Zool

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

When the light on Adam's forehead began to stay green and the old hermit gave words of encouragement, MacKensie knew that something important was happening. She strayed a little further from the campfire, but not too far as to provoke the ire of Gilligan. Just close enough for her sharp eyes to catch what was going on in more detail. When the ghostly visage appeared in the clearing near her, it was quite the jump-scare. She drew her weapon from the small of her back and dropped a bolt into the firing mechanism. Before long the faint outline of a bear became a fully real ursine beast, and frightening to boot.

"Your spirit animal has manifested. Now you must subdue it and gain control. Now you must fight it."

"He cannot be serious?" MacKensie was flabbergasted, but that was not all.

"No magic."

She gasped, unsure as to whether she should intervene. She didn't want to mess anything up, but decided stubbornly that she would not hesitate to help her friend if he was in danger. To hell with the shapeshifting hermit.

And the fight began. Almost immediately, her hand itched to fire a bolt at the bear as it went on the offensive, knocking Adam to the floor in it's first flurry of attacks. "Oh no." Could the young man handle this? Adam was a gentle soul. Strong in his own way, but maybe not built for such a conflict. "Come on, Adam," she pleaded in a whisper. "You can do it."

She edged forward step by step, little by little, and was just about to jump in when Adam rolled out of the way of an attack, then got up and ran like a maniac at the bear and punched it right in the face. "Yes!" MacKensie jumped for joy, her crossbow raised above her. "You've got this, Adam!"

The bear looked stunned. The hermit was impressed. The shift in momentum came with a shift in confidence. Adam could do this! Gilligan thought so, and now so did MacKensie. "Keep it up!" she called out words of encouragement, but let out a terrified gasp when Adam took a mean claw strike across his chest. Her free hand covered her mouth, metaphorically on the edge of her seat and now on the edge of the fight area, stood near Gilligan. This injury did not compell her to intervene, this time. Now there was a feeling almost like this was some kind of rite of passage of manhood or something. She could not intervene - it would besmirch Adam's honour. He had to do this alone.

And he could do it!

"I believe in you, Adam!"

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

What MacKensie had expected, when the door first opened, was a wise old sagely sort of fellow. Perhaps a little quiet due to being a hermit and what-not. But upon seeing the face of thunderous anger and irritation, the wide-eyed Ranger immediately realised that the owner of this house on the mountain would defy all expectations.

"...Not interested." and the door slammed shut, prompting a little gasp from MacKensie who covered her mouth with her fingers from the shock of it all.

She looked at Adam who seemed just as stunned as she, then wondered if the trip had all been for nothing. Before either of them spoke or moved, their attention was drawn back to the door as they heard the old man inside calling out. He was on his way back to the door. This time the door was opened all the way to reveal a tall, lithe old elf who looked so filled with contempt, MacKensie thought he might be actually be posionous to the touch!

All MacKensie could do was just stand there - an audience to this toxic performance - even when the elf ambled over to her with the help of his walking stick. "And you... look like a Ranger to me." She nodded quickly. "A pointless distraction."

Well... okay then...

Adam answered his questions patiently, clearly unwilling to stoop to the old elf's level, and MacKensie watched as Adam grew a tree as instructed. Then he attempted to defend her honour, which she appreciated in sentiment, but figured it would only make things worse. And it did, the elf proceeding to mock them both, something that sparked anger and irritation in MacKensie's face now too. She gritted her teeth, lips parting to chastise this disgraceful person, but she held her tongue when Adam tried to just move on and get to the reason he'd come here. The better part of her resolved to stand down and stay out of it, but her face was a picture of offense taken. When she was told to go sit by the fire, she stood staring at him with balled up fists, then turned on her heels, "Hmph!" and marched away.

The following hours dampened her anger and turned her emotions into fascination, before finally settling on boredom, as she sat watching a whole load of nothing happening. She couldn't even enjoy the views of nature around her because of the old hermit's grating voice filling the air constantly. By the end of the fifth hour, she was stood up and pacing back and forth like the elf, stretching her legs and giving herself a periodic break from the uncomfortable wooden seat.

