Hey everyone! I'm back with a new update to the story, I hope you enjoy this next one!

…

Chapter two: Trial by Fire

The next day, Hoodwink and I got to work…trying to decipher the instructions from the brown sheet of paper. There were two items we needed to obtain: the Maelstrom and the Rod of Atos.

We both decided to go for the former first…Maelstrom which is a legendary hammer capable of casting lightning on foes. The instructions took us to a place outside of Tomo'kan, and so for the first time ever since I arrived in this world I left the Mistwoods behind and explored the rest of the world. The first obvious place we had to travel to (since it was essentially the border to the woods) was the Outlands.

We took what we needed since it would be a LONG journey for us like clothes for rough weather…water especially…since this place is dry and is basically a desert reminiscent of the deserts back home. It proved to be anything but fun in the sun…it proved to be treacherous. I only had Hoodwink beside me to help guide me through this hellscape: she seemed to know more about this place than she let on. Then again, she had to travel through to get to Krimwohl (which she told me she did to harass the inhabitants from time to time before my arrival.)

The rodent and I passed through a deep canyon, slept for the night beside a tall mesa, and fended off cloaked bandits, desert creeps, evaded quicksand, dust devils, sandstorms, and dangerous wildlife such as carnivorous plants. These things are just a few kinds of stuff we encountered.

Something that plagued Hoodwink during our voyage was the thought of a certain person she kept muttering from time to time. The time came when I just had to ask her whom she was referring to…

"I'm hoping we run into that ol' munter…"

"Uhh…who?" I raised a furred brow at this, and she just scoffed back at me, "I tell 'ya about Keen yet?"

"Can't say you have…"

"Keen folk…they're everything I HATE in life…some are small, but most are weak buggahs, but they use machines…tech to make up for that, yeh?"

"What do they look like?" I asked as we walked through sand dunes that conquered the landscape. The sun above us scorches the ground.

"All sorts of wrong…pink…purple…long-eared…dumb-looking…gets me all riled up just thinking of 'em!"

"Okay, okay…" I stopped her, "but…who is the person you're talking about?"

"It's a woman…a barbaric really…she rides a dragon toad as if it were her slave…he really is…" she growled at her own descriptions, "she, like the rest of her kind, like using powder…blowing things up…DESTROYING everything! I pleasure at shooting anyone who's Keen…most of 'em deserve it!"

"Hoodwink…" I had to stop her in her tracks again, "dragon toad…powder…"

"Gunpowder…" she gave me the stink eye before I looked away, "oh…that…" I gulped. I didn't even care to know what the heck a dragon toad was, but the other part really got under Hood's skin.

"You know what it is…don'cha…" she sighed as if hoping I didn't.

"Unfortunately, I do…it's… commonplace back in my world" I answered wholeheartedly, "is that why you hate them?"

"…yeh…"

Sure enough, Hoodwink began to explain why she did…and it broke my heart. She told me how this lady, a Keen, traded her firearms to the citizens of Krimwohl long ago and it wasn't long before that civilization laid waste on its neighbors: more importantly…Hoodwink's tribe. In short, this person known as Snapfire is the reason Krimwohl is what it is and indirectly led to the HELL that Hood suffered through early on in life.

I had to stop, and she took notice immediately, "it's no different from my world…" I just had to sit down on a small flat rock. Something in the squirrel drew her to me, and sure enough, she sat down to listen in, "all this…the firearms…the death and destruction…the expansion of civilization…are you sure we're not on Earth…sounds A LOT like home…" I scoffed.

"Did you…ever use one?" She asked, referring to firearms and I sighed…deciding to meet her worried gaze, "just for target practice with my dad when I was younger…just innocent fun…"

"That's how it all starts…how they get you to use 'em…pass 'em down…it's what Keen do to continue their life-cycle…" Hood scoffed, turning away. Passing on their firearms to their children because it's tradition, such a weird concept…

"I guess my question to you Caleb is…would you use one now…ever again?" The red squirrel stood up, faced me, and put a paw on her hip.

I remained silent for a moment, but I met her intense glare again and I said with confidence, "no. My fist and this shield are all I'll ever need" I added before she chuckled back, "I guess the real question you have for me is…would I help you fight against them…fight this Snapfire…fight any Keen by your side…"

She cocked an eyebrow at my statement whilst looking down at my furry form, "I support you, Hoodwink, I might hesitate a bit…but I WON'T let anyone hurt you."

