URSUS, XXXX

When I feel the truck slow down to a crawl, Gari and I hop out of the back, and the impact of our boots crushes into the thick layer of snow. As I land, the shotgun on my back swings a little, which prompts me to tighten the shotgun strap. Great, snow. How I 'missed' you so.

Nothing significant happened back in the truck. When Gari mounted me, she was just pinning me down and grappling the hell out of me. But due to her physiology and her half-naked, half-drunken stupor, the choke-hold she had me in actually hurt a lot more than she might have intended. The pain level was akin to that incident with the hive bomb again…

Thankfully, she realised this when the pained noises I uncontrollably let out ceased her act. Although Gari let me go with the most punchable Cheshire smile in existence.

…The Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming… It shall be bestowed by my hands…

Anyway, it was apparently something she would do to Gilliean if he ever became too bothersome. As I'm going to be travelling with these mercenaries for the foreseeable future, learning their habits will be necessary if I am to get fucked over in the near future. Besides the main point, learning Gari's method of quelling Gilliean whenever he annoys people would be very helpful. If physical violence was the first thing I resorted to, that is.

I prefer a bullet instead of getting up close and personal.

As we round the corner of the truck, I freeze in astonishment when I see what's in front of me.

It's so big that I have to look up to see it because the brim of my hat blocks half of the view. Taking said object off—holy shit. How the hell did they even manage to make this!? This… fortress is enormous. The amount of materials needed to make such a marvel… Even with taking a few steps back, my perspective doesn't budge an inch.

"Jesus fuckin'! That's quite the size, alright!" I comment as Gari tries to cover her mouth.

"That's what she said,"

.

..

…

You bastard of a whore…

"Mark my words: I'll put one between ya eyes one day!" I glower at her, my sudden movement disturbing the snow beneath me.

"BAHAhaa what?! Have ya never seen a landship before?" She keels over in laughter.

Are you serious? I thought I made it clear that I'm from another world.

"…How many times do I have to tell ya that I ain't from around here?" I snap at Gari's laughing form, still mighty pissed off about getting bitten earlier. And now this?

"Relax yer' head; I'm just fuckin' with ya." She grins at me with narrowed eyes. Who would've guessed she's capable of being so cold yet so… whatever.

I shake my head before looking back at the 'landship'.

The sheer height of it is… incomprehensible to me. Let alone its length, which stretches both left and right, its ends touching the horizon. Nothing comes close to the looming, immense size of the structure before me.

A solid third of it is built unusually, with a series of large metallic links forming several trapezoidal shapes. A half-dozen wheels are visible along the inner edge of the trapezoids. Is this metal behemoth designed to move? I don't exactly understand it, but it looks like it can. Somehow.

Hundreds of lights glow along the side of the landship, their thin rays piercing through the slow, never-ending snowfall. In the colour of the afternoon sun, the lights are peppered throughout the side like stars

"So… This our destination?" I asked in muted awe.

"For now, this here's just a pit stop that's usually fer' mercenaries and bounty hunters, but there are the occasional traders and travellers," Gari explained before she began walking forward.

Following her, I noticed that the rest of the idle trucks were all lined up with the other mercenaries climbing out, grumbling in annoyance for some reason.

When we reached another truck, Gari lifted that massive spear of hers out the back with a single hand. So that's where her spear was…

As I think to myself, I grunt as Gari pats me on the back, the force nearly making me trip against the truck.

"So… why's everyone so upset?"

"The trucks need to go through a screening without anybody inside the back—even if they're for transporting people."

"Don't ask why we can't wait inside the trucks and go straight to the top cause I'll just tell ya now: it's mainly about safety and anti-raiding measures. They want to prevent bandits from infiltrating and track everyone's movements." Hmm, sounds like some anti-trojan horse thing that's going on here.

"Wait, "get off at the top"? Is there some sort of—"

An incredibly loud wail reverberates through the snowfall. My gun's already out, but Gari rests a hand on top of it.

