Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Leif was having a very bad week. First she had a horrible vision of the end of Amphibia, then was mocked by the royal court, she Betrayed her best friend, was given an impossible quest by the Olms. and now she was surrounded by monsters.

She had walked through the portal to find a place to hide this box of calamity. First thing she noticed was that she was standing on some shaky wood. The second thing was that she was surrounded by angry monsters. Each one stood three times taller than her. Sharp predatory eyes glared at her. with muscular arms that would make a toad whistle in approval. Their skin looked dry and rough, coated with a thin layer of coarse fur which got thicker and longer on their heads and lower faces, leaving their eyes clear so she got the full brunt of their glares. And whatever of their skin wasn’t exposed, was covered in fabric and armor and pelts from large mammals that reeked of predators and salt. And if just their appearance wasn’t already an omen of death, they were also pointing several spears, swords, daggers, axes, clubs, and other varieties of weapons at her, voices deep and aggressive.

Terrified for her life she hugs the box close to her chest and cries out “please don’t hurt me!”

She closes her eyes in fear. Tears starting to form at the corners of her eyes. But when she realizes no pain is coming she opens them. The monsters had a look of confusion around them. They apparently weren't expecting her to speak. They Muttered to each other in a language that Leif did not recognize. Finally one called out past the mast. oh they must have been on a boat. Leif thought to herself, realizing that would explain the swaying motion.

The monsters move aside to make it easy for a new one moves forward. He was different then the others. slightly smaller and thinner. His chin is only covered with scruff instead of a beard. His movements and eyes were softer, calmer. He squatted down to bring himself more to her level. Then to her surprise he spoke. “Greeting outsider. What brings thee hither.” he speaks with a heavy accent but Leif can still understand him

“You… You spoke?” Leif says nervously.

The monster raises one eyebrow and speaks with a heavy accent “aye and so did you. It’s a little hard to understand but it sounds like english”

Lief didn’t really understand but the monster continued. “That is an interesting box. The jewels look precious. Is it what brought you here?”

Leif decided it was best to answer the question to the best of her abilities “yes, i brought it here so that my king wouldn’t use it to destroy anymore worlds.”

The monster looked shocked. Leif could tell he was going over her words to make sure he understood them right. “What do you mean”

Realizing he wanted some clarification, Leif explains “my king Aldrich Leviathan uses the power of this box to invade worlds. He takes what he wants from the land and destroys the rest. But I had a vision that if we continued doing this we would destroy ourselves. I couldn't just let that happen”

The monster was in shock. Other members of his pack were trying to get answers out of him but the monster just muttered two words “the apocalypse”

The monster then goes into rapid fire dialogue to his chief. Leif couldn’t understand but she did hear him repeat the word Leviathan. As he went on Leif saw the predatory faces of the creatures change to that of fear. More then once she heard them mutter words like Jörmungandr and Ragnarok

Finally the smaller monster turns back to Leif “is that box the bifrost? The rainbow bridge between worlds

Nervously Leif responds “I don't really understand what you mean. But yes this box is the gate between worlds. It is too dangerous to stay in my world. So to save both I decided to hide it in yours.”

The smaller monster translates this to his chief. Who pulled out his sword. Leif is afraid she would lose her head; instead the larger monster sticks the blade into the wooden floor and bows as if to a king. The smaller monster follows his chief example before long every creature is bowing to her. The chief says something and the smaller monster translates.

“On behalf of chief Stigandr of clan Hallvardsson we thank you for what you have done so that our children will not have to face the end”

Leif was even more confused now “did… did you know this would happen?”

The small monster thinks a bit “in a way. There are prophecies about the end of the world. My former people called it the apocalypse. We know it as Ragnarok. Whatever it is called, it comes for us all. To fight against the end such as thee, we can not think of anything braver.”

Leif felt a great sense of relief. Though these monsters were terrifying and looked as if they could tear most amphibia beasts to shreds. There was a certain sense of honor about them. She makes her decision and takes a deep breath. “What is your name?”

“Godfrey” the monster replies

“And I am Leif, Godfrey chief Stigandr. I have a huge favor to ask” Leif speaks slowly so that Godfrey can translate “my own people have a prophecy. That in our darkest night three stars will come and save us. I now believe that these stars will come from your kind. Probably not in any of our lifetimes. But it will come.” She then kneels to present the box to the large creatures. “I beg you to take this box and protect it till the chosen stars find it to save both our worlds.”

Reverently the creatures take the box. “By the norns to think we would be chosen to protect human kind” Godfrey says

“Human kind?” Leif says

Godfrey smiles and puts a hand to his chest “we are human”

“Oooh” Leif nods “i am a frog”

Godfrey looks confused and quickly translates. The human crew looked at her with confusion. She hers them mumble in their own language and she hears the word troll said a few time

Godfrey clears up the confusion “we have never seen a frog that can act like a human. And most frogs are about this big” he holds two fingers a few inches apart. Leif blushes a bit in embarrassment.

Godfrey gets her attention again “so brave shieldmaiden. What now? Will you stay?”

Leif considers it for a bit. But this world was just to foreign. The smell of poison was everywhere, and it was freezing. But most importantly she simply couldn’t abandon her world. Though their probably wasn’t much more she could do she still had to do her best to help. “No, I have a duty to my own world. I can’t abandon it. I ask that we use the box one more time to send me back.”

Godfrey translates and Stigandr nods. Gingerly he opens the box… and nothing happens. “No!” Leif yells taking the box “why isnt it working? Am i trapped here?'' She feels an unusually warm hand on her shoulder. She looks up to see Godfrey staring at her. Concern in his predatory eyes. Despite the terrifying human appearance Leif felt oddly comforted.

“May I take a look? I am good with treasure” Godfrey says. Leif hands him the box. He traces his fingers across the wood and gold trim “the red stone is much duller than the other two” Leif looks and notices he was right the red gem was more gray now. Godfrey then shakes the box hearing a rattle. He opens the box and pulls out. A pinecone?

It wasn’t like any pinecone Leif had ever seen. For starters it was a bright pink that almost glowed. “I can not be certain, but I think the bifrost power has been put into this?” Godfrey says

Leif believes him and tries to open the box again. This time a portal appears in the air. Several humans gasp and grasp hammer tokens and charms around their necks. Leif looks at the portal but instead of it being the swamp where she and the Mossman hid it was a jungle different from any she had ever seen. In the distance she thought she saw a village with humans that were far different then the ones she was surrounded by.

Leif was about to touch the portal when it suddenly disappeared. She looked behind her and sees Stigandr playing with the box opening and closing the lid causing the portal to flicker in and out. Godfrey clears his throat and gives a look to his chief, who mumbles an embarrassed apology in his native tongue.

Godfrey turns to Leif again “I believe your prophecy was referring to humans and I think fate is pointing you to where the stars will be found one day.”

Leif nods. “Then I know what must be done. Please plant that tree near your village and guard it till the chosen one comes. I must go through the portal and find other guardians.”

Godfrey translates. Stigandr looks concerned and says something. Godfrey nods “this is a quest that you must undertake. But even the farthest traveled of us have never seen a land like that. You need time to prepare. Come with us and we will give you all you need to continue your journey once we return to our village.”

Leif appreciated their hospitality but this quest was too important to put off. She said as much. Godfrey and Stigandr argued against this as did several of the crew. Godfrey was having a hard time translating so much. Leif was considering just taking the box from the humans and leaving when disaster struck.

The crew was so focused on the strange frog no one was properly tending the boat. A large swell of water came shifting the boat causing everyone to lose their footing. Worse, a wave comes on deck and lands directly on Leif.

The young frog woman gives a yell of pure anguish. Burn marks appearing on her skin “salt! it burns!” it is the only words she can get out before the pain overrides her ability to speak

The vikings were terrified at this sudden turn

(Godfrey what happened?) Stigandr shouts in norse

(i don’t know she said something about salt) godfrey replies

A crew member speaks up (I once heard trolls don’t like salt, but i don’t know if that’s…)

The crew member doesn't get to finish as Stigandr orders men to bring the fresh water barrels. The crew breaks open the top of one barrel. With no hesitations Godfrey picks the small frog woman up by her clothes as easily as picking up a doll. He plunges her into the barrel. She comes up for air. But Godfrey pushes her back down and starts to scrub her. Several crew members offer to help bring relatively clean clothes. After several minutes Godfrey lifts Leif out of the barrel

“Lady Leif, are you alright?” Godfrey asks in concern.

The frog woman’s voice was weak. “It hurts so much. So cold”

Godfrey takes off his coat and puts it around the small frog. He tells Stigandr that she is still in pain. The chief immediately orders his men to make for home. Thanking Oden that they were already on their way back after a successful raid.

Leif saw the humans working as a pack to get the boat moving. She had hardly seen any species work so well and so motivated. They must be trying to save her. But it was too late she could feel the cold hand of death reaching for her.

Godfrey brought what medical supplies they had on board to the frog and prayed to every god he knew that herbs worked on her species “Leif! Leif stay with me” Godfrey says trying to get her to drink the herbal remedy. “We will get you to a healer soon.”

Leif gently grabs Godfrey’s hand “the quest you must finish it”

Godfrey looks at her with terror “no, no! this is thine quest” Leif just closes her eyes

Godfrey shouts at his chief that Leif was fading. Stigandr orders his men to row faster. Godfrey turns back to Leif and gives a yell.

The pink frog was completely frozen in a block of ice!

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End chapter

Chapter Text

Leif slowly came back to consensus. First thing she noticed was that she wasn’t dead. Second was that something heavy and warm was around her. She tried to open her eyes but she couldn’t do it. So she just groaned as she realized how sore her body was. She must still be recovering from her salt burns.

She tasted the air to find it very smoky. She finally opened her eyes to see she was in a house lit by a large smoky fire. She was in a bed that was large enough to fit several newts. She slowly propped herself up to see that the heavy warm thing was several blankets made of fur. This disturbed her a bit but she had to admit it felt nice.

She saw what she believed was a human woman tending the fire. They were definitely softer looking than the males. But Still taller than most amphibians. She wore a simple dress and had her brown hair tied in a long braid.

“Hello” Leif whispers. The human looks up in surprise. but then smiles. It would have been comforting if it wasn’t for all the teeth. The woman says something in her native language and leaves. Leif sits in bed too weak and confused to really know what to do.

Not too long after she sees the familiar face of Godfrey. “Lady Leif you have awoken” the man says joyously.

“Oh Godfrey I'm so happy to see you what happened?” Leif says

Godfrey grimaces a little “a wave hit you and you began to burn. We tried to clean the water off but it wasn’t enough. We traveled home as fast as we could but you had frozen before we reached it. We believed you to have perished but our healer believed it was simply the cold. We boiled water and put thine body into it and like a miracle you lived. Our healers bathed thine wounds as best as they could. They decided the best we could hope for was for you to rest. We have kept you in this house ever since. Bathing your wounds and keeping it warm so you don't freeze again.”

Laif smiles “I suppose freezing like that gave me the time I needed to reach your healer” Godfrey smiles at this “but how was there so much salt in that water? It doesn't make sense”

Godfrey looked confused at this “doesn't the oceans of your realm have salt water?”

Leif felt sick to her stomach. She hadn’t been able to take a good look around on the boat, but she had seen Oceans before with Andrias and Barrel “an entire ocean of salt water?”

Godfreey looked concerned “thine kind really can not stand salt” Lef slowly shakes her head. Godfrey then gives a little laugh “well at least if your king ever comes to our land we will have a weapon to fight against him.”

Leif gives an uneasy chuckle. Aldrich’s robots and weapons would be more than enough to defeat the humans, but having so much salt in this world would probably make the fight more even then amphibia thought.

“Are you well enough to join me for a meal?” Godfrey asks

Still very sore from her salt burns but also very hungry Leif nods. Godfrey smiles and puts on a heavy fur coat. He then picks up leaf and holds her close to his chest

“What are you doing?” she asks

“It is winter outside. We wouldn't want you frozen again” Godfrey says.

Lief’s about to question more when Godfrey opens the door letting in a blast of cold. Leif hugs her giant friend like a lifeline. Godfrey just chuckles and wraps the coat tighter around them. Leif takes a peak out and sees the land covered in snow. She had seen snow a handful of times when temperature dropped below the frog line. But the palace was usually so warm she never froze. But seeing a town covered in snow and humans walking around it like it was nothing was mind boggling for her. Though it must have bothered them a bit since they were wearing more layers than those she saw on the boat.

She notes most of the buildings were low and made of wood. She couldn’t see any windows. But she figured it must have been one of the ways humans kept the cold out. Humans were scary to her, but seeing how they adapted to such a harsh climate and called it home both impressed her and terrified her.

Godfrey took her to a larger, more decorated building. Once they entered she saw it was filled with humans drinking, laughing and eating. Sitting in a large wooden chair was Stigandr drinking and laughing with the rest

Godfrey opened his coat and spoke in the language Leif could not understand (brothers our small shield maiden has awoken)

The whole hall turned to the duo and seeing Leif covered in bandages and hugging Godfrey, they all burst into Cheers.

Leif had no idea what was going on but she allowed herself to be led to the head of the table. Godfrey was talking to his fellow humans explaining things while the others nodded. They sat her on a tall stool. They then put a large fur blanket around her shoulders and a horned helmet on her head. The crowd roared their approval. A large mug is pushed in her hands.

“What's this?” she asks

Another human speaks with very broken english “our best beer. Enjoy”
“If you say so '' Leif lifts the mug and tries to take a mouth full. The taste was so foreign and disgusting to her she placed the mug back on the table and opened her mouth allowing the bitter beverage to fall back into its container.

A roar of laughter comes from the humans. Godfrey comes up with Stigandr beside him. “I explained to Stigandr how salt is poison to you, it will take a bit to prepare separate food for you but he says enjoy yourself.”

Leif nods. She looks around seeing the humans laughing uproariously. drinking, feasting, wrestling and discussing weapons. She can’t help but smile to herself as the oversized helmet covers her eyes. Barrel would love it here. She decided. Though these human’s culture was completely foreign to her, it had a unique charm. This was just further proof that stealing the music box was the right thing.

She nearly falls off her stool as she remembers. The music box, her quest, the prophecy, how could she forget. She got up so suddenly the nearest humans were taken aback as they looked at her “Godfrey the box! Where is the box!”

Godfrey speaks soothingly in his language, getting Leif to sit down “the box is safe. Stigandr has guards around it and the seed. Come spring we will plant it. And once your wounds are healed we will return the box to thee.”

“But my quest i can’t just” Leif is interrupted as Godfrey raises his large hand

“Your spirit is great. But a warrior that does not take care of their body is a poor warrior indeed.” Leif wishes she could argue but she sees the wisdom in his words and sits down again.

Just then Stigandr makes a happy sound as three dishes are brought and placed in front of Leif. he says something and Godfrey translates “we are not sure what they eat in thy realm so we tried different things.” they place a plate a, bowl, and bucket in front of her

The first plate had a roast leg of something Leif did not recognize. It didn’t look to be any insect she knew. She picked it up and tried to take a bite. But it was so large and foreign she could barely take a strip of it off and chewed gamely. Red meat was technically available in amphibia but just wasn’t common. Maybe a toad would like it. But she swallowed and shook her head. The humans nod and take the plate away

The next dish was a brown soup with large vegetables and some meat chunks in it. She ate it. It was different from any soup she had before but it wasn’t bad. She smiles up to her hosts. Stigandr says something to Godfrey “he says he was afraid the soup would be too bland without any salt.”

Humans ate salt? And enjoyed it? That was another scary thing to note about humans.

Curious what the third dish was and why it was in a bucket she climbs up on the table and peers into the bucket and sees it’s full of writhing slimy things.

Godfrey clears his throat. “Some of us thought since you were a frog you would eat bugs. But maybe that was rude of us to think…”

“Worms and leeches, delicious” Leif says as she shoots her tongue out, scooping a large amount of bugs and putting them in her mouth. She chewed and slurped, causing the leeches to pop in her mouth.

Stigandr looked in stunned amazement. Godfrey looked a little green, and several other humans who saw the display nearly spit out their drinks.

Leif simply shrugged. And continued to eat from her bucket

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End of chapter

Chapter Text

After the feast the humans began going home for the night. Hugging Leif close, Godfrey followed Stigandr to a larger wooden house.

Stigandr was greeted by a tall woman with red hair in a green sleeping gown. Her belly was large and he had a smaller human hugging her leg. Stigandr joyously picks up the smaller human and kisses the woman. He then hugs Godfrey good bye. The hug nearly crushes the smaller human and frog.

Leif and Godfrey leave and Leif asks who those were.

“That was Iona, she is Stigandr’s wife and the little one was his son Henrick.” Godfrey explains as they head back to the home she had woken up in

“Wow human children are very different from frog children” Godfrey imagined tadpole versions of Leif but kept it to himself. “ Her belly was so big. Is she going to lay an egg soon?”

Godfrey chuckles at this. “In a way, humans don’t lay eggs, we give live birth to our young”.

“That’s so strange” Leif says

Godfrey walks Leif to the house she woke up in. “this is your stop my place is next door”

“Wow is sure is close to Stigandr’s home” Leif says as they enter

“Of course, why wouldn’t we live near our master’s home” Godfrey says

“Master?” Leif says “Wait, are you a slave?”

Godfrey thinks about it a bit “i suppose i am, i was but ever since i came to serve Stigandr, well he treated us like family. Isn't that right Helga” Godfrey call out to a woman that was in the house

(you know i don’t understand english Godfrey) the womans says

Godfrey chuckesl and repeats in norse she agrees. Leif is led to the bed. Questions running through her mind. She was apparently staying in the woman servants quarters while Godfrey would stay in the men’s

“All right Lady Leif Helga and the other girls will help you the best they can. If you need anything send one to grab me, i'll be by as fast as i can” Godfrey says turning to leave but then he feels a small tug on the end of his coat”

He looks down and sees Leif looking at him with a pleading look like a child asking their parents to spend the night with them. “Thank you, but you're really the only human I know. Do you mind staying a little longer, till I fall asleep?”

Godfrey smiles and explains the situation to Helga who nods. As more women enter, having finished their daily duties Helga explains the situation so they leave Godfrey and Leif in peace.

Godfrey pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed Leif was resting on. Leif allowed the warm heaviness of the bed to engulf her. As the heat made her drowsy she began to talk.

“Thank you Godfrey. If it wasn’t for you i probably be lost or skewered by some other human” Leif says

“I'm sure someone else would have helped thee” Godfrey says

“Are you sure about that?” Leif says

Godfrey is taken aback but then answers “no, truth be told if you hadn’t told us about the magic we would have taken the box as treasure.”

“How can someone as kind as you be in such a violent clan?” Leif asks

Godfrey chuckles “I wouldn't call myself kind. I guess you just don’t know me very well.”

“Then tell me about yourself” Leif says with a yawn but a eger look “i really don’t know anything about humans”

Godfrey sighs and tells his story. Thinking of the easiest way to explain it to this creature from another realm.

“I was born in a country called Britannia. It is an island nation south of here. Life was hard. We were farmers but could barely grow enough to feed ourselves and pay the nobel of the land. I was told my grandfather was a norse man. This made me want to be strong and survive. But this made it hard for my family and peers to accept me. One day a traveling priest saw me and said I had a spiritual sense around me. My family had me go with him so they could better feed themselves. I never hated them for this, there was so little food at that time i remember the hunger and the choices it made us make.”

