The Journey Never Ends (Original Fantasy Quest)

You take a look at the metal arm the orc has again. That's right, you remember now. How could you have forgotten? The Doom Commandos weren't even that long ago. All of a sudden, you feel your breath catching in your throat as your chest clenches in guilt. When was the last time you contacted any of them? You frantically search through your memories, and wilt when you realize it was the funeral for Captain Shel. Everyone there changed so much since you last saw them… what are they like now? You hate the fact that you don't know. What a terrible—

Realizing your lengthy silence, you take a deep breath before quietly lifting up one side of your beanie and revealing your pointed ears.

"It has been some time, Grog." You say with a subdued tone.

He studies you for a moment, taking you in before sighing, "Ah, Deirdre. You don't have to feel so bad about not keeping in contact. Everyone has their own lives to live, you more than most. All of us understood."

"I could have called." You protest, a quaver in your voice.

"Bah," he waves at you dismissively. "I can probably use a tablet better than you, and I lost an arm!"

"Grog…" You mutter, unable to help the partial smile from forming on your lips as you glare half-heartedly at him.

He laughs, "Pointy, it's fine. If you really want to make it up to me, let's catch up and talk about other things already."

You sigh, but already you can feel the knot in your chest loosen. Grog has always been good at keeping morale up during the war. Even when he lost his arm, he was already making jokes about it and his future replacement arm.

"So, you know Yaza's still teaching at the gym in school?"

You widen your eyes, "Truly? I thought you two might have retired already."

"I sure did, but she's someone who needs to keep moving and doing something. Those poor kids. I'd say it's all that ogre blood in her, but I don't want to get glared at again." He jokes.

"Smart of you." You agree, thinking back on the memories you had with her. She immediately called you a ugly twig when she first saw you.

You took offense at that and challenged her to an arm-wrestle, trusting in your enhanced strength. The ogre agreed, and while you both thought you had the advantage, neither of your hands moved for a full minute. She eventually used her size advantage to gain the upper hand, but by the end both of you were gasping for air. You and Yaza became fast friends after that, and you were invited to accompany her at her wedding after the war.

"Yeah, she's one wonderful woman…" he drifts off for a bit, but shakes his head. "Enough about us though! What have you been doing recently?"

"I've been wandering around central Kiengir lately," you admit. "I need a respite from the larger cities occasionally. They are very… loud."

Grog snorts, "I getcha. Can still be dangerous round' here though, especially if I'm right in you just walking about in the countryside?"

You hang your head in mock shame, "I have been, yes. I actually encountered a group of bandits not too long ago. They had an adequate plan but chose the wrong quarry to hunt."

"Bandits?" The orc chuckles, "Deirdre, we're not in the medieval times."

"Shush, you. As a 'young lady', don't I get to be the one to set the trends?"

The two of you laugh before falling into a companionable silence after that, letting the sounds of the other passengers on the train drift through you two. You sneak a look at Grog. It has been a long time since you two truly conversed, but despite the age his body shows, he seems… at ease. Grog would never admit it, but the war and loss of his arm affected him more than he wanted everyone to believe. He would always get tense whenever he moved or touched his metal arm.

"You know, Deirdre. I got inspired and took a page out of your book." He says suddenly.

You raise an eyebrow, "Oh?"

He leans back slightly, "Yeah. Whenever I had the time, I went to travel someplace else with Yaza. Went to the great big cities in Avista first, and I visited New Hope before it turned into a cesspool."

"A good place to start," you say. "There are many sights to see and activities to do there, though I suppose you went to the sports stadiums?"

Grog smiles, "You know me too well. I loved seeing my favorite teams in person. Avista was good, you know? There was a lot there I wanted here at home. It's truly something else," the smile falters slightly. "But it ain't a paradise. It isn't a dangerous land, but… well, I'll say it nicely and say it isn't a calm place. I nearly got caught up in some stuff there."

"Avista is a land with high ideals and diverse opinions," you say. "A beautiful land, but not for everyone."

"Yeah, it's a little crazy looking in from the outside. And even though New Hope was built outside it by all the nations, I feel like the place learned the wrong things from Avista and everywhere else then mashed it into… whatever it is now."

The mood drops for a bit between the two of you as you both ponder the eventual fate of the city, but Grog eventually shakes his head and continues.

"Well, I headed to Sumeri after that. Gods, I know you've told us about stuff there back then, but I couldn't wrap my head around how ancient the places and sights are there."

You incline your head, "Entire civilizations had already lived and died there by the time we elves came to the world."

He nods, "Yeah… oh man. I'm a little ashamed to say this, but I didn't think Sumeri would be so… modern."

"Travel is often fatal to such perspectives," you say without judgment. "The various peoples in Sumeri have had difficult times ever since the fall of the Meso Empire, but they have never stopped living and growing as we all do."

Grog laughs ruefully, "When this little slip of a human there started teaching me all the different stuff online and on apps to help with travel, I definitely realized that. It's a pretty divided place there though. I can tell different regions didn't like each other, and I swear I saw signs of a cult or two."

