Nexus Voluntar

Journal Entry #1
Where do I begin my faint memories of home my parents whom I loved or how I was a social outcast with no more than a shellfish cow as my friend, even then that friendship didn’t last, to know my full story we would need to go back years when I was just a boy with no care in the world my name is Nexus and this is my story. My parents and I were pure easterners we owned and operated a small shop in which we sold common utilities such as water food bait hunting equipment the usual, I alone tended the livestock while my dad slaughtered and butchered the meat, I know I’m supposed to be a skilled hunter but I could never bring myself to harm a living creature. When I was about ten years old I raised a small cow named Phil he was the only friend I had all the other kids made fun of me cause of my abnormal height and the fact I didn’t talk in public, It was those years when I was taught the meaning kill or be killed and those years when I could only defend myself. my parents where strong and regarded hunter’s sometimes they would come back with enough food to feed a camp of ten or more people I think that’s when I knew I didn’t live up to their standards. My dad brought me to the slaughter house and gave me a small knife and pointed towards Phil my only friend he said to me “Son your 15 now and it’s time you learned to kill on command go ahead don’t be shy” he pushed me towards Phil whom I silently wept for as my hand’s shook after a minute I threw the knife down and refused, I don’t know what I expected from my father maybe words of assurance or something to calm me down, no instead I got a swift punch to the jaw as he screamed at me telling me to uphold the family tradition saying that where hunter’s not musician’s, I went hungry that night my dad killed Phil ever since then my parents despised me. The next morning I went downstairs and my parents refused to serve me breakfast saying if you want food you hunt it yourself until then you starve. I wanted to hit them but I knew it be suicide they knew how to fight and where trained to kill, I was just a boy with his thoughts and wit’s so I decided to run away to the south far away from here, that night I packed what food I could quietly knowing that if I was caught they would probably kill me, and without hesitation I left,I ran and ran as far as my legs could take me, far away from those dreaded people that I once called mom and dad no more did I live by their rules, I now decide and I depend on myself and only myself. Five years passed after I decided to come home and to my surprise my family farm I once knew was gone just vanished the locals seemed malnourished thin and tired I had to help without my parents the village I knew was dying for once I put aside my morals and hunted and surprisingly it felt natural almost like I was born how like I knew my preys next move before I made it, I brought back enough food for my village to get back on its feet the folk held this big celebration but they wanted to know who I was, what was I supposed to tell them that I was escargot and ryuki’s kid? So I told them the truth and at first they laughed “You that tall innocent child ha! Don’t pull our tail kid!” but as I further explained their faces filled with grief and horror “Don’t feel sorry my parents never loved me they were probably glad I left” the village elder stepped forth and shook her head in shame “No they didn’t hate you they loved you with all their heart you running away broke them they just wanted the best for you nexus.. They hung themselves the night you ran away all they left was their necklaces a prayer that you’d be safe.” At this point I broke into tears and took the necklaces they once wore with pride and cried into my hand’s because of me my parents where gone I never wanted this I wanted to come home and show them that they were wrong and that I was successful but now I can’t. I thanked the elder and set off again after showing their hunters my techniques, from that day forward I made a vow to never let my pride consume me, later that night I made a small tombstone and took off two teeth from each necklace and placed them on the stone cutting my hand and placing it upon it leaving a mark “I promise mom and dad.. I won’t let you down again.” I put on the necklaces and left into the night seeking adventure and a place to call home.

Journal Entry #2
Nexus laid there on the snow covered hill where he buried his parents the fire he made had burned out and all was silent, he had no will to live at this point he’d cut his coat short to feel the harsh cold wind he wished for nothing but to freeze to death when suddenly he was attacked by two armed southerners in full armor. One of the guards swiftly stabbed nexus before the shoulder creating a severe cut to which he fell to his knees the other held a spear to his throat and spoke in an gruff voice “Don’t run thief we know it was you who stole are supplies from camp, not very smart to build a camp so close” nexus at this point was terrified he’d never steal he always learned to share the food he had with him was stuff he had hunted himself. “I-I didn’t steal anything sir... This is my food I hunted myself, I swear by it…” he felt his vison fading he was losing blood fast, the guard that wounded him examined nexus stash and quickly found out they had harmed an innocent but before they could help him nexus passed out from blood loss.