Life at the monastery was hard. I was more or less a slave. There were some kind members of the clergy that taught me to read and write. But others… They were cruel. I thought that would be my life until vikings raided. Led by Stigandr’s father they took all the valuables and burnt the monastery. They took me because I was young and could work. I was terrified, but not as much as I should have been, what was one master over another. They were about to slay all the monks. As cruel as some of them were, others were kind so I spoke to the chief. I managed to convince him to spare some so that they could rebuild and be profitable to raid later. The Chief liked that and asked which ones he should spare. I got some satisfaction from calling out the cruel ones.”

I was taken here to the north. I was sold and put to work. But my new masters were no were near as cruel. They knew if I ran I would freeze to death. They fed me well so that I would have the strength to work. I even had some free time to do what i wanted.”

Strangely enough it was Stigandr that approached me. Even though I was a slave he spoke to me like a friend. He wanted to hear stories of the lands that his people would raid. To him our ways were strange as his was to me. He always was interested in the strange and unknown. Probably why he spared you Leif.”

“As time passed he would visit more and more. As his lessons to be next chief became more difficult I helped him learn trade and speech. I became a sort of second teacher to him. Even though I was a slave he relied on me. It felt good to be wanted. One day an assassin from a rival clan tried to take Stigandr’s life. I couldn’t let my friend die so I flung myself at the attacker. I got some painful scars from that but it bought enough time for Stigandr’s father to put an end to the assassin.”

“Stigandr then demanded that I be treated and become a member of the household. Without hesitation his father agreed. They bought me from my previous masters and healed me. I may have been a slave but Stigandr treated me as a brother. When he eventually became chief he made me his right hand man. When he met Iona it was the first he told about the marriage. As for me. I had a place to belong. This land may be harsh but there is beauty and good in it. We are warriors, but also farmers, hunters, tradesmen, craftsmen, and explories. Stigandr uses me to be his translator and diplomat, that way our raids don’t always end in blood. That said we do not shy away from a fight”

Godfrey ends his story. He looks down at Leif, the tiny frog’s eyes filled with tears.

“I don’t know much about humans but you have had a hard life” Leif says

Godfrey shrugs “that is the world we live in”

Leif nods “yes perhaps i ignored the harshness of life to long in my own realm”

This catches Godfrey’s interest “which of the nine realms are you from?”

Leif begins her story

“I don’t know what the nine realms are but the land I come from is called Amphibia. It’s filled with frogs like me, but also toads and newts. Most of the land is covered in swamps and bogs perfect for my kind. I always thought it was peaceful, but now I wonder how wrong I was. The capital city has all the wealth and power but the people outside those walls live under the constant threat of monster attacks. The king doesn't even care, all he cares about is the next conquest to bring more wealth to himself. But the people? They just follow along. I guess we aren't that different from your people Godfrey. We raid worlds because we think we have a right to but we never leave anything behind. We took what we wanted and burnt the land to make sure nothing would ever grow again.”

“I was just as bad. I guess I thought being a gardener it didn’t matter what the kings and lords did. All I had to do was take care of the plants. Though now that i think of it i was also a jailer. The kings of the past liked to take prisoners from the realms they conquered. One group was called the mossmen. They were completely harmless and would never hurt anyone. Their prison was my garden. I told myself I was taking care of them, that they couldn’t survive without us amphibians. But was I really just content to do my job as they lived in misery?”

“And Andrias! Oh Andrias he was the newt prince and my best friend. We grew up together in the palace, he never treated me like a servant and I never treated him like a prince. But when he tried to live up to his duties I treated it like a joke. Then I got the vision of the end. I couldn't let that happen so i…i… I betrayed my best friend!”

Lief began to cry into her blankets. Godfrey gets up and begins stroking her till she calms down. The other women in the home look in confusion as the large man comforts the tiny frog.

“What exactly happened lady Leif?” godfrey asks

Leif sniffs “Andrias was given the responsibility to look after the box and the gems as they planned… as they planned to take your world. But he showed the box to his best friends. Barrel a brave toad guard. And myself, the palace gardener. We should have been in aw but instead Barrel and i played with the box like it was a toy. But then I touched the gems and saw a vision. Worlds in flame and an evil force destroying my world. I realized then how my people were misusing the box. Andrias got me an audience with his father. I tried to tell the king, but he just called me a traitor. I tried to presudad Andrias. But he said it wasn’t so simple. So I stole the box. I was nearly killed by Andrias but with Barrels help and a mossman I escaped. I then used the box and now I'm here.”

So look up to her human friend “Oh Godfrey i don’t know what I'm doing. I’m lost, my friends are either dead or see me as a enemy now i’m in this strange world trying to fulfill a prophecy i barely understand” she goes back to crying

Godfrey lets her cry herself out when he speaks “you world sounds complicated. But I do know this, you are a good person. You lived your life one way but when you learned more you knew you had to change, even if that meant leaving everything behind. I’ve had the privilege of living in different lands. I can see the good and the bad of both. Now it sounds like you have a similar chance now.”

Leif looks up to him “Lady Leif you must believe there's hope for your people otherwise you would not have taken the box. You are chasing a prophecy because you believe it will save your people. And i hope you have seen enough of humans to want to save us to”

Leif chuckles “your people look like scary beasts to me, but from what I have seen, yes your people are worth saving just as my own are.”

Godfrey smiles “by the sounds of it your people have become the worst possible thing our clans can. But even without vikinging we can survive. I pray that your people will learn that too. And fighting so hard to prevent Ragnarok. That sounds like a hero to me. I am proud to be of help to you”

“You really think so?” Leif whispers

“I know so. Thee has already done great things and as the guardian of the box you will continue to do great things” Godfrey says

Leif yawns “thanks Godfrey”

Godfrey sits back in his chair and starts to sing a nordic lullaby, by the time he is done Leif is asleep. He then gives his thanks to the women in allowing him to stay and leaves to his home. As he goes he thinks to himself. Giving up everything in the hope that you can stop the end. That was brave. She had the heart of a valkyrie even if she didn’t believe it. Perhaps he could give up some things as well to stop the apocalypse.

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End chapter.

Chapter Text

The next day Leif woke up and the ladies in the home helped her get ready for the day. They dressed her in clothes that she assumed were for human children but were still large on her. She tried to ask where her clothes were but they didn’t understand. As they left for the day Godfrey entered “ah lady Lief good to see you up. The læknir wants to see you”

“The what?” leif didn’t understand so Godfrey thought of a better word

“The healer?” he says.

Leif nods in understanding and allows Godfrey to pick her up. As they leave they start to pass the other servants. “We really need to figure out a way for me to get around without freezing. I can’t have you pick me up all the time.” Leif laments “I mean how can you stand living in a place that can get as cold as this?”

To her surprise Godfrey starts laughing and pulls aside a servant and says something to her. She laughs and tells another servant pretty soon there is a trail of laughing humans as they go about their daily work.

“What’s so funny?” Leif asks

Godfrey chuckles a little more “sorry it is just that today is a very nice day for a very mild winter”

Leif feels like her insides froze. “You're saying it gets colder than this?!”

“Much colder,” Godfrey says.

They reach the healer’s home. This human was about as muscular as Godfrey. He wore a clean tunic and his home was filled with all kinds of herbs. Godfrey acted as his assistant and translated as they changed Leifs bandages. She looks at her own body to see the dry burn marks all over her body. She tries to cover up her body in shame but Godfrey comforts her. The healer then explains that he doesn't really know how to treat a Creature like her. But if she was anything like the frogs in this world she needed to be moist. So he pulls out a jar of pungent moisturizer and begins to apply it to her body. She is embarrassed of course but also knew she needed the stuff so she swallowed her discomfort.

She looks around the hut and sees a small statue of a woman. “Who is that” she asks

The humans look at the statue and explain. “That is Eir goddess of healing”

“You have a goddess of healing?” Leif is amazed. She never really knew much about the Gods of amphibia mostly because the kings of the Leviathan line tended to see themselves as divine rulers. It made her wonder if her people even have gods? They did use the name of frog a lot.

“Of course we have a goddess of healing. No man is immortal. So it helps to have someone that knows how to heal. And every healer has to learn from someone or something.” Godfrey says

(I spent my life learning the healing arts with the guidance of Eir. but I know their is so much more to learn.) the healer says and Godfrey translates.

“oh , have your tried willow and lingonberries that might help the moisturizer” Leif says

Godfrey translates and the healer thinks a bit. He gathers the ingredients and hands them to Lief. She then grinds them together using the healers tools and mixes it with the moisturizer “ah much better, at least it doesn't smell as bad.”

(you know medicine?) the healer asks

Godfrey translates and Leif explains “I was a gardener for the royals in my old home before I… before I tried to stop ragnarok. Plants are my life”

The healer nods and begins asking questions to Leif. poor Godfrey had to act as translator as the two became very passionate discussing medical plants and trying new concoctions. Godfrey and the healer were especially surprised about how some common plants here would try to eat you inLeif’s world. He couldn’t help but ask if there wasn’t anything from her world that didn’t try to kill you. It disturbed Godfrey on how long Leif had to think to answer that question.

After several hours and a very sore throat for Godfrey they had made several types of moisturizer for Leif to try. The healer also advised Leif to visit the sauna to help her skin naturally moisten and heal.

Leif had never heard of a sauna. Godfrey rolled his eyes. Fortunately it was Laugardagr (wash day) while most people preferred to wash in the morning he knew some had to wait till evening due to their work. As he carried Leif to the sauna he couldn't help but notice how much slipper she was. all those moisturizers was working. But it made her even more awkward to hold.

They reach the women’s sauna and Godfrey knocks on the door. The women were not happy about having their Laugardagr interrupted but Godfrey explained and they let Leif in.

Though the room was small it was filled with steam and warmth. And for a moment Leif felt like she was home as she started to take off her clothes.

(why are we letting this creature in) one woman asks

(she has gotten the chief’s and warriors' favor. Something about ragnarok and a box that has Yggdrasill) the second woman says adding more water to the coals

(hey it’s already steamy enough in here) the first woman says

(Godfrey says the steam is supposed to help her heal) the second one says

(heal from wha-) the second woman stops as they both see the salt burns on leif’s body. Without another word the first woman takes the water bucket and dumps the whole thing on to the coals

Godfrey waits awkwardly outside as women come in and out of the sauna. Trying his best not to look at the women that were heading to the cold baths. Eventually Leif comes out far more energetic then he had ever seen her

“Oh Godfrey I feel great. If i ever get back to amphibia i need to show people this thing” Godfrey smiles seeing his small friend happy “why i feel so warm i bet i can even brave your world's winter WOOOHOOO!” Leif then starts running into the snow

“What lief stop” Godfrey chases after the pink frog

Meanwhile in the sauna the women gossip about the pink frog wondering which of the nine realms she came from. Soon enough the door is open and Godfrey has one hand over his eyes and with the other one throws Leif frozen in a block of ice, a look of triumph on her face, into the center of the room.

Godfrey closes the door and says in norse (we really need to figure out a way that she doesn't freeze.) he then looks down at his slime covered clothes (and so that i'm not always having to pick her up. Thank Thor it’s Laugardagur)

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Heroes of calamity part 1 the Vikings
ch 5

A few days had passed and fortunately for Leif and Godfrey, Helga had come up with a clever way to keep Leif from freezing. She filled some water skins with boiling water. She then wrapped those bottles around Leif and then wrapped her in coats. It made it awkward for her to move but at least she wouldn’t freeze.

She enjoyed exploring the town. It was so different from anywhere she had ever seen. Godfrey was usually with her as both guard and translator. But most of the town was so intrigued by the small creature they knew not to hurt her. Plus they knew the chief would have their head if anything bad happened to her.

Leif was sitting on a log as Godfrey and the other men chopped wood “so you chop wood to keep your homes warm in these harsh winters”

“yes ,” Godfrey says swinging his ax

“If it’s so cold why don’t you move south” Leif says

Godfrey repeats the question to his fellow workers who all laugh “it may be warmer south but it breeds soft people. If we lived south we would have to be afraid of the north men. Up here the only other people we have to worry about are other norse.”

Leif thinks on the logic of that. Though from what she heard from Godfrey the stories of viking raids, wars in britannia and the norse lands. And the legends of Thor and loki. She knew humans were a violent species. But still they managed to build towns and nations in harsh lands such as this!? They were also very clever and adaptable. She just shakes her head marveling at the paradox that was humanity.

“Besides” Godfrey says cas he continues to work. “This land may be harsh but it is also beautiful. It is more home to me than any other place I have lived. I would guard it with my life” he then repeats what he said to his fellow workers who shout their agreement.

Leif chuckles then thinks of another question “why do your people keep putting this pointy hat on my head whenever i am around” she points up at the horn helmet on her head. Though small it was still too big for her, always slipping over her eyes. Plus the materials felt very cold around her skin. But every time she tried to take it off another viking would put it back on

“Oh that, they just think its adorable and funny for you to wear such a stupid hat” Godfrey says without hesitations

Leif gapes then humphs, readjusting the helmet and storming off. Not nearly as dignified as she hoped because of the snow nearly being as tall as she was.

She makes it to the other side of the house when she sees white objects hurtling through the air. At first she thought she was being attacked but then she realized it was some children having fun by making snowballs and throwing them at the icicles hanging from the chief’s home.

She watches for a bit and enjoys the child’s game. After a few minutes of watching them throw snowballs she can’t help but be intrigued by the flying projectiles. She shoots out her tongue and grabs one in midair. She instantly spits out the ice “wow thats cold”

She looks up and the children are looking at her. With smiles and what she assumes is an impressed look. One of the children says something in their language that she doesn't understand. So she just shrugs. The child nods points to the snow ball then gently throws it in the air.

Leif understats and snatches it with her tongue. The children laugh and begin a new game. They take turns throwing snowballs and Leif would grab them in the air. She missed a few of the tricker ones but caught most of them. A few times she had to take a break to take a sip from her hot water bottle to thaw out her mouth.

Everyone was enjoying themselves until Leif misses a particularly tricky one. Her tongue flew right by it and hit a wooden pillar on the house. Instead of her tongue returning to her, her whole body is lifted from the ground, her boots and helmet being left behind as she slams face first into the pole. Her tongue was frozen to the pole. No matter how hard she stretched she couldn't get it free she tries to get a grip on the pole to free her tongue but her climb pads freeze her hands and feet to the pole as well “help someone help!”

The children run screaming for help. Leif hears them calling for Godfrey. Sure enough it doesn't take long for the man to show up and see Leif completely frozen to the poll. Struggling in vain to free herself. Several other men arrive and just start laughing. Godfrey meanwhile just shakes his head. Takes one of her hot water bottles and begins pouring it on her frozen skin, slowly but surely freeing the pink frog. “You really don’t do well in the cold lady Leif”

###

A few days later Leif was in the town hall watching as Stigandr and Godfrey discussed public matters for the village. It reminded her of when she would have to watch Andrias attend political meetings. But this was even more boring because she had no idea what they were saying.

Eventually she sighed and wandered the building. In one corner she saw on a raised platform the calamity box and the red pinecone that was found in it. It was guarded by two scary looking humans that had their hands on their swords. Stigandr had promised to protect the box until she was healed and ready to continue her quest. The seed was also guarded until spring came and they could properly plant it.

She wandered around the hall warming herself near the fire. There were a few more men in the hall. A few more guards. A man showing off his dogs to another. Two playing a game. And a few more discussing life and socializing. Looking at it it almost seemed mundane. It was hard to believe this was the same group of warriors that had found her in their boat. Why if they weren't so big she could almost believe they were amphibians just like her.

Just then she hears loud barking. One of the man’s dogs was going berserk. He tried to calm it down but it just lashed out at him causing the man to fall back. Everyone was staring now. A few men pulled out weapons and started coming towards the canine. The dog just stared at the humans with murder in its eyes. It then spots Leif, the smallest and weakest in the hall. It charges but Leif easily hops over the creature. Godfrey and Stiandre get up drawing their weapons. The dog circles about trying to attack Leif again. But Leif shouts “STOP!” even those that didn’t know her language stopped as she took off her coats, even the dog was confused by what she was doing.

She shifts her left foot and puts a fist in the air. She then goes on all fours and begins to shake her rump. The vikings watch as she does the strangest dance they had ever seen. It included swaying side to side, slapping the knees, clapping her cheeks, and flopping around like a fish. Godfrey was afraid his friend had gone insane but he noticed the dog was completely entranced by what she was doing. Heavens even some of the berserkers he knew were instinctively following her movements.

Leif was then slamming her fists and face into the ground. Followed by more side to side movements. When she suddenly stops and snaps her fingers. Like a trance is broken, all the men start looking around.

“Now come” Leif says and the dog meekly comes to her. “Now what’s wrong?” the dog whines and opens its mouth. Without hesitation Leif puts her head into the dog’s mouth “hey Godfrey this animal has a bad tooth i think the pain made it go crazy”

Godfrey comes up to the dog and looks in its mouth sure enough there was a rotten infected tooth. Godfrey calls the owner over and the owner brings tools to get the tooth out. He explains to Leif what they were about to do

“Ok little guy this will only hurt a bit but then you will be much better understand?” Leif tells the dog and the dog nods. Several men hold the dog steady when the owner rips the tooth out. The dog barks in pain but then instantly calms down. The man lets go and the Dog goes to lick Leif in gratitude. However after the third lick the dog starts to gag and heave.

(i guess old biter don’t like the taste of frog) the owner says

Most of the men turn their attention back to said frog “Leif what in the nine realms was that?” Godfrey says

Leif looks a little embarrassed “it’s a dance i invented to control any animal. I did it as a game but when I fled the palace I needed a way to get food. It helped hunt animals i wouldn’t be able to catch on my own”

“Wait wait, that dance can control animals?!” Godfrey says in disbelief. He then repeats it to Stigandr, who also does not believe it “just how big of an animal can it control?”

Leif shrugs “I mean it worked on Mossmen and shadow fish, but they were already trapped. And when i was hunting it was more for prey that was just to fast for me to catch”

Godfrey explains and all the men just gape at her. Most had no idea what a mossman or a shadow fish was but it sounded impressive. (what kind of wichcraft can this frog do?) Stigandr says in norse

(I would like to know that too) a new voice says. Everyone turns to see a older man in robes approach (i've heard many tales of your little friend chief i would love to hear from this other worlder herself though)

“Uh oh” Godfrey says

“Who is that” Leif asks

“That's Frode. The local Gothi. I guess what thee call a holy man” Godfrey explains

“Am i in trouble” Leif asks nervously

“I don’t think so but he is the keeper of our traditions and our legends. The fact you come from a realm different then ours proves that our legends are true. Including the one of Ragnarok. This is a great opportunity for him. But what he wants. I just don’t know.”

Lef hears Frode talk to Stigandr . They ask her if she is ok talking to him in a few days. She is still unsure but agrees. Hoping to Frog that she can trust this strange old man”

###

End chapter.

Chapter Text

Heroes of calamity part 1 the Vikings
ch 6

Fortunately for Leif the Gothi just wanted to ask Leif a lot of questions. Still it was very uncomfortable for Leif because according to Godfrey whatever she said Frode would twist into his own philosophy.

Once it was all said and done Godfrey was escorting Leif back home “blizzard’s coming. Better get you back before you freeze.” Godfrey says

Leif was distracted with her own thoughts “why was he so interested in me? He was so focused it was unnerving”

Godfrey sighs “when we found you at sea it was like a being of myth fell from the sky. I don’t know everything but from the description you gave it sounds like a lot of your world overlaps with our own prophecy. Surtr, One of the great devils in our myth is known to wield a flaming sword and you say that is a common weapon among your royalty.”

