World Between Chapter 1-Part 1

“So I heard you beat me once.” Sofia stated smugly with her hammer planted in the group. Once again completing the mission before the group could. “Well done.”

“We still got what we came for, you know?” Aaron stated. “You’re only wasting your own time.”

“I live here.” Sofia stated coldly. “You don’t. And I live far longer than you, so me wasting a few months is basically just sport.”

“Why won’t you come ho-” Anna was interrupted as she narrowly avoided a large ball of dark energy.

“Why do I bother?” Sofia stated clearly drained. “It’s not worth getting worked up over this again. Waste your time, if you want.” With that she turned around and started to walk away using her hammer for support.

“We’ll get to those temples eventually.” Aaron shouted, and Sofia slammed her hammer down before barely turning around.

“Go then. Get yourselves killed in one of them.” Sofia stated. There was a firm anger in her voice, and it was obvious she would be yelling had she not already exhausted herself. “Better yet.” She began walking away again. “I’ll do myself next time I see you.” Jared grabbed Aaron's shoulder as he tried to walk towards her.

“You should listen to her for once.” Jared stated. “We’re trying to restore order, and she is obviously an enemy of that goal.”

“Our goal involves saving lives, not ending them.” Jen stated. “And she’s… supposed to be human.” There was a long silence before the group headed back to their camp. Enjoying a meal and rest before deciding on their next mission.

“Mmm…” Sofia attempted to swat the golem bird away, but could barely manage movement in her current state. Metal boots rustled the grass as Talmo approached. “I said it’d be a day.” She protested lazily as Talmo walked toward her slowly. Silently he made a swing with his arm muting each of the traps Sofia had pre-planted around her camp as a gust of wind set them off. She rested into his chest as she was picked up. “Well if you’re gonna make a show of it.”

“I really,” Talmo began. “really don’t like this mood of yours.” As big as an impression as Talmo usually made, even now there wasn’t a hint of anger in his tone. Which only added to guilt Sofia currently felt, especially knowing Talmo was probably skipping his actual job for this.

 “It’s not a mood.” Sofia replied somewhat weakly slumping in as Talmo carried her. “It’s a mindset, or…” there was a long pause. So Talmo looked down, but Sofia had gone to sleep yet. It was the first time the demoness had shown a look of fear and depression. “I don’t wanna go back.” She finally stated.

“You still got some human language in ya.” Sofia perked up as Talmo spoke. “You can’t go back, and ye ain’t going to.” He stated. “So ya quit being afraid. You know-”

“Yeah, yeah.” Sofia stated yawning. “Fear is for those who give in. Truth is for those who give up.” With that Talmo took a drained Sofia to her place, and began reading the papers she had organized. Having now taken an interest in the group Sofia had been tracking. Her absence was rather hard to miss once the group noticed their ability to usually complete the missions they took even though they had gotten a bit tougher. That was until a young looking girl met them atop a cliff. Sitting on a rock with a backpack. The small telescope and small stuffed bear hanging from either side of her belt did her no favor as she spoke.

“I’m only here to ask for your cooperation, so please bear in mind this is the peaceful attempt.” The girl stated carrying a rather formal tone despite her childlike appearance.

“And why exactly should we cooperate?” Anna questioned.

“We just like to know how you got here.” The girl replied. “They’re really no reason to resist.”

“We came here with the same package that everyone else disappeared with.” Jared stated.

“That's just it.” The girl replied with a far more strict and serious tone now. “Not a one you even made it on record, so where exactly did that package even come from?”

“Uh.. isn’t that an internal thing?” Cain questioned. “Sounds like we just slipped through.” The girl dropped the backpack after opening it.

“Meisa Ordendra, Junior Far Seeker level 3 of 7.” The wind picked up out of nowhere, and began shuffling several papers out into full display. “Worlds spotted: 2, times assisted in world research: 15, citizens self-selected: 16,487, Total select: 120,843, current training rank: Ecchi” Meisa stated her rank rather proudly, and clearly resisted an urge to continue before staring at the group.

“Jared.” Jen stated after a long pause. “Where did that box come from?”

“Jen.” Anna stated, and Jen looked around in response.

“No one else finds that weird?” Jen questioned. “Just how much resistance do the rest of you have to get before-” She got quiet as Jared approached her sternly

“I thought you were worried about your sister?” Jared questioned.

“I-I… I worried about what’s going on.” Jen stated. “But… what if people are actually happy here?”
“In another world?” Cindy shouted. “Away from friends and family? Never hearing from them again?”

“I’ve gotten several messages.” Jen stated. “Suddenly I’m not so sure who ran away from you.”

“How dare you!” Cindy shouted. Meisa cleared her throat catching the attention of the group again.

“If I could…” All traces of Meisa formality vanished into a rather awkward girl. “I just need to know where the package came from… if you actually got one.” Meisa reached for her bear as Cindy and Jared nearly jumped at her. Cain and Anna reached for their weapons in turn while Jen and Aaron took a step back. For several moments there was a still image of people readying their reactions. Wondering what each was about to do before Meisa returned to a natural stance. “My apologies.” Meisa stated trying to shift back to a formal tone. “While I’m allowed to defend myself, this was supposed to be the peaceful attempt.” Meisa looked to Jen. “And if all you want is to see your sister, it is possible to arrange that.” Jen nodded.

“Then would please tell a Jill Prior that her older sister Jen would like to see her?” Meisa nodded in turn before throwing her bear into the air, and letting a much larger version of the bear slam down.

“You should have an answer in a few days.” Meisa stated. “After that time any further assistance given to this group will not be tolerated.” The giant bear jumped down the cliff, and safely carried Meisa off before anyone could give an answer. Despite the many unanswered questions the group had, they collected their reward and called it a night.