The Sketch: The Voyage of Soal

"Soal"

Sam's face didn't change expression a slight bit after the bird's offense, partly because he was used to being bullied his entire life, and because he was so confused that he didn't have room for response. The bird's face turned from smirk to concern, to fear, and she seemed almost afraid of Sam, as did the girl with the bow. Their frowns led them back to arrogance, and the larger one introduced themselves.

"The name's Retna. Her over there is my sister Anter. We're kiwis. If you see any bird that looks like us, it's a kiwi. And you are...?" She held out a wing, and became afraid again, but was brave enough to let Sam's battered hands grasp hers, and they shook. Then Anter.

"So I suppose you're all confused and such, huh? Well, this has happened before, human. We have everything under control." Her last sentence wasn't so clear. "Welcome to the Great Sea. Now I suppose isn't the best time you arrived, since Dark Hands attacked last night, and..." She quickly turned to another point on the large balcony, even for Sam. "See that? It's bad news. Kiwi City's been destroyed... again. They need some more defenders, gee! Not just little old Kiwi and Escent... Oh! Sorry. I always get off topic. Who are you again? You forgot!"

"Samuel Lawrence," Sam stutters to Retna, and kneels down to the foot-tall kiwis to communicate.

"Samuel Lawrence, Samuel Lawrence. Never heard a name like that before... Well, we'll just call you Soal from now on. Easier to pronounce and understand. Except maybe... you remind me of Moth. You're just alike. Oh, oh, oh no, this can't be good. No, no, no, no, no, no. Why me, why me?" Retna sure was a talker. Anter seemed pretty silent, but Retna knew something bad was happening. Something must have gone wrong because of Sam's arrival. He knew it. And he knew he wasn't going to enjoy it either. The nickname "Soal", however, seemed to him much more of a unique likeness than "Sam", so he dubbed himself immediately.

"Oh, the stories Ma used to tell us, no, why me... well, wait. I'll tell you. Then we'll go to Kiwi City and find Kiwi. He always has a plan." Retna rolled across the ground in resentment, remembering the stories of her childhood.

"Tell me what?" Soal mumbled. He was even more confused with Retna around.

"You," she pointed with a shaky wing, "are the Un-Character."

"Huh?"

"The Un-Character. You're going to hear that a lot from now on."

"Ah... where are we?"

"Voltale Volcano. My second homeland. The first is under that water. And no, I'm no fish." A tear rolled down her cheek as she looked over the balcony into the sky-blue ocean. More childhood memories.

"Well," she returned to her proud self, "Don't tell anyone that happened. And that glove? I have a theory of who he is."

"Tell me."

"When the Okay Sea, a land similar to this one, was destroyed, Great Hand, the leader of the Magical Hands, was killed. So, these Dark Hands were created by some monstrous foe to take his place. The Magical Hands control their puppet characters, but Dark Hands corrupt them. That glove is Shadow Hand. He's their commander. And he's carrying out someone's plans. Oh... oh no... oh, never mind! Don't worry about that, Retna. Not now anyway. And that shiny gem? That's a crystal of Pure Light. It repels any shadow beast! Just before my old babysitter abandoned me, she gave it to me. Ugh, I hate it when nearly everything I tell you involves my past life. Details later. We need to get to Kiwi City. Follow me!"

Anter and Soal followed Retna as she led them back through the volcano. On their way, a ridiculous looking creature tagged along. It was slightly smaller than Sam, a thin, red, reptilian creature with one head on each side. Each head had on a captain's hat, and the front side had a beard beneath its thick tan mandibles. It was full of spikes and spines as it walked behind Soal on its four hooves.