Chapter 4: Gone Fishin’
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The swirling vortex of the portal dissipated, depositing Kenji and Aito into a serene forest clearing. The sudden tranquility was a stark contrast to the frenetic energy of their escape. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was fresh, filled with the clean scent of pine and earth.
Kenji stood still for a moment, trying to orient himself. He looked around, taking in the towering trees and the lush underbrush. It was a scene straight out of a nature documentary, untouched and pristine.
"Where are we?" Kenji finally broke the silence, his voice a mix of wonder and uncertainty.
Aito, moving on his own, waddled up beside Kenji. His screen displayed a compass and a rudimentary map, but no clear indicators of their location. "Unknown," Aito replied, his digital voice reflecting Kenji's uncertainty. "But it's definitely not the teleporter room." He was getting some practice stating the obvious.
Kenji walked to the edge of the clearing, his eyes following the trails that branched off in different directions. One trail led to the shimmering blue of a lake, visible through the trees. He felt a pull towards it, an unspoken invitation to explore its serene beauty.
"We should get moving," Kenji decided, his tone resolute. "Let's find out what this world has in store for us."
——
[https://i.imgur.com/C7w82Ha.jpeg]
Kenji and Aito approached the calm lake, their eyes drawn to an old man sitting on a rickety dock. He was fishing, the simplicity of his stick and string setup a stark contrast to the advanced technology Kenji and Aito brought with them. After getting a good look at the fisherman, Kenji took a moment to stow Aito’s attachments into his bag before stepping onto the dock.
The old man, hearing their approach, turned around. His eyes widened momentarily at the sight of Aito, then settled into a warm, welcoming expression. "Hey there, youngster!" he greeted cheerfully. "City folk like you don't wander down here often."
Kenji, slightly taken aback by the man's easy demeanor, responded cautiously. "Where are we, exactly?"
The old man chuckled, "Stepped off the path and lost your way, eh? This is just a small, nameless village by the lake. A few families, lots of peace."
Kenji, sensing a possible ally, ventured further. "Would we be welcome in your village? We need to get our bearings."
"Looks like I’ve caught a little help then. Grab a stick, and I'll give you a line. After we catch dinner, you can tag along to the village," the old man offered, gesturing towards some nearby sticks.
Accepting the challenge, Kenji and Aito each picked up a stick. They sat next to the old man, preparing their makeshift fishing rods.
Aito, always curious, piped up, "I've never been fishing before!"
The old man, eyeing Aito with renewed interest, remarked, "Wow, golems can talk now?"
"A golem? I'm Aito, Kenji's assistant!" Aito retorted, a hint of pride in his synthesized voice.
"Yes, this is Aito," Kenji explained, amused. "And what do you mean by 'golems'?"
"Well, we got an old one that helps in the fields. Barely works anymore," the old man said thoughtfully, smacking his lips. "Must've cost a fortune, this one?"
Aito bristled, "I'm one of a kind and not for sale!"
The conversation drifted into an easy rhythm, mirroring the gentle lapping of the lake against the dock. As they talked and fished, Kenji felt a sense of calm he hadn't experienced in a long time. This unexpected stop in their journey was turning out to be a pleasant one.
—-
As Kenji, Aito, and the old man continued their peaceful fishing, Aito's eyes flickered with excitement. "I think I got something!" he exclaimed.
The old man, agile despite his age, leapt into action with a flourish. He grabbed the fishing pole from Aito, his movements smooth and practiced. With a skillful flick of his wrist, he prepared to reel in whatever had taken the bait.
Suddenly, the smooth surface of the lake erupted. A gigantic fish, an uncanny hybrid of a great white shark and a carp, burst through the water. It flew into the air, a brief flash of monstrous power, before plunging back into the depths.
[https://i.imgur.com/zYw1SBp.jpeg]
Kenji's eyes widened in disbelief. "What kind of monster is that?" he exclaimed, stepping back instinctively.
The old man chuckled heartily, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Haha! I've been after this one for years! No one in the village will doubt me again!"
Kenji's concern grew. "Old man, that's not a fish; it's a monster! You need to get away from the dock!"
But the old man was undeterred. "City boy, get ready. Next time he jumps, we'll be waiting."
With that, he deftly kicked a wooden fishing spear toward Kenji, who caught it, a mix of fear and resolve on his face. Aito, small enough to be swallowed whole, stood up bravely, a small opening appearing in his palm, ready to unleash whatever technology he had at his disposal.
