Matriarch of Monsters

Sometimes you just wish that what was happening was all just a dream. That maybe your mind is trying to fool you or that you've somehow overthought a situation. Then reality comes around just to let you know that you aren't dreaming.

"How long have we been out here Mo?"

"I'd say it's been around two weeks since we made it to the rainforest." Mo calmy responded.

"I see..." Alix closed her eyes and tilted her head to the sky. Mo was concerned for the girl with Trouler, now fully heal, expressing an equal amount of worry. "Are ya good Lex-"

"We have a compass that's supposed to lead us straight to Pesinwok, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then why in the hell are we not there yet? No, more importantly..." Alix opened her eyes to scan the area around her. Trees so tall and similar that she could never tell them apart. Colorful plants that have become less calm and more frustrating. And of course the occasional sudden, heavy rainfall that soaks the girl.

"WHY DID I THINK WALKING THROUGH A RAINFOREST WAS A GOOD IDEA!!" The girl shouted so loudly that her voice shook the few leaves that were within her eyesight. How had this even happened? This compass perfectly led her to the Monster Den but not the capital.

What is this defective piece of crap?! Alix couldn't even begin to describe what had been happening to her during the past two weeks. She had been poisoned by some of these colorful flowers. She had been attack by several wild monsters, which included man-eating plants for some reason.

Yet somehow the worst thing of all was that she kept losing her damn way! In a word...

Alix was pissed.

"Did ya change it to lead us to the-"

"Of course I did! Why would I not change it to lead us to the capital!" Alix flipped her wrist to reveal that the compass was in the correct mode. That it would lead to their supposed destination. Mo had no other words which frustrated Alix even more.

"I never should've read the stupid letter in that stupid cabin so that I wouldn't be in this stupid situation!" When she started to regret reading the letter she could not help but recall what she read about the compass.

"The compass should be pointing in the direction of the nearest town which should be Pesinwok..." Her eyes widened in disbelief. That was why she had been getting turned around. Alix's fists clenched tightly as she could not believe that such a small thing could bring this much trouble.

"What is it?" Mo noticed the girl's clenched fist and wide eyes so he knew she found out something.

"The compass points to the closest town. Not just to Pesinwok." Mo's eyes also widened. "Wait then that means. Alix nodded trying her best to not explode.

"That means that every time we get close to a different town or something that this thing thinks is a town we get sent in that direction instead of to Pesinwok." Alix was visibly shaking from anger while Mo and Trouler watched with concern and pity.

'How could I be this stupid?! This is the sort of mistake that could make me late to the first day at the Royal University!' Alix looked down to the compass, seriously contemplating ripping it off her arm and crushing it. She decided against it, however.

"This situation is the fault of no one other than myself. I didn't interpret the information correctly because I was in a rush. This entire situation is my own fault." Alix lamented.

"I'm glad that ya calmed down Lexi." Mo was finally able to breathe now that the girl seemed to be winding down.

"Though, If I do ever lay my eyes upon the Enchanter that made this compass I will make sure to give them my thanks in the most violent ways that I possibly can." 

"...At least yer not taking it out on us."

Alix did one more quick scan of her surroundings before simply moving in a random direction. Just because Alix knew why she was lost doesn't mean that she suddenly wasn't lost anymore. Nightfall approaching also didn't help much. Alix sighed.

"I will come up with a plan tomorrow. We should rest for now."

"In this place? That doesn't sound like a good plan for a girl your age." Alix was sent into alert when the voice resounded out. "Woah! Calm down kid." From the shadows of a nearby tree came a dark haired male. His hands were up, showing that he meant no harm.

"What are you doing here?" The man laughed. "I'm an adventurer that just finished a quest a while ago. What are you doing here?" The man's response seemed truthful enough but Alix was still careful.

"I am on my way to attend Marconix Spellcaster's University in Pesinwok." The man frowned at Alix's answer. "Couldn't you have taken a carriage? That's way quicker and safer than this place."

"That's none of your business, Adventurer." The man relented. "Alright, I get it. You're still wary of me. You know we could take you to Pesinwok?" Alix frowned.

"We?" The adventurer pointed behind himself. "Over at my camp, my two younger siblings are over there. We literally just came from the capital like last week so if you need a guide..." Alix was torn. She knew that she needed to get to the capital fast but she still didn't trust these random people.

"What rank are you?"

"What now?" Alix rolled her eyes.

"Your Adventurer Rank. What is it?" The man hesitated for a second before responding.

"I'm still a Nobody. The lowest rank that you can be within the guild. Sorry if that isn't what you wanted to hear." Alix finally dropped her guard a bit.

"No, that is fine. Con artists tend to claim to be higher ranking to lure their targets into a false feeling of security. Your admitting of your weakness actually proves that you are likely telling the truth." The man slowly nodded.

"Okayy? So do you trust me now?" Alix took a less defensive stance. "Trust is a strong word. It is more like I do not believe you are lying to me for the time being." The man shrugged.

"Works for me. I'm just trying to help after all." Alix's eyes narrowed.

"Stop trying to sell it."

"Alright, I get it! Are coming to our camp or not? We've got some real food." The man coaxing tone did not convince Alix but she followed him anyway.

"Do ya really trust him Lexi?" Mo was confused that she was even going along with the stranger.

"Trust? No." Alix answered curtly.

"Then why are we goin with him?" Trouler snorted agreeing to Mo's question. Alix shrugged complacently.

"What other choice do we have? We're still lost." Mo and Trouler nodded but were both still on high guard.

Never know when something could happen so it's best to be prepared.