“Andrias isn’t a devil” Leif mutters to herself “but even so why was Frode so focused on twisting my words”

Godfrey sighs again “while not exactly the same as him I do believe you play a part in our own prophecies just like my people play a part in thine. Frode however is a Gothi, our holy man, I think he needs your world to be like our teachings to confirm his beliefs.”

“Is that bad?” Leif asks

“The Gothi would never harm thee or go against Stigandr, but he will use you as a way to conform his own faith and authority, and perhaps use you as a brag to the other Gothi that his faith is right” Godfrey explains

“What?” Leif says not understanding.

The wind picks up and snow begins to fall. Godfrey picks up Lief and starts walking faster. “We may share a land and similar beliefs but we norse men are not united. Each town and clan has different traditions and any Gothi would love to prove that theirs are the most correct. Not to mention your box proves our beliefs about Yggdrasil and the bifrost. It would not surprise me if other clans would take the box for themselves to bring more glory to their clan”

“Wait am i putting your town in danger” Leif says concerned

“Ha'' Godfrey just laughs “the gods put you in our lives for a reason. It is a great honor to protect you and your box. Will fight to the last man if it means protecting you this is our honor and duty.”

Lief was very touched by what her friend said. They are passing the chief's home when Stigandr invites them in.

Grateful to get out of the coming storm they enter. They share a meal. Godfrey and Stigandr laugh as they speak in norse. Iona reheats Leifs water bottle as Leif entertains Henrick with her silly horned hat.

During a quiet moment Leif listens to the blizzard. “Brr it’s hardly ever cold enough for it to snow back home. To combine it with a storm. Almost makes me grateful for disasters back home. Though I could do without the flaming locus tornados.”

“The what?” Godfrey says “never mind. Yes winter storms are harsh but it is kind of nice to hunker down in a nice warm home and wait out a storm. Especially when you have no reason to leave” Godfrey says happily

The moment is ruined however when Iona lets out a yell of pain and almost collapses

(Iona) Stigandr says rushing to his wife (are you alright?)

Iona moans in pain (our child is coming. No doubt about it)

(what now!?) Stigandr panics (i need to get help i need to-!)

Godfrey grabs his friend by the shoulder (you are going to stay with your wife. I will fetch a midwife) Godfrey grabs a coat and starts marching to the door

“Godfrey what's going on?” Leif says hoping next to her large friend

“Iona is going to have a baby. I’m going to get someone to help with the birth” Godfrey says with finality

“But the blizzard? It’s to cold even for your people” Leif tries to prevent him

“They are my friends. My family. I will gladly risk my life for them” Godfrey says putting his hand on the door

“Take this at least,” Leif says, handing him one of her hot water bottles. Godfrey nods takes the offering and marches out into the blizzard

Stigandr meanwhile takes Iona to the bed trying to comfort her. Lief feels a hand on her shoulder and Henrick looks down on her (will mother be alright?)

Leif didn’t know what he said. But she could tell the child was worried and scared. As odd as it was having a child twice her size it was still a child. Tring to put on her best calming voice, Leif responds “it will be ok, let's get out of the way, it will all be better soon.” Leif leads the child away but soon hears screams from Iona

Leif listens to the pain for a few minutes before deciding she has to do something. She hops over to Iona and places a cool webbed hand on her forehead. It was unnaturally warm even for humans. “ok i can do this, Iona breath.”

The viking woman looks up at the call of her name but doesn't understand. So Leif takes an exaggerated breath.

(she wants you to breathe dear) Stigandr says holding his wife’s hand. Iona nods and tries to mimic the frog’s breathing.

Leif nods and hops away grabbing a cloth and some snow outside; she makes a cold press and gives it to Stigandr who uses it to cool his wife. Lief then grabs some rags and a bowl and pours her hot water bottle into it.

“Ok Lief just like helping an amphibian lay an egg. Except it's alive and warm and- ok let's do this” Leif tries to encourage herself

“Stigandr when i say push have her push” Leif says

(what?!) Stigandr says having no idea what she is saying

“PUSH” Lief says mimicking a shove

(ah, Iona when the frog lady says that word I need you to push. Ok?” Stigandr says. His wife can only nod

Lief takes a deep breath. “Ok I can do this. One two three PUSH!” the home was soon filled with Iona’s screams, Leif’s screams, and Stigandr’s screams as his wife crushed his hand

###

Godfrey had actually used the hot water bottle to unfreeze the door to get a midwife. The two norse folk went as fast as the blizzard would allow. Godfrey slams the chief’s door open (Stigandr where here!)

“Oh just in time” Leif was filthy and holding a baby girl wrapped in cloth. The girl looked ridiculously huge being held by such a small frog. The midwife runs up and Leif gratefully hands the baby over. The midwife then presents the new child to her parents who coo and fawn over her. Stigandr motions for his son to join. And soon the whole family is sharing a beautiful moment.

Godfrey checks with the midwife to make sure everything is ok. After getting reassured he goes over to Leif.

“Leif you did it! You possibly saved her life,that was incredible.” Godfrey gushes

Leif is in a state of shock “yeah I delivered a human baby. It wasn’t hard. No. it was actually very warm. And wet. I think i’m going to-'' Leif starts gagging

“Are you going to vomit?” Godfrey asks

“What’s vomit?” Leif asks before something large and squishy gets spat out of her mouth attached to some cords. Godfrey has no idea what it is “oh no” Leif says her voice sounding like it was full “i haven't had this happen since Barrel had me try some of his rock gut”

Leif then picks up the squishy thing and shoves back down her throat. As she does some mush falls from it. Godfrey recognizes the mush as their dinner earlier and realizes that the squishy thing was Leif’s stomach!

The viking gags and vomits on the floor

“No more human fluids, no more!” Leif says before fainting.

###

When Lief woke up she was in bed. She sits up and sees Iona feeding the newborn as Stigandr fawn over her and Godfrey plays with Henrick. Seeing her awake, Stagandr walks over to the frog women. Godfrey gets up but Stigandr motions him to stay put. The viking chief then kneels next to the bed and says in very broken English “thank thee. Thee have gratitude forever. Never thank enough”

Leif smiles and places a web hand over the humans “i’m happy to help”

Stigandr smiles and gives the frog a huge bear hug. With a choked breath Leif manages to say “Godfrey what's going on?”

Godfrey laughs “like it or not you are a member of the tribe now.”

###

End chapter.

Chapter Text

Heroes of calamity part 1 the Vikings
ch 7

Weeks passed and by Leif’s standards it was still way too cold. But the snow was slowly starting to go down and Godfrey assured her spring was on the way. For that she was grateful she was tired of being weighed down by hot water bottles all the time. Especially when she tried to work outside. Despite the vikings' hospitality she tried to repay their kindness. She would help the healer gather herbs and other supplies. She made plans with Stigndr for the next season’s crops. And she would also help with the snow removal. Her least favorite job if nothing else than the shovel being so much bigger than her.

Eventually enough snow melted that people could actually move around regularly. Godfrey was talking Leif for a walk around the village. He asked her how her burns were and she assured him that they were almost completely healed. The conversation got a bit awkward then because as important as they knew Leif’s quest awas they would miss each other.

Trouble began brewing when they got to the outskirts of town and saw a group from the village arguing with another group of strangers. She recognized some of the men from town and saw that Frode was among them possible arguing the loudest. She then noticed this group of strangers were dressed similarly to Frode. Could they also be Gothi?

The vikings were arguing among themselves pointing to each other. Godfrey moved to stand in front of Leif then yelled at the top of his lungs in norse. The group stopped arguing. One of the strangers says something. It must have been offensive because one of the men from the village punched in the face. Before it could break into a full out brawl Godfrey speaks again. In a huff the strangers leave.

Godfrey starts escorting Leif back to the village “what was all that?” Leif demands to know

Godfrey sighs (by the heavens) “Frode has been talking to the other Gothi that you are in our village. Apparently it is an honor to have a visitor of the nine realms in our village. Not to mention some of the men have been telling stories of you when they visit other towns.”

“That doesn't sound to bad” Leif says

Godfrey snorts “humans are always trying to prove their better than one another. The other clans feel slighted that the bifrost isn’t in their possession. Those Gothi were here demanding that you come to their ‘more deserving town’”

“What? Why would they want the responsibility for looking over such a dangerous thing?” Leif worries about what other humans would do if they got their hands on the music box.

“They don’t, they just want it to prove they are better than everyone else. Can you really tell me it isn’t the same in your world?” Godfrey says

Leif thinks of the town rivalries back in Amphibia and some of the lengths some farmers would go to prove they were better than others. Reluctantly she shakes her head. “What did the Gothi say that was so bad that that man punched him in the face.?”

Godfrey chuckled “he called me a half breed pet of the chief.”

“He said what?!” Leif says angrily

Godfrey pushes the horned helmet over Leif’s eyes to calm the angry frog “well technically i’m only part norse. And they aren't wrong. I am a servant to Stigandr. But I am still part of the village. An insult to me is an insult to all of us. We have gone on enough viking raids that we all trust each other with our lives. (By the heavens) if i was in his boots and they insulted my shipmates i probably would have punched him too.”

Leif smiles, touched by the brotherhood that these men had with one another. “Still knowing what he said to my friend, I would never go to that man’s village.”

“Thank thee Leif” Godfrey says

“Perhaps i should try to leave sooner, before things get out of hand” Leif suggests

“No, not until you are completely healed.”Godfrey snaps “besides we will protect you”

Leif trusted him but she was worried what her presence would mean for the village

###

Sure enough as the weather got warmer the village got more visitors. Chiefs, Gothi, or even just warriors tried to convince Stigandr to hand Leif over. The chief of course would not hear of it. Even if Leif wasn’t on a quest to stop Ragnarok the frog woman had helped deliver his child. She was more than a guest; she was part of the clan as far as he was concerned.

He managed to tell most of the visitors to leave Lief alone; a few he had to pull out his great sword to convince them. Still if he knew anything about norse men it was that they were stubborn so he made sure the box had guards around the clock.

The village was on edge as well. A few wanted Lief to be gone and that to be the end of it. But most of the villagers had grown to care for the strange pink frog. They saw it as their duty to protect her.

One day a particularly mean group of vikings showed up. Lief saw the men rushing to the borders of the village. She tried to ask what was wrong but they just motioned for her to stay put. She huffed and followed anyway. If Andrias couldn’t make her keep still no one could.

She hopped to the village border to see two groups of vikings standing off and their leaders arguing with each other. The invading group was dirtier than Stigandr’s clan but they were a lot more ferocious. Leif suddere living in the village for the past few months had made her forget that when she first saw humans all she could think of was predators. This new group of humans reminded her just how terrifying they could be.

To make it worse this new group had a larger predator with them. It was a man and a half tall. Covered in fur like a mossman was covered in plants. It had a fang filled snout and claws on the end of all its limbs. An iron collar was around its neck with several chains being held by men to control the beast with other men pointing spears at it. Apparently they didn’t trust the beast either.

She manages to sneak up to Godfrey “what's going on?”

Godfrey jumps not realizing the frog had snuck up on her. (by the heavens) “what are you doing-? Never mind your here now.” he points to the hairy viking that Stigandr was arguing with “that’s Borr son of Boun. he’s a rival clan chief but fancies himself a beast tamer. Always takes the bear he caught as a trophy of his strength.”

“Bear? Is that that hairy beast?” Leif asks

“Yeah, Borr has a reputation of unleashing it on those that make him angry. Unfortunately he has a short temper.”

Leif shudders. As dangerous as the monsters from her word were, at least she was familiar with them. These earth creators were just to foreign

Meanwhile Stigandr and Borr keep on arguing. Eventually Borr had enough and snapped his fingers. The bear handlers unleash the beast towards Stigandr. Stigandr draws his sword and starts backing towards his men. The villagers start moving to protect their chief but a small form beats them to it leaping between the chief and the bear.

Borr was confused, was this some sort of dwarf or child. Why did it wear so many layers and why did it have stupid horned helmet? The short creature takes off it’s coats to reveal a pink slimy creature. Borr smiles their was his prize. That is unless his bear ate it.

The bear just saw a small snack in its way, until it started to move. Its shaking side to side was mesmerizing, the bear felt more at peace then it had since before it was captured.

The vikings on both sides couldn’t help but stare at the ridiculous dance. Borr in particular was transfixed on the pink frogs movements.

Leif finishes her dance with a snap. The bear lays on its belly completely placated. “Oh you poor thing, let me help'' the bear tries to back away “no down!” Leif commands pointing down. The bear obeys “now hold still” she then removes the collar from the bear. “Their that's feels much better now doesn’t it” Leif begins to pet and scratch the bear “wow you are warm”

Evey mammal present was shocked that such a small creature could tame something as dangerous as a bear

“Now” says leif calmly “attack the jerk who captured you!”

Releasing it was free to get its revenge the bear turns and gives an uppercut to Borr’s jaw. Borr’s men panic. Two men grab their chief and run. One handler tries to throw his spear but it is knocked out of the sky by a long tongue. The handler looks and sees the frog woman standing proud. A village of vikings lifting their weapons to back her up. The handler then sees the bear charging at him and runs screaming trying to catch up to his clan.

The villagers laugh as the intruders were chased off by their own bear

“Leif that was incredible” Godfrey says

(the other villages will know your not so easy a prize now) Stigandr congratulates

“My dance is pretty great” Leif says “maybe you humans should learn it, it might be useful.”

(i would rather swim to iceland and jump into a geyser then learn that dance) Godfrey says in norse

“What?” Leif says confused

“Oh i was just saying it probably wouldn’t work with humans doing it” Godfrey says

“That’s to bad, now if you excuse me i’m freezing” Leif then begins bundling up in her coats again

Stigandr chuckles (oh come on it can’t be that hard to learn her dance)

Godfrey gives his friend an angry look (then you learn it!)

Stigandr gives an uncomfortable cough (oh would you look at the time. I should check up on Iona and the kids)

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Heroes of calamity part 1 the Vikings
ch 8

Leif sat on a large rock watching the waves crash on the cliffs. From her outlook she could see the village, the sea, as well as the beach that had their boats. She could recognize Stigandr’s ship. She chuckles thinking how that ship had been her first experience on this world. And while very different then the ships of her homeworld she the viking ships were definitely scarier then any amphibia ship she had seen.

The salt on the wind burned her skin but it was nothing compared to the sea water that fell on her when she first arrived. She sighs. She first came to this village in a desperate move to save her life. But now she has fallen in love with this harsh, beautiful land. This was all the proof she needed that her choice to take and hide the box was right. She still had a shard of sorrow in her heart on how Andrias had called her a traitor. She cared nothing about what the king thought of her. But the prince, her best friend. She didn’t think she would ever fully forgive herself.

She turns her back to the sea. As much as she enjoyed watching the waves, the salt was a bit too much. Plus she had recently fully recovered from her first injury she didn't want to have to start healing all over again. Still that meant it was almost time to leave the village. Almost time to continue her quest. Almost time to find another hiding spot for the power of the calamity gem, and almost time to be thrown into some other crazy part of this planet.

She hears her name benign called. It wasn’t Godfrey but another man from the village. He says something she doesn't understand but the man motions for her to follow and points to the sun. oh she must have lost track of the time she realizes and follows the viking.

The big man just laughs as she tries to apologize. Despite not knowing their language she really was going to miss these humans. Yes they were large terrifying predators, but now she could only see friends. Unless they started arguing with each other then she saw a bit of the monsters she saw when she first showed up.

They walked through the village. Leif looked around. She was going to miss this place. Now that spring had come she didn’t need to wear nearly as many layers though the people still got a chuckle out of her still wearing winter clothes while they were wearing simple tunics, dresses and trousers. She would miss the wooden buildings. The wild land. The children playing, the men working and the women taking care of the home. She would not miss the snow though. In fact one of the first things she did when the snow finally disappeared was start a garden. It grew so fast that with Godfrey’s translation she was able to give some advice to the local farmers.

She would miss helping farm plants from another world and helping gather ingredients for the local healer and having long (if nothing else because of the language barrier) conversations about the differences in plants between the two worlds.

Finally she is brought to a clearing in a pine grove where a fair sized crowd was waiting at. Her escort calls out to Godfrey who approaches “ah there you are Leif. we couldn’t start the ceremony without you. We thought it fitting that you hold the music box”

Godfrey leads her past the crowd where Stigandr, the Gothi , and the other leaders of the village stood. Godfrey stands next to Stigandr and they have Leif stand in front of them. The Gothi hands the frog woman the box with the one faded gem.

Stigandr calls for the crowd's attention. Leif smiles as the chief’s going to give a speech. She wouldn’t really know what he said, but she felt like she knew

Stigandr clears his throat (my people a few months ago we were given the unexpected blessing to be the host to a visitor from one of the other realms. At first she was a stranger, an oddity that none of us could ever dream of. But now she is one of us. I speak of course none other then Leif)

The crowd cheers at the sound of her name (but as much as we love her she came here with a purpose. She risked life and limb to stop a disaster. What we would call Ragnarock or the apocalypse. Lost and alone she braved this world of strangers with no thought of herself but just the hope of saving her world and ours. For that she is as brave as any shield maiden of the gods)

The crowd cheers again. Leif isn't sure what he is saying but she blushes just the same. (she has a long road on her quest to hide the power of the bifrost. But she has trusted us with part of it)

He motions to Frode, the Gothi shows off a red pinecone (this seed of Yggdrasill will be a key piece to prophecy. It is now the sacred duty of our clan to protect it till the day ragnarok actually happens and heroes will rise to drive off doom once and for all!)

The people cheer. The speech over Leif hands the box to Godfrey. She then digs a hole in the ground. Frode then gently places the seed in the hole. Leif covers it and pats the dirt, putting all her faith and hope for the seed to grow big and strong.

(now my people let’s celeb-) Stigandr is interrupted by a gasp from Leif. They look down and see out of the ground the sapling of a pine tree growing. The tiny thing was only about five inches, you would have to look closely to see that it was redder than the surrounding trees. But still only magic could make a plant grow that fast. Frode says a nordic prayer. Leif smiles seeing fate was on her side. The crowd cheers Godfrey lifts Leif on his shoulders together the crowd heads to the village to celebrate

###

At the drinking hall there was much food, drink and laughter. The whole village was there. Leif laughed as she saw her large friends rowdy partying. A few vikings tried to offer her drinking horns but she refused. She was going to comment about this to Godfrey just to find him on his third horn.

(come on give me the good stuff) Godfrey shouts. A few vikings laugh and then bring out the biggest horn Leif had ever seen. It took her a moment to realize that it was just horn shape. As she looked at the strange device she noticed that the top of course was very wide. But at its tip was a hole blocked by a cork.

Godfrey roars in approval. Men fill the horn to the brim and lift the horn over Godfrey’s head, Godfrey takes the cork out and places his lips on the horn without spilling a drop. He begins to drink, men and women alike chant (chug! chug! chug!) a few men even poured their drinks into the top when they thought it was getting low. Eventually Godfrey drains it dry and comes up for breath and cheers “Þór getur kysst rassinn á mér”

Leif didn’t know what he said but judging by the look of uncomfortable amusement that Frode had Leif assumes he said something sacreligious. Godfrey then proceeded to fall over unconscious. “Wow i thought only toads could drink like that” Leif says

A large hand slaps her on the back. She turns to see Stigandr, in bad English he says “ay Godfrey champion drinker” he then goes to help his friend to a chair.

The crowd looks for their next source of entertainment and sees Leif. They rush to her with dinks in their hand

“Uh oh” she then uses her tongue to latch on to the ceiling and swings up to the support beams. the crowd claps and cheers.

