NameLess

The nightmares never seemed to fade.

Even after the hands of time ticked onwards and Jak had already accepted the demise of his former friends and squad mates, the visions of that night lived on whenever the redhead slumbered. Images of the flames, the sounds of those howling in pain as they slowly passed on from the world, visions of his compatriots lying in a pool of their own blood, some even mangled to the point of only their clothes and belongings being the only identification. Along with those scenes, the feelings of guilt, despair, anger, hopelessness, and many others remained, refusing to allow Jak to forget even the smallest detail.

Night after night, he revisited the burning remains of Deryipall, forced to go through the events of the Bird Massacre and the dying gasps of his closest friend. Even in the throes of his unconscious state, the redhead wasn’t spared as the nightmares once again wrapped their scaly, mutilated bodies around his very throat.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

”This guy is out like a light.” Mako poked the fiery redhead in the cheek. ”Never thought I’d see the day you get taken out by one hit. Must’ve been one hell of a strike, right Jak?”

”Um.....Master Kunzite....sir. Please don’t do that. He’s still recovering.”

Mako laughed as he pulled away from his slumbering friend, rising back onto his feet.

About two hours had passed since the arrival into NorthClaw, the enormous Village residing deep in the world of ’Ard Araml, and within that time, not a lot actually happened. The three of them had been allowed into the area and were given the chance to get situated with the offer of proper clothing worn by the residents of NorthClaw as well as decent housing. Meru had been taken away for a brief period to change out of her rags and Mako had taken the time to change himself and the snoozing Jak into the given clothes. Shortly after that, Meru arrived and began treating the young rookie, tending to the wounds Mako had yet to treat.

As for the Vox Lion, the one that had protected Jak from the hostile Aramlians, it had stayed by the redheads side from start to finish. When anyone other than Mako and Meru would wander too close, the Lion would almost always give a small growl of warning.

In truth, it was probably the most bizarre thing that had happened yet, even more so than the teleportation from the Spider Dome.

Nevertheless, Mako rolled with the punches, going along with the flow of everything as best he could manage. Since Jak wasn’t awake to help analyze and find a solution, he took it upon himself to do it in his stead, deciding to explain everything when he finally awoke.

”You patched him up really good though,” Mako replied, responding to Meru’s gentle complaint. ”I’m sure he’ll be just fine. This bonehead managed to live through Hadok’s training. This much is nothing.”

Meru flinched and averted her gaze, assuring that the two of them never made eye contact. Additionally, she made herself smaller, hunching over slightly. It wasn’t an odd response though as the young girl had been doing that ever since they left the Mapel hideout.

Mako didn’t comment on it. Considering the girls real age and where she was when they found her, it was likely that the life of a slave was hardwired into her. The trauma wasn’t likely to change overnight and the best he could do was let her change naturally.

For now, similar to that of the Lion, she seemed to have attached herself to Jak, something he didn’t plan to correct.

Mainly because he found it hilarious.

”I’m....glad.” Meru moved forward with a bucket of cool liquid, courtesy of Mako’s Water Magic. Dabbing a damp cloth into the container, she placed it on the youths forehead. ”You and Master Yanda.....saved me from that man.”

”A man is only as good as his word. So, while I’m still alive, I WILL fulfill the promises I made. If you intend to have her then you’ll have to go through me.”

”You saved someone....like me. Someone who doesn’t... deserve to draw breath.”

The smile Mako had on his face slowly faded as he looked at the back of Meru’s head. The atmosphere turned a tad more tense than before, the young rookie getting lost in thought.

”Meru....how long were you-”

Knock. Knock.

The sound of hollow wood interrupted Mako before he could get the full question from his lips. Occupying a sturdy earthen hut near the edge of NorthClaw, it was a slight surprise, one that the blue-haired adventurer hadn’t been prepared for. Without another word to Meru, he turned around and made his way to the door.

”Have you come to talk about your lord and savior?” Mako questioned as he cracked open the door. ”Cause I’m not interested.”

”What are you talking about? Damned Adventurer. The chief wants to see you and the water spirit in the Village Library as soon as possible. I’ve been tasked with escorting you there.”

