Tales From a Misfit
Updates every Sunday.
Found on wallhere. made by "wallup"
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Found on wallhere. made by "wallup"
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Giat and Ella darted into the cave before sliding to a halt. “Are these usually?...” Ella asked, observing the scene around her. The mushrooms looked really to brust, but it was getting close to their off season
“This is the latest I’ve seen them bloom.” Giat stated. “But I suppose it’s not impossible, we didn’t empty nearly as much as we had to the other years.” A soft squishing noise was heard as both turned to see one mushroom shaking so much that it was bouncing against the wall. “Run.” Giat stated. Ella dart through a series of tunnels, some of which Giat didn’t know even existed. The sound of insane rambling echoing in the cave as a light green cloud was slowly closing in on the couple as well. Both we’re a bit confused, but secure themselves in a mostly closed off cave. Ella began looking for something that might filter out the air if necessary as rambling grew harsher and louder. The reports came back quickly both spys trembling as they delivered the news. Not only that neither Giat or Ella had fallen, but appear to be very deeply in love. After a very large amount of yelling and throwing of objects both armies sent out an impressively large group, which they were leading in a fuming rage. The clash of metal vibrated all through the walls as many members of each army were sent directly into the mushrooms’ fog. A fierce battle raged on for what seemed like hours. Ella curled up into Giat almost as if she was hoping his new armor might drown out the noise. Gait patted Ella’s shoulder alerting her to the fact that it had gone completely silent. They gave it a few more minutes before stepping out. Giat stopped the moment he saw what had happened. Ella walked several more steps before looking down at the destruction her hoof had stopped in front of. It was pretty clear that anyone still alive had basically defected. Giat and Ella looked at each other. “We have to, don’t we?” Ella reluctantly questioned. “I think we’ve all done quite enough.” Gait stated. So they sent out the letters, one each, issuing a call to reconsider the current arrangements. Explaining everything they could from their love for each other to the discovery of a new kingdom. “And… that worked?” The journalist stated looking up at the two. “Well.” Ella looked up at Gait. “To an extent.” “The higher ups weren’t happy.” Gait stated. “And I’m sure they tried to cover it up, but at least some of the news reached the people.” “I see.” The journalist stated. “Then they are still there? The other kingdoms?” “There’s nothing past the cliff, no. Not anymore.” Ella continued. “Once people heard the cognitive dissidence was a bit too much. All the years of hate, and Faun and Human still fell in love. Most avoid each other, which is relatively easy given the extreme difference in kingdom preferences.” “But a great number are here.” The journalist stated. “Serving each other, and living very carefree lives.” “Most humans weren’t warriors, and most fauns weren’t soldiers.” Giat stated. “Most just lived on what land we claimed. So when they found out land wasn’t as hard to come by as they thought it was, fighting seemed rather pointless.” “And you two?” The journalists continued his questioning. “You’ve seem to have chosen to stay here.” “Where else would a mixed couple go?” Ella replied. “Rag tag kingdom or not, Alchano is one of the best places to be dating a different species.” “If there was nothing else?” Gait stated rather curtly. Ella slapping his shoulder in response. “You knew this would take a while.” She stated. “There was a final question.” The journalist replied. “Regarding Sofia and…” The journalist went quiet as Ella stared him down. “We heard some of the details.” Ella answered. “And from what little we heard, that’s not our story to tell.”
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Somehow both Giat and Ella made it back to their rooms with no one noticing. At least so far as Ella knew. Both had agreed they’d run back, if they thought they weren’t going to make it. Ella had, so she would just have to hope Giat was at least safe. The result was a rather sleepless night, and her scrambling to at least look presentable as she was called that morning. “Wait you’re…” Ella tilted her head upon hearing the summation of her mission.
