Start the Fire

Chapter 3: Dead of Night

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Outside the town, Kamala stood ready to leave. The nightgown was gone, replaced by clothing lent to her by her hosts. Her new attire consists of a blue robe with yellow outlines, gray trousers, brown boots, and a brown belt with a pouch. The only things left unchanged are her bracelet, mask, and scarf. She had donned a red cloak to further conceal her features. If she didn't know any better, she looked like a rogue from a fantasy world. Which ironic because she is in one right now.

"Here you go Kamala," Agnes handed her a package of something warm wrapped in a cloth. Kamala could pick out the smell of freshly baked bread. "I packed you some leftover bread for the journey and a flask of water."

"Thank you, Agnes," Kamala said as she takes the items being given to her. She was bemoaning the destruction of her costume. It was like a constant companion to her. It was going to be hard telling Bruno that it was damaged in another world.

"Here you go," Kaleb handed her a small cloth bag that felt heavy. "This is some money I can spare. Just don't spend it all at once."

"Is this…gold? Actual gold?" Kamala asked in shock as she opens the bag of money. Inside the pouch are gold coins that gave off a glint from the sunlight. She only knew gold as a currency awarded in small quantities for completing quests in World of Warcraft. It was her first time seeing actual gold up close.

"Yeah, it's the currency in Ylisse and the neighboring countries," Kaleb answered. "I packed you about one thousand gold for you to use. Be sure not to spend it all at once."

"One thousand? I can't accept this!" Kamala tried to hand it back, but Kaleb shook his head.

"You'll need it more than we," Kaleb said. He leaned forward and whispered into her ear. "Here's a little advice. If you find any bullions, keep them to yourself. They're lumps of gold that fetch a large sum of money at the market. One time, I found one that earned me ten thousand, so you don't need to worry about me."

"That's good to know," Kamala admitted as she pockets the bag of money into her pouch. She hated to accept it, but she knew that she's going to need it in the future. From her experience in playing World of Warcraft, money is pretty much everything in the game. Frankly, she was surprised that she hasn't seen any silver or copper pieces around.

"I paid the merchant to take you to Ylisstol, the capital of Ylisse," Kaleb said looking behind her. Standing behind her is a Conestoga wagon that she saw in the Manifest Destiny section of history class. Back on Earth, it was a reliable way to transport many products to different areas. The construction of the wagon is designed to be very sturdy, protecting goods from damage as they traveled along bumpy roads and through the water. Two horses are tethered to it, ready to pull at the driver's command.

"Let me tell you, the price she charged wasn't cheap," Kaleb warned. "But she was the only one who was willing to take you to Ylisstol."

At that last part, he glared back at the town, and so did Agnes. A crowd had gathered at the entrance to watch them. Children curiously peeked from behind their parents to get a good look at Kamala. When she waved to them, their parents moved so that they are blocked from her view. At the center is an elderly man Kamala guessed to be the chief, who was giving her a look of suspicion.

"Once again, I'm very sorry you have to be sent off like this," Kaleb apologized. "You don't deserve to be treated like this. Especially when you saved our town.

"It's alright Kaleb," Kamala assured him sadly. "I'm kind of used to this."

Kamala meant it from personal experience. Back then, she was used to being called an Inhuman freak by the others in Jersey City after the Terrigen Bomb explosion. She became afraid of people discovering her powers in public and treating her like an outcast. She overcame it by becoming Ms. Marvel. Hopefully, she can overcome this as well.

"Kaleb…Agnes…Thank you for your hospitality," Kamala said with clear gratitude. "If it weren't for you guys…I don't know what would've happened."

"Don't worry about it," Agnes said with a smile. "I'm glad that we could help our savior."

"Fare thee well, Kamala," Kaleb said, hugging his wife. "May Naga be with you on your journey."

"Farwell," Kamala said, thinking about what her parent would say if they ever found out about a couple invoking the name of a foreign deity. She walked to the wagon and climbed in from the back. There were a lot of chests and crates filled with various items. She had to cram herself in between a crate containing flasks and a large bag of something heavy. Several seconds later, the wagon began to move. Kamala watched in silence as the town and its people became smaller. Finally, after what seemed to be fifteen minutes, the town is far away in the distance.

"Well, that was morbid," the driver, a woman with red hair tied into a ponytail commented. Her attire is completely red and yellow. Tunic, trousers, boots, cloak, everything. Curiously, next to her is a great sword with a red hilt. Hanging from it is a small teddy bear.

"You have no idea," Kamala muttered, focusing on the back of her head. "Are you sure that you have no problem taking me to Ylisstol?"

"Unlike those guys, I can't be picky with my customers," she replied, glancing at her before focusing on the road again. "Allow me to introduce myself. The name's Anna. Some folks like to call me the Secret Seller. I'd tell you more, but then it wouldn't be much of a secret, now would it?"

"Kamala Khan." The girl introduced herself.

"Kamala Khan?" Anna mused. "Interesting name."

"I could say the same for someone called the Secret Seller. So, you're a merchant?" Kamala asked. It would explain the stuff she is sitting in. She took note of the weapon sitting next to the merchant. "That's some sword you got there."

