#Noman- barely 5 min after meeting Amicus: Ah. I have second brother now. Adopted

[eyndr-stories]

Across The World C4 - The Third Place

Summary:

The gods of this world are ancient, most of them forgotten, or nearly so. Nomen has been taught not to make deals with any old gods, should they be unlucky enough to come across one. However, when their little brother Maribus stumbles into mortal peril, they find they have no real choice but to accept the trials of one such god in order to save him.

This is an original story written by yours truly! I started writing this back at the very start of 2021 when I had a particularly wild and extremely vivid dream. This story is heavily based on said dream! This dream is also why I strongly distrust bunny mascots / anthro rabbits lmao but anyhoo, I think i've improved as a writer since this so the quality may or may not be quite on par with my other stories. I also had some help from my cool aunt Kerry with editing this, so if there's anything amiss here we can totally blame her lmao

That all being said, I do still like this story, and I hope you will too!! Enjoy <3

Things To Know:

major character death (its okay though, they live lol)

blood and violence

happy ending

protag (Noman) is nonbinary and referred to with they / them pronouns

first person POV

8 chapters in total, about 13,000 words in total. So roughly 1600 words a chapter. Lil bite sized chappys!

No swear words used, somehow

(lmk if i should add anything, i can't think of anything else)

Ao3 link here

Chapter 1 here

Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5

C4 - The Third Place

     At first, I thought we were still in the ruins. We were standing at the beginning of a long corridor. There was no ceiling, and I could see the first golden rays of sunset. As we started walking, I noticed the walls were painted different colors, though they'd faded in the sunlight, but instead of being crumbled and decayed, they were whole and sturdy. Wherever we were was not as ancient as the world before it, and I got the uncomfortable feeling we weren't alone.

     Amicus looked nervous as well. "Where do you think this goes?"

     "I don’t know, but given my luck, not any place good."

     He swallowed anxiously. I felt bad for scaring him.

     "You remind me of my brother Maribus. That's why I'm here, I'm trying to save his life. To do that, I have to make it through all the doors. If I don't, we're both done for."

     "And I thought I had it bad," Amicus said. "I'd like to help, if you'll let me. You saved me back there. I know you probably don't think so, but you did."

     There was no way I was going to put this kid in even more danger, but I could see how serious he was, so I smiled. "Thanks, Amicus. You're pretty brave." I'd just have to look out for Amicus now too.

     The more we walked, the longer the corridor seemed to stretch out before us. It felt like there was no end to it. When I glanced at the sky, I realized the sun hadn't moved.

     Amicus inhaled sharply as he threw his arm out to stop me. While I'd had my head in the clouds, I hadn't noticed a woman round the corner a short ways ahead of us.

     She was tall, with a fiery red ponytail and cold eyes that stared into mine. Metal armor covered most of her body and she slowly pointed her sword at me.

     "Run!" I yelled at Amicus and we both turned, running back the way we came. I didn't know if we could get back through the door, but it was better than trying to fight a warrior with no weapons. I doubted my shovel would do me much good against that sword.

     We could hear the clink of her armor as she chased after us. It slowed her down, but not enough. The corridor didn't seem to have an end this way either. The door was nowhere to be seen and I was getting a stitch in my side. I knew we wouldn't be able to keep going much longer.

     "Amicus," I panted, "Keep going, for as long as you can."

     "I'm not leaving you behind!" he shouted.

     "You’re not. You're going to find us a way out while I buy us some time. It's better if I face her now. Trust me on this." If I was remembering the rules correctly, I could use my fire starter to save myself if I needed to. I just needed to get one of them to the end for my brother.

      Amicus thought for a moment as we ran, quickly making up his mind. "Okay, I'll find us a way out, I promise."

