Chapter 2 | Home Away From Home
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As the sun is setting towards the western horizon, both Kira and Siena managed to reach the town of Namuu in Everglades by foot. Siena stopped walking, turned around, and gently raised her arm towards the town as though welcoming Kira to a holiday resort.
Siena: Here we are, my hometown of Namuu in the region of Everglades.
Kira: Thank you Siena, for leading the way! I shall make a move now.
Siena: The skies are getting dark. How about coming over to my place for dinner, wash up, and resting for the night?
Kira: I guess you are right. It has been a long day of traveling and I have not eaten anything since I left my hometown before dawn.
Siena: Follow me, I will show you the way to my place.
Kira: Alright, lead the way sister.
Siena leads the way while Kira follows from behind. After a short walk, the pair reached a cathedral and Kira starts to feel uneasy about where he is being led to.
Kira: Wait a minute. This is your 'place'?
Siena: Yes, that is correct. I am a priestess who lives in this cathedral together with my brothers and sisters.
Kira: Will I be imposing on your brothers and sisters as I am outsider?
Siena: No worries, my place is open to and welcomes peaceful travelers from all walks of life.
Kira: (I am not a peaceful traveler though.) Alright sister, lead the way.
Siena continues to lead the way and Kira follows her into the cathedral hall, and then to the cathedral gardens. Just before reaching the dining hall, Kira stopped following Siena and started putting down his rucksack and equipments on a nearby bench with table.
Kira: Sister Siena, this is the furthest I will go.
Siena: Alright, I will bring some food over while you rest in our holy garden.
Siena walked into the dining hall while Kira settles down on the bench and breathed a sigh of relief. A few moments later, Siena returned with a tray of hot-piping food. Baked potatoes, washed lettuce, carrot slices, and cream of mushroom soup.
Siena: I hope these are adequate for your tastebuds.
Kira: Thank you for the accommodation sister! These would do fine.
Siena: So .. what brings you here to Everglades?
Kira: I am looking for a powerful mystic by the name of 'Ellis Quinn'. Do you know where I can find her?
Siena: Ahh yes .. that archaelogist even though she is a mystic! She resides in the town of Khorban, just a short walking distance away from Namuu.
Kira: May I trouble you once again to show me the way?
Siena: Why are you looking for Ellis?
Kira: A family member of mine is suffering from a mysterious illness which cannot be cured by ordinary means. I believe it is a curse and I need help from someone with knowledge in this domain.
Siena: You saved my life without asking for anything in return and I will gladly do the same for you and your family. The wash area is over there just round the corner so have a good night rest and I will come find you again after sunrise.
Siena left the cathedral garden while Kira finishes up the food. After Kira was done with dinner and bath, he laid down on the bench and shut his eyes to catch some sleep.
One chicken lord .. two chicken lords .. three chicken lords ..
Mysterious Voice: Wake up Kira .. wake up!
Kira: Uhh .. I am so tired .. is the sun rising already? Can you let me sleep for a little bit more?
Mysterious Voice: The town is under attack by cultists! Wake up and help to fight!
Kira: What happened? Where am I? Who are you?
Mysterious Voice: It is me, Siena! You are in my hometown of Namuu, Everglades. The sun is not up yet!
Kira: Cultists? Those men I fought earlier in the day? Let me grab my gear.
Kira grabbed his gear and rushed out of the cathedral garden onto the main street area. Many of the town buildings are on fire, men are being slaughtered with knife wounds, women and children are being tied up in ropes and dragged along the ground by evil men in hooded robes.
Without any hesitation, Kira drew out his blades and attempted to rush into the fray but it seems like his leg movements are as slow as being trapped underwater. A bigger and taller version of man in hooded robes stopped by right in front of him and drove a sword through his heart.
Man in Hooded Robes: You are a fool to have come this far. Now you shall die slowly and painfuly while watching the world burn before your eyes!
Kira tries to move his arms and legs but nothing happened while the sword continues to pierce through his heart.
One chicken lord .. two chicken lords .. three chicken lords ..
Gentle Female Voice: Good morning Kira .. the sun has risen ..
Kira: Uhh .. I am sorry Siena .. I have failed you ..
Siena: Kira, are you alright?
Kira: Oh .. It was just a bad dream. Sorry about that.
Siena: Go wash up while I bring some food over for your breakfast.
Kira: Thank you sister! I will be on my way.
Kira made his way to the wash area while Siena left the cathedral garden into the dining hall to get some food. A few moments later, Kira is done washing up and Siena returned with food for breakfast. Freshly baked Baguette, Strawberry Jam, and Sweet Corn Porridge.
Siena: Feel free to eat up while the food is still hot.
Kira: Thank you sister Siena for the food and accommodation!
Siena: Had a bad dream last night?
Kira: Yes, I dreamed about Namuu being attacked by cultists and I got killed by one of the cultists.
Siena: That sounded scary but you are safe now. Finish up the food and we will be on our way to Khorban.
As soon as Kira and Siena finished the food for breakfast, they started packing their belongings, and travel towards the direction of Khorban.
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Previous: Chapter 1 | The Road Less Traveled
Current: Chapter 2 | Home Away From Home
Next: Chapter 3 | Journey to Khorban