I look at her questioningly as the deep, aggressive sound repeats like a broken gramophone before… Something happened to the landship.

The dark edges of the landship lit up in a dotted red line of lights as an entire section of the centre started to unfold outward towards us.

After a few moments of rumbling, I realised that the wall that just folded out was an insanely large ramp. Big enough to fit a small town on top of it.

…

It's going to take a while for me to get used to all this otherworldly shit…

~⁕~

As Gari said earlier, we didn't take the ramp all the way up. I would've passed out from exhaustion on the way up if that were true… We're actually taking a side elevator that's right beside the ramp, leaving the drivers behind to drive the trucks and other miscellaneous vehicles up, of course.

Elevators aren't exactly a new thing to me. Sure, they're a bit uncommon in the bayou hunting grounds and I've definitely come across a few before. I've just never taken them just in case someone's waiting at the top. Either with a shotgun or a stick of dynamite.

The constant rising motion is strange, to say the least. I distract myself by drawing my eyes to the steady movement of the metallic wall that passes by.

Oh yeah, this elevator is probably the size of two of Ferrok's trucks, capable of carrying the load of about two or three dozen people.

My rough hands rest upon the frosty guardrail, my eyes looking down at the winter wasteland below.

It was like my first time trying to snipe from the top of Ironworks with one of those Sparks rifles. The whole sniping thing really wasn't for me, though.

As nervous as I am because of the rising height, there is some kind of excitement—

"Yer like a kid, y'know?" Gari please allow me this moment.

As I glare at Gari, somebody brushes up against me.

I fight the urge to take my gun out, especially how problematic it would be since not everyone here is part of Ferrok's group.

That's right. True to Gari's words, a few traders, travellers and outliers are mixing in with the crowded elevator. Although, it's a bit difficult to tell who's in or not in Ferrok's group due to my unfamiliarity with the very latter.

Besides that, turning around, I'm surprised to see that it's… uh… Ashley. Yeah, that's her name. She's wearing an orange jacket, but we're so close to each other I can't see anything else other than what's on top: two round ears on top of a bed of blonde hair. Calming blue eyes like a clear sky in DeSalle—definitely not as strong or blue as Gari's.

"Ya need something?" I questioned. How did they patch her up so quickly?

…

The hell do I keep asking these questions as if I expect the answer to make any sort of sense? I'm in another world for fuck's sake…

The mouse girl took out the same brown notebook from earlier and opened it to a page of handwriting.

It's nice, seeing something familiar; the English language, but for some reason… there's something not quite right with what I'm reading…

Maybe it's because I don't understand a good 80% of what's written here. Sure, the letters are all the same, but I'm pretty certain some of these aren't real words.

"Uh… I'm going to be blunt here; I don't understand what any of this says." Ashley's head tilts while her eyebrows raise in confusion and surprise.

"No doubt about it, the way ya talk is definitely weird: Weird grammar and accent. Not to mention how archaic it sounds. Lemme take a look, I'll translate for ya." Gari leans over my shoulder, resting her chin on it, as she takes a peek at what Ashley wrote.

Now that I think about it, it's a bit odd that I was lucky enough to encounter so many English-speaking people. Especially in a nation that doesn't even have English as their main language. It's even more unusual that this world even has English as a language. However, it's apparent that there are many differences; its written form looks like a madman's pained scripture of agony.

"What's there to even translate? Half of these words don't even exist. I recognise some of 'em but the way they are arranged gives it little meaning to me." I feel Gari push herself off of my shoulder before resting a reassuring hand on it.

"Eh, it's not as bad as it looks. With the way you're describing it, I'm sure some of these words are just new or different to ya." As Gari explains to me, something doesn't feel right.

"Wait, then how am I able to understand whatever the hell you're sayin' then?"

"Ah, that's cause the Victorian I'm speakin' in is broken. 'Had a lotta teachers' that's why."

