Zerua Unchained

Chapter One

  In the continent of Zerua, the land is divided into three sections: The Primal Forest, The Glacerian Court, and the Platinum Dominion. A large river running West to East called the Andromedus River divides the entire continent in half. Within The Primal Forest, a young woman with long, curly dark hair is making her way back with her Automaton-looking companion after completing some scouting missions. As they moved, a loud "clang!" echoed throughout the jungle. The Automaton companion looked down as his foot hit something hard. The young woman turned back towards him.

"FRIEND? What happened?"

"It seems that my foot hit something," he responds.

The young woman pulled away the vines and moss around FRIEND's foot to find a slightly rusted, silvery platinum rails. She looked at it in concern.

"What is it, Orielle?" FRIEND questions.

"It seems to be some sort of railing," Orielle says.

"Railing? What could it be for?" FRIEND wondered as his eyes followed the track further down the jungle.

Orielle hesitated.

"I know what it's for... Listen, FRIEND, I won't ask you to go against your morals, but this a 'Need to Know,' type of thing for me.."

FRIEND turned to his companion and nodded his head.

"Understood."

"Let's keep going," the woman beckons as she continues into the jungle.

As they continued their trek back to The Expedition, the ground began to shake nearby. As the shaking got closer, the two of them decided to find shelter from whatever beast was approaching. The Primal Forest is known for its frightening beasts. Many of which are not to be messed with. While the two hid under the brushes behind a tree, the shaking got closer until it stopped at the tree they were hiding behind. Orielle held her breath. Suddenly, something large started scraping against the tree. After a few minutes, the beast trampled away.

Once they felt safe, Orielle and FRIEND left their hiding spot. The young woman exhaled in relief. FRIEND glanced up at the tree to check the markings that had been left.

"It was something large," FRIEND pointed out. "Possibly with horns?"

"I don't doubt it. Let's hurry back. It's going to start getting dark soon."

About an hour or so, they reach the edge of the jungle that opens up to The Expedition Camp. The gates are now visible and Orielle and FRIEND quickly make their way towards the Southern Gate. As they neared the entrance, a female guard with short, cropped blonde hair with a stocky build stood up from her seat and waved.

"Hiya Orielle and FRIEND! I see you guys have made it back!" She greeted.

"Hi Genevieve," Orielle greeted. "Barely!"

"Alright, I have checked you two off on the sheet! Listen, we're having a gathering at the Tavern tonight! You guys should come join!" Genevieve informs the two of them.

Orielle and FRIEND looked at one another.

"Uh, yeah, sure why not!" Orielle smiled.

"Perfect! See you later!" Genevieve waved as Orielle and FRIEND walked away.

The dark haired woman glanced up at her companion.

"Guess we should check in with Imbrose huh?"

"Yes. That would be a good idea," FRIEND agreed.

Orielle and FRIEND headed towards a small shack where their boss usually resides during the day. Orielle knocked on the door.

"Come in!"