(I don't own Dragon's Dogma or Goblin Slayer… thankfully)
Chapter 1
A young red-haired maiden's eyes slowly opened before she was greeted by an endless sky.
'This must be the afterlife' She thought to herself before she noticed that she was falling. If this was any other situation, she would be terrified at the thought of falling without knowing where any surface will be, but she wasn't.
Then again, why would she be? This place, this endless sky, was a better sight than that damnable cave. She then closed her eyes as she felt relaxed.
A vortex made of dark clouds soon opened below her, and she felt that the air was different. It was no longer clear and tranquil, it felt… cool and pure, with the scent of salt.
Soft, that's what she was feeling before her eyes slowly opened. What greeted her was an unfamiliar room of cobblestone. Across the room is a doorway with a curtain and a woman in front of a fireplace stirring a small cauldron. The bedridden maiden then felt blankets against her naked form.
'Where's my dress?' She thought before she began to sit up.
The woman stirring the pot heard the rustle of sheets before she cast her gaze at the bed. Upon seeing that the stranger has awakened, she gasped before placing the spoon down and quickly walked out of the room. She returned moments later with a man. He looked as average as anyone, with an average body build, black hair, and stubble. The maiden couldn't make out any more features since her vision is a bit burry.
The man approached her bedside as she leaned up and held the blanket to her chest.
"How are you feeling?" He asked her as the other woman grabbed a wooden bowl before pouring the contents of the cauldron into it. The bedridden maiden made a poker face.
"Where am I, how did I get here?" She asked. The man stood straight before he began itching the back of his head.
"To answer your first question, you are in Cassardis, it's small so you might not know it. It's a seaside fishing village." The woman's eyes widened, she didn't think someone from a fishing village will find her in a cave in the middle of nowhere. The man continued.
"To answer your next question, I was out fishing and I saw you floating in the water." He answered. The maiden narrowed her eyes.
"What do you mean in the water, I was in a cave and… and…" Her eyes slowly widened as memories flooded her head.
A young warrior being ripped apart, herself getting stabbed in the gut, a petite fighter… blank.
Running, no, no not running, being carried by their priestess. And finally… Death in a suit of full armor came and granted her a … Death.
She began to hyperventilate as she tightly gripped the cloth. The man saw this and grasped her shoulders.
"Oi, c-calm down, breathe, breathe." He said gently as he tried to calm the maiden down. She acknowledged him and began to take deep breaths. Her shoulders eased as she relax. The man let out a sigh as he stood.
"Well, I should go out, I think Quina has something you could wear." To which the maiden revealed as Quina nodded. The young man nodded afore he left the house. Quina also left, probably to go get something for the bedridden woman to wear.
The woman cast her gaze to her lap.
'I failed, as a wizard… as an ally… and as a friend… why am I still alive?" She thought before her eyes widened when she realized something. 'You are in Cassardis… it's a seaside fishing village.'
The area around the cave… was surrounded by land… it was downright landlocked, how did she end up at a village near a beach? None of this is making any sense.
'Where am I?'
Before the Wizard could think of anything else, Quina walked through the curtain holding a neatly folded dress.
"I do hope this fits you," Quina said softly as she gently placed the dress at the foot of the Wizard's bed. The Wizard cast her gaze at Quina with a smile.
"Thank you, for everything. I'm sorry for taking over your home like this." The Wizard exclaimed. Quina giggled.
"Oh no, this isn't my house, it's Simon's," Quina said with a smile. The Wizard's expression became puzzled. Quina giggled once more.
"You're not the first one to be confused, the man in here earlier is my cousin, when he came back from fishing and bought you here, he asked me to help," Quina explained. The woman nodded in understanding.
"That makes sense… can I ask another question?" Quina gave a nod. The Wizard gave Quina a perplexed expression.
"Why are you calling one another those strange titles?"
Silence.
"I beg your pardon?" Quina questioned.
"Why are you calling one another those strange titles?" The Wizard repeated.
Quina let out an awkward chuckle, 'What a strange girl.'
"They are not titles or occupations, they are names," Quina explained. The Wizard raised a brow.
"Uum, names?" Quina nodded.
"Yes names, you make it sound like you have no name," The Wizard shook her head in response.
"I do not." Quina gasped as she took a step back.
"B-but, how are people supposed to address you?"
"They just look in my general direction and speak to me."
"That simply can't do!" Quina exclaimed before she began to think. This made the Wizard perplexed.
'Is having a… "name" really that important?'
Quina snapped her fingers, making the Wizard jump.
"How about Sophie!" Quina said. The Wizard stared at her.
"S-Sophie?"
"Aye, Sophie!" Quina exclaimed before she bowed her head in greeting.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sophie, my name is Quina." Quina introduced herself. The Wizard was dumbfounded.
"Oi, I didn't…" Quina made a face, which made Sophie let out a sigh.
"I-it's a pleasure to meet you too Quina." Quina looked pleased before she left the house to let Sophie change. Sophie let out another sigh before she got out of bed. She then cast her gaze at a small mirror hanging from the wall as she got a good look at herself.
She remained unchanged, looking the same as she did before she entered that cave, the only difference was the intricate scar on her throat. It was as if it was a reminder of her failure as an ally… as a friend. She shook her head.
'No, I have been given a new chance, I'll live with this pain and strive to do better.' She then cast her gaze on the dress.
'Best get ready.'