You frown at that. It seems the scars of the Incursion are still felt in Sumeri.

"Then… well, Yaza knows me pretty well, and she saw how I was ignoring a particular place that's very close to us." He admits, sounding a bit rueful.

"Tarshish." You deduce.

He takes a deep breath, "Yeah. I didn't want to go there at first. Too many bad memories and feelings. Was afraid of what would happen if I went. Don't know if I'd get so angry I'd do something I regret, or if everything I've been holding back would come crashing down and break me.

"Yaza got me to go before I could stall and halt my travel plans for too long. When I went, well, things were normal. Their main cities are as developed as Avista in their own way, except they've got a lot more magic going around than tech. I saw all the different religious and historical sites and even went on a tour through a big magic academy. Saw some crazy things there, and some… familiar spells from the war, but…"

"But?" You prompt.

He settles down and continues, "I talked to some of the professors there. Heard how they were researching how to heal the Mana Scar and the demonic corruption in the far north and south. They discussed their role in aiding farmers, stuff about the global economy, studying various illnesses, and all kinds of good things. The talk about how they've been discovering fundamental parts of how the world works the past few centuries flew over my head, but it didn't sound all bad or scary like I thought some of it was."

"Magic is like everything else," you say gently. "It can be used to terrible effect, but it can help people in so many ways."

Grog nods, "I don't know if I hated magic then, but the visit eased my thoughts on it and the war. I visited some smaller towns after that too, and things weren't too good there. I met some angry and bitter people along the way, but most people I met were just folks still recovering from the effects of war and wanted a safe and comfortable life. I thought most lacerta were prickly lizards before too, but then this one really kind old lacerta lady housed Yaza and I when we couldn't get a hotel."

You hum, "The visit to Tarshish helped you, then?"

"Yeah," he confirms. "The war still sucked, but I guess I got rid of a lot of complicated shit. Now I just blame the lizards in their government instead of the normal folks living their life."

You crack a smile at that. It's good that he can joke about the matter now, even if it wasn't entirely a joke.

"Anyways," he continues. "I thought about going to the Small Republic too before heading east, but… yeah."

You tilt your head, "Their borders are not closed off."

"They aren't," he agrees. "It's just, I don't know. I just thought it'd be an awkward time."

"The treatment of the smallfolk has often been disgraceful throughout history," you say. "But that shouldn't stop interactions between them and the rest of the continent. You should visit at least once. You may meet those with bad attitudes, but there are difficult people everywhere."

Grog hums in consideration, "Maybe I will. I always wondered what the place looked like, the pictures don't really show it off well. After that though, I went to Zhonghua. It… wasn't what I expected."

"Oh?" You ask, "Did you have the same assumptions as you did with Sumeri?"

He makes a so-so gesture, "Ehh, sort of. More of a cultural assumption, I guess. Not like I didn't see some of that kind of stuff of course, but I somehow wandered into a punk rock concert that wouldn't be out of place around here while I was there. There's a pretty big underground movement in the nation. Yaza had a good time."

"Zhonghua is not as rigid as some think," you note. "Changes in their society have occurred plenty of times, and there's numerous cultural divisions within its borders."

"But in the end, the Jade Emperor still rules." He retorts.

"He does." You concede.

The suddenly serious atmosphere seems to have come from more than just that as he looks you in the eye, "I went to Yashima, before the Impact."

"Ah," you say, not sure how else to respond.

"Gods, that place was something. I've seen the crazy shit Avista has done in recent years, and I still think it doesn't quite compare to what Yashima was doing."

You nod, "The people of Yashima took to the modern developments of the past few centuries incredibly well."

"Yeah, the huge ass mechs are them taking to it 'incredibly well' alright. And all the different smart tech and androids. Took a bit to get used to everything, and I got some odd looks, but after that it was the smoothest traveling experience I had. And then…"

"The Impact." You finish for him.

"The Impact." He nods seriously.

"Happened only a couple months after I left. What news they showed of the place and refugees was horrific. It felt so strange to see it, having had some of the best times of my life there so recently. After that, and with me getting older… I don't know. Visiting the islands of Wilwatikta would have been fun, but I lost my drive for it. The decade since hasn't changed that."

He takes a deep breath, "It really shows how dangerous Orbis still is. After all the shit I've been through… suddenly staying at home safe with people I care about is much more enticing."

"I understand," you say, patting him on the shoulder. "What happened at Yashima… the world hasn't seen such a thing in a long time."

Grog eyes you at that, a strange expression you don't recognize on his face, "What do you think are the chances people are still there, after the quarantine was established?"

You stare back at him, "Such things are always possible, but they would be in peril, both from the monstrosities present there and their living conditions. It may not be a demonic incursion, but it appears to be a disaster just as terrible."

"Huh," he says, the utterance not reflecting the intensity he was suddenly radiating. "It would take something, or someone, of a really special kind to pull them out of that predicament, yeah?"

"It would," you agree. "That something, or someone, would need to have proven experience in resolving calamities of a similar sort, and the willingness to put themselves in danger for people they do not know or are obligated to care for."