Leif shrugs and figures she can entertain them. Using her amphibian legs and tongue she hops and swings through the air. Her amphibian acrobatics caused the crowd to cheer as she swung from the rafters. The crowd follows her ready to catch her if she falls. Looking where to land she sees two men bringing a fresh barrel in. she leaps from the chandelier and lands in the barrel causing a huge splash. The alcohol seeping in her skin made her woosy but she rather absorb it than drink human alcohol. She sticks her head out of the barrel, the vikings laughing. The closest few fill their glasses from the barrel she’s in. they take a swig then spit out the frog flavored drink, making everyone laugh more.

A viking lifts a laughing Leif from the barrel and they parade her around on their shoulders a bit. After several humans had a turn parading the frog aroused they finally let her down. She shakes her head. Human spirits sure were strong. She looks for some water to help flush out her senses shen a small voice comes from behind her “you leave soon?’

Leif turns, its Henrick Stigandr’s son. “You know english?” Leif asks
“Little, uncle Godfrey teach” Henrick says “you leave soon?”

Leif gives a sad nod “yes i have to go continue my quest”

The boy hugs the small frog woman. Nearly breaking her bones. But she reminded herself that despite being larger than her this was still a child

“I miss you. You good friend, save sister. You hero” Henrick says through tears.

Leif hugs back tears starting to fall from her eyes too. Even though they say it all the time she still isn’t comfortable with humans calling her a hero “thank you i’ll miss you to”

She was going to miss this place

###

The party ran late into the night until the people slowly started to stumble home. It was a happy day for the village. Unfortunately such happiness often invites disaster.

Borr was waiting in the woods on the edge of the village. Rubbing the scar on his chin he glared at the village. Along with him were several chiefs and their warriors who also felt snubbed by the Hallvardsson clan. They were going to get their revenge on these self righteous norse men then take the treasures of the nine realms for themselves. Each of course was planning on betraying the other, but for now they had a common enemy. For now all they had to do was wait.

###

Leif had managed to stumble her way to the home she shared with the female servants. Her head and body aching she needed to talk to the healer to see if he had any medicine for, what did Barrel call it when he drank too much? a hangover.

Eventually she fell asleep. But after a few hours she heard shouts and horns blowing an alarm. Leif follows the women as they run out screaming. The night is cold but Leif was too shocked to notice the cold.

The village was on fire! She saw humans she didn’t recognize fighting against the villagers. She knew clan Hallvardsson were great warriors, but she also knew they had just spent a late night getting drunk. They weren't ready for this

“LEIF!” she turns to see Godfrey running up a battle ax in his hands “they are after the box!”

Leif hops up “Stigandr! Iona! Are they safe?”

Godfrey pulls out a throwing ax and tosses it past Leif. She turns to see the ax embedded in the chest of an invading viking. Godfrey walks up and yanks the ax out of the dying man and hands the weapon to Leif. “they can handle themselves. We need to get to the box”

The duo run as fast as they can to the town hall. Dodging attackers the whole way. When they get there there is a large fight. Stigandr is leading his men to keep the invaders from entering the hall. He slices an invader in half with his great sword and sees Godfrey and Leif. he shouts orders at them in norse. Godfrey nods. The defenders let them pass.

Inside the hall four guards stood by the box, ready to be the last line of defense. Godfrey tells them something and they nod allowing the man to pick up the box.

Godfrey kneels down and hands the box to Leif “we will clear a path. You must run to the forest then use the box to leave.”

Leif registered what he said “wait what? I can’t just leave you all to-”

She is interrupted by Godfrey forceing his ax in her face, tears in his eyes “I'm not asking. Go. if not for you then for us.”

Leif is stunned but she manages to nod. Godfrey then gives orders to the men. They charge out of the building clearing a path as they promised. Leif hopped and dodged her way through, doing her best not to cry as she saw friends and strangers dead on the ground.

She manages to escape the fighting and makes it to the woods. She soon finds herself near where the calamity seed was planted earlier. She looks at the box. Could she really just leave? Abandon her friends to the other side of the planet to find frog knows what. All she had was a Godfreys throwing ax and her silly horned helmet.

She opens the box. A portal opens showing a dark jungle a storm was blowing. Warm rain spilled through the portal and violent lighting would illuminate the strange land.

Could she really do this? Then with a heavy heart she realizes she already had. Hadn’t she abandoned her people, her life, her friends when she took the box and used it to travel to earth. She had known then it was for the greater good wasn’t it the same now?

She hesitantly took a step forward. Then she closed the box, closing the portal. No she couldn’t leave these people to die because of her. She had to do something but what?

Her pondering was interrupted by a loud yell. She turns to see an invader charging at her. He must have followed her. She tries to lift her throwing ax but the invader knocks the weapon out of her hand then kicks her. Being so light she actually flew a good distance.

The invader chuckles and picks up the box. Leif’s ribs hurt, she prayed to frog nothing was broken. She sees the invader lift the lid of the box opening the portal to the storming jungle. The Invader nearly dropped the box. Apparently there was a part of him that didn’t think it would work. But now in total aww he stares at the portal.

Leif stands up despite the pain. There had to be something she could do, but she had no weapons. Then she saw her silly helmet laying nearby. A silly helmet with horns. She shoots her tongue out bringing the helmet to her.

The invader meanwhile was looking at the portal. Wondering if it could be real. A bolt of lighting strikes illuminating the jungle and revealing the largest cat the invader had ever seen, it was staring right at him. With a scream of fear he drops the box. Was that nightmare realm really what his chief wants?

The invader hears a yell, he turns to see the tiny creature he had kicked running straight at him, her head down, horns pointed towards him. He readies his weapon prepared to block whatever pathetic attempt it had to fight him. What he didn’t expect was for the creature to leap ten feet straight at his throat.

Leifs helmet pierces the invader’s throat. The surprise caused the invader to fall on his back. Leif picks herself up and takes the bloody helmet as the invader dies. She felt sick. She was the first Amphibian to kill a human. But if she didn’t finish her quest then many more humans would die.

She puts her bloodied helmet back on and picks up the box and takes a deep breath. An idea coming to her mind.

###

Stigandr and Godfrey were fighting inside the town hall. The invading chiefs knew they had the upper hand and watched as Hallvardsson chief was on his last legs.

Borr speaks for the invaders (this can end now, tell us where the bifrost is.)

Stigandr spits (in one of the other realms by now.)

Borr growls (what about the world tree seed?)

Godfrey barks out a laugh (we planted it. Give it ten years and maybe you can find a tree in the forest)

Borr raises his weapon (you're lying. Tell us!)

(go to Hel) Stgandr says

(kill them) Borr orders

The invaders prepare their weapons

But then thunder struck inside as if Thor himself had appeared “stop!” a echoey voice shouts

The invaders turn and scream in fear. Floating in the air is a pink valkyrie. Covered in fur armor she glowed with a ghostly light. Her horned helmet dripping with ghostly light and blood. Behind her the wrath of Thor raged. Thunder, rain and lightning ran wild inside the hall with every flash of lightning they see a glimpse of another world. A horrible huge striped beast lurking in the shadows.

The most fearsome chiefs in the land looked in shock and did their best not to wet themselves.

The valkyrie lifts her hands “ved himlen, i choose that man to translate the language of the gods” the valkyrie points to Godfrey who humbly steps forward and bows “foolish chiefs the great Gods Odin, Thor, and Tyr have chosen clan Hallvardsson for a great task but you dare intrude for stolen glory?!”

With this accusation the chiefs realized they had brought the anger of the gods upon themselves.

“The actions here tonight prove your unworthiness. Leave now and your lives may be spared. But know this if thou do not make amends to this clan we shall be sure to drag your clans into the underworld.”

Borr tries to speak up

“silence !” the valkyrie shouts as lighting strikes and the striped creatures give a roar

On of the chiefs stabs Borr in the back making the man shut up forever before he could dig them into a bigger hole

The valkyrie glares down at them “there is one way of penance. Surrender to clan Hallvardsson, make amends for the loss of life and property then aid Hallvadsson with their sacred task of protecting the world tree seed. Then maybe the gods will see fit to allow you to enter into valhalla. Now LEAVE!”

The chiefs didn’t even wait for Godfrey to finish translating before they ran from the building screaming for a full retreat. The defenders cheer as they leave.

Meanwhile inside the hall Godfrey helps Lief down. From the hook she had hung off to make it look like she could float. The long furs she wore hiding the ropes

“Leif that was amazing” Godfrey congratulates

Leif shrugs “it wasn’t much, i might not be as big or strong as a human, but i can make myself look scary, if i fight smart that is”

“Still, how did you do all this?” Godfrey says, amazed. As Stigander help fallen men up

“Well I should help with healing as soon as possible. But thankfully there was a storm through the box and I knew how much your people revered the thunder guy. Thor I believe? Not to mention I know plants so I managed to gather up some glowing stuff to make me seem even more out of this world. I really had to stretch my vocal sack to make my words sound godly though, speaking of is their anything to drink my throat really hurts”

A defender brings her a mug of mead, trying to apologize knowing that she didn’t like human drinks but it was the best on short notice. But Leif's throat was so sore she didn’t even care and gulped it down. With thanks

“Why did you say ved himlen” Godfrey asks

“Your always saying that around me so it was really the only norse i knew, what does it mean anyway?” Lief asks

Godfrey chuckles “it means by the heavens. I guess having to keep a eye on you has made me pray a lot! You know that actually really help sell the valkyrie bit”

Leif smiles smugly

“I bet you used your dance to make the creatures on the other side help as well” Godfrey says

“Creatures?” Leif asks and looks through the portal. She sees what looks like a large wingless orange with black stripes kill-a-moth about to enter the portal. With a yelp Leif closes the box “that was close, i better help the healer treat the wounded.”

But before she can Stigandr picks her and cheers (shieldmaiden Leif!) he repeats the cheer then another viking joins then another. Eventually the whole town was chanting it.

Leif blushed, the village was always calling her a hero. But for the first time she felt like maybe it was true.

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Heroes of calamity part 1 the Vikings
Ch 9

Life moved on. Between the local healer and Leif there were few casualties. But for those that had died they were given a hero’s funeral. A grand funeral pyre was light in their honor at the beach. The salt air and the smoke was horrible for Leif’s skin but she struggled through it to show her gratitude for the deceased.

Word had gotten out about the valkyrie at Hallvardsson village. The defeated clans sent tribute out of fear and several other chiefs had sent emissaries to build alliances or just send guards to help protect the world tree seed.

Finally it was the day for Leif to leave. At the center of the village everyone was gathered to wish the brave pink frog goodbye. Leif really wished she could understand them but the emotions were strong enough that she understood what they tried to say. The children cried to have their playmate leave. The women would miss her company and her help around the village. And the men felt sorrow at the leaving but also pride that they could help in her quest.

Stignadr and his family said their goodbyes and presented gifts to Leif. Iona gave her a bag filled with food and other supplies. It was difficult making long lasting food that didn’t require salt but Iona and the other women of the village were more than willing to rise to the challenge.

Henrick presented Leif with her horned helmet. After the battle no one dared call it silly anymore. Leif knelt and allowed Henrick to place the oversized helmet on her head like a crown.

Stigandr presented Leif with a frog sized spear and shield. He then pounds a fist to his chest and proclaims “shield maiden” Leif felt a surge of pride that they considered her as great as the female heroes of legend.

She looks around “where is Godfrey?”

Stigandr just chuckles and says something in norse.

Leif sighs trying to hold back tears. She then turns to the Gothi who was holding the calamity box “it’s time hand me the box”

Frode just stood there waiting for something. Then Leif hears a voice noisily coming from the crowd

“Hold on, sorry I'm late, it took longer than I thought to pack.” Leif turns to see godfrey. A pack of supplies on his back. Light armor around his tunic. His battle ax slung on his back and a few throwing axes strapped to his chest.

“What are you doing!” Leif exclaims

“What does it look like? I'm coming with you. You need a translator after all” Godfrey says jovially.

“There's no way the people where I'm going speak your language. Plus what about Stigandr doesn't he need you here?” Leif demands

Godfrey laughs “who do you think suggested I go with you? Besides, you are small and fragile. I know you can handle yourself but you need a viking to protect you.” he proclaims proudly

Lief tries to splutter out some reasons for him not to come but Godfrey just raises a hand “look Lief either you let me come, or I tell the village and we dogpile you till you agree to let us all come.”

Leif takes a deep breath and nods. Godfrey smiles and turns to his clan and gives a war cry. The village returns the cry with such force Lief feels it in her bones.

Leif and Godfrey give the chief family one last hug goodbye. Henrick bawls as he hugs Leif and Stigandr Bawls as he hugs Godfrey. Iona gives Godfrey a peck on the cheek. She then does the same to Leif. She has a grimace and can't help but spit into the dirt. Leif laughs knowing how fowl humans find her slime coat to taste.

With much ceremony Frode hands the box to Leif. she opens it revealing the portal. The crowd oohs and aahs. Slowly viking and frog walk to the portal “Godfrey… thank you” Lief says in a hushed voice

Godfrey smiles “you welcome.”

Together they walk through the portal to the next step in their quest.

###

End of part one the Vikings
To be continued in part two the Khmer Empire

Chapter Text

Heroes of calamity part 2 the Khmer Empire
Ch 1

Lief and Goddfrey step through the portal. It instantly disappears behind them. The duo looks around at the lush jungle surrounding them. In the distance they can make out grass huts on what they can hope is a village.

Leif takes a deep breath. This was the next part of her quest. Just like last time she has no idea what to expect. But she knew she had to find someone trustworthy enough to look after the calamity boxes' power. But at least this time she wasn’t alone she had a brave viking companion. And the weather was nice too. Though she wasn’t familiar with these plants, the warm weather and humidity reminded her of home.

Godfrey meanwhile “by the norns it’s hot. What in midgard is wrong with the air? It feels like I'm in a sauna?”

Leif chuckles “it’s called humidity. It is kind of a natural sauna. It actually reminds me of home”

Godfrey scrunches his eyebrows as he begins taking off as many layers as he dares. “So not only is your world a boggy swamp but a hot boggy swamp?”

Leif nods “remember i’m cold blooded so this feels great!” The frog woman was infinitely glad to be wearing her original outfit again. With the little additions of her spear, shield, and horned helmet of course.

Godfrey gives a sigh (by the heavens… no, remember this is for Leif and for Stigandr) the viking takes a deep breath to center himself “how is the box anyway? Any changes?”

Lief takes a look at the music box in her hands; the blue gem was now as faded as the red gem. She could almost feel the power diminished in the ancient artifact. She then gives the box a little shack and hears something rattle. She opens the box to find a blue acorn.

“Look at this Godfrey” she says handing the seed to the viking

“A blue acorn who would have thought” Godfrey says inspect the seed filled with infinite power.

“You should hold onto that Goddfrey” Lief says

Godfrey looks at his small companion “I'm honored but you are the guardian of the box. Why trust me with the seed?”

“You have more pockets” Leif says matter of factly

“Oh” Godfrey is a bit disappointed by that reason but can't deny that fact so he puts the seed in his most secure pocket. “What now Lief?”

“Well I guess first things first is find the local humans to get directions to someone we can trust with the seed.” Leif then starts walking towards what she believes is a village.

As they approach they notice the sheer amount of life. Furry animals climbing the trees. The clicks of insects and the crocking of amphibians. Which Lief found especially disturbing. They hear some rustling in the brush and pull their weapons. Both of them remembered the large cat they had seen through the portal.

As they approach the village they see it’s a peasant village made of grass huts. The villagers had darker skin and eyes then Godfrey and the best the duo could figure they lived off of farming and fishing. But as they approached the villagers screamed and ran into their homes.

“They must have met vikings before” Godfrey deadpans

“That’s a little rude. But not surprising. After all with your armor and pale skin you probably look like a ghost to them” Leif jabs

Godfrey takes mock offense “hey your a giant talking pink frog, they probably think your demon or something”

The two chuckle and cry out to the village that they mean no harm. But the villagers are too scared to answer them. Eventually the duo decide they should leave. Neither were happy with the idea of traveling the jungle blind but what choice did they have.

Or that's what they were thinking when they see a brown skin child standing in the street looking at them (that thing is pink) it says

“Ah yes, yes she is pink” Godfrey says

“You understood that kid?” Leif asks

“Yes, you didn’t?” Godddfrey says

“No, it wasn’t english or norse, i have no idea what it could be” Leif says

“Now that you mention it, it did sound funny, but it still sounded like English to me.” Godfrey ponders “but how do I understand?”

Leif looks at the calamity box “maybe it’s part of the box’s power?”

“You mean I'm enchanted by the box that brought us here?” Godfrey wasn't sure how he felt about that

“It is a mystery, but hey it’s better than not knowing anything. So lead on translator” Lief says

Godfrey shoots her a look but then turns to the child who is still staring at them (you're big, are you a rakshasa?) the kid asks

“Noooo? What a rakshasa?” Godfrey asks

(monsters that change shape and eat people) the kid explains (you even have a pet monster with horns) the kid points to Lief

Godfrey laughs “no i’m just a human and the horns are just a hat” he lifts off Leif’s helmet showing the kid before putting it back on the frog “actually kid we are lost could you help us find a city or something?”

The kid is about to respond when they hear a roar down the road. They turn to see a huge orange and black cat stalking towards them (Tiger!) the kid screams

The tiger leaps for the kid thinking it will be an easy meal. But right before it lands a blue tongue grabs the kid yanking them away. The tiger is angry that it’s prey got away it glares at the small pink thing that stole it’s prey but Godfrey stands between the tiger and the small ones “Leif get that kid to safety i’ll handle this”

Godfrey ready’s his ax. Leif quickly leads the kid to a grass hut and ushers them inside. She turns to see Godfrey and the tiger facing off. Neither wanting to make the first move. The tiger would swipe a paw at the human and Gofrey would shake his ax at the cat.

Wanting to help her friend Leif throws her spear at the tiger. It hits the large cat’s hindquarters barely making a scratch. It did however make the tiger very angry.

“Uh oh” is all Lief can say as the tiger charges at her. Pure instinct makes her jump. She lands on the back of the tiger. The angry cat shakes her off but she manages to grab it by the end of the tail. The cat thrashes around wildly trying to make the frog let go. Every now and then it can almost reach the frog with it’s claws but Leif manages to o block them with the shield in her free hand

Leif was hanging on for dear life. She didn’t want to keep hanging on but she also swear to frog didn’t want to let go. An oddly calm part of her mind thought that would make a good proverb. So she settled for hanging on dear life and screaming.

“Lief!” Godfrey yells a battle cry and charges the tiger. Using both hands to swing his ax like a executioner he cuts off the beast's tail.

The tiger roars and Leif flies through the air no longer connected to the cat. The tiger glares at it’s opponent and snarls. To its surprise Goddfrey snarls right back his ax at the ready. Leif then hops on his shoulder and snarls as well, brandishing the tail.

The tiger wanted revenge, but it also wasn’t a fool. It had already taken all the game from this area and these tall things were more trouble than they were worth. So with one last roar the tiger runs away.

The due collapse to the ground breathing in relief. “I can’t believe we lived through that” Leif says

Godfrey takes the tiger’s tail examining the excotic fur “shame i can’t take the whole thing’s pelt, I be a legend among hunters back home”

The villagers slowly exit their homes finally the child comes up with two other nervous humans that the duo can only assume is the child’s parents (look the big man and monster saved us they are like benevolent Asura)

The parents still look nervous (you saved our child, and our village)

Godfrey stands up “yes of course we did”

The parents bow in respect (thank you)

“Your welcome, we could actually use some help” Godfrey says glad to finally be able to talk to the people “we are looking for people to help hide an important object. Are their any wise men or great warriors around”

The parents think for a bit and then have a idea (this is a small village but it you follow up the river you will find the city Nakhon Thong, maybe you will find what you you are looking for their)

Godfrey thanks them, but also gets the feeling they just want the duo out of their village. But the sun was setting so Godfrey asks if they can spend the night. The village allows the duo to make camp next to the village.

