Friendventures

A story I work on once in awhile. Based off of Role Playing Games

*It’s early morning and the sun has risen on a lakeside campsite*

CLANK…..CLANK….CLANK. The sound of metal clashing with another object awakes Warrior from her sleep. “What the hell is that noise. It’s way too early for noises like that.” She grumbles as she gets up to investigate. She follows the sound to the lake where she peers through some bushes to see where it is coming from. Warrior parts the bushes to see Guardian, the group’s paladin, hitting rocks like baseballs into the lake with his mace. Now furious, Warrior storms through the bushes and begins to yell from behind Guardian, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU DINGUS SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!”. Startled by the sudden screaming as he was taking another swing, Guardian accidently lets go of his mace mid swing and it sails into the lake. He turns around, “You know you didn’t HAVE TO YELL. It’s morning and you needed to get up anyway. All I did was help you. Now look what you did. Some thanks I get for helping you,” He says. “That’s what you get for waking me up so early,” Warrior says as she crosses her arms, closes her eyes, and looks away triumphantly. She starts to say something else, but quickly stops when she realizes there is only a pile of clothes where Guardian was previously standing. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! You can’t just get naked and go jumping in lakes!” she yells as she turns to Guardian diving underwater to retrieve his weapon. By this time, all the commotion has awoken Archer. She drowsily stumbles up to a pouting Warrior. Before she can ask any questions her attention is directed to the lake, as a triumphant Guardian resurfaces celebrating the retrieval of his weapon. Archer stretches, wipes the sleep from her eyes, and says “Oooh swimming? I could use a bath!” and begins to remove her tunic. Warrior immediately grabs Archer. “No you stop that right now that is not allowed!” she angrily grumbles to Archer. “Oh relax, you’re not my mom and it’s not like he’s never seen b***s before.” Archer removes her tunic and tosses it on Warrior’s head. When Warrior throws it to the ground she is horrified to see another pile of clothes right next to Guardian’s. “I can’t believe you two! This is so distasteful! I hate you both!” she screams. “Oh come on it isn’t that bad why don’t you joins us?” Guardian laughs splashing water towards Warrior. “I think she’s too scared of a little lake water,” Archer says. “That or she is upset that her “assets” aren’t up to par” claims Guardian making air quotes with his fingers. Both answers were partially true. In her head, Warrior was thinking of all the things that could be swimming in the shadowy water. She knew Archer had more features than she did. Warrior was a very petite girl. Her soft and delicate features matched her porcelain skin. She didn’t have a very curvaceous body like a lot of girls, although sometimes she wished she did. Archer was darker skinned. She looked as if she was always tan, even in the winter months. Her body was average. Nothing too big nothing too small. Guardian was kind of a stocky boy, his skin not as dark as Archer but not as white as Warrior. His muscles weren’t defined but he was not weak. His shoulders were wide and his arms were bulky. As much as he poked fun, he liked Warrior the way she was. He knew if she were any more curvy, it would ruin her delicate frame. Warrior stood there watching them swimming, together, with no clothing on. Everyone knew how she felt about Guardian, including him. That’s why he liked to poke fun and make jokes about him and Archer. Archer knew Guardian and Warrior had feelings towards each other despite all their bickering, but she also knew that neither of them would ever admit to it. “I’m getting hungry I think we should go eat.” Archer says. “Yeah me too,” said Guardian, “ladies first of course.” “Oh shut up Guardian you just wanna stare at her butt!” shouts Warrior. Archer began to walk up the shore out of the water. Warrior grabs a blanket from the campsite exclaiming, “Archer have some decency and cover yourself! Guardian wipe that stupid grin off your face damnit! I hate both of you. It’s things like this that make me question the quality of our friendship. I could of stayed at home but nooo I had to..” Warrior continues grumbling as Guardian leaves the water. Archer turns to talk to him, only to be greeted by a hand over her eyes. “No! You are not allowed to look at him. I have had about enough of you two. Guardian put your clothes on, Archer I will uncover your eyes when we get on the other side of the bushes.”

