Toxishade Dungeon 1 Prologue: First Steps

Toxishade Dungeon 1 Prologue: First Steps

When news got out that the Guilds would be the first to clear the dungeon and reach the desert city of Geoda, the small house where the members of Team Toxishade lived filled with tension. Tyr was thrilled by the prospect of setting out for a different place, largely out of curiosity. He'd only seen those within Andalusst and the foggy memories of those he once knew. With a whole different landscape, a whole new city to see, there were bound to be several new faces, differences in culture, conversation. Of course, there'd be different secrets to unveil and hoard, too.

Then, there was the Whiscash. A potentially dangerous meeting with a leader or king of some sort, a ruler of the underground, in the name of peace. . . It was the perfect task to get his name out there in the Guild, perhaps get some recognition or praise for his talents. Even if that didn't work, the Whiscash, whatever ridiculous name he went by, would be floored by his charm, and there'd be some connection there. Plus, he'd be saving Andalusst from a potentially dangerous situation, and that was certainly something he could use for a later time. A little risk, but a ton of gain. . .

Tyr barely slept last night. He couldn't sleep. He was simply too excited about the coming trip to relax. His mind ran with possible scenarios, positive outcomes, inevitable praise, what could be seen in this city of Geoda. Despite this, he quickly sprang from his bed before the sun could fully touch the horizon and left his room for a quick breakfast.

His only regret, truthfully, was leaving Brigid behind. The older Chansey would be alone while he and Hikari ran off to explore a new place, though she had the offer to come along with them. There wouldn't be anyone around to run the occasional errand for her. It wasn't right to just leave the one 'Mon who constantly kept an eye out for them, but they'd be back before long, hopefully with something useful for all of them. Maybe they could even find a way to keep in touch with her before they returned, or so the Nidoran reasoned with himself.

A glimpse of gaseous wisps caught the corner of his eye. Tyr acknowledged Hikari's entrance with a glance and a nod before he went back to finishing his meal as quickly as he could. Ruby eyes watched as she packed up what little supplies they had that they could bring with them for the trip ahead of them. The standard for dungeon crawling (or so she claimed). A few berries, a couple star coins in case they needed to trade with someone on the go, and a few useful items they'd acquired.

"Think we're good?" He asked her. She went to respond, but looked up when she heard approaching footsteps. Large ears twitched at the sound of steps, and the Nidoran lifted his head to face Brigid.

She carried a small knitted—like a lot of the things she had—sack. The Chansey smiled almost sadly at Tyr and Hikari.

"Brigid, are you coming with us?" Hikari asked, both hopeful that she would say yes and a little concerned over where she would get more supplies.

"No, no. I just want to wish you two good luck," Brigid said. "Though, you're both very strong, so I doubt you'll need it."

"Brigid..." Hikari found herself muttering. That 'Mon always believed in them, always cheered them on. Hikari could feel a sense of longing as she thought on this. She was about to speak when Brigid presented her and Tyr with the sack.

"Thanks," Tyr spoke up with a smile. Though, he noticed the hints of sadness in her own, and wondered if his looked the same. It wasn't as though this was goodbye forever; soon as things were over (and once he'd gotten some sightseeing done, of course) they'd come back and take residency up with her again. Curiously, he eyed the sack the Chansey held out to them before he lightly grabbed the knitted fabric. It felt warm, and soft clanking sounds came from inside the sack. He gently placed it down in front of him. "What's tha' fer?"

"It's just a little something I whipped up for you," Brigid said. "Cinnamon even tossed a few extra berries in when I mentioned you were going off on the expedition."

Hikari peeked into the sack, and her eyes widened slightly. "Brigid!" she said, torn between smiling at the gesture and being shocked by the effort put into it. Tyr peered into the sack as well, and surprise flashed across his face. Inside the sack were two pieces of colored glass bottles in snug, knitted bags of some sort. Both were mottled with deep blue splotches. One bottle was lightly engraved with the letter "H," the other with "T." Both were filled and sealed with some kind of stew of berries and meatroot, and its warm aroma lightly hung about the containers.

Tyr lifted his head out of the bag and stared at Brigid, his smile wider. "Ya didn't have t' d' all this fer us. . . Thanks." Brigid came closer and hugged Tyr.
"Of course," she said. "You two are my family, I would do anything for you."

Tyr felt his heart lurch inside his chest a bit. Family. . . That was really how she saw them, then? Not just a homeowner and a renter, for sure, not just roommates. . . They were one, in a way. She'd taken him from the streets when he was still young and innocent, wide-eyed and alone. She took over raising him, getting him comfortable with the new world he'd stumbled into only months before he was found by her. Even now, he lived in her house, ate her food. She expected nothing from him, in return for all this. He'd offer what he could, though, in labor mostly, in time. Part of him ached, a buried part of him that reminded him that he did had a family somewhere. Yet, he treasured this feeling, this warm sense of belonging and comfort.

He returned the hug, warmly and firmly, and lifted his head so he could whisper in her ear.

"Thank ya. Fer everythin'."

"No, thank you," Brigid said, then glanced up at Hikari, a questioning, yet warm look in her eyes.

Hikari couldn't help but smile as she came over and got as close as she could without suffocating the two living 'Mon. She couldn't remember having a family, but she could remember the feeling of longing for one. She didn't remember what having one was like, but... If a family was anything like what she had seen, she was glad she was part of Brigid's.

They stayed like that for a bit, huddled together. Brigid hugged them tighter. "Now, you two be safe, ok?" Her voice was filled with motherly concern.

"We will. An' we'll be back 'fore ya can miss us," Tyr responded reassuringly with a nod. He offered another smile to the Chansey. Hikari let out a slight snort at Tyr's response.
"Don't worry Brigid, I'll make sure he comes home in one piece this time," she said, a small smile on her face. After what happened to Tyr on his last little excursion, there was no way she would let him get himself into trouble again. She still wanted to have a chat with that friend of Tyr's. . .

"Well, we better get moving. I'll be fine, but I don't know if Tyr's stubby legs will get him to the dungeon before sunset if we don't head off soon," Hikari teased. Tyr shot a glare at the Ghost-type, and stuck out his tongue at her ever so slightly. Still, his eyes shone a bit in good-humor.

"Alright, alright. . . I'll let you go," Brigid said as she released the two from their embrace. "Just. . . Remember to keep warm at night, ok? And don't eat any strange mushrooms or berries!"

"We won't, we won't," Hikari said. "We'll see you as soon as we return!" She headed for the door, and adjusted her shawl a bit as she waited for Tyr. The Nidoran offered one more smile to Brigid before he dipped his head and headed out the door with Hikari. He took the lead once they'd stepped outside the house, and headed towards the forest without a second glance.

"Wonder what waits fer us. . ." He mused as he gazed down the road.