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Archie poked the fire before him with a stick, adjusting the logs and twigs in the crackling flames. It was a cold night and he didn't plan on freezing. It's bad enough he got lost in the dark woods... Archie is still not sure how he got separated from Valkory, after all he's usually glued to her hip. It should have been a normal patrol in the Creeper Woods, having heard some illager activity. Well, it started out normal until something... unusual happened. Snorting, Archie blames the sudden appearance of a thick mist. The forest they are travel through does not normally mist up! The way that it clung to his body made his skin itch, magic perhaps? Fog should not itch his skin... Archie looked to his left and away from his Wild Hero for one second, trying to see through the thick sheet of light grey. Imagine his surprise when looking back as that he's now very lost. He should have kept his eyes on her... With a sigh he pushed the bubbling anger away as there's no real reason to be mad at himself. Instead he focuses his attention to be in front of him.
Archie stared at, well, himself. Bright red eyes stared back at his green. It was like staring at a reflection... Minus a few things. Besides the red eyes, this Archie had an impressive set of sharp teeth and scars littering his body. Wild Archie can tell which are from weapons, having some of his own hidden away. He watched as his counterpart eat his rabbit meat raw, crushing the bones like a carrot. Suppressed a shiver at the sound, Archie is still processing what a 'Vampire' is.
Still it was him. Same ish height, same body type, same brows, even down to the color of his nose. It's... Weird to say at least.
Now... You think getting lost in the woods then crashing into another you would mess with Archie's mind. While it kind of did, however Archie was more concerned about his counterpart's safety. When the Wild Illager turned Hero found the other with his ankle stuck in some thick roots. Wild Archie had to marvel at the similarities. He too got caught in roots before being found. But this time there was no tall Hero to save him. Well, maybe still a hero, Wild Archie has long gave up his title as 'Illager'.
At first the mirroring illager hissed and spat at him like a scared animal, eyes narrowed and teeth bared.
"Get away from me!" He yelled, pulling at his leg. Wild Archie cringed at the swollen ankle, remembering his own.
"Hey hey, calm down I won't hurt you!"
"Leave me alone!!"
"Not with you ankle deep in roots! H-Hold still you're going to break something!! Then what will you do with a broken and swollen ankle?!"
They argued back and forward. Vampire Archie on guard while Wild was getting exacerbated. This is going to take a while...
"I don't trust you. Smelling like a hero!"
Wild Archie was surprised that this other Archie could smell Valkory on him. Well, maybe that isn't a big surprise. Both of them were rather affectionate with each other, giving each other at least one type of hug a day. Salah always complained about the hugs but no one else ever made a comment.
"Please calm down. Look I know what's like to be trapped, it's not pleasant. I promise no harm will come to you."
His words was met with a ruby glower.
It took a while before Wild had to convince the vampire he wasn't going to harm him. Eventually Wild won over the other Archie with the promise for food, a warm fire, and a potion for his ankle. His time with Valkory boosted his confidences and compassion. Any other point in his life, Wild Archie would have thrown up his hands and left the other to fate. But he didn't, Wild Archie sat with the Mirrored illager until he calmed down enough to free him from the roots with the promise of no sharp weapons to be used. Afterall they may look weirdly identical but they are still strangers. With the combination of their strength, the roots were pulled away. His Counterpart hissed in pain, leaning forward and gripped Wild's clothes tightly and probably punctured a few parts.
The Hero half carried half dragged the other illager away from from the roots, not wanting any another leg to be caught. Plus sitting on roots is not comfortable! The pair limped walked into a small clearing, just big enough to make a small camp. Wild Archie gently lowered the other to a somewhat cozy spot on the ground and began to make a fire. Valkory always insist on bringing camp fire starters. Digging into the impossibly deep pockets, Archie looked out some logs, flint & steel. He really needs to ask Valkory about this 'inventory', heroes are such strange creatures. Either way, the illager turned hero will always treasure the Inventory Pouch Valkory made for him. The amount of stuff he can store is ludicrous! Food, water, medical supplies, and much more! Makes travelling so much easier. With a few clicks of steel against flint, sparks ignited the log and warmth pieced the cold air.
"Hold on a second looker, I think I got some food on me."
Indeed, Archie looked out a thing of raw rabbit. Thanks to the strange magickly inventory, the meat he hunts always stay fresh. Wild Archie was about to toss the rabbit onto the flash to cook when the other spoke.
"Wait! I can... I can eat that raw."