      When we split up, I was both relieved and terrified to see that I had been right to assume the warrior was after me specifically. She ignored Amicus and chased me down a branching path. I ran for as long as I could to help give him a lead and then I collapsed against a wall, gulping for air. The warrior quickly caught up, and I used the wall to pull myself fully onto my feet.  I gripped my shovel with both hands and faced the warrior. I wasn't about to give up just yet. Not without a fight, at least.

     "Hardly seems fair," I said, glancing at my shovel as the warrior raised her sword.

     "It's not about fair," the warrior said. "It's about who you are."

     I wasn't quite sure how to take that. I didn't have much time to think it over before the warrior swung her sword at me. I raised my shovel, blocking it from slicing me clean in half. She quickly pulled back for a jab. I swiveled out of the way, also using my shovel to bat her blade aside. I tried an offensive move, swinging my shovel as hard as I could for her head, the only unarmored part of her I could hit.

     The warrior ducked, and lightning fast she threw her sword forwards before I could recover from my swing. Her sword passed all the way through my chest and into the wall, pinning me there like a bug on a board.

     There was a moment of shock as I stared down at the blade. I looked up at the warrior, who's expression had not changed from fiercely determined and disturbingly impersonal. She looked me dead in the eye as she pulled her sword back out in one quick motion, then turned and began to clean off her blade. I slid to the floor, darkness already closing in.

