[center][h2]The Journey Begins[/h2][/center]

[center][h3]~ Unknown Village ~[/h3][/center]

[center][i]Interacted with:[/i] [@Rune_Alchemist], [@ERode], [@Guy0fV4lor], [@Pyromania99][/center]

They tucked in for the night, using the naked ground for a bed. Nick was not at all used to this kind of wilderness lifestyle but fortunately, he found a nice rock he could lean on somewhat comfortably. It was also fortunate that he was tired which made it easy for him to head onto to sleep. But before he dozed off, he spotted a star twinkling brightly over to the southern night sky past the mountains. It was a strange sight to be sure, but could it have meant something? It seemed no one else saw it and now that he thought about it, Nick's power concerned the stars, didn't it?

Nick made a note of it in his mind. He would definitely head south and find out if that star guided him to his goals. However, he had different plans for tomorrow. Now that he knew of the deer deity living in the woods around them.

---

The morning came and the party awoke. Nick got up later than the others and so had little to eat for breakfast, a single bite of meat. He watched the others gather snow to melt for a drink. Reluctantly, he did the same and did his best to ignore that they probably stepped on this snow a lot during the previous day.

It was about time to set off and Nick wanted to talk to the group about his decision but [u]Donovan[/u] spoke first. He said that he would be heading north to a village for a favor to the deer god in the forest. But before parting, he proposed to 'purify' Octavia which [u]Augusta[/u] had reservations about. Even Nick was hesitant on any cleansing on Octavia. Sure, she was an ugly demon dog but she wasn't all that bad.

After [u]Donovan[/u] was shot down and began to walk north, Nick was the next to speak. "[color=skyblue]Guys, I also gotta go. Probably with Donovan.[/color]" He told [u]Isidore[/u] and [u]Augusta[/u]. "[color=skyblue]I'm gonna come clean here, I'm looking for a way home. Back to Earth. I don't know about you two but I've got a life there, and I will return to it.[/color]" He declared. "[color=skyblue]I'm gonna see if the deer god has any info about that. I'd wager a deity would know something.[/color]"

"[color=skyblue]If this is goodbye, then it's been a pleasure. We may have not known each other long, but it was nice. And you too, ya little scallywag.[/color]" Nick rubbed Octavia's head. "[color=skyblue]You guys take care, alright? Maybe we'll see each other again but until then, this is farewell.[/color]"

With that, Nick would join [u]Donovan[/u]. 

---

"[color=skyblue]So yeah, I'm coming with 'cause I got some questions for your deer friend in the woods. Put in a good word for me when we meet him, will you?[/color]" Nick told [u]Donovan[/u] as they trekked north along the beach. "[color=skyblue]Ugh, sand. They'recoarse, rough, irritating and gets everywhere.[/color]"

They soon made it to a settlement. A small fishing village, evident by the small canoes and the hauls of fish being unloaded by them. A young girl emerged from the forest nearby but she did not notice the two arrivals and they did not have a chance to call out to her before she took off.

[quote]“Another one...hah... Been a lot of outsiders lately...maybe a sign from the Gods…?”[/quote]

The idle comment from the man in furs was a revelation to Nick. "[color=skyblue]Huh. Looks like we're not the first ones here.[/color]"

There was a woman in exotic clothing standing by the shore and watching the waves. Was that... was that a horn on her head? Okay, a non-human that's infinitely prettier than the non-humans back in the prison. Hopefully, also infinitely friendlier. There was also a large longhouse to the north, likely the residence of the village's mayor or leader.

"[color=skyblue]Well, we're here. Pretty little village. Wonder what it's called.[/color]" Nick remarked before turning to [u]Donovan[/u]. "[color=skyblue]What're we here for again?[/color]"