The Rostical Users - Sceldrant's Comet

by Michael Rogers

  Ashton: "Sure thing."

  Alicia: "Please excuse me."

  Ashton: "See you soon."

  Alicia: *She giggled and skipped out.* (What weird people.)

  Lance: "Wat a weird girl."

  Ashton: "I think she's just shy."

  *Lance silently stared at Ashton.*

  Ashton: "What's the matter?"

  Lance: "How are we gonna get back? It seems like everyone in this dump doesn't know shit about Earth."

  Ashton: "I-"

  Lance: "Wait, is this a joke? Or-"

  Ashton: "I don't know either, and I promise this isn't a joke."

  Lance: *He nodded his head with uncertainty.* "OK-"

  Alicia: *She spoke from outside the hut.* "It's time for the feast, are you both ready?"

  Lance: "That was fast-" *He watched Ashton walk out of the hut, causing him to follow.*

  Ashton: *He looked around surprised.* (It's already evening?)

  Lance: *He quickly followed Alicia and Ashton through the village.* "Wait for me-" *He stepped in a puddle, causing him to look down with a sigh.* (I want to go home.)

  *The sound of leaves bristling in the wind could be heard in the distance.*

  Alicia: *She turned around and noticed Lance staring at her, as he shook his foot.* "Is there something on me?"

  Lance: "Ah err, no. Wat isn't on you!" *His face became red, as he pretended to be disgusted.*

  Alicia: "Humph, when you're both ready, meet me over here." *She raised her arm and pointed to a fire.*

  Ashton: "Sure thing."

  Alicia: "Loser face." *She grumbled at Lance before making her way over to the fire.*

  Ashton: "I saw you looking at her, Lance." *He smirked, watching Alicia sit in between two villagers.*

  Lance: "I was not, look at its face, you can't do anythin' but stare."

  Ashton: "Fair enough, well what are we waiting for?" *He started to walk towards the fire, causing Lance to follow.*

  Lance: (My cheeks are really hot.) *He sighed and sat down with Ashton on a giant log.*

  *The villagers talked amongst themselves, as Ashton and Alicia discussed plans for the next day.*

  Lance: *He kicked his feet together, as he inspected the area.* (I'm bored-)

  *A small flame flickered in an old lamp, catching Lance's attention.*

  Lance: "That looks kool-" *He mumbled to himself and quickly stood up, pointing at the lamp.* "It looks like an ancient dirty lamp."

  *The villagers stopped their conversations and stared at Lance in disgust.*

  Alicia: *She nervously leant over to Ashton and whispered something his ear.* "Amnesia or not, that is the worst swear word you can use."

  Lance: *He stared back at the villagers confused.* "All I said was dirty lam-"

  Ashton: *He quickly jumped off the log and covered Lance's mouth.* "Lance, unacceptable!"

  Lance: *He pulled Ashton's hand away and looked at him with an odd smirk.* "OK, but like come on. Dirty lamp? Ahahaha."

  Villager: "Why I never!" *She gasped to herself in disgust.*

  Alicia: "Please ignore him, he's special." *She fake laughed and scratched the back of her head.* "Tee.. Hee.."

  Mother: *She covered her child's ears and shook her head.* "Ignore him, honey." *She gave Alicia and Lance a feral look, as she pushed her child away.*

  Ashton: "H-How about we call it a day?" *He tried to cover up the awkward moment.*

  Alicia: "I agree, I'm terribly tired." *She pretended to yawn and stretch.*

  Lance: "Fine." *He rolled his eyes and started to walk back to the hut.*

  Alicia: "See you in the morning." *She waved Ashton goodnight, as she walked into her own hut.*

  *Ashton and Lance silently entered the hut and sighed with exhaustion.*

  Lance: *He lay down on itchy sheets and tilted his head to Ashton.* "How was I meant to know it was a swear word?"

  Ashton: "Now we know, don't beat yourself up over it."

  Lance: "Yea, I know."