     There was nothing left for me to do but close my eyes and let the pain consume me.

~~~

     I was standing at the beginning. There was a moment of disorientation as I realized I was not dead. There was no hole clean through my chest, though there was one in my poncho. I still had my shovel. Upon checking, however, I saw the fire starter was gone. I swore, then grabbed another piece from the dwindling lineup and placed it in my pocket.

     The bunny person was gone. They probably had other things to do than stand around here, especially since they'd already told me all the rules. I took a deep breath and started walking.

     The forest was silent this time around. I didn't see or hear any animals. It was still morning here, though it was harder to tell as some thick clouds had moved in. I did stop briefly to collect some twigs and dead leaves and some bark, storing them in my other pocket. If I was going to be making fires at the end of all this, I'd need everything I could get, especially since I didn't really know how these fire starter pieces worked, if they'd just ignite on their own once I found where it was meant to go. I found some good sparking stones and put those in my pocket as well.

     In the second place, I noticed instantly that the battle had subsided. There was no one here at all, not even those who'd fallen in battle. For some reason, the emptiness was more unsettling than the battle itself had been. I hurried through the fields unimpeded. I'd almost made it to the bridge when I noticed red light through the haze of rain. Two red dots, quickly getting closer.

     Eyes. Those dots were the eyes of one of the mechanical things. Not many things had stricken terror into me in such an effective way as seeing a giant murder machine charging right for me at full speed.

     I ran for all I was worth, making it to the grey stone buildings and walls in record time. I chanced a glance back before I hurried inside, and almost wished I'd hadn't.

     The first mechanical pursuer had been joined by a second. They ran side by side towards me, claws flexing and red eyes fixed on me. I wasted no time, running into the nearest corridor and taking as many turns as I could, hoping to loose the two of them.

     I wondered where the other two were. There'd been four of them the first time I'd seen them. I could only hope they were still wondering around out in the field somewhere and not hiding behind one of these corners I was carelessly racing down. I didn't dare slow or try to check behind me. I kept my shovel out in front of me, just in case.

     I came across a few familiar turns, recalling Amicus leading me down a certain way. With renewed hope, I followed what I desperately hoped was the familiar path, and found my way back into the columned space leading to the door. I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face as I made it safely to the door.

     I stepped through the door to the third place, and was immediately greeted by two things. The first being the same feeling of unease that I'd had before, when I'd entered the first time. The second being Amicus, who looked relieved to see me.

     Amicus threw his arms around me. "You're alive! I ran like you told me, but I couldn't leave you behind, it didn't feel right. I came back here, thinking maybe if you got lost you'd come back to the door. You're clothes are all bloody, are you alright?? What happened?"

     "Let's just say that woman has a lot of rage in her." I didn't want to frighten Amicus with how weak I felt. I checked my pocket, making sure the fire starter was still there. I only had three of these things left.

     Amicus frowned. "Well, you're okay now, right?"

     "Yeah, I think so." I patted my chest, assuring both myself and Amicus that I was not fatally injured. "Let's get moving."

     "While I was retracing my steps, I found a way out... at least out of the building." Amicus said as we started moving. He led us down a network of corridors, and I was amazed at his memory. I was about to tell him this, maybe ask if he'd picked up some things from his time in the previous world, when I heard a metallic rattling behind us. I looked over my shoulder and saw the warrior charging towards us.

     "Go!" I yelled.

     Amicus and I took off. We turned a corner, went down another connected corridor, then through a door, following Amicus's lead. Down that hall then around a bend and there it was, at the end of a long hall, green grass and trees and way off in the distance, the sun approaching the horizon. The warrior was close behind us now, a few feet out of grabbing range.

     Amicus and I ran for all we were worth. The warrior was equally as determined to stop us, or at least me. I was not about to loose another fire starter, though. The doorway was just a few long paces away. I could feel the warrior's fingers ghosting across my back, a hair away from being able to grab my clothes. I dove for the doorway, flying through it and crashing less than gracefully into the ground.

     I quickly rolled over, holding out my shovel. The warrior was no longer after me, it seemed. She had come to a dead stop right at the doorway and stared down at me for a long moment. Then she turned and walked back down the hall without a word.

     "That was close," Amicus said, relieved. He sat down on the ground next to me and took a moment to catch his breath.

     "Looks like she can't follow us out here. We're in the clear now."

     "Good!" Amicus exhaled and laughed a little. "I wasn't built for all this running."

     I took a look around our surroundings and saw we were in a garden. Ancient trees leaned over a cobblestone path that twisted through soft grass and flowers. The brick path ended at a small wooden bridge that arched over a slow-moving creek full of colorful fish. Iridescent orbs of light floated in the air and kept the path well lit.

     "This place is beautiful," Amicus said with a soft smile. "I might come back here once we save your brother."

     "You could stay now if you wanted. You've already helped so much, there's no reason for you to put yourself into more danger for me and my brother.      "And abandon you halfway through your quest?" Amicus took my a hand. "No way am I leaving you yet."

     I smiled down at him, surprised by how glad I felt at him staying by my side. We walked through the garden until we reached a clearing filled with small booths made of stone. Each was decorated with its own bright flag and cheerful streamers and looked to be selling everything from snacks to teacups to knives. At the center of this little marketplace was our plain wooden door standing firm without a frame, waiting for us.

     It took a moment for me to understand that the shopkeepers were not people, but animals chatting with each other. This wasn't exactly the norm where I'd come from, but Amicus appeared to take this in stride, so I followed his lead.

     “I sell all sorts of useful items to help you on your journey!” a capybara shopkeeper promised.

     “My snacks will give you all the energy you need to complete your quest!” a fox boasted.

     “Your friend deserves nice things!! Peruse my collection,” a turtle suggested.

     I did want to get Amicus something for helping me out. I asked, “Would you like anything?”

     Amicus looked longingly at the snack booth. “Well, it has been a long while since I’ve eaten anything…”

     “Food it is.” I said and crouched down to eye level with the fox. “Do you trade?"

     The fox smiled with delight. “What are you offering?”

     “Well…” I emptied out my pockets, realizing I didn't have much in the way of currency. "See anything of interest?"

     The fox looked bored with my collection of sticks and leaves. "Haven't you got anything more valuable?"

     "Do you want my poncho? It's very warm."

     The fox still looked unsatisfied. "What's in your other pocket there?"

     "My fire starter, but I need that to save my brother's life," I said.

     "A real fire starter! My goodness!!" The fox looked amazed, their tail wagging excitedly. "If you would only let me gaze upon it, I will trade you a small smack! Please!"

     "You just want to look at it?"

     "Yes, yes, just a peek!"

     "Alright. I suppose that'd be fine." Hesitantly, I pulled the fire starter from my pocket and allowed it to float just above my cupped palm.

     I was so focused on watching the fox that I didn't notice the shopkeeper in the booth beside us. By the time I realized what was happening, a claw had snatched my fire starter.

     “Hey!!” I cried, but before I could react, the hermit crab whose claw had stolen it, shattered the fire starter in its tight grasp.

