MHA Fantasy Quest for the SOL

Part 2: Warrior, Bard, Princess.

Unknown to the intrepid Deku, certain events were taking place even then across the land of Academikos, that would soon coincide with his own mission.

It was just a few counties over from him, in the wild wetlands of the South West, that two other people were setting out on their own journey. Momo and Kyoka of the Warrior Tribe of the South were tromping their way out of a bog, while consulting their tracking falcon for directions. 

"I'm sure it cannot be this way," Kyoka grumbled, as they took a turn deeper into the woods.

 "I know it seems like we're getting further off course, but I completely trust Sight's skill," Momo said, breathlessly.
"I am sure this must be a shortcut of some sort." 

They kept going, finally, the bog dried up, and the woods gave way to more open brush and shrubbery.
"Ah, sunlight!" Kyoka flopped onto the grass.

 
"We don't have time to rest," Momo pointed out. "We're supposed to cover 10 miles today at least."

"Easy for you to say, your legs are longer," Kyoka grumbled.

"A warrior never complains about things she can't help," Momo reminded her firmly.

 "I know, I apologize," Kyoka stood up. "I'm fine now... actually, now that we're standing still, I'm sure I can hear a village not too far from here."

"A village?" Momo looked nervous. "Oh, well, then we'd better veer around it..."

 "Princess," Kyoka said dryly, "Didn't you just say we need to cover 10 miles? Well, if there's a village right in our path, wouldn't it make more sense to just go through it? Rather than make it 12 miles by going around. You know, we're going to have to face them eventually."

"I know, I know, I just didn't think it would be so soon, we just started yesterday..." Momo said sheepishly.

"Our entire tribe is depending on us, you can't let your warrior's heart be intimidated by the idea of running into those creatures." Kyoka pointed out.

"I'm afraid I'm not as brave as you are about these things, but yes, you're right!" Momo held up her fist bravely. "The fate of the tribe depends on us! We cannot fail! Onward, warriors!" 

"I'm the only one here..." Kyoka looked around.

"Oh, sorry, force of habit." Momo said. 

"Princess, I keep telling you, never apologize to me, it doesn't strike fear into the hearts of our enemies to hear a princess apologizing to a lower warrior." Kyoka chided her wearily.

"Oh, yes, my apologi--I mean, I will stop." Momo said. 

"Not much hope of that," Kyoka muttered, "but whatever, let's just journey on while we still have daylight."

***

Deku reached the very same village these two ladies were headed to, following his magical map. Of course he wasn't used to walking so far, and was hot and tired by the time he arrived. Paying for a night at an inn might be too much for his limited budget, he had more need of supplies, but he decided to rest for a bit at a tavern... he'd never been in one of those before. I hope I don't look as nervous and out of place as I feel, he thought. 

Sadly, that hope was entirely in vain. No one bothered him, as he looked too poor to be a target, but people glanced at him and smirked. One bartender maid sauntered up to him. 

"What will you be having?" She asked with a smile.

 "Me, oh, uh, n-nothing, ma'am." Deku sputtered.