  Ashton: "Try and get some rest, we had a tiring day." *He rolled over and fell asleep.*

  Lance: (I hate everything about this feral place.) *He sighed as he tried to fall asleep.* (I will never fall asleep here.)

  ----------

  Lance: *He moaned and slowly woke up with drool running down his chin.* (Gah, I don't even remember falling asleep-) *He wiped his chin and rubbed his eyes.*

  *Lance stood up half asleep and staggered to the door.*

  Lance: (What a crazy dream, in another world? Ahaha-) *He chuckled to himself and stepped outside, instantly noticing several horses trot past.* "Why me?! Argh-"

  *Several villagers glanced at Lance with confusion, before walking by.*

  Lance: *A flapping piece of paper on the tent, caught his attention.* "I wanted to take a look around the area to find clues on where we are. If you're reading this before I get back, then I will probably be at the Elder's place, Ashton."

  *The constant sounds of villagers and livestock could be heard in the background.*

  Lance: *He sighed and rolled his eyes, before making his way towards the Elder's residence.* (What a pain in the arse-)

  Villager 1: "I can't believe the Consultants are sending so many tax collectors recently." *He groaned with disappointment, as he stacked barrels on top of each other.*

  Villager 2: "I heard they need the funds to send all single digit warriors across the lands."

  Villager 1: "Apparently the neighbouring village is getting taxed sometime soon."

  Villager 2: "Soon ya say?"

  Villager 1: "Yeah it may also be the same group that killed Alicia's mother and father, and even stole her Rostical pendant."

  Villager 2: "Poor thing, it was only a few days ago?"

  Villager 1: "That's the reason she's been leaving the village I heard."

  Lance: *His eyes widened in shock, as he stopped in front of the Elder's tent.* (What are they talking about? The same stinky bitch I know? No way.) *He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head, entering the tent.*

  Elder: *He noticed Lance, motioning him forward.* "Come."

  Lance: *He slowly walked forward and noticed Ashton and Alicia, bowing in respect.* (What's happening now?)

  Ashton: (Excellent, he must've read my letter.)

  Elder: "Ah, Lance, we have been waiting for you."

  Lance: "Waitin' for me? Then why didn't ya wake me up-?"

  Elder: "Although this isn't a very wealthy village, I'm still of royalty and it's rude to keep them waiting." *He stared at Lance with slight impatience.*

  Lance: "Arh-?"

  Ashton: "With respect, what are you going to do about an escort?"

  Elder: "I will be sending two of my villagers with you."

  Ashton: "Two?"

  Elder: "You've both met Alicia."

  Alicia: *She stared at the ground and smiled with excitement.* (I can't wait to leave with permission-)

  Elder: "And this is, Cliff." *He motioned over a large man whose muscles bulged in all directions.*

  Cliff: *A giant axe, tied to his back, rattled as he walked towards the party.* "..."

  Lance: "Steroids much?" *Ashton nudged him.*

  Elder: "Unfortunately neither Cliff nor Alicia possess any Rostical."

  Lance: "So?"

  Elder: "And that will be a huge hindrance in the journey."

  Lance: (Still, who cares-)

  Elder: "Although, Alicia knows the southern landscape very well and Cliff excels in brute force. Your bags are packed, and thank you for saving Alicia. You all are dismissed!"

  Cliff: *He bowed with respect and quietly left the tent.* "..."

  Lance: *He gave Cliff an annoyed look.* "So wat, I'm assumin' we follow him like sheep?"

  Alicia: "U-Umm-?"

  Lance: "Pssht, wateva-" *He sighed and disrespectfully stormed out of the tent.*

  *The Elder tilted his fragile head down towards Ashton, due to Lance's attitude. Ashton shook his head in response and made his way out t
he tent.*

  Alicia: "Thank you, elder, I will return, to tell everyone about what's beyond the Hollow Plains." *Her face filled with excitement.*

  Elder: "Be careful, young one. Be careful of the Consultants." *His brittle voice had a powerful sense of warning.*

  Alicia: "I-I will." *She smiled and slowly made her way out the tent.*

  Elder: *He sighed and ran his fingers along the arms of the chair.* (Be careful..)

