Author's Notes
Happy with the speed of the fic so far! A new arc begins! I'm excited about this one, some fun moments during it, I hope you enjoy it too ^^
lordgemini - I hope Carnal gets new cows, he's a bro I know! Plenty of nice people coming though ^^ He isn't an exception.
Aztec - I like your ideas, sadly I can't say whether I use them or not due to spoilers but they do influence partially some chapters so Thank you ^^ Though a lot of the series is already planned so I can't really add new things fully
TDZ Arc 2 Chapter 1
Dwayne started walking along the cobblestone path, following Scarlett's instructions.
Blue bolt blue bolt…
He walked and in his view, he saw a market, many different people selling many things from unique fruits to devices and strange liquids. Dwayne looked curious.
Well nothing wrong with a little detour nowww, it'll be a small delay
He walked to the market and started observing around.
People were bustling through left and right through the market itself, people buying things. Some stared at Dwayne a bit.
Why are they staring? Have they not seen a dad before?
"You look confused there, mate," one of the people working at the market stall said.
"Oh?" Dwayne turned around and blinked as he saw a muscular tall man. Purple skin, bald head, wearing some battle armour. "Wow, you're tall!"
"Heh, I get that a lot. 6ft 10," he smirked.
"Wow! You're like a mountain! Well." He stared at the things the man was selling. Weaponry mostly, from swords to knives to maces and axes. "Wow, these are cool! Are they real?"
"Of course they are, why wouldn't they be. You aren't from around here are you?" He asked.
Dwayne blinked. "Yeah, how did you know?"
"The skin mostly. Don't usually see the fair-skinned in these parts. Probably explains why people are staring." He chuckled a little.
"Oh yeah definitely," Dwayne rubbed the back of his head. "Well, why would you need such weapons anyway?"
"For protection of course! These places are dangerous at night. Plenty of muggers ready to threaten you, at least you may have a good chance if you handle one of these fine swords or axes." he casually held one up like it was nothing.
Dwayne's eyes sparkled. "Wowwww…"
"Pretty nice huh? Got these from an old friend of mine, big spikey hair, short though but great" he looked down a bit before he looked back up. "Oh well, interested?"
Dwayne frowned a little and gave a small chuckle. "Well… here's the thing, I don't actually have any money… I don't have my wallet on me, sorry."
The man frowned a little and put a hand on his chin. "Hm well, how about this" he grabbed one of the daggers and gave it to him, it was a shining steel dagger with a brown wood and metal handle.
As Dwayne grabbed the dagger he suddenly flinched a little "Oh? Wow, this is heavier than I expected" He started doing random poses with it. "Hwahhh!" he slashes in the air.
The man laughed. "Yeah everyone says that. Careful though, they aren't toys. Now give it back."
"Awh..." Dwayne gave the dagger back.
"Now now, don't be sad, I just wanted to give you a bit of a taster. Now do come back if you want when you have the funds ok? Remember the name Nappa." He smiled.
Dwayne nodded. "Sounds good to me! Well, I'll see you later ok?" He smiled and started walking off. The man waved goodbye.
Nice man, I hope everyone is just as friendly.
While all Dwayne continued to get to his destination, back at Scarlett's place Noah just finished explaining to Scarlett everything that happened.
"Interesting…" Scarlett said. "So that explains the white light and everything, it's been three years and I've been wondering what all that was, I could never figure it out.
"We don't exactly have any answers now," Noah said, frowning.
"Ah but we do have more info, any info is good info, bookworm." She said with a smirk.
Noah suddenly gave her a slight glare.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Hm?" Scarlett asked and frowned.
"I don't trust you to be honest," Noah said bluntly.
"Oh? What did I do exactly?" Scarlett looked at him.
"Well, the whole villain thing you know? Unlike you, it's still fresh in my mind. Pahkitew island wasn't exactly years and years ago for me. It's only been 3 years since that season." He frowned more.
"Ah." She sighed a bit. "Three years is a long time, especially in this place you know Noah." She sounded a bit down.
"It's… complicated to say the least. Just know those days are over for me ok? A lot has happened which I'm not willing to share right now." She looked slightly away from him. "Just at least give me some chance alright?"
Noah sat there for a moment and then sighed. "Not now. But maybe one day."
Scarlett glanced back at him and gave her usual smirk. "Sounds good to me."
The sounds of groans were heard nearby.
"Hm?" Noah looked for the source of the sound and saw Trent was moving. "Trent? You alright there?" he asked.
"Gh…" Trent opened his eyes and sat up a bit. He rubbed his head. "Wow.. man... Am I dead?"
"Not yet," Scarlett said.
"Oh… it's you, Scarlett, right? What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Same as you. But let's not get into the specifics now, how are you feeling?"
"I'm a bit dizzy but I should be fine." Trent smiled a little and looked at Noah. "Hey man, glad to see you're alright, that blue dude was crazy huh?"
"Well, I imagine the whole attacking us would've indicated that he was crazy yes." Noah blinked.
"I see you're back to normal already heh" Trent relaxed a bit and then looked around. "Where's Dwayne?"
"Off to get some stuff for me. Should be back in a few hours."
"So what am I supposed to do while he's gone?" Trent blinked.
"Talk I guess, or relax, I mean we aren't exactly anticipating anything or going anywhere," Noah answered.
Trent just relaxed for now while Noah and Scarlett went back into the conversation, talking about theories of what's going on.
Meanwhile back with Dwayne, he walked through the market and now was walking through one pathway which on each side were simply buildings, some house and some shops.
Ooo I wonder what real estate is like here, I'd love to buy one of these houses.
