You have been blessed with the spell, unstoppable momentum.

Your strength and speed gradually increase with every hit you do and every second pushing against a solid object.

Rogan has put his will on you beckoning you to continue onwards.

That was the first thing Luce saw when he exited the fog and into the plains. The feeling of being followed left him and he felt strengthened as if even the gods wanted him to overthrow this kingdom.

The sun was where he had last seen it more than what, 5-7 hours ago. Had time not passed while he had been stuck in these woods or had a whole day gone by without him noticing.

The plains were big with green grass as far as the eye could see with a few farmhouses here and there.

Luce started walking with his stick in hand and newfound will. He had never worshipped any gods but at this time and place with what had just happened, he decided to kneel quickly and pray for rogan.

* Ô great rogan, I thank thee for this blessing and honestly, I don’t know what to do exactly. I don’t have a plan and I feel pretty lost. I know I should make the king pay but I do not know how, I require one more thing if that is not asking too much from you.

Luce took in a deep breath.

* Could you tell me what to do now? I know I need to go to dodonma but I don’t entirely trust The Voice.

The moment Luce named The voice he felt pushed to the ground.

* WHAT THE? Luce said in shock.

* NOT. EVER. AND I MEAN NEVER! SAY MY NAME OUT LOUD.

It was The voice again. And his imposing figure was looming over Luce like a tyrant.

* I do not exist. I have never existed. The voice said with a threatening tone. I’m part of you right now and saying my name could get you killed. So now you’ll play the nice little host, and you will. Shut. The fuck. Up. Ok? Next time you’ll sleep ill explain everything to you.

* Well sure but why the… Luce proceeded to answer but he got cut off.

* HEY MISTER, YOU ALRIGHT? A voice came from the distance. I SAW YOU FALL AND I THOUGHT THOSE GNARLY MOLES GOT YOU.

A young man about the age of luce popped up next to Luce seemingly not being able to see The voice. He had appeared out of nowhere.

* You alright mister? You look startled. Why you be lying on the ground?

* Oh, don’t worry about it, Luce chuckled.

It was the first time he had laughed in quite some time and it felt good.

* Pondered Voice. What should I do with him? He might have heard you say my name and I can’t take any risks. So I’m going to do the logical thing.

He started walking towards the young boy who was still looking at Luce with a grin.

Wait no don’t do that please. He hasn’t done anything. It isn’t right Luce thought.

* Hahaha, Voice laughed, listen kid a lot of things in this world aren’t right. And do you see me complain? No, you don’t, why do I not complain? Because I know this world is a shit show and If I started complaining I’d still be here tomorrow. but if you care so much about another human sure I won’t do anything, yet. If he says my name, or mentions anything about me, be it in a whisper or to himself, he dies.

Do I even have a choice?

* No you don’t.

And with that Voice disappeared again.

The boy looked about Luce’s age and had white hair and black skin. He had eyes a dark as the cosmos and small a nose with a just as small mustache under it. The boy was tall almost a head bigger than Luce But he was by no means skinny. Under his loose brown clothing he looked slim and fit.

* Name’s Bang been living on this plain for as long as I remember. What about you?

* Luce, Luce Bearn. From Chillside. He went to shake his hand, but he could hardly move it. the wound had started getting infected and he winced.

* Holy shit, you’re from there? I thought no one survived. Bang said in shock.

* Well, I’m here ain’t I. And I’m really sorry to ask this but do you mind helping me patch this up? Luce pointed at his wound.

* Oh shit didn’t see that, sure take my hand.

Luce gripped his package which was still miraculously still intact. And his makeshift spear in his arm and with his other still mostly intact hand he gripped Bang’s hand.

Stolen novel; please report.

* What are you going to do?

* Hold on! Bang hurredly said

* For wha…

He didn’t have time to ask when got sucked through air itself. He felt himself morph into amalgams of different versions of himself he felt time and space warping as Bang jumped.

