~Villager Girl A’s point of view~

My knees shook with each heavy footfall into the loam of the forest, my breath pouring out in gasps as I ran. Each step I made was one I thought would be my last, but the soldiers behind me forced me onward. Death was all I could hope for if I stopped. My heart quivered, a sick sludge pumping into my veins as I tired. There’s no hope. It’ll end here. I need to accept it.

I remembered my life, shutting my teary eyes tight as I stumbled to the ground, gasping for air. My parent’s death. The long years working in the fields. The dreams I had of going to the city with some merchant. All those dreams were just that, dreams, and now the reality rushed upon me in the form of a beastly soldier. Dark, like a shadow with a shining blade clasped in his bloody hand he chuckled as he stood above me, not winded in the least. I prayed for a quick en-

A shining light.

Armor?

A carriage of impossible size and speed, made out of the reflecting light of the sun and steel blurred in front of me. It’s massive form crashed into the soldier, deforming him. In that moment, I saw the light reflect off the glass of the carriage like it winked at me. A knight in shining armor, in the form of a carriage? My heart felt alive.

“A-amazing…”

The most beautiful sight in the world. A giant beast of metal, a carriage, and I saw no place for horses or a driver to sit. The black wheels supporting it were a number I couldn’t count. It stopped abruptly in front of me, as if assuring me that the threat was dealt with and I was safe. To my surprise, a door opened, showing me an empty seat inside the carriage. Then, a boom rang out.

“Are you Villager Girl A? I’m Truck-san. Get inside, I’ll give you a lift.”

~Truck-san’s point of view~

My tires churned the air as I fell into the new world. What was it called again? Who cares, I’m Truck-san and I’m going to save Driver-san no matter what it takes. But for now, sunlight! Blue skies! Little patches of clouds trailing in the air! And me, Truck-san, an eighteen wheeler falling through it all. The boy inside my cabin was screaming. I’m a Truck, I’m not afraid of a crash or two. I hit many things in the past, deer, japanese teenagers, a baby carriage, maybe a little girl or two-

But now, I’m about to hit ground. If I explode into tiny truck parts, may driver-san reincarnate to another world-

Wait?! If I pray, don’t the souls I pray for reincarnate? Driver-san! He must have reincarnated to another world from my prayer just now!

I slammed into the ground, tooting out with my horn as I did.

“Driver-san! I’ll find you, wherever you are!”

What surprised me was that it was out loud.

“Huh?”

I heard my majestic voice for the first time through my horn. This isn’t possible! Trucks can’t talk!

“Urgh…Truck-san, why can I still hear you, even though I have a body now?”

Mechanic is naked in my driver’s seat. Fishing around the cabin he found some extra clothing and started putting them on with a shameful face. Please ask, those clothes aren’t yours. I’ll forgive you this time.

“I can speak? What the heck? I’ve seen how my horn works, it doesn’t have that capacity!”

“Ah, well, maybe because I got a body when I reincarnated, you got some things as well? You are a god. Maybe it’s an extra?” Hey. Stop messing around with the cabin. You’re eating driver-san’s food? Despicable.

“Mechanic, please be serious. If I’m to find the world Driver-san reincarnated into, I’ll need world traveling powers at least. Can you help?”

Mechanic got flustered at ‘driver-san reincarnated’ so I explained that I prayed for him to reincarnate as we were crashing into the new world. Mechanic isn’t that smart, is he?

“World traveling powers? Truck-san, there are some things that are impossible…”

“Like Truck’s talking, being sent to another world, and reincarnating due to a Truck’s selfish guilty wish?” I countered. Get with it, Mechanic!

Mechanic sat in my cabin, dumbstruck, as he pointed forward.

“Truck-san, where are you driving?”

I noticed we were moving at 40/mph. Mechanic- isn’t driving. I’m driving? Unconsciously? I stopped with my brake, confused that I could even do that.

“Mechanic, you didn’t touch anything, did you?”

Mechanic rubbed his head.

“It’s another feature, I guess?”