The water churned once more, and the monstrous fish jumped again, this time aiming directly for the old man. Reacting before he could even think, Kenji thrust the spear forward, striking the beast mid-air. At the same time, Aito fired a small taser-like projectile, sending a crackle of electricity through the creature's massive body.
The old man sidestepped with surprising agility, avoiding the massive fish as it crash-landed onto the wooden dock. Luckily, the old dock survived the impact. The creature thrashed wildly for a few moments, but the combined efforts of Kenji, Aito, and the old man ensured it could not escape back into the water. Gradually, the fish's movements slowed, then ceased altogether.
With the monstrous fish finally subdued, the old man turned to Kenji, his eyes sparkling with mirth and excitement. "Boy, you must be good luck!" he exclaimed. "Never caught anything this big before!"
The old man burst into an impromptu dance. "Twenty years they doubted it was even real!" he exclaimed joyously. "I can't wait to rub this in their faces!" His laughter rang out over the lake, a sound of triumph and vindication.
—-
[https://i.imgur.com/Gds7hgC.png]
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He then proceeded to tie the gigantic fish to his back, securing it with a series of knots and ropes. Despite the immense weight of the fish, the old man stood up, his posture hunched under the burden but his stride surprisingly quick and sure. It was a sight to behold, a small, elderly figure carrying a catch larger than himself, moving with the vigor and speed of a man decades younger.
"Let's head back to the village," he said, his voice filled with a triumphant chuckle. "I can't wait to show this off. They'll have to believe me now!"
With that, the old man began the journey back to his village, the fish in tow. Kenji and Aito followed, both of them in awe of the day's unexpected turn of events and at this display of strength. The old man, despite his heavy load, led the way. His pace was brisk and unyielding. It was clear that this was a moment he had been waiting for, a chance to prove his tales and reclaim dignity among his peers. The path to the village, once quiet and serene, now echoed with the sounds of their triumphant return.
Aito, upon seeing the rural village a short distance away, said to Kenji “It’s probably for the best that we hide any remaining tech.”
Kenji nodded, noticing that the lack of technology wasn't unique to the fisherman, “That’s probably a good idea.” With a few quick adjustments, Aito resembled a completely normal teddy bear, and Kenji’s personal scanner was hidden away as well. The two then made their way into the village, where the Old Man had already raced ahead.
—-
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As they approached the village, the atmosphere shifted from the sounds of a peaceful forest to a bustling community coming to life. The old man, still carrying his impressive catch, entered the heart of the village with Kenji and Aito in tow. It wasn't long before the villagers, intrigued by the commotion, began to emerge from their homes, forming a crowd around the old man and his monstrous catch.
Among the gathering crowd, two children, full of energy and excitement, ran towards the old man, calling out "Grandpa!" Their mother followed close behind, clearly concerned, she soon got the gist of the story as the old man wasted no time boasting.
Her expression was a mix of surprise and gratitude as she approached Kenji and Aito. "Thank you for helping my father," she said, offering them a warm, welcoming smile.
The village buzzed with energy as the old man began to recount the day's events. His story, while rooted in truth, quickly took on a life of its own, growing more grandiose and dramatic with each retelling. His neighbors listened with a mix of amusement and awe, some shaking their heads in disbelief that he and Kenji already ate the even bigger fish they caught, others nodding along enthusiastically while imagining they would have also fought the beast bare-handed.
Meanwhile, the community wasted no time in preparing for a grand feast. They set to work dismantling the giant fish, their skilled hands making light work of the daunting task. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter, the village united in a common purpose. Kenji found himself awkwardly accepting the thanks of many strangers and shaking hands.
Kenji and Aito, still processing the whirlwind of events, were ushered into the old man's home. The modest dwelling was a stark contrast to the excitement outside, offering a peaceful respite from the frenzy. As they settled inside to decompress, they could hear the muffled sounds of the village's preparations, a reminder of the extraordinary day they had just experienced.
—-
Aito remarked "This village has a charming feel to it."
Kenji agreed, "Definitely, the people seem genuinely warm. But there's a lot to understand about this place."
Aito observed their surroundings “Aside from a small handful of light sources, their way of life seems to be from an era long past, almost medieval in nature."
"True, and yet, they didn't seem overly startled by you, until you started talking." Kenji replied.
"And they called me a 'golem’” said Aito.