Simon approached his cousin who was standing outside his home.
"How's our guest?" Quina gave a gentle smile.
"She seems to be doing well."
"That's good to hear," Simon said. Right when he said that, the door to his cottage opened. Out stepped the woman in a beige dress with a dark green cloth wrapped upon her waist. Her eyes were narrow, and of course, the star-shaped scar upon her throat.
Quina gave a small clap.
"You look lovely," Quina said with a smile. She then cast her gaze to Simon, whose mouth was ajar before he quickly recomposed himself. He did a double-take before he noticed her eyes.
"Are you doing alright?" The girl tilted her head.
"Why do you ask."
"Your eyes are narrow." She blinked in surprise.
"I didn't think anyone would notice. To answer your question, I have poor eyesight." She exclaimed. Quina let out a gasp.
"Oh my, we need to get you glasses then. Come on Sophie, let's go to the store." Quina then stopped.
"Oh, of course. Simon, this is Sophie." Quina quickly exclaimed before she dragged Quina near the front of the town.
Simon stood at the front of his house, dumbfounded.
"What just happened?" He questioned with a smirk. Letting out a shrug, he decided to follow.
"Here, wear these." Quina offered as Sophie grabbed the spectacles. Placing them on her face, her vision becomes much clearer.
"Thank you, Quina."
"Don't mention it." Quina shifts her gaze.
"Simon, over here." She suddenly waved. Sophie followed her gaze to see Simon. He let out a smirk to see that she can see clearly.
"Hear ye! Hear ye!" The trio shifted their attention to a group of knights at the front of the gate.
"What is this?" Sophie asked.
"The prophets 'ave spoken, friends! The Dragon's return is nigh!" Simon sighed.
"Those knights have been here for a week now, going on and on about the return of the Dragon." Sophie blinked.
"What do you mean dragon?" Simon placed a hand on her shoulder. Sophie's brows furrowed.
'Why are they worried about dragons, monsters such as dragons are a common occurrence.'
"Don't worry about it, they're just trying to find a new way to enlist," Simon stated with confidence. Sophie slowly nodded.
Suddenly, a huge gust of wind was felt amongst all at the port. The knights silenced, both of them looking at each other in question. Quina then grabbed Sophie's hand and hid behind Simon, who looked to the sea.
"Why are you scared, it's just the wind, right?" Sophie asked. Quina shook her head.
"Cassardis is never windy."
"But this is a seaside village, are you telling me that there are no storms, wind, nothing?" Quina nodded.
A stout man is seen running in fear as he pointed to the water.
"It, it's the dragon!" He shouted. Everyone gasped in shock. Simon glanced at the two before he went to the beach.
"Stay here!"
At the beach, Simon looked on and saw a small figure flying towards the village. It appeared to be a giant lizard of red with massive wings soaring to the beach with such speed.
Simon took a step back before the beast came to a sudden halt, the shockwave causing the harbor to fly in various directions. Debris flew into nearby buildings, destroying them as the Dragon continued with its destruction.
Everyone was in a panic as the destruction ensued. Instead of fighting, both knights ran off as well, one abandoning his sword.
A little girl is seen crying as both Quina and Sophie grabbed the child and bought her to safety. Simon ran back to the entrance of town.
"I got to stop this, fast." Simon then cast his gaze on the sword before picking it up and sprinting to the beast.
Sophie looks out a window and sees Simon sprinting at the beast, sword in hand. Simon ran around its fire before he strikes at the beast. But nothing happened as the blade bounced off its hide.
'Nothing?!' She thought with dread. The dragon turned and began walking down the beach, breathing fire as it went. Simon began to sprint after it. Soon he was out of Sophie's sight, although the dragon can still be seen.
"Someone needs to help him!" Sophie exclaimed before she looked at Quina.
"Quina, are there any staves here?"
"We have a rusty one-"
"GOOD ENOUGH, where is it?!"
"At the chief's home… but the path there is close to… to that." Quina pointed in the Dragon's direction as the beast let out a mighty roar. Sophie growled with anger.
"Dammit." She exclaimed.
Silence. Sophie, in reaction to the lack of noise, glanced out the window and saw the dragon looking at its hand, where a sword was lodged.
'He got a hit in.' Sophie thought. However, the sword soon fell out of the dragon's hand to the ground below.
Eyes filled with dread, Sophie could only watch as the Dragon came out of view down the beach.
"No, NO!" She exclaimed loudly before she heard a voice that made her freeze. The voice sounded smooth and calm, yet fiery and fierce. It spoke in an unfamiliar language before it stopped.
After what felt like an eternity, it spoke again, if only briefly. And then, the dragon took flight and flew away.
Five long seconds go by before Sophie snaps out of it. Turning to Quina, she spoke.
"I'll go check the beach." Sophie then ran out of the building.
Sophie's eyes were wide in shock. Simon, the one who had saved her, was on the beach, bleeding from his chest.
"No, no!" She nelt at his side.
"How did this happen?!" Quina was soon at Sophie's side before she grew pale in shock.
"Simon, S-SIMON!" Sophie looked out to some of the townsfolk looking at the damages.
"SOMEONE, HELP!" She yelled out. Sophie then cast her gaze back to Simon, who came too, if only briefly, and struggled to get up before he fell flat on his back.
"PLEASE, HE'S STILL ALIVE!" Both Quina and Sophie yelled before the townsfolk began to sprint to them.