It’s Truck-san that needs to ‘Get with it’! I’m not living in reality! I turned on my windshield wipers, adjusted my engine, breathed out through my exhaust and checked my fuel gauge. It’s strange. In fact, ever since I went through that portal-

I could toot my own horn. I didn’t notice at all. I had full control at that moment, when I entered the divine world.

“So, since I’m Truck God, like Alyavrane said, all the new features make sense… but where’s the limit of my abilities? Maybe I can use this to save Driver-san?” I wondered aloud. Having a voice was still strange to me.

I drove. Without any better sense of what to do, I enjoyed driving myself for the first time. Through the forest, literally. The freedom under the sunlight of the new world invigorated me. I crashed through trees with abandon, enjoying the crunch as my tires snapped them under my stampede. Little tree branches got stuck in my grill and tried to tell me:

“Stop hurting the forest! We love you, Truck-san! All trees want is hugs!”

Trees are all like that. Once something organic dies, they can communicate with the firmament world, beings like me, without an issue. Once organic material dies, it returns to the firmament world. I don’t feel guilty about killing trees at all though, they only stand in the way of deliveries!

I dreamt of a better world.

If only this world was entirely gray concrete. If only the Earth that I came from became a vast cityscape, how fast could my deliveries be? Screw you, Trees! I rammed endlessly through them, churning shrubbery and loam in my tires.

Driver-san would never drive into trees on purpose. It’s strange though, I don’t remember being this durable. When I hit people in the past, didn’t I get dents?

Mechanic lounged about in my cabin, legs up on the dash.

“Ahh~ I’m in a talking Truck in another world.”

Mechanic said things like that, staring out my windows in the navy blue jumpsuit he stole from Driver-san. He looks comfortable at least. It unnerved me to be driving myself. Especially with such a lazy type lying about my dashboard.

“Tak- er, Mechanic, put your feet down.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t think you would mind…”

We made our way, ramming a hole through the forest into a clearing and a town came into view. Fire, smoke, the town didn’t look happy at all. The thatched huts and wooden structures seemed to be yelling:

“Hey! Truck-san? Water, please!”

Of course, I’m Truck-san, and a Truck God now, apparently, so I don’t mind. However-

People were there, as I approached, I made out a bound helpless group of humans surrounded by evil armed men. They’re People like Driver-san was People! Customers that I delivered to! Without them, the world has no meaning. What are deliveries, but to aid the economy? What is my payload, but to bring joy to People?

I increased my speed, ripping through the open space and making noise with my horn. I had to help!

“Beep. Beep.”

“Truck-san, what are you doing?”

“We’re saving that town!”

“But Truck-san, what about Driver-san?!”

“If there’s no one to deliver to, it doesn’t matter how many goods I can hold in my trailer!”

Slamming through a burning house, I peeled into the town center, flames scattering in front of me as I saw a bunch of nefarious looking fellows standing together. Conveniently packed together..

I took in the scene in a moment. Children, old people on one side tied up in the center of the town, and a bunch of armed evil looking men with weapons. Looks like someone needs ramming. A justice ramming.

“Truck-san! What are you do-”

Mechanic queried me as I aimed straight for the center mass of evil types and gunned my accelerator.

All of their faces turned in unison as their jaws dropped and eyelids exploded open. They don’t look as evil now, as I rammed into them, sending them flying. A torrent of burly armored bodies yelled and erupted as I charged through the center square. I caught a glimpse of an old man, a ball of fire forming in his hand. How strange, how can a human hold fire in their hand without getting burnt? I turned to make another charge, thinking I wanted to turn even harder to ram the rest of them right away and-

Secret Truck God Arts Activated: Eternal Drifting!

Within my soul, somewhere deep inside, I heard a voice like that. As if out of nothing, a new power realized itself in my body and all my tires swung. A giant mass of dust formed as dirt shot into the air and crawled back to the ground in pieces. I gained purchase little by little on the ground continuing to right myself for another ramming charge, only demolishing a single building in the process. The wooden house blazed as it hung over my trailer as if leaning on it while I still drifted trying to make a full turn. Then, I saw a fireball hurtle into my trailer. It burned a hole straight through, blasting the building hobbled on top of my trailer straight into the air. Above, in the sky, the building grew wings, covered in a blanket of flame. Below, I felt the massive molten hole in my trailer. Where did that come from?

