|Chapter 1|
-.-.~An Unexpected “Landing”~.-.-
----------------------------------------
From a tapered horizon sluggishly arises the once slumbering sun: It’s warming embrace casting an amber glow upon the verdant canopy tops which blanket it so. Revealing seas of viridescent hues, and the glistening of lush leaves, laden in nigh crystal-like morning dew—their shimmer breaking apart the darkness’s defenses.
Retreating, the darkness hisses; Cautiously slithering in retreat to its home in the darkest of shadows. Stubborned—unwilling to be culled—it quivers behind the lumbering trees dotted amongst the now stirring forest…
And as one such shadow—inching ever further back—relinquishes its grasp upon an unassuming hole; A torrent of light flooding the newly found territory, you’d of sworn you heard the melody of a cacophony of sounds. For within came the occasional ‘splat’, followed by a ‘squoosh’, ‘flop’, and potentially even a-
’Plop!’
----------------------------------------
??? - POV -
’Light, light, light!’
Ecstatic at the mere thought of regaining it’s sight, limited it may be; A seemingly unremarkable slime slithers forth, and out into the open world.
Halting momentarily, the precarious slime takes a moment to bask in the sun: All one of it’s magnificent cores utilizing its intellect to survey the surroundings for signs of prey.
Unfortunately, no creature was within immediate eyesight of the slime. Even then, with its rather poor senses, it would have been a coin flip for it to notice anything awry. Thus, having spotted nothing worthwhile, the slime continued on it’s way.
‘No Food... disappointing’, sporting a disheartened pout—Or at least the goopy equivalent of one—the adventurous slime regained it’s focus on the mission at hand.
It didn’t need food—It has had its fill. Although it wouldn’t mind further snacks. No-no, it was here on a mission, a QUEST!… It was going to explore! Letting out what one could only assumed to be an excited ‘Gurgle’, it continued forth in its venture.
Onwards, it began its march through the maze of vibrant greens strewn beyond the shaded foliage. Nothing, absolutely NOTHING, stood in its way! Or, at least, not for all too terribly long...
‘The mean, hurting plants took a bit more effort to traverse through.’
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Quivering, it quickly shook off the memories of having it’s insides molested by snaking vines and bladed teeth; Rather having them suppressed and shortly forgotten about. Fortunately, it’s manacore hadn’t been pricked, thus nothing was of real concern. Except for a bit of it’s mass which had been stript away without its consent. But that was fine, for the mana emitted from it’s core had already replenished the slime’s missing gel.
Better yet, it finally reached it’s intended destination: A group of Noisy Ones.
Squirming about, it rolled each-and-every way for somewhere to perch. Finding a nice, well positioned tree with plenty of comfy spots to lounge, it continued on it’s mission to observe these oh-so intriguing creatures.
----------------------------------------
Nuki - POV -
“Hurry it up, ya~ weanie!” Barked my rather impatient party member.
For as much as I care for and trusted this audacious fool; Where was it that the idiot thought he was going? We’ve been on this stupid quest for Medens Blooms (A common healing herb), for who knows how long.
‘AND IT DIDN’T EVEN PAY WELL!’ Now, the end of my patience and a muddied, soaked pair of leather boots later, we are hopelessly, and utterly—lost…
“Shut it, Travis! I’ve had enough of this shit, we ARE going back now!” I yelled, utterly tired with his nonsense.
“Oh come on Nuki, we ain’t far from our goal... I think...”
Sighing, I steel myself and continue forward, grumbling profanities under my breath.
‘The pay for the quest isn’t even set in stone, its based off of the current market value and the quantity, and quality, of what you bring back. I’m at least guessing that it has been four, maybe five hours since we had made our departure, and each stalk and blossom wouldn’t even grant a sixth of a silver… so if by chance we found ten in the next hour, we’d only have earned, per hour… ughhh…’. Preforming calculations in my head, I all but tune out Travis as he bumbles on about, something… Honestly, I wasn’t too sure. Much less cared.
Still deep in thought, I unknowingly slam face first into his hairy, outstretched arm. Snapping my head back to complain, I’m interrupted by a loud ‘snap’. Instinctively nocking an arrow, I drew my bow—swiveling towards the origin of the noise: A hitch in my breath as I steadied myself.
‘Please don’t be a goblin…’
““...””
‘Thunk!’
“”...””
Still anxiously awaiting any possible movement, I remain posed. Almost a minute has passed, and having seen nothing more occur, I side-eyed Travis—motioning him forward—to which he only drew his claymore in response.
Carefully, Travis traversed towards the origin of the sound, before coming upon a ruffled bush; It’s leaves strewn amongst the ground. Stilling cautiously, he eyed the tattered foliage before stowing his weapon and motioning me forward.
Seeing this, I released my breath in relief; The hitch in my throat dissipating as I holstered my bow.
‘I guess there is no danger, almost got ahead of myself… Though I wonder what it is?’.
Closing in upon his position, he—curiously—motions for me to stop, before putting a finger to his lips. Slowly reaching towar-“AAA-MURPHLUG!!!”.
Shocked, I stared bug-eyed as an amorphous, cerulean-blue glob of gelatin is flung my way. I could barely form a screech before I was impacted against my face. Plummeting backwards, a thousand thoughts raced through my head; My mind having fallen into utter chaos as I attempted to detached the unexpected projectile.
Wildly, my hands surfed my face in a desperate bid to unobstruct my airways.
’GAAASSPHH!’
Having made an opening, I violently began hacking up small globlets of the vividly blue substance. Finished, I laid there on the rough, leaf-littered ground, Stunned; Frantically trying to process what had just occurred.
“…”
Finally remembering to sit upright, I do so and manage to peel said substance from my now sullied face.
Under the luminous guidance of a stray sunbeam, I could fairly discern the impromptu ‘projectile’.
Comprised of a relatively large blob of semi-translucent, pastel-blue goop. Of which within lies a scintillating, roseate-pink manastone: Roughly the size of my thumb...
“…”
A slime...