And that’s how I found myself in the hands of southerners I awoke after my ordeal on a carriage of some sort my fur stained in my own blood, I was scared I didn’t know where I was and my necklaces where gone, the only thing’s I knew was I’m alive and it was hot very hot I’ve never experienced this heat before just where was I? Nexus stood up holding his waist and approached the front of the carriage he was in only to see two strange animals pulling it and the two southerners whom injured me “Oh your awake, listen where sorry about yesterday but you should rest we still got way’s to go before we can get you serious medical attention and I think you might want these back” he handed nexus the necklaces which he took hastily and put them on before saying in a silent voice “Thank you..” he retreated back into the carriage and slept. As I slept I wondered to myself why? Why where southerners so far east and why help me? I shouldn’t complain I smelt food and I was hungry and thirsty but I felt like an alien everything was so new to me the busy streets with vendors traders and these strange foods they ate I was so amazed I wanted to climb out and explore but with what condition I was in, I didn’t have a chance. The carriage stopped abruptly waking nexus up from another sleep as two agunder’s opened the back of the carriage and helped him out almost into a store like building where he was given food water and medical treatment nexus sat up and looked at them as they almost seemed complexed by his vibrant fur colors “What’s the matter never seen a easterner before?” the almost seemed shocked at this remark as one left and returned with the soldiers who seemed happy that nexus was ok but that didn’t stop there questions from rolling in “So you’re not a southerner I should have known from the color of your fur but I thought you had it dyed while you were up east”.

So here I was in a new land and a new territory with no job and any idea what was going on man what had I gotten myself into, I tried to sleep that night but I kept having nightmares about my parents not to mention the fact that it was kind of hot but that didn’t bother me as much, right now I have three goals stay alive at all cost, don’t get into trouble, and find a job so I can get on my feet, the agunder’s said I can stay with them if I help clean so I got that going for me until then I’m basically an immigrant here but hey maybe now I can start a new life and actually be happy, well at least my journal I have here is some company and thank my luck the soldier’s took it with them but how long was I asleep or can I not remember regardless new life new me here I go.

Journal Entry #3
I awoke in the bed from the night before looking at the desert it seemed almost lifeless but inside the city it was full of life people selling trading and socializing as I slept, perhaps I should try to meet someone or find something to do idk. “riko, brutus I'm going out for awhile I'll be home soon hopefully don't wait up and stay out of trouble you two” they waved goodbye to me and I left heading down the street in my drab but acceptable attire of course many people gave and exchanged weird looks at my dyed fur but I shrug it off. As I roamed the streets I grew hungry, it bothered me but I couldn't hunt at least not here I had no experience in this environment and I had no money for weapons so I found it best to return home but along my way back I overheard a cry for help rushing over I found a agunder being harassed by two southerners and I quickly stepped in. “Hey leave her alone you jerks!” they both turned and faced nexus gritting their teeth “this is none of your concern you'd best run along now boy" one drew a dagger as nexus gritted his teeth “I'm not afraid of a little knife come on" they both rushed him as one bit into his shoulder and the other punching him square in the jaw but nexus just growled loudly and annoyed prying the one that bit him off and holding him by the throat and choking him in the air as the other shanked his gut he coughed up some blood and just grabbed his hand and held the blade in him laughing “Come on don't you know your supposed to twist it! Here ill show you!” he broke his hand but also caused the dagger to twist inside him still laughing he threw the one he held in the air to the sandy floor and took the dagger out licking the blood “Exquisite!”. In pain and petrified at nexus abhorrent actions they both ran off, once out of sight nexus fell to the floor coughing and bleeding badly as the agunder rushed over to help he passed out in the sand again. I don't know why I got myself into that fight I should have just let them do away with her but something inside me told me to help her. Nexus awoke in a medical tent like before as riko and brutus the agunders who helped him the first time hugged him carefully, “Are you ok! We thought you died!” nexus just gently patted both their heads “y-yeah im fine… a little hurt but ok..” nexus laid back down “I'm sorry I didn't mean to get in trouble… tell me is she ok?..” they looked confused “who?” nexus eyes widened “the agunder I saved is she ok?” they shrugged “there was no one there someone just said they heard about a fight and you where there stripped of your clothes and money…” nexus growled loudly “fuck! That dirty thief!” he whinced in pain and held his wound “totally not gonna have trust issues after this…”  And surprisingly I was right ever since then I'd only trust riko and brutus and myself  no more helping anyone  that was in danger for all I know they could be a murderer or a thief… I laid inside that tent all night and gazed upon the sky attempting to stand up I was quickly laid back down by agunders who worked there, god I'm such a handicap. The next morning nexus woke up with more bandages around his waist but he was walking again the only bad part he was lost he was in a whole new part of the city completely unaware of his surroundings he just wandered off into the bustling streets. Walking through I noticed that I was gonna hate this part of town it seemed more scummy almost like a pickpockets paradise and that's when I remember my necklaces they were gone immediately I panicked and searched my pockets everything but to no avail,I wanted to cry or even kill someone but I just sucked it up and walked through man I hit rock bottom. As nexus wandered the streets he recognized a familiar voice that agunders he ran down the alley where she was selling stolen goods his necklaces for sale at a high price to but once she noticed him she ran away leaving her stall unguarded everyone there grabbed items left and right luckily nexus took his necklaces even though he was punched for it he retrieved them all that was left was to hunt down a thief.