Still, she watched on, hoping Adam would find this spirit animal of his so they could get out of here and be rid of this horrible old hermit.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@ZapdosThat's great Zapdos! You've all been fun to write with. Long may it continue xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@ZapdosSo technically he reocurred. Recurring is to reoccur multiple times :P Nur-nur :P

xD

I'm interested to see what you and Xenon have planned. Should be fun to react to!

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

As they passed over the threshold of the city gate, MacKensie was hit with a wave of foreboding. The pair stopped momentarily as Adam identified the correct mountain. MacKensie looked around too. The vast open outdoors looked peaceful enough, but the Ranger knew better. She'd seen the kinds of creatures that roamed these lands. Even less comforting was the fact He was still out there - the metal ninja. After that brief moment, the two adventurers shared a smile and set off towards Kragstone Peak.

The mountain path was not steep - the walk was quite easygoing in that respect. Adam's company and conversation was pleasant, the pair having much in common. But even though they were talking, MacKensie remained on high alert, the smallest of movements catching her eye - a squirrel scurrying in the brush or a branch swaying, a bird in a tree or a loosed leaf dancing on the wind.

"Finally I've found you," was the ninja's voice clear in her mind.

Adam's voice in her ears would bring her out of the flashback and back to the present, and she would reply, shrugging off her anxiety for a while until it resurfaced, then the cycle would repeat. Time would slowly make things better though. After an hour or so of being outside the city, the sense of foreboding would quieten to a whisper and she found herself smiling more, laughing more.

The footpath up the moutain eventually came to an end, bringing them to a spot that overlooked the city and showed just how much altitude they'd gained. It suddenly occured to her that young couples from the city, seeking a little wilderness romance, might come to this place. It certainly seemed to have the appropriate ambience.

"This is quite nice, don't you think, MacKensie?"

A light blush stained her cheeks and she broke eye contact, her gaze falling to her feet before looking out at the view, a hand making that nervous motion of tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "Ummm, yes." Her awkwardness passed quickly, replaced by contentment. "Yes," she repeated with more certainty, nodding at the undeniability of Adam's words. "It is indeed beautiful." She drank in the view for a moment longer then smiled at the Druid.

The path to climb higher from this point took a jump in difficulty. At Adam's show of concern for her, she nodded her thanks. "I will be cautious."

And cautious she was, making sure of her every move, keeping three points of contact on the tree at all times. But it did not stop her wobbling occasionally. On the second tree they climbed, one of her feet even slipped off and she had to pause to gather herself before continuing the ascent. A sense of shame began to accompany that lack of confidence in her ability - ability that had been there before - ability taken from her by the metal ninja.

Adam gave her a hand at the top and she gratefuly accepted, him pulling her up after she get a foothold on the summit. Glad to be done with the climbing, they looked about the plateu they arrived at to see a secluded hut with a smoking chimney. This had to be the place. Adam knocked on the door after they approached and MacKensie waited to see who would answer. When the door finally opened and Adam introduced them both, "Good afternoon sir," Mackensie echoed Adam's greeting and then politely stayed out of it. This was Adam's task. Now that they'd made it to their destination safely, she was only here for moral support.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@ZapdosI'm not sure you know the meaning of the word, but it's cute that you tried lol xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

I'll try and post today or tonight. @xenon Simon and Appsro look like fun. Please make them recurring somehow xD

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

MacKensie chuckled at Adam's response. "Of course, my friend." It was barely noon, so it would've been quite surprising if any of their group had actually asked for beer or liquor. Ummm, maybe not so surprising if it came from Zell, come to think of it, she corrected herself. Nevertheless, she never would have dreamed of offering Adam an alcoholic beverage at this time of day. "Hi Fenna," she smiled at the dutchwoman. "Also with perfect timing."

"It smells good," Fenna said.

"Our fearless leader is cooking up a storm," MacKensie bounced back. "What can I get you to drink?"

