MHA Fantasy Quest for the SOL

Part 5: Party?

Deku was leaning against a tree trying to rest when he found himself surrounded by people who were all silent when they moved. Two girls, one boy, and the bard from the tavern! Deku jumped up... once they explained their story, he regretted even more being so incautious when he told Denki his story. "I'm sorry," he said, "I'm afraid I don't really know anything more about the Dark Lands than you get from reading about it." "You've read about it?" Denki said.
"Hasn't every sensible person?" Kyoka said curtly. Denki went quiet.
"I see," Shoto said. "You are searching for your friend then? But, how are you going to survive looking for him without magic?"
"I'm sure I can find someway," Deku said bravely.
They all stared at him.
"Men are morons," Kyoka said finally. "Well, he's dead and we wasted a whole three hours on this false lead. I say we get back on track, now, Princess."
"It's noble that you want to find your friend though," Momo said kindly. "I hope you find him." "Oh...thanks..." Deku said.                                                                                                   
 "I wish you had been looking for the 8th, though," Shoto said bluntly. Deku gave a start.
"What? Why?"
The two girls looked up too. Shoto shrugged. "Because I am looking for him also." Deku blinked. "You... just admitted that?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Shoto said.
"The 8th holder of the SOL?" Kyoka spoke. "You're looking for him?"
"Yes," Shoto closed a fist. "I have to find him, and soon. I've not met anyone who knows anything about him except the common rumors." "Why are you looking for him?" Denki asked.
Shoto looked down. "Let's just say, I need to protect something that I'm not powerful enough to do alone."
"That is a good reason," Momo said. "In fact, that's very like ours."
"What?" Deku said.                                                                                                                          "We're looking for the SOL," Momo explained. "Our tribe believes the holder may have passed on and left it for someone else, and that is why he disappeared. Or that he may be trapped somewhere. So they sent us, their two strongest warriors, to go out and find him."
"You two are your tribe's strongest?" Denki said skeptically. "But you're girls." "Everyone in our tribe is a girl, you simpleton!" Kyoka shoved him.
"Ouch! I can see why no man would want to be around you!" He growled.                                                                                                                                    "We have to stop the Dark Lord," Momo went on, "Or he will claim our tribe's whole territory, we've already moved back several times. But most of us have to stay together for the protection of the territory, so only the two of us are searching for the SOL, but we think, with its power, that will be more than sufficient."
Deku felt bad. Should he tell them what he knew? But that could be dangerous. What if they killed him to get the power?
"That is a vital reason to find the 8th," Shoto agreed. "If I find him, I will remember to mention your plight."
"If you find him? You really think you'd be able to do it faster than us?" Kyoka scoffed. "We're expert trackers, warriors, and mages. You'd be lucky to keep up. Anyway, he's probably dead."
"I don't think so," Shoto said. "I think we would know, somehow."                                                                                          "I know I'm just a dumb bard," Denki spoke up. "But it sounds like all of you want pretty much the same thing, and don't care if the others get what they want too, so why don't you just work together? Problem solved." "No," Kyoka said firmly.
"I'm afraid that's not possible," Shoto said soberly. "It's not...the way," Momo said.
"Why?" Deku asked, he'd just gotten his hopes up.
"I work alone, I'm sorry," Shoto said, darkly. "It's just better that way."
"We... wel..." Momo began. "We don't work with men," Kyoka said. "It's against the code of our tribe."
"Why? Kind of cuts off your own legs doesn't it?" Denki said.
"We believe men are useless," Kyoka said. "Really? How do you get more girls then?" Denki said, shocking them both.
Momo covered her mouth. Kyoka scowled. "We adopt them, to save them from the world of men."
"I could understand wanting that," Shoto said grimly. "You shouldn't ask someone to go against what they feel is right, bard."     
    "You could use my name, you know," Denki grumbled. Deku sighed.
"So, none of you can help me? That means I'm back where I started."
"Sorry," Shoto said. "But, I can help you get out of the forest at least."
"Oh, thanks, that'd be great..." Deku mumbled.
"I could give you a weapon," Momo offered. "What do you specialize in?"
Deku looked shamefaced. "I...actually don't know how to use a weapon."
"What?" Kyoka said. "Okay, you're not just stupid, you're crazy."
"I was supposed to learn once I found my friend," Deku said. "Come to think of it, that old hermit did say I should get a party if I could. But all of you have reasons not to work with me."
They all shrugged.
"Here," Momo handed him a long hunting knife. "If you are a novice, this is the best tool to start with. You should name it, that brings luck." "Name it?" Deku started at it. "What should I name a knife?"
"Name it after what you want it to be," Kyoka shrugged. "My knife is named DeathMetal."
"That's so overkill," Denki said, then "get it? Overkill?" "Will you shut up!" Kyoka snapped at him.
"Why don't you!" he snapped back.
"Hush, the whole forest will hear you!" Momo cried.
"We should go," Shoto started walking.

After about an hour, they made their way out of the forest. Denki pointed out the hills that would lead to the Dark Lands. "This is the territory of our sister tribe," Momo noted. "I think we should pay them a visit, see if they can help. Perhaps you should try it," she turned to Deku. "They aren't as strict about men, if you prove your worth to them, they will accept you."
"Good luck doing that without being able to fight," Kyoka muttered.
"Do you think you could take me there?" Deku said.
They shook their heads. "They'll find you," Momo said. "But be wary, there's another barbarian tribe around here, technically, they aren't supposed to be, but I think they lost their territory to the Dark Lord, so they've been sharing our borders... they'll make you fight to the death for entertainment if they catch you."
Deku almost choked. "How...how will I know it's them?"
"By the time you know, it's too late, just stay away from anyone who looks remotely interesting," Kyoka suggested. "And that goes for you two, Crazy hair."
Shoto gave her a look. "Don't call me that."
She looked away.
"I think I'll be fine," Shoto said calmly. "You've only seen a small amount of my power, I was holding back." "So were we," Momo said, "What a funny coincidence. I don't like to attack to kill till I know the person better, one shouldn't assume."
"I assume everyone is an enemy until proven otherwise," Kyoka said. "That's not the least bit shocking," Denki said. "You're really asking for it, fiddler," She said.
"Fiddler? Do you not know what a lute is!" he said.
"Of course I do, it was supposed to be an insult!" Kyoka retorted.
"I think that's enough bickering," Momo said, grabbing her arm. "We should go. We still need to sleep."
"Yeah... I haven't slept at all since yesterday..." Deku realized.

They ended up camping not that far apart, though they pretended it was separately.