…So ordinary English is just not really an official thing in this world? That'll get really annoying in the future.

"Victorian? 'That the English equivalent 'round these parts?" If it's really just called 'Victorian' then I'll have to refer to it as such instead of English.

"Uhh… sure, if that's what you wanna call it." She gave me a weird look as one of her cat ears flicked a bit of snow away. She seemed interested but it's clear that now is not the time for it. Too many eyes. Too many ears.

"Anyway, Ashley's basically just letting you know that she's very grateful fer being given another chance at life, even if it was accidental." Well, that's good to know.

…

After a moment of silence, Ashley lightly hits Gari in the arm with a pout. Gari's gone ahead and had that accursed smug smile of hers again. For christ's sake, what did you leave out of the message?

"Hehe, oh, and she's got a lil' gift for ya. She'll give it to ya later when we arrive. Speaking of…" Gari turns an eye above us, prompting everybody else to peer up as well.

A section above us opens up, revealing an elevator-sized hole in the wall for us to exit out of.

The elevator eventually stops at the top, and the handrail that faces inward creakily swivels open like a gate. And with that, we all flood into the depths of the landship.

~⁕~

There are too many people present.

With Gari having been kidnapped by Gilliean when we made it to where we were. For some reason, Gilliean was in a massive hurry. Maybe he saw some cowboy stuff or whatever and really wanted to show it to Gari.

…

Or he got jealous after seeing Gari so close to me. He did give me some sort of glare or weird look as he pulled Gari away. There was nowhere else on the elevator—where else was she supposed to be?

Either way, it was now just the two of us.

Me and Ashley.

Everywhere my head turned, dozens of people shuffling past each other from point A to point B like an agitated, swirling mixture of colour and dullness.

It's almost dizzying.

It also certainly doesn't help much when literally no piece of text is legible to me. Is this what it is to be illiterate? I'm… lost.

This area is a really vast chamber. Shiny, polished metals popped up everywhere I looked. Gunmetal walls dominate the space, giving it a… futuristic look to it.

Hanging from the ceiling are several large glowing signs that almost hurt to look at; their piercing clarity is adorned with words, logos, and images that seem to showcase a product.

All sorts of weapons, tools, equipment and even food that seemed just a bit too vibrant for consumption.

The centre of the room is mostly comprised of vendors with their stalls and booths. I would've preferred there to be a bar instead but this place seems to be more commercial than comfortable.

Along the edges of this place, numerous entrances and exits punctuate the metal walls, each guarded by vigilant bouncers to maintain order and security. Seems like it's not total anarchy in here which is far more desirable.

Now that I think about it, this place is more of a small society than "just a pit stop".

Knowing I was stunned, Ashley pulled me aside towards one of the dark corners. This particular one looks like a common area where mercenaries can relax, strategise, and socialise.

Worn couches lined the edges of this corner. There are still quite a few people here but at least it's not as crowded as the centre.

We somehow manage to find some little isolated area that's only a bit more quieter.

The seat that I take slightly creaks when I rest all of my weight on one side. My shotgun brushes against the wood but with a small adjustment, I'm comfortable. Ashley sat opposite me, took her orange jacket off, and began writing in her book.

Now that she's been all cleaned up, I can properly describe her appearance.

Gone was the demented blood and concertina wire that wrapped around her whole body. Replaced was a clean look that takes her youthfulness and enhances it to something more charming.

She's wearing some sort of orange, sleeveless woollen sweater. Down below—I can't see it right now but I saw it earlier—she wore a green plaid skirt along with dark close-fitting legwear underneath a pair of elegant high boots.

Mmm… those boots would've been nice for the more waterlogged areas in the bayou…

Clunk

My view was disturbed by what looked like a torture device.

It looks like one of those concertina bombs I've occasionally seen being haphazardly thrown around. Except in this case, instead of a crude wood frame, it's a scrap metal cage with a multitude of chains, handles, and huge springs.

