Cassian turned to Fei and Hadeen. He crouched down and placed the knights arm over his shoulders, helping him stand.
"Tkthan uyo (Thank you)," the knight whispered. Not sure what to say, Cassian simply faked a laugh, hoping that his response was right. They walked closer to Hadeen and Fei where Cassian laid down the knight. Sheva, the woman in white robes, walked towards the knight with some leaves in her hair and dirt on her robes.
Fei saw her dirtied appearance.
"Sheva!? What happened to you? (Sheva!? What happened to you?)"
"Damn it!!! Everybody just forgets about the healer! I was blown away too when that monster roared. (Damn it!!! Everybody just forgets about the healer! I was blown away too when that monster roared.)", Sheva pouted.
"ehehe, sorry, Sheva~ (ehehe, sorry, Sheva~)" Fei hugged Sheva gently, caressing her hair and removing the leaves stuck on her.
Sheva then knelt down besides the knight, "Bors, you really gave us a scare back there! Be more careful next time! (Bors, you really gave us a scare back there! Be more careful next time!)"
"AHAHAHAHAHA, I went to get us some backup! (AHAHAHAHAHA, I went to get us some backup!)"
"And your idea is to get flung away!? Haaaah... You're such an idiot. (And your idea is to get flung away!? Haaaah... You're such an idiot)"
She held out her staff on her palms like giving an offering.
"
A Favor, from the lovers of peace,
Ease us, Mother Avia,
free us, Father Oken,
From the shackles of pain and disease.
(A Favor, from the lovers of peace,
Ease us, Mother Avia,
free us, Father Oken,
From the shackles of pain and disease.)"
Little green lights swirled around the area, leaving a trail of grass and flowers on the ground. Cassian's muscles relaxed involuntarily. His fatigue was gone as if waking up from a good night's sleep. Birds chirped, the wind rustled the trees and grass, and some small animals came over to witness the magic as if the whole forest were celebrating.
'Well, no way to make it sense anymore. This place is magical, and as far as I know, we might not be even on Earth right now.' Cassian peeked over his shoulder, glancing at Elio and Lila. They were both mesmerized. Cassian's heart eased and thought, 'They seem better now, I hope it stays that way from here on out'
Fei stretched her arms upward.
"You're the best part of every adventure Sheva! You're healing magic really does the trick~ (You're the best part of every adventure Sheva! You're healing magic really does the trick~)"
Cassian's eyes were glued to Fei's figure, mouth wide open with jaw touching the floor. The knight laying on his back sat up and blocked his view.
"Damn it, stay injured for a bit!"
A shoe came flying hitting Cassian's back. Lila shouted, "Don't go sexualizing people we don't know you PERVERT!"
"Then you would be okay with it if we know them?" Elio chuckled. Lila realized it then, became flustered, and began arguing back to Elio. They both went for it, bickering back to back with smiles on their faces.
Cassian couldn't help but enjoy watching them. His heart started to beat at a stable rythm again. Fei, Hadee, Sheva, and Bors watched over the trio as they talk amongst themselves.
Sheva slumped over to Bors. She leaned on him and hugged his arm. "Bors, who are these kids? Are they foreigners like us? Their language just doesnt seem familiar, even their clothes. Looks a bit like the ones from the Capital but-- I don't know, something's different. (Bors, who are these kids? Are they foreigners like us? Their language just doesnt seem familiar, even their clothes. Looks a bit like the ones from the Capital but-- I don't know, something's different.)"
"Don't know, but they sure are a rowdy bunch aren't they? HAHAHAHA!"
Hadeen packed up their things and brought them over. "They don't seem to be adventurers; otherwise, they wouldn't be shaking too much. Still, they managed to help us, so I say we do the same for them."
"Heh, they all got some spirit!" Bors praised like a proud father would do. He lifted Sheva in a princess carry. He kissed her forhead and whispered, "I'll carry you to the carriage love!"