Journal Entry #4
Nexus spent hours tirelessly looking for the thief but to no avail summing up his chances of finding her he decided to leave her be, returning home later that night he walked to bed laying down he hummed to himself as Riko silently listened to him eventually nexus fell asleep and both her and Brutus stepped in and tended to his injury’s such as replacing the bandages and applying new ointment to it. The next morning began like any other nexus waking up doing his morning routine and eating breakfast with Riko and Brutus life was good very good until a very big commotion was heard outside. Nexus sat up and left the house as Riko and Brutus stayed inside to nexus surprise there was a street fight between two southerners and the crowd just got bigger and bigger he recognized one of them which was the one that was losing, well he was until he pulled a dagger and shanked the other in the throat killing him almost instantly two armed guards appeared and quickly restrained him ordering everyone inside as more guards approached nexus entered the building and reassured Riko and Brutus that everything was ok. Never before had I seen something such as that murder just out in the open just over a simple little pouch of money wow.. I’ve never wanted to leave such a dangerous place in my life before sure we were in gold ring but that doesn’t fix common problems such as thieves pickpockets and murders, I just hope I can convince Riko and Brutus to come north with me. Two hours passed and nexus entered the room sitting down and getting straight to the point “Riko, Brutus, I’m heading north I believe me staying here will just get me killed faster and I would love some company on the way, now I’m not saying you can stay with me but all I ask is for some companions” they exchanged looks at themselves before Brutus spoke “Give us a minute to decide..” they left and went into the living room as nexus stayed. Around ten minutes passed as they both came in Riko with a look of sadness spoke “Were sorry nexus but we just can’t” he nodded and hugged them both “Then I wish you all a good life and good luck may we see each other again” with that nexus left with two pairs of clothes food and some water. I was alone once more after leaving their house I headed towards the northern gate and was accepted entry once out all I saw was desert just red sand for miles and miles it was barren and I was by myself. I remember telling myself that if I was going to die out there that I accepted my fate and was ready for anything be it bandits a creature of some sort dehydration or even starvation, I walked for days conserving and rationing my supplies and yet all I found was more sand it seemed endless maybe I was lost or I was going insane perhaps both what felt like two more hours of walking I saw in the distance a building almost like an outpost in nature. I couldn’t tell if it was a hallucination or real life regardless I walked towards it almost looking insane I could tell that heat stroke was setting in and it had felt almost as if something took my legs out from underneath me I collapsed in front of the building the last thing I saw was a figure I couldn’t tell if it was another human agunder or an nevrean. Nexus awoke in a bed sometime later as he scanned his surroundings a rough voice spoke to him “Good your alive we were about to throw you into the desert if you didn’t wake but now I see no need to” nexus was so confused and had many questions but before he could speak he was stopped “Quit your panicking your safe for now at least you just rest all will be explained soon until then make yourself at home” the figure left as nexus sat there looking down at his belongings and journal “Great out of the frying pan and into a skillet..”