“I’ve been in discussion with that disgraceful human, and we agreed to a bit of a wager.” Ella’s chiefess stated. “So I'm sending you out with Giat to settle it.” “Umm.. okay. I’ll do my best…” There was clear hesitation in Ella’s voice. But it seemed to go unnoticed, so she was sent out into the woods without so much as a 2nd thought. She considered just heading back to Sofia’s bar, but she still didn’t know anything about what happened to Giat. Something felt off about this whole thing, but for once she was actually supposed to go find him. She began the walk over to human terrority maintaining a sense of caution despite everything she had been told. She stopped in a clearing close to the border as the air grew stiff. She looked around as random bushes rustled counter to the wind. “Giat…” There was a low growl, and a deadly looking glare. But despite it more animalistic instinct, the creature looked human. “It’s just me, dear…” She took a step back, and heard the sound of a twig snapping. Giat charged towards her on all four. His eyes still blood red. Swiftly she dodge. And was then forced to do a makeshift block, and swung at her the second she turned around. She mostly held her the ground, and tried to calm him down. “Giat stop!” There was little to no response as he kept charging at her, and swung at him while he was in whatever makeshift armor they gave him seemed out of the question. “Giat! It’s me, Ella. You must remember… You have to be… somewhere in there.” It was an increasingly difficult fight for Ella. Both because Giat was launching a wild offensive on her, and because she was often forced to lock eyes with him. He was launching every attack he could as fast as he could, but that was nothing compared to the way he was looking at her now. She was starting to not have a choice, and eventually couldn’t take anymore. She began launching attacks of her own, which only fed into his behavior. “Whoever did this.” She stated clashing weapons with him as she spoke. “Whoever made you do this.” Dodging as Giat did 5 attacks in a row before she struck back. “Everyone, even remotely involved in this is going to die!” She held her ground, and locked weapons with Giat. “Even if I have to personally plague every last one of them.” Giat only pushed forward in response. Slowly sliding her backwards. Ella for her part never imagined she could have done was she about to, but in sheer anger she pushed back with enough force to knock Giat into a tree. Walking towards him, and holding her blade up with watery eyes. She looked down only once before closing her eyes, and lifting the blade slightly higher. There was a slight pause before slightly lowered as Ella sniffled, and threw her blade into the ground away from either of them. “Please…” She stated collapsing on her knees. “Hal-ganoir. Shelna. Whatever forbidden god.” Ella hugged Giat. “I’m sorry. I-I… we should’ve run… I’ll run. Wherever I have to. Wherever you want me to!” She wiped the tears from her eyes. “Just...” There was a long pause, and a loud sniff. “It just has to be with him.” With nothing else to say she remained there crying a on her knees for what would be the longest moment of her life before a long human sounding groan made her perk up. “Ugh…” Gait stated holding his head before attempting to get up. Barely able to lift anything after his performance he propped himself up on his arms still fully laying down. There were still tears running down Ella’s face as she looked like a miracle had just happened. There was a long silence as Giat processed it all. “They force fed me a devil’s lily… to kill you.” “A devil’s… the bright purple flower on lily pads?” Giat merely nodded. “Giat those things aren’t-” Giat looked at her as she paused before getting up. “You can walk?” She held her hand out, and helped him up. “I believe so.” Giat stated. “You’re not-” The marching, and shouting of both their armed forces could be heard in the distance. “It wasn't you.” Ella stated looking back as the hooves grew louder. “What did you see?” “Is this really the-” Ella pressed her chest into his, and looked up as he protested. A look of determination he hadn’t ever seen before. “That… fungal cave. Near the waterfall. Hey!” Ella had already grabbed his arm, and taken off. Giat had the sense to follow until they were a safe distance away, but halted himself and Ella once they were far enough. Ella turned around. “Because.” She stated. “I’d go anywhere, and do anything as long as I get to keep you close.” She hugged him tight. “So I’m not even giving the god a chance this time.” With that she dragged him off to the cave. However confused he may have been, this wasn’t something she was going to let go. Ella was hugging tight in their apartment for most of the time they were describing this part of the story. Over time Giat’s memory of that fight had returned, and he often picked up where Ella couldn’t. After a few times of her trying to pick back up, she eventually just let him tell the story. “The forbidden gods, as we called them, are not a force you casually invoke.” Giat continued as the journalist tooks notes. “Apparently however, they were on our side this time around.” “Giat!” Ella ran in and hugged him tight now crying a little. “I… They never wanted anyone more dead, and I thought maybe I…”