In the distance, he could hear some commotion. It was some shouting, he could make out the words.
"Halt! How dare you insult the queen!" A male voice shouted.
"Ah!" The sound of another male was heard.
Dwayne jogged and hide a bit by one of the houses, he peaked his head from the path into an open area and saw a couple of the guards grabbing a male civilian.
"I-it was just one comment! I'm sorry!" The man pleaded.
Dwayne started shaking, unsure what he could do, he simply stood there and watched.
"It's too late for you! Off to the dungeon with you. How dare you insult Queen Staci!" They grab the man and start dragging him off. He struggled as they continued with a hard grip.
Dwayne simply watched as they walked off. He was still shaking.
Staci… It couldn't be, right? That would be wild…
After a bit, he shook his head. "Gh.."
I should get going. Don't want to keep Scarlett waiting nowww
He started walking again, following the directions he was given before.
Meanwhile back at Scarlett's place.
"So we kinda got nothing? Are we just stuck here forever?" Noah blinked.
"Hope not, I'd at least like to see Gwen again." Trent frowned.
"I mean she would probably be here as well," Noah stated.
"Actually, I'm glad I got a second pair of eyes, despite my power like actual reading, you may not notice a few things when searching for specifics. I want you to read a few things for me." Scarlett said.
"Oh? What exactly do you want me to read?" Noah looked at her curiously.
"It'll be easier to show you than to say. However, they aren't with me right now. They are back at the library because well… I'm not allowed to take any books out anymore because uh… overdue fees." Scarlett awkwardly admitted.
"So we're just waiting on Dwayne for now?" Noah blinked.
"Oh no, not at all, we can go now actually" she stood.
"Are there any instrument stores around? I'd like a new guitar" Trent asked.
"Yes, there is one. Though I don't imagine you have any money."
"Oh yeah, that's true. Hm. Wait! Can you make me one?" Trent looked at her eagerly.
"I've never made an instrument before." She put her hand on her chin but then smirked. "However, that sounds fun. Sure though it'll take a while. In fact." She looked at the two of them. "I'll go do that, you guys can go to the library. Look for 'Idols of the Damned', 'Documents from a Lost Traveller' and 'The shine'"
"Why can't you just tell us what's inside the books though? Like can't you at least give us an idea before we go find them?" Noah frowned.
She shook her head. "I want a fresh and uninfluenced look at those books. Those books are important, they may be the way we can get out."
Her words caught the attention of both of them, Trent perked up a bit and got up. "Well, I say we should get going then eh man? The sooner we get back home the better" He smiled.
"I guess so." Noah blinked and started heading for the door. "You good to walk then Trent?"
"I'm a bit dizzy still but I'll be alright, some fresh air will do me some good." He kept his smile. "Let's get ourselves going." They opened the door and headed out.
Scarlett kept a smirk on her face. "3… 2… 1…"
Trent popped his head back in. "Uh, quick question, which way is the library?"
"It's only a five-minute walk, take a right, you'll see it quite quickly."
"Cheers!" Trent shut the door again and wandered with Noah through the town.
Back with Dwayne. He kept trekking along. He gazed around and appreciated the scenery a bit. Aendrikard itself was beautiful, the architecture was fancy and the town itself was clean. Birds were flying around as well, though some were strange creatures he still enjoyed the bit of peace compared to the forest.
In the distance, he could hear a couple of kids laughing and having fun while the sound of a person chanting and such was heard.
Oh? What's going on there?
He curiously looked for the source of the sound and saw a familiar-looking person in a magicians outfit. He held a top hat and got a rabbit out of a hat.
"And here is a rabbit! Straight from the land of the earth!" The man announced, the reveal of the rabbit excited the kids and they cheered. The man smiled brightly.
Dwayne's eyes sparkled.
Wowwww a magician…!
"Ok kids! I'm done for the day" He smiled. "I should be back next week ok? You stay amazing Hellain, Jacob, darnel-" He referred to each kid by name.
Dwayne kept a bright smile on his face.
He watched as the kids walked away and the man started packing up.
Dwayne paced over. "That was amazing! I love how good you are with kids!" He praised with stars in his eyes.
The man smiled and looked at him, Dwayne's eyes widened as he identified the man. Dark skin, dark eyes, freckles, fake beard, he knew this man.
"Ah! An old friend! Hello there Dwayne, welcome to my dream, isn't it wonderful?" He smiled.
Dwayne blinked.
Leonard...
Meanwhile, the duo entered the library and started searching for books. The library itself looked old and derelict but people were roaming around.
"I'm glad people here appreciate books more than our own world," Noah said with a small smile.
"Still feels very surreal being here." He was searching for books. "Oh found one!" He grabbed 'Documents from a Lost Traveller' and put it down on a nearby table.
"Careful there, these are old books, don't be so rough with them." Noah frowned.
"You really do take these seriously don't you?" Trent looked at him.
"Well, I want to go home too. As much of a depressing place it is, it's still home." Noah continued to search. The books were ordered alphabetically. He grabbed 'Idols of the Damned and placed it by the other book. "Now we just need to find 'The Shine'".
"Do you think the title relates to… you know"
"I believe so, maybe we will finally have some answers," Noah replied...
"Or just more questions, that would suck," Trent said.
"Yes very." He grabbed the last book and placed them down by each other. The covers for each book were very basic, just bland text with the title of the book on brown, green and blue leather covers.
"They really didn't make the books look appealing huh," Trent said.
"Maybe that's the intention." Noah sat down by the table and inspected the book cover. "Wait…"
"What is it?" Trent asked.
"The author…"
"Who's it written by?"
"By… Dave Perkins"
"Our… dave?"
"The very same."