"Us traders are known to make some very deep cuts," Anna replies in a warning. "I've done plenty of business with Plegian's before so it's no biggy. And just a warning…you break anything, you're buying it."

"Okay," Kamala said, not wanting to put this merchant to the test. "Just to make it clear…I'm not a Plegian."

"You certainly look like one," Anna pointed out. It appeared that she could feel her heated glare. "Okay…maybe you aren't. If you're not a Plegian, what are you?"

"I'm a Pakistani-American," Kamala replied. When Anna looked at her in confusion about the term, she elaborates. "I was born and raised in America. My parents were from a country called Pakistan before they moved to America."

"Ah," Anna nods in understanding. "That explains it. So, if a Plegian was born and raised in Ylisse, it would make them Plegian-Ylissean. Do I have the right?"

"Yep. You got it," Kamala said. "Hey…while I have your attention. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"That depends on the questions," Anna answered. "And how much gold you are willing to give me?"

"Seriously?" Kamala asked in shock. "I thought we had something here. Isn't there an equivalent exchange between merchants? Like, provide information in exchange for information?"

"Nope. Information costs gold like everything else.," Anna replied a little too happily for Kamala's tastes. "Money in this world is ultimate and can buy anything. So, if you want to know something, you better pay for it."

"I can tell," Kamala said with dry humor, looking at the big sack behind her. Feeling it, she could tell that it was filled with lots of gold coins. Whoever the secret seller is, she is good at her craft to earn so much money. At first, she wanted to just tell Anna that she can keep her information and find out from someone else. But there might not be anyone at Ylisstol willing to tell her anything after mistaking her for a Plegian. Nat told her the importance of gathering information. Plus, it could keep her occupied for the duration of the trip.

Anna extended her hand behind her without looking. Groaning, Kamala took out a few coins and handed them to her. Fortunately, it was enough for Anna to start answering her question. Turns out, the more common the knowledge is, the less it costs. For a full history lesson, it costs a lot. By the time Anna gave it to her, she felt her pouch of money lighter than before.

The Halidom of Ylisse is the country Kaleb and Agnes said that she was in. She heard it from her hosts, but she wanted to know more to get a layout of the land. It is a peaceful, tranquil nation currently ruled by Exalt Emmeryn. The citizens worship the Divine Dragon Naga as their god, and because of their disdain for fighting. Kamala could see why the Exalt would want her military dismantled.

To the north is the meritocratic kingdom Regna Ferox. Unlike Ylisse, Ferox is a militant nation that values strength over all things. Another thing that separates them from Ylisse is that they don't worship any sort of deity. They tend to look down on formalities and diplomacy, valuing strength and skill above all else. Short version, actions speak louder than words.

Lastly, there's the Theocracy of Plegia, the country people mistook her from. It is a desert nation to the west of Ylisse. They are currently ruled by a guy named Gangrel, whom some people call the Mad King behind his back. The countries religion is the Grimleal, a cult dedicated to Fell Dragon, Grima. The enemy of Naga and God of annihilation.

A thousand years ago, the Fell Dragon tried to destroy the world. However, the first Exalt of Ylisse was able to stop him with the power of Naga. In wake of this, the Grimleal was formed by those loyal to him in hopes of resurrection. They devoted themselves to bringing the Fell Dragons' return by fighting those who seek to stop him, kidnapping victims as sacrifices, or even offering themselves as nourishment, which they had done for generations. This information disgusted Kamala to no end.

"Don't they realize that they are begging for the apocalypse?" Kamala asked angrily. Suddenly, she's starting to hate being mistaken for a Plegian. Or at least a Grimleal. There must be some Plegian's who weren't as mad as them. She would be a hypocrite to start holding them accountable for the actions of a cult.

"Exactly," Anna said. "They believe that the world is doomed anyway, and they want to be on the winning side when it happens."

"I can see why the previous Exalt went to war with Plegia," Kamala muttered. She paid extra to learn more about the war fifteen years ago. But that doesn't justify conscripting common peasants with little to no training. Or the resulting poverty and famine that followed from the lack of farming. In his blind pursuit of saving the world, he nearly destroyed his country.

She was grateful that Exalt Emmeryn came inherited the throne after her father died. Many were afraid that she'll continue the war, but she ended it and brought peace to the country. Immediately, she deconstructed the army. But that resulted in fewer soldiers patrolling the country, which lead Plegia to harass Ylisse by sending groups of bandits in hopes of reigniting the war. Despite their attempts, the Exalt didn't wage an all-out war.

A wise king doesn't seek war but is prepared for it.

Those are words of wisdom she got from Thor. The god of thunder got them from his father Odin, the Allfather of Norse Mythology and king of Asgard. Right before he got his hammer.

Now that she got a grasp of the land, she can focus on finding her teammates. Regrettably, it might take a while to find them but she's not going to give up. She will find her friends and a way home.

"It's almost dusk," Anna's voice breaks Kamala out of her thoughts. Kamala peered over her driver's shoulder, being careful to avoid stepping on her products. Sure enough, the sky is orange with the sun setting down. Anna had driven the wagon into a forest, which is getting darker by the second.

