The Junk Rat

       There was a sharp pain, and then everything went black. For the rodent, it had been an ever-familiar sensation. He was, however, unable to determine what happened next. He was scared of what will happen. The Fa’ar knew some of them would beat him up senseless and leave him to death, while others would just raid him and take everything he had accumulated. Not that they liked it, though. Most of them were just junk. It was, however, a treasure even more than what muns could count.

       Even so, what came after when he came around was a complete surprise for him.

       He opened his eyes, groaning of the sharp stinging pain he could still feel from behind his head. He wanted to move, but he was tied to something by his hand. Something told him that this was a bad idea. Just by looking at the camp and the condition of it should’ve deterred would-be assassins or thieves. How stupid of him to underestimate his hunger.

       “How’s the nap?” said the Loup in front of him. “Sweet dreams?”

       Still disoriented, the Fa’ar tried to move around despite of knowing that he was tied. He just wanted to eat….

       Surprisingly, the Loup shoved a moldy bread to his mouth. It was a harsh move and was quite unexpected, but the rat knew this was a twisted kind of kindness, however bad it was. He munched through it like wooden blocks he chewed when he needed to stop his teeth from growing. Before he could chew them inside his mouth, however, the Loup pulled out his gun and put it on the rat’s forehead, making him panicked and quickly gulped the bread, without realizing that it was still too big for his throat.

       While choking from it, he was in between a sense of death and survival, something that he had been through so many times. Not this time, however. The Loup wasn’t ready to let him get away and he was at his mercy. Who would’ve thought the wolfman in front of him was a psychopath?

       Luckily, the Loup gave him canister of water and let him drink his heart’s content. After that, he resumed his intimidation.

       “I should’ve shoot your brain out when I got a chance, but that won’t do me good, right?” said Jek. “Besides, worm-tails like you don’t even know when to stop, even after deaths and other fucked up moments you all got into.”

       He leaned towards the rat person.

       “But I guess you won’t even get a chance, anyway. And, I’ve practically pull everything away from your body, so you’re naked. Don’t want having a shiv being pulled out from one of your pouches, right? Unless you put something inside your ass. Now that’s determination. But I know your race, Fa’ar. You may be cunning and resourceful but when alone, you’re just a fucking coward and traitor. Isn’t that right?”

       “U-uh…squeak?”

       Jek shot his gun beside the Fa’ar, scaring him enough to make him shout hysterically and struggling to get away from the Loup. Jek could see he started to shed tears.

       “Okay! Okay! Okay! I’m sorry! I know it’s a mistake! Please, just let me go! You can take my things!” shouted the Fa’ar in panic. He was hysterical, so Jek shut him up by glaring at him and closing his maws.

       “Now listen to me, Worm-tail. I don’t give a fuck on how bitchy you are, but I won’t buy it. You can’t convince me from how you act.”

       “Act?! But I’m…”

       “Did I tell you to speak?!” exclaimed Loup, baring his teeth. The Fa’ar gulped and stopped talking, but his big eyes keep shedding tears.

       “Now, I know a worm-tail once. He’s just like the others, scraping on shits and stuff and even resorted to thievery. This one guy promised me something valuable in turn of me doing their dirty work. Guess what? They turned on me. You know what I did? I grabbed him, drag him through this desert sand and buried him alive with his head on the ground. He was pleading all the way, but oh, I’m not one who wanted to give second chances. He may have been mummied husk right now, and I was planning to do that to you.”

       When he saw the Fa’ar started to look at him with terror, Jek said, “But I know you’re genuinely scared. Those eyes of yours look like a beast about to be slaughtered and they are helpless, accepting their fate with fear in their heart. Now, I don’t normally associate with worm-tails after that guy, but you certainly have no mean to harm me, now with not even a shred of clothing on you. If you don’t want me to do what I did to that guy, start answering my questions.

       “Now, I know you hate me and you’re scared, but I need to at least now your name. That way, I can carve it down my list of dead notable person. Not that you’re one of them, anyway.”

       The Fa’ar was too scared to start talking, so Jek sighed and glared at him. That was enough to make him hysteric again, but the Loup stopped him again and said, “Talk, or I’ll pull those teeth out.”

       The Fa’ar gulped. “M-my name is…Narati…Narati Vasra…”

       “Good, Narati. Now, why did you stray too far from your group? I know worm-tails are not a solitary race.”

       “B-because…I don’t have one…”

       “Don’t have one? Do you realize how weak you are?”

       “I know that, but…no one wants a weakling like me…”

       Jek shot another round, making Narati yelped.