“Hey, hey” Giat recovered from being practically tackled. “I’m right here.” He stated hugging back. “Poor soldier boy here didn’t want to worry alone in his room, I guess.” Sofia stated before silence making more beers as Giat stared at her. “So no on the elope thing?” “What?!” Ella stated turning to Sofia. “These are our people, and the only homes we ever had.” “Home is the place where you belong” Sofia sang her first sentence as those she was quoting part of a song. “Your people clearly aren’t going to accept the truth.” “Where would we go?” Giat question. “Where would we even begin to start over?” “Oh yeah ya definitely can’t figure that out with only 4 kingdoms.” Argus butted in. “Much too risky, right lads?” Naturally, the other dwarfs make every sarcastic comment they could think of. “Let’s just go.” Giat stated after a long silence. “Giat?!” Ella replied in shock. “I do need two groups of people wanting to kill you.” “Where would they search?” Giat rebutted. “Or did your kind believe you.” The was another long paused before Ella replied. “I thought you humans valued honor and pride.” Ella responded. “I thought you fauns valued purity and truth.” Giat rebutted. “Surely, we can’t just leave?” Ella questioned. “I mean they WILL search, and eventually someone is going to find this place.” “Look, with all due respect, that’s a lot of work for two people no one was even willing to guard properly.” Sofia rebutted as a bell chimed. “You sit down, and see what ya can map out with that group there, alright? The first new map of the world would be great for business, so the next two rounds are on the house.” “Don’t fall for it, laddy!” One dwarf shouted. “Aye.” Said another dwarf. “First rounds always free cuz they’ll keep coming back.” Both Giat and Ella stared at the 5, routy, dwarves, and watched them quickly quieten down and drink as their beer was served. “You’re a race of drunkards.” Sofia rebutted. “Not my fault I’m the best enabler in Alchano.” “Elliot Mastrot Quelyon Ludwig Tallyho Areoclock Limbar the Gnome.” Elliot took a bow. “And a proud member of the Larger than Life Charters at your service.” With that introduction the questions began. An introduction to five races of their world. The happy-go-lucky Gnomes who never knew a bad day. Their pride was in their technological knowledge, and never left any place untouched as a result. There was little you could do to ever bring the small creatures down. They made their home in the endless hills. Land deemed unsuitable by the rest of the world, but the small optimists found a way nonetheless. The Dwarves were usually found deep in the mountains. They were lovers of beer, but blacksmith first. Normally taking on a more serious tone, but they can always enjoy themselves after a hard day's work. The Dwarven kingdom was a series of mountain ranges, which they lived inside of. Giat told of the pride found within the human species, and their ability to adapt in combat. Their obsession with honor, and need to earn each other respect. Ella went next mentioning the Fauns dislike of order. They prefer the beauty that emerged from the chaos of nature. Preferring the value of things left untouched, which included themselves to the strictest degree possible. In terms of species that left only the Firbolg. Define, as Sofia was, by their height and blue skin. Both looked up to find Sofia had left the area as Elliot described an isolated species with a general distaste for the world. Even the few found outside the icy lands don’t seem to like sharing much about their history, but it’s speculated that they may stem more from a desire to leave it behind more than anything. To the same extent it’s unknown if they simply do not believe in culture, or if the culture they have is not one they wish to share. “Don’t be asking her any questions, now.” Argus stated. “She’s just another Alchanian, here.” Alchano, as the Giat and Ella learned, was a kingdom of outcast. Dwarves that didn’t like the mines of the mountain, Gnomes that considered inventing a serious business. “And last, but certainly not least, Firbolgs that would rather run a warm, cozy, bar than live in nothing but snow and ice.” “I…” Ella paused, and looked to Sofia then to Giat. “Both of us, I think, find it hard to imagine.” Giat stated. “That one find their enjoyment so far from home.” Sofia sighed, and took a deep breath. Her voice echoed a bit as she sang. A frosty keep, and tatters logs. Deep in ice, and encased in fog. Home is where one be-longs. “It’s one of the great mysteries the Firbolgs leave us.” Elliot stated. “No one ever hears more than that one line.” As Sofia went back to quietly working. “Yet they most often say ‘home is the place where you belong.’, and in a very different tone I might add.” Both Ella and Giat looked at each other. “They can make it work.” Giat stated. “It couldn’t hurt to make a plan.” Ella replied. “Just in case.” “Well, hello there.” A, red headed, female, firbolg, barkeeper stated as Giat and Ella walked in. “Something I can get you two?”