Once they all got dressed they strapped on their armor, grabbed their weapons, and set off on their way. The trio began walking through the forest. Guardian was in front, followed by Archer, with Warrior in the back. “According to this guide I bought from that shopkeeper,” Guardian began, “there is some sort of tribe in this section of the forest that isn’t too fond of adventurers. Something about an adventurer took some super valuable item and now they’ve covered the forest with traps. Just look out for any vines in the shape of circles.”  No sooner did he finish reading, Guardian heard a loud snap and a scream from behind him. He dropped his head and sighed. Archer began to giggle. “Warrior stepped on a trap didn’t she,” Guardian groaned. “Yep. She totally did!” laughed Archer. Guardian turned around to see Warrior hanging upside down by her ankle, her hands gripped to her skirt holding it down. “GET ME DOWN!” she yelled. “Just reach up and untie yourself,” replied Guardian. “I can’t!” she yelled. “What why?” asked Archer. “Because I can’t let go of my skirt because I’m not wearing cute underwear! Just get me down!” Warrior screamed. “Fine I will.” Guardian grabbed Archer’s trusty hunting knife from her belt and walked over to Warrior. “Wait what’s this?” Guardian said picking up an object underneath Warrior. “IS THIS A MIRROR?! WERE YOU CHECKING YOUR REFLECTION INSTEAD OF LISTENING TO ME?!” Guardian yelled glaring at Warrior. “Well yeah. What if we run into a cute prince? I can’t be looking like I just slept next to a lake.” said Warrior. “You know I should break this mirror but, if you keep looking at it it will probably break itself!” Guardian joked. Archer began laughing hysterically. “RUDE!” Warrior yelled. “What was that? It sounded like you said you wanted to stay up there.” Guardian said sternly. “No no no please please please the blood is rushing to my head i’m sorry,” Warrior pleaded. Guardian climbed up and cut her down. The three friends turned to start off again, only to be greeted by a gang of angry, spear-wielding, tribesman. Guardian and Warrior grip their weapons ready for a fight. Archer walks up to the tribesman and begins speaking a language Guardian and Warrior couldn’t understand. She turned around and begins to explain. “They said they won’t kill us on one condition. Do you remember that story about the adventurer stealing their treasure? It was a rare gem for their leader’s crown. The guy who stole it ran into a nearby cave, but he dropped it when he was uhm…” “When he was what?” Warrior asks. “When eaten by a giant cave monster.” Archer nervously giggles. “Alright we can get it for them.” Guardian says triumphantly. He shakes the hand of the warrior’s leader and the begin to walk towards the cave. Warrior runs up to Guardian’s side. “Are you nuts? What makes you think we are ready to handle anything labeled as ‘giant’?” she asks Guardian. “Well it was either that or get speared to death. I mean, you made yourself look so well on the way here they probably would have spared you and put you in charge of village population control if you know what I mean,” Guardian said winking at Warrior. “So how long till we get to this monster??” Warrior asked in a much more enthusiastic tone. They all three stood shoulder to shoulder at the mouth of the cave. A skylight in the top of the cave was shining a ray of light down into the middle of the cave. Bathing in the ray of light was a gigantic komodo dragon style monster, fast asleep. The gem they were searching for lay between its massive claws. “I think I can sneak up and grab it,” Archer said as she began sneaking towards the beast. As she reached for the gem one of the beast’s eyes jolted open. “Archer look out!” Guardian yelled. In one quick move the beast slapped away Archer, her body slamming against the cave wall. “Come on Warrior we have to help her!” Guardian sprinted towards the beast. Warrior stood paralyzed in fear. “Ca...Archer….” she muttered. Guardian was fighting off the beast, parrying its swipes with his shield. “Archer will be okay, but if you don’t help me we’re all going to die Warrior!” Guardian yelled with fatigue in his voice. “I...I’m not sure what to do…” Warrior answered. “Your mirror! Shine the light with your mirror! We can blind it!” Guardian yelled. Warrior ran to one side of the beast as Guardian circled to the other. Together, Guardian using his shield and Warrior using her mirror, they manipulated the light toward the beast’s eyes. The beast roared in pain, awakening the unconscious Archer. “NOW SWING,” Guardian yelled at Warrior. Together they swung their weapons. Warrior’s giant hammer hit the beast’s upper jaw, as Guardian’s mace hit the lower jaw the opposite direction. The beast reared back in pain, its snout and bottom jaw now pointing different directions. The gem flew from its front claws. Archer stood up and sent an arrow straight through the beast’s heart. The beast went quiet and collapsed. Warrior walked over to Archer as Guardian went to pick up the gem. “Yep that light thing was my idea I saved you Archer!” Warrior said. Archer was giggling as Guardian was glaring at the back of Warrior’s head. She turned around and nervously giggled. Guardian wiped some of the beast’s blood from his cheek and wiped it on Warrior’s corset. “Awh come on this is my favorite battle outfit! Do you know how hard that’s going to be to get out?!” she griped. Archer giggled again and immediately grabbed her ribs in pain. “We need to get to that village,” Guardian said,” they should have some sort of doctor, or at least somewhere for us to rest.” The group walked back into the village. Their leader walked up to greet them in the center of the small shacks. Guardian presented the gem, but quickly pulled it close as the chief reached for it. Guardian turned to Archer. “Tell him this: ‘We got your gem but my friend got hurt. Please can you help us. We helped you now I am asking you to return the trouble. Warrior to warrior’” Archer spoke to the Chief in his language and he responded. “He said that gem has been in his bloodline for centuries. It contains a great power that keeps the creatures of the forest from invading their village. By getting it back we have ensured the safety of his people, and for that he will ensure the safety of ours.” Archer explained. The chief took Archer to the doctor. Guardian and Warrior sat down in front of the giant bonfire in the center of town. Villagers brought them food and water. “I can’t believe we’re still alive. That was terrifying.” said Warrior. “You did great! I’m sorry you had to watch that happen to Archer. I shouldn’t of let her try that. I’m just glad you both are safe. I don’t know what I would have done if I let anything happen to either of you,” Guardian said as he put his arm around Warrior. “Let’s get some sleep. We’ve had a crazy day,” Guardian said standing up. They walked to the shack the village was letting them use. Guardian took the right bed and Warrior laid on the left. Warrior tossed and turned all night having nightmares about the battle and what could have happened to Archer.