"Big statement coming from you" she couldn't help but laugh back, "ya won't have to worry 'bout that, no one's ever, or will ever, hurt me, bro."

I rolled my eyes, but suddenly the ground beneath me began to shake as I jumped up. Hood stopped herself to see something quickly forming around the mid-section of the stone I'm on…sure enough, teeth show up and she is startled by what is happening.

"Caleb!" She shouted but fortunately, my foxlike instincts already kicked in and I jumped in response to avoid getting devoured by the carnivorous rock. Unfortunately, it spat out a long frog-like tongue that ensnared my hind leg once I landed across from it. It turned out that it was a camouflaged beast that resembles the rocks all around us…most likely doing so to catch prey, and I was almost its lunch…

The rodent across from me scurries over and grabs my hand as I panicked and reached out for her: the monster was pulling us in. Quickly, with a free hand, Hoodwink pulled out her wooden crossbow from her back and carefully aimed. With flawless precision, the bolt struck the creature's eye and it lets go…giving an agonizing cry as we pull away. I ended up on my back from the force of being let go, "what the HELL is that thing!?"

"D-Dragon Toad!" She answered for me, picking me up with a paw, "time to run, mate!"

I waste no time and follow the squirrel through the small canyon where we are quickly chased by the half-blinded reptile. It's not long before it begins spitting some sort of liquid magma at us and we had to dodge to the best of our abilities. We jumped away and got separated to avoid getting burned alive and sure enough, the beast decided to follow me.

Hoodwink ran up a sandy hill to get to the plateau that is above the small canyon…some ten meters higher than the ground below. As she hurried through the plane, she can see us from her vantage point. Her quick speed allows her to catch up behind us as I reach a dead end…drat! I turn around to see the fast-approaching lizard…its last remaining eye full of anger. Before I can prepare to make my stand, I hear my best friend jumping from above. Hood threw an acorn at the beast's head, which bounces off and suddenly sprouts a lively tree from it. In a fraction of a second, while in mid-air, she released her bolas toward the Dragon Toad. The monster is quickly bushwhacked as the rodent lands beside me with a smile on her face, "seems like I'm the one always making sure YOU don't get hurt, eh?"

I sighed, looking away from the struggling beast, "let's get the heck out of here."

"Aww, but things just got interesting…been boring for hours!" She said with a crazed look on her face, readying a bolt on her signature weapon as she said that. I stopped her, "come on, they got the message."

She rolled her eyes, deciding to yield…figuring she might need the bolts for what is to come, "fine, just this time" she laughed, holstering her weapon as we begin moving away from the creature. It won't be long before the restraints weaken but for now, we should be safe, so we continue our long journey.

…

Eventually, after a day or two being in the hot sun, the climate began to change and we entered grassy, and idyllic, lowlands. It soon became clear to me that Hoodwink had never gone this far from her home and thus…we both didn't know what to expect from this point onward…

Despite this place seeming to go on forever and have nothing of interest, eventually we DO run into some interesting sights along the way. The most notable thing we found: there's a small village that appears over the horizon as we stopped to rest on a hill. It's a typical medieval setting with primitive wooden buildings, some stone structures, and a village square where (it turns out) there are villagers milling about. Yet, unlike my world…there is a mix of other "races" in there too: several human-like beasts with red skin or orange scales…anthropomorphic creatures that I could not identify.

Being the first slice of civilization I'd seen since my arrival, I stared at the scene in front of me as we rested on the green hill not too far away. Hood could see my frozen demeanor and had to snap me out of my trance with a smack of her tail against me, "mate, you'ight?"

"W-what are they?" I turned to her, ear flicking in curiosity.

"Ah, none of 'em where yer from, eh?"

I shook my head before she began to explain. The reddish near-humans are called Oglodi…such a strange name for a race, but whatever. The others were harder to classify and had names that were harder to remember or even care to remember…so yeah. Still, I was fascinated by it all: everything feels like a scene out of a fantasy movie…

Something in me wanted to explore the village…seeing as how I haven't seen such a place in person before. I didn't make it very far, for I felt something tug my arm forcefully to keep me back. I turn my head to see the squirrel giving me a serious glare.

