At the Core - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 : Why Do I Let You Talk Me Into These Things...?

"'Let's travel the world, Matt! We'll be like explorers and go on epic adventures, bro! We can be HEROES!' I still don't understand why I went along with your stupid idea, Al... We've been walking for days with no signs of life save a little wildlife and plantlife, and we're running low on supplies! We've barely even been able to find any work in the last three towns we have come across, and we've only lasted as long as we have because we helped that group of travelers we lucked upon last week. I really don't..."

Unfortunately for the young blond man who continued to rant, his words fell on deaf ears as the one he was ranting to had years ago learned how to tune him out and was taking advantage of that ability right now. Alfred, the younger of the twins ("But only by a few hours, so it's not like it really matters. I'm still the more awesome of the two of us anyway," he'll be the first, and only, to emphasize every time it's brought up much to Matthew's chagrin.), looked down the two paths they were currently trying to decide between, completely ignoring his brother to instead daydream about what might happen if they went down each one.

Okay, granted, they hadn't had much luck with finding any grand adventures awaiting them when they'd chosen to leave their small town, and, really, they weren't having much luck finding work in general either, but he was certain that they'd find something exciting if they just kept on moving forward and not give up. What kind of hero would give up so easily just because of a few set backs anyway? Alfred had always been the more naive of the two of them, he knew that, but he just couldn't help what he wanted for himself. Maybe he was selfish too. He just didn't want to give up on the chance to be a hero and save people...and maybe a damsel in distress as well. Stories of warriors and knights and kings who risked their lives to help the helpless and defend the defenseless were the kinds of stories he'd always loved to hear ever since he was old enough to remember them, and as he grew up he wanted to be just like the men in those stories.

His brother on the other hand was the more pessimistic of the pair, though he'd be the first to correct that by saying he's the far more realistic of the two of them. Matthew, though he had his scatterbrained moments, also had far more foresight than Alfred and took it upon himself to at least try and keep some order to their little "quest;" he kept track of their supplies and money and finding and remembering what work they were to do when they could find any. His brother didn't really listen to him sometimes though, so all of his work would often enough end up being at least somewhat for naught.

Matthew had initially been reluctant to even humor the other's idea to set off and see what the world might have to offer them, knowing quite well that the idealistic Alfred probably had no idea what would really most likely await them if they tried to set foot outside of their home town to embark on such a journey (Matthew could admit that he didn't really know either, but he knew better than to say that outloud.). It had taken a few months of what basically boiled down to begging, pleading, and nagging – mostly the latter – on Alfred's part to leave Matthew fed up enough to finally break down with an, "ALL RIGHT! FINE! We'll do it! But only after the winter season breaks. For the love of... Al, I don't know why you think this is a good idea, but...," and Alfred had put that selective hearing ability of his to good use then though of course was ecstatic that his brother had finally (FINALLY) agreed.

Over the following months as the twins had helped their parents harvest the fields and garden, take care of the animals, and prepare their home for the upcoming winter they also prepared themselves for leaving their home once spring came. Matthew, while he didn't particularly want to leave the place where he'd spent his whole (admittedly young) life and could have easily found a job and likely a family within – enough people knew him and found him to be quite nice and helpful though also a little forgetful, both on his own due to bouts of unwanted absentmindedness but also because he tended to be easily overshadowed by his much more assertive brother – he couldn't help the moments when he'd wonder what might possibly reside beyond the land that surrounded their little village. He'd then usually shake his head to try and rid himself of the thoughts and blame Alfred for being too much of a bad influence on him sometimes. Such fanciful thoughts would likely do him little good in the end, plus one of the two of them had to keep his head about him if they were going to be leaving everything they knew behind them soon. He'd likely have to keep track of what Alfred decided to take with him for that matter, he reminded himself in annoyance.

Alfred in the meantime, while he prepared his own things to take with him, was far more focused on what he thought might await them. Would they find a town in need of a hero to help defend it from a heartless band of thieves? Would they come across a stranded princess in need of escort to her home? Would they meet a knight in need of a couple of strong, able young men to help him on his crusade? With each thought he focused less and less on preparing and more and more on daydreaming about his possible future. Matthew could pack for him anyway.