“What the hell is that! Everyone, destroy the armored beast!” the old man in a robe yelled. I saw him forming another ball of fire in his hand. So it’s that guy’s fault! The evil men grouped up and charged at my eternal drifting truck self.

“Truck-san! Are you okay?”

Mechanic voiced concern as I revved the engine and gathered speed. Before the evil men could react, I drifted into them. Slamming my RPM ever higher, I gained the agility necessary to drift towards the old man with the fireball. I saw shock on the old man’s face as the evil men went flying, and he himself made a wave with a wooden stick and a fireball went straight for my grill.

“Wha-?!”

I tooted that out loud as fireball went all over my front cabin. I felt the heat distort my metal, as I bumped into the old man snapping his stick and giving him air time. He made a good flight, shrinking into a dark speck in the air.

“Curse you!”

The flying old man’s voice trailed off as he slammed into a wood building. I stopped my Eternal Drifting in the center of town. The remaining targets were fleeing. That’s good enough right?

“Mechanic, think I should ram them down?”

“Are you okay, Truck-san? You took that fireball head on!”

“I’m fine. Why’d that fireball come from the old man anyways?”

Mechanic explained the concept of ‘wizards’ and ‘magic’ to me as he pulled out a wrench from under my seat.

“Really?”

“I’ll go help the villagers, Truck-san. Wait here!”

Mechanic morphed the wrench into a knife. Must be his ability he got from Alyavrane. This isn’t the time to be curious!

I watched Mechanic cut the villagers free. One of them seemed distressed, halting Mechanic with a stricken face. Mechanic came to me with a request after listening to him.

“One of the villager’s daughters was chased by the soldiers into the forest,” Mechanic gestured the way. “Could you try to find her over there? Her name is ‘Villager Girl A’, she’s in a green dress. I know her name sounds weird but, I’ll put out the fire and take care of the people here!”

“Sure, Mechanic. Be careful, some of the evil men might still be around!” I tooted my horn as I sped off.

“Evil men…?” I heard Mechanic say as I drove away. What are you confused about? You said soldiers? How’d you know they were soldiers? Why is the name ‘Villager Girl A’ weird? Humans are so strange.

My tires grinded across the clearing as I headed to save a girl from some evil men. Guess I’ll have to ask the trees where she is. I hate trees, but they’ll be useful now. And if they don’t talk I’ll-!

~old man who shot a fireball at our Truck-san, Court Wizard’s point of view~

My back cracked. I’m too old for this. I stumbled up, eyeing the town center from the burning building I flew into. That beast that hit me left me for dead. It’s gone now, along with my soldiers.

They were scattered in an instant. As Court Wizard of the edge lord Vranyir, I thought I saw it all, committing raids to gather sacrifices to my edge lords whims, making a decent living and terrorizing the common folk. I love being evil. However, I was always afraid that someday I’d run into some upstart hero and that would be the end of all the fun.

Was today that day?

What the hell hit me? What the hell routed my troops? That wasn’t a hero! That wasn’t even human. The best I could tell, it was like someone strapped metal together onto a monster. That must have been it. Amazing. Even my Fire Giant form might not be a match for that!

I stood up. Dusting myself off, I tossed the remains of my broken staff from my hand. My faith in my abilities shaken, I considered running myself. Why bother fighting a beast that took out my soldiers with a moment's attack? A charge, if that? My heart froze at the thought! Me, run away?

I’m Court Wizard. Returning to Vranyir without tribute was as good as death. Being unable to terrorize townsfolk was as good as death. My honor and desire for fun through torment would not allow defeat here. I’ll destroy that armored beast, or die myself!

Doesn’t seem like the armored beast is here, though. I’ll make a little noise to grab it’s attention!

Rue the day you dared to cross me, beast!

~Truck-san’s point of view~

I drove back to town leisurely smashing through the forest. Villager Girl A made little noises of disapproval.

