This World Ain't For Me

Welpen: “I got him. AHHHHH! YAH!”

Isara: “You did it, Welpen! You killed that bear.”

Welpen: “Yeah, I did! This is much different from my first interaction with a bear.”

Ezekiel: “We could’ve just sliced that thing in half, you know? We’ll give you the benefit of the doubt though. Good job kid. Let’s get a fire going. Me and Okasaki will chop it up for dinner. Ryoko, stop biting your goddamn fingers and build a fire, would you?”

Ryoko: “Processing. Yes, I can do this.”

Welpen: “It’s amazing that you all made it out of that place. I was so scared, but Astro helped me through it. I ended up dying once, but I don’t remember it. I just remembered the pain and then woke back up again.”

Isara: “What?! You died?! When? Where? How? Why? What?”

Welpen: “Ah it’s okay, it’s okay. We played these really cool, but scary games and if you died, then you got points and then would wake back up again. It was crazy.”

Isara and all her fairies discussed how this was even possible as Welpen began to talk to the rest of them. They didn’t understand it as much as anyone else would, but figured that it could be the case considering it was in the Land of the Stiff. They understood Okasaki’s and Ezekiel’s conversation earlier now, but even they were too scared to go there and talked Isara off it a while back when she tried to go there first to look for a master blacksmith.

Okasaki: “I’ll keep looking out. Although, we’re practically in the middle of nowhere. Let’s switch shifts Ezekiel. After we eat, I’ll wake you up in about 5 hours.”

Ezekiel: “Yeah, that’s fine.”

Welpen: “Isara, what is this Infinite Library like? I swear I think I heard it mentioned before, but I don’t remember.”

Isara: “Well, you know I’m looking for the master blacksmiths, but I learned about this place. Apparently, I can obtain knowledge that nobody else knows and I can just find them myself.”

Welpen: “Really? That’s awesome! You will definitely find them. I believe in you!”

Ezekiel: “Hey lovebirds. Get over here. Food is ready.”

Isara: “L-Lovebirds? No, no, no.”

Welpen: “Oh! Food! Yes! I haven’t had a good meal in a while.”

Ezekiel: “So, Welpen, how come we never saw you? We weren’t in those stupid death games, but I thought we would’ve seen you. If I ask a stupid question, it’s not my fault. I’m still learning about everything here. Apparently, people like you were born up here and people like me, Okasaki, and Ryoko were born down there. I just can’t wrap my head around it.”

Welpen: “That’s kind of a long story. I’m not sure how long we were down there. I think it was only a couple days. Umm, I don't really know much about this world either. Sorry, I’m not much help. I grew up in a remote area protected by a really strong king. This is my first time in the outside world beyond the gates.”

Ezekiel: “Don’t sweat it. We will figure it out as we go.”

Welpen: “Aren’t you kind of sad? Sad about the life that you had down there? You’ve had your life stripped away from you.”

Ezekiel: “Eh, we all don’t really care about that man. Look at what you just told me. You grew up in a place with a bunch of walls. No different than me. I just stayed in my place a little longer. And now, I’m starting to learn the amenities that are offered to me. This creature for example. This is amazing. What do you guys think? It’s cooked pretty good isn’t it?”

Ryoko: “Mhm.”

Okasaki: “I’ll admit that it’s pretty good.”

Welpen: “Tasty!”

Isara: “It’s delicious.”

Ezekiel: “Ha! I may have been shielded off from some things, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t know how to cook and provide for myself. That for sure transfers over to this strange place you all call home. Eat and rest up. Okasaki, I’ll switch with you when you’re tired. Come wake me up and don’t be a stupid fool and try to do it all on your own. Nobody knows what we are dealing with up here and, no offense to you kids, but you ain’t that strong.”

Welpen: “Hmph! Speak for yourself! I just don’t want to show everyone up right now, so I will back off and go to bed…Isara, I need some sleep. I’m so tired, but I tried to act all big in front of these strong people. See you in the morning.”

Welpen passed out on the ground in no time. He was so exhausted from the trip he had the past few days that he couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer even with his endless energy as a kid.

Isara had already discussed it with her fairies prior to this situation and she shared her unanimous thoughts with the group.

Isara: “Everyone, you do not have to choose to follow me, but I am going on ahead without Welpen. I know what he has gone through to get here, but I left for a reason, and I don’t need him in the way. I do not mean to sound rude, but I have an obligation already to someone as well as myself. If I may ask, can someone stay behind with him at least to protect him while he is asleep and you may catch up to us later on. I apologize for being inconsiderate.”

