A New...Friend?

Welpen: “Hey Ryoko, you notice that boy that’s been following us for a while now? Where did he come from?”

Ryoko: “I-I don’t k-know.”

Welpen: “Strange. Why is he wearing a helmet? What’s with his all white outfit?”

Welpen and Ryoko, along with everyone else in the world, had not seen an astronaut suit before, so they had no idea what it was. Welpen just assumed that the boy was wearing that as armor, so he was a little cautious about who he was, but they kept moving forward making sure that they kept their distance with him, just like Astro taught him. If he started to run at them, then Welpen would run too.

Welpen: “How much further do we have until the next city? I don’t even know what it’s called. How long is this going to take?”

Ryoko: “Walked too much in diagonal line. Got off track. Arriving later probably.”

Welpen: “Yeah, yeah. I was too focused on that tiny lizard. He started moving so fast and I just wanted to pick him up, so we ended up going even further West for half a mile. Whatever, it was only like 5 more minutes added. Not like it’s going to make much of a diff–”

Proof of them continuing along the designated path to each city had just occurred. The ground underneath Welpen fell through and he fell down hard against the sides of the walls, bouncing left and right before being able to pull out his sword and scrape it against the walls to stop his momentum a little, but he still fell hard on his back.”

Ryoko: “Welpen! Okay, you are?”

Welpen: “Tch! Yeah, I think so. I got the wind knocked out of me. I coughed up a little blood, but I think I’m good.”

Ryoko: “That? What is that?”

Welpen: “Oh, I didn’t even see this. I wasn’t paying attention. I don’t know. It’s a…Barrel of some sort?”

Welpen opened the barrel and inside was something he had never seen before. It was a golden shard with different symbols on it. It was beautiful in his eyes, but he didn’t really know what it was.

He picked it up and it was extremely heavy. He struggled to carry it even though it was really only the size of his head in length. Instead of carrying it, he placed it on his own sword, which it was a little big for, but when he put it on, it molded to his sword and became less heavy.

‘Cool!’ he thought. He was able to climb back up with his sword, but after the first attempt to put his sword in the dirt, he flung up immediately to the surface, as the shard lit up like the sun.

The ground converted back to how it was before Welpen fell through it and without them even knowing or paying attention, the boy with the helmet was right behind them. He scared them so much that they screamed like little girls.

Welpen was the only one with a sword, but before he could motion it towards him, the boy with the helmet raised his hand and gave him a high five. He then began to jump up and down like he was celebrating something.

Welpen: “Umm, who are you and why are you so happy? Did we do something good? I always like doing good things.”

The boy did not respond.

They quickly learned that he could not speak, but wanted to come along with them. Welpen allowed him to and trusted him easily, which is the complete opposite of what Astro taught him, but he liked this boy so much that he couldn’t tell him no.

It took them another day to get to the next town, which was nothing more than a pit stop.

Instead of a town, it was more like a place to purchase food and water to continue their journey. ‘We must be close,’ Welpen thought.

Welpen: “Let’s get some food and water. There are only 5 shops. Weapons, food, drinks, accessories, and information. Astro gave me some petals to get us food, but not much to get anything else. I’ll stock up on food. Take these petals and go get a decent sword or a Knack Chaplet if they have it. I’ll go get some information with…I don’t know his name and he doesn’t speak. Can I give you a name?”

The boy shook his head aggressively, so Welpen decided to call him Saikou, which means,” The Best.” The boys went their separate ways while Welpin got some delicious treats for them all. ‘Probably enough for 2 weeks,’ he thought.

Ryoko looked around the room for swords.

He was the only one in there and the man behind the desk had fallen asleep. Nothing really stood out to him, but with the little money he had, he chose a plain looking sword with white speckled dots covering the silver blade all the way down to the handle. He left the money on the counter for the man.

Welpen had taught him not to steal no matter what, which is what Ryoko was usually familiar with in Weakening City.

Welpen and Saikou went to get information on how far out they were and the lady inside had bright blue short hair and glasses. She was very pretty with her purple eyes and her outfit exposed more than they needed to see at a young age, but they did not care about that. Her name was Pilon Moore.

Pilon: “What can I help you young boys with today? You must’ve traveled a long way to come here. Oh, I like that sword boy and I like your outfit too. You boys are some cute ones.”

Welpen: “Hi! I’m Welpen and this is Saikou. We were just wondering how far out the infinite Library is.”

Pilon: “You young ones are traveling to the Infinite Library? I would advise you not to, but I see that flame in your eyes. I won’t be able to stop you with whatever I say.”

Welpen: “Flame? What flame? Saikou, are my eyes on fire? I’m panicking!”

Pilon: “Ohahahaha. What a lovely bunch you two are. Let me give you a map. Usually, this costs a good amount of petals, but I won’t charge for it. Y’all made my day.”

???: “Don’t go, don’t go, don’t go, don’t go, don’t go, don’t go, don’t go, don’t go, don’t go, don’t go, don’t go. Danger, danger, danger, danger, danger, danger, danger, danger, danger.”

Pilon: “Oh will you shut your trap you piece of junk of a brother. Don’t scare the boys off. Let them do what they want.”

Welpen: “Is he okay?”

Pilon: “He’s fine. He tried to journey to the Infinite Library also and didn’t even make it halfway. He peed his trousers and came running back. He was lucky he had some chaplets on him, otherwise he wouldn’t have made it back here.”

Welpen: “Ah, speaking of chaplets, do you sell them here?”

Pilon: “We do, but we are all out. We didn’t have many good ones, but a group came by about 2 days ago and wiped us clean.”

Welpen: “Isara!”

Pilon: “Y-Yeah, that was her name. Do you know her?”

Welpen: “Yeah and I’m mad at her.”

Pilon: “Well, what’s the matter honey? I’ll listen to ya.”

Welpen: “I try to be friends with her and I don’t think she wants to be friends because I am weak. Although, I don’t think I’m weak. I can protect myself and she can protect herself. I don’t see the problem, but I’m going to prove to her that I’m good enough. I found her once and now I need to find her again.”

Pilon: “I love the dedication from you both. It’s not very common nowadays that I see the burning passion of someone. Most people sit in their rut and are afraid to change. I wish I could have you all for myself, but I know you must get going. Let me give you some advice. Do not take the main bridge when you arrive at the ocean. It’s another 2 day walk and when you get there, there is going to be a bridge that leads to individual islands in a straight line. If you don’t die in the process and get past all 7 islands, then you will arrive at the Infinite Library. I am not supposed to give you this piece of advice as I am a business woman and like money, but in honor of your desire, I will grant you this one more hint. Like I said, do not cross the bridge when you get there. You may think that is the only way across, but the water beneath you is the better option. Swim to the first island instead. Don’t worry about any monsters. They only attack you if you walk across the bridge, otherwise, they will just stare at you while you swim. However, that is only in the first part. After that, I recommend you not take the water. Figure out a way on your own to beat the rest of the islands.”

Welpen: “Thank you very much Miss Pilon. We are very grateful.”

Pilon: “Goodluck boys. Go find her for me kid or else I’m taking you for myself.”

Welpen, Ryoko, and Saikou headed off for their 2 day journey to the islands leading to the Infinite Library, unsure of what they would find. ‘Here we go again,’ Welpen thought. ‘Round 2. I’m used to it by now. I’ll find you again, Isara!’