The concertina wire in the middle was also very unusual. Every couple of inches of barbed wire, there was a little light or crystal that glowed like a flame.

Ashley displayed a look of pride and confidence, striking a pose with her hands at her hips.

"Ashley, what the fuck…?" Was… Was this the gift that Gari said about earlier…?

Breaking her pose, Ashley gave me a winking grin and a thumbs-up. In her little notebook was a hand-drawn picture of me standing beside some poor sap getting entangled and shredded to bits.

I take a few glances between Ashley's face and the drawing.

…

My hand finds itself resting on top of her soft head and hair, slowly patting it.

Lightly flinching in reaction, Ashley looked up at my arm in shock before narrowing her eyes.

My arm is quickly removed from the top of her head as she pouts at me in annoyance.

I raise my hands in surrender as I see a pair of rosy cheeks on her fair skin.

"Heh… Apologies. Ya may have been a bit too cute for me to not to."

Ashley crosses her arms with a frown.

…Let's hope that didn't make me her next concertina victim…

As I'm scratching the back of my neck, Ashley seems to spot something to my right and returns to a neutral expression. Big heavy footsteps shook the table with a rhythmic dull buzz.

Turning my head for only a little, it seems Ferrok has found us.

"…It's good seeing you two warming up to each other. Especially you, bounty hunter, as this is the first time I've seen you interacting in a situation without your guns involved." Ferrok towered over our seated figures, and the ends of his oversized sheathed blade jutted out from behind him.

"What brings ya here?"

"I came over to see how well you and Ashley are adjusting to your current situation. It seems like it's going well…" Ferrok nodded a few times, looking at us through his nearly opaque face mask.

"…As for the real reason, I forgot something in regards to Ashley. This is your cut from the last mission. I just couldn't give it to you… because you died." Ferrok then brought out a decently large pouch and handed it to Ashley.

The pouch's contents clinked around as it was firmly pushed into Ashley's hands. She's surprised for some reason. Ferrok didn't make it sound like it was a lot…

"Also… you seem to wear the same clothes all of the time, don't you? Perhaps you should seek some more covert options." And with that, Ferrok walked away, his steps causing ripples in the nearby people's drinks.

…

I should get myself cleaned up too…

Looking back at Ashley, I see she's looking through the contents of the pouch.

"Hey, ya mind letting me take a look at that?" She nods at me, sliding over the half-open pouch.

It's a whole lot of gold coins—at least I think it's gold. The colours are inconsistent. They range from red-yellow to a pale greenish-yellow, but that might just be the dim lighting.

Scooping up a light handful, I look closely at the intricate details in the coins. Words punched in the Ursus language lined the edges along with interesting mint dates such as… 1077…? Even the years here are dated differently? 1053… 1085… None of them come close to my world's 1895.

The only date that's the latest is 1090. It's actually the cleanest and shiniest coin after glancing at several others.

"Hey, is this the current year by chance?" I held the coin in front of Ashley's eyes, receiving a nod in response.

Dropping the coins back in the pouch, she initially rejects me when I slide them back to her. After a few moments of thought, however, she set the notebook down so we could both see what she began drawing.

It's a crude picture of us and a clothing rack. Written underneath is a sentence of gibberish. The only words I could make out were 'I can do', which took up the rest of the page.

…

Oh, she wants to take me shopping for new clothes as a form of repayment? Glad my efforts are appreciated, despite how accidental that revive was.

She couldn't see it and I wouldn't admit it, but I had a small smile beneath my mask.

I'm then suddenly jerked into the random direction of some food stall.

"Okay, okay! I'm comin'! Don't yank my arm off. I get ya message."

This'll be a nightmare of a shopping trip, won't it?

~⁕~

Impurity made a discord server for some reason. It'll mainly be about the fic I suppose.

discord. gg /9hpw63uDnZ

Idk how links work, but just remove the spaces for that to work.