Chapter 4: What was Lost

The journey into town takes a few hours. There's very little conversation between us as we walk. I have a million and one questions but every time I even breathe too loud,I get a death stare from Rina. We pass by other travelers and I study them intently. I see humans and a couple of Laczerta like Kizzik. They all dress in old timey clothes, I guess it's normal for them though. A small voice clears their throat behind us.

“Scuse us please.” It's a young boy, no older than ten, real scruffy looking.

Something is off though that makes me do a double take. What the hell?! Sprouting from his mousy brown curls are a pair of furry cat ears! His eyes also have a bit of feline quality to them. I can’t believe my eyes as I see a fluffy tail sprouting from his backside. We both exchange looks of confusion as he passes by. I remember that I’m bound up in rope and probably look pretty crazy to him as well.

We move aside as he leads a large ox down the dirt path. The beast lumbers on slowly, chewing its cud. They mozy on past us towards the town. I can barely make it out in the distance, still about a mile off, but I can see the rooftops of buildings nestled between two dark mountains in a valley below. It looks beautiful, pristine.

“Do monsters ever come out of the dungeon?” I ask Kizzik.

They shake their head. “It's pretty rare, especially around these parts. Our party is responsible for keepin the goblins in check.”

“Interesting. Do you get paid for it?”

“Of course. Why else would we risk our lives?”

I feel a little foolish. In the stories back home, adventurers are virtuous heroes that defend villages out of the kindness of their hearts. Those are just stories though. This is something else. I need to remember that.

The sun is low in the sky as we enter through the town’s gate. The smell of supper wafts from several nearby buildings. My stomach growls impatiently.

“I don't suppose we have a second to grab some food either-YEOWCH!”

Rina wacks me in the ribs. Hard.

“Keep your mouth shut while we’re in town. We’re headed straight for the church. Consecrated ground will tell us the truth about you.”

I’m confused by what she says but I don't dare speak again. I’m starting to get sick of getting whacked though. I give Kizzik a questioning glance.

They sigh heavily. “Undead can't enter holy places. If they’re forced into a church or something, they just burst into flames.”

I feel a bead of sweat roll down my forehead. I don't feel undead but how could I know for sure what is going on? Could I be undead? How the hell would I even know? Maybe I am?! This could be bad.

As we walk through the town, I start to get a handle on my nerves but I’m still anxious.. I look around at the townspeople in hopes of distracting myself. I try to classify the races I see as best I can. There's normal humans like me and then there are these animal hybrid people like the cat boy. They all seem to have different features. I see a goat man with a long beard and curved horns and a very large woman who appears to have cow-like features, even one of those nose piercings. I try not to stare but they’re all fascinating! I spot another one as she rushes by us. A young woman carrying a bundle of books. She has large thick glasses and even larger rounded mouse ears. She reminds me of the quiet girls I would see in the library when I was in college. She suddenly trips over a stone in the road and sprawls out into the street. She shrieks as her books go flying. I want to stop to help her but Rina shoves me along. Poor thing.

“They’re called Bellua. Humans with a beast side. Guessing you dont have those where you’re from either?” Kizzik asks.

“Nope. Just humans.”

“Hmm. Sounds terrible.”

We finally reach a large alabaster building in the center of town. It’s clearly a place of worship. Its got the pillars, the sconces. It's even got a godly statue of a beautiful woman out front that doubles as a fountain. She has long flowing hair and a crown on her head. Crystal clear water flows from each of her outstretched hands as she seems to welcome us into the temple. I feel my body tremble as we climb the front steps. My heartbeat thunders in my ears. If I happen to be undead, then this is it for me. My back is soaked with sweat by the time we reach the top.

We’re at the threshold and I pause. I desperately try to summon the armor back. Maybe I could make a run for it! I concentrate, but on what I’m not too sure. I don't even know how it appeared in the first place.

Come on, help me out! I need the fancy magic armor now please!

No luck. Nothing happens. I feel a boot on my back as Rina kicks me through the temple doorway. I shriek in fear, fully expecting to combust. I fall on my face onto the cool marble floor.

“Ouch.”

As I try to squirm up, I can see several people looking at me both puzzled and concerned. They are dressed in large white robes. They also wear red beads around their neck. I venture a guess that these are clergy of some kind. One of them appears almost out of nowhere in front of me. He’s an older gentleman with greying hair and a very kind face. He reaches a hand down to help me up and I accept.

“Goodness me! Are you alright Vergil?”

He looks me over for injuries. I notice he’s wearing some kind of medallion around his neck that the others aren't. He must be the head of the church.

“Thanks I-”

“That is not Vergil, High Priest! Don’t be fooled by this cretin!”

Aaand there’s Rina right on queue. My eyebrows knit together in frustration.

“Your little test just now proves I’m not undead and you still don't trust me?”

The rage spirals through her body as she closes the distance between us to centimeters. Flames dance around her.

“This doesn’t prove anything! I’ll just kill you myself. Vergil deserves to be avenged!”

“Hey hey! Let’s keep our heads! Rina, don’t do anything crazy!” Kizzik tries to get between us but there’s no stopping Rina now. They flinch as gouts of flame burst from the elf girl. The other people in the church flee for their safety.

I flinch at the intense heat rolling off her but I don’t break her stare. I’m the victim in this! I don’t know any more than she does! I got thrown into this messed up world against my will but I’m the bad guy? just because her friend is gone?

“You’re not the only one going through hell right now! I need to get home! I have people that need me! I don’t know if I’ll ever see them again! Instead I’m stuck here with you!”

Everything starts pouring out of me. My fear, my anger, my sadness.

“I keep telling you I’m not your enemy! I need help! But you’re so hard headed that you won’t listen to me!”

The heat from her intensifies, burning my face.

“Shut UP!” I’m blasted off my feet by her magic. pain races across my skin as it’s charred by Rina’s fire. I look up at her as she towers over me.

For the first time I can really see her pain. Her blazing red eyes pierce me with their hatred but the tears boiling into steam show her grief.

“Vergil is gone! I don’t care if you’re not a monster! I don’t care if you didn’t mean to!” She’s a maelstrom. Her fury bears down on me and I’m afraid. She raises her staff over her head, I assume to turn me to ash.

Kizzik screams from the edges of the room. They can’t get closer and their voice doesn’t reach us anyway.

“None of it matters! My friend is dead!” Her voice cracks on that last word. I see it in her eyes. As if this is the first moment she’s realized it. She trembles as the grief overtakes her.

The strength she’s carried until now, leaves her. The heat and the flame vanish in an instant. She crumples to the floor in front of me, clutching her face to stop her sobs but they come anyway. They come from that place deep down inside of us where real pain lives. Kizzik rushes over and holds her tight. They’re both crying now.

I sit there watching these two strangers grieve a person who’s face I’ve stolen and I feel a sudden wave of shame come over me.

“He’s gone forever.” She chokes out ”and it's your fault.”