  Alicia: *She nervously glanced across the village, as she tried to find the party.* (Where are they?)

  Lance: (I hate waiting-) *He impatiently fidgeted on the spot, catching Alicia's attention.*

  Alicia: (They're already at the entrance-)

  Lance: *He watched Alicia walk towards him.* "Took ya time? That time of the month?"

  Cliff: "..." *He raised his arm, hitting Lance in the back of the head.*

  Lance: "Argh-" (Stupid asshat.) *He rubbed the back of his head in frustration.*

  Ashton: *He shook his head and face palmed.* (Sorry, Lance, but you kind of deserved that.)

  Cliff: "So, miss, where are we going?" *He spoke in a deep voice, as he awaited Alicia's instructions.*

  Alicia: "Okay, so if we are going to Gasher hills to get to Surpreon, we will need to head South. But first we need to cross the Hollow Plains then to AriAri village, and we'll make a pit stop there."

  Lance: "And? Is that it?"

  Ashton: (I don't recognise any of those city names-)

  Lance: "Wow, what an epic adventure." *He rolled his eyes and folded his arms child-like.*

  Cliff: "From a warrior's position, it is wise to plan the destinations."

  Ashton: (I agree.)

  Cliff: "And to carefully lay out those plans, instead of simply saying, let's go to plains, then to village, then to this and this." *He chuckled and shook his head.*

  Lance: "Wat's so funny?" *He hissed with a slight frown.*

  Cliff: "I get called idiot all time, but you make me feel smart." *He cockily smirked at Lance.*

  Lance: "Stupid ogre." *He mumbled under his breath and poked out his tongue.*

  Ashton: "Very good, Cliff, that's exactly what I was going to say."

  Cliff: "At least, you smart like Alicia."

  Lance: "Shut it-"

  Cliff: "Hmm?" *His grunt caused Lance to quickly look away.*

  Ashton: "So off to the Hollow Plains it is then?"

  Alicia: "Y-Yep."

  Lance: (How corny are these people? Are we going to skip down the road?) *He face palmed and moaned.*

  *The party started to walk down the dirt path, beginning their epic adventure.*

  Ashton: "So, Cliff, how far have you gone out from the village?"

  Cliff: "The furthest I've gone, was going to Library for the first time."

  Lance: "The Library? Pssht, I thought you weren't smart-"

  Cliff: *He stared at light, which shined near the end of the dirt path.* "Be quiet now, we entering danger zone."

  Alicia: "That light, it's the Hollow Plains." *She looked at the party and smiled at her knowledge.*

  Ashton: *He stepped into the light and blinked several times.* "H-Huh?" *He stared across a large green valley in amazement.*

  Alicia: "Hollow Plains is the second largest plains across the lands." *She watched the vibrant green grass, sway in the constant wind.*

  Lance: *He folded his arms and sighed.* (Gah, stupid girly field.)

  Alicia: *She opened her hands and spread her arms far apart.* (It's beautiful-) *She started to spin in circles, bathing in the warm wind.*

  Lance: *He looked down to the ankle deep grass and noticed patches of flowers, which grew in random patches across the plains.* "Cliff, wanna daisy?" *He spoke in a childish tone.*

  Cliff: "..." *He slowly sighed and glanced across the plains, ignoring Lance.*

  Alicia: "Wow, it's so pretty teehee." *She continued to spin around.*

  Lance: "Stupid girl." *He mumbled to himself and rolled his eyes.*

  Ashton: "So where do we go? Straight ahead?"

  Alicia: *She stopped and looked forward.* "Yep."

  Lance: (What are we going to do? I just want to go home.)

  Ashton: *He noticed the next village in the distance.* "Excellent, I see the houses now-"

  Lance: "Wait a minute, look at them tiny dots." *He chuckled in disbelief and frowned.* "You tellin' me that's how far to the next effin' village?"