       “If you claim so, then why are you still alive now, Narati Vasra?!” exclaimed Jek. “Even if worm-tails are a bunch of traitors and cowards, the least they can do is to stay alive, right?! You must’ve been involved with something illegal that you’re kicked out of your tribe, right? Right?!”

       “Ah, please, stop! I’ll tell you, alright, just please don’t shoot me!”

       “I’m shooting blanks, by the way.”

       “The sound of guns scares me!”

       Jek sighed. He knew the Fa’ars were mostly cowards with only a small portion of them were righteous, but this one, Narati, was clearly someone who’s miserable in his own rights. Jek’s first impression of a person was how hardened they were based on the number of scars they had, but despite of the big scar running down his right eye and whip scars from his back, Narati looked like he had seen enough of them and just wanted to enjoy a simple life. Unfortunately for him, that life was like a dream for Fa’ars.

       Though the Loup knew how this world would eat you if you’re either not careful or not hardened out to go adventuring alone, seeing the miserable state of Narati made him want to help him at least giving him an upstart in survival without resorting to thievery. Seeing how he acted and the injuries he sustained, he would’ve been better off in slavery. While it hurt pride, staying as a slave for a strong person would grant protection. Seeing Narati’s equipment and belongings, he would be safer living as a slave to a workshop, one that could take care of him. Besides, the Fa’ar is barely 17 (based on his appearance).

       “Okay, stop crying and let me unbind you,” said Jek while going around the pole. “But don’t think you can run away, little rat.”

       Jek realized almost suddenly that he picked the wrong word when the rat gulped and just sat near the fire, with sullen expression and holding back his tears. The Loup just sighed.

       “He’s useless…”

       The next morning, they walked towards the Wall City. Narati followed Jek, but annoyed him with asking to carry his things. After a while of insisting (saying that he owed his life to Jek), the Loup relented and gave some of the things to the Fa’ar, despite of knowing that the rat was smaller than him. Jek couldn’t understand why he insisted, but it was good to let his shoulder light for a while.

       As they neared the Wall City, however, Narati looked at the city with sullen and sad expression. He then approached Jek and said, “I can take care of your things if you want to.”

       “Not in a million years,” said Jek instantly. But he could see that Narati made a sad expression and turned around. He almost felt sorry for the little guy on how miserable he was. Even if he was carrying a lancer around, Jek had a bet that he rarely used it. Moreover, he wasn’t allowed to get into the city, and unfortunately every major settlement around that region rejected Fa’ars.

       Jek sighed and said, “Look, why don’t you just go to a shade and wait for me there? I don’t really mind if you want to get away from me after the way I treated you…”

       “No, don’t abandon me!”

       “Hey, you’ve been lonely for a while, right? Shouldn’t you be able to do this alone?”

       “I know I am, but…you’re the first person I knew who didn’t immediately treat me like a pest. When you shoved that bread down my throat and I choked, I realized that you’re someone who can…give me what I want…”

       “Yeah, yeah, I heard ya. Stay near a shade and wait there. Oh, and don’t get me wrong, but you don’t strike me as an innocent fellow.”

       Hearing that, Narati blushed and became embarrassed. Jek sighed and turned around, going towards the Wall City.

       Walking around while carrying a human’s head wasn’t something unique or utterly terrifying, especially if it was a dangerous fugitive. Even in cities like the Wall City, mangled corpses of former adventurers or fugitives being fed to mongrels were common sights. Children even played with their corpses. Yet, somehow, this time it was different.

       People stopped their activities to look at Jek carrying the head of Andre Hostal, a fugitive mage that worth 3400 muns. While Jek normally ignored them, he couldn’t resist in hearing whispers. He was relieved when the violence was not the main problem, but instead, they were talking about him, apparently a famed hunter who only got popularity overnight by means unknown even to Jek.

       Just then he saw a familiar redheaded human, one that he knew was a rival, but recently a friend. A rogue familiar with the use of daggers and short swords, Raine was also an experienced hunter. But unlike Jek, he used his popularity more than he should, unlike Jek who liked to keep it upon himself. He was relieved when people didn’t really know about his fur color and pattern, but when someone like Raine told everyone about him, that was when things went down.

       “Oh, here’s my favorite wolf!” said Raine while embracing him. “How’s the fight?”

       “Ended brilliantly, no thanks to you,” said Jek silently.

       “Oh, come on, now, don’t be that sullen. Apparently you’re famous around here. Just by asking where you are make everyone think that you’re one heck of a hero! Well, both of us know how you do, anyway, so…”

       “Ah…so it’s a slip of the tongue that exposed me this time,” thought Jek.

       “Anyway, there’s a plus on that, though. They’re willing to pay for more if it is for their protection. Thanks for your name, Jek.”