"It's going to be too dark to see the road ahead. So, we're going to have to stop here," Anna said, pulling the reigns. The horses whinnied before halting. Ann got off the wagon and stretched her legs, prompting Kamala to do the same. Sitting down in a wagon filled with stuff would make you uncomfortable.

"The horses need to be fed for such a long trek. There's some barley and oats in the back. Could you bring them out?" Anna said. After she tied the horses to a tree, she walked away from the wagon. "I'm going to gather some firewood while you're at it. Don't steal anything while I'm gone."

"As if I would," Kamala muttered. Even if she could, how was she going to carry all that stuff by herself? Briefly, she remembered that she can embiggen herself but pushed it aside. She's not that desperate yet and it would be a waste of energy lugging it around.

Kamala approached the back of the wagon. After looking through the amount of stuff, she found the bags of barley and oats. Ironically, somebody stitched the name on the bag, but it's in a language she couldn't understand. She suspected that she is hearing English or the common tongue in other fantasy worlds. Just as she was pulling it out, Anna had returned with her arms full of dry wood.

"Got the barley and oats," Kamala said when she saw her.

"Thank you," Anna said. "I'll feed the horses. Can you get a fire going?"

"Uh…sure…" Kamala said slowly. Anna picked up on her reluctance.

"You don't know how to start a fire, do you?"

"How much for the lesson?" Kamala asked with a nervous smile. She was already bringing out a few coins. Anna just rolled her eyes.

"Add a few extra," Anna said before holding her hand out.

The merchant spent a good amount of time teaching Kamala how to start a campfire. Clearing a circular space, Kamala and Anna lined the area with the biggest rocks they could find around the area. In the circle, they set up a platform with sticks in twigs. For kindling, they used dry grass and leaves. Anna showed Kamala different methods of starting a fire, the fastest being the flint and steel. It took her five times to make a spark. As the flame burned the kindling, they began placing logs around the fire in a teepee shape.

"Shouldn't we have water nearby?" Kamala asked as they sat around the fire, their work done. Night had already fallen upon the small camp. "Just in case the fire goes out of control. I know that much to prevent a wildfire."

"Oh yeah, there's a stream a few feet away from here," Anna said, grabbing a bucket from the wagon. "I'll go get some."

"By the way, where will we be sleeping?" Kamala said.

"The wagon," Anna said as if it was obvious. "It will provide us a dry place to sleep to avoid the rain. Not to mention it will keep us from the creepy crawlies in the night. You'll have to get used to the small space."

"That's not a bad idea," Kamala admits.

"Yep, and it's at the price of fifty gold coins."

"Thank you…wait, WHAT?" Kamala was about to thank Anna for her generosity but stopped when she started charging her. Her head turned so fast she could've gotten whiplash. Anna's face remained unchanging as she held her hand out expectantly.

"We're using my supplies," Anna chirped. "The product loses its value the more it's been used. Also, if you break anything in my wagon, you're buying it."

Kamala just shook her head in annoyance and handed over the money. Of course, she would charge money for even an act of kindness. This woman's greed knows no bounds. Why did Kaleb have to meet this merchant to give her a ride?

"Thank you for your patronage," Anna said she picked up her sword and leaned it against her shoulder. She began walking away. "Would you like some food as well? I'm cooking sausage."

"I think I'll take my chances, thank you very much," Kamala said, not wanting the merchant to mooch off her any longer. She opened the package Agnes gave her and began devouring the bread. It won't be close to dinner, but it was better than nothing.

While she ate, she took the opportunity to look up at the night sky. The starry sky is a beautiful sight to behold. Back in Jersey City, you don't get to see this due to light pollution washing out the starlight in the night sky. One of her classmates did a research paper once. She could make out diffuse sky objects like nebulae and galaxies.

For a moment, she forgot all about her current predicament. Being stranded in another world separated from her friends and family. Her quest to find Earth's mightiest heroes. For now, she was admiring the view above.

That moment was broken by the sound of growling. The first thing she assumed was that Anna returned and that she is hungry.

"Oh, you're back," Kamala said, looking away from the bejeweled sky. She smirked as she joked. "Looks like your stomach would like to purchase food from…you…?"

Kamala's eyes were wide as she met the gaze of a bear. A four-hundred-pound black bear standing on the other side of the campfire. Suddenly, she recalls everything Bruno told her about encountering a bear when he went camping once. Such things included not running, walking away slowly, and not panicking. then she remembered that direct eye contact is a sign of aggression towards them. Unfortunately, she already made direct eye contact with the animal, who let out a growl at the girl.

It advanced on her, getting ready to go nuts and ruin her life. Springing into action, Kamala threw out an embiggened fist. She felt it smash into the face of the bear, making it give off a low pitch noise in pain. It stumbled back, glaring at the girl but keeping its distance. It was being cautious, which is unlike its aggressive behavior before. Standing her ground, Kamala held up her embiggened fists. Remembering something about making herself bigger, Kamala elongated her legs to stand domineering over the bear.

