Hero, Metaphor, Stripe, and Tesla stood outside the great portcullis the separated the outside world from the obscured world of the little city walled within. The little creature, Pepper, curled up before them, expecting to be axed by some merciless bandit.

Hero attempted to calm the little creature with an offering of bread, but it or she seemed to be visibly disgusted to be offered such meal, but hesitantly took it from Hero's hand, and nibbled upon it.

"Hero! Don't go running off to chase after strangers to death," Metaphor said, dropping to lie upon the stones for rest.

"You coulda given us a heart attack," Tesla joked.

"Believe me, Tesla. It seems that I'm more liable to give this little creature here cardiac arrest than you getting heart attack," Hero replied.

Pepper nibbled on the piece of bread she was given. Crumbs and dust exited her mouth just as much of it had slid down her esophagus. A small sparkle seemed to emanate from the golden star in her eyes. Upon finishing her meal or snack, she asked the friendly barbarians: "Any reason for barbarians like youse to spare me?"

"We are not barbarians, Pepper. We are not here to axe you," Hero answered in kind.

Pepper's face then flexed to a face filled with horror. "Are you here to axe my friends?"

"What? No!" Hero gasped, taken aback. "We are seeking our friend that had been abducted by agents of Prometheus, and we would like to rescue them."

"Ah. I see, but I'm afraid I or my fellows are unable to help you. We are already struggling against General Winter and his barbarians!"

Metaphor stepped forward, making strides with purpose. "I have a suggestion to you: let us through the city."

~***~

Dear Diary,

So yeah, we're in Gardenton. Sometimes I wonder about the naming conventions of this realm. Does every town have to have a name that ends with "-ton"? Not necessarily.

Name tangents aside, Gardenton is absolutely beautiful. Hero said it's "blossomous". Is that even a word? Pillars of hard rugged wood held up what may had been angry storm clouds of malachite. Flowers and herbs of all colors and aromas paved the avenues and decorated every corner. Leafy showers came from every stiff breeze. Crude wooden huts and walkways hugged the trees and walls. Small buildings made of marble were built underneath the shades of the behemoth trees. Trees, young and old, try their hardest to swallow the streets and buildings with their bulk. A few hundreds or a couple thousands of folks may be living in this walled city within a city.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

We came to this wide square open to the sky. I would had loved to bask in the sun if it weren't for one big hitch: it was crowded. Green plant people was lying there prone on the pavement in the nude, probably photosynthesizing. I reiterate, beanstalks were lying on the pavement absorbing solar energy. It was an odd sight. Granted, I'm pretty much walking around without clothing, but the fact that the people here wore clothing, I assumed that the lack of it would be seen as indecent.

We asked around for any info regarding Buddy. No dice. Folks didn't know of anyone by that name. Worse though is that nobody seems to even know about Prometheus. I was certain that Prometheus just ganked the lands. There should be no reason for these folks to not know about him. He literally bleached all of Urbanland.

I also got some ladies trying to flirt with me. Feh. They don't seem to understand that I'm also a lady. The offhand remark of being buff and manly were pretty common. There were some men that approached me to ask about my secret of being handsome; most were beefier than the average Joe, but I suppose it's just my exoticness that attracts the attention. Maybe I should trim my beard; that's probably where the confusion is coming from.

We gathered some supplies. Along the way, we passed by a scriptorium, and got myself this empty leatherbound book. It was a poor place, unkept and water-damaged. Unlike the rest of Urbanland, the stuff in there was a bit off-white and yellowish. Nobody claimed the dingy place, and the locals don't mind. Hero asked why I needed a book. "May I ask why you are in need of a book? Can't you just use your notebook?" No, Hero. I don't want to vandalize my spellbook. It does look like a sketchbook, but it's magical.

-Metaphor Fil

~***~

Dear Diary,

A good morning to all things bright and beautiful, not. In the middle of the night, barbarians came to walls and decided to try their hand on it. I was there, shaken awake by yours truly, Hero. "Let them do it, Hero. They had protected this city for ages. They don't need our help." I swear this guy has a Hero Complex; just because you're named as such, Hero, you don't have to act like it. Granted, he is good at being a hero. He's good with his sword. He's a kind soul.

He brought me to the wall, and I saw the tragedy that was the battle. Beasts were scaling the wall, and the guards were doing poorly at fending them off. The beasts hollered while the guards shook and cowered like babies. They lost more spears than there were beasts attacking. If it weren't for us being at the wall, the beasts may had succeeded in razing Gardenton. I brought forth a waterfall, and washed the wall clean. Some clung to the ivy, and shortly began scaling the wall again. Hero was awesome in the fight. His claymore sent beasts flying to the bottom of the wall.

Dawn came, and the sky became lemonade colored. The beasts broke apart, and turned to ash. Apparently those creatures appear during the night. I have suspicion they come from Prometheus, but the locals claim they're from General Winter. I bet he's an agent of Prometheus.

Anyway, I'm tired. The battle was tiring. Going to sleep now.

-Metaphor Fil

Metaphor, I have noticed the incompetence of the locals. I dislike leaving them to their devices perhaps even worse off than when we came. I wanted to ask your wisdom in the matter of training the locals, but I did not wish to disturb your sleep. I have acquired council from your fellows, Tesla and Stripe, instead. They seem to be in favor. We'll have to stay for a few days. It just doesn't feel right to me to just leave a place defenceless.

-Hero's Prophecy