"No" she muttered in protest.

I am shocked by this, but I am suddenly reminded of her general dislike of civilization. Still, my resolve to investigate this odd place had me shaking my head to Hoodwink, "can we at least have a look-see?" I suggested with calm in my voice. She folded her arms as I put my paws together in a pleading fashion as if I were a small child begging.

"Pweeese?" I gave a toothy smile, and this slightly amused the being next to me. She rolled her eyes and nodded, "a'right but we won't stay for very long" she gave her one condition to me. As a result, I hopped with excitement before Hood gave a sigh, might as well let the drongo have his fun…

And so, we entered town: we looked very much like outsiders would. Our entrance encouraged glances from the people standing from the sidelines or just going about their day. We probably looked like two furry hobos to them…to be honest, after a few days it sure feels that way. I guess I ought to be used to it, I kind of did it when I was human in Acashire.

Needless to say, most were either curious or downright disgusted by our presence. We, of course, tried to ignore the negative ones. My eyes spotted an interesting place that I wanted to enter near the village square: a tavern. Upon entering we are greeted by a chaotic scene. The air is musky with a drunken scent. It reeks of piss, vomit, and other unpleasant odors (having this fox nose doesn't help one bit.)

The squirrel and I looked around, but soon I receive a glare from her… she was not pleased AT ALL by all this. It's funny because she seems like the kind of person who WOULD drink at a tavern/bar. I simply gave a sheepish smile back as she groaned internally at my response.

"Places like this where I come from are cleaner…ah…a bit cleaner anyway" I rub the back of my furry head before she huffed loudly…hiding her face more with her leafy hood. As she does, I went to the counter to see what we could get. Lemme say this, it's been a WHILE since I've seen a place like this and I am VERY excited to be here…no matter the smell and whatnot. The fact that I am around other people again, in a more civilized setting, does bring nostalgia. I do miss places like this and Hoodwink could tell, so she tried not to object…simply opting to rest against the wall without anyone near her to pass the time.

And so, I climbed up a wooden stool and I got to the top, my head could barely be seen from the other side of the counter. I am met with a brawny bartender, who looked more like a woodsman and is not meant to be in the profession that he's in. His head is bald, but his face is beardy which barely hides the surprise and contempt in his expression…but I digress.

People at the bar begin turning their attention specifically to me and sure enough…Hood knew this wasn't going to end well.

"Oi! What do you think you doing?" The bartender said before I pull back, surprised by this, "w-what's the problem?" I asked defensively.

"Can't you read?" They pointed to a sign that I can read: No Critters allowed, "we don't serve yer kind 'ere, off with ya!" They added. I just stood there in shock at what I am experiencing and when I refused to yield, they swatted at me like I was a fly…sending me back! Upon landing on the floor, I am met with an angered, drunken, crowd. HoodWink had had enough, she made it to me and pulled out her signature crossbow, and aimed it at the owner's head, sending the room into a panic. I glanced over to her, realizing her intention: jumping in the way to stop her, "n-no!"

I push the weapon away before she gives me the hardest death glare she's ever given me, "what are 'ya doing!?"

"Please…let's just go…"

Hood just grunted in disgust at my suggestion. She wouldn't let this stand, "Yeah nah…bloody bogan's gonna get his."

"No one needs to die, please!" I pleaded with her. The squirrel looked into my new blue eyes…thinking to herself. Finally, she groaned, lowering her weapon before everyone around us rose their heads from their hiding spots.

"Yer lucky bro here wants you breathing…" she finished, stomping off.

We both quickly got out of there to avoid any further problems. Once we're back on the hill we were on not too long ago, Hoodwink exploded on me, "what is WRONG with you!? Ya think I'm just gonna let a muppet like that demean us!?"

I looked away in response…shame overwhelmed me…we shouldn't have gone down there, "you weren't wrong when you said discrimination existed here…I forgot people…don't like…"

"You bloody egg, I TOLD you!" She retorted, continuing to scold me, but soon I started to growl back.

"I'm sorry I FORGOT I'm not HUMAN anymore! I used to be human…b-but we never-"

"Oh, don't GIVE me that…you might not look like them…hell you might not SMELL like them now…but you still THINK like 'em!"

