When Dante woke up today, he was quite excited about what it and the following days had to offer. From meeting up with his old army buds to getting out into the great outdoors and sleeping under the peaceful night sky. Well in some twisted way he did get the latter, though he’d rather it be on planet earth and not some faraway place with two moons.

“I guess there’s no way around this whole situation, huh…” with a heavy sigh he gazed up at the darkened sky. Decorated with tiny twinkles and one purple glowing orb and a second pink crescent right next to it. “Somehow, in god’s name, I got Wizard of Ozed off to some freaky world. I guess I should look on the bright side… This serpent meat ain’t half bad.” as he said that he stuffed his face with another spoonful of meat and beans from the bowl, “Could use a little seasoning though.”

A cool breeze blew through and carried off the cinders of the fire in front of him. Beyond the crackling of the flames, various howls and squeaks could be heard in the distant surroundings. Some sounded familiar in a way, others completely unknown to Dante and of course there was the occasional roar and random tremors that even raised his pores, even though they originated far from him.

“Well not like it’s my first time being trapped in a foreign hostile land,” as he spoke another spoonful entered his mouth. The loud noises in the area, having to be cautious of enemy attacks, not to mention the poorly seasoned food, this situation very much reminded him of his days in the warzones.

“Though even on deployment I at least had back up. Well regardless, I’m a veteran, plus…” he looked at his body as memories of all that he encountered today entered his mind. Falling from a tree, vicious serpent and giant wolf creature attacks, and yet here he was eating that very serpent with canned beans with not even a bruise on his tanned skin. “I guess it’s not just this place which is strange…” as he paused, his hand gripped the end of the spoon and a slight noise traveled out, “I’ve become strange too,” he said as he released his grip and a dented spoon handle appeared before him. “Anyway, it’s been a long day, I should get some sleep,” he ate up the remaining bits of food, “who knows what else this place has in store for me.”

The radiant daylight rose once more upon this otherworldly land and right into the backs of Dante’s eyelids. It wasn’t long before his mouth opened wide with a loud yawn and outstretched arms, which failed to completely extend as their paths were blocked. Dante’s eyes crept open as he raised his body up.

“Sleeping in the jeep was more cramped than expected, but it beats staying out there with who knows what.” While he’d managed to survive thus far from the little encounters he had, Dante wasn’t one to push his luck. Especially with what little knowledge he had about his situation. “Alright let’s get up,” he adjusted himself and opened the backseat door.

“I really have become stronger, getting all this shrubbery out of the way would normally be tough,” Dante said as he stepped out and turned back at his jeep wrangler, which was surrounded by branches, twigs, and leaves. Even the hood and roof were littered with it. Seeing as I’m still here I guess piling all this junk on was worth it. Though I just washed her a few days ago…

“Now let’s get breakfast,” he spoke out and kicked aside more foliage as he went to the trunk, “Should conserve on food, plus that serpent was real filling so…this should do for breakfast,” he grabbed out a snack pack with a big ‘limited edition’ print on it “besides I got it for free and I don’t dislike trail mix so,” with that he opened it up and began to have his important meal of the day.

“Oh, that was good! Kind of get why that guy tried to pocket it,” Dante joked to himself as he returned the half-full bag into its container. “Now, I guess it’s time to get ready to move out,” his eyes scanned the area, “Looks like I have everything, now it’s just to decide where to go.” Normally when your lost staying put is your best bet of being found, unfortunately for Dante this isn’t a normal situation, in fact, you couldn’t get any further away from normal than this. At least he hoped so.

“I remember noticing the land being lower east from here when I looked out from the tree. That might be my best bet at finding some sort of civilization here,” he said as he looked towards the direction of the rising sun, “plus it seemed as if the trees became sparser in this direction too, which means I should be able to drive over there!” he gazed back at his dirtied grey jeep.

Even though he’s been here for only half a day and a night, he hasn’t seen any signs of humans.

“Heading over there might hopeful lead me to some sort of civilization or at least evidence that there are people in this world.”

Humans have almost always set up shop near bodies of freshwater, and the best place to find freshwater was in lowlands, which meant that the lower leveled land out east, was the only lead right now Dante had of finding someone else in this place. Whether they’d be friendly or hostile to strangers though, was another question. Slipping into the driver’s seat and starting the ignition, Dante began his journey to find humans and civilization and ideally a way back to his world, unaware of what else he might find out there.

A loud yawn left her mouth and contested with the rhythmic clapping of hooves on the ground.

“You’re still sleepy Marilyn,” the young woman on the chestnut horse in front of her said.

“Ah yea, just a little,” Marilyn replied.

“Honestly, we didn’t even get up that early.” She spoke back as her eyes leered back at Marilyn.

“Hey, give her a break Kayla, she’s been having nightmares lately,” the other young woman on the grey horse spoke.

“Nightmares?” Kayla raised a brow “What? Did that windstorm from yesterday scare you that much? Or was it because that ruined village?” she smirked as she continued, “Does baby want to lie down on my lap or would you prefer Lacey’s.”

“Kayla, that’s enough,” Lacey spoke out, her eyes centered on Kayla.

“Always have to be the shining knight don’t you,” Kayla said as she stared back at her blue-haired comrade, “all I’m saying is if she’s having these ‘nightmares’ she’d be better off back at the capital.” she shifted a gaze at Marilyn before her eyes returned to the front, “After all, these woods are dangerous. I mean bloody hell; the few villages out here always get overrun by packs of quilhounds or worst. I wouldn’t be surprised if we find more villages like the one before.”

“That maybe so, but you didn’t nee-” but before Lacey could finish.

Marilyn interjected, “It’s fine Lacey, I know Kayla wasn’t trying to be mean. She’s just looking out for me,” with a smile plastered on her face she looked at Kayla, “Don’t worry, I know what I was getting into when I asked to come along and find Moyra, so let’s not fight alright?” after such a sight of their cheerful pink-haired friend, the two other young ladies nodded to each other. Still, as the trio continued along, Marilyn’s smile soon waned as she remembered that recurring dream and the figure that kept appearing in it. Why am I having this dream and who is that person?

A pair of glowing eyes looked into the floating mirror. However, the image on the glass did not reflect the observer but instead showed Dante’s actions from the previous day and night.

“I must say, the power thou hath manifested from my blessing is quite exceptional, especially compared to the others. Thou even survived a night in the Werewood by thyself,” a glass of liquid floated up to her lips and as she took a sip, the mirror changed to show Dante, as he powered through the terrain in his dirtied jeep wrangler, “so I shall grant thee a pass of the first trial. While I would congratulate thee. We have more pressing matters.” she snapped her slender fingers and the image on the mirror changed to the trio of young women on horseback, “After all, thy second trial is about to begin.”