"B-Bors! There! Are! Other! People!" Sheva's face was burning red. Bors simply laughed as Sheva weakingly hit him in his chest.
Hadeen sighed, 'I miss my wife.' Just then, Hadeen noticed Fei's complex expression. "Fei?"
"It's similar..."
"Uhhh, similar to what?"
"...Let's take them to my sister, Hadeen. I want to confirm something." She walked over to Cassian and held out her hand. Her lavender-colored hair gently fell over her shoulders like soft silk. Her skin's slight tan and smoothness partnered with supple pink-colored lips. Her scent was that of a freshly bloomed jasmine flower.
Cassian, for the first time in his life, experienced being star-struck. He thought, 'Oh my Lord, thank you for giving me eyes."
Fei noticed the mesmerized expression on Cassian's face. She laughed for a while.
"Cassy!"
Lila's voice snapped Cassian on his trance. She and Elio seemed to have recovered from the events. At that moment, Elio's eyes darted around Fei's robes and staff.
'There is no doubt about it. She casted magic! I can't believe it, are we really in another world? and in this world magic exists! Her clothes and staff also have patterns on it. It might be a magic circle or some enchantment. Is that ability only for the inhabitants of this world? or maybe even us can cast it too?'
Elio relished the thought of being able to cast magic. He smiled ear to ear, eyes shining from excitement. Just then, Lila stepped forward. She began making some hand signs and gestures, like she's playing charades. She pretended like she's holding something round, then she wiggled like worm while being sucked inside a hole. After that, she acted all confused looking around in a panick, then she held out her hand up high and positioned like a big scary monster. She pointed to herself and acted like a Little Match Girl before begging on her knees to Fei.
Fei after watching the whole play of Lila, turned her head away shaking from trying to hold her laughter. Elio also did the same. Only then did it dawn on Lila how embarassing her actions were. Cassian simply wore a confused expression.
"Lila... can you do that again? I don't get it."
In a flustered rage, Lila wound up her arm and slapped Cassian hard on the shoulder.
"Ehehehe~My sister know help. My name is Fei," Fei uttered. It was broken, but her words were clearly understood by the three. Hope lit up in their eyes, Lila went forward jumping in joy.
"Yes please! Thank you so much, Miss Fei! Eli! Cassy!" she exclaimed.
Elio however, fell again into deep thought. 'Wait, wait, wait, how? How would they know our language? Isn't this another world? They don't seem to speak the same language as us, maybe we have a similar language here on this world, but it's foreign to them?' Elio shot Cassian a glance. Cassian nodded, seeming to have the same thought as Elio. With nowhere else to go, they decided to come with the adventurers. The three followed them onto a carraige pulled by a horse with a yellow mane. 'Strange for a horse' Cassian thought. They rode on top of the carriage then off the road they go.
Elio watched the forest; the trees passing by were pleasing to the eyes. Small critters were scuttling around, some had brown and black fur and had little horns on their head, some had patterns on their fur, and some birds had feathers like it's made of glass. Regardless, none of the animals were familiar with Elio.
Hadeen watched over Elio, completely mesmerized by the scenery. In this moment, Hadeen confirmed that they are new to this place, but that begs the question in his mind. 'Glass-feathered swallows are very common, even in other continents. Yet he seemed like it's his first time seeing one. Where are they from even?'. Hadeen turned to Fei and asked her.
"So Fei"
"Hm?"
"What's with them? Why take them to your sister?"
"Oh, surely you know of Midas' legend?"
Bors replied, still resting Sheva in his arms. "Who doesn't know? That's the origin of the Three Continents."
"Sure, sure, but do you know where Midas came from?"
They were all speechless. Hadeen answered after a while, "I'm not sure myself. My wife is more of the historian than I am, but she told me that Midas came from the heavens according to some witness accounts."
Sheva added then, "Many believed that Midas was an angel, a divine being of some sort. He gave the world Goud, power that allowed us to cast spells and make enchantments. Midas was a warrior but also a poet. One of his poems was found expressing his mortality, and since then he was believed to be human but blessed.
