Chapter 14: The Journey to Noxu- uhh... Zaun

"If you believe in your dreams, your dreams will belive at you. - Jaden Smith"

We finally made it out of the forest and, after a while, we met with a few travelling merchants who were kind enough to let us hitch a ride on their wagon since we were going the same direction.

Rez told me that we were gonna go through a little detour to Zaun. He told me that his doctor was Viktor of all people and he had to go see him. Which doesn't seem very odd anymore knowing that his master is the self-proclaimed "Master of Evil."

It makes me wonder if Rez is acquainted with more strange, antagonistic people.

The wagon shook as it came to a halt.

"Alright, this right here is the Ironspike Mountains; but I'm afraid that this is as far as I can take ya'." One of the merchants told Rez. "Just go straight along this here path and you'll reach yer destination. Be careful. I hear that people've been attacked going through this path."

Rez jumped out of the wagon with me following shortly after.

"That's okay. Thanks again for the ride. Here, take this as thanks."

Rez took out a slimy green egg from his pocket and handed it over to the merchant.

The merchant gave Rez an odd look as Rez just smiled. "Well, thanks again. Goodbye."

And with that, Rez and I ventured through the path in the mountains.

"Do you think we'll be alright?" I asked.

"Don't worry! We'll be fine."

(later)

"HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" Rez yelled at the top of his lungs as we ran across the path.

A great multitude of spears suddenly were being thrown at us from both sides. In order to protect us, Rez grabbed a chunk of the earth and formed it into two large rock shields he held on both hands. We were running for dear life as the spears poked and pierced our defences.

"What is happening!?" I screamed. "Why are they throwing spears at us!? Who are these people!?"

"How the hell should I know!?" Rez loudly replied. "Stop asking questions! Just run!"

Just then, a great, proud roar echoed throughout the valley. The spears suddenly halted and we stopped running to take a look.

"No way!" Rez sounded surprised.

A fierce lion attacked the people throwing spears at us. The people fought back, but the lion was too quick to be hit and his mane was too thick to be pierced.

"Lion!" Rez called out to him.

The lion turned his head to face Rez. With a glint in his eye, the lion gave Rez a thumbs up. Rez and the lion nodded their heads. We continued running as the lion held off the attackers. As we made it out of the mountains, a mighty roar was echoed throughout the land. The lion stood victorious over the top of the mountain.

Rez and I stopped running and tried to catch our breath.

"Rez, what just happ-"

"Lion! I won't ever forget the sacrifice you made. You will be missed." Rez held a fist to the air with the sun shining down on him.

"Uhh... the lion's not dead." I tried to tell him. "I mean, look. He's clearly standing on the mountain."

The lion stood on the mountain. His head was held high to the air with the sun shining down on him.

"Wow. What a majestic lion." I said.

"Okay, Ahri. We don't have time to be moping about some animal. We gotta get to Zaun."

I looked at him with an 'are you serious?' expression.

"What?"

Man, Zaun is still pretty far away. It would take us at least a day or so to reach it on foot. I wish I had some kind of animal I could mount. That way, it would be much faster.

*Rez imagining riding a giant hippo skipping across the land while playing the banjo*

Yeah, that'd be awesome...

"Rez."

"Huh? W-what?" I asked, wiping the drool from my mouth.

"Are you hungry? You haven't eaten anything for about two hours and I picked these fruit, So I was wondering if you'd want to- blah blah blabah blahh..."

"Ahri!" I grabbed her by the shoulders.

She got startled. "Kyaa! Y-yes Rez?"

My breathing was heavy. My excitement was too much to handle. I could no longer hold back my urge.

"Ahri."

"Rez... I..." Her face turned bright red. She started getting sweaty and she also began panting. As my face slowly got closer to her, she closed her eyes. She opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue just a little bit.

"Ahri... c-can you turn into Kyuubi?"

Ahri opened her eyes. "What?"

"Oh, you don't... Nevermind then."

Dammit! She's a nine-tailed fox! She should become huge and then I'd ride on her back all the way to Zaun. I was looking forward to playing that Banjo!

Ahri looked at me with an 'are you fucking kidding me?' expression.

"What?"

*SLAP*

(Night time)

Ahri and I set up a camp for us to rest for the night. Well, I say camp, but we really just found a log and started a fire next to it.

I was preparing to sleep while Ahri went to talk to some fox relatives. I don't know why, but it seems like Ahri has been avoiding me all day. She walks a bit further away from me and always averts her gaze when I look at her. It looks as if somethings's bothering her. The strangest thing was that she kept on collecting sticks from bushes and branches. I couldn't even ask her about it.

*yawn*

Oh well. We'll see how things turn out tomorrow.

I stretched out my body and layed my head down on the log. Slowly, I got swept away into slumber from the noises of various night creatures and the sounds of the fire crackling.

I closed my eyes and after what felt like a moment's rest, Ahri layed her head on my chest sleeping ever so comfortably. Instead of her tails wrapping around us as usual, they were spread out behind her.

I assume about an hour or so has passed before waking up. Only the crackling cinder of the fire can be heard. I waved my hand gently to lower the intensity of the fire.

Sitting right next to me, I found a basket filled with a variety of fruits and berries. On the handle of the basket, there was a note. I lit a fire on my finger to read what it said:

"Good Morning Rez. I'm sorry for what I did yesterday. Here's a basket of fruits and stuff to make you feel better. I love you! 3

- Ahri"

Hmm... weird. I don't remember us having a basket like this. It's finely crafted from sticks and twigs. Was this why she was collecting sticks earlier? That's pretty impressive.

Honestly, why does she go out of her way to do these things for me? Am I really that special to her?

And what is she sorry about? Is it from when she slapped me? My cheek still hurts a bit, but I don't really think much about it. I mean she slapped me quite a bit before.

I stroked my hand across Ahri's hair as she slept on my chest. She slightly reacted to my touch.

You can hurt me all you want, but I swear, I'll never let anything lay a hand on you. I wouldn't ever forgive anyone who would make you cry.

My hand started getting tired so I let it rest on my chest. Ahri twitched a bit before she grabbed my hand and put it back on her head telling me to keep stroking her hair.

I smiled softly at this.

Sure, I'll stroke your hair.

When I woke up, I noticed that Rez was missing, the fire has been put out, and the basket of fruit I made was empty.

I got up, stretched out a bit, stretched my tails, wiped the grass off my clothes, and scratched my eyes to adjust to the morning light. I looked up and found Rez standing atop a tall tree. He was looking around the area a bit, before noticing me. I stepped back a bit as he jumped down before me.

"Morning Ahri." Rez was chewing on an apple as he spoke. "Did you sleep well?"

I let out a cute yawn before speaking in a tired voice. "Mmhmm... I slept very well."

"Great! I spotted Zaun while on the tree. If we head out now, we'll make it in a few hours."

"Carry me?" I asked, holding my arms out in front of me.

Rez scratched his head. "Geez, are you still that sleepy? All right then." Rez turned around and crouched down. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he carried me on his back. "All good?" He asked.

"Mmhmm."

As Rez started walking, I looked back and saw the basket sitting on the log.

"You know, I found this basket full of fruits and berries when I woke up. I think it's given me the energy to get through today. It was so convenient. I wonder who left it there."

"Rez."

"Hmm?"

I snuggled my face on the nape of his neck.

"You're comfortable to sleep on."

On a log with a basket sitting on top of it, you can see words carved into it that says, "Thanks Ahri"