After getting the orders of her friends, she brought them their drinks and then disappeared back into the kitchen to chat with James and Frederick while the final touches were being put on lunch. The three of them served lunch shortly after and MacKensie joined Fenna at the bar, leaving the men at the table. "So, how did it go at the Church, yesterday? Did Lillianna learn more about the spirit who assisted us?" After Fenna filled her in, she couldn't help but add, "I do apologize for leaving so suddenly."

The tacos were lovely and MacKensie made sure to let her approval be known, asking Fenna and Frederick (who was stood up eating as he did paperwork behind the bar) how their's were too. When they were finished, MacKensie cleared the plates, finding herself at the boys' table when Zell was talking about going to the Adventurer's Guild.

"You're invited too, of course," Zell told her.

"Sure," she agreed. Meeting other adventurers sounded fun, but more than that; getting Lucy's take on the political situation would be interesting. Especially after some time to digest the conversation she'd had with Clarissa Shields at the Academy. From what she'd learned, The Emperor wasn't actually as all-powerful as the title suggested, and this war had created fractures in Capitol City. Reinforcements were being sent from the West to shore up the front lines, but the lion's share would go to a fortress in the north. And then there was that moment when Clarissa was about to say something - several moments like that, in fact - but this particular one she stopped herself and suddenly ended the conversation. Something about 'the Wellsprings...?'

Perhaps if she asked the right questions to Lucy, she could pry a few more pieces to this puzzle.

She was about to start the task of washing up, but found herself unsure of what to use in place of the usual washing-up liquid, so she went to find Frederick to ask. She ended up bumping into Adam. Seeing him with a packed bag, she naturally inquired as to where he was going, a little concerned considering how his mood had been since the battle.

Up the mountain? "...Don't worry though, I should be back before we start our quest," he finished.

"Alone?" MacKensie asked almost incredulously. "I don't think so. Hold on, I am coming with you," she told. "I insist. Who knows what is out there." As she said the words, she pictured the metal ninja and got goosebumps. "I will get my things."

She ran up the stairs, rushing for fear of him trying to leave without her. She left all the tidbits and quality-of-life accessories she'd bought in Valhiem, taking only the rucksack of supplies she'd acquired in Hommas. Her heartbeat quickened as she looked at her one-handed crossbow, her memory feeding her imagery of Lillianna's stabbing, James and Zell being struck to the floor, and of course, herself getting a bodyblow and being tossed into the rockface, and that black sword almost splitting her skull. As she snapped out of her reverie, she could hear own breathing.

She gritted her teeth and holstered her weapon, then joined Adam downstairs. She let Zell and James know that she wouldn't be joining them at the Adventurer's Guild, then told them and Fenna that she'd see them later, before nodding her readiness to Adam.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

MacKensie was like an excitable little girl in the kitchen with James and Frederick. For every command that the Cleric would give, the Ranger would give a determined nod in response.

"Oui," she replied affirmatively. She picked up a knife and, without thinking (or even looking, for that matter) twirled the sharp utensil expertly and rapidly around her fingers. "Cutting."

She was having fun. She'd never been a particularly good cook. She wasn't terrible - she could manage herself - but she tried to stay away from ambitious projects in the kitchen. With James and Frederick here though, and her only job to support, it was enjoyable. Frederick's recurring reaction to being in the kitchen with the two adventurers was amusing every time she looked at him. The fact that James' illusion was not just visual but auditory too was giving the innkeeper a hard time keeping up with who was who. With machine-like chopping action, she sliced and diced up the ingredients, then brought them to James, "There you go, Sis," before cleaning up her work surface. When the salsa James was making started to take form, she swiped up a blob of it on her finger, then plonked it on James' nose.

Frederick made some drinks for everyone and MacKensie took them out to the taproom tables for anyone who wanted one.

"Adam," MacKensie greeted cheerfully, when the Druid came in. "You have arrived just in time. James is making lunch for us all. Would you like a drink?"

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

<Snipped quote by Zool>

Oil together, it was a good idea :P

@Zapdos

Booooo!!!! xD