11 Gseth Village (1/2)

I took a deep breath. It was a crazy feeling like your entire body was remade into the body you always wanted to have. Before, on earth, it took people years to get to the fitness level they could after just a couple level ups on Agartha. It is truly a euphoric feeling.

In my past life, there were many people who would chase after level ups like madmen. They craved the high of leveling up, almost as if the actual increase in fitness was secondary. While I wasn't one of those people I could certainly understand why they would do it.

After adjusting my body for a moment I turned towards Valerian, ”Could I take a look at the market next?”

”Haha, sure thing brother!” He began to walk around the side of the origin stone.

I caught up with him to walk side by side. He always walked so briskly straight toward his destination. After thinking for a moment I asked, ”What makes you want to leave the G'eth village so bad?”

”Well....” he said while his leafy eyebrows scrunched up.

”I have a complicated history.”

I was intrigued.

”How so?”

”Well, my bud that Grand Elder Corytheius picked from the Geodenisis Arboreth was partially the product of an attack made on it 700 years ago.”

”What? How did that happen?”

”It's complicated and will take a long time to tell. Why don't we wait for another time?” He responded in a despondent manner unlike his normal boisterous attitude.

”Ok. Not a problem.” I could tell the subject bothered him and I didn't want to press any further.

However, not wanting to walk in silence I asked another question, ”Who was the important person that the Grootslang killed?”

He became gloomy, I began to worry I had asked too much.

Then he loudly sighed, ”Growing up in this village I didn't have many friends. Other than Grand Elder, I rarely saw anyone. However, one day a young G'eth who was about my age wondered into the Grand Elder's courtyard where I stayed. We instantly became friends and played for hours. When Corytheius returned and saw us he got mad and told him to leave. However, after we begged and pleaded he allowed us to continue to hang out occasionally.”

Valerian seemed to stare into the distance as he spoke.

”For years we played in the courtyard and grew really close. As we grew older, playing like children became conversations about life. I talked about the training Corytheius had me do and he talked about his job as a warrior in the patrol and about the village. He was my only connection to the outside world. One day I was waiting for my him by the entrance but he was very late which was rare, but occasionally happened. I was about to head inside when I heard one of the warriors screaming about a strong monster that invaded our territory. I began to get nervous.”

I could see the vines forming his arms twisting tighter and tighter. Suddenly a couple dark vines rose up from Valerian's feet. They were purple and looked different than normal G'eth vines. Valerian seemed to finally notice them and they quickly went away.

”Long story short, that night was when the Grootslang moved into our territory. It killed my friend even after I tried to save him.”

Valerian quickly finished the story. We walked in silence for a short while, but his normal exuberance soon returned and Valerian began to happily tell me about the village.

We made our way over to the market. It was so lively there, the G'eth were selling a lot of the products they cultivate from the forest. The number of fruits, vegetables, and nuts available was simply astonishing. Suddenly I realized I hadn't had anything to eat in a while. I was starving.

I looked down at my toga. I didn't have my knapsack or kodachi with me and even if I did I wouldn't have any money. I looked over to Valerian.

He looked back at me and chuckled,a vine at his waist unwound revealing a pouch. He pulled out a couple silver coins.

”Tonight will be on me.”

”Thank you!” I couldn't wait to dig into the succulent fruits at the different stalls.