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Path of the Wayward Souls (Arc 0)

It’s said that not all those who wander are lost. But like any proverb, there are exceptions. And now, atop a grassy hill that is only one of many on a seemingly endless plain, there is an exception in the form of two weary travelers.

Or maybe just unprepared ones.

“I think we’re lost.” Nero had been looking at the map for the better part of five minutes before folding it with a huff. The map had been practically useless for a while now, but at least it could be kept for sentimental value.

“We could always ask someone for directions,” Ellie suggested, not paying attention to Nero at all and taking great delight in stepping on a poor unsuspecting anthill. Because she was too busy watching the ants scurry for their lives in the face of a malevolent giant, she didn’t see the very unimpressed look her best friend was giving her. 

“Ellie, we’re in the middle of nowhere,” Nero paused to take off his pack and put the map away, searching for a compass instead, “Who exactly are we going to ask?” 

Ellie had to think for a moment, becoming bored with the ants and settling on kicking the pile to bring about unimaginable chaos to the tiny community, before shrugging her shoulders and looking out across the horizon. Nero just sighed while muttering “Very helpful, Ellie…” 

The sun beat down on the two, Ellie shielding her eyes with a hand as she looked out over the grass, searching for something. Nero was searching too, but only for a compass that had migrated to the bottom of the bag somehow. 

And in only a matter of seconds, he had found the compass and had to steady himself after being nearly bowled over by a rather large wolf. 

“Hirudo-!” Nero had no time to say much else, as the wolf merely kept running toward Ellie, who greeted him with open arms and a very enthusiastic “PUPPY!” Nero dusted himself off while Ellie had her reunion with HIrudo, supporting the red wolf easily and letting him lick her face. He was happy to see the wolf, really, but that didn’t solve their current predicament. 

“Yes, yes, good to see you too, Hirudo. Next time, don’t try and knock me over please.” His hand sank easily into the soft fur of Hirudo’s scruff, and he rolled his eyes as Hirudo only let out a loud boof in response to Nero’s request. Oh well, you can’t win everybody. 

Ellie scratched at the fur of Hirudo’s back, praising him for being “Such a good boy, scouting the area,” before setting Hirudo down. She looked at Hirudo for one long moment, then at Nero, and then back at Hirudo to ask “Which way, buddy?” She purposefully ignored the sound of Nero’s palm meeting his forehead.

Hirudo barked once before beginning to run, circling around the two a few times before stopping in front of them, maw open like a smile. He took off again, stopping a little ways ahead to look back at them, tail wagging and barking again. 

“Well, you heard the baby, Nero. Hirudo says we’re going this way,” Ellie snarked, chuckling at Nero’s eye roll (fond as it may have been) before grabbing her pack where she left it and starting her trek down the hill. 

“Alright then,” Nero walked after Ellie, hand over his eyes and calling out, “Lead the way, Hirudo!” The grass was tall enough to come up to Nero’s waist, Hirudo a bright spot of red in a sea of green making the grass swish and sway with the movement. The sun was still high in the sky, bearing down on the adventurers with their focus on the journey ahead. “We’ve got a long way to go.”