That night Godfrey finished his meal of dried provisions and fish he caught in the river while Leif was plump and happy with all the bugs she ate in the jungle. “The bugs of your world my be smaller than the ones in mine but they sure are plentiful” she says happily

Godfrey nods his agrement happy to have a living bug catcher while he skinned the tiger tail

“Are you really going to keep that?” Leif asks

Godfry nods “of course it’s my first trophy of the second part of your quest”

Leif smiles as she looks up at the sky as stars start to appear. Yes the first trophy of our quest”

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Heroes of calamity part 2 the Khmer Empire
Ch 2

The duo followed the river upstream. It takes a few days trekking through the jungle. They found a few villages along the way but the locals usually ran when they saw the viking and the frog.

“You know it’s funny” Godfrey says after the latest village ran from them “back when i went on raids with Stigandr the places we attacked they saw me as smaller, kinder and reasonable. I was the negotiator. But here?” a woman runs away screaming from him “people won't give me the time of day, literally!”

“Well to be fair you are a giant compared to these people” Lief says

“I know it’s weird to be so big” Godfrey says

Leif hums “how exactly were you a negotiator. I mean i have learned there is more than your people, but it still seems violence is the answer in most cases”

Goddrey laughs “true, if all else fails fists and axs will do. But we can’t raid everyone, especially other norse men. So sometimes we just trade. I was usually the translator when dealing with people that didn’t speak norse. Plus I made a few friends… ok not friends,but i did negotiate with a few villages in britannia and other places. There's a lot of nuance but ultimately the deal was give us tribute or we burn down your village. And because we're nice if any other vikings mess with you we will get vengeance for you.”

“So violence with extra steps” Leif says

Goddfrey shrugs “if it works it works. Besides why burn down a farm for one years profit when you can have years of profit from them by making a deal”

Leif hangs her head in shame. How much more great could Amphibia have been if they had worked with the other worlds instead of simply burning and taking.

The duo continue their journey. Eventually river leads out of the jungle and the duo gasp by theri first look at the city of Nakhon Thong

Large flooded rice fields as far as the eye can see. The river was filled with boats and fishing villages. And at the center of it all a large stone city with tall towers and steeped sloped roofs

Goddfrrey whistles “i've been to a lot of places but have never seen a city like this”

“Really, you have never seen a city this big?” Lief asks

Godfrey shrugs “vikings are powerful warriors but we’re not stupid. To take a large city you either need a fast raid or a large army. My clan isn't interested in either.”

The duo walk through the rice fields Godfrey offers to carry Leif on his shoulders but she refuses and actually travels through the flooded fields a lot better than the heavy viking. Godfrey was going to ask how that was possible but then remembered she was a frog.

They would see farmers in the fields but the farmers would try to ignore the duo. Though they would whisper behind the duo’s back nearly causing Godfrey a headache hearing English but knowing it wasn’t.

The duo finally reach the city and are amazed by the sheer number of people. It reminded Lief of newtopia. Godfrey meanwhile missed the solitude of the north.

They walk through the crowd making sure Leif has her hood up. They looked around at the sheer number of people whose skin tones ranged from pale to dark. But none were as pale or as large as Godfrey. A fact that made the crowds part around him. Most people had black or brunette hair usually tied in some sort of bun. Nearly everyone wore some sort of sarong. While others had shirts or some rudimentary form of pants to go with it, it looked like the most popular choice was to wear a sarong around their waist and go topless. Even the women had that style

When Godfrey saw his first topless woman he shielded his eyes. Nudity back home wasn’t exactly taboo, it was just too cold. The only time people really went nude were in the sana, or swimming during the summer, or when a warrior took too many berserker drugs.

“Why so embarrassed Godfrey?” Lief asks

“Well it’s just so immodest compared to where i’m from” Godfrey explains

“Well sure it’s strange that the women don’t cover up, but you humans are warm blooded so maybe it’s just more comfortable” Leif reasons

“Maybe” Godfrey replies “wait a minute why do your people wear so many clothes? It’s not like your women have breasts?”

“I do so have a chest” Leif says indignantly

“No i mean… wait you really don’t have any idea what i’m talking about do you?” Godfrey realizes

“You're talking about those weird bumps that females have on their chest right? What are those things for anyway?”

Godfrey tries to think of the cleanest way to describe them “they are used for feeding our young. But can also be considered attractive to our species?”

“Wait, humans produce milk like a cow-apiler? That's disgusting!” Leif says

Goddfrey is mildly offended “well what do frogs find attractive then?!”

Lief gets a dreamy look on her face “bright colors and long tongues” she then makes an odd croaking noise from her throat. It took a moment to realize this was the frog equivalent of being aroused

“And you call humans disgusting”

###

The duo wanders the city. Godfrey tries to ask for any information he can but most people try to ignore him or strait up avoid him. Leif meanwhile tries her best to keep her frog features hidden.

After a few hours of no luck Godfrey stomach growls “I guess it’s time to eat. We should get some new supplies anyway.”

Godfrey approaches a stall selling skewers of food. Leif watches as he tries to order the food and pay with silver. But the woman manning the stall refuses. The two have a heated discussion and Godfrey lifts his hands in exasperation and leaves

“What happened?” Leif asks

“Apparently they don’t take silver here,” Godfrey says. Leif is confused so Godfrey explains “back home wealth can be measured by the weight of your silver. But here it’s more done by barter. If you want something you pay with a grain called rice whatever that is. Want something more expensive you pay with cloth. Coins are only used for very expensive purchases.”

“Is it really that big of a problem?” Leif asks

“What's the highest currency in your world?” Godfrey asks

“Well I guess a platinum coin is worth 100,000 coppers but no one uses them,” Leif says.

“Right, so me paying with silver for food is like you trying to pay for food with a platinum coin.” Godfrey says

“Wait, so we're too rich?” Leif can’t believe it

Goddfrey shrugs “it’s more what my people find valuable and what these people find valuable is just too different. I don’t know what my silver is worth or who I would even trade for it. And most of our supplies are essential so we can’t just barter it away”

Leif stomach growls. “In other words were eating dry supplies until you can figure out how to trade with these people”

###

The duo sit next to a fountain as they eat their stale supplies. A bit at a loss on what to do next. How were they going to find a guardian for the calamity seed if they can’t even talk to the people or support themselves.

After eating Godfrey decides to interview some of the market owners to get information. To his surprise nearly every market was run by a woman. He was glad that these business women were more moderately dressed making sure to have cloth covering their chests. His large size intimidated them but he was a customer so they couldn’t really ignore him.

He asks them where he can make money or trade so that he can buy food. The women don’t really know what to make of this foreigner or how to answer his question. But eventually several of the market women lead them to what they call the gambler’s ally

Once they arrived they found men and women playing games of chance. Putting rice, cloth, animals,and strange coins on the line. “Maybe we can find someone to trade currency here” Godfrey says

“Why don’t we try one of these games to get our supplies” Leif saks

Goddfrey scoffs. “A fool and his money are soon parted. The only kind of game I would try is one of skill and I don't see any here.

They move deeper into the alley when they hear great shouts of excitement. The duo move towards the crowd where they see a ring around two fighting people. The fighters were lean and muscular. Using their hands, elbows, feet, and knees to clobber each other. They were face to face and if Goddfrey didn’t know better he would say they were trying to kill each other.

The first fighter had a paler complexion with black hair. They wore black boxing shorts and bandages around their hands, as well as a black headband tied to their forehead. The second fighter had a much darker complexion with brown skin and thick brown hair tied in a bun. They wore white boxers with bandages on their legs, arms and chest. The spots not covered in bandages had scars criss crossing their body. They had a white headband tied to their forehead.

The fight seemed pretty even till the white headband one kicked their knee into their opponents stomach. This makes the opponent stumble back giving the white headband the chance to jump and kick the black headband in the face knocking him out

An announcer rushes forward (the winner and still champion of the white corner is the mighty scar!)

Godfrey noted that “scar” rolled their eyes at the nickname apparently they didn’t like it. He then observe many of the crowd crying out as different parties exchanged slips of paper similar to palm leaves with strange scribbles on them

“Excuse me but what are those?” Godfrey asks a winning gambler

(Betting slips) the gambler says happily (write down your wager and if you win you can exchange them for goods. Easier than exchanging chickens for every win or loss.)

Godfrey raises an eyebrow. It is indeed clever but he couldn’t see where the exchanges were made. But then he hears Leif yell.

He turns, a thief had reached into Leifs pack and had stolen the music box. With a yell Goddfrey chases the thief who runs to the ring leader and presents the box “thats my companion’s give it back!” he demands

The ringleader chuckles looking at the gilded box (you look like a strong man, how about your try winning it back by fighting scar?)

“Why would I do that to get my own property back!” Godfrey demands

The ringleader shrugs (fine I'll also throw in ten rolls of cloth” Goddfrey had no idea if that was good or not.

He wanted to refuse but looking around he saw the crowd getting ugly wanting to see some action. And poor leif was surrounded by them looking scared.

“Fine, but I don't know the rules so don’t blame me for fighting dirty” Godfrey says the crowd cheers at that.

Godfrey squares off against Scar. lifting his fists in a similar fashion as them (sorry about your box) Scar says in a surprisingly light voice.

“Does that mean you’ll throw the fight?” Godfrey says

(I wish, but I have too much riding on this. But i’ll try not to beat you up to bad) Scar says with a grin

Godfrey scowls. It was on. The ringmaster calls for the start of the fight. Scar runs up to Godfrey and begins hammering away with their fists. Godfrey is taken completely by surprise by the speed of Scar. it may have been taller and bigger than them but it wouldn't matter if he couldn’t hit them.

Scar was pummeling Godfrey like a wave pummels a rock on the beach. As much as he hated to admit it, they were a better fighter than him. Scar kicks Godfrey to the ground and he takes a deep breath. He had to think of a better way to fight. What was the viking way? He then realized the viking way of hand to hand combat was wrestling their opponent to the ground then beating them into submission. Seemed like a good idea.

Godfrey lets out a viking war cry and charges scar. The fighter was so surprised by the noise Godfrey made that he ramed them like a bull. Godfrey pins Scar to the ground and gets ready to punch them into submission. But then realized his impact had knocked some of Scar’s bandages loose. And underneath the chest bandages he could see female breasts.

“You're a woman?” Godfrey blushes with embarrassment. Scar tries to cover up her chest also blushing with embarrassment

The crowd starts yelling, feeling cheated that the champion was a girl. Before the crowd could get any uglier there was a noise from the end of the alley. Guards are pouring into the ally capturing gamblers and destroying the games

Scar looks up at the ringmaster (that the Naraka? I thought you paid off the officials this month?)

The ringmaster shrugs and grabs all the valuables he can and runs. (hey!) Scar says pushing off Godfrey (come back with my winnings) she chases after the ringmaster. Leif chases after her “come back with my music box!”

By now the alley is in chaos but Goddfrey bulldozes his way through to catch up to the women.

The ringmaster runs in and out of crowds and alleys. Knocking stuff over to slow down his pursuers. Scar doges and jumps over everything, Leif hops over every obstacle, while Goddfrey stumbles his way through the streets.

Leif manages to hop past Scar then onto the ringmaster’s back (get off me you midget)

“Give me my box back!” Leif damands

Scar catches up and pushes the ring master to the ground. The ringmaster tries to get up but sees scar glowering down at him (come on scar we work together you know it’s just business.)

Scar shrugs (to be fair you were a terrible promoter) she then kicks the ringmaster in the face knocking him out. She then picks up the betting slips and whatever other valuables she can.

Godfrey catches up “miss we really need that box back.”

Scar picks up the box and hands it over to Godfrey (sorry about that. Here you go)

Godfrey smiles “thank you scar”

She scoffs (may name isn’t scar. It’s Anong) she holds out her hand

“Godfrey” he says shaking her hand “and my companion is Leif, it’s actually her box”

(oh sorry) Anong kneels down to return the box (here you go-) she gets a good look under the hood and sees Leif’s frog features. She screams and stumbles back (she isn’t human!)

Leif has no idea what she is saying and looks to Godfrey for help “yeah that’s a long story”

They hear a commotion and see guards coming after them (we should run) Anong says

“Agreed, come on Leif” the trio speed off trying to find somewhere safe

###

end chapter

Chapter Text

Anong runs at full speed down an ally. Leif and Godfry behind her. Guards were closing in behind them. Anong takes a turn into a dead end.

Godfrey thinks they are doomed but Anong keeps running at full speed. Using some boxes and trash in the alley as steps she leaps into the air, hops off the wall and lands on the sloped roof of a building. Godfrey stops amazed at her athleticism. He is about to say so when Leif runs past him. Uses her small spear as a pole vault and her natural frog leaping ability to jump to the roof next to Anong. The women looked down at Godfrey waiting for him.

Were they seriously expecting him to make that jump? He hears the guards approaching. He doesn't have time to think. He took a few quick breaths and started running. He jumps off of a box and tries to make the roof. Anong reaches out her hand to catch him and misses.

Godfrey starts to fall to the ground where guards are waiting for him. But then he feels something long and slimy wrap around his wrist. He looks up Leif had caught him with her tongue. Anong was holding on tight to keep Leif from falling with Godfrey and from the painful gagging she was making Godfrey realized he was way too heavy for her. Anong grabs Leifs tongue and yanks on it like a rope pulling Godfrey up.

Godfrey painfully lands on the roof. (come on!) Anong says, carrying Leif, the poor frog girl trying to nurse her sore tongue. Godfrey followers her as they jump roof to roof. A novel experience for Godfrey made even more nerve racking since these people’s architects had even steeper roofs then back home. Finally after she was sure she lost the guards Anong opens a hole in a roof and climbs down the rafters to the floor. Godfrey follows breathing hard. Why did this land have to be so hot!

(You did good stranger.) Anong says happily

“Thanks” Godfrey says

(well see you) Anong starts to leave

“Wait” Godfrey says

(yes?) Anong stops

“Truth is you're the only one that's bothered to be nice to us. Can you help us?” Godfrey asks honestly

Anong thinks for a bit (honestly i probably should just leave you strangers. But with the gambling rings needing time to reform I could use some help. Ok follow me.)

“What did she say?” Lief asks

“She says she will help us” Godfrey says relieved.

Anong chuckles. (I have to admit I'm interested in your pink thing too. I figure you’ll tell me more about her the longer you stick around.)

###

The duo follow Anong through the busy street till they get to a large building that was some sort of storage house. They follow Anong inside and it is filled to the brim with bags of rice, rolls of cloth, bushels of exotic fruits and vegetables. And even animals from roosters to water buffalo.

All around there are people haggling with others behind the counters to give people rations of rice and other goods.

“What is this place” Leif asks, Godfrey repeated the question

Anong thinks a bit (i guess you can call it a tax redistribution center. Not everyone can pay taxes in gold so they pay it in goods. But once the king takes his share the rest is given to the cities. It also works as a kind of bank. Not everyone can keep all their goods in their homes)

Godfrey translates and asks “why are we here then?”

Annong chuckles (well before you exposed my chest I won a lot of goods from my fights. So i’m here to pick up my winnings)

Godfrey blushes “sorry about that earlier”

Anong shrugs (it happens, besides thanks to that idiot ringmaster i would have been out of fights for a while anyway.)

Anong walks up to a man behind the counter with pale skin and a thin black mustache (Boribun, the guards cracked down on the gambling rings today so i’m cashing in everything)

The man behind the counter smiles (ah if it isn’t scar)

(don’t call me that) Anong says rubbing her scared arms then handing the betting slips to Boribun

(a lot of these slips are fake, the guards are going to have a lot of gambling cheats in jail today) Boribun says

(just give me what's fair i trust you) Anong says

Boribun nods and starts gathering her winnings (of course i’m fair. Every time I gamble on you I make more than I do here. When do you think you’ll fight again?)

Anong shrugs (i don’t know this pale giant exposed my secret right before the guards came, no one is going to want to fight a girl so i need to find a group to fight that doesn't know me)

(they really need to make fighting like that legal for anyone who isn’t in the military. I know a lot of people that would watch it.) Boribun says

(same problem for me. No one would want to fight a girl) Anong says angrily

(true, but you've made me so much money I don't care if you're the queen. You're the best fighter i know) Anong smiles at Boribun words (ok i got your supplies rice, dried fish, and peppers. I couldn’t get you any medical supplies, but i got you a buffalo to transport your stuff, just return it watered and rested like you usually do)

Anong thanks her friend and head outside where a water buffalo drawn cart was waiting for them

“Why do you need all that stuff anyway” Godfrey asks

(you’ll see) Anong says

###

Leif was riding on the water buffalo as Godfrey walked beside it and Anong led the cart. They start to leave the stone city. The ground becomes soft mud and dirt. The homes are made of wood and leaves and were on stilts to keep off the wet ground.

The further they go the older and more damaged the homes become. Until it became clear they were in the slums. Several homes had fallen to the ground and there wasn’t a single one that wasn’t patched with grass.

poor people were everywhere. Some old, some young, some sick, some hungry. Gdfrey and Leif could only look around at how pitiful the place was.

Some children see Anong leading the cart (anong’s back!) they shout. Soon the smiling faces swarm the cart greeting the muscular women. She laughs and greets each one by name and starts handing out food from her cart. Godfrey helps with the heavy lifting. And the children start at Leif in wonder. In less than five minutes the cart was empty.

Anong leads the buffalo to a house that was on the ground and had almost no roof besides grass. She ties it to a post next to a water trough and heads inside. The duo follow her

“So that's why you needed your winnings” Godfrey says

(yeah i grew up here. I’m one of the strongest so i have to do whatever i can to help those that can’t help themselves) she explains

Godfrey translate “that’s so kind of you” Leif says

Anong smiles (thank you)

“But why fight? A city this big there must be something you can do?”

Anong sighs (i can work the fields, but it’s not enough to feed everyone i’m not smart enough to be a merchant woman. But when I was young I would watch the soldiers practice Bokator. I copied their moves and I'm happy to say I became a pretty good fighter. I even put my own spin on it. I call it Muay thai!) she ends with a few swipes of her elbow and a kick. (So what's your story?)

Leif and Goddfrey start their story. Explaining how Leif was from a different world and was on a quest to hide the calamity seeds so they could not be misused.

(that’s quite a story. If i wasn’t seeing a talking frog and a giant man as pale as a ghost i wouldn’t believe it.) Anong says

“If you think that's crazy watch this” Leif pulls out the calamity box and starts lifting the lid

“Wait let me translate first” Godfrey tries to warn

But too late Leif opens the box. A portal opens up revealing a village next to a wheat field with many farmers wearing pointy straw hats.

Anong screams and falls back. Godfrey closes the box. Anong gets up (you're telling the truth. You are really on a mission given by Svarga )

“Yes, and thanks to you we can continue our quest. We’ll leave in the morning so not to bother you anymore” Godfrey says

(wait, I want to help.) Anong says (you gave up everything for your quest, i know the area i can help as well)

“Oh do you know someone that we can trust the seed to” Leif asks hopefully

Anong face falls when Godfrey translates (no not really)

“Then how can you help” Godfrey says

Anong gave him a dirty look and crossed her arms (do you even know where in the world you are?) the duo gave her an embarrassing look (i thought so. You're in the Khmer empire. It is very large, very dangerous and covered in Jungle)

“What's a jungle?” Godfrey asks

(exactly) Anong says (besides we may not have much here in the slums, but we all help each other out this will be a safe place for a giant man and a little frog.)