Fei patted Sheva's head proudly.
"That's correct! Midas was human, fell from the sky, and was blessed with Goud, which he shared with the world. In studies of the academy, however, that's not all. Midas spoke a different language coming here, and he actually taught some of his closest friends that language. Although it was completely forgotten since Midas himself learned and used our language instead. In a letter he sent to the temple of Avia, he wrote, 'When in Rome, do as Romans do.' Until now, nobody knows where Rome is or who Romans are. There were also some accounts from villages that when Midas first came, he wore a peculiar outfit."
Hadeen had a realization. "Does that mean... they are the same with Midas?"
"I doubt it. According to records, Midas told about a trusted confidant that he has a mission and that he was blessed by the heavens' power that would help him. I can feel strong Goud flowing within them, but they don't seem to know how to use it. Most likely, they came from the same place Midas was originally but they didn't come to this world for the same reason as he did."
"Then why are they here?"
"I have no idea, which is why we're taking them to my sister; she knows and can probably speak their language better than I could."
Lila nudged Cassian's side. "It feels like they're talking about us."
"Really? Guess that makes sense. We are pretty weird."
They both turned their gazes to Elio, who was admiring the forest and its animals with a big grin on his face.
Lila hugged her knees, her auburn hair gently swaying in the cool breeze. Her eyes went solemn as she fixed her gaze on Elio's back. "Cassy... we're really not on Earth, are we?"
"With all that happened earlier, yeah, we might just be not on Earth anymore. "
"Uhhhh yeah, right here."
"We got herbs and some stuff; we might be able to sell some or barter at least. Let's find a place to stay for a while and some food maybe."
On hearing the word "food," Lila's stomach suddenly grumbled loud enough that Elio snapped back. He put his hand on his stomach and felt the weak grumbling of it.
Then, Fei chuckled. She handed over some bread and some meat to Lila and Elio.
"Hungry?"
"THANK YOU !!!! " Lila's eyes lit up as she gorged down on her food. Elio thanked them as well as he and Cassian both ate.
"My sister helps you. We're close."
Just then, the ends of the tall trees came, and emerging from the scenery were massive cobblestone walls and a gate guarded by two shining in silver-plated armor. A guard's helmet turned to the direction of the wagon. He waved his hand enthusiastically.
"Bors!!! How ya been?"
"Same old, same old HAHAHA. But not as old as you!"
"You're just a few weeks ahead!"
They both let out a hearty laugh. The guard then inspected the wagon and noticed three odd people among Bors' group.
"Oh? Who are these people?"
"Some people want to meet with the Soothsayer."
"Why are they dressed so... strange?"
"Ahahahaha... That's uhhhh because they're weird!!! They are just—ummm, very strange people...."
"..."
The surroundings felt silent. The rest of the adventurers felt the urge to facepalm but kept it under except for Sheva, who palmed her face and let out an audible sigh. Lila murmured to herself, "We might be in trouble."
The guard suddenly burst out in laughter. "HAHAHAHAHA, you sure do have a knack for getting weirdos in your group, Bors! You may pass."
"What does he mean, weirdos!?" blurted Sheva out.
Bors chuckled and patted Sheva on the head, comforting her. The others didn't seem to be bothered by the guard's comment.
Entering the gates of the town, Elio felt the sun kiss his face, and little fireflies glow in green. They twirled around him and flew away to shop, covered in thick vines. A pile of books was engraved on the wooden sign. Elio noticed the lampposts built in an intricate shape, like a curved vine. As he inspected closer, he noticed engraving on the lamp, intricate patterns that resemble the sun. He thought, 'The symbol of the sun again.' Fire or light, does the symbol represent its function? How can a drawing bring fire like that campfire before? "
Lila immersed herself into the voices among the streets. Though she couldn't understand the language, something about the busy rustling of people seems to bring a nostalgic feeling.
