Henry and Kanqi walk through the vast desert while Kanqi drags the corpse of the monster behind him effortlessly
Henry: "That was amazing! I've never seen someone move so elegantly with a spear before!"
Kanqi: "The spear is one of the easiest weapons to learn. Now tell me why a human is in Smok."
Henry rubs the back of his head before explaining everything in great detail. They arrive at the shack and Kanqi drops the monster
Kanqi: "Tempest huh….any thought of getting revenge. Lose them."
Henry: "Huh?! Why the hell would you say that?!"
Kanqi: "Count Alexander Tempest is the youngest son of Count Vlad Dracula Tempest. Who also happens to be the king of this country."
Henry's eyes widen at the name. He sits against a dead tree and holds his hands against his face
Mimoria: "Dracula?! What the hell?! We were attacked by a vampire?!"
Kanqi: "You're better off just starting a new life."
Henry: "What?! Starting a new life?! My parents were murdered infront of me!"
Kanqi: "Well do want you want then I don't care."
Kanqi begins building a small fire. Henry watches him while lost for words. A few minutes later Kanqi begins roasting the monsters legs over the fire
Henry: "Alright then I see that I'm outclassed…but you're strong…maybe you can teach me!"
Kanqi: "Teach you what."
Henry: "H-how to fight! My father was doing that but I was never able to fully grasp it…"
Kanqi: "mmm…alright. I will train."
Alice suddenly stumbles from the shack. Her arms bandaged and her skin slightly green from the sickness.
Alice: "H-Henry?! Where are we?! And who is this man?!!"
Henry: "You're awake?!"
Henry runs over to Alice and hugs her. She stares at him confused and steps away
Alice: "Answer my questions!"
Henry: "W-we are in the demon country of Smok! This is Kanqi…he saved us!"
Alice: "K-kan-q-qi?!"
Kanqi: "It's pronounced as Kan-chi"
Alice: "Kanqi…alright. Uhm thank you so very much…I'm starving…"
Kanqi points at the roasting monster legs above the fire. Alice stares the legs disgusted…
Kanqi: "Are you hungry or not. "
Alice's stomach grumbles loudly…she walks over and takes a small piece, eating it while gagging from the horrific taste
Henry: "Hey Kanqi, you seem very knowledgeable about a bunch of stuff. Can you tell me about each of the countries in the world? My mother and father weren't that good with geography…"
Kanqi: "Mmm…Smok is known as the land of the evil and wicked. Guuragh is the coldest land in the world, Home to the dwarfs and the dragons. Elvinity is home to the elves and is the most magical land in the world. Laveris is the home of the humans and Kaliran is an unknown country."
Henry: "Unknown? How come?"
Kanqi: "No living creature has been able to enter the land without automatically dying as you enter is shores…it's like there's a being keeping people out…or keeping something in."
Alice: "That's interesting…"
Henry: "Well since you're so knowledgeable…maybe you can help us get home!"
Kanqi tears into the legs and swallows a large piece of meat.
Kanqi: "No can do. Smok is going through its yearly stage of change."
Henry: "What the hell does that mean?!"
Kanqi: "Smoks oceans and rivers are thickening up. At this current stage, the ocean is thicker than blood making it almost impossible to sail across it."
Henry stares at him defeated…he reaches over to the legs and pulls a piece stuffing it into his mouth
Alice: "There must be something else we can do?! That can't be the only way!"
Kanqi: "We can head north. But it's a 14 month journey on foot. Then we will reach Guuragh. We have to cross the entirety of Guuragh which is a 16 month journey itself."
Henry: "Good god…"
Kanqi: "You're better off making yourself at home for a few months.."
Alice: "No! That's not an option for us! I want to get home and find Kaun!"
Kanqi: "Too bad."
Alice screams in frustration and storms off. Henry follows behind her while grabbing the rusty sword from the ground
Henry: "Hey Alice! Where are you going?!"
Alice: "I'm going to find a way home!! Are you not worried about Kaun?! He's our friend!"
Henry: "I-I know! But you heared Kanqi, the only way for us to get home is by traveling through the entire country!"
Alice: "Then it's something we will have to overcome! Are you not worried about your mom or dad?!"
Henry grips the sword in his hand while Alice continues to storm off.
Mimoria: "She really reminds me of Anne…"
Henry walks over to Kanqi and sits next to him
Henry: "Kanqi isn't there any way you can help us out? We really want to get home…"
Kanqi: "I told you already. The way I gave you is the only way."
Henry: "Damnit…well how about you help us out then? Guide us through this country and then the next!"
Kanqi stands up and grabs his spear. He begins walking away from the glowing fire toward the shack
Kanqi: "You're weak boy. If you two go off on your own as of right now…you're surely going to die within a few hours."
Henry: "T-then maybe you can teach us! While we travel you can teach us!"
Kanqi: "You are better off creating another life like I said."
Henry: "I don't want to do that! I have a goal I want to accomplish and I can't do that while being stuck here in this country! Just help us out! Please!"
Kanqi walks into the shack without looking back. Henry drops his head in anger and disappointment. Alice walks over still visibly angry and storms into the shack
Mimoria: "It looks like he won't budge…I'm a failure in my old world and this one…"
Lady deaths voice appears in her head…she whispers softly comforting Mimoria
Death: "You are doing well Mimoria. That man is a key asset to doing what is needed. Men like him are hard shells to break. Find a way to crack him."
Alice flys through the wall of the shack while holding a knife. Kanqi walks out with a grim look on his face
Henry: "What the hell is going on?!"
Alice rushes towards Kanqi while swinging the knife widly. Kanqi smacks the knife from her hand and grabs her by the throat
Alice: "Let go of me you dumbass!!!"
Kanqi: "You have a warriors spirit. I see potential in you…"
Kanqi throws Alice to the ground. She creates a large crack in the earth from the impact as she lays unconsciously.
Kanqi: "Boy, I will train you two and chaperone you home…"
…
..
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