“We’d just like to speak to the owner, actually.” Giat stated observing his surrounding. The tavern was somewhat empty, but given its location that was also somewhat expected. The firbolg female carried on serving the group of short humans who seemed to hold their ale rather well. Her hair was far more overgrown than even Ella black hair. And with the beards these small humans were growing, Giat felt out of place with his short and trim brown hair. “I’ll be right with you. “ the firbolg stated casually passing out beers. “It’s rather important.” Giat stated. “If you could just call the owner now?” The firbolg rolled her eyes. “SHE’LL be right with you.” The firbolg stated before placing a beer down in front of the short human who appeared ready to protest. “Shut up, and drink your beer. I don’t need anymore dwarven rough housing, today.” She walked behind the counter. “The name is Sofia Denwyng, and welcome to Wild Moon tavern.” She introduced herself. “What can I do ya for?” “I’m Ella and this is Giat. We ...sort of fell down a cliff east of here.” Ella began. “There didn’t seem to be a way back up, so we followed a robot here.” “A simpler scouter, I believe.” Giat clarified. “Though it seemed rather old, and not a model I thought the Telenian empire made.” Sofia looked at them before looking back to the dwarfs who looked equally confused. “Forgive me dears, but I think you better just sit down.” Sofia stated glaring at dwarfs as they rather loudly agreed. “It...must’ve been quite the fall?...” Ella stomped a hoof into floor, and banged the table. “We need to get home!” Ella yelled. “Which is up the cliff to the east.” “I’m sorry, but so far as I know this about as east as people live.” Sofia stated. “I suppose Argus will bring you up, if you insist.” “I will do no such thing!” Argus the dwarf protested. “Ain’t nothing passed Brinkrim Cliff but a bunch of useless swamp!” “There’s a couple ingredients that make Blacksmithed Beelzebub~” Sofia stated in a sing song tone. “Could be pretty cheap for a spell, if I had some extra.” With that Giat and Ella were practically loaded on to the wagon. “My dwarfish ain’t that good.” Sofia stated handing the list off. “But I think you boys can figure it out.” With that she waved the wagon off. “Well, don’t you lot have interesting timing” She ushered a group of charters in. “Now let’s see here” Argus began mumbling as he read over the list, and swatted some hands away as they poked him. “Come found it! What ya....on about...” one Giat’s companions ran off, and Argus turned around. “There’s really more of ya?” He stated shocked. “A hidden kingdoms worth. “We thought our world rather small.” Giat stated. “Perhaps there’s enough land for both our people, afterall.” He turned looking towards Ella who smiled. “Ella!” Another faun shouted running up to her, and hugging her as she hopped down. “Whatever you soldier did shall be returned. Mark me!” She stated as more soldiers approached as well. “Whatever we’ve done? You have robbed a soldier of his armor!” Another soldier shouted. It’s clearly you who must pay!” The rally cries of both fauns and humans drowned out Giat and Ella’s words. Two dwarves nodded, and one slammed his hammer on the other’s shield. “A dwarven welcome for ya.” Argus stated. “Now I don’t know what you lot are squabbling about but…” Argus stared into the crowd gaging their reactions. “Hmm… Well, I think it’s best you let these two explain. Giat and Ella were brought before their respective councils, and began their pleas. Their goal intertwined despite their current distance, and thus their speeches were mostly the same. “There’s another kingdom.” Giat began to his council. “They haven’t even heard of anyone east of them.” Ella stated to her leaders. “Who knows how much more there is?” “How many lives have we lost in this war?” Giat questioned his council. “We could end this. End the misery we subject our citizens too. We could grow our people again.” “We might not even have to get along!” Ella exclaimed. “We could simply ignore them.” “Disregard the fowl creatures that so plagued us.” Giat stated still making the same case as Ella was. Both hoping the other would understand, willingly elope later. Both councils looked around before dismissing the room for discussion. “I was hoping you’d have better news, lass.” Argus stated waiting for her a ways out from the trail as Ella approached. She turned away already looking down, and on the verge of tears. Argus made the silent trip down to the Wild Moon Tavern. Where Sofia and Giat we’re waiting, and where the lovers would finally decide enough was enough. “Oh uh… Hello there.” A random girl had rustled her through the bushes to find herself stared down by many soldiers. “I’ll just… uh…” She was off in a flash, but Captain Giat was hot on her tail. The protesting of the Grand Commander came to no avail as Giat charged after the girl.
