Book One Chapter Five: Village Interaction

Book One Chapter Five: Village Interaction

But I only have ten silver. The hulking Fighter, Awoken by the Golden Prophecy, glared at the simple shopkeeper.

The backpack is ten silver. Mr. Igma was as implacable as eternity.

But then how can I buy other things?

Have more money.

But I need supplies.

I can sell you supplies, Mr. Igma said.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

But I cant buy more supplies if I spend it all on the backpack! the Chosen One growled.

Yes, you can. Its easy. Mr. Igma noted the look of hope on the young Saviours face. Just have more money.

I haven't got any more money! the Hero of All Time yelled, throwing his hands up in the air.

I fail to see how that is my problem, Mr. Igma sniffed.

It will be your problem when I dont have supplies to go save the world! You know, the thing you live on? The whole point of me Awakening is to fight Evil! Do you want Evil to win? the Hero shouted.

Of course not, Mr. Igma said. Youre the Chosen One. I believe you will save the world.

So give me what I need!

Just as I believe you will find a way to make more money, Mr. Igma said. And when you do save the world, I will be very rich. So really, my charging you is a testament to my faith in you.

The Hero gave out a strangled yell, and stormed out of the shop. Without missing a beat, Mr. Igma smoothly turned to Qube, who was huddled in the corner.

And what can I do for you today, Miss? he asked.

---

I did warn you, Qube said glumly a little while later, hes impossible to talk your way around.

Did you see how much he was charging for healing potions? the Chosen One stormed. Three silver! Three! And I only have ten silver! And they only heal half a heart! Qube looked at him in concern. Half a heart? Youd need some pretty intense healing to grow back half your heart. She didnt think any potion Mr. Igma sold was that strong.

Its a good thing Ive got you with me, he said, still stomping, otherwise Id be completely [fiddled]. I dont know how the other roles would cope.

Qube flushed quite pink with pleasure at being praised by the Prophetic Hero. She still didnt know why sometimes he sounded like he was in a bathtub, but she understood his sentiment.

Well. I suppose its time to go farming, he sighed.

You want to go farming? Qube asked, blinking in confusion.

I mean killing low level monsters in the woods, doing fetch quests, stuff like that, he said. You know, get stronger before we have to leave.

There arent any monsters in the woods, she said. Thats the point of them protecting us. To keep the monsters away. But Alderman did say that we could ask the villagers for any supplies we might need.

The Chosen One, who had started to look sulky, brightened up at that. Oh, social stuff! Yeah, that would be good. Maybe I could get enough social skills to barter with that pain in the

Hello young man. Oh my, how youve grown. Mrs Smith was standing in the middle of the street, directly in front of them. Qube hadnt even seen her appear. I swear, kids these days grow up so fast. She paused for a moment to consider them, her stiff, iron grey curls not moving as she tilted her head to the side. Lawks, she said, finally.

The Chosen One positively beamed.

Hello, my good woman! he said cheerfully. How may I assist you?

Well isnt it funny, you knowing that I need just a mite of help, Mrs Smith said, giving him what Qube recognised as a well rehearsed Understanding Smile. You see, that naughty girl has run off with my ruby red cooking pot, and I cant leave the dessert Im cooking to go fetch it. Youll find it in the warehouse near the fishing pier. Heres the key to it.

Mrs Smith held out her arm, despite still being a good six feet away from the Hero and Qube. Her fist was clenched like she was holding a key, then opened, as if dropping it into the Chosen Ones hand.

Hero! Welcome! You have all the supplies you need for your oh hes gone, Alderman said as the Hero turned and instantly walked back to the Prophecy Hut. This time the huts door opened immediately.

More key based magic, Qube assumed as she scuttled behind him, only to run directly into his back as he suddenly stopped in front of the podium that held the Golden Prophecy. She looked over his shoulder and gasped. The Golden Prophecy had changed! It had finally revealed its true form!

From humble village a Fighter awakes.

Then Evil destroys and his heart breaks.

His childhood companion, his guiding light,

He sets off to make the world right.

He shall find the forests heart.

And steal the fires guarded start.

He shall make the water cry

Then fall into unbroken sky

And fight the darkness deep inside

And turn away from brightness pride.

Then find in times endless halls

The echoes of his lost ones calls.

To slay what once was so adored

So what was lost can be restored.

The placeholders had been replaced! Qubes eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she finally saw the Golden Prophecy, the text that had dictated her entire life, unveiled before her.

It was glorious. It was shining. It was currently being shoved in the Heros backpack.

Chosen One! Alderman puffed, having caught up to them. What what are you doing?

Cant be bothered to write it down, the Chosen One said, and it has clues about future fights, so Im taking it. He crammed the sacred scroll carelessly into his backpack full of jam, pies and swords. Anyway, wheres the Sacred Weapon?

Its its underneath the podium, your Heroicness. Alderman said faintly. The Fighter shoved aside the wooden column that had once held the most important document in the entire world. Underneath was a small hollow, with a tiny pedestal holding a slim blade that seemed to emanate golden goodness.

Yup. Thats a sword all right, he said.

It is the Heros Sword! The Sacred Sword! Alderman said, with as much ceremony as he could muster. Forged from a fallen star, it

So I just need to take this and Im ready to leave the village? the Chosen One cut him off ruthlessly.

...Yes. Alderman sighed, giving up.

The Chosen One was frowning at the Heros Sword. It was a thing of beauty, shining steel and blue hilt, with three tiny indentations on the grip that spoke of mysteries. But the Chosen One seemed to behold something beyond it. His face twisted into a grimace, as if he were staring into a monsterous void, and saw it seething with evil. Perhaps, Qube mused, he was seeing all the creatures he would be forced to slay with such a powerful tool.

Instead she found he was now looking at her. Not breaking eye contact he rummaged around in his backpack, finally pulling the Golden Prophecy out. By some strange pocket magic it had managed to avoid being covered in jam. He unrolled it and stared at it, then back at Qube.

Mr. Igma, hes never going to give me a discount on those healing potions, is he? he asked. Alderman choked back a laugh. Ill take that as a no.

Hey, he said, seriously to Qube, his Prophecy Approved Companion, are you my childhood companion?

Qube closed her eyes.

Yes, she said eventually. We have been best friends since birth.

Then we need to go for a walk.