Journal Entry #5
I stayed in that cell for hours at least I had access to food and water which I partook in gladly but many questions stirred inside my head where was I who was that person who saved me and who did they mention curse this dim lit room I can barely see what I’m writing down no less that I can’t see at all. Nexus sat hunched over his desk writing in his journal as the door swung open and a warm but dim light filled the room allowing nexus to see through this synthetic darkness that once blinded him, before him stood two southerners they looked at him and admired his elegant fur pattern and colors before spoke “I have three questions for you if you fail to answer them we will throw you out back into the desert with no food and water if you willingly apply and answer honestly we will allow you to stay for the time being” nexus stood up and walked towards the cage and nodded “Yes ma’am”. She took a stool and sat down before speaking in a semi serious tone “Who are you, what are you doing here and are you alone” nexus cleared his throat “I am Nexus vontular I come from the east and was recently brought to gold ring after being falsely accused for a crime which I was found innocent, the reason I am here as of this moment is because I am heading north or was I do not know if I’m lost or not, and as far as I know I am alone.” She nodded and spoke “My name is Marla my associate here is Drega we are the only member’s at this red gardener outpost perhaps you’ve heard of the red gardeners and if your heading south man are you off by a long shot you took a bad wrong turn you should have been there three days ago but you kept walking and asked for no directions man you’ve screwed yourself bigtime” she unlocked the cage for nexus as he stepped out thanking her by nodding subtly. Nexus shook his head “Sadly I do not intend to stay here I wish I could appease you with my company but I made a promise to an old friend of mine when I was away in the west I was fifteen then now I’m twenty five”. She seemed saddened by his sudden action to leave as Drega stood in “We’d love to give you directions but that isn’t how we operate partner” taking a seat nearby she sharpened her spear “I go by an old saying a eye for a eye, tell me just how much food and water have we spared for you” nexus seemed offended by that statement “You held me captive first” he was cut off by her placing the spear at his throat “Don’t you raise your tone boy, you want to head north without are help you can gladly leave anytime you want but knowing your crappy way around the desert all you’ll be is a creatures next meal” nexus growled and moved his head away “Fine dammit..”. Marla calmed Drega down and showed nexus to the room he’d be staying in she could tell he already hated Drega “Nexus I’m so sorry about her she’s a nice person really but she just thinks differently that’s all...” nexus just ignored that statement and looked at her “Just tell me what I need to do so I can get out of here…” she walked over to a supply chart and showed nexus how much he had actually consumed and he was shocked a total of 29 pounds in meat and 4 gallons of water “Was I really that malnourished..”  She nodded “When we found you I could literally touch your bones...” nexus shook off the weird comment as he thought to himself ‘These people touched me while I was knocked out gross’. Regardless he handed the list back to her “Sounds simple enough but don’t I need a weapon to hunt around here?” she smiled but also chuckled “Yeah… about that we only have two spears left and armor that’s fitted for females… luckily for you since you’ve lost a bit of weight you could probably fit in some. Nexus eyes widened as he spoke “Hahahah fuck no, no way am I going to wear female armor” she growled and yelled which caught him off guard a little mainly being that she was nice up until that remark “Your putting it on cause I said you are that is unless you want to die like a fool!” He jumped up and quickly responded “Yes ma’am!” and rushed over putting the armor on even though it was humiliating, she smiled at him before saying “There you look so much better now, now then Drega will be waiting for you at the exit, oh and do try not to piss her off you don’t want to end up like our last trainee do you?” nexus quickly shook his head “No ma’am” she nodded her head and left “Great” said nexus “Now I’m humiliating myself and being bossed around by two girls..” he walked towards the exit.

Journbal Entry #6
Drega stood at the exit looking at nexus to whom she chuckled at first then broke out into laughter “Haha so you really do fit in female clothing eh!” nexus growled and shrugged the insult off “Let’s just hurry please this is extremely embarrassing…” she nodded as she laughed to herself a few more time’s and opened the door leading out into the desert once outside she looked at him “You ever hunt in these part’s or has being soft weakened your natural hunting instinct?” he scoffed at her “You dare mock my skill I’d have you know my parents where the best hunters I knew” she bowed sarcastically “Oh my sincerest apologies your highness would you also like for me to complement your crappy attitude?” he snarled and threw a punch which Drega caught and tripped him as he fell into the red sand “Your movements are sloppy, you lack technique and your posture is easily diminished not to mention your temper is short” she extended her hand which nexus took and helped him up, nexus looked away and said underneath his breath “Sorry…” she just looked at him and nodded walking forward in the desert as nexus followed behind. I sat there that night thinking to myself while trying to understand why she wanted me to stay and restock the food and water I drank, just by looking at Drega I knew she could do all this by herself in a night maybe even a couple of hours but I couldn’t think of anything, maybe she was tired of being alone or doing this by herself wasn’t much of a challenge anymore, regardless we set up camp that night she took the first couple of hours watching over me while I slept it made me uneasy why where we setting up camp in the middle of the desert? How would we find our way back, did she have