“Truck-san, I’m grateful you saved me but aren’t you going to get damaged driving like this? It almost seems like you’re aiming for the trees instead of avoiding them…”

“Trees are the worst, don’t you think so too?”

“Ah… yes…”

She nodded her head slowly in my cabin. I don’t think she agrees with me. It’s okay. The gap between Trucks and humans is great. She pointed ahead in shock.

“Truck-san, the village!”

Amongst the blazing village a giant of flame stood up.

“Wow. Is that a giant flaming human? Must be that ‘magic’ thing Mechanic told me about.”

I gunned my RPM, aiming for the flame giant.

“Truck-san, please run- I mean drive away! There’s no way you’ll survive, no matter how large you are that’s Court Wizard’s famous Fire Giant form! He’s unstoppable!”

“Villager Girl A, if you’re afraid, I can let you off here. I can’t let the People die.”

I kept driving forward. Her face turned from concern to resolution.

“If Truck-san is willing to die for this village, then so am I!”

Humans seem to be quite fickle. I hope Mechanic is okay, that fire giant is kicking around knocking up buildings. The town’s already aflame, you’re being redundant. Redundancy in schedule must be eliminated for the sake of efficiency! When making a delivery, that’s important!

I rammed forward through the town, gaining speed. I could hear Villager Girl A making disappointed noises again. Why? This wood the buildings are made of isn’t even alive. You can always rebuild the town later after I deal with your fire giant problem, Villager Girl A! I’ll deliver a bright future to this town!

Secret Truck God Arts Activated: Package Delivery!

I felt my trailer detach. That strange feeling welled up in me again as I gained speed. A feeling of satisfaction. I remembered the beautiful times in the past. When I waited for Driver-san to unload the cargo from my trailer. I felt like that right now. I am the package, and my delivery point is-

The fire giant’s leg. I hurtled forth, my entire Truck self became as a package bound for it’s destination. When I slammed into the flame giants leg, I felt the force transfer into the flame, shaking the ground and causing an eruption of fire and dirt.

“Armored beast! You’ve come!” the fire giant roared as it tumbled back. Barely fazed by my strongest attack, I drove away, hoping to lead him out of town.

“Truck-san! He’s coming, drive faster!” said Villager Girl A.

She was looking out the rear view mirror, unaware as a Truck I had perfect three hundred and sixty degree vision. Oh well. I pumped my accelerator to the limit, the fire giant breaking into a run after me trampling building as it did. I’m barely keeping ahead as is!

“Got you!”

I heard the roar from above as a massive flaming hand descended upon me. Humans. Wizards. Magic. You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m Truck-san. I won’t lose here! I have to save Driver-san and the people of this village! If some measly human can turn into a giant human-

Then so can I! Roar, my engine, show me the power within this Truck God’s soul!

Secret Truck God Arts Activated: Giant Human Form!

Without my trailer, I felt my steel grind and change. I formed arms, legs, a torso, and a head popped out as an afterthought. With my new hand and arm, I flexed it into the fire giant’s hand coming down on me, grasping it. A telepathic connection formed with Villager Girl A who sat in my chest. The knowledge of how to move as a humanoid copied itself from Villager Girl A’s mind. She put brave face on, staring out my windows at the fire giant’s hand I grasped in front of me as she communicated a battle plan to me through her mind.

“You can do this, Truck-san! I’m cheering for you!” Villager Girl A yelled and pumped her fist in the air. I twisted my new humanoid body, using all my weight and strength to heft the fire giant’s hand. I pulled, and the fire giant flew with my tug, spiraling through the air and into the clearing between the forest and the town. The fire giant stumbled up from the ground kicking up eruptions of dirt and roared out.

“What?! Impossible! You’re a wizard too?! A metal wizard armored beast?! Who the hell are you?!”

I charged, pumping my accelerator I felt the telepathic connection share the concept of ‘punching’ to me. Thanks, Villager Girl A. Now, how to deliver this fist?

Secret Truck God Arts: Package Delivery!

“I’m Truck-san.”