As if to prove her point some children come into her home with rice balls wrapped in leaves. They share it with Anong and her guests as a thanks for Anong getting them food.

The duo look at each other and nod. They agree to stay. Anong raises her rice into the air. The due follows suit (to new friends) she says.

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Heroes of calamity part 2 the Khmer Empire
Ch 4

Godfrey and Leif are awoken the next day by Anong kicking them (get up. Till I can fight again I need odd jobs to feed us all. And the only one available right now is rice work, I need all the help I can get)

The duo eat a breakfast of rice and follow Anong to the rice fields. Godfrey hated walking in the flooded fields but Leif felt right at home. Anong makes a deal with the farmer of the field and they quickly show the duo what to do, then begin to work. Godrefry decides it’s a good time to ask questions

“So what can you tell me about the Khmer empire?” he asks

Anong looks at her friends forgetting they are as ignorant of her home as she is of theirs (the empire is ruled out of Angkor out east. The emperor calls himself the Chakravarti, universal ruler. Most of the rulers of cities are his relatives; they see themselves as divine. But we are so far west they don’t really care about us. I think the local ruler is the second cousin to the king or something.)

“Sounds like a bad way to rule. Back home the worst fights were from clans fighting among themselves.” Godfrey says

(i’ll say) Anong mumbles. (Every time an emperor dies a civil war breaks out with the ruling class trying to get chosen as the new emperor. I’ve always been an orphan but I remember the refugees that moved into the slums because of the last war. If you ask me, those hindu high borns can war among themselves and leave us peasants alone!)

“Hindu?” Godfrey asks

(There are two main religions in the empire. Hindu and Buddhism) Anong explains. (Hindus have a pantheon of Gods, while Buddhism more or less has one and has a code for living)

“Patheon eh, so like Thor, Odin, and Loki?”

(more like Vishnu, Shiva, and Ganesh)

“Those names mean nothing to me”

(neither do the ones you said)

“Fair point” Godfrey admits “so which are you hindu or Buddhist”

Anong stops her work and thinks a bit (neither really. Hinduism is more for the ruling class here. And Buddhism is for the peasants. I like buddhist philosophy, but when i’m having a bad day it’s nice to have multiple gods to blame)

Goddfrey can’t really judge Anong for having that view, considering his own complex relationship with the faith of his home country and the faith of his adopted one. So he decides to change the topic “so you said there was a ruling class. How does that work?”

Anong shrugs (royals on top, then the priest caste, then the soldiers , but they are mixed in with the rest of us peasants.)

“Sounds rough” Godfrey says

(it is what it is, so long as i have rice to eat i really don’t care how much gold the nobles have. By Shiva it’s through rice that the Khmer empire is run) Anong explains

“Wait, your entire civilization is run through rice?” Leif says after Goddfrey translates

“It makes sense. Back in Britannia the kingdom ran off of wheat.” Godfrey explains “I don't miss those days. One thing was sure about the Norse lands i ate a lot better”

(of course rice is important) Anong continues ignoring Godfrey (by controlling the rice and the water they rule the empire. So long as the people are fed and they keep invaders away the people are happy)

“Invaders?” Godfrey asks

(pirates like to invade from the south. Thankfully they don’t like to come this far up the river.) Anong says

“Invaders from the sea, what does that sound like?” Leif says to Godfrey sarcastically

The viking shoos away his teasing companion “you mentioned a priest caste. Do you think there could be a priest that we could trust with the sacred task of protecting the seed?”

Anong thinks for a bit (i don’t know. The Hindu priests get involved with the royal family a lot so there are many factions that war against each other. But they have the support of the royals. The Buddest would be more agreeable but i don’t think they have anywhere safe enough to guard the tree. Especially if that seed is supposed to stop the end of the world like you said)

Anong sees the disappointed look on her friends’ faces (but i will ask around the city. If your magic box brought you here there has to be somewhere safe to put your seed.)

###

The friends keep working through the day. Stopping only for a meal break of fish. Godfrey double checked the fish to make sure it was safe for Leif and then explained to Anong that she can’t have salt. Anong says she will keep that in mind while preparing food for Leif but that rice is already bland enough without salt.

They continue to work till the sun starts to set. (ok guys that’s enough for today. Let's get our pay and head back to the slums.) anong says

Godfrey groans in relief, this rice farming was very different from the wheat and vegetable farms back home, plus most of the time his duties were indoors. But if it met a full belly he could put up with it. Plus he saw how much Leif enjoyed working with this new plant.

They walked through the fields when Goddfey sees a bird “oh look a heron”

“HERON!” Leif yells and hides behind Goddfrey “do you have your ax? Will it be enough? We're doomed!”

“Leif, what is the matter?!” Godfrey asks surprised at the frog’s reaction

“You said there's a heron. Those giant birds once lay siege to newtopia. It took hours for the robots to drive them away!”

Godfrey is starting to connect the dots. “What are herons like in your world?”

“Huh?” Leif asks “you know giant 100 foot tall birds that like to eat amphibians. Red eyes, teeth, feet that could stomp a bear flat”

Godfrey now understands and explains to Anong (her world sounds terrifying) the Thai girl says

Anong then kneels down to Leif and point to a gray four foot tall heron (yes they are big but not as big as the ones in your world)

Leif don’t understand Anong, but here fears melted when she saw the comparatively tiny heron

“That's not too bad actually” Leif approaches the heron. While her human companions chuckle

Unfortunately the heron seemed to recognize Leif as a frog. It grabs Leif in its beak, tosses her in the air and catches her feet first and begins to swallow her “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!”

“By the Heavens” Godfrey shouts. The two humans run to save their amphibian friend.

Godfrey grabs the heron by the throat so that Leif can’t slip down any further. The heron gives some choking caws and begins flapping its wings and feet trying to claw Goddfrey away. Anong Meanwhile grabs Leif by the hand and begins pulling for dear life. With a sound like a cork popping out of a bottle, Leif comes out of the bird's mouth. Godfrey lets go of its throat and shoos the bird away with his scariest viking cry.

Godfrey looks at his female companions sitting in the water. Anong hugged Leif close to her chest. Leif’s eyes are wide and terrified, eventually she says “I Hate herons.”

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Godfrey wakes up with a large centipede crawling on him “yuck”

A long sticky tongue shoots out and grabs the bug. Leif crunches on her snack as Godfr4ey stares “You are disgusting sometimes, you know that Right?”

Anong walks in (come on guys I got us a job, breakfast is provided so lets move)

It’s been like this for a few weeks now. Anong would find day jobs to earn food and other goods with the help of Leif and Godfrey. They would then split the earnings with the slum folk that couldn’t provide for themselves.

In their free time which wasn’t much Anong would show them around the city and ask her many contacts for anyone trustworthy enough to give the calamity seed to. But they have had no luck so far.

Today Anong was leading them past the farm fields to the edge of the Jungle (today we are clearing land for more farms and city) Anong explains

“Field clearing that takes me back.” Godfrey says remembering his farm days “do we have bulls to help pull out the stumps?”

(bulls and cows are sacred to Hindu’s but the workers might have water buffalo. Besides the elephants will do most of the heavy lifting) Anong says

“What's an elephant?” Godfrey asks

“Is it anything like an elephant tick?” Leif adds

Before Anong can answer they reach the clearing where men and animals are working on clearing trees. Then they see elephants.

Godfrey whistles as he sees the largest land animal he ever saw, it almost reminded him of whales. Leif had seen much larger creatures back home but still the sight was amazing.

The size of a hut, this large gray creature stood on four tree trunks of legs. Had a large head with flapping ears. And a nose that moved and twisted like a great snake.

(That is an elephant) Anong says smugly (the elephants will tear the trees from the ground and place them in a pile. Our job is to chop the wood into usable pisces wether that's fire wood or building wood)

“What do i do?” Leif asks after Goddfrey translates “i’m a bit too small to handle human axes.)

(You're a frog right?) Anong says (can you find bug infested logs and separate them? Or at least try to get rid of the bugs?)

“So my job is to look for and eat bugs all day? Awesome!” Leif hops into a pile of logs and the humans hear happy munching sounds

The humans laugh (i’ll get us some axes) Anong says

“No need” Godfrey pulls out his battle ax and chops a small log in half

(I thought that was a weapon?) Anon says

“It is but vikings are nothing if not practical. A tool for farming can easily be used as a tool for war” Godfrey says smugly

Anong laughs and gets her own ax and starts chopping. As they work they talk “so tell me about these elephants? They look are like creatures of folklore from my country” Godfrey questions

Anong shrugs (they are the biggest creatures I know of. Their size and strength used to help with projects that are just too big for people to handle. They can lift a lot more you see)

“So they are worth the strength of ten oxen. I’m surprised not everyone uses them” Goddfrey says impressed

(because they are very difficult to train. Wild elephants have tusks that can spear you or crush you, if you get on their bad side. And if an elephant doesn't want to do something there isn’t much a human can do to make it obey. And if a wild elephant gets into a field, say goodbye to your harvest it will either eat or stomp everything) Anong says looking pleased at the second thoughts Goddfrey was having (but they are very useful. I hear some places have war elephants that men ride on. That would be terrifying to see) Godfrey agrees and chuckles imaging towns panicking if somehow vikings could take an elephant on a raid (also the hindu god Ganesha is said to have elephant head, to a degree they are sacred. Probably why the king has a sacred white elephant)

“White Elephant?“ Godfrey asks intrigued

(oh yeah it is pretty much a glorified pet. I hear it is so expensive to keep it can ruin kingdoms. Since it’s sacred whoever owns it has to take really good care of it, so i hear if the king doesn't like a certain noble he “gifts” the elephant to them until they either trick someone else into taking it or go bankrupt trying to take care of it)

Godfrey laughs “so no one wantw a white elephant gift”

Anong nods (yes elephants are quite useful, but they are also very dangerous. A common execution in these parts is to be stepped on by an elephant so you see. And if one ever goes on a rampage-)

Anong is interrupted by a loud trumpeting sound. Apparently one elephant finally got tired of being pushed around by humans and was rampanging. People ran away screaming as the elephant used it’s trunk to toss things around

“That’s not good” Godfrey says

(let's get out of here) Anong says trying to drag her friend away

“Wait, where's Leif?” Godfrey say panicked

The human looks and sees Leif stick her head out of a pile of logs near the elephant. She sees the rampaging creature and tries to run. But she ate so many bugs her stomach won't allow her to slip past the logs like she usually does.

Without a second thought Goddfrey charges the beats with his ax. The elephant swings its trunk at him but he doges and has a face off with the gigantic creature.

Anong thinks she is crazy for chasing after her friend. But she manages to pull Leif out (lets go) she shoults but Leif points to Goddfrey and says something (i don’t know what you're saying, we have to go!) Anong says

Instead Leif hops towards the beast (crazy frog) Anong says as she chases after her.

Leif gets a little too close and the elephant almost stomps her, if Anong hadn’t rolled and grabbed her just in time. Then using her superior athletic ability she managed to climb up the side of the elephant and sat directly on its neck. She pulls it’s ears in an attempt to control the beast but the elephant just thrashes around trying to get the intruder off. Leif is holding on to Anong for dear life

“Do something” Godfrey shouts from the ground

(I'm trying!) Anong shouts (the only way to stop an elephant is to surprise it. And if a screaming viking and a fighter on its head doesn't surprise it i don’t know what will!)

The elephant bucks. Leif falls off of Anong but grabs the elephant's ear hanging on like a large earring

“Leif you need to surprise it!” Godfrey shouts

“What!? How in frog's name am I supposed to do that?” Leifs says. She then looks at its ear, it was worth a shot, an oddly rational part of her mind says.

Leif shoots her tongue into the elephant's ear and starts licking. The elephant stops dead in it’s tracks from the disgusting sinsation. This gives Godfrey a chance to charge and hacks at the elephant's legs as if he was felling a tree. The elephant buckles and falls to the ground. Anong falls to the ground and workers return now that the elephant is weekend to get control of it again

“Wait!” Leif shouts. Everyone freezes. She thein desperately starts wiping her tongue “so gross so gross so gross”

She then starts nodding her head to a unheard beat and begins shaking her backside

(what is she doing?) Anong asks

“It’s her dance to control animals” Godfrey replies

Anong doesn't believe him, but watching the frog and the elephant she can't deny it. When Leif is done the elephant is completely obedient to the frog “their, their, you were just overworked weren’t you. You didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”

She then relays instructions through Godfrey to treat the elephant’s wounds and to give all the elephants better working conditions. The workers didn’t like taking orders from a frog and a pale stranger. Until Godfrey reminded them that Leif could ask multiple elephants to start rampaging. The workers went to do what was asked of them they also gave the trio their pay to get them out of there.

The trio begins to leave (that was amazing) Anong says heading back to the city

“I am pretty great aren't I” Leif says

(can you teach me that dance?) Anong says

“What?! I’m not translating that!” Godfrey says

“She want to learn my dance doesn't she” Leif says excitedly as Anong nods “ok just follow my lead”

Leif begins her dance with Anong roughly following along

“Oh Thor there are two of them now” Godfrey moans

###

On another day after working hard Anong is lying on the roof of her collapsing house looking at the stars. Soon Godfrey and Leif join her “so this is your hiding spot” Goddfey says

(one of many) Anong says

“It’s beautiful. The stars are the same as back home. Who knows maybe i can maps a way back home if the box doesn't take us back”

(you can navigate using the stars?) Anong asks integrated

“At sea they are the only landmark. But with them you can travel the world” Godfrey says

(I've never seen the sea. Is it beautiful?)

Godfrey looks at the young woman beside him “it is. But beauty is everywhere if you look for it. I don’t like the heat but your home land is amazing.”

Anong giggles (thank you. Do you think maybe one day you can take me to the sea?)

Godfrey chuckles “not likely. The seawater is full of salt. Nearly killed poor Leif. so for her sake no”

Anong is a little disappointed but understands (well at least i have a beautiful sky, lush jungle, and the sounds of nature)

The trio leans back and listens to the symphony of nature. Bugs chirped, beasts roared, and amphibians croaked.

“Eep!” Leif says her face going from pink to red

“What's wrong Leif?” Godfrey asks as the human companions look at their little friend.

Embarrassed Leif explains “well in my world croaking” she then inflates her vocal sack to make a point “is kind of like code we can communicate things from a great distance that others of our species can understand”

“Ok i follow” Godfrey says

“But the amphibians of your world aren't intelligent. Not like humans are. So their croaks are a lot more… primal.”

“ok? “ godfrey says trying to see where this is going

Lief continues “Things like (i’m hungary) (danger) or … (let make babies)”
Goddfrey roars out laughing. When he finally gets enough air to translate to Anong she starts laughing so hard she almost falls off the roof.

Leif huffs and turns away from her human companions. But she can’t help but chuckle too.

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Godfrey and Leif woke up to the sound of collapsing wood and screaming. They follow Anong to where a crowd was gathered. The stilts of one of the slum homes had finally given up the ghost and collapsed. Unfortunately there was still people inside.

They quickly joined the rescue group to get the people out. Most only had a few scratches. But one man has a large chunk of wood stuck in his leg.

“Lief, is there anything you can do?” Godfrey asks

Leif looks frantic “i don’t have any tools”

(he needs the hospital) a onlooker says

(you know they won’t help) Anong snaps back. The wounded man yells in pain. Anong fights a quick mental battle then groans (Godfrey, grab him and follow me.)

Godfrey picks up the wounded man and runs after Anong. They enter the city, Anong leads them to a huge building that looked a lot cleaner than most of the city. They enter and pass a statue of a blue man with four arms and medical tools in his hands.

(help we need help!) Anong yells.

Men and a few women wearing white see the wounded man Goddfrey is holding. A few come to take the man away but then a rude voice yells out

(what are these low lifes doing in my hospital?) a short fairly fat man wearing white with golden ornaments on his hands and neck walks up (they aren't welcomed here)

(this man is injured he needs hospital aid) Anong begs

(why would we help gutter trash like you, especially after what you did. Now get out of here) the fat man snaps

Anong is crying (curse you Rong!) She then turns and leaves Godfrey followers with the man in his arms and Leif on his back.

As they leave the building one of the men in white runs after them (wait i can help place him on the ground) the medical man then pulls out the wood making sure to take out all the splinters and bandages it the best he can (i don’t know if he will ever walk again but it’s the best i can do without getting on Rong’s bad side.)

(thank you) Anong cries tears of relief

“why help us?’” Goddffey asks

(We have a duty to Dhanvantari and the emperor to take care of the people of this land. But normally I wouldn’t go against Rong’s wishes. But as you left I saw a demon of death on your back. It had hideous pink skin and horns on its head! I couldn’t condemn a man to be taken away by such a beast)

Godfrey repeats the words as unsuspiciously as he could. Leif meanwhile continued to hide behind his back and took off her silly horned viking helmet

The doctor says goodbye and the group begins walking back to the slums.

“What was all that about?” Leif asks

Anong sighs and explains (a few years ago the empire decreed for hospitals to be built all around the empire. Healthy people are hard working people after all. But we are so far away from Angkor no one checks on the quality of ours. Rong runs the hospital but he only treats the wealthy. Hates us slum folk. He thinks we are garbage) Anong says bitterly

“It seems like he hates you in particular” Godfrey can’t help but notice

Anong snorts at the memory (oh yeah, the fat slob has a weakness for gambling and violence. He used to bet on my fights. But he asked me to take a dive and lose on purpose. I refused and he lost a lot of money. Now he goes out of his way to mistreat us slum folk.)

“That's not right, isn’t there someone you can report him to?” Leif exclaims in disbelief after hearing that

(like who? Rong rubs shoulders with the nobles and higher classes of the city. And were just peasants. The lowest of peasants at that) Anong says sadly

Leif doesn't have an answer for that. She just looks sadly on thinking of amphibia and how the further away from newtopia someone got the less the crown cared about them.

“Men like Rong always get their comeuppance. Whether in this life or the next” Godfrey says comfortably cheering up the women. “Now let's get this poor soul home

###

A few days later Anong takes the duo to the warehouse to return the water buffalo and try to get more food for the slums.

She looks for her friend Boribun but can’t find him. Another Warehouse worker sees her and offers to take the buffalo. He just says Anong needs to sign something to confirm she returned it.

Anong reaches to sign but Goddfrey stops her “your not going to read that before you sign it”

Anong feels a little embarrassed (i can’t read anyway)

Goddfrey sighs “you can’t read then you can’t write how do you plan to sign that thing anyway?” Anong blushes more, Godfrey shakes his head “I suppose the thumbprint method might work, but the point is the written word is as strong a bond as your personal oath. It’s not something to take lightly without knowing what it is”

Godfrey then takes the paper but sees the symbols on it are different from any language he knew “and i can’t read this either”

Suddenly Boribun arrives and chases away the other warehouse worker, he takes the palm leaf paper from Goddfrey (sorry about that, i figure you can’t read Khmer.)

“It’s fine but that man was trying to get Anong to sign something” Godfrey explains

(i was just trying to return the buffalo) Anong says defensively

Boribun sighs (Anong i told you only deal with me or one of the other workers you trust, what we do isn’t exactly legal you know.”

