Unrealistic world

#3 Learning

Sara Goodhelm was just a normal innkeeper. Nothing too fancy, she loved to cook and clean, and her family had given her this Inn to make her living off of. Every day there were lots of adventurers from guilds from all around that came by to settle a couple of days of rest. It didn't generate much money, but it was enough to keep the place going and that was enough... especially when Lio came around for the first time.

Lio started coming around a year ago when he joined the adventurer's guild in the town, saying the exact same line she heard countless times. "I need a room. How much?" and he always came back, stronger and better over the year. But overtime he came in with beast people. This elf who was considered one of the more notorious adventurers in the town was helping the most ridiculed of races... it was a sight to behold... and she couldn't help but admire the young man for it.

They always left however, one way or another, they thanked them for the stay and meals and went on their way... but something about his latest guest seemed different... her eyes were that of complete and utter curiosity... but also terror and distrust... She knew how much each beast person leaving affected Lio... he got attached somewhat to a few of the earlier ones... and knowing they are running off back to the world that ridiculed them is scary to him... he started detaching himself from them... giving them the help they need... then leaving himself.

She stared at the blond who sat against the back of the chair he was sitting on and gave a small huff, hopping up, Sara called out. "Lio the foods almost ready, I'm sure Alex will be happy to join you for food?" She offered up as Lio gave a small smile before shaking his head. "I'm not hungry, but thank you, Sara. I appreciate it." Going towards the stairs to the other side of the hall, they both heard the back door open, and out came a flushed Alex, her ears were down, and her tail was still damp. Her hair was all loosely falling down her face, losing the natural curls from being wet.

The clothes Sara left out for her were fairly frilly, but she knew that she would have to get used to it eventually, so she just put it on... with some trouble... a dark blue gown and short light blue shorts. "Did you take a good bath?" Alex nodded her head happily as Lio stared at her for a brief moment before he slowly started up the stairs again. Alex noticing him in her peripherals but gave a silent thought knowing he was sore before she went into the bath. "So, are you ready for lunch?" Giving a happy nod, Sara smiled and scooped up from a large pot with a ladle and poured a sizable portion into a bowl.

Handing it over the counter, the girl sat at the bar and stared at it in hunger, her mouth drooling over the aspect of the food before she gave a quick "Thank you!" and begun digging in. The heat seemingly not bothering her, even though Sara seemed adamant for her to slow down, so she didn't get burnt. "So, where are you from?" Alex's hand stopped, frozen as Sara almost regretted the decision to ask... "I don't know..." She whispered as Sara looked up in confusion.

Alex could only grimace as she used the lie she came up with when she was in the bath... knowing this would happen... "I woke up with little to no memory... I just remember my name..." The Innkeeper frowned as she placed a hand on hers in a comforting gesture. "What is happening... that's all I thought when I woke up yesterday..." it wasn't a lie... it was complete and utter confusion... and "Fire." Her ears flopped down in sadness as she thought of the skill she had developed and used against the priests... "They deserved it..." The thoughts were back again, and she placed her hand against her eye in an ache.

"Can you... tell me something... I can't remember anything." Sara frowned and gave a nod. Wondering just how she survived whatever she ran into... "Well... We live on the eastern side of a continent, Sorhaven. We live close to a large kingdom of elves Riventhorn." Alex nodded as she pointed towards a map on the wall, pointing out everything. Some of the information was lost on Alex but it was a good start. "Of course, most of the places are uninhabitable because of monsters. So Adventurers are hired to deal with them. Like Lio!" 

"Adventurers?" Alex asked curiously As Sara gave a nod. "They are paid to deal jobs. Each job can range to simple tasks to hunting down big mystical monsters." She leaned forward in anticipation as she smiled brightly. "Even the best get to go after the titanic beasts." Alex blinked as she tilted her head in confusion. "Titanic beasts?" She wondered in surprise, they seemed dangerous considering how shushed Sara got. The woman nodded. "They are Primordial beings that are so powerful that it takes hundreds to take them down." Confusion written across her face as she tilted her head. "Why would you want to take them down? If they are that old wouldn't it be wise to not mess with them?" She asked curiously as Sara shook her head.

"Some people believe all the monsters came from the Titanic beasts. It seemed likely as each beast has similar characteristics to the most common beasts. Like goblins." Alex frowned to herself as Sara continued. "Lio wants to fight one, one day that's his goal." Curiously Alex asked. "How many titanic beasts are there?" Sara shrugged. "We don't know. They have only killed three of them in the last one hundred years." Alex's eyes widened. "That long??" nodding her head She pointed to many points onto the map where guilds were located. "Adventurers are ranked to a certain degree to help with certain jobs based on their power and skills aquired, the highest rank are the ones to help with titanic beasts." Alex breathed in anticipation, this was something she really wanted to know. "Skills?" Sara nodded her head. "Abilities used by anyone including monsters. Theres even unique skills if you get lucky enough to aquire them." She paused as she thought back to where she was at. 

"I'm sorry... I don't understand." The kitsune muttered as she stared at her hand sin sadness before Sara held up her hand and said. "Status." as she said this, she seemed to look in front of her briefly as Alex looked on in confusion. "Go on. Put your hand forward and say, 'Status'" Alex nodded her head slowly before raising her right hand. "Status..." The information that she received was surprisngly helpful. A list of skills and titles appeared in front of her... The one that stood out of course was "Lucifer" She muttered in confusion as Sara didn't hear her. looking through she saw The Natures blessing and Hell fire... though something stood out to Alex.

"Sara... you said Unique skills are rare?" She asked curiously as Sara nodded. "Yes, individuals who go through certain circumstances or are born with it get them. Why do you ask?" She said curiously as Alex stared at the line: 'unique skill: feastful blood.' tapping it another layer of information appeared. "Alex?" Looking up she shook her head as she waved the status window away. "Tell me more about Adventurers. I want to see if it jogs my memory." Sara couldn't help but nod in determination, hoping to help in any way she could...

...

Alex walked up the stairs curiously, walking down the hall as she tried to look for the room she was assigned... and two doors seem to open, Lio came out of one while the closest was a woman who scowled in disgust towards Alex, who held her head low and moved out of the womans way. "Disgusting." She spit out as she walked down the stairs and seemed to rush out the door. Alex couldn't help but feel disregarded and low... Just as she turned to walk to her room, Lio slammed his hand next to her head, trapping her from leaving in that moment. Alex's face looked up in surprise and shock as she whispered. "W-What... What are you doing?" Lio looked her dead straight in the eye before whispering. "Stop making yourself small..." pulling his hand away, Alex watched as he turned and slowly went down the stairs.

"Sara, I'm leaving for another mission." Alex watched as the blond left the inn, sad to watch him leave so soon before she could properly ask him some questions... she felt... dismissed and rather ignored... but she couldn't be mad... he saved her after all. "stop making yourself small..." Looking forward she knew what she had to do... She knew his words sounded harsh... but she knew that he was trying to help. "I won't be small... not anymore." 

...

TBC