Blinking hard, Wild Archie couldn't stop his head from tilting to one side. A trait he picked up from Valkory whenever she's confused.
"Uuhh, Hooow?"
Now back in the present, Wild Archie milled over this new information. His counterpart, is a vampire, a being that can drink blood and eat raw meat. What a strange person... Wild Archie turned his head to the brewing stand next to him and watched the pink fluid drink painfully slow into three bottles.
Wild Archie now felt the hostility from the short Illager bubbling down. Seems like he won over the other's trust after getting his wound dressed and fed. The silence, however, between the pair was thick and awkward. Just how was this possible, meeting another version of himself? Was that mist magical? Probably as there is no other way to explain this! He knew his old tribe lived deep in these dark woods but surely Walda and her motley crew of evokers didn't try some new crazy magic! Maybe Thord had convince her to try out some new magic, it has been a couple of years since his banishment...
"Sooo..." Wild Archie started, leaning over to the potions and adjusting the bottles. "What'cha doing here in the Creeper Woods?"
Silence...
Wild Archie quietly glanced over the vampire. He had one leg curled up to his chest with his arms and head resting on it. The other
injured one is laying flat on the ground and slightly elevated. Red eyes glancing around at the leafy floor for a second before making up his mind.
"I'm... Trying to find my... tribe. Got lost a while back." Vampire Archie stated flatly and fidgeted with a loose thread. While he's still bitter as his, Wild Archie sat up straighter wanting to help the other.
"I can help!" Offered Wild Archie, leaning away from the stand. "Between me and Valkory we can track almost anyone down!"
"Valkory? Who's that?"
"My friend! I was travelling with her before getting lost in these woods. She's the one you smelt on me."
There was a beat of silence. Wild Archie's smile wavered slightly at the surprised look on the vampire's face. Then his eyes narrow a little.
"She's a hero?" Replied Vampire, curling up tighter.
"uh yes?"
"How can a hero help?! The lot of them killed many illagers without second thought! Men, women, and children, all of us."
"B-But Not Val-"
"No! Do you see my scars?! All of them from heroes and some villagers!" The vampire snarled, waving his hands over his body. Wild Archie couldn't stop himself, glancing over the silver scar littering his form. "All I ever wanted to be friends with them. Yet time and time again I was rejected! Rejected and hurt me! Bet she's the same..."
Wild Archie felt rage creep up into his chest. No one will assume such bad things about HIS Hero.
"Not! Valkory!" He shouted, stand up. Vampire Archie cringed back slightly and raised an eyebrow. "If that was true then why am I'm alive?!"
The Vampire stiffen at the good question. Her scent is all over his counterpart and not once he smelt bad intentions. Wild Archie continued, feeling the need to defend Valkory's honor.
"My tribe abused me since birth because of my lack of strength! They kicked me out for a lie! She saved from from the death they condemned me! They Starved me! She Fed me! She clothed me! Whomever you met are not heroes, just bullies with no honor and don't you dare lump her up with those guys!"
Breathing heavily Wild Archie shakily watched Vampire Archie. Both of them glared at each other. The latter staring with cold indifference. Wild Archie was the first to break eye contact. He sat back down hard, curled his legs up to his chest, and watched the brewing stand. He's no longer interested in befriending the other, no one dishonors HIS hero. No matter who they are, even a different version of himself.
The both of them were so similar yet do different. Wild Archie heard Vampire shift in the leaf litter.
"Why do you have a good hero..." Murmured Vampire Archie, picking the leaves and twigs. Wild tilted his head towards the other, guilt building up. He shouldn't have shouted, just wanted to defeat his best friend... Wild Archie slouched in shame as he continued to listen.
"All I got was pain... I just... I just want my family back. I want my grandparents..."
That caught Wild Archie off guard. Looking back up, Archie couldn't stop the words from spilling out.
"You got a family?"
"Yes? Don't you?"
"No... They either dead or didn't want a runt."
Wild Archie looked away and didn't see the other's eyebrows twitched up. Silence fell over them, Wild went back to watching the brewing stand while Vampire continued to play with his leaf. A nagging thought pestered the hero.
"Your tribe sounds a lot different than mine." Wild commented, fiddling with the bottles again. "What's it like?"
"Wonderful." Answered Vampire Archie, no hesitation on his answer. He smiled at the thought of his tribe. "My grandparents are in charge of it all. He makes sures everyone has their fair share of food, clothes, and care. No one is more important than the other. We're all equals despite any different strengths."