Anong is still embarrassed but Leif hops on her back to give her a comforting hug. Anong smiles and speaks up (i was hoping to get some food for the slums)

Boribuns chuckles (i can spare some stuff, and you can pay me back soon)

“She can?” Goddfrey asks

(yep, a new gambling spot has been set up. Many people have been wanting to wager on ‘scar’ and i’m one of them) Boribun explains

(good) Anong says giving the air a few jabs (i’m tired of training. Time to put my skills to the test)

(that's what i like to hear) Boribon smiles (i’ll just put the supplies down as a downpayment for you winning)

Boribon starts gathering supplies for Anong. Godfrey and Leif take the time to look at the different supplies at the warehouse. Though they had gotten used to rice and other foods in Khmer there were still many things that were completely alien to the two foreigners.
“Hey Godfrey, check out this fruit. It’s as big as the stuff in my world” Leif picks up a spiky plant that's about half the size of Leif.

“Why is everything in your world so huge?” Godfrey ask honestly

Leif ignores him and splits the fruit open. A rank smell fills the room. Leif starts to retch.

Godfrey plugs his nose “by the heavens, it smell worse than a swamp hag”

(hey a durian, I love these things) Anong walks up and takes a chunk of the pulp and eats it.

Godfrey looks at her in disgust (what?) she asks. She then turns to Leif who is gagging really loudly (whats wrong with her?)

“Not again!” Godfrey says as he runs away

(wait I don't know what she says) Anong tries to stop him. She then hears a gross squelching sound. She turns to see Leif’s stomach on the ground. She is still retching at the smell being absorbed into her skin so doesn't bother to pick it up.

(what in Shiva’s name?)

(dear buddha, is that her stomach?)

(I’m going to be sick!)

Anong and the warehouse workers run from Leif to find someplace to be sick at.

###

Later that night Leif is complaining to Goddfrey while Anong makes them dinner “it’s not my fault! They say I'm gross but they eat that thing that smells like an outhouse? Plus I'm a frog we breath through the skin. I had to wash in the river for an hour to get the taste off my body!”

Godfrey just laughs. Anong comes out with a big pot followed by several slum dwellers (ok. Everyone in honor of me fighting again tomorrow i made Pad Thai)

The slum dwellers cheered and started serving themselves. Everyone sat near Anong’s home eating and chatting

“What is Pad thai” Godfrey asks “it smells good” Leif says happily

(just a native dish from the west side of the empire) Anong says happily as she serves her friends.
Godfrey looks at the noodle and meat dish and smiles. Despite so little to work with, Anong always put care into her dishes “you made sure not to add salt right? That stuff is dangerous for Leif”

(i know, thankfully Boribon got me some good peppers to make up for the taste) Anong says digging in to her portion

Godfrey wasn’t sure what that meant but he just surged and took a bite. It was good. But spicy. He was feeling warmer. By the heavens Surtr’s flames had nothing on this!

Godfrey runs screaming with metaphorical flames spewing from his mouth. He runs to the nearest animal trough and dunks his head in.

Leif is laughing her head off. While the slum dwellers just watch

(what's wrong with him?)

(I guess foreigners don’t like spice?)

(he was turning red. Are we sure he isn’t a rakshasa?)

(poor Godfrey) Anong says

Hearing Godfrey's name Leif assumes she is talking about him “he’ll be fine, but how weak can he be to not stand a little spice?” She takes a bite of her own food.

The slum dwellers hear a whistling sound and turn to Leif. steam was coming out of where her ears would be. Her eyes are watering. She turns from pink to a bright red. She screams and literal fire shoots from her mouth.

She runs to the trough and dunks her head in it right next to Godfrey. The slum dwellers hear their muffled screams from under the water.

For a moment everyone is silent. Then everyone bursts out laughing.

###

After the meal, and finding something much more mild for the foreigners to eat. Everyone was chatting and having a grand time.

Anong sneaks off into her home. Leif notices this and hops off to Godfrey. “Hey Anong just left, but she looked nervous. Can you check on her?”

“She is probably just preparing for her fight tomorrow. It has been a while after all.” Godfrey assures her.

“Please?” Leif asks with big sad eyes

Goddfrey sighs and walks to the collapsing home “Anong you alright? you left kind of unexpectedly and- WHAT IN THOR’S NAME ARE YOU DOING!?”

In the house he sees Anong with a knife cutting herself along her scars. She quickly drops her knife and covers up (what are you doing in here Godfrey?!) she demands

Godfrey sits down next to Anong giving her a no nonsense look “Leif wanted me to check on you. I’m glad she did. Why are you hurting yourself?! Did you give yourself all your scars?!”

Anong looks ashamed (not all of them. Growing up on the streets like I did, you get a few memorable scars.)

“Then why were you cutting yourself?” Godfrey says in a firm voice

Anong didn’t look him in the eye (i wasn’t hurting myself, not really… I fight. It’s what I do. It’s the only way I can make enough to feed not only me but everyone else too. But no one wants to fight a woman. Every time they find out people stop betting on me, or they refuse to let me fight.)

She then turns to Godfrey

(you have to understand, this isn’t just about me it’s about everyone out there. So I decided to disguise myself. I could earn more than enough food if I was a man. But as you have noticed we don’t really wear as many clothes as you or Leif here in Khmer. So I needed an excuse to cover up. What better way than some disgusting scars.)

Godfrey listened to her full explanations. He understood, but he was still disgusted by it “you hurt yourself just so you can disguise yourself as a man?”

(it doesn't hurt that much) Anong says sadly (i don’t cut anything important, just enough to make it look like it hurts, they fade after a while so i have to freshen them up occasionally.) she gives a bitter laugh (it’s not like their is any beauty to mare anyway)

She is surprised by Godfrey grabbing her gently and have her face him.

“Don’t say that. You are a wonderful beautiful warrior. In my culture there is something called a valkyrie. Women warriors that work for the gods. They are beautiful but not just for their looks but their deeds. Anyone that does not see what a fantastic person you are either because you're a woman or because of your scars. They are fools.”

Anong is starting to tear up but Godfrey keeps talking

“Anong you are the best possible person Leif and I could have met here. We will always be by your side. So will the slum dwellers. And your friends all over the city. Please, none of us want you to hurt yourself.”

Anong cries and hugs Godfrey. The big man returns the hug. Soon followed by Leif who was eavesdropping on them.

After several tender moments they let go. Godfrey is a little nervous but pulls out the tiger tail pelt he had been saving “I got this off the first beast I fought in this land. I was going to bring it back home to show how fierce a warrior I was but now I think… I want you to have it.”

Anong is touched. She takes the pelt and ties it around her forehead replacing her white headband (thank you Godfrey)

“My Pleasure” Godfrey says

“Come on out side” Leif says

“Why?” Godfrey asks as the two humans follow the frog

“Well you two weren't exactly quiet”

She leads them outside where everyone is waiting and cheers for Anong. They call her their champion. Everyone knew how kind she was and how she sacrificed everything to provide for them. They chant her name over and over. She begins to cry, she then feels Godfrey pick her up and place her on his shoulder

“Let's hear it for Anong the greatest fighter, no the greatest person in Nakhon Thong!”

The cheering was so loud the whole city heard it.

###

The next day the trio follow Boribon’s instruction to the new gambling site. Sure enough it was there and there was a large ring of people fighting. With a crowd of gamblers exchanging goods.

Anong finds the promoter (i want a fight)

The promoter looks at her (well well well. Scar is back everyone place your bets!)

(my name isn’t Scar, it’s Anong) Anong says confidently (though if you need a promotional name i guess you could call me tiger) she pints to her new headband

The promoter looks dumbfounded (seriously?! You think anyone would fight a woman?”

Several gamblers agree but then Godfey speaks up

“ha, how weak are you Khmere folk if you can’t fight one girl. Some fighters”

The gamblers look angrily at Godfrey (and I suppose it’s different where you are from stranger?)

Godfrey shrugs “my people are warriors. But no warrior is fool enough to think they can handle a angry wife at home”

That actually got a few laughs from people

The promoter sighs (fine, but still who is going to gamble on her)

Godfrey lifts a bag over his head “i bet all my silver and my weapons that ‘tiger’ can beat everyone here”

That catches some people's attention. Gambling slips are drawn up and soon Anong is facing her first opponent in the ring.

The fighters put their fists up the red headband opponent speaks up (i lost to you before, but don’t think i’m going to lose to a girl again)

A loud noise signals the start of the fight. With the speed of a striking snake Anong gets up close and used her knees and elbows to hit her opponent in the gut, chest and face. The opponent is down for the count. (you really think i wouldn’t fight as good just because i admitted i was a girl?)

The gamblers that bet against her started to sweat while Godfrey and Leif cheered. The latter doing so from a vantage point on Godfrey’s shoulders.

###

End chapter.

Chapter Text

Leif, Godfrey, and Anong were at the river. They watched as the fishermen use nets and traps to catch fish. Closer to the city the boats were filled with goods becoming a floating farmers market.

The trio were at the river bank up to their waist in the water and mud. “So how are we going to fish without nets or fishing lines?” Godfrey asks

(I can’t afford nets so we have to do it the old fashion way) Anong says rubbing her hands together.

“And that is?” Godfrey asks unimpressed.

Anong then puts her arm in the muddy water wiggling her fingers. Before long Leif and Godfrey see her arm lurch. She pulls it out to see a huge catfish sucking on her arm. She then tosses the fish into a basket she had borrowed. (and that’s noodling) Anong says smugly

“That looks like fun.” Leif happily puts her hand in the mud.

Godfrey is a little more hesitant. He had seen plenty of fishermen back home but never with bare hands. Still he puts his hand in.

(come on Godfrey you really need to wiggle your fingers” Anong says showing of her hands

“Yeah Godfrey wiggle your fingers” Leif says, wiggling her webbed hands.

Godfrey huffs but wiggles his hands. He feels a catchfish latch on. He gives a yelp, he swings his arm in surprise launching the fish to the other side of the river. The women laugh. Godfrey is embarrassed but can’t help but chuckle as well.

After a while the trio filled their basket. Anong caught the most, Leif second, and Godfrey barely caught a handful.

(really it’s not that hard?”) Anong snickers

Godfrey is stepping out of the river “are you kidding me? Those fish are disgustingly huge. You could feed them to Jörmungandr''

“Really Godfrey they aren't that big” Leif giggles. Until a particularly large catfish grabs her hand and drags her under water

“Leif!) the two humans shout. Godfrey runs back into the river
“We need to go after her!” Godfrey says

(i can’t swim) Anong yells looking in the water

“What? You live next to a river? My land’s water was like ice and I learned how to swim” Godfrey exclaims to the woman

(well sorry i had no one to teach me) Anong snaps

“Help!'' The humans turn and see Leif riding on the back of the catfish. The fish was leaping in and out of the water trying to buck the frog off.

“We need to save her before she drowns” Godfrey says

(she’s a frog, can she drown?)

That gives Godfrey pause “that's a good question, HEY! Leif can you breathe underwater?”

“Not the time!” Leif says before the fish goes underwater again

“Right!” Godfrey stands waist deep in the water waiting for the fish to surface. He prepares one of his throwing axes.

Leif screams as the catfish leaps into the air. Godfrey hurls his ax and hits the fish right in the neck.

Leif and the fish go down in the water. The humans stare at the water. They see red and bubbles. Then Leif surfaces dragging the dead fish “that was amazing Godfrey!”

She brings the fish to shore. Godfrey removes his ax from the dead fish then with one more chop takes it’s whole head off. “I’m done fishing today”

###

The trio was at the floating market as one of Anong’s friends grilled the catfish for them. The three friends talked and laughed. Godfrey having to be the translator for Leif and Anong’s “girl talk”

As they ate their meal. Many of the market patron were avoided the frog and viking (i’m sorry my people are frightened of you) Anong says

“It’s ok” Godfrey says through a mouthful of fish “i can be pretty scary. Though i like to think Leif is scarier since she isn’t human”

“Hey i’m a perfectly normal non scary frog as anyone can see” Leif says proudly.

A random market goer walks by (that’s a weird pink pet you got there Anong) the humans snicker as Leif tries to ask them what was said.

They go back to their meal when they hear screaming from down the river. The trio looks down and sees large river boats with batten sails that Godfrey had never seen before. From the boats dirty looking men with mismatched clothes and weapons jumped from their boats to the docks and market boats grabbing whatever they could.

“What’s going on?” Leif asks terrified

(pirates! But they never come this far up river?) Anong says

“Well their trying something new” Godfrey says pulling out his ax

“Shouldn’t we run” Leif says

(i’m not letting pirates in my city) Anong says getting in a fighting stance

“And it’s a pride thing for me. Vikings are the best sea raiders. I’m not going to let a bunch of unwashed river people muscle in on my turf.” the humans charge into battle with their froggy companion hopping after them.

Godfrey charges down the dock knocking pirates over into the water. Anong meanwhile hopped from market boat to market boat punching and kicking every pirate she could, knocking them overboard.

Leif meanwhile would hide behind market goods then leap out and scare pirates. Her features were so different to the superstitious pirates that they thought she was a demon and jumped in the river.

The citizens cheer while the pirates recognize who their main enemies are. They try to gang up on Godfrey, but the big man laughs at the inexperienced pirates as he uses his ax to fell his enemies like trees. One pirate tries to sneak up on Godfrey but is hit in the head by a fruit. The noise makes Godfrey turn around and slash at the pirate; he then looks and sees Anong on a boat having tossed the fruit. He grins his thanks and the two keep fighting.

Anong keeps hopping from boat to boat fighting pirates till she is right next to the pirates boat. The captain, not happy that one fighter had beaten so many of his men, had his boat ram the smaller market boat causing it to sink.

(Help! I can’t swim!) Anong flails and sinks in the water. Panic grips her; she doesn't know what to do. But then she feels something small grab her and drag her to the surface.

Leif and Anong break the surface and take deep big breaths “hold on Anong i’ll get you to shore” the Frog women starts swimming to shore as Anong holds on ot her like a life preserver

(no Leif take me to the pirate boat) Anong points to the pirates ship

“Really you want to keep fighting?” Leif says but starts swimming to the pirate ship.

Once alongside it Anong looks down at Leif (sorry about this) before Leif can question what she meant. The Thai woman uses the frog as a stepping stone and jumps off her back and onto the pirate ship. Leif meanwhile was pushed deep underwater and thanked frog she was an amphibian.

Anong meanwhile starts fighting pirates on the ship. Punching pirates infront of her, kicking pirates behind her. And giving the captain an elbow in the throat for ramming her. She hears some noise on the docks and sees the city guard had finally arrived and were driving back the pirates. She sees Godfrey chopping at the rope of pirate ships causing the pirate boats to float down stream. He chops one last rope and Leif feels the boat lurch.

Godfrey realizes he just stranded Anong on the pirate ship and calls out to her. Anong then hears Leifs Voice and sees the frog woman in the water motioning for her to jump. With one last punch to the captain’s face Anong leaps overboard. Leif grabs the human woman and takes her to shore.

###

The trio where the heroes of the night, they had foiled the pirates plan to raid everything they could before the guards showed up and were showered with gifts from grateful stall owners. Most of those gifts being in the form of food and drink.

The trio celebrated Anong looks down at leaf (sorry i used you as a jumping board)

“That's ok but if you do it again i'm chopping off your hair with godfreys ax” Godfrey laughs as he translates for the women. And Anong grabs her hair in distress, imagining being bald.

Finally the grateful people bring out the alcohol

“Yes foreign spirits!” Godfrey cheers

Leif just rolls her eyes knowing where this is going, but Anong speaks up (are you sure we have some strong drinks, like that one is made from a coconut-)

Godfrey downs it in one go “another” the locals are now interested to see tis foreign man drink

(this one is made from sugar cane) Godfrey drinks it like a shot “what else you got?”

(how much rice wine can you handle?) turns out he drank three locals under the table

(lets see him handle snake wine) he drains the bottle and eats the snake “crunchy”

Eventually the locals give up, call him a monster and just give him several bottles of whatever they got.

(i’ve never seen anyone drink like you Godfrey) Anong says amazed

“I don’t know if khmer has a god of alcohol but you probably just made him proud” Leif chuckles

Goddfrey, completely drunk now, looks at his female companions. He then looks to Anong with blurry eyes and says “vere mulier pulchra es. turpe est quod velis celare” he then puts his head down and starts snoring.

(what in shiva’s name did he just say?) Anong asks looking at Leif

“Don’t look at me” the frog woman complains “it wasn’t English, or norse, or whatever it is you people speak.”

The women laugh knowing they have no idea what the other is saying. Taking their rewards to share with the slums they help their drunk friend back home. It had been a good night.

And Anong can’t help but blush on how the large man had looked at her while they were celebrating.

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Leif and Godfrey had spent months in Nakhon Thong at this point. Finally Anong had to admit to the duo that she just could not find anyone in the city that they could give the seed to. She was afraid the duo would hate her. But they instead comforted the woman. She did remember hearing of a large temple in the empire called Angkor Wat. but it was on the other side of the empire. But without any other leads the duo agree to travel to it.

The two humans and Frog were bartering for supplies in the market. Godfrey was haggling for some bags so they could carry their supplies. Meanwhile Leif and Anong were buying dried rice for the long journey.

But really the women were having fun trying to guess each other's language as they pointed at items in the market and said the name in their respective language.

(that is a Dragon fruit) Anong point at the spiky pink fruit

(dragon fruit) Leif mimics “did i say that right”

Aniong just laughs (i know you have no idea what i’m saying but i love you Leif. you have made my life so much more fun)

Leif laughs as well “Anong i’m so glad we met you. Godfrey and i would be living in the jungle without your help”

Leif notices Anong blushing at the mention of Goddfrey’s name “oh! Do you have a crush on Goddfrey? Ah frog dang it, this language barrier sucks. How can i gossip if we can’t even talk!”

Anong chuckles at Leif's frustration. She then starts to barter for rice. Leif notices some shifty men sneaking up on them “Anong something is going on.”

Anong turns just in time for a man to lunge at her. She managed to punch him away but several more gang up on her. She manages to take a few out but one gets lucky and puts a bag on her head. Now blind she lashes out and the men manage to grab her and drag her away.

“Let her go!” Leif shouts, shooting her tongue at one of the kidnappers trying to tie Anong up.

The thug just gags in disgust and kicks Leif away (what do we do about that monster?)

(were only being paid to deliver the fighting girl with the tiger headband leave it) the kidnappers run off

“GODFREY!” Leif starts hopping over the crowd till she sees her viiking friend weighed down by bags. “Godfrey help!” she hops on top of citizens causing more than one to fall over by the unexpected weight. Finally she lands in front of Goddfrey “Godfrey Anong’s been kidnaped!’

“WHAT!” Godfrey instantly drops everything and pulls out his ax “what happened?”

“We were buying rices when some thugs ganged up on her over there” Leif points to the distant market stalls

“EVERYONE OUT OF OUR WAY!” Godfrey shouts and the crowd makes way for the angry viking

They reach the spot where the kidnapping took place “did you see where she was taken?” godfrey asks store owners who shake their heads

“Wait, I'm getting something,” Leif says, licking the dirt on the street.

“What are you doing?” Godfrey asks confusion overriding his anger

“Tracking. I taste Anong. She taste like Human sweat, chilies, durian, and a slight scent of tiger thanks to that headband” Leif stands up “this way”

As they start running Goddfrey asks “you can taste people? Do i have a taste?”

“Do you really want to know? You humans don’t exactly taste or smell good by my peoples perspective you know.” Leif says shooting a dirty look behind her

Goddfrey thinks of some of his smeller friends back in the norse lands “good point”

“Good, I think we are getting closer. Do you have my spear?” Leif asks, Godfrey tosses her the small spear.

They turned the corner and saw the biggest building they had seen in the city. It had high walls and towering spires covered in gold leaf.

“Is this a palace?” Godfrey realizes they are in the richest part of town now. A place they had never even dared visit before “are you sure Anong is in there?”