Ezekiel: “Hmm, what do we think boys? That’s pretty selfish, ain’t it?”

Okasaki: “Do what you want. You got no obligation to us either. Plus, we might cause some havoc that might get you in trouble. Actually, that would be ideal.”

Ezekiel: “Knock it off you big oaf. Yeah we are gonna cause some chaos, but relax…Isara, although we are technically thieves and bad people, we respect your choice. Don’t get me wrong, I hate people and the verdict is still out on you, but how about me and the big oaf here go with you and Ryoko stay behind with Welpen. Isn’t that what you want, Ryoko?”

Ryoko: “Processing…Yes. Stay behind with Welpen. Journey with Welpen. My age equals my lifestyle.”

Isara: “Th-Thank you all! Ryoko sir…Please tell Welpen that I am sorry with all my heart and please do not follow me. I know you both already know where I am going, but I do not wish to cause more harm and I can’t protect him while he is with me.”

Ryoko: “Okay.”

Ryoko finally responded normally and not in his chaotic robot voice. The emotion in Isara’s voice touched him somehow. He didn’t feel the need to think about what to say, but quickly just responded, and he himself wasn’t sure why, but nobody questioned it.

Ezekiel: “Make sure you eat the rest of that meat or I’m going to come back here and shove it in your mouth.”

Isara, Ezekiel, and Okasaki headed off towards the inevitable straight path that led to the Infinite Library while Royko kept watch over Welpen through the night without a worry in the world about what would happen next.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Astro: “That stupid kid. He better not die whatever he chooses to do. Let’s see what shadows I can use. Anyone in Felopsten? It doesn’t look like it. Where did Claudia go? I’ll use her shadow. Maybe that stupid broad can get me another Yellow Egress Chaplet. Oh wait, she’s mad at me isn’t she? Let’s see if she cut off my teleportation.”

Astro tried to open the shadow beneath his feet, but to no surprise, it didn’t open when he tried to get to Claudia.

Astro: “Damn witches. They can negate anything swordsmen do practically. Let’s see…Ah, Natsuki Tooru. I remember I was able to touch him in that battle against Shin. He might be with Claudia, but no doubt he will destroy my shadow before I can even form it. Wait, why are a lot of my people gathered in Zara’s Valley? Let’s take a look.”

Astro yet again tried to form the shadow, which formed to a random citizen that even he did not remember he touched. He leapt down with his right foot, which was immediately cut off as his shadow dispersed.

Astro: “AGH! Crap! Goddammit! Regeneration.”

Astro regrew his leg quickly with his dark mana and abilities, but looked back at his shadows that he could teleport to. He was sure that this person was nobody of strength, but yet his leg was just cut off before he could do anything. ‘Screw this,’ he thought. ‘I’m not trying that again.'

He chose someone random instead that took him back to Elric City. ‘Home sweet home,’ he thought as he headed back towards the guild. The lady at the front desk welcomed him back in excitement. She had short pink hair and bright pink eyes that matched it and wore a standard white receptionist outfit with a black bow in her hair. Astro did not like many people, but this girl always smiled when she saw him. Her name was Candy Lichten.

Candy: “Heya Astro! How are you?”

Astro: “I’m alive.”

Candy: “Haha. Yeah, I can see that. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. Rachel told me that you took on a mission with some boys. How did that go?”

Astro: “I’m not in the mood right now to talk Candy. Sorry. I just came to grab a drink.”

Candy: “O-Oh, that’s okay. What do you want? I can make it for you on the house right here. It’s been pretty slow today. I have a lot of time.”

Astro: “I don’t care. Get me anything.”

Candy: “Okay!”

She returned with Genshu sake and Astro took the whole bottle and began to drink. He became plastered almost instantly and walked out the doors of the tavern holding up 2 fingers in the form of a peace sign.

Candy: “Wait, Astro…”

Astro: “Yeah?”

Ahh, nevermind–” she said, embarrassed as she slightly laughed and watched him walk out the doors.

Astro opened the silent door of his small dwelling. It was messy and dark, but he kept the lights off and fell right on the floor face flat. He uttered a few words before sighing and falling asleep.

Astro: “Maybe I should just retire. This world ain’t for me…”