"Hood…" I stopped myself. Yes, we had discrimination, and this was no different…but I didn't think like them…I didn't want to. My ears drooped and I gave a loud sigh in return, "they're ignorant" I said very softly…shaking my head.

"Should'a let me kill 'em"

"Wouldn't have been right…" I said back.

"Oh please…now you're bringing your ethics into this conversation, ye?"

"Yes! It wouldn't have been right…we did well by leaving. Imagine if I let you KILL that man…what it would have done…" I approached her again and she narrowed her eyes at me.

"Shouldn't have messed with us…simple as that. Ya didn't let me kill the dragon toad and 'ya didn't let me kill that man..."

"It wasn't all me...you stopped yourself from doing it…you had to have known it was wrong…" I clapped back. She was getting fed up with all this…to say the least. Why would she need "lessons" from someone like me…the laws of nature don't have ethical boundaries…it's kill or be killed in the natural world.

I stopped myself, turning around and walking away in frustration. She eyed me relentlessly, thinking to herself what to do with me.

Finally, I turn around and sincerely said, "and…you went in to help me…I should thank you at least for that."

"Stuff it" she said coldly, folding her furry arms in retaliation.

"Why did you do it…you rushed in to help me in there…like you always have done"

"Caleb…"

"I know you CARE, please don't deny it."

"I helped you in there because you AMUSE me. If I didn't like that aspect of you, you would have been dead a LONG time ago, mate!"

"N-no!" I swung my arm in her direction in protest, "don't play that with me. Do you think I WANT to be like them!? You think I want to destroy the environment...be a bigot, MY FAMILY WAS A BUNCH OF BIGOTS…I WANTED to get out of that life…being DISOWNED was the best thing that happened to me! I found someone that cares about me…that swoops in to help me in time of need…but when I try and do the same thing…it's brushed off like it's nothing! Don't you get it, squirrel!?" I walked even closer to her, my face full of vulnerability. I stuttered…worryingly…pathetically…about the ramifications that might come from this, but soon my feelings break down all barriers and courage slipped through the cracks, and I put on a brave face, "you mean so much to me…you CHANGED me. I…never imagined I'd have such a wonderful life thanks to such a wonderful person…" I laid it all out…or the best way I could, anyway.

The squirrel just stood there, taking in my words…taking time to come up with a response, "Caleb…"

Inside, I cursed myself…w-what did I just say…I felt as though I tried to sneak something else in there…stupid me! I know EXACTLY what it is too…but it's true…despite our quarrels…I…I have had a crush on her. It's a lot deeper than that. It was the moment it all came down on me like an avalanche, or perhaps I've always known. Hoodwink always came to my aid…like my own guardian angel trying to make sure I come out alright. Despite her opinions and thoughts on civilization and humans as a whole…something about her always fascinated me. A-am I really…in love? It must be…I'm in love with this squirrel…

Across from me, Hoodwink was still silent. Thoughts were brewing deep in her mind: some asking her to act, others telling her not to. Many of them were either positive or negative…either way she finally reacted, "m-mate…a-are you…"

"Hood…since the day I met you…even with our first encounter…I looked into your eyes…and I never felt the urge to look away. It wasn't until later that something within me awakened and I started feeling this way about you-"

"Bro…" she interrupted, "yer rambling now…"

I am taken aback by this, but I decide to play it comedically in response, "rambling…you're the hyper one! Being hyper is not a bad thing though…I don't mind it, but fuck…you need to fix your trigger-happy-ness…whatever you can call it..."

"…ohh, I know what 'yer doing…" she squinted her eyes in response. Hoodwink leaned over in a slightly aggressive fashion, "ohhh, ya got guts…"

I displayed my arms to my sides as if I'm trying to diffuse the situation, "sorry was that a…tad much, rodent? I am being sincere if you want my honesty" I gave her a soft smile, but she finally had it. Suddenly she points her crossbow at me!

Inside, I gulped…oh boy…I overstepped.

"Not so talky now, eh?" She now grinned. It's like she was waiting for me to beg for forgiveness…mercy…beg her to spare my life like all the other people have before she ended them.