“Protecting your spy, Captain Giat?” Ella asked as Giat stumbled into both Ella, and the Baroness. “Perhaps Chiefess Ella, if you send better spies, you would not have need of such lousy cover stories.” Giat rebutted. “What I don’t need is more of you brass and simple-minded oafs invading our forest!” Ella took a stomp forward with her hoof. “Did that look like a faun to you?!” “She has a point.” The Grand Commander stepped forward. “Unless the vile creatures have learned how to change their purple skin .” “She was clearly human.” The Baroness stated. “And therefore clearly YOUR spy.” “Permission to make a proposition, sir?” Giat questioned. The Grand Commander glared at him, but nodded. “Well, if she is not of either of our kingdoms, then that is quite the discovery. Perhaps a temporary partnership? Between my...self and Chieftess Ella?” Giat had paused mid-sentence as the Commander’s glaring increased. “Due purely to our respect for each other, of course, sir.” “This a rather drastic change.” Ella reluctantly agreed. “One we would both discover sooner or later. And this monkey’s assistance would be… more helpful than most.” The Baroness looked to the Grand commander, and both scoffed. “What would be helpful to you, Miss Ella.” The Commander replied. “Is lowering your consumption.” Ella’s eyes went wide, and she charged at the Commander. In a panicked Giat got in the way barely deflecting her sword. Ella swung again, and Gait swung with his hammer in turn. The Baroness, and Grand Commander jumped into the fight. The longer the fight became the more it favor Giat and the Commander. As the Fauns were fast chaotic creature, which relied on bringing down the more defensive human army as fast as possible. In this vein, Ella made a surprise attack at the commander. Giat grabbed Ella’s arm and tugged both away only to position himself directly in front of the Baroness strike. But just before she could land the blow Ella made a wild swing and tugged Giat towards her. But the weight of his armor caused the ground to collapse beneath him, and sent both Giat and Ella tumbling down a steep cliff. Giat held Ella tight, and protected every part of her he could as they rolled down. When they finally reached bottom Ella had him pinned down, and looked over him. The sounds of argumentative gibberish about concerned over Gait’s potential injuries ended as Ella locked him in a long, passionate kiss. “I will gladly take a few sword swings for that.” Giat replied somewhat awestruck. “Are all of you such children?” Ella questioned with a bemused chuckled. “Only in the face of such beauty.” Giat replied. “Speaking of good looks.” Ella replied. “You have no right to be hiding such a handsome figure under that armor of yours.” their loving qurall, and passionate gazes were interrupted by the sound of a robot. The three of them stared at each other for a while before Ella whispered. “Just say what you need me to do. “That's ...not ours.” Giat replied. “From where do you hail?” The robot responded by turning around and walking forward before turning back to them again. Both looked at each other. “Not like we have anywhere else to go.” Ella followed Giat in a rather protective fashion as both followed the robot back to an unguarded gate. From this side it looked abandoned, but beyond was a bustling city. Filled with Fauns, Humans, and various other creatures. That, of course, was several years ago now. Giat placed an arm around Ella’s shoulders as she looked over it. Ella rested her head against him as she spoke. “I won’t hold your opinions against you.” Ella stated. “I can only tell you the story of how two low ranking leaders brought about the collapse of their kingdoms.” Ella wrapped herself around Giat. “And that whatever you may think, I would gladly do all of it again.” |