“Let’s just follow this path, it’ll probably lead to a village or town.” Yves said.
“Pro- what do you mean probably?” I responded.
“Wait-” Yves said, turning around. There was a horse drawn carriage coming from the opposite direction we were about to head in. The carriage was dinky but had a back wagon and was lightly illuminated by a lantern. You could spot a small man in the driver seat.
“Do you youngins need a ride?” A voice came from the carriage.
“We’d be delighted too, sir!” Yves yelled back to him, smiling and waving at the man.
“Woah! Wait, we don't even know who that is, Eve! He could kill us and eat our body parts or something.” I said, swallowing nervously.
“It’s fine, don't you trust me? Plus we’re not that weak if you remember.” Yves replied. I was pretty nervous, admittedly. Though I think it is justified as we just arrived to an unfamiliar place, and we’d already been attacked upon arrival. However, it’s hard to argue with Yves. He’s always right. Ever since the old world he’s always done everything the first try, knew the answer to every question, and could handle any situation. Being a twin sister to someone who is essentially perfect meant I was constantly overshadowed.
“Yvette, why could you be more like your brother?” My teachers would compare me to him all the time since he moved to my school. He initially lived in Florida while I went to school in Japan. Our situation is kind of weird though. We are twin siblings, born on the same day, down to the second. And we share the same DNA, but we really look or act nothing alike. And we’ve been with foster parents since birth so we never met our real parents. So once they’d discovered that we had a sibling, our parents decided to have us meet up, and that led to them wanting to move to Japan. Despite the issue of the language barrier they moved, and he transferred to my school. Surprisingly, Yves learned Japanese in just 3 months, at the age of 9. Something that took his parents multiple years to learn fluently, Yves was able to get it down in 3 months at a young age too. I thought it would be cool to have a brother with me at school, let alone a twin brother. But his talent quickly became apparent. By the time we were 12, Yves' foster parents had decided to move back to America for bigger job opportunities, so they had Yves come live with us instead. And that's where it started.
“First place on your exams, Yves!” My mother exclaimed excitedly. “Ah, 256/262. Maybe you can have Yves tutor you. Isn't that right, Eve?” “Number 1 again! You’re a little genius! Aren't you, Yves?” My mom jokes, chuckling. It was painful, even though I was the most popular, the best looking. My “mom” never complimented me like that. Yves himself wasn't bad, though, that makes me even more envious. He would help me with homework, listen to my drama, or whatever problems I had. And he would always help me. I hated that. What one person could be so perfect? My foster parents also had a child which was their own, and we would share the same envy, though I'm sure it was amplified for her because her own blood related parents adored some random kid more than her. I could never hate Yves, though I'm sure she did… Anyway, this new world scenario just made it worse. In a world where talent thrives, the king of talent himself was easily accustomed to this new world. It’s like he didn’t even flinch in the face of death, he “did what he had to, to survive.” Is what he always said, though I don't think any sane person would be so calm during an event dubbed, “The End.” In this new world I saw first hand how useless I am. We were some “Divine Insurrection” or something, but Yves got all the divine insurectioning, and I just felt like an anchor whose sole purpose was to weigh him down.
“Stay here, I'll fight." He said, a serious look of worry on his face.
“I can fight too y’know, I'm not some kid who needs your help everytime we encounter danger!” He shook his head at my comment.
“You know what happens when we die, Yvette. I’m less likely to lose on my own” He responded sternly.
“But-”
“Shut up Yvette! Just trust me, Like you always have!” He yelled, his look of worry only seemed to be growing. It was the first time he’d yell at me. It was also the first time he had been worried about fighting, and had also been the last. I don't think he understood what he said to me that day, or how it made me feel. And all that worry for what? We still ended up dying.
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“I’m less likely to lose on my own” It felt like I was a burden to him, and I couldn't do anything without him. Ever since that day it felt like a ball and chain had been placed on my heart, weighing me down everytime we’d get into a fight. I feel so.. Trapped.
