Book Two Chapter Fifty Two: Arriving in Desert

Book Two Chapter Fifty Two: Arriving in Desert

I am trying to do the right thing and not murder you, you ungrateful [fiddlers]! the Chosen One yelled at the Fire Birds attacking the group.

[Lesser Shield]! Chosen One, its not murder if theyre monsters, Qube called from Scaley-Waleys back. The Chosen One spun around, flying backwards for a second, as he looked at Qube.

Really? he shouted, and pointed at the sharktopus next to Qube. Qube looked down at her beloved pet, who was slowly winding her tentacles around Scaley-Waleys neck.

Squiggles, dont try and strangle your brother, Qube said automatically, as she tried to process what the Chosen One was saying.

Squiggles wasnt a monster! Squiggles was a baby! She would never hurt anyone!

Except for when Qube had met her and Squiggles may have slightly tried to eat her.

But that was just because she was hungry and scared!

But what if the reason all these wolves and birds were attacking them was because they were hungry and scared?

What if theyd been murdering dozens of Squiggles?!

While Qube was having yet another existential crisis, the Chosen One continued yelling at the wildlife.

Go away! he yelled at the birds. I dont know how to cope with you! Stop it!

The Fire Birds, however, paid no attention to the scolding of the Chosen One, instead continuing to swoop. The Chosen One lost his temper.

Fine! he yelled at the creatures. Have it your way! He swung his Sacred Sword at them, and the rest of the party sprang into action. As his sword hit the bird, it exploded into a fireball, setting part of the Hero alight.

Why does trying to do the right thing hurt so much? the Chosen One yelled, throwing his shield at another bird.

Qube had never seen someone attempt to engage in a sword fight while flying before. Given how much the Chosen One was struggling to counterbalance any strike he made, she could see why it had never taken off. Sexy Screamy Spider Lady and Definitely Bad Guy had it easier the Hunter swapped from her trademark dual daggers to her crossbow, and the Mage laid out various curses, causing the enemies to explode far away from the group.

As the birds dissolved, several pouches popped from their inner pockets, falling towards the ground.

Great! the Chosen One yelled at the falling pouches, now I feel bad!

It was official. The Chosen One had lost his mind. To be fair, Qube also felt like she was losing hers, trying to think about all the beasts theyd slain, and how each and every one of them may have been a Squiggles equivalent.

As the last bird fell, the Chosen One landed on the ground. The wolves had long since gone, leaving behind only the fat little pouches from inside the Fire Birds. The Chosen One started glumly pocketing them.

Man, ethics are hard, he said to no one in particular. He looked around at the now-empty clearing. Next time, I think well just run. Trying to fight while flying is way too difficult.

Chosen One, do you really think all of those creatures are like Squiggles? Qube asked anxiously. The Chosen One started walking, everyone else landing and following him.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

I dunno, the Hero replied. Thats the problem, isnt it? Its like He looked up at the clear sky as they walked. This is unknown territory, he said, and its like were exploring.

But plenty of people knew their way to the Light Temple, Qube thought, before realising that may not have been quite what he meant.

The Devs mentioned this was their first time doing something like this, she said. Does that mean its everyones first time making a new world? And having special people in it?

Pretty much, yeah, the Chosen One said. Were dealing with something completely unlike anything weve ever dealt with before. None of the rules make any sense, so its hard to know what the right thing to do is. Its like trying to navigate a maze, in the dark, surrounded by sharp drops. How are we supposed to know where to go?

They walked in silence for a while, Qube turning over what hed said. Finally, she reached a decision, and slipped a hand into his. He looked down at her, jolted out of his thoughts.

What, then, prevents you from using the Save Points to travel all around the kingdom? Definitely Bad Guy was asking.

Dunno, the Chosen One replied.

The woods and rolling hills they were travelling through gradually gave way to flat, grassy plains. From this location Qube couldnt see the Forbidden Forest, or the Volcano that housed the Fire Temple, but to their left, they could see Lake Fear, and the mountains that held the Air Temple, with the dark shadows of the valleys concealing the Shadow Temple. To their right was Cobbletown, the castle dominating over all. And behind them (literally and figuratively) was the path to the village.

It appeared to cause our Healer quite a lot of distress when she was simply connected to you and you touched one. Is that because she wasnt in a vessel like the Chosen One?

Dunno, the Chosen One replied nonchalantly.

Once your quest has been completed, will you return to the realm of the Devs? Definitely Bad Guy refused to be deterred by the Chosen Ones lacklustre responses.

Rather than dunnoing again, the Chosen One paused and looked thoughtful.

Probably, he said eventually. But you guys will be coming with me! he hurriedly added. Probably. Definitely likely.

Definitely Bad Guy stared at the Hero, studying him intently.

There is an ancient tome, he said cautiously, that is said to hold spells of great power. I believe that finding it will allow me to bring down the magical shield the Evil Emperor has cast, and give me more abilities.

The Chosen One stopped dead, removed his arm from around Definitely Bad Guys shoulders, put his hand on his heart, and turned to the Mage.

Are you are you giving me your personal quest? he asked, his voice full of emotion.

It is certainly personal to me, Definitely Bad Guy replied awkwardly. But I believe it will be of use to us all.

The Chosen One reached out and hugged the smaller man, over dramatically sniffing back non existent tears.

Thank you for trusting me with your secret mission, he said, I will fulfil it with my last breath!

I did not think this would elicit such a reaction from you, Definitely Bad Guy admitted uncomfortably. He wriggled free of the Fighters grasp. The Hero released him easily.

Oh, Im just pulling your leg, he said cheerfully. Both the Mage and Qube looked at the Mages legs. The Chosen One rolled his eyes. Im just kidding, he clarified. Not about doing your quest though, I will do that. Or, well, we will do that. After the Light Temple, though, cuz Im excited to see how this turns out.

How this turns out? Definitely Bad Guy queried.

Oh yeah, you guys are going to be in charge of the Light Temple, the Chosen One said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder back at Qube. Her suggestion.

The Mage turned and stared at Qube as the Chosen One resumed walking.

Oh, he said. But wont we need your power to complete the Temple?

The Chosen One shrugged. Maybe, he said, dunno, he said for the hundredth time. If you do need me for something, then Ill do it, but until that point, this is the chaos crews domain.

The Chaos Crew. Qube liked the sound of that!

Uh oh, more enemies. Quick, crouch, the Chosen One whispered. The entire crew crouched and continued forward in a strange, awkward scuttling motion.

So it was that the intrepid party scuttled their way out of the grassy plains and into the desert. Qube had never seen a desert before, obviously, but it was still bigger than anything she could have imagined. The abrupt changeover from plains to sand made her feel like she was stepping into another world. The suns suddenly seemed much closer in the skies, and the heat was visible, rising from the dunes in shimmering waves.

They had arrived.