Once spring came around and they – mostly Matthew really, who knew it would end up like that anyway – had everything the two of them could think to bring with them, they bid goodbye to their parents. They'd been reluctant to see their two dear sons leave the safety of their home, but they thought that a few months, maybe years, of traveling would do both of them some good. Alfred could use more exposure to how the world really worked as he still, even at the age of nineteen, thought that what happened in the stories he'd been told since he was a child was how things commonly happened, and Matthew could use something to bring him more out of his normally passive shell.

Their first couple of weeks on the road had been uneventful, which left Alfred a little disheartened but nonetheless ready to keep going and Matthew just annoyed since he figured this is what it would be like for the most part even before they'd left. At least he was somewhat appeased since he liked being outdoors just as much if not even more so than his brother. Matthew couldn't believe he'd apparently forgotten to bring a map with them though ("As much as I had prepared HOW did I forget a MAP?" had been said so many times Alfred had stopped even teasing him about it.), but he could faintly remember that there was supposed to be a town not too much further down the road they were currently on. At least the swords they both carried and the bow he had brought with him came in handy while hunting for food and hadn't been needed to defend them from anyone or anything yet.

Luckily for them there was a small village within two more days' travel, and they were able to restock their combined supplies. Matthew took it upon himself to obtain a map of the surrounding area at the same time and ask around if there was any work a couple of wandering young men could help with in order to make up at least some of the money spent while doing so. Unluckily for them there wasn't much the villagers had to offer other than some woodworking, maintenance work, and animals that needing tending to. Matthew politely said that such jobs were just fine with them since they were used to that back in their home town. It didn't hurt that they were both a bit stronger than the average young man so found such work easier than most would. The older of the brothers was just happy to find a way to replenish their funds either way. They stayed in that village for a few days, helping out when and where they could, but once they'd stocked up on what Matthew thought should last them until at least the next town they decided to move on.

They continued on like that for the next couple of months, traveling from village to village with little happening save finding enough work to keep their money pouches full enough to keep them going and restocking on food, clothes, and other supplies when necessary. By the time summer was approaching both brothers were starting to feel like maybe they hadn't thought this through as much as they should have. They were reaching the edge of the map Matthew had been able to acquire as well.

Not really knowing which way to go once they'd reached a fork in the road that unfortunately wasn't on the old map – Alfred being of little help in saying they should just pick a path and head down it – the brothers eventually decided to stop for the day and hope that someone would come along soon who could tell them what lay down each road. Matthew doubted anyone would though, thus that was part of what he was currently complaining about to his audience of one who wasn't even paying attention to him. Not that that stopped him.

No one had passed by even by the time they'd finished breakfast the following morning though, much to an unsurprised but still disappointed Matthew's dismay.

"Well, we might as well go with my idea anyway now and just pick a road," Alfred was quick to say when it looked like no one was going to pass by that afternoon either.

Matthew sighed as he once more checked how much food and water they had left after their small lunch and tried to estimate how long what was left might last them. "I think it would be wise to maybe wait one more day just in case anyone happens to pass through though. I don't really like the look of either path. I'd like to have at least the slightest inkling of what we're going to be facing down both before having to choose."

The road that wove north-northeast looked like it headed towards the mountain range he could see in the distance with peaks white with snow. He knew they didn't have the supplies necessary to make it through those mountains. They only had their light coats and a blanket each for one thing, though at least their mid-calf-high boots and leather gloves would be decent for any climbing they might have to do. The path south-southeastward lead into a thick forest in which he had no idea what might reside though likely would be the better choice from what he could tell. They'd likely have plenty of wildlife to hunt for food that way anyway.

"If we don't decide soon, we're not going to make it far either way before the sun sets. I know neither of us wants to try traveling when it's dark." Alfred didn't need to mention that his own reason for not wanting to do so was mainly because he still had the tendency to let the ghost stories he'd heard over the years get the best of him when it was dark and he was particularly nervous.

Matthew couldn't help another sigh from escaping him. "I know, I know... I wonder if it would be better to try and backtrack to that last village or maybe find another one though. Do we really want to risk going either way when we have no idea what might be waiting for us?" As soon as the words left his mouth he regretted saying them, knowing what his brother's reaction would likely be.

"Are you kidding? That's exactly the reason we decided to go on this adventure! Not knowing what tomorrow brings. Making our way down unknown paths to an unknown but amazing future. Who knows what we might find if we keep going! We could face a hideous beast that would sooner kill us and is terrorizing all of the people who come near it, or we could..."

Yep. Totally regretted it. At least he had the ability to tune out his brother just as easily himself.