"Still want to test me?" Kamala challenged. The bear seemed to consider its options for a moment. Then, it turned around and went back the way it came from. Kamala watched it until it disappeared. With a sigh of relief, she shrank back down to normal. That was a close call. That might've not been the way to deal with the bear, but she wasn't complaining.

At that moment, she heard something cutting through the air. That was followed by the thud of a heavy object dropping. Kamala's guard was up for a brigand coming in the dead of night. To her relief, it was just the secret seller herself.

"I'm back," Anna cheerfully announced. She was lugging a heavy bucket of water. Kamala couldn't help but grimace at the sight of blood on her clothes. Anna seems to have noticed this. "Oh, this? It's not mine. I ran into a bear on my way back. Did it come across our little camp?"

"Nope," Kamala answered with a small pop. She wasn't sure if she should tell the merchant about her powers. Nor what she would do with the information. The teen eyes the blood on the merchant's clothing. "Did you kill a bear?"

"Hey, I cut more than just prices if that's what you are wondering," Anna said cheerfully as she wiped the blood off her sword. "Besides, bearskin is in the market this season. And I got a cheap meal off its meat. Want to help me skin it? I'll pay you back the money you gave me. Most of it."

"Thanks, but I think I'll go to sleep now," Kamala said. Even if the bear tried to kill her, she had no interest in taking part in desecrating its corpse.

"Who eats' bear anyway?" Kamala wonders as she climbed into the back of the wagon. She shifted a few items to make room for her to lie down. Luckily, there was a carpet to cushion herself against the hardwood of the wagon. Briefly, she considered asking for bedrolls and blankets but dismissed it. Anna will probably charge her again for simple bed mercies. After getting comfortable, Kamala laid down and closed her eyes.

One minute later, she drifted off to sleep…

It was daylight and Kamala found herself standing in front of a stick-style residential house at least two stories tall. The girl recognized the place immediately. It was where she lived in the suburbs of Jersey City near the corner of 2nd Street.

"I'm home?" Kamala asked. Looking down, she found that her attire changed. Instead of the clothes she wore in Ylisse, she's wearing her school clothing. Hanging on her shoulder is her messenger bag. She pushed the question of how aside as she felt herself running to the door.

"Abu? Ammi?" Kamala asked as she opened the door. "Are you there? I'm back!"

"Beta?" That was her dad, Yusuf Khan. His voice sounded a bit strange. "Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me!" Kamala cried tears of joy about to fall from her eyes. "I'm sorry I was gone. I can explain…"

Her words died on her throat when she saw her family. Her father, her mother, her brother, her sister-in-law, and her nephew. They are all sitting around the dining table. Kamala felt her blood run cold when she saw the state, they were in. Their skins were dark purple, and their eyes are red. Red as blood.

"Where were you?" They all asked in a creepy voice devoid of warmth or emotion. "Why did you leave us?"

"Abu? Ammi?" Kamala asked, her voice trembling with terror and confusion. "What happened to you?

"What happened?" Muneeba Khan, her mother asked. "This happened because you left us. Because you repaid us with lies! When you should've been focused on your studies and not your fanfictions! This is all your fault!"

"My fault?" Kamala asked. Then her family began advancing on her, hands reaching out to grab her. "I don't understand! No, wait! I can explain…I have been whisked away…no…NO…"

"NO!"

Kamala's eyes snapped awake as her body bolted upright. For a moment, she didn't know where she was. Then it all came back to her. The cosmic cube exploding, being stranded in another world, and now sharing a wagon with a greedy merchant. It was all a dream. It was more like a nightmare if the contents were anything to go by. What else do you call a scene where your family is…whatever happened to them.

The teenage Avenger felt a little wetness on her face. Her fingertip traced a trail of a tear as it dropped down onto the floor of the wagon. It was painfully obvious that she had been crying in her sleep. That nightmare was a reminder that she was separated from her family, and it may be a long time before she could get back.

"I will get home…" Kamala promised herself. "It's only a matter of time…and how…"

Seeing as how she can't go back to sleep with troubled thoughts, Kamala decided to exit the wagon. Her joints were aching from having to sleep in a cramped space. When her feet met the grassy ground, Kamala stretched herself to relieve the aches. The fire had been put out, no doubt by Anna. The moon was the only source of light currently but not enough to see. Kamala noted how quiet it was. Too quiet for her tastes.

Just then, Kamala nearly tripped on something. It made a clattering sound as it collided with other objects. Kamala took a few steps back.

"What the?" Kamala wondered. She bent down and picked up the object. It felt smooth and curved. It wasn't until she held it up to the moonlight that she found out what it was.

"Yikes!" Kamala cried out as she threw the bone away from her. Looking down, she realized she must've stumbled onto a skeleton. Kamala angled herself to get a better view. To her relief, it wasn't a human.

"It's the bear," Kamala realized when she saw the ursine-shaped skull. Anna must've dragged it back to camp and skinned it. Though that begged the question of how she pulled off such a feat. The bear had to be twice her size when it was alive. It's probably one of her 'secrets' as a secret seller.