  Alicia: *She sighed like Lance and cupped her hands.* "We will rest there-"

  Lance: "Who gave it permission to sigh?" *He glanced at each party member, folding his arms.*

  Alicia: "S-Sorry-?"

  Cliff: "It seems we not alone." *He stared in front with concentration, placing his hand on the axe.*

  Ashton: *He heard a faint buzzing sound in the far distance, causing him to look around with curiosity.* "What is that?"

  Lance: *He gasped and turned around to Alicia.* "I've never heard a girl fart before-"

  Cliff: "It's a Scoldrant." *He grunted with caution.*

  Alicia: (A Scoldrant already?) *She bit her bottom lip and stepped behind Cliff.*

  Cliff: (Tssk this bad.)

  Ashton: *He noticed an object, which flew closer and closer towards him.* "Is that it?"

  Alicia: "Y-Yes." *She squeaked with fear.*

  Lance: "Aye?" *He looked around oblivious and instantly noticed the Scoldrant.* "Shit?! It's a giant wasp lookin' thing!?" *He stepped back with shock.*

  Scoldrant: "Bzzz-" *It flew at high speeds directly towards the cluttered party.*

  Alicia: "Oh no!"

  Cliff: "It fine." *He grunted and frowned with anticipation.*

  Alicia: "I was hoping we wouldn't run into any Scoldrants along the way." *She bit her bottom lip and started to breathe heavily.*

  Cliff: "It was foolish to think that."

  Scoldrant: *As it flew closer to the party, it flipped it abdomen up and revealed a large stinger.* "Bwzz."

  Ashton: "Here it comes." *He stared at the yellow-brown human sized wasp in astonishment.*

  Scoldrant: *It aimed its stinger at Alicia and fired several needle shards directly at her.* "Buzz."

  Alicia: "N-No-"

  Cliff: *He looked back and pushed her aside, causing a stinger to jab into his arm.* "Grarh-" *He ripped the axe off his back and threw it straight at the Scoldrant.*

  Lance: *He watched the axe spin in the air, before slicing the Scoldrant.* (Huh-?)

  Ashton: *He stared at the axe tumble along the ground behind the Scoldrant.* (He missed?!)

  Lance: (I thought he hit it right on?)

  Scoldrant: "Ekzrar-" *It made unusual sounds before its body sliced into two.*

  Lance: "Whoa-"

  Scoldrant: "Sz-zwarh-" *Its legs and wings fell off its body, causing the ground to rumble.*

  Lance: *He shook on the spot, frozen in fear.* "D-Dude-"

  Alicia: *She stopped biting her bottom lip, as she started to relax.* (That was close.)

  Ashton: "Amazing."

  Alicia: *She cautiously walked up to Cliff and inspected the needle.* (Oh no!-)

  Cliff: "It one of those, isn't it?"

  Alicia: "U-Umm-" *She silently nodded her head and looked down to her feet.*

  Ashton: "We should hurry to AriAri village."

  Cliff: *He grunted in pain and staggered towards his axe.* "Yes." *He puffed on his breath and grunted again.*

  Lance: "For someone who towers over me, you're such a girl."

  Alicia: *She glanced at Cliff then to Lance with confusion.* "A girl?"

  Lance: "Yea, like. Oh no a needle... Pshht, watch out tough guy." *He looked at Cliff and rolled his eyes.*

  Alicia: "I'm tired of your sarcasm! If you're not going to say anything good, then don't say anything at all!"

  Lance: "Don't tell me what to do little girl, I can do what I want, when I want, got it!?"

  Ashton: "Unacceptable! Both of you please stop!"

  Lance: *Ashton's voice instantly caused him to calm
down.* "OK-"

  Ashton: "Look at Cliff." *He spoke with concern.*

  Cliff: "Don't worry about me." *He panted and stood at an angle in pain.*

  Lance: *He observed Cliff and look intrigued.* "Oi Cliff, why are ya blue?"

  Cliff: "..." *He unintentionally ignored Lance, as he focused on the pain.*

  Alicia: *She noticed the silence, causing her to step forward.* "That was a ground based Scoldrant."