A Tarnished Hero

Chapter 34: Close to the Beginning

The sun had sunk beyond the horizon, darkness looming over the entire area. The wind hadn't died down, and Izuku expected it to be roaring even until the morning. Their fire had to be protected from the rushing wind by building heaps of rocks around it.

Their tents had been fastened to the ground hard to ensure they didn't go flying away because of the strong winds. As the howling wind gushed through the area, Izuku stayed close to the fire, the heat emanating from it a boon to the ice-cold waves of air. In front of him, Katsuki laid silent, sipping on his stew quietly.

Thankfully, because of the number of spices they had gathered from looting that one Raya Lucaria camp, as well as buying some from one of the Nomadic Merchants, they were able to make a fulfilling stew that was also to the taste of one Katsuki.

Izuku thought that spicy deer stew was not going to be that delicious, and he didn't know how or why, but Katsuki was a menace when given the reins in the kitchen, or in this case, outdoor campfire.

It was a peaceful night. No rabid wolves howling nearby, no mentally deranged footmen wanting to drag their hides to the castle for... grafting purposes. And just overall silence, save for the howling wind.

"Izuku..." All of a sudden, Katsuki spoke up, his empty bowl of stew left on the ground gathering dust. "Why the fuck is this place so fucked up?"

His face said it all. He'd rather be anywhere than here. Izuku could understand the feeling, his past self feeling the same when he had just been dropped here after his untimely death.

Placing his own empty bowl on the ground, Izuku regarded Katsuki with narrowed eyes, the ash blond's piercing red orbs staring into his own. Sighing, Izuku rubbed at his hair and closed his eyes.

"I'm not even sure." Izuku opened his eyes and stared into the flame. "Ever since I was sent here, all I got were cryptid hints and vague truths."

Close by, the spectral Melina flinched at the tone that left Izuku's mouth.

"So, all I can say is get used to it." Izuku then stared directly at Katsuki, mouth forming a thin line. "Forget the intricate details of this world and just struggle to survive. You aren't gonna understand anyway, much like I have..."

Silence loomed over them, the roaring wind the only noise that peppered the area. Sighing, Izuku headed to his tent, but before entering it, he looked at Katsuki one last time.

"Get some sleep. We're moving early in the morning." Izuku entered his tent, leaving a silent Katsuki staring at the fire alone. Inside his tent, Izuku laid on the bedroll, eyes unfocused and weary.

"Izuku..." Beside him, Melina appeared, her knees against the ground as they regarded him warmly. "I apologize for not telling you... About the Lands Between and its history."

"... It's fine." Izuku waved her off, eyes blinking as he tried to tire himself to sleep. "It's not like it's necessary for me to learn about those things. I'm not a historian, just a displaced person trying his best to do the one thing that has the most sense... considering my current situation..."

Melina stayed silent as the grave, her lone eye drooping.

"I don't blame you for that, by the way." Izuku smiled, turning in bed to face Melina. "Yes, it was a bit annoying during the early days of me being here, but I've come to accept that the history of the Lands Between, the feuds between the Gods and those strong enough to shake the entire earth... They didn't matter. Their reasons, their beliefs... None of it matters. At the end of the day, their actions caused all of us to suffer. Them included." Izuku sighed, his smile turning a bit brittle. "All that's left is to pick up the pieces and build it anew. Learn from their mistakes and ensure it doesn't happen again."