((”He speaks perfect Ornernian. So, residents other than Ontoki know how to interact. They just didn’t want to converse with us.”)) Mako frowned as he opened the door further, revealing the full view of the one who had been talking. ((”The question becomes, why do they hate adventurers so much? Them specifically. They’re noted in the Information Orbs to be extremely territorial and hostile to outsiders but they were set and ready to tend to Meru without question. Meaning it’s the status of Adventurer that they have a problem with.”))

”She doesn’t seem like your kind, ’Adventurers’, beings that are constantly out to destroy, subjugate, and enslave. If she remains in your hands or the hands of other Adventurers, she’ll become tainted.”

The Information Orbs regarding ’Ard Araml had been severely lacking in terms of those who resided within it. Though the list of species and their respective traits and characteristics had been noted in the various Orbs belonging to the WGC, the other helpful tidbits were nowhere to be found. Culture, religion, pretty much anything that had to do with those that lived in the Desert World had been completely blank. That in itself had always been a mystery to Mako when he first started studying.

The World Guild Center was one of the few places that accurately recorded every world even if it was Forsaken. However, with ’Ard Araml, it was as if the history and such had been completely erased.

As much as Mako wanted to understand why these people hated the Adventurers, he would have no luck unless he asked them directly.

Namely, the leader of the Blood Guard and acting Chief of NorthClaw.

Grrrrrrr.

The growl of the Vox Lion drew Mako back to reality as the enormous feline came forward, most likely curious as to who the new arrival was. Before then, it had been relaxing directly next to Jaks bed, snoozing away.

”Get your beast under control,” the Aramlian said, words dripping with venom. ”Furthermore, when we get to the Parthenon, know your place. Speak only when spoken to and-”

Roooaaaa!!

The Equenik was halted in his tracks when the Vox Lion let out a small roar, causing the Horse beastfolk to flinch, words catching in his throat. Mako hadn’t noticed it initially, but it was the very same Equenik that had dropped Jak after the duel, dropped him like a sack of useless meat. Suddenly, the Rookie had a newfound sense of respect for the Vox Lion.

”Apologies but we don’t take orders. We take requests. Should you choose to drop the tone, we may or may not consider. If you bow to us and apologize to my friend, I’ll do everything you wish.”

”You damned brat!!”

”Lion.”

ROARRRRRRRRR!!!

It wasn’t nearly as loud or as powerful as the roar of a fully grown Vox Lion, but it sent the message quite well. The Equenik shut his mouth just as quickly as he had opened it. Considering their status as guests, it was almost funny how little the Aramlian could do except look at them with an expression of utter hatred and contempt.

”Anyways. I’ll be out in a minute or so. You just wait right there like a reliable lackey.”

Before the Equenik had a chance to voice objections or a proper insult, the door was quickly slammed in his face. Mako could only grin as the sounds of angry Aramlian shouts resonated through the sturdy door.

”Man. Being petty has never felt so good.” The Rookie let out a laugh as he turned towards the Vox Lion. ”You my friend are a godsend. To think you were put there to kill me. I hereby name you Knox, the Lion Of Ashes. Cool name right?”

The Vox Lion let out a rather loud purr as it stretched itself out, taking up a good portion of the room. Once Knox was satisfied, the beast turned around and wandered back towards the unconscious Jak, dropping himself at the foot of the redheads bed. It was hard to believe, but the Vox Lion truly had attached itself unto the redhead, for whatever reason.

((”A Vox Lion as a friend and probable pet? Maybe your luck isn’t so bad after all. Though you’ll probably hate it since you’re a weird loner nowadays.”)) Mako grinned as he imagined his friends reaction. ((”So maybe your luck hasn’t changed after all. Yah bonehead.”))

”Meru. Do you wanna go with me to meet the Chief? Or would you rather stay here?”

”I.....I’ll stay here. If.....if....if that’s okay with you Master Kunzite.” The fear in her voice during her last sentence was almost palpable.

Whatever she had been through, it seemed she wasn’t quite used to voicing requests or opinions. Even by most slave standards, she had likely had it much rougher than normal, even to the point where she was still terrified and subservient after being separated from those that harmed her. Mako could only internally curse the deceased Mapel as he slowly opened the door once again.

”You can drop the Master part Meru. Call me Mako.”