a map? Was she marking our steps as we went on and looked for something to hunt my whole world right now was in a completely different perspective. Nexus awoke the next morning to find Drega nowhere to be seen, he sat up and grabbed his spear looking around calling for her as a faint and subtle cry for help came from below, walking over to where she stood post before he fell asleep there was a giant hole in the sand and at the bottom Drega laid there her leg broken “Nexus! Thank heavens your awake please help me out of here I can’t move my leg” nexus nodded and lowered his spear which she grabbed onto, once she did he pulled her out and examined her leg which was in pretty bad shape, the bone had ripped out of the skin and was exposed she gripped onto nexus chest and howled in pain “Fuck well this is what I get for trying to hunt a sand worm by myself eh…” nexus seemed confused “Sand worm?” she sighed “Yeah a common pest around here they make giant holes like that which is a problem for caravans and other people…” he picked her up “We got to get you to Marla and soon” she shook her head “No, no it’s too late for me I’d just weigh you down, just follow the path I made with my spear back to the outpost and tell her I” she was cut off by the faint sound of the ground shaking they both looked over as a group of dondokos rushed at them. Drega looked at nexus and grabbed his hand and neck pulling him close “Nexus get out of here please… this isn’t your fault it’s mine I got myself in this mess, I’ll hold them off just run please” nexus teared up at this point and shook his head “No! I’m not leaving” Drega kissed nexus deeply and pulled her lips away “Nexus I’ve lived my life but you still have yours just go please…” she let go of his hand which she’d given him a small knife that was exquisitely made and hand crafted,reaching into her pocket she pulled out a necklace Marla made for her years ago, nexus looked into her eyes one last time and took the necklace nodding running down the path she’d made from the previous night, using her spear to stand she readied herself as the dondokos where soon upon her, she fought to her last breath managing to kill three of them as the rest swiftly took out her legs and overcame her. Nexus arrived at the outpost the next morning as he knocked on the door Marla answered, her face at first was filled with excitement but when she didn’t see Drega and nexus held out her necklace she knew what had happened and cried softly. I barely slept that night… even though I didn’t know you Drega you still treated me as a friend… from now on I promise to never let you down this drinks for you…

Journal Entry #7
For the next couple of day’s myself and Marla stayed in the outpost and grieved for the loss of Drega, I thought to myself it was my fault she had gotten killed if I hadn’t ate or touched the food that trip would have been completely unnecessary but that cannot change my goal or my reason for being here I needed to head north and with or without Marla’s help I was going. Nexus awoke the next morning hungover after drinking his pain away, his throat parched he drank some water but this just made him feel guilty and remember Drega, frustrated he threw his clothes to the floor and hit the wall which woke up Marla in the process, she entered “Nexus? What’s wrong” he looked at her covering himself up “Nothing just nightmare’s, listen Marla I’m leaving at sunrise today I am heading north with or without your help…” she looked at him and sighed “if she had given you her knife before she died, it means she trusted you” she stepped further into the room “I will take you as far as the I can go but once we reach the forest you’re on your own understand?” he nodded before saying sheepishly “Can you please leave now I need to get dressed…” she blushed a little before closing the door and stepping towards nexus “Well… about that I had a nightmare… I wanted to cuddle with you” nexus blushed intensely “I,I uh sure I guess…” he got back in his bed and laid down facing away from her, she crawled underneath the covers and hugged nexus from the back gently nibbling his ears. I don’t know what I was thinking that night but, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it, Nexus flipped and faced her kissing her deeply. The next morning nexus woke up and climbed off the bed as he’d woken up first and bathed himself getting dressed and sitting at the table contemplating if he should have done that or not. The morning followed as I wrote she had woken up bathing herself and getting dressed as well she had told me that our trip would take months but I simply dismayed it and told her I was willing to do anything, we loaded a carriage full of provisions such as food water and weapons and began to head towards the north. A month had passed and nexus at this point grew battle hardened and resistant to the desert heat, Marla was already showing signs of pregnancy as she constantly had mood swings and cravings, “Nexus… do we have any dondoko meat left?” he looked back “No I don’t think so we will have to hunt for more but we should just wait where almost there aren’t we?” she nodded at him “Another week or two yeah” he sighed “We really need to have roads built out here that or some small towns or something” she just went back to resting as nexus rode the carriage for eight more hours once nightfall was upon them they set up camp for the night. Nexus lit the fire and began to cook some meat they had stored Marla waited patiently rubbing her stomach as nexus looked at her “I’m sorry for knocking you up…” she looked at him “No, no it’s quite alright it will be fun raising our child” he looked at her and sighed “Marla… I don’t want you coming with me, this journey I walk is a one way trip… I want you and our kid to have a long and happy life… I want you to move into gold ring once I get to the north that so if I survive I shall come and live with you…” She looked at him saddened “Oh… alright nexus… just promise me you’ll stay safe” he leaned over and kissed her cheek “You know I can’t promise that Marla” they exchanged looks and laughed into the night falling asleep shortly after so they can continue their journey tomorrow.