       “You’re welcome, Raine,” said Jek half-mumbling.

       Raine Winlow, one of Jek’s oldest rival, turned a new leaf some months before the start of the story after he was soundly defeated by the Loup. Despite of his expertise in enchantment magic, Raine couldn’t think three-dimensionally like Jek, in outsmarting enemies, despite of their cunning. In the end, Raine focused more on helping people as a mercenary. Jek knew that Raine favored money over everything else, despite of his cheerful personality. He could be a bit stingy, but Jek loved his company nonetheless.

       Even so, Raine, despite of being a human, somehow could smell something specific in Jek. The Loup always wondered if it was his fur or his equipment, but clearly the human knew it.

       “Wow, that’s something I’ve never thought you’ll do,” said Raine while rustling Jek’s fur. “I thought you’re done with Fa’ars.”

       “This one’s different. He lost his pack.”

       “Oh…” Raine nodded in confirmation. “I think he’s better off in slavery.”

       “That’s my line of thought, too, but I just can’t let him die as a slave. He’s far too miserable to be one, and I bet no workshops want a rat to be their tinkerer.”

       “So where is he now?”

       “Outside the city. Hey, do me a favor and turn this head in, will you? That kid’s miserable as fuck, but I don’t have the heart to let him die alone.”

       “Oh, what’s this? You actually cared?”

       “Shut up, okay? I can kill him and be done with it but he’s barely 17! I didn’t start all this bullshit before 17!”

       “Okay, okay, I got you. You have a code to live in this ruined world. That’s the reason I like you. But be careful of them bunch.”

       “He’s harmless. I can assure you. Meet me by a giant rock overlooking the city. If that kid’s not running away, he’s there.”

       Meeting with a reliable ally was a start for Jek, but he was even more surprised that he wanted to help Narati to fight alone and be a better Fa’ar, if he valued that. In a world after the end of civilizations, it’s better to help others survive or kill them altogether. It’s a kill or be killed world.

       Jek couldn’t find the rat, but the moment he came close, he saw a mine near the rock. He smiled, knowing that this was how the rat protected himself.

       “Hey, you can come out now. It’s me, the Loup.”

       But Jek had something in mind. When Narati turned around and look, Jek quickly jumped and forced the smaller rat to the ground, pinning him on the sand with his gun ready. Narati couldn’t do anything except gulping.

       “Are you really that easy to fool?” said Jek.

       “I recognize your sound.”

       “Now that’s a start. But second, you cannot rely on traps. Just like that, I jumped over it.”

       Narati couldn’t say anything and nodded sadly. He disarmed the mines and put it on his back pouch while Raine walked towards them with a pouch full of gears and other scraps. Narati’s eyes suddenly lit up from seeing the junks. It’s like seeing an invaluable treasure being presented in front of him.

       “Well, that was fast,” said Jek.

       “News came first. He prepared the muns beforehand, and…um, is he it?”

       Jek nodded.

       “Huh…he’s too young, alright. Hey, kid…what’s your age?”

       “Uh…I’m 15?”

       Both Jek and Raine gasped as they heard that number.

       “15?! And you still survive out here without a pack?!”

       “Why? Is that wrong?”

       “It’s fucking wrong, alright!” Jek sighed. “Anyway, from now on, the three of us will travel together. I’ve decided that you need to see more of the world. It’s a waste to see you die just like that.”

       “Wait, me too?” said Raine.

       “Can’t find mercenary work without me, right? Anyway, Narati Vasra, right?”

       “Just call me Nara if you think it’s too exotic.”

       “However, Nara, I’m not that generous, either. The moment you decided to come to your senses and betray us, I won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.”

       “No, I won’t gonna do that! I’m not that crazy!” said Narati quick. “Just please, don’t do what you did to that Fa’ar!”

       “Glad we can understand each other there,” said Jek. “Now get a move on and take some of my things, unless you want to take them all away…”

       Narati quickly took the things and walked beside Jek. Raine sighed and said, “Aren’t you a little bit too harsh? Besides, why did you tell him that story?”

       “I won’t get to this conclusion without making Narati squeamish, right? Besides, he’s useless without anyone capable, even if he has that lancer.”

       “That lancer? Hey, Nara, do you mind if I take that thing off ya for a sec?”

       Narati was reluctant to give a person, a stranger to him, his prized lancer. But after being glared by Jek he quickly gave the lance to Raine, in which he looked at it.

       “Wow, intricate design! Bet we can get a sum of muns for this. Ah, don’t worry, kiddo. I’m just joking,” said Raine while laughing.

       They travelled through the desert without any problems, and ended up with a camp for that day.

       Thus, the first day of adventure for the three of them ended there….