'Wow... just wow. This place is amazing. It's magical! There sure are a lot of people here and a lot of shops too. This might be the marketplace! Lot's of stalls around, wonder what they're selling. What a wide variety: silk, herbs, jewelry. Some even sell food! Awwww, I want some too. Oh, there's a pretty lady on the balcony of that house. She's smiling down... on who- Oh! that one guy is dressed fancy. He's holding... a lyre? Ah! He's trying to impress the ladies! A serenade huh? Hahahaha, I wish him luck... Wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Are those... cat ears? T-They are! They're cat ears"
"Cassy! Elio! Look, over there! Those are cat ears right?"
Cassian squinted his eyes, looking at Lila's pointed direction.
"Well, it is a cat, you know? I'd be scared if it didn't have cat ears"
Lila turned over and saw an orange cat with black stripes lying beside the man in fancy clothing. Resisting the urge to facepalm, she retorted.
"Not that one! That one! Look at the guy's head! He has cat ears!"
"Damn, you're right. Those are cat ears. We're living the furries' dream."
Elio stayed silent with his thoughts, his figure as if frozen in time.
"Eli?" called Lila.
"He might be onto something. Let's let him process it out at least until we get to Miss Fei's sister.
Lila was hesitant for a bit. It seemed she wanted to admire the place with Elio but then kept admiring the man and his cat ears. She looked at other people hoping to find other unique characteristics.
Cassian, now, with Lila distracted by the busy street and Elio silent surrounded by his own thoughts
Lila began to watch over each person individually, voicing over their conversations. A woman in a red bonnet held a bunch of fruits in her hands, some looking familiar, but others seem to be distinct only in this world. The vendor wore a calm and indifferent look. Lila spoke in a raspy older woman voice, speaking over the woman in the red bonnet, "How about all of these for 50? Too much? T-then 75!... Alright, alright, 80!... 85? 86? 87? Final bargain, 90!?"
A bit of muffled laughter escaped her mouth. Elio sat beside Cassian, looked over to the vendor with the deadpan expression, and voiced over her in falsetto. "Look here lady, if you want to run me out of business, I suggest you come up with a better plan, like a certain husband who just disappeared in the middle of the night with all of my savings."
Lila chuckled. "Wait, why does she have a husband now?"
"Pfft—For dramatic effects~"
A child then walks up to the woman in the red bonnet. Cassian chimes in and voices the child, a very, very horrible impression. He sounded more like a certain singing, autotuned chipmunk than a child, which made Elio and Lila laugh harder. "Mommy! Mommy! Daddy said he will gift me a little brother. Is that true, Mommy?"
At this point, all three of them have lost it in laughter at their own mischief. Bors can't help but laugh with them even though he doesn't understand why, but seeing them happy warms him. The thought of having children with Bors, having many mini Bors creating chaos and being loud, exhausted Sheva, but now, seeing the three laugh with her love made her realize that a loud and chaotic home might not be so bad. Hadeen had the same sentiment. A child's face smudged with dirt and wearing a big smile popped into his mind.
Fei was the only one dumbfounded. A man then walks up to the vendor stall. He held the hand of the child and the waist of the woman in the red bonnet. His eyes then landed on the vendor. Rage painted on was her face. She shouted at the man, lunging at him. The woman in the red bonnet placed herself in the middle. The vendor then exclaimed, pointing at the man. Even though their sounds didn't reach the three, they all had the same thought.
"Uhm... Cassy—"
"We have nothing to do about it." With stone cold expression, Cassian muttered.
The commotion attracted the attention of Fei. Seeing as how it bothered the three, Fei spoke to them. "Cheating, men, trash."
Silence ensued on the road as they traveled.
After turning a corner, they stopped at a house with a purple roof. It has a wooden porch and a small garden at the front growing peculiar herbs enclosed by white-painted fences.
"We here, sister home." Fei leaped down the wagon. "Hadeen, stop by the guild to report our findings. Ah, and tell the magistrate I'll be late. Don't tell them about these three yet."