Journal Entry #8
Nexus woke the next morning before Marla did, picking up his belongs he tended to the horses and readied the carriage waking Marla by shaking her gently, “Hey come on wake up if we hurry we can reach the north in two day’s” she grumbled and turned over “A few more minutes please…” nexus shook his head “Come on marla we don’t have time for this” she shot up and yelled at nexus “Is that really all you care about nexus reaching the north and leaving me and your child behind fuck as soon as Drega died you wanted to leave it’s like you didn’t care about” nexus slapped her promptly “Don’t you ever say that I didn’t care about you or her, I treated her as a friend even though we had just met and now you want to yell at me just cause I woke you up early, get this through your thick headed skull I do care for you and our child but dammit I have things I promised friends and family back home” he sat up and walked over to the carriage climbing into it and waited for Marla. The rest of the trip was nothing but bitter silence if we needed something we got it ourselves, I can’t blame her for not trusting me but still I felt guilty for slapping her she didn’t deserve that wakeup call at least not one that harsh… Nexus looked at Marla and spoke softly “I love you Marla and I promise you as soon as I’m finished in the north I’ll travel back to gold ring and live the rest of my days with you and our child… I just don’t want you to being harmed or hurt please understand this…” she looked over at him and spoke briefly “I understand… I just don’t like it.” He looked once more “If you do make it to gold ring find two agunder’s named Riko and Brutus tell them nexus sent you and I promise you’ll be ok” she nodded and they rode off into the night. As we continued my eye’s where stunned when the north was in sight about another day and we would arrive Marla that night didn’t want to leave my side and I don’t blame her this was going to be the last time we would see each other in a couple of years so instead of pushing her away I stayed as close as I could and comforted her eventually both of us drifting off into a blissful and peaceful sleep. The next morning it took us around nine hours to arrive but we did, the first thing I saw was the strange Talyxian biome with weird looking plants and ground sadly Marla stopped the carriage and I got off looking up at her I reached into my pouch and pulled Drega’s dagger and carved one of my teeth out to whom Marla was shocked and ran over to me “Are you insane?!” I simply laughed at her and poked a hole through the tooth and took upon a tough but light string from our storage and made a necklace like my parents handing it to her. Nexus looked at her and spoke softly “My parents wore necklaces like these around there necks my father wore my mothers and my mom my fathers… I want you to give this to our son Marla and promise me that you will never forget me” she teared up and hugged nexus tightly taking the necklace and putting it on. I began to leave but quickly turned when I saw Marla doing the same thing I had just did to herself handing me her own tooth necklace I teared up and gave her a hug of my own. Nexus waved a farewell to Marla and put on the necklace she made for him, turning around he faced the Talyxian biome and walked further into its recesses. Hours upon hours of walking I had  discovered a camp inhabited by two northerners who quickly apprehended him, but he didn’t fight and just put down my weapon and got on my knees, taken prisoner where I sat in their carriage and waited for them to reach their destination it wasn’t all too bad he was the only one here and the guards seemed lenient with him, maybe because I didn’t fight or resist regardless two weeks passed and I was thrown into a cell where I was questioned, answering honestly I was let go, of course my armor and weapons were  confiscated but I would manage and hopefully fulfill my promise I made to my friend years ago. Nexus entered a tavern and took residence in a small room looking at his map he had made it to the shigu Dukedom, he smiled with glee and took a well-deserved nap on his bed falling asleep.

Journal Entry #9
The next morning when nexus awoke from his well-deserved rest he left the tavern and began to head out into the wild Talyxian biome but was stopped almost immediately by a guard “Are you crazy? Your heading out with just your clothes and wits, you must be as dumb as you look I will not let you pass until you can at least arm yourself” he shoved nexus back as he grumbled under his breath, but maybe the guard was right he at least needs more than a small dagger. Reentering the tavern he spoke to the keep which he told him “You’ll need much more than that, a gas mask for one if you ever find yourself in an area with miasma and at least a spear also a small bag of salt” nexus seemed confused “Why salt?” the old keep laughed as she spoke “You may have some northerner in ya but your still just a pup” she walked over to another customer leaving nexus confused. I went to my room that night and looked at what I had, I used the rest of my food to bribe the keep so I can stay here for two nights and I had nothing to trade… except my dagger and necklaces… I couldn’t bring myself to do it these items where too valuable to me, man nexus I really fucked myself over on this one. The next morning arose as he got out of his bed and left the room with nothing but his clothes on “Thank you keep I’ll never forget your kindness” she waved goodbye as he left the tavern, now on the streets he found a way to make money but in the process it hurt his pride and honor he sold himself to the highest bidder after