"Would it have killed her to stash the bones someplace else?" Kamala asked with sarcasm. Deciding that wandering around with no light was a bad idea, she found another way to occupy her time. Straightening herself, she stretches her legs until she's high above the treetops of the forest.

The view was different than it was at nighttime. She could make out the shadowy outlines of the forest below. Most of it is bathed in moonlight, adding to the beauty of the landscape. It was like being treated to a front-row seat of the night sky.

"Now this is a view," Kamala breathed. "I better take a picture of this."

She held her left arm up and opened the secret compartment in her bracelet. Originally a series of bangles with hollow compartments, it belonged to her great-grandmother Aisha when she smuggled money out of Bombay during Partition. Bruno had modified them into a single bracelet to hold several small items.

One of which included her phone which she took out. Checking the battery, it was sixty-seven percent charged. It was picking up no signal, but that wasn't going to try to access the internet or make a call. Kamala knew that she was going to have to conserve the battery despite its uselessness here in this world. Holding it up, she took a picture of the starry sky.

"Perfect," Kamala said with a smile.

At that moment, she felt the earth shake. Kamala stumbled from the sudden shift of the ground. Slipping her phone back into her bracelet, she shrank herself back to her normal height just as she fell over. Her face met the dirt, making her spit some out. It was at this time that Anna woke up.

"What's going on?" Anna cried out. It appeared that she was sleeping at the driver's seat of the wagon.

"An earthquake, that's what's going on," Kamala answered as she moved towards her. "Do something like that happen around here?"

"No, this would be the first time experiencing this," Anna answered fearfully. Before they could talk, they felt the ground shake again. Then, their surroundings were illuminated by an orange glow. Looking up, they saw red-hot meteors streaking towards them.

"Anna…we need to run…" Kamala said. Anna just stood there, transfixed by the event until Kamala raised her voice. "NOW!"

That snapped Anna out of her trance. Not wasting any time, she drew her sword and used it to cut the rope binding the horses. Kamala jumped into the wagon just as Anna flicked the reigns. No sooner did they take off than a meteor hit the campsite where they once slept, shaking the ground. Nearby foliage was instantly caught on fire, slowly spreading among the forest.

Kamala watched as the entire forest was set ablaze. The once peaceful forest is now being desolated. Meteors continued streaking from the sky, making the ground explode upon impact and spreading the inferno. It's a wonder that the wagon was able to stay unscathed.

As if the universe wanted to smack them around for a bit, she heard the panicked whinny of the horses as the wagon crashed. Kamala nearly smacked her head against a spear from the impact. Getting her bearings, she climbed out of the wagon to find out what happened.

"Dammit!" Anna cursed. The merchant was rifling through the wagon's contents. "The fire scared the horses! That's what crashed the wagon!"

Kamala gave her a look that said are you serious. They are in the middle of a forest fire and she's worried about her products? She didn't know the first thing about forest fires, but they should be getting the heck out of here. But that didn't mean she would bring herself to leave the horses to fend for themselves.

"Don't give me that look," Anna retorts as she pulls two sheets of cloth. "Products are a merchant's lifeblood! If I lose them, I won't be able to continue as a merchant! I need to get the wagon out of here before the fire gets to them."

"Alright," Kamala said in resignation. "What do you need from me?"

"I need you to help cover their eyes," Anna said, handing her a blanket. "The sight and sound of flames will panic them. Then you can help me lead them out of the forest."

They at once set their plan into motion. Anna showed Kamala an easy knot to tie the blanket. After blindfolding the horses, they began to lead them and the wagon away with ropes. It was a miracle that the wagon didn't suffer any damage from the crash. It would've made things even more difficult. From the falling meteors to the quickly spreading flames.

"How much further?" Kamala asked as she led a palomino horse on one side.

"As far as we can to a place where the fire hasn't spread," Anna replied just as another meteor struck a few feet away from them. "And hope to Naga that the wagon doesn't catch fire!"

"Okay," Kamala said. For several minutes, they continued walking. The girl noticed the merchant flinching every time an ember sparked up or a burning branch fell from a tree. That's adding to the still falling meteors. Finally, they managed to escape the inferno and into untouched land.

"We're out," Anna breathed a sigh of relief. She looked back at the burning trees behind them. "Just what could've caused this?"

"I don't know, but meteors and fire don't go hand in hand with earthquakes," Kamala said. Just what could've caused a disaster such as this? Then something caught her attention. "Hey! What's that?"

She pointed at a spot where particles of light were converging. When it condensed into a white ball, it exploded. Both watched as the sky suddenly turned darker, the flames losing their light as a black space expanded. Then crystalline structures formed within the void before opening to reveal a blue-green space with a black iris at the center. From their position, it looked like an eye.

"I don't know what that is," Anna admitted, still transfixed by what they are seeing. "Magic, maybe?"

"Wait…You have magic here?!" Kamala yelled. This was starting to become more like a fantasy world per minute! Before she could ask further, she heard something hitting the ground. It was followed by a groaning noise. Looking in the direction it came from, she could make out two humanoid shapes obscured by the darkness. What creeped Kamala out were the two glowing eyes that glared hatefully at them.