"Got it. We'll meet you at TavernHold after dinner."
"Tell them thanks for helping us out!" said Sheva leaning over the wagon.
"I will, I will"
As the three got off, the wagon went on, waving each other goodbye.
"Thank you, they said." Fei's lips curled into a smile. "Come."
Elio looked over to the garden. Some of those look like the ones in the forest. 'Oh, this one looks like a pitcher plant.' Suddenly, a yellow-colored frog burst out from the inside of the plant. It landed on the pavement and stood on two legs. It simply walked off to the street like it's a regular Monday. Elio stood there dumbstruck, watching as the frog made a turn at the corner. 'What? ' he thought.
Cassian noticed Elio stiff from his position. "You okay?"
"Oh right—yeah, I'm good. Uhhh Cassy? Frogs don't walk on two legs, right?"
"Pretty sure Kermit did."
Elio chuckled. "Right, Kermit did."
Fei knocked on the door. "Sis! Are you there? There are people I'd like you to meet!"
Footsteps start to get closer and closer. A clicking sound came from behind the door and then there was a woman with straight mocha-colored hair at the opening of the door.
"Fei?" Her eyes wandered past Fei, onto the three standing awkwardly together. Lila meekly waved her hand, saying hello.
"...Alright, come in. You never change Fei, always bringing me the most bizarre stuff."
"Ehehe~ That's because it's your specialty, sis!"
"Right, right, and your specialty is finding them. So tell me about them?"
Lila breathed in the coziness of the room. The scent of sandalwood gives the air its calm temperament. On the left side of the room, by the middle, is a counter of strange goods. It includes bottles filled with colorful liquids from pastel to darker hues kept on a glass-covered shelf. Behind that counter were seemingly disproportionate crops. On the floor lay a red carpet and a staircase that led upstairs at the side of the counter.
"Wow... this place is amazing. **sniff* *sniff** Smells amazing too! If I ever have my own place, I want it to be this cozy. Imagine the rainy days like this!"
Elio's eyes were glued to the items on the counter. 'What are those!? Radish? Potato? That one looks like a squash. Wha-- are those potions? No way—potions!? D-Do they work? Can I try them? ' he thought.
"Cassian! T-Those are potions, right!? C-Can we try them?"
"If we have the money."
"O-oh, right! The herbs we got from the forest—maybe we can sell them here?"
"Well, let's hope she's out of stock. We can try some other place if not; maybe explore a bit of the town."
Lila sighed.
"It would've been easy if we could understand what they're saying. The language just doesn't seem familiar to me."
Cassian's eyes turned to Fei and her sister as they conversed. Fei's sister wore a curious expression, her brows furrowed and stagnant in deep thought.
'Elio and Lila couldn't figure out the language they speak; fantasy-like monsters exist, even the ecosystem, the plants and animals are different. If a place like this on Earth existed, there should have been atleast rumors. We're really not on Earth anymore, but there might be more to it. Lila's right though, we're gonna need a way to talk to them, no matter where this might go. '
"How did Miss Fei learn our language?"
The question suddenly dawned on the two. Their thoughts went blank. The question repeated on their heads. Lila
"How... did Miss Fei know? If we're really in another world, then how could there be a language from Earth?" asked Lila as she faced Cassian.
Elio remained silent in deep thought. Cassian simply shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe this world has a language here that is just similar to ours?"
"Maybe, but it's not common. Miss Fei is the only one that knows how to speak it; maybe her sister knows how too?"
Elio then interjected, "W-What if there was somebody else? Somebody who came before us?"
"...and whoever that is must have made some name for themselves if they had people learning our language," Lila added.
"They sure did!"
Fei's sister suddenly popped behind Cassian. Not a footstep or even a glance of her hair from when she approached, the three were filled with confusion and a slight tingle of fear.
"I'm sorry for the late introduction! I am Efila, witch and owner of this humble shop, Mocha's Witch Supply! Welcome, people of Midas."