Chapter Text
A rotten stench.
A metal coffin.
A helpless struggle.
Alien senses.
Detonations.
A teasing voice.
"Don't worry, tee-hee ~ I will get you out there."
Space distorting, swallowing, until -
Everything goes black.
I wake up panting. Once again, I dreamed of Winslow. First, Emma betrays me, then she and her posse fill my locker with trash and trap me inside, then Bakuda shows up to make everybody's day worse and "gets me out" by activating a space-warp bomb. That bomb landed me not in an alternate Earth like Aleph but a different world altogether.
I get out of bed, grab some clothes, soap and a towel and take a bath in the lake. After the nightmare I had, I feel filthy so, even though Lake Teutates is cold, I still take the time to scrub. The clothes I pull are warm, and so is home thanks to Khelos's forge. I can smell fish and fruits in the main room. Fruit and herring tart. With tea, it will make a nice breakfast.
Khelos is brewing tea when I get in. His bushy sea-green beard is a mess, and I can see his pointy ears poking from his mane. He is big, as befits his occupation as a blacksmith and a fisherman. If what my swarm perceived two weeks ago is accurate, his dragon-turtle form is even bulkier. Those poor knights left with broken spears, soaked armors and not a single treasure to brag about.
The thought makes me smile. Khelos tore me from the locker and nursed me back to health. He has been helping me hone my swarm senses and teaching me how to wield weapons. Today will mark the fourth month I landed there. The Great Tree Moon in Fodlan's calendar - April in the Gregorian one.
"Your sleep was restless, kid. I caught you trashing."
His voice is deep and rumbling. Old, too. I figure he is.
"I dreamed of the locker."
"Ah. Enough said."
Indeed. We eat in peaceful silence. Eventually, as I do the dishes in the lake, he speaks.
"I heard my siblings are in Garreg Mach. It's been ages since I've met them. Wasn't even sure my niece was still alive. I'm gonna meet them. You up?"
I hesitate. Garreg Mach Monastery is the heart of the Church of Seiros. It also houses an officer's academy. I am definitely uncomfortable with school and religion, well, I'm not exactly a big believer. At the same time, I've lived off the lakeshore for the past four months. I figure a change of scenery is in order.
"I'm up."
"Good. Pack your things. We leave when you're ready."
I get my backpack and gather clothes, food and, of course, my favorite book, The History of Fodlan. It's a good book. Once it's in my bag, I head for the exit but not before grabbing Snow White's harness. I saved her from a pack of giant wolves shortly after Khelos rescued me and she has been with me ever since. I've flown on her back twice so far.
"Taylor, don't forget to pick a weapon on the way out! And take another in case the first breaks. You can't be too cautious on these roads."
He has a point. Between the bandits, thieves and other giant beasts, if you want to travel, better have a weapon with you. I go to the rack and pick a spear and a pair of gauntlets. Once fastened, I give my room one last check before joining Khelos on the lakeshore. Then, we are on the open road.
A Quest is nice and all but I am a better fanfic writer than Quest Master. So, enjoy that novelization of my Quest. You can go to Spacebattles if you want to play but, if you just want to enjoy the story, here you go.
And yes, Khelos is absolutely Indech. His name comes from Chelonian, the formal name for turtles.