The next morning Guardian woke up early. The whole village was still peacefully slumbering away. He decided to take his armor, shield and mace to the river to wash off the stains of yesterday’s battle. He passed by the cave that was the backdrop for the scuffle yesterday. His mind replayed mental images of the experience in a slideshow of fear and triumph. Suddenly, his trance was snapped by a loud and shrill scream. Guardian through on his armor and ran into the cave. After only a few steps, he was halted by a wall of fallen rock. Underneath the wall lay half of a man. “You,” the man said “you are the one who helped save us from that beast.” “I am one of them yes,” said Guardian. “It would appear your battle did more than just slay the beast. I was sent here to see what treasures the beast had obtained from fallen adventurers. I heard a rumble and then the cave collapsed.” the man said between groans of agony. “It’s okay, I am a paladin. I can save you!” Guardian stated. “No boy, you cannot.” Guardian was stunned at first, until he realized why. He could never move those boulders. Even if he could the release of pressure on the man’s lower half would cause him to instantly bleed out. “Please paladin. If you truly want to save me, you will end my suffering.” the man pleaded. Guardian was now faced with a choice: Let the man suffer or lose his powers. In the Paladin code the killing of innocents is strictly forbidden. The blessing on a paladin’s equipment gives it the unique ability to detect the blood of innocent beings. Guardian knew the decision he must make. He slowly raised his mace. “Thank you…..young hero.” the man whispered. He closed his eyes and smiled, as Guardian brought his mace down to end the struggle for the unlucky fellow. Guardian dropped to his knees. His equipment began to crack. As a tear rolled down his cheek, Guardian sniffled. The tiny movement was enough to send his mace and shield crumbling to the ground in a pile of dust. He began to slowly stand. He shuffled the dust that was his armor and mace with his foot, mixing it into the dirt. “I refuse to serve an unforgiving cult. I never believed in that foolish god anyway.” Guardian started walking back to the village as he started to ponder what his new purpose would be.

The village was now alive with the pulse of daily activities. Archer and Warrior were sitting in the center of the village eating breakfast. “Hey there you are!” Archer shouted as she saw Guardian in the distance. “Want some breakfast?” Warrior asked. Guardian continued walking, completely silent, back to their shack. His eyes never left the ground. “Uhhh….was he sleepwalking?” asked Archer. “No, there is something bothering him I know it. He never gets that quiet unless something is bothering him.” said Warrior. If anyone knew his behavior it was her. Growing up, Guardian would always try to cheer people up. However, he always refused to let anyone cheer him up. Warrior would try and try. Even if something was obviously wrong, he would deny it and change the subject. Warrior got up and walked to the shack. “You already know what I am going to ask you,” she said walking in. “Nothing is wrong, go away I’m just tired.” “Bulllshit you are,” Warrior said sitting down on the bed next to Guardian. Guardian sat with his face buried in his hands. Warrior gently rubbed his back. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Look around you’ll figure it out,” he said as he removed the hand from his back. Warrior began to look around the room. “Your mace….….your shield….where are they?” she asked as the worry in her voice began to fully manifest itself. Guardian drove his fist into the wall, busting open his knuckles. “Oh… oh my god...you’re bleeding. Heal yourself come on!” Warrior began to tear up. “Guardian, please, tell me what happened this morning.” “My weapon and shield are gone. It crumbled this morning. I went out to wash them, and ended up destroying them.” he said as his hands slowly curled into fists. “Why did you do that?!” Warrior exclaimed. “I HAD NO CHOICE. There was a man in the cave we were in yesterday and the ceiling had collapsed on him. I had no choice but to end his suffering. The blessings placed on my equipment could sense I had killed an innocent man. The shield, the mace, my powers. They all disappeared along with my ties to the paladins.” Warrior’s jaw fell open. She could see Guardian’s tears falling from his chin. She began to sob and threw herself around Guardian. “I am so so sorry,” she cried. “I know that had to have been hard for you. Is there no way you can repent?” she asked. “No. Nor would I want to. I refuse to serve a god who only sees the world in black and white with no room for mercy.” Guardian said, clenching his fists harder causing the blood to drip faster. “I might as well go home now. I have no use anymore.” he said. “No no no no. You can’t leave us. We can find you a new purpose. You don’t need some transcendent being to tell you what to do. You are free now.” Warrior wiped the blood from his hand. She lifted his chin with her finger. “We can do this together,” she said, “One of the villagers told me this morning there is a mystic not far from here. Maybe she can help you!  Come on let’s go!” She grabbed Guardian’s hand and led him out of the shack. They informed Archer of the plan, thanked the villagers, and headed on their way.

Author's Note

Ignore grammer/punctuation issues. This is just something I wrote for fun, based off of some drawings Alexis made. There is more, but I will release it depending on how well received this is. Thanks for reading!