Just like her dream.

"Umm…why do I get the feeling these guys aren't human?" Kamala asked warily. She was met with the sound of rasping metal. That was Anna, who had drawn her sword. For good reason. They heard a groaning sound and the shambling of feet.

The eye thing in the sky finally disappeared. Its absence had returned the firelight to the world, allowing them to get a good look at their aggressors. What they saw brought surprise and horror.

Approaching them are people if they can be called that, with mottled purple skin and a skull-like face mask which their red eyes glowed out of. From the gaping mouth, they exhaled dark purple smoke. Each of them is dressed in the same trousers and right-arm pauldron while leaving their torso area exposed. In their hands is an ax.

"Same here," Anna said in agreement, her voice grim. "Stand back…I'll deal with them."

Anna held out her sword in a reverse grip and got into a fighting stance. Seeing this, one of the humanoids belched out more black smoke before charging at her. The merchant gracefully dodged its aggressive strike with its ax and brought her sword for a downward slash across its torso. The humanoid stumbled behind her as she flourished her sword in triumph.

But then things turned into a horror movie as the humanoid's left leg stopped itself from falling over. Then, it turned its head full hundred-eighty degrees to look at the merchant before twisting its body to chop her in half. This surprised Anna but she recovered in time to dodge and deliver a stab towards its throat. The humanoid gave one last groan before it dissolved into purple smoke.

"Guess that answers that question," Anna breathed heavily. She temporarily forgot about the second humanoid before it gave out a groan. Turning to face it, she remembered how the first one survived her first attack. With this knowledge, she deftly dodged its slow ax strike and stabbed at the place where the heart would be. Like the other humanoid, it dissolved into purple smoke, leaving not a trace of their existence.

Kamala stared at the battle in shock. She was about to move in to help, but Anna was able to deal with those two things albeit with some difficulty. It nearly drowned out the fact that this world has zombies! Actual zombies!

"You weren't kidding," Kamala finally said. "You handled those zombies like they were nothing."

"Zombies?" Anna asked curiously.

"It's a term that we call…whatever they are," Kamala explained. "Where I came from at least. I mean, how else do you explain the first one's weird behavior?"

"You do have a point," Anna muttered. "Those…zombies have the stench of dark magic about them. I've made plenty of deals with dark mages to recognize that magic."

Their conversation was cut off by more groaning. They turned around to see more zombies shambling their way towards them. There were more wielding axes like the two before, but some of them were dressed in different sets of armor and wielded different weapons.

"Looks like there's more of them," Anna muttered before readying her blade. "You might want to stay back. This could take a long while."

Kamala stares at the back of the secret seller. It was obvious that she was a little fatigued from the last bout. This many could tire her out until one of them manages to get a lucky blow on her. Standing on the sidelines wasn't something that she's comfortable with as a hero and an Avenger.

"No," Kamala said. This declaration surprised Anna, who watched as Kamala walked in front of her. "I'll take care of them. You get to the wagon and get out of here. I'll catch up when I'm done with them."

"Don't be difficult!" Anna protested. "Those people paid me to ensure you safely get to Ylisstol. You are unarmed. If you are killed here, then it will look bad for my rep."

Kamala rolled her eyes. She figured it's time to play the superpowers card. With a grunt of effort, she thrust out her hands which stretched and embiggened at the same time. The zombies were pushed off the ground and sent flying several feet away from them. The teenage superhero turned to face an astonished Anna.

"I think I can take care of myself thank you very much," Kamala drawled.

"W-what…how did…"

"I have MY secrets," Kamala quipped. "Now get out of here while I kick some zombie butt!"

Kamala's tone left no room for argument. She pushed herself across with embiggened hands, delivering a mega-sized kick to the nearest zombie. She spin-kicked a zombie wearing leather armor and wielding a sword and swept the legs from under another. This was followed by a giant palm strike that pushed a zombie into the air. The other zombies growled and began to converge on her. To give herself some breathing room, she leaped upward and swung her arms in a flurry of uppercuts that launched zombies into the air. Kamala rested her hands on her hips to observe them.

"Okay, what does zombie 101 say?" Kamala muttered as they started to get back up. "Oh, right…don't let them bite you."

After seeing Anna's battle, she can't afford to hold back. Which was a good thing because it's how you get killed by a zombie. If her knowledge was anything to go by, she must make sure that they stay down. They seem to turn into that purple smoke from a fatal wound that would kill a non-zombified human. That was different from the zombies she heard about since the only way to kill them was by decapitating or shooting them in the head. There's also the fact that they move more aggressively in combat than the regular zombie. Which meant if she applied enough extreme force, and crush them beyond recognition, she will deal with them quickly.

Embiggening her fists, she pummeled a swordsman zombie in a manner like a jackhammer. The gigantic fists pounded away at the zombie, its bones cracking into dust from the repeating impact. Kamala watched with satisfaction as the zombie evaporated into purple smoke. But it didn't last long as she felt a chill crawl up her spine. She jumped up just in time to avoid another ax zombie strike. Embiggening her feet, she stomps the zombies exposed back hard. The zombie groaned from the attack, the impact shaking the ground a bit. Just for good measure, she stomped on it a few times until it evaporates into smoke.

