The Calm Before

“The Pit, it's a giant hole that goes deep underground, it’s believed all the withering comes from within. It’s quite a trek from here though. Almza has spoken of it a few times, he always said to never ever venture there under any circumstance.”

“Eryth, we need to go there, I need to save my brothers!” I hastily interject.

“I–I don’t know King, things are already terrible enough here, I don’t think either of us are prepared for the dangers that will come. The extreme concentration of withering zombies around The Pit makes it incredibly dangerous… Without proper precaution we’d be consumed by it…” Eryth trails off, uncertainty clouding her thoughts.

But I need to go there.

Despite all the dangers that may follow this path, I must go.

As much as I want to do this all on my own, Eryth’s barrier magic would come in handy.

Since there’s no such thing as healing magic in this world. Her protection will be an important asset going forward.

She’ll tank, I’ll dps, not a bad team comp.

I just need her to join me…

“Listen… as far as we know the people of this village were slaughtered by the unyielding powers of the withered demons. As the last remaining survivors we must avenge our fallen townsfolk. They’d fight onward for us if it were them and not us.”

“Journeying into the witherlands, it will be like our first mission! Come on, what do you say Eryth, I need you. We need to protect each other.”

Eryth looks at me with a stressed look enveloping in her body, her twig-like arms rattle as she discerns whether or not my plea is one she should really accept.

But in the end, her mind aligns with mine.

“You’re right, King… To avenge my fallen people, and to save your captured brothers… and maybe we’ll even find Almza too.”

“We must journey for the witherlands, dive into the pit of darkness, and vanquish the evil within!” Her words ring with conviction, her answer finally decided.

Extending a hand, knuckles forward, singed a tad from the zaps of electricity that sprang from my body mere minutes before, my gesture hangs in the air: a fist bump.

“Although the way ahead seems to be the most treacherous path, we’ll walk that path together. Your unbreakable defense, and my um– electrostatic skills.” I say, awaiting Eryth’s fist bump to confirm the adventures ahead of us.

Eryth’s hand balls into a fist, impacting mine.

FIST BUMP

(roll credits)

…

“Wait, electrostatic skills? Did you somehow develop magic already??” Eryth’s blank eyes shimmer in the sunlight, almost appearing excited at the news.

“Heh yeah, I may have gotten stronger than you already.” answering smugly.

“What HA HA– Nope. You only barely scratched the surface on what magic can do… But this is good news.” Eryth looks hopeful now.

“We might actually have a chance then.”

~         ~         ~

Before leaving we scavenged around the ruined town.

Well, I did.

I told Eryth to wait for me on the outskirts. It seemed to me she didn’t want to see the damage sustained.

As a pro-treasure hunter I managed to supply us with some rations and sleeping essentials perfect for an adventure.

Among the abandoned crumbling homes I also procured some silver armor, a chestplate and some gauntlets. It's not much, but a little protection will go a long way.

As much as I’d like to rely solely on Eryth’s magic, I have a feeling my shovel will dig me to places where only I can protect myself. And anyways magic seems to run out eventually, defense is always good to have no matter the scenario.

Returning to Eryth on the outskirts, I redistribute the acquired goods. Carefully storing the rations away along with the other tools that could prove useful on our travels.

Eryth watches as I pack the bags…

“You seem to know what you’re doing. You a seasoned traveler, King?” she asks.

“Something like that, I’m actually a treasure hunter; I collect all sorts of things.”

“Really? I had no idea. What do you like to collect?”

“Well mostly I collect cans of food or items of comfort, like blankets or pillows.”

“That’s kind of boring, King.”

“No it’s not, those things are essential to being alive.”

“No they aren’t.” She says, with the most sincere look on her face.

That’s when it hits me, she’s a doll, an animated object. She probably doesn't need to eat, sleep, or probably even breathe.

“Well for me it’s important.”

“Yea yea yea. But what about stuff like your shovel? You’ve had to have come by some cool trinkets on your treasure hunts right?”

She’s acting so interested all of a sudden. Maybe knowing that I have magic she sees me as an equal…

“Well on the side I like to collect all sorts of apparel. Cool clothes and sparkling jewelry, watches too. Really though I just like to dress up. I don’t know, it makes me feel cooler when I’m wearing cool stuff…”

I may have said too much, I kind of sound like a fashion dork… but she seems really invested.

“Ooh I just love clothes, especially big dresses, and omigosh you find jewelry too AHHH I’m so jealous. The only clothes I have are the ones Almza’s gotten for me from the town market.”

“But they all look the same, just different colors. So if you’re totally a treasure hunter then, like a real one, you gotta get me a pretty dress on your next treasure hunt.”

“Your wish has been heard, I’ll make sure to find you the best dress the world can sew!”

And with that confirmation, her face lights up. As she jumps for joy.

We continue talking about fashion.

Deciding to call Earth just a far away land from across the desert.

~         ~         ~

Our journey begins!

Eryth’s directions to the Pit tell us it's gonna take days, but not too many, just over a week, and we’ll be there.

So until that inevitable day comes, she said she’d train me to master my electricity magic.

I’m excited.

But I feel like I shouldn’t be…

This happiness, I should be feeling worse.

My brothers have been stolen away…

I may have caused the withering that destroyed that happy little village…

Countless lives lost, because of my digging.

I can’t feel this joyful.

No, not until the Demon Lord is Dead.

I must focus and become stronger.

I’ll become the strongest.

END CHAPTER 10