[center] [h1][b][u]Alys[/u][/b][/h1] & [h1][color=DAA250][b][u]Mathius[/u][/b][/color][/h1] [/center] [hr] Alys was sat by a fire, eating a handful of blueberries. The fire had been of her own making; all she had to do was pile some sticks and logs on top of each other, and wave her hand. Well, there was that one time she accidentally caused a forest fire, but that was four days ago, which was basically forever. The berries tasted good, and the fire was warm, both of which helped alleviate the fact that she was utterly and helplessly lost. She thought she would have found another village by now, but it turned out that aimlessly wandering far from any roads or landmarks was not the best way to navigate. She did not know it, but she had in fact been wandering in circles. [hr] Mathius had been wandering for some time as well, often cursing his creator for his very existence. He had been told to go south, so, south he was going, he had no idea what for but, whatever Yamat said, he would do. The darkness had begun to settle into the woods, it admittingly didn’t bother him, he could see fine without any eyes in the first place, but he felt like he should probably find a place to stop, at least to gather his bearings. Then, he saw a soft orange glow in the distance, a fire? Who the antiquity was doing all the way out here? He slowly drew himself closer to the sight, making sure to make as little noise as possible. From behind the trees he could see a small child sitting by a fire, now that, was not what he expected. [color=DAA250]”Very good Mathius,”[/color] a voice suddenly spoke in his head, it was him again [color=DAA250]”,you found what i wanted, make sure you don’t lose her, she’s important.”[/color] So he wanted a small child? Not the weirdest thing, but how the hell would he not lose her? He could follow her, but he didn’t have much confidence in his skills. He sighed, he opted to do something probably stupider, he stepped forward. [color=A52A2A]”Hey, what are you doing all alone in the woods?”[/color] That's how people talked right? The girl jumped, startled at his sudden appearance. As she did, a violent gust of wind shot forth in all directions, reducing her fire to embers and forcing Mathius to stagger. She swivelled in place to face him. “Wh-who are you?” Mathius did his best to stabilize himself, but still stumbled and had to catch himself on a tree, he held his hand out, trying to calm down the child [color=A52A2A]”It's alright, i'm Mathius, i'm not here to hurt you, just curious why a child is by themself in these woods.”[/color] She looked away sheepishly. “I…” she had been about to say ‘I’m lost’, but then remembered that she was on her own now. She had to be strong. So instead, she met his gaze and spoke in a defiant tone. “I’m not a child. Why are [i]you[/i] by yourself?” [color=A52A2A]”Cause i'm not a child and can defend myself, you never answered why you’re out here.”[/color] He looked both at the child and the former fire, the wind was strange, no wonder Yamat had been interested in her. She crossed her arms and let out a stubborn ‘hmph.’ “I don’t have to. You’re not the boss of me.” Mathius could feel a presence again, his creator didn’t seem to be happy with how this was going, that's when his perception was directed to a faint presence on the girl, divinity, so that's why. [color=A52A2A]”Listen, i'm not here to hurt you in anyway, i'm here to help, i was,”[/color] he paused, a slight headache told him to not tell the direct truth [color=A52A2A]”I was sent by the gods to help you out.”[/color] Another ‘hmph’, and she somehow crossed her arms even tighter, this time looking away. “Well I don’t need help. I’m okay just by myself. My father was friends with Cadien and taught me everything I need to know.” Her words were filled with considerably less resolve, however, and it was clear to anyone that this was just an act. Mathius didn’t recognize the name, but he was getting there, [color=A52A2A]”Was he now? Just so happens Cadien has been worried about you, so he got the gods to send some help, and well, here i am”[/color] he held his hands out in as non-threatening a manner as he could, gesturing to himself which, was admittingly not a lot. Just then, a voice spoke in Mathius’s mind. [color=violet][i]I don’t take kindly to those who spread lies about me,[/i][/color] Cadien said icily, [color=violet][i]So mayhaps choose your words a bit more carefully?[/i][/color] Mathius froze, ah, so, that was Cadien, huh, fuck. He looked at the girl, [color=A52A2A]”Well, it's more like we’re doing it, as a gift to Cadien, make sure his prodiges aren’t, in too much danger.”[/color] He could feel Yamat in the back of his mind, the madman was getting intrigued, he had to get the child or else problems would come. The girl looked back at him, and sized him up. A long silence followed, until at last she spoke. “My name is Alys,” she told him. “If you want to help me, then… alright. But I’m in charge, and if you try to hurt me I’ll burn you.” He nodded, lowering his hands [color=A52A2A]”Sounds perfectly fine to me,”[/color] He drew closer, looking at the campfire [color=A52A2A]”Any idea where you’re heading?”[/color] “Um… that way,” she said, pointing in a random direction. [color=A52A2A]”Do you...have any idea what's in that direction?”[/color] Her eyes widened. “Y-yes!” she insisted nervously. Mathius sighed [color=A52A2A]”If i may offer some advice, perhaps it’d be better to head this direction,”[/color] he gestured off, towards the direction of Ketrefa [color=A52A2A]”That should lead us to actual civilization.”[/color] “I-I’m in charge! We’re going my way!” Mathius just stared at the child, before emitting a long sigh and whispering [color=A52A2A]”Gods save me.”[/color] He looked off in the direction the child had chosen, yup, about what he expected, wilderness. [color=A52A2A]”I would highly advise my direction...but, you’re in charge.”[/color] He could feel a chuckling in his mind, damn his creator. The girl nodded, pleased at his concession… and then immediately began marching off in her chosen direction, despite the fact that night would fall soon. [color=A52A2A]”Uh, night is about fall, shouldn’t you, rest?”[/color] She ignored him and carried on. Mathius sighed once more, he was going to tear his creator a new one for this. [hr] Not even ten minutes later, she suddenly came to a stop. “I’m tired,” she said, beginning to rub her eyes. “We should stop here.” Mathius stopped, he was going to kill someone by the end of this, preferably himself. [color=A52A2A]”Alright, i’ll keep watch then, you get some rest.”[/color] he hoped the child would listen to some common sense. She shook her head. “No. We need a fire.” [color=A52A2A]”You seemed to be able to make it before.”[/color] The girl let out a frustrated sigh. “No! The fire needs… we need a pile! Away from any grass or trees, so that it won’t spread!” Another sigh. “This is why I am in charge.” Mathius merely raised his hand, snapping his fingers, a sudden snap of branches echoed through the woods, portions of the trees above them fell onto the ground, and some squirrels and birds, but hey, they were fine, he thought. [color=A52A2A]”There’s a pile”[/color] Alys looked at the fallen branches with a pleased expression. She quickly knelt and arranged them into a stack. Then, she stepped back, and waved her hand. A nearby bush set fire. “Oops.” [hider=summary of stupidity] Alys is in the woods hopelessly lost, setting for herself a campsite with only minor casualties to the forest. Meanwhile after years of traveling, Mathius finally finds himself in the southern highlands, coming upon Alys, who Yamat tells him to make sure doesn’t come out of his sight. Chaos ensues as Mathius tries to talk to Alys and get her to trust a completely random person, after some aid from Yamat, some lies, and some beratting from Cadien himself, Alys finally accepts Mathius’ help, so long as she’s in charge. Mathius decides to accept but regrets it after Alys chooses to go further into the woods, and stops shortly afterward. A great friendship has begun. [/hider]