* wOAw

And just as quickly as it started it ended. Luce felt tired and exhausted by just one of these monstruous jumps.

* Ok we are almost there Bang said.

* What! We’re not there yet?

* Yeah nah just two or three more jumps and we should arrive at the crib.

* Wait two or thr… WOAWOAOOA.

A few minutes later they arrived in front of a relatively large house.

* At this point, Luce whimpered. Just kill me. Please. Kill me I beg of you.

Bang was up looking as if he had just taken a morning stroll while Luce was down on the ground begging for the sweet release of death.

Bang half-carried Luce inside and started patching his arm up with bandages.

* You know, Luce, Bang began, his voice having a hint of curiosity, "I've been living out here on these plains for as long as I can remember. It's not often I run into someone like you from Chillside.

Luce looked over at Bang, intrigued.

* What's it like living here? It seems so peaceful compared to where I come from, at least with what happened recently.

Bang chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

* Peaceful, eh? Well, it has its moments. The days are long and quiet, but there's always something happening if you know where to look.

Luce nodded, a faint smile on his lips.

* And what about you, Bang? How did you end up here?

Bang shrugged,

* Oh, you know how it goes. Wandered here as a kid with my parents, sadly they got taken by the moles that’s why I was scared for you, but after that never really felt the urge to leave. Plus, the folks around here don't mind me much. I guess you could say I'm part of the landscape now.

Luce chuckled.

* You seem to know your way around pretty well. That teleportation you pulled earlier—how did you do that? Is that your legion?

* Ah, that? It's a little something I picked up along the way. Comes in handy when you're trying to avoid trouble or get somewhere fast. But yeah, its my legion awakened it last month actually. It’s called misplacement makes me able to switch myself with any object that’s about my size. Bang grinned.

Bang stood up and went to the kitchen which was located right next to were they were sitting and pored himself a drink.

* You want one?

* Sure why not luce answered.

Luce took a sip thee cold sweet liquid trickling down his throat

* If that’s the case, Luce said to come back on topic. then with what did you switch to get us across all the way to here?

* Oh uhm, might have used the neighbours’ cows.

Luce laughed, this tall man was becoming funnier and funnier with time.

* How did you even see me if we are this far away? Were you just taking a stroll?

* Oh, was just passing through. Though I do have a few questions myself, what did that nasty cut on your arm?

* It was a Crowned Killer. Caught me off guard.

* Oh alright, next question what happened in Chillside exactly? Only heard whispers and the smoke trail.

Luce’s grin vanished and was replaced by shadows on his face. The horrors slowly coming back, the short distraction Bang had provided being replaced by the grim despair of reality.

* They need to die, every single last one of them. They killed my mom, my dad, Bruce, and who knows who else? They deserve nothing but pain.

Bang looked at Luce saying nothing his mischievous grin not currently present.

* I think what you currently need is a bit of food and some sleep you look exhausted, and we can always figure out what to do tomorrow. Bang said reassuringly.

* Thanks bang, I appreciate you for that.

* Well, we all have our share of complications, don't we? But hey, you're not alone in this, Luce. We'll figure it out together.

Luce felt a surge of gratitude towards Bang. Despite the strangeness of their meeting, he was starting to feel a sense of camaraderie with this easy-going plains dweller.

* Thanks, Bang, Luce said sincerely, I appreciate you helping me out back there and listening to my ramblings.

Bang waved it off casually.

* No worries, mate. That's what friends are for, right? Now get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll make our way to Dodonma, and who knows what awaits us there.

* So, we’re friends now? Luce asked his smirk coming back.

* Yeah, you ain’t got no choice. Bang said smiling widely.

As the night settled around them, Luce felt a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty. Maybe, just maybe, with Bang by his side, he could face whatever challenges lay ahead. Closing his eyes, he drifted off to sleep, the image of Dodonma looming large in his mind, accompanied by the reassuring presence of his newfound friend.