He leans back, a stony expression on his face as he seemed to want to freeze your image in his mind. The hand resting on top of the cane was clenched tight enough you could see it whiten. A few decades ago, a much younger face stared at you with the same expression as you marched off to do something reckless and stupid. The sudden image you get of it is so shockingly familiar but different you can't help but tense up as well.

"Gods damn it," he says finally, resigned. "You're thinking about it, aren't you?"

You don't deny it as you say, "I have been."

"And if I say don't do it, please, would you listen?"

The pleading tone of his voice causes you to wince as you weakly respond, "... I didn't say I was going there right this instant. I would need to prepare for that, and somehow lift or bypass the quarantine from the United Peoples. It's not something to decide on lightly."

He runs a hand down his face, "Fuck. Alright, fine. Let me be the one to say it then, since I don't know when's the next time you'll hear it. Don't throw your life away, understand? I don't say this because of all the Last Elf nonsense. You know none of us cared about that. No matter where you go, since I know you'll get involved in things no matter where you are, don't go in like an idiot. I don't care about the healing flames you got, there's always a way for something to die."

Grog looks at you, deadly serious. "Promise?"

You bow your head, "I'll say to you what I said to Captain Shel. I will always keep walking forward and never take for granted the life I have. The moments, memories, and bonds I have made are more valuable to me than anything else I have. Dying would do nothing to carry them on or honor them."

Steel fills your voice, the elf that campaigned hundreds of times against terrible foes coming through, as you say, "It is because of them, however, that I will not betray the lessons and values that have been shared with me. They are not just precious mementos I store somewhere and look back on fondly. I'm not the aloof elf watching from afar anymore. If there are people in need and monsters, no matter their shape, threatening Orbis and the realms, I won't look away."

You pause for a moment, the steel leaving you as you draw into yourself. The image of a tired and scared ordinary woman in a beanie with a worn-out jacket and comfortable pair of pants you might see on any person walking about is what is left behind. A whisper escapes you, so quiet you bet Grog can barely hear if he wasn't hanging onto your every word.

"... otherwise, why else am I still here?"

Grog eyes you, absorbing your words as he thinks on how to respond. You can sense he definitely doesn't agree with you, but isn't willing to argue with you in a public space like this. This isn't exactly the first time you've had this sort of conversation with him or the Doom Commandos, and it's a tired old argument that always leaves everyone exhausted.

Just when the silence is becoming stifling, both of you whip your heads to look at the kobold who eyed you before looking suddenly very nervous as he finishes clearing his throat.

"Eh… sorry bout' that. Don't mean to pry. Just uh.. You two are right next to me, and uhh, people are talking around us but it isn't enough to cover up your guys' conversation," he suddenly looks startled. "Didn't catch everything, of course! You guys started talking weird after a bit, and I wasn't really listening at first... oh! I'm a big fan of your content, Deirdre! I was so excited when you came to visit our home. Er, Ms. Deirdre I mean? Ms. Pathstrider?"

The tension leaves the both of you as Grog bends over in laughter, his whole frame shaking as he does so. You give a somewhat crooked smile to your young fan as he starts looking more and more sheepish.

"Ms. Deirdre is fine, Mr…"

"Oh uh, my name is Kan. Oh gods, she knows my name! This feels so weird. Um," he ducks his head, showing his horns. "Can I have an autograph? I know you must get that a lot and it can be annoying but I—"

"Of course, young one." You say encouragingly. "Do you have something for me to sign?"

"I do!" He says as he reaches his trimmed claws into a bag of his, "Hold on, where is it…"

He eventually finds, to your horror and Grog's mirth, a box with a… figure or toy of you inside it. What the hell has your manager been doing? What did you sign for this to happen? You numbly take out a special pen for this that holds your magical signature in its ink and sign the… thing on the box plastic before giving it back to the ecstatic fan.

Kan even connects the dots and asks if Grog was one of your fellow squad members in the Doom Commandos. Not that the squad was obscure, but only people who studied your and the war's history would really know. This kobold really must be a big fan of yours. Grog, clearly pleased by this, confirms it and starts telling him stories about the squad.

The fan eventually gets off on his stop, and you two silently decide to enjoy the companionship without getting into the thorny topic from before. Eventually, Grog's stop comes by, and you decide on a whim to leave with him so you can give him a proper goodbye. You can just hop onto another train to get to where you want to go anyways.

"Well Deirdre, it's been good seeing you again." Grog says, a hint of sadness in his voice as he knows what comes next.

You nod, trying not to fidget too much with your hands. This too, is part of the journey.

"I'll call you when I can, Grog." You promise.

Grog sighs, but gives you a fond smile, "Alright, alright. Just don't wake me up. I need my sleep."

The two of you laugh, the good cheer restored between you two. When the two of you enter that lingering state where neither of you is sure when to leave, he speaks up.

"So," he starts. "You have your next destination in mind?"

---

Choose one:

[] Avista

[] Tarshish

[] Zhonghua

[] Sumeri

[] The Small Republic

[] New Hope

[] Yashima

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