Thus, Ms. Marvel continued to battle the zombie horde. Any light blow she gave them was shrug off easily. She remembered Anna saying something about dark magic. Could it be empowering them somehow? Or was it the fact they are dead that they can feel no pain? It was probably the latter. Kamala resorted to heavy blows that would break the bones of any human being. Meanwhile, she had to be careful to evade the swords and axes the zombies were armed with. It was alright that she would get cut, as her healing factor can take care of it. But she can only use it when she's not using her other powers.

"This is getting tiring," Kamala said as she smashed another zombie to smoke. Looking over her shoulder, she saw that Anna was gone as well as the wagon. Good, because that meant she took her suggestion and got to safety. Bad, because she could use the secret seller's help. Her arms stretched out and grabbed a zombie with an embiggened hand. She increased the pressure of her grip, crushing it until it became purple smoke. There's no end to them.

Kamala felt some heat on from behind and a lack of ground. She was so focused on fighting the zombies that she forgot that there was a forest fire! Turning around, she saw that there was a fissure, no doubt caused by the earthquake. The Avenger could make out molten rock from below. Do they call it magma here as well?

Wait…the fissure and magma…this gives her an idea…

A zombie ax wielder came running at her. Instead of engaging, Kamala simply stepped to the side and let it barrel past her. It was too late to stop itself as it fell into the fissure and the fiery abyss below. It gave what she assumed to be a zombie version of a scream as the magma burned it alive…or dead in this case.

"A zombie cremator right where I needed one," Kamala grinned. Whipping out her arm, she grabbed another zombie and held it up in the air before flinging it into the fissure. "In you go!"

With this new strategy in mind, she felt her work lighten up. Pulling herself over a zombie, she pushed it into the fissure and didn't stop to watch it fall. Stretching her legs, she walked over the hordes of zombies charging where she once stood. A few of them tried to chop her legs, but she was able to bend her body to avoid getting amputated. When she got behind them, she embiggened her hands and began pushing them into the fissure. Scores of zombies fell to meet their fiery end at once. Several zombies tried to put up a feeble resistance against her hands. She felt blades scratch against her hands but paid it no heed.

Unbeknownst to her, there was another zombie ready to take her life. Unlike the others, this one wore light armor and wielded a bow. It had already nocked an arrow on the string and drew it, aiming directly at the teen as she pushed more of its brethren to their deaths. It tracked her movements, waiting for an opportunity to let loose the arrow. The zombies opening came as Kamala briefly stopped.

But just as it released the arrow, it gasped out in pain. This caused it to miss its aim, the arrow embedding into the ground. The cause of its distress was a blade protruding from its chest. It dissolved into smoke, revealing the owner of the blade. From a glance, the newcomer appeared to be a man. He wore a dark-blue tunic, blue and red-toned cape fastened by a red shield broach, thigh-high boots, a hair ornament in the form of a golden tiara, and a blue mask in the shape of a butterfly over his face. Blue hair is bundled up behind his head. An empty sheath hangs from his belt.

"Did they follow me?" the stranger said in a voice that sounded strangely feminine. He held a great sword, a blade with the hilt having a teardrop indention in the center, at the ready. He noticed Kamala fighting the zombies. His jaw hit the ground when she displayed her mind-numbing polymorph abilities.

"She's taking them on alone?" He asked in disbelief. "What's with her limbs? Do they stretch and become big? She's almost like…wait…it can't be!"

He was broken out of his thought when he saw a zombie archer with a bow drawn and aiming the polymorph. Ms. Marvel had just punched another zombie into the fissure and didn't appear to notice. Acting quickly, he dashed across the field. The zombie's head twisted its head in his direction and changed targets. But it was too late as the stranger brought his blade in a vertical strike, decapitating its head.

Kamala turned around to see the stranger and the zombie evaporating into a purple mist. She didn't expect anyone to be around here. Before she could ask who, she found more zombies running towards them.

"I'm going to force them into the fissure," Kamala jerked her thumb. "Can you help me out?"

"Of course," the stranger answered.

And so, the battle continued. Kamala would reach over with her elongated arms and grab a zombie to force headfirst into the fissure. Any that got close she sidestepped and push into the fiery abyss of death behind her. The stranger would hack at any zombie that tried to get close to her.

Surprisingly, it appeared that the stranger had experience with dealing with zombies. His strikes went straight for vital areas. He would block or parry zombies strikes and then retaliate. Once, he parried a heavy blow of an ax-wielding zombie and sliced the arms off. The zombie howled at the loss of its appendages before the swordsman pierced its head.

Finally, it seemed that their work is paying off. The frequency of zombies popping up is dropping considerably. The stranger slashed the neck of the zombie before bending his back to avoid the edge of an ax head. Recovering, he swept the legs with his sword and hit the zombie with an overhead strike. Kamala had just pushed off another zombie and looked for another victim only to see the stranger finishing off the remaining zombies.

