lower her hood a bit, so he could see her more clearly at that moment. Their eyes matched perfectly, "if I do go back to my world…what will I do? All I will think about…is you…thinking about what I could have done to help you, Hood. I do want to go home…but I also am afraid I'll never meet someone like you again."
"I…I…" She mumbled softly, looking away. Inside, she also felt strange. Oh god…what is this feeling!? I-is she…actually mesmerized by him? He's a human…from civilization no less…the very thing she HATES! What has gotten into her!? I can't believe this is happening right now, she thought to herself.
Soon after, she gestured for the human male to stand up, "we need'a keep moving" she simply said, walking past him…leaving him surprised by her reaction.
"Hood?" He murmured, but no response came from her. Caleb sighed…decided to drop everything altogether. He ran over to catch up to the squirrel who left without him.
…
About an hour later, the duo finally reached the place where Caleb first woke up…their journey had finally ended. In front of them, there is the same rocky cliff he tried to scale on the first day with no success. Weirdly enough, nothing seemed out of the ordinary like last time to the human. He thought that maybe some kind of weird portal or something would be waiting for him…or some wise old man to tell him that he survived his "test." Unfortunately, none of those things came to fruition.
HoodWink and the male searched every corner, even the squirrel scaled the façade to check…but…there was nothing. To the girl, the only thing she saw on the other side was the border between Tomo'Kan and the Outlands…the yellow sands of the desert. Her heart sank to the floor…what would she tell him? It's technically a dead end…there's nothing here. Hood's eyes drooped right as this realization hit her.
Caleb (unlike last time and thanks to his new strength) managed to climb the face of the cliff (albeit with struggle.) Once he reached the top and joined HoodWink…his face darkened. She turned to face him, trying whatever she could to explain something…anything…
His face is filled with dread…uncertainty.
Nothing…nothing's here…no portal…nothing to take him home: to his people…back to the modern age. In front of them is the desert and nothing more to welcome them. HoodWink knows her forest inside and out. She's been here a few times actually, but like Caleb…she at least expected something out of the ordinary to come out like an altar. This is not the case.
The realization cut deep into Caleb's soul…it must be true…he's stuck here.
…
Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed this recent addition to the story! Please let me know how I'm doing so far, thanks and have a great day!