“-vie, Evie?” A familiar voice rang through my head. I opened my eyes to see Yves looking at me, concerned, his hand on my shoulder.. And the old man was there too, I guess. My eyes stung like I had just gotten soap in them.
“Are you okay? what happened?” Yves said worriedly, he was shaking my body.
“Stop shaking me idiot.” I wiped my face and the back of my hand felt wet. I was crying.
“What happened? Did one of the guys in the cave hurt you or something? Or some type of new allergy?” I smiled.
-
“I just said I’m fine.” Yvette declared stubbornly, looking away- “Where are we anyway?” Yvette asked as she sat up on the seat. The sun was beaming through the trees. A full day has passed since they’ve been in this carriage.
“Oh, uh we’re somewhere in a forest.” Yves said, removing his hand from her shoulder.
“It’s called the ‘Kang Woods’” The old man remarked, coming into view stroking his beard.
“Ohh- wait, who are you old man?” Yvette questioned, confused.
“This is Shakell, he’s a Dwarf who lives in Batheld, which is the country those same guys were from.” Yves answered, motioning his hand in the direction of the old man, smirking.
“Huh, So we’re heading to Batheld I'm guessing?” Yvette asked, looking around at their surroundings. They were in a swamp-like area, the ground muddy and the trees grew coiled instead of straight, and weird little plants scattered around the area
“Actually you would be wrong my beloved sister. We are heading to a country kind of far south from Batheld, called Blommånen.” Yves said cheerfully.
“First of all, ew, never called me that again, and why are-” Yvette said with disgust before being interrupted by a rumble in the distance.
“What was that?” Yvette asked, glancing around to find the cause of the noise.
“What is that?” Yves said hastily, pointing to something approaching in the distance.
“Ah, That's trouble!” Shakell responded, bewildered, gripping the walls of the wagon peering at the site in front of them.
“Yeah, I get it’s ‘trouble’ old man, what is it called?” Yves says, they now are all looking at what appears to be vines or branches quickly approaching them. Cries from a creature could be heard in the distance
“That there is an Erdcowler.” Shakell said, his eyes widened. “They are native to the Kang Woods and use the trees in the area as an extension of their body to capture any prey!”
“What the hell is an Erdcowler?” Yvette responded, the wagon now shaking.
“I think it's some type of tree dragon.” Yves said, excitedly. “Alright. If it’s our way, old man, then I’ll kill it for you.” Yves smirked, his hand ignited in flames.
“Ah, Er-” The old man stuttered.
“Wait!” Yvette yelled hastily reaching her arm out in a stopping motion.
“Hm?” Yves questioned.
“Um. I would like to try and kill the Erdcowler..” Yvette said shly. Yves smiled.
“Well, if you insist. Just use the sword, you should still have it.” Yves said.
“Oh, right.” Yvette reached forward and a flash of light obscured the area before revealing a longsword, the blade was white and so well polished it shined even in the dark, the guard had a unique design along with a blue handle. Shakell’s eyes widened looking upon the sword.
“Alright.” Yvette smiled, stepping off the carriage and swinging the sword a few times to warm up. “I’ll kill this thing in one strike.”
“I-I don't believe it! To think that girl possesses the World-Ender Blade!” The old man said in shock. Yves retorted in disgust at the mention of the name
“You knew that she possessed such a powerful artifact?” Shakell questioned.
“Of course I did, who do you think made the weapon?” Yves responded.
“I-Incredible! To think not only would I meet the wielder of the World-ender blade, but the creator himself!” Shakell shouted, now sweating and mouth agape as he fell to the floor.
“It’s nothing really.” Yves mentioned pridefully. “Also it’s not called the World-Ender blade it’s called the- Um. Heaven piercing.. blade…” Yves said trailing off with a defeated look.
“Amazing! The Heaven Piercing Blade!” Shakell exclaimed.
“Yeah…” Yves said, disappointed. Yves is bad at coming up with names.