nights upon nights of endless customers he finally bought a cracked gas mask a small pouch of salt and a spear. My pride was stained, selling myself offered me a chance at getting out of here but the cost hurt, it hurt too much for me to leave that following morning so I begged the keep for one more night but word had gotten around town and she took me in almost like a mother would to an orphan, she fed me and allowed me to bathe myself cleaning my body of the vile aromas that haunted my nose, I did not leave her house for a week. Leaving the house nexus hugged the old southerner whose name was Selena “Thank you Selena you’ve been a good friend to me” she smiled and patted the young easterners head “Just don’t get yourself killed ok” he nodded and left the house walking towards the gate as the guard nodded at him and allowed him to pass. Two hours he had walked, he felt saddened knowing that Selena would pass soon but this just reminded him that time is a fickle thing and it comes for us all, walking forward his stomach growled and he now forgot that he didn’t hire a guide or ask her for advice on what was edible and what wasn’t, nevertheless he continued even though he felt as if he was a walking skeleton at this point but something was off, he felt like he was being watched he took a defensive posture and braced himself as something lingered out from the shadows. To his surprise it wasn’t another human but instead a Talyxian stalker who stayed a good distance away from him, Its fur was a low saturated red and its underbelly a bright white the rest of it coated in a luscious and elegant black, it tilted its head and spoke “Lost are you?” nexus eyes widened as it spoke to him “You can talk?!” it nodded “Yes talk I can” Nexus approached it but it quickly turned and ran off into the biome nexus proceeded to give chase. He struggled to force his tall body through the woods while the stalker quickly outran him nexus fell down a slope and into a miasma filled area almost instantly he covered his mouth and reached for his mask but as he grabbed it fear filled his face the glass had shattered from the impact, he tried desperately to look for a way out but the miasma was too thick he could barely see and he couldn’t hold his breath for much longer, Eventually he took a deep breath and inhaled the miasma coughing uncontrollably he fell to the floor, nexus thought to himself that this was it, he was going to die here all his life he had journeyed and now he would die to the toxic fumes from the forest but as fate would have it a bright red figure bit his tail and dragged him out of the miasma filled woods to a secluded spot where the stalker watched over nexus as he rested now unconscious he laid, the stalker awaiting for nexus to wake and continue his journey.

Journal Entry #10
Hours passed and nexus awoke from a nightmare that the miasma had enhanced looking around only to see that he was no longer in the vapor but a calm and gentle spot that had a lived in look, the stalker looked at nexus and next to it laid his spear and pouch of salt. Nexus didn’t move and instead spoke calmly “Why save me? Why risk your life for a stranger?” it tilted its head “Would you not do same?” nexus wanted to say yes but he knew that was a lie ever since his encounter with that thief in gold ring he swore not to help strangers no matter how young or old, but yet again that was a while ago and this place was much different than the south. Nexus stood up as the stalker began to back up “No wait don’t run I’m not going to harm you” the stalker stopped and looked at nexus curiously “Strange you’re not like others?” he seemed confused “Others?” it nodded “Yes more like you, they hunt family…” nexus ears drooped and so did the talyxian’s, “I’m sorry to hear that I know what it’s like to lose family too…” his ears suddenly perked “Hey I have an idea why don’t you come with me? I really would like the company and plus I owe you one so I’ll give you a share of my food that I hunt what do you say?” it sat there and looked curiously at him “Yes I will come but on one condition” nexus nodded “Anything” it wagged its tail “Teach me language” nexus nodded “Of course I will you have a name?” it tilted its head “Name?” he laughed “Yeah name like what do people call you?” he thought real hard “Blitz my name is yes”. After our encounter me and blitz navigated the biome now at a much faster and accelerated pace thanks to his knowledge, not to mention that he told me what plants our edible and aren’t maybe my luck is starting to turn up. After hours of walking Nexus and blitz spotted a Talyxian boar, nexus told blitz his plan, the stalker snuck up behind the boar and got its attention as it charged him he waited until the last second and dodged revealing nexus hiding with his spear facing outwards the boar ran into it at full speed impaling itself through the head killing it almost instantly sadly the spear broke upon impact. Me and blitz sat at the fire cooking our meal finally some decent food and luckily we had some to spare, taking what I could harvest which was the tusk and some bone for weapons we continued back to the city, blitz now sat upon my shoulder I could tell we would be great friends. Upon entering the city I headed back to Selena’s house where she was reluctant at first to allow blitz to stay with us but she softened up on him once she found out he was rather tame for a stalker. I continued to ask Selena if there were any high mountain peaks near here and she did know of one but it was a rather dangerous hike nevertheless that was my goal if I finished my adventure now I could return home to Marla Riko and Brutus, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t