No response.

”Okay then, I’ll be going. I’ll be back before you know it. If that idiot wakes up, let him know where I’m at.”

Not waiting for the dead silence that was likely to answer him back, Mako stepped out the hut and closed the door. Odd though it was to say, handling this situation with the Aramlians as well as the aftermath of the Subjugation Quest was much easier than dealing with the two trauma induced individuals holed up in that very building.

”Okay. Now that I’m done with that, I guess I’ll take you up on your offer.” Mako smiled widely as he turned to face the Equenik. ”Lead the way to this Parthenon of yours.”

”Right,” the man replied through gritted teeth. ”Follow me. Or jump off a cliff. Preferably the latter.”

”They have cliffs on this planet?”

”Yerflads Adventurer.” (*Stupid Adventurer. Though it’s more of a curse in their language.)

-

The Village of NorthClaw was quite spread out, quite a bit different compared to the buildings and general layout back within the Kingdom of Intok, where everything was neatly organized and tightly packed. Due to this spread, it was much larger than a standard Village and could probably be more closely related to that of a small country, larger than even the Capitol. The time it took to get from the very edge of the Village to the very center at a full sprint had taken around a full hour and a half, which spoke volumes. The distance was approximately 500 or so kilometers and twice as much from end to end.

Since the trio had been assigned a hut near the very edge of NorthClaw, getting to the Village Center meant traversing that distance on a consistent basis, of which Mako wasn’t exactly thrilled about.

Especially when taken into account they were still in a blazing desert with two huge ass stars. Even if the ground was solid and not solely sand, Mako still found himself annoyed with the length and time.

As if that wasn’t enough of something to deal with, halfway through the journey towards the Parthenon, the vegetation problem began.

At first, it wasn’t that big of a deal. While very odd, it wasn’t as if there weren’t any plants within the desert, Mako having seen plenty when he had first arrived. A number of weird looking cacti and a smattering of lime green bushes, nothing too special. So, just like when Jak had pointed out the plants near the Rift, he didn’t think too much of it. In a existence of magic and worldly travels, anomalies occurred on a regular and didn’t really warrant a full scale investigation.

That being said, it really became an issue the further the two went in, to the point where Mako had to literally slow to a stop.

From the occasional sightings of one or two flowers and occasional sapling to literal grass, trees, bushes, vines, the whole nine yards. Not only were there Cresca Flowers like the ones Jak had found but there were also numerous others that Mako had never seen but knew weren’t meant to be in such an area. Trees that bore a multitude of fruit, recognizable sprouts baring vegetables, and unique plants used for grain. All of it spread into a twenty minute run and mile after mile of what used to be closely packed sand.

”What the heck is this?” Mako questioned softly, bending down to inspect a fallen moscerna, a bright red fruit. ”You’re not supposed to be here.”

”Not that it’s any of your business Adventurer, but this is the work of a mysterious entity.” The Equenik trotted forward, moving past the youth, stepping over vines and crushing various plants. ”We know not of how these came to be, but we have deduced it isn’t of divine nature.”

Mako frowned as he rose onto his feet. ((”Guess that bonehead was right. He’s either paranoid or simply intelligent. Hard to say honestly.”))

”How long have these been going on for?” The Elemental Rookie asked, moving back into a slowly accelerating jog.

No response.

”Look, we don’t like each other and that’s okay. However, we can help you. We’ve been to many worlds besides this one. This situation isn’t anything we aren’t used to. My friend is even more experienced than I am, much as I hate to say it.”

For a while, the Equenik didn’t respond. After a minute or so had transpired, he finally elected to issue a response.

”Hunopil.”

”What?” Mako didn’t even bother to hide his confusion.

”Thats my name. I hate you and your kind. I doubt that will ever change. Not in a hundred years. All Adventurers know is conquer, enslave, pilfer, destroy. You seek to harm instead of create and employ acts of selfishness on a mere whim-”

”That isn’t every single-”

”Let me finish,” Hunopil said, cutting the youth off. ”I despise all of you. However, if it means helping my home, then I’ll gladly set aside any prejudice and discrimination until NorthClaw is safe. So, Adventurer Child, let me fill you in on what’s been happening, about our vegetation problem.”