I just stand across from her…speechless…again looking straight into her frustrated blue eyes as she stood there in a dominating fashion. Is she being serious!? She must be…it's as if she's trying to deny it all somehow…trying to avoid these feelings…or maybe this is a test…

"Hoodwink…" I muttered, almost silently. At that precise moment, she cocked back her weapon…readying a bolt intended for my torso.

In a fraction of a second, I thought about her intentions, but I also thought about how I might have misjudged her, and this actually might be the end. I just wanted her to know…know how I really felt…

"Is this what you want…"

She said nothing, still opting to aim her crossbow at me with lethal intention.

I sighed…never looking away…still deciding to look at the person I care about the most, "please tell me…tell me you'll be alright…"

I said that wholeheartedly, and she just stood there…letting it sink in. We just stared at each other…for what seemed like an eternity. The afternoon wind brushed our fur and the grassy plain around us. Every time I looked at her, I felt so safe…so at peace with everything. It's not exactly a romantic moment: I mean…the person I secretly love is still aiming her rig at me with the intent to kill…so yeah.

For Hoodwink, however, the girl realized one important thing: I wasn't like all the others she struck down. And, despite all this bravado, she wasn't considering killing me…she wanted to see my reaction above all. Anyone else would have tried fighting back…or would have whimpered…beg for mercy…try to convince her to spare them, but not Caleb, she thought.

When we first met, I had no such reaction…I just threw insults her way and even then, it was because she was stealing from me. My reaction was not one of bravery either since Hood executed countless people who dared try to strike her. No, mine was of respect for her and that spoke VOLUME.

The squirrel lowered her weapon, her face softening in response. This was the confirmation she needed.

"Weird as…" she sighed, sitting down while I closed my eyes: the tension finally relieved, "humans are so strange…"

"What is strange…that I care so much for you…" I shake my head, trying to get her attention. My cone-shaped ear twitched in frustration…my tail twitched madly behind me, "that you're the person I look up to the most…the person that inspires me…the ONE person who gave my life any meaning?"

Hood had her head away from mine…hidden from sight, but her eyes were open, and she was listening to every word I said.

"Hood" I stepped a bit closer as my eyes began to water, "you are my role model…"

The arboreal entity finally turned to face me again. By this point, her cream-colored face softened "is-is that right…you mean that?" Her blue eyes shined brightly like the blue moon in the blue sky behind her…almost as if she was, herself, a god-entity…

I rubbed the back of my head in slight frustration, I don't agree with some things you do like the killing but yeah.

I just had to move closer, nodding as I do, "you must know by now…that I've come to appreciate being with you. I always look forward to finding out what the day will bring...being by your side. I happily follow you in your daily antics. I love listening to your long stories of past adventures…hearing you play your songs…I'm drawn by your complications."

"Yer ramblin'gain" she rolled her eyes as I huffed loudly.

"Please look at me" I begged pathetically, "I want to help you get rid of the Primal Beast…make your forest safer. Straight from my heart that is WHAT I want, I want to make sure that BASTARD gets what's coming to him, but it doesn't help that we fight. In the end, I would just like us to be at peace with one another…"

With that, Hoodwink stood up, walking toward me as if she was going to do something and I almost flinched but suddenly she grabbed my paw with hers and she gave her signature smile, "Our forest."

I smiled back, nodding back.

A few seconds go by as nothing happens but finally, the anthropomorphic squirrel said, "it's good having 'ya around, egghead…sorry 'bout what happened."

"It's alright. If I'm being honest that was quite the day we had…"

"Still daylight in the sky, we ought'a get going, mate." She said, picking up her backpack before I grab mine with a sigh, "right…"

We start walking down the hill toward a dirt road that will lead us to our destination, which shouldn't be too far now. As we walk, I think to myself quietly, what will she think of me now? Was this unrequited love...I wasn't too sure...

Opposite of me, the girl was lost in thought too, Caleb...you love me...don'cha...I just...I dunno...I dunno what to think of this...focus Hood, we got'a mission...stick to it!

And so, Hoodwink and I continued our journey across the fertile land…just the two of us…two "critters" against the world…out to find the legendary items that will help us in stopping our nemesis.

…

I hope you all enjoyed this recent update. I hope the last bit wasn't forced or anything. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. I'll see you all next time, cheers!