be as easy as I suspected. Later that night nexus left with blitz and headed northeast to the mountain peak holding my friends ashes I prayed that I arrive safely and with no harm done to me or blitz, five hours it took and the sun was now rising over the beautiful north, I told blitz to stay back and handed him my journal and necklaces, walking to the peak I sat down and opened the bag “Yanuke I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough then to save you, every day I have nightmares of what happened to you and your family, and I promised I would spread your families ashes upon a mountains top in your home land, may their souls find peace” nexus spread the ashes as the wind took them into the morning sky. Standing up he turned quickly to find a small group of bandits laughing at him as one in particular stepped forward clapping “Well, well, well what do we have here, a friend all alone honoring another’s wish” nexus drew his dagger and held it firmly “I mean no harm here sir just let me go” the confident northerner scoffed “You know I can’t do that, now I’ll give you two choices either come quietly, or, we break your bones and drag you your choice.” Nexus shook but breathed deeply and threw his dagger into the bushes next to blitz who silently took it and placed it in nexus pouch, nexus walked forward and the bandits threw him into a wagon that reeked of blood and sweat, the wagon moved forward nexus now a prisoner but this time it wasn’t going to be easy

Journal Entry #11
Blitz watched as his friend was captured and immediately ran back to Selena’s telling her what had happened she nearly collapsed and teared up before grabbing his shoulders “Blitz listen to me, no matter what happens follow that wagon or we may never see nexus alive again do you understand?!” blitz nodded and did not rest running a total of fifteen hours that day five to the mountain five back and five more back to the mountain where he followed the wagons tracks. Nexus sat in the wagon trying to break free of the shackles that held him in place, sadly each time he tried the bandits punched the wind out of him, following that night he was dragged into a stone confinement where he was beaten tortured raped and made to forcefully breed with other bandits just so they can be raised as their mother before them. This went by for several weeks Blitz studying and analyzing each guard post exits loose bricks in the wall where they were weakest, but they changed everything up daily, making it nearly impossible to slip in undetected, he was forced to watch his friend be treated like this daily. Eventually nexus managed to knock up half the camps females the chief saying that everyone there besides him was weak they needed a stronger breed, nexus at this point begged for death and the chief laughed at him knowing all too well that his sanity was broken, Untying nexus they helped him up and threw him into a makeshift fight pit with two other bandits, nexus seemed groggy unable to stand dropping his sword instantly the two rushed him but before they could strike nexus tail kicked up the mud blinding them and in the confusion he tore into one of their throats ripping out the jugular and devouring it whole the crowd gasped in shock as he proceeded to laugh and lick the blood from his lips the other bandit fell the floor terrified but sadly nexus pounced upon him and tore into his neck ripping the head clean from his shoulders and held it up as a prize before throwing it to the floor. Blitz was shocked to see him like this he always saw nexus as a gentle creature and soul never wanting to hurt anyone unless they hurt him or his friends but to see him kill like this and commit cannibalism this broke the stalkers heart he thought he would never see his friend again but he never gave up hope and just continued to watch as nexus turned into a monster. The crowd readied to jump in and kill nexus but the chief stopped him, Rikkaru was his name he was a tall northerner about seven feet and six inches, “People of the arena what we have witnessed here is a disgusting act of brute strength and savagery but with that creature down there we can now grow our clan even higher come and cheer our champion!” almost like a pack of sheep following a Sheppard the crowd cheered for nexus as Rikkaru raised his hand several bandits entered and restrained nexus muzzling him and tying him down. Blitz made his first attempt at breaking him out of here, to his surprise he managed to sneak into the arenas holding chambers and was distraught to see nexus chained up and thrashing around like a feral animal “Nexus… it me blitz your friend” nexus looked at him but quickly pounced at the cage nearly knocking the hinges out of place scaring the stalker out of the chambers and back up the mountain where he watched Rikkaru celebrate and party over the beast they created “Mark words Rikkaru nexus will kill you” blitz whined and fell asleep in a patch of grass. The following morning they loaded nexus into a metal cage and a wagon with nine guards inside Rikkaru lead the caravan south into the warm deserts heading towards another bandit camp ran by his rival Sensukte. Apparently they were best friends but when caught trying to ransack a small caravan Sensukte ditched Rikkaru and left him to be captured by soldiers, Two months passed and they arrived, Rikkaru stepping off his wagon yelled “Sensukte! I challenge your champion against mine! Whoever loses will be sentenced to death and claim the losers clan do we have a deal?” Sensukte laughed and his gates opened up “You made your last bet today Rikkaru but don’t worry I’ll keep your head as a souvenir.