"Well, that's a wrap," Kamala clapped her hands. "I got to say, you handled those zombies like a boss."

"I've dealt with them before," the stranger simply said as he sheathes his sword. "You need to deal them blows that would've killed a human being. And what's a zombie?"

"You never heard the term before?" Kamala asked. When the stranger shook his head, she sighs. "Where I come from, it's what we call a—"

"WATCH OUT!" The stranger cried out suddenly. He pushed her aside and drew his sword to stab a zombie that had risen out of the ground. Unlike the others, it wore sackcloth over its head and had claws. When the stranger pushed Kamala aside, her hood slipped off, exposing her face to the world.

"I thought we got every last one," Kamala breathed, still staring at where the zombie was. She missed how the stranger suddenly dropped his sword in shock upon seeing her face. When Kamala turned around, his eyes widened behind his mask. "Thanks for the save. I was caught off guard—"

"Kamala?" The stranger spoke out. Somehow, her name was what caused Kamala stopped talking. She didn't recall giving this guy her secret identity.

"How do you know my name?" Kamala demanded. The stranger seemed to have realized that he said something he shouldn't have. Before she could press the issue further, they heard something crack. Turning towards the direction it came from, they saw a burning tree falling towards them. Thinking fast, they dove in opposite directions to avoid being crushed and burned at the same time. Spitting out dirt, she realized that the fire is already spreading. If the rising heat didn't make it obvious, the sight of the inferno certainly did.

"I need to get out of here," Kamala said, coughing out smoke. The air was becoming difficult to breathe. She remembered the stranger and called out to him. "Hey! Are you alright?"

She didn't get an answer. Risking the flames, she stretched her neck to look over the burning timber. To her surprise, the stranger wasn't there. Kamala looked everywhere but didn't find him.

"Where did he go?" Kamala asked herself. Another tree fell, reminding her that a forest fire was going on. "Right…got to get out of here. Hopefully, that guy is alright."

The polymorph made herself scarce. She ran in the direction where she knew the fire was spreading. Elongating her legs made her movements faster. As she ran, questions ran through her mind.

Like how did that guy know her name?

Far away from the inferno, another group had just survived the gauntlet. Two of them had escaped with their lives from the unexpected earthquake and the following inferno. They had witnessed the eye in the sky as well as the zombie's emergence. They fought them off until they are joined by more people. It was long a grueling, but they overcame the zombies.

They were the defenders of Ylisse that Kaleb had mentioned to Kamala. They are the Shepherds.

"It seems all the creatures are vanquished," Frederick, a knight in blue plated armor, declares. "This young man took care of the others."

He directed that at the stranger with the butterfly mask. The stranger had joined them as they were finishing off the creatures. Even after the battle, he remained silent.

"Uh, I never got to thank you…for before," Lissa, a sprightly girl wearing a yellow dress with a hoop skirt underneath. There was a slight blush on her cheeks. "So…thank you. You were very brave."

"You saved my sister's life," a man with dark blue hair said. "My name is Chrom. Might I ask yours?"

Chrom wore a dark blue uniform with a white tattered cloak held by a silver-grey pauldron. Hanging behind his waist is a great sword in its sheath like the one the stranger had sheathed as well. His right arm bared, exposing a tattoo of a teardrop above a symbol like wings taking flight.

"You may call me Marth," the stranger said.

"Marth? After the heroic king of old?" Chrom asked. "You certainly fight like a hero. Where did you learn your way with a sword?"

"I'm not here to talk about me," Marth said bluntly. "This world teeters at the brink of a horrible calamity. What you saw tonight was but a prelude. You have been warned."

"Huh? What's teetering where no? Hey, wait!"

Marth ignored Lissa as he walked away from the Shepherds. He heard a white-haired man in a purple coat mention that he's not much into a conversation, but he didn't care. His thoughts were racing from his unexpected encounter. Of all people, he didn't expect to bump into her again. It nearly caused him to break down, just like when he encountered Chrom and his people.

That meeting brought up a memory of watching her from behind. How she was looking back and telling him to run while she fought off…

Marth shook his head.

That isn't going to happen. He swore that he and his friends will change their fates. That they will not suffer the devastation they escaped from. Marth looked at his left arm. Encircled is a bracelet that he kept as a reminder of her sacrifice.

"It won't be in vain, Kamala," Marth whispered. "I promise…I will save you…"

[~][~]

Greetings and Bienvenu readers. As you can see, I'm serious about this fic. I hope you can see my determination to see a marvel crossover with a fire emblem completely thorough. Not unlike my previous attempt that failed. If you make out any errors, I apologize as Grammarly has been more problematic than helpful. Sometimes it's the upload that causes them.

Now, obviously, Marth is a 'she'. But they don't know that…yet. On her way to the capital of Ylisse, one of our heroes has hit a snag. Kamala now has her first encounter with the risen, whom she labeled as zombies. Now that the battle is done, she can continue her way to Ylisstol. What awaits her there? And what is her next move?

Let me know what you think.

Until next time.