"That sounds... Really great." Wild Archie mumbled, bitterness began to seep into his words. "My tribe only favors the strongest. Illagers like me can only have the scraps while some of the evokers hoard resources. They like flaunt it around."
He won't say it out loud but he's jealous of Vampire Archie, having been born into such a caring tribe.
"That's terrible and foolish of them." Vampire Archie sniffed. "Grandpa would have kicked them out in a heart beat."
"Hmmm..."
Finally after so long (Ten Minutes) the potion of healing is finished. Wild Archie skillfully plucked the potions off of the stand then stood up.
"Here take all three." He said, trying to hide the emotion behind his voice. A part of him wanted to be friends with Vampire Archie, to be a hero he never got in the past. Now? Wild isn't sure... Perhaps they are just simply too different.
With the potion was handed off and Wild Archie began to back away when both heard heavy footsteps approaching. Wild Archie already knew these was too big to be Valkory's. Clearly someone else hand found the pair! Wild Archie stuffed a hand in the pouch for an artifact. His blood ran cold when a pair of red eyes glinted in the darkness thanks to the fire. Then out from the pitch came the LARGEST illager Wild Archie had ever seen. He was taller than Thord!! Easily eight feet tall with broad shoulders that tapered into large arms and legs. This illager is thick as a brick wall and built for heavy battle. Scars of varies sizes and colors scattered across his body, each one telling a story of battles he survived in. Heavy armor clad the massive illager, there was simply no way Wild Archie can ever hope to piece it. He even doubted his Corrupted Seeds can down down such a beast of an illager. It has been a while since Wild Archie felt this helpless and scared, however his vampire counterpart immediately shouted in glee.
"Grandpa!!" Shout Vampire Archie. Ignoring his pain, he turning his body to be on his knees. The red eyes snapped towards the speaker and his face broke out into a large toothy grin. Gosh those are some sharp teeth!
"Archie my boy!" Quickly he dashed forwards and knelt down to gather vampire Archie into his arms, pulling him into a soft embrace. "Finally! I finally found you!"
Wild Archie had backed away slowly, still spooked by the sudden appearance and not to interrupt a reunion. He watched the two hug it out in silence. At first he felt a little happy then a strange nothingness, then jealousy, then.. anger. Wow he is so angry! Hot tears formed and he fight hard to hold them back. Yet he failed miserably.
"Why do..." Mumbled softly, Wild Archie looked down at the leaves and not caring if the other illagers suddenly look at him. His hands formed into fists and nails dug into the palms. He looked sharply away, angry at everything. "W-why do you get a loving family while I... got nothing... Born as nothing."
Turning away, Wild Archie didn't say anything as he began to slip into the darkness. He did his hero job and it's time to go. Head down, Archie stewed in self pity and hatred of his past. He can only imagine how different things were if someone cared for him like a proper family. Sudden rapid footsteps and crashing foliage caused everyone to look in the sound's direction. A large wolf seem to dashed out of the dark, chocolate eyes shooting around until they landed on Wild Archie. The wolf stood straight up and smiled. Wait... No. This wasn't a wolf. It's...
"Valkory!" Yelled Wild Archie, his sour mood turned joyous. Both ran at each other and met half way. Crushing into each other's arms, Wild Archie soaked in her affection as she pulled him into a tight hug. Valkory sighed and nuzzled her chin on the top of his hemled head, relief pouring out from her form. Wild Archie sighed into her shoulder, his grip tight and all the tension faded. Finally, he felt safe from this wack situation and at home in her presence.
Detaching from each other, both heroes stood up smiling. Two friends happy to have found each other. Wild Archie watched as Valkory looked up and her one good eye widening in surprise. Oh yea! She can clearly see the two vampire illagers that were still by the fire. The larger illager held the smaller close to his chest protectively. Valkory twitched slightly at the sight of them, tilting her head in confusion at the sight of Vampire Archie. Everyone stood still for a moment, breath baited. Valkory, her trained hero sense tingling, was the first to move. She gently grabbed Wild Archie's shoulders and began to pull him away. Archie allowed her, allowing himself to look at his vampire counterpart for probably the last time. The other Archie seemed to be thinking about something as his grandfather began his escape, getting the message of not wanting a fight.
Suddenly Vampire Archie spoke over this broad shoulders.
"You're wrong. You do have a family."
And with that, the pair disappeared in the darkness. Somewhere in Wild Archie's soul felt lighter after that comment. Valkory looked down, confusion painted over her features.
"Later... Let's go home."
Valkory is more than willing to.