Kenji thought about it for a moment. "It suggests that magic, or at least the belief in it, is quite normal here."
Aito scanned the room thoughtfully: "Indeed. It’s interesting - they accept me as a mystical creation, not as a product of advanced technology."
Kenji nodded “It’s a unique perspective, seeing magic as an everyday reality. It’s a whole new world for us."
——-
[https://i.imgur.com/82poMLU.jpeg]
After a few quiet moments, Kenji reflected “That fish was beyond ordinary, even by their standards. A monster in a freshwater lake seems surreal."
As they spoke, the Old Man's daughter, who earlier introduced her children to the pair, entered the room. She expressed her gratitude once more, and introduced herself as Elara, her eyes were filled with curiosity.
“Are you adventurers, by any chance?" Elara asked
Kenji, confused, glanced at his attire “Do I look like one?"
Elara responded thoughtfully, "Well, I've heard adventurers often wear unique clothing from their travels."
Aito interjected, "She's being polite. We definitely stand out."
Elara’s intrigue grew as she focused on Aito, her polite and reserved nature disappeared as questions spilled out in rapid succession.
"Is he a spirit in a toy? A newly created golem? Are you using some trick to send your voice into him? Are there others like him? Did you find him on your adventures?"
Kenji explained gently: "Aito is his own entity. I built him to help me, but he recently gained autonomy – the ability to move and think independently."
She seemed to accept that answer and stared at Aito as he struck a pose to show-off.
Kenji continued "Honestly, we're quite unfamiliar with this land and its customs. We've traveled far and it's been a challenging journey. I wouldn't want to burden you with our problems right now."
Kenji felt a twinge of guilt for withholding the full truth, but he knew it was for the best. He doubted admitting he was from another world would be well-received.
Elara nodded sympathetically. "I can only imagine the hardships you've faced," she said, her voice filled with empathy.
Kenji thanked her for her kindness and the warm welcome but refrained from divulging more.
As night fell, the village came alive with celebration. The Old Man, brimming with gratitude, handed Kenji a bag. Inside, Kenji found sharp teeth and a softly glowing crystal.
The Old Man beamed: "You've earned these. They're yours. In the city, they might fetch a good price. I have no need for them, but for you, they could be valuable."
Kenji accepted the gift, he intended to ask the significance of the stone later, but at that moment he didn’t want to risk the growing sense of camaraderie and accomplishment shared between the villagers, the Old Man, and himself.
——
[https://i.imgur.com/CB0abQO.jpeg][https://i.imgur.com/oR1IWbA.jpeg][https://i.imgur.com/fwglmgU.jpeg]
Convinced by the Old Man's hospitable nature, Kenji agreed to stay in his spare room for a while. As the evening festivities wound down, Kenji felt slightly apologetic about leaving Aito amidst the crowd, but retired to his room alone. Aito, in the meantime, became the life of the party, captivating both children and adults with his lively antics.
As Kenji settled into the spare room, he was struck by the clear night sky visible through a nearby window. There were no city lights to hide the brightness of the stars above, full of constellations unfamiliar to anyone from his world. As he gazed upon the foreign stars, his body weary from the day's adventures, succumbed to sleep almost immediately. However his mind, instead of finding rest, was plunged into a tumultuous dream, where a voice as loud as thunder reverberated through the depths of his consciousness.
“You! Mortal!” the voice boomed, a mixture of impatience and authority resonating in each syllable. “At last, they send someone. Are you alone? Unbelievable! The audacity to keep me waiting!”
In the dream, Kenji felt an overpowering presence, as if a deity had infiltrated his very thoughts. The anger of this being was palpable, filling the dream with an overwhelming sense of urgency and power.
“Enjoying the simple life in the countryside already, are you?” the voice sneered. “Where is the rest of your team? Where are the promised champions?”
Paralyzed within his dream, Kenji could feel his heart pounding against his chest. This was no ordinary dream; it was a conduit for divine communication, filled with anger and warning from a god.
The voice continued to berate him, “You think you can escape my notice by hiding in this tranquil village? Foolish mortal, awake or asleep, you are under my watch now. Prepare yourself!”
Before Kenji could muster a response or even fully comprehend the gravity of the situation, the dream started blurring, the voice of the deity grew distant, yet it left an imprint of fear and anticipation in Kenji's mind.
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End Chapter 4: Gone Fishin'
Next: Chapter 5: Getting Some Work Done