Alternia's New Order

Chapter 3

You wake up the next day to the obnoxious sound of your alarm. Your fist cracks down on top of the gog forsaken device beside your bed, effectively shutting it up. It was early, but you needed a head start on this trip. There was a long road ahead.

You roll over and turn to Terezi, who is still laying next to you in blissful sleep. It was really hard to wake her up for anything. For a moment, you can't help but just look at her. She was so beautiful, the most beautiful troll you'd ever seen. She lay there on her back, her hands laying on her stomach. You could see the gentle rise and fall of her body as she breathes, softly blowing the short black strands of hair hanging in her face. It seemed cruel to wake her, but you knew it was for the best. You pause for one last moment, taking a glance at the silver ring on her left hand, it's set red jewel shimmering. A smile pulls at your lips.

Sitting up, you grip Terezi's shoulder and shake her awake. "No fucking around, Tez. Time to get up." Her bright red eyes open slowly and she yawns, stretching her arms above her head. "G'morning to you too, Nubby" she giggles. You sigh and poke her nose affectionately, causing her to smile and you to blush.

"Yeah, yeah. Good fucking morning troll sleeping beauty. We've gotta get moving. It's a big day" you say as she sits up. She nods to you, and you both get out of bed and start getting ready. Because you are a fucking gentletroll, you let Terezi use the bathroom first. She showers and puts on her regular clothes while you pack two bags, one with food and one with your personal belongings. Terezi already had her things packed from her hive.

Once she comes out, you take your turn going through the same process. You try to be quick about it, but you keep getting distracted by thoughts of what is to come. You really have no idea what to expect.

After snapping out of your wandering think-pans fantasies, you finish washing and get dressed. Walking back into your room, you see your matesprit sitting on the bed and swinging her feet. You chuckle, and she turns to you. Gog, she was too cute.

"So, you ready for this?" she asks you. "As I'll ever be" you reply, slinging one bag onto your back. In truth, you are kind of scared shitless by this whole thing. But there is no way you would tell her that. You are going to stay strong.

Terezi puts on her red backpack and comes over to you. You smile a bit, picking up the last bag and kissing her. Then the two of you are off for the Central Empire. Since you really have no transportation around Alternia, the trip had to be made on foot. It would be an all day trip.

Of course, you did have a week to get there, but you two had decided to get this fucking show on the road and not waste time. You keep walking for about five hours. At that time you two stop to eat. You're nearly halfway there.

The journey is pretty uneventful. It only manages to make you more and more anxious as you draw closer to your destination. Terezi is unusually quiet, probably having similar thoughts. As the day comes to an end, you can see the Central Empire in the distance. On top of the final hill in your path, the two of you stand together.

You can see the faint sunlight in the distance, illuminating the large city ahead. Terezi sighs and you turn to her. "You okay, 'Rezi?" She doesn't seem like herself. She's not nearly as cheerful and carefree. It's starting to scare you more than the thought of slavery. All you want is for Terezi to be happy.

You reach out and take her hand in yours. She squeezes your hand softly and nods. "I'm fine, Kar. You know me" she tries to assure you. However, you are not buying it. You shoot her a skeptical look, raising one eyebrow.

"Oh, come on Terezi. I know you better than that. Don't try fucking hiding it." She chuckles slightly. "Don't worry about it," the girl tells you, "I'm guessing it's normal to be a little nervous when something like this happens." So you were right. This crazy, seemingly fearless dragon is scared.

After a long silence, you look out over the empire again. How was it that impending doom actually looked so pretty. "It's okay" Terezi says, making you turn back to her. "What is?"

"This," she answers you, "this place. This situation. The way I know we're both feeling about it. It'll all turn out just fine. That's what I've gotta keep telling myself." You only stare at her, not sure of how to respond. She grins slightly and kisses your cheek.

"You know what I mean?"
"Yeah," you say, "I do." You glance back at the city ahead. "We will both be okay. I swear to you, Terezi. I'm going to fucking protect you, not matter what."

She smiles, gripping your hand a bit tighter and nodding. "That's my Karkles" she says. With that, you take another step. She follows and you begin your way into the Central Empire, never letting go of each others hands.