I felt immense weight transfer into my humanoid fist as I swung into the fire giant's face. The energy delivered itself into the fire giants body, for a second the ground under the fire giant cracked before the fire giant lazily floated into the air. Bubbles of flame burst and spread all over the fire giant's body as he flew into the blue sky.

“Truck...san…?”

The fire giant roared as more and more explosions of flame and bubbles from the transferred force of my punch shot through him. Each circuit of his magical energy seemed visible to me, as if it was oil running through an engine. The explosions continued, multiplying in number and force until the fire giant became a massive explosion itself, raining fire all over the sky turning it red. Comets of magma and flame rained down on the forest. Screw the trees, I murmured in my heart. And Villager Girl A, through the telepathic connection, heard that.

“Hurry up, Truck-san! Everyone in the village won’t survive this fire rain!”

I stared at the explosion in the sky. Trees started burning. Across the whole forest, I could hear their hippie tree hugging voices whining at me:

“Use the coolant! Trucks use coolant! You can save us all!”

They were unexpectedly saying something interesting, for once. Were Trees always this smart?

“Coolant? I see, if I’m Truck God, and I have all sorts of secret truck god arts, maybe there’s one… no. There is one. I’ll make there be one!”

Roar, my engine! Show me a Truck God’s power!

Secret Truck God Arts: Coolant Rain!

Villager Girl A gasped as I lifted my humanoid hands to the heavens and coolant sprayed out of them. Into the air, the liquid mixed with the fire, turning into superheated steam which rose like a mist into the air, away from the town and the forest. The coolant spread to the clouds, turning them dark and gathering them before causing rain.

“I hope that’s ecologically friendly…”

I worried over a pointless thing. Green energy was a concern in the Trucking industry, so naturally I heard about it. Personally, I’d like to destroy all the green on earth, but the humans didn’t seem to be of the same mind.

“A-amazing. Amazing, Truck-san!” Villager Girl A cheered in my chest.

“Right, right. Let’s check on everyone. I’m worried about Mechanic.”

I walked away, undoing my humanoid transformation and turning back into Truck form I drove back into town. With the rain coming down, the blazes in the town died down.

“Truck-san, thank you so much. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for saving the town. We’ll have a lot of work to do, but thanks to that strange rain, the fire’s gone! Truck-san, I…”

Villager Girl A blushed. It’s been a rough day, I’ll give her a pass. It’s not everyday you get saved by a being from another world and telepathically merge with it to save your town from a fire giant wizard. Villager Girl A stayed silent as we rolled into town.

Mechanic waved me down in the town center.

“That was amazing, Truck-san! You really are a Truck God! I built an underground shelter once I saw that fire giant, good thing I have my ability!”

“Yeah, yeah, here, help this girl out.”

Mechanic nodded to Villager Girl A and helped her out of my cabin. She didn’t look like she was in good shape, so Mechanic had to support her as he walked her to her father. I glanced at father and daughter reuniting, and turned off my engine.

Meanwhile, in the divine world...

Wheel God looked down into a wheel well. Within, he filled it with magic oil fluid that allowed him to spy on Truck God.

“Amazing power, Truck God. I’ll have to inform Vranyir, the edge lord, about this. He won’t be happy that you killed Court Wizard. If you can’t handle a reincarnator like yourself who rose to prominence, then you are worthless to me as a God and an ally. Your power mirrors mine already, it reminds me of my Secret Wheel God Arts. Come, Truck God. Grow stronger, access your God Abilities and join me. Together, we will...”

Wheel God clenched the complaint from Alyavrane. The request that Truck God go back to Earth that he filed with Alyavrane. Wheel God held the crumpled complaint to his cape of eternally burning tires, charring it in an instant.

“The other gods may look fondly upon you, Truck God, but I see your weakness clearly. You hold fondness for that mortal that you reincarnated with your own power, your driver! I must destroy that loyalty, and reforge it anew to me. I will show you your true power, Truck God. I will turn that world against you. If you truly want to save your driver, you’ll have to go through me!”

Wheel God cackled into the divine world.