~~~

     I was at the beginning. I stared at the table for a moment, dumbfounded and upset. There were two pieces left. I carefully took one and put it in my pocket, resolving to keep it there no matter what until I needed to use it to save my brother. I turned to face a darkened forest. The clouds above were threatening to pour. There was no breeze, no trace of animals anywhere. I felt uneasy here now, that sense of tranquility long gone, so I hurried through to the second place.

     I froze upon entering the second place. Something was… off.

     I felt… almost panicked. I felt like I was in grave danger here. Not from the mechanical creatures, but from something… else.

     I jogged through the fields, keeping my eyes peeled for trouble. My grip on my shovel was tight enough to make my fingers tingle.

     There wasn't a single soul in the ruins. It was eerily quiet. Dark clouds had begun to gather in the sky. I saw no sign of any of the four mechanical creatures. What was going on?? I couldn't see anything amiss, besides the lack of people. So why did I feel so on edge?

     Having traversed the ruins several times now, I didn't have too much trouble navigating my way through. I thankfully reached the door in record time.

     Before stepping through, I paused. I was being watched, I could feel it. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I slowly turned.

     At the other end of the long stone courtyard, standing silently in the doorway to the main part of the ruins, stood the bunny person. Their one eye stared at me with a hunger I could feel viscerally even at this distance. I suddenly understood that they had consumed everyone else here, and they wanted to consume me too.

     For a moment I was petrified. Then, the rabbit took a step towards me. I fled through the doorway.

     In the third place, it hit me then that if I failed to pass the trial with this golden piece, I would have to face the rabbit. I'd be sent back to the beginning and I'd have to get past the rabbit again to advance. I felt I would rather be stabbed again than face the rabbit, so I resolved to get through this as quickly and safely as I could.

     I’d been paying attention before to the path through the building, which had been a good idea on my part, as Amicus was not there to greet me at the doorway. I hurried through the maze-like corridors, managing to not run into the warrior, luckily enough. Amicus was waiting for me at the exit.

     “I’m sorry I didn’t meet you at the doorway. That warrior is really scary,” Amicus said. “You made it through okay though! I would have eventually gone back in to find you if you were taking too long, having gotten lost or something.”

     “That’s fair, she is pretty intense. Don't worry, I'm not mad at you or anything,” I said. I deliberated for a moment on whether or not to tell him about the rabbit. I decided to fill him in, just in case the rabbit ended up being a threat to him, so he could be better prepared and get away if needed. It seemed the rabbit could also pass through doorways on their own. We walked and talked, making our way through the garden as I filled Amicus in.

     “And you’re sure this rabbit creature wanted to hurt you?? You said they were kind and helpful at first,” Amicus questioned.

     “They were. I don’t know what happened, but I am positive they wanted to destroy me. I don't know how I know, but I'm very sure they consumed every other living thing in both the first and second places. It's like… like they wanted me to know, and so I did. I’m honestly terrified of what’ll happen if I loose this piece and have to go back and face them again,” I said.

     Amicus nodded thoughtfully. “You said you’ve only got two pieces left, right?"

     We reached the marketplace. I closed my eyes and sighed. “Yeah."

     "Then we'll be extra careful. Don't take it out of your pocket until you need it. We'll head straight for the door and stay away from any distractions."

     I nodded with determination. “No more distractions.”

     We strode past the rest of the booths and stood before the door. I took a deep breath, then placed a hand on Amicus’s shoulder. "Let's finish this."