Leif turns and gives a nod

###

Anong meanwhile is tossed roughly on the ground in the palace. The thugs take the bag off her head and she sees her least favorite person in the whole empire.

(Seriously Rong?! You lose some money because I wouldn't cheat and you kidnap me!)

The fat “doctor’ laughs (oh that is only part of it. You see little girl your going to help me get in good with the Oknha)

Anong snorts (little? The only thing bigger that you got is your gut… and maybe your boobs)

Rong slaps Anong across her face for your joke (joke all you want, but it’s the Oknha’s birthday today. And your going to entertain hm with your fighting skills)

(and why would i do that for a fat slob that doesn't even do his job) Anong spits in Rongs face

The fat man squirms (so unsanitary. And you won’t have a choice. There are a lot of men that want a piece of you after all the times you beat them. Pulse there are soldiers that don’t like the idea of a woman being better at Bokator than them.)

(So what your plan is to have me fight till I die for the nobles' entertainment?)

Rong shrugs at Anong’s question (pretty much)

(you're sick. There's no way this will work) Anong says

Rong laughs (well who is going to help you. Your life is worth less than a slave’s in this palace. And none of that rift raft that you live with will get into this palace.) Rong then turns to his cronies (get her ready. We need to make sure she looks presentable for the Oknha)

###

In the throne room a large banquet was going on. The best dishes in the empire were presented. The most important people in the city were gathered and talking pleasantries. Entertainment was varied and enjoyable. From jugglers, to animal displays, and Khon masked dancers.

The Oknha, more or less the governor of the city. Was a middle aged man that was a distant cousin to the emperor, he was only slightly overweight and had a tired air about him. Besides the fancy clothes he wore, the biggest symbol of his station is a golden hat that looked like a spire on his head.

He was having a enjoyable birthday. Except for Rong the hospital director keep trying to rub elbows with him. The man was insufferable and thought he deserved more than his station. Unfortunately it was Rong’s turn to present his gift

(honorable Oknha, for your birthday I have prepared some entertainment. A display of Bokator fighting like you have never seen it before)

The Oknha raises an eyebrow. He had heard the military bokator was impressive. He watches as a ring is set up in the throne room. Fighters wearing embroidered boxing shorts and headbands lined up. His eyes paused on a tall dark skinned one with a tiger headband and white embroidered vest. The Oknha motions rong over (is that a woman. Why is there a woman at a fighting presentation?)

Rong chuckles (this woman is the best fighter in the city. So good we have to handicap her) the Oknha looks and sees a length of ropes between her wrists and ankles. He doesn't think this is fair but lets it slide.

Rong signals for the fighting to begin. One by one fighters challenge the woman. But despite her limited motion she still managed to beat them. The Oknha was impressed. After the last opponent was defeated Rong was about to say something. But a General beats him to it. The local general was incharge of the soldiers in Nakhon Thong and being so close to the border of the empire had seen his share of battles.

(The woman is a fantastic fighter. But her style is not quite Bokator. What is it?)

The women raises her eyes (i call it muay thai)

(you made it yourself!? That is even more impressive. Still these fights have been for sport. I would love to see how your “Muay Thai” stands up against the military Bokator. If the Oknha allows it) the General addresses the Oknha at the end and the governor nods his approval.

The General quickly gathers several of his best men. They enter the fighting ring with wooden weapons. One approaches the woman with a knife. She looks nervous when the soldier just cuts her ropes with it. (now it’s a fair fight)

The general signals for the fight to begin. The soldiers come one by one to test her skills. With Their wooden weapons they had better reach. But the woman alway managed to get in close and was able to force her opponents to the ground. She did get hit a few times though. Bruises started to appear on her arms and face.

Still she managed to beat them all and was panting from exertion.

(wonderful) the general calls (i’ll admit it hurt my pride, but seeing such martial prowess was amazing) the rest of the guests applaud. But then Rong signals and his personal bodyguards start to move in on the woman. She puts her exhausted hands up ready to fight

(really Rong) the Oknha says to the fat man next to him. (this has been entertaining but she has fought enough)

(we haven't seen how she faces multiple opponents yet) Rong sighs (also i wanted to shield you from this information but this woman is a criminal. She has harassed the poorer sections of the city for years, and constantly harrasses my hospital. I was hoping that she could entertain us with some sport before justice was dealt but it is too dangerous to sentence her while she can fight back)

The Oknha was offended. Who was this man to presume he could dispense justice? That was his job. He was about to voice his protest when Rong signals for the fight to begin.

Groups of Rong’s men gang up on the woman. The Oknha had to admit it was impressive. The woman was practically dancing, never staying in one place long enough for her enemies to get behind her. But there was a different feel to it now. The woman was no longer fighting as an expert. But fighting for pure survival.

The Oknha was about to call for the general to end the fight when some commotion was heard from the hall. The guests look up from the fight when the doors are kicked from their hinges and a giant pale man wearing furs runs in with a creature on his back

“Til orrustuslag!” the Giant shouts as he used the blunt side of heis ax to knock several guards to the ground

(Godfrey!) the woman yells happily and renews her fight

(what in Shiva’s name is that!) the Oknha exclaims

(that’s one of the woman’s criminal friends. We can’t let him get to her) Rong says panicky

The Oknha wasn’t sure about that but at the same time he couldn’t have intruders in his palace. The general sends all the guards in the room to apprehend the stranger.

Guards and Rong’s men attack the giant. But the giant is so full of rage he uses his ax as a club knocking his opponents out of the way. One gets two close and the giant grabs him by one hand showing off the size difference before tossing the guard away.

The woman meanwhile was fighting her way through her opponents to get to the giant. Dodging and weaving she finally get to him and they get back to back

(thanks for coming) the woman says

“Sorry we took so long” the giant says

The Oknha was very confused; if they were criminals, why on earth would they dare come to the most heavily guarded spot in the city just to save each other. Could criminals be that loyal? Before he could ponder further he sees something jump off the giant’s back. It hops from head to head getting close. The Oknha is afraid it is coming for him but then he realizes it is heading for Rong. it lands in front of Rong pointing a small spear to the man’s gut.

The Oknha realize this thing isn’t even human. It is some sort of pink monster covered in slime and with horns on it’s head “let Anong go you fat monster” what in the name of the gods did it just say?

Rong is sweating in fear but tries to bluster his way through (you don’t scare me monster. With the Oknha’s help we'll beat all you beasts) Rong was feeling really confident , until he felt the knife at his throat.

###

Leif wasn’t sure how useful her spear would be on the fat man. Until the royal looking man next to Rong put his knife at Rong’s throat (Rong you have been lying through your teeth this whole day. I want some real answers now. Why is there a Rakshasa and a Bheki in my throne room!)

All fighting immediately stops as the royal man holds the knife to Rong. Rong sweats but doesn't answer. So the royal looking man turn to her (you horn creature tell me what is going on)

“What did you say?” Leif asks

(what did you say?) the royal looking man says

Godfrey raises his hand now that the fighting had stopped “ah i can translate if you like”

(Giant get over her) the royal orders

Causely the two fighters approached (I am the Oknha, the governor for this city, now tell me why you all broke into my palace!)

“For starters this fat sorry excuse for a doctor kidnapped Anong” Leif says

(why would he do that?) the Oknha says

(because he hates me) Anong says (ever since i refused to fix a fight for him he was out to get me. Plus he hates slum people like me messing up his hospetal. He always turns me and my neighbors away when we try to go to the hospital)

(what!) the Oknha eyes nearly bulge out (you have been refusing people at the hospital?)

Rong looks indignant (they are drains on society and taxes. Why should we help people who don’t benefit the empire?)

The Oknha screams in Rong’s face (i don’t care what you think of them! the emperor built that hospital and if he finds out we haven't been maintaining it right we are all dead!) several nobel men and government figures agree after hearing that

(plus they are only drains on society because you won’t help them get well enough to work!) Anong says (they would work if they could, but they are so sick i have to do all the jobs just to help the slums)

“I can testify to that” Godfrey adds “since i’ve met her she has done every job under the sun. wither it’s in the jungle, city, or river”

(that’s where i recognize her) a guard says, everyone stares at the interrupting guard (oh, it's just a few weeks ago when the pirates attacked i saw those two fighting them off till the soldiers could arrive)

(i saw them too) another guard chimes in (we got reports of a rampaging elephant but by the time we got their these three had already calmed it down)

Other guards start commenting on the reports they had heard of the trio’s adventures in the city

(Rong are you telling me you were going to make the heroes of the city fight to the death, FOR MY BIRTHDAY!) the Oknha yells

Rong puts on some false confidence (really you are going to believe them? If these three are so great why haven't we heard of them till now?)

The Oknha is about to respond to that when a servant runs into the room (there is a huge angry mob at the gates of the palace. They are demanding you release Anong as well as her giant friend and his pet frog!)

Godfrey holds back a laugh at the mention of pets “what did he say?” Leif asks

The Oknha finally puts away his knife (well there's your answer Rong. I've been relying on word of mouth too much. But even if this city is far away from Angkorit’s my job to make sure it is run well. It’s either that or loose my head. General arrest this man and strip him of all his titles)

The general signals his guards (what no!) Rong begs as he is dragged away

(i’m sorry but you can only blame yourself for not following the empire’s laws) the Oknha says he then turns to the trio (as for you three, you will help me calm the mob then i want to hear the whole story for why a woman in my city has this foreign creatures at her beck and call.)

“I’m a human” Godfrey says

“I’m a frog” chirps Leif

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Time had passed and the trio of Leif, Godfrey, and Anong were coming back to Nakhon Thong on the back of a water buffalo pulled cart.

After they crashed the Oknha’s birthday party they thought they were dead. But instead the Oknha listened to them. It turned out while he believed the city to be the backwater of the empire he took his job seriously. Mostly because he was scared of the repercussions if the city fell apart.

They had told the Oknah and his court their mission, showing him the seed and the box. Several government officials nearly messed their pants when Leif opened the box to reveal real magic.

Thankfully the Oknah was a superstitious man and didn’t want to get in the way of a mission that involved Svarga, Naraka, or it’s inhabitants. Knowing it would take too long to get to the Angkor Wat in the capital he knew of a temple complex based on it less then a week away. He agreed to send the trio there after dealing with the mess Rong had left for him.

For someone like Anong who grew up in slums her whole life seeing a nobleman actually do his job and take care of the citizens was like a miracle to her. She still didn’t believe it and had Godfrey pinch her several times. Though she regretted it after the viking started to enjoy it a little too much.

But the Oknah kept his word he made sure the hospital was open to everyone in the city and personally led carts to the slums to take them to the hospital. They then had to deal with Rongs deep seated corruption, apparently the fat doctor had connections with every unsavory group in the city. The Oknah sent his army to mop up the criminal and the general even recruited Godfrey and Anong to help. The general was impressed by Godfreys strength and Anong’s fighting skill. Proposing a rematch between her and his men in a less threatening environment. Even Leif helped by simply standing there and making the more superstitious criminals believe the army had monsters on their side.

Anong did send word through Boribun to warn the people she liked in the gambling rings that the army was cracking down. Though honestly she wasn’t too sad to see them go. And with how popular her fights were at the party, she toyed with the thought of maybe making a legal version of her fights.

After that the Oknah had arranged for the trio to travel to the hindu temple he knew of in the jungle. The trip was long and uneventful. They were well greeted by the monks who allowed them to plant the blue acorn.

That day Leif could barely believe they were about to accomplish what they had come to the empire to do. Godfrey reverently handed the seed to her and she planted it in a courtyard surrounded by statues of hindu gods and goddesses. The hindu monks watched reverently, even a few buddhist monks were there watching curiously. In less than a minute a sprout of an oak tree grew from the ground. It’s bark a slight blue color. All the holy men present began offering prayers and the head monk promised the Frog that they would hold this tree sacred for as long as the temple stood.

###

All this led back to know with the three friends on the cart on the way back to Nakhon Thong

“I can’t believe it after all this time we are finally moving on to the next stage of our quest” Godfrey smiles

“I know. It doesn't seem real.” Leif smiles looking down at the box in her hands. Two of the gems were barley colored with only one bright green gem. “What do you think the next seed will be?”

“Well we had a Alder tree seed and a oak tree seed so it can be anything” Godfrey says

(I hope it’s a fruit tree, then we can eat it) Anong says

“Well if we ever come back to the empire we will let you know” Godfrey says

(what are you talking about i’m coming too) Anong declares

Godfrey blushes “wha-? No, no, our quest is too dangerous . I mean we can’t let you do that.”

Anong rolls her eyes (oh please you two would have been lost without me. And I think it’s established that I am a great fighter.” Anong jabs the air a few times

“Anong has a point” Leif says “the danger didn’t stop you from following me, and we can use the help”

Godfrey slumps in defeat as the girls giggle. But then Leif gets serious “but will the slums be ok without you? Your the heart and soul of your community after all”

Anong looks sad (i don’t want to leave them. I still feel like they need me. But you guys need me to. the Oknha promised me he would take care of the people, but I never left home like this before.)

Leif gives her human friend a comforting hug. Godfrey puts a gentle hand on her shoulder and says “sometimes the decision between two good choices can be harder than the decision of a good and bad choice.”

Leif looks at the calamity box. She could relate to that statement.
Anong perks up (your right. We just need to go through that portal, hide one more seed, and then we stop the invasion of the monster amphibians)

Godfrey gives a hearty laugh “yes, with us three friends together nothing can stop us” the two humans look down at their frog companion to see her looking depressed

“My people aren't monsters”

The humans realize their mistake “oh leif were sorry we didn’t mean-”

“It’s ok” Leif says, not really meaning it “it’s just… for a long time it was just me and my friends Barrel and Andrias. I thought the good times would last forever and that nothing could shake our bond. Now I'm a traitor to my own people. My best friend is on a route of self destruction, and Barrel? He spared me but at what cost? At worst he could be executed.” Leif starts to cry

Anong picks her up and gives her a hug. Leif continues once she calms down a little

“I had to steal the box, for both our worlds sake. But how many innocents have to suffer because of me? The citizens of Amphibia's lives are ruined because i stole our greatest treasure. The power and wealth will run out and then who knows what will happen? They were not part of the invasions, it’s not right they have to suffer!”

Godfrey thinks on her word then clears his throat “it is a shame when the bad decisions of leaders hurt their citizens. I don’t pretend to know what your world is like. But it sounds like your king would raid and then give wealth to his people. But can I ask, was that wealth evenly spread through the kingdom?”

Leif thinks. The honest answer was no, the further you got from Newtopia the more primitive the settlements became. She shakes her head no.

Godfrey sighs “this will be hard to hear, but you really did a good thing. Even us vikings didn’t destroy the lands we invaded, we took what we wanted but left the land so that they could rebuild and make it worth us coming again. In Fact not all of us are raiders. We also have trades with many lands. A country can not survive just by taking. It has to build and give to. Your people may suffer for a while. But for those that have generous hearts. They will survive and rebuild”

Anong nods (it’s true you have to be good stewards of the land. If our empire doesn't take care of the waterways that grow our rice, it would crumble in no time) she gives Godfrey time to translate then continues (your king and his cronies may fall apart not knowing how to take care of themselves without this box. But people survive, just look at me and the people in the slums. Yeah it sucks but we survive)

The cart driver calls out that they have arrived. The trio turn to see the outskirts of the city where the slums are. Anong smiles then says (and when we survive we have a chance to make a better future.)

All around the slums were being transformed workers were rebuilding houses while doctors were treating the sick and hurt. The trio recognize some of the workers to be the residents who finally had the strength to work again thanks to the medicine they were given. All around there was a feeling of hope. And at the center of it all was the Oknha giving orders.

The trio approach and the Oknha greets them. Soon the entire slums are surrounding the three greeting them and asking questions. Finally the Oknha gets some order and asks if their mission was a success. The trio confirm and the crowd cheers.

(Very good, it is an honor to know that I have helped make the empire safe.) the Oknha says

(and I'm sure it has nothing to do with making yourself look good for the emperor) Anong says with a sly smile.

The Oknha coughs and looks away

“She really doesn't like politicians does she?” Leif asks

“Well with how they have treated her and the slum folk so far can you blame her?” Godfrey answers.

(Anyway, you will like to know that the rebuilding of the slums is going well. We were able to repair most of the homes but some are beyond repair like that one) the Oknha points to a house missing half a wall and on the ground (we will have to demolish it)

(hey that's my house) Anong complains

The Oknha is unimpressed (i stand by what i said)

Anong sighs (I guess it works. We really only need to stay in it one more time before we continue the quest)

The Oknha is surprised (you're leaving so soon?)

Leif shows him the box “there is still one gem and one seed to hide. Now that we are done in the empire we need to continue our quest before the magic runs out”

The Oknha nods (I understand but we will send you off with fanfare.)

###

That night the trio shared their last meal in the slums. All the residents were crying and saying their goodbyes to Anong who sacrificed everything to take care of them. They said goodbye to Leif, they had grown to love the funny little frog lady. And they said goodbye to Godfrey. Though he looked like a tall pale ghost his strength had helped the slums many times.

When all was said and done the three friends sat on what was left of Anong’s roof and watched the stars. They had gone through so much and were going to miss Nakhon Thong. Especially Anong since she had spent her whole life in the city. But together with friends. They believed all would be well.

The next morning they woke up on the roof to see half the city gathered in the slums. As soon as they saw the trio awake they cheered. The noise blew whatever sleep they had away.

“What are they all doing here?” Godfrey asks staring at the cheering crowd

“Well Anong is pretty popular in the city. I see farmers that hired her. Those guys from the elephant incident, the people that bet on her, half the shop owners, and her friends from the warehouse”

(wow i never knew i was so popular) Anong says proudly (and don’t count yourself short. You two did help with my job and saved the city from pirates. I’m sure the city will miss you too)

The three get off the roof and Anong is instantly kidnaped by her friends from the market. Godfrey and Leif shrug and get dressed. Leif puts on her simple tunic and hood and places her horned viking helmet on, and her spear and shield on her back. She then picks up the box. Godfrey put on his full armor and furs. He was sweltering from the heat but figured they should leave with a bang. The two exit the ruined house to be greeted by a cheering crowd who offered flowers and fruit wherever they went.

“You know i really going to miss this place” Leif says eating a dragon fruit

“Me too '' Godfrey says, taking a bite from a banana. “Though i won’t miss the heat”

They reach the edge of the slums where the city meets the jungle. The Oknha is waiting for them. He greets them but the duo honestly ignore him

“Well at least the most important thing of the empire is coming with us” Lief says

Just then Anong comes through the crowd in a new outfit. She wore loose white pants with sash tied around her waist. Her midriff was bare but she wore a white vest with a tight white blouse similar to the chest binders she used to wear. Her headband from the tiger tail was still in place and her bushy brown hair was tied back using a hair pin band with a frog decoration on it.

“Yeah she is” Godfrey says dreamily

The Oknha speaks up (these three heroes have served this city for a long time. They opened my eyes to problems that I relied on others to solve. They have improved the empire and now must continue their quest from the gods. Let us hear from the keeper of the heavenly artifact)

He gestures to Leif. Anong and Godfrery lift the frog woman up on their shoulders “what is going on?”

Anong chuckles (say something)

Leif blushes but clears her throat “I am not from this world” Godfrey translates Leif's improvised speech “ I am not from the Khmer empire, the norselands, or wherever my box will send us next. When I came my only desire was to hide something too dangerous for my people. But having seen how brave, creative and good humans are. I knew I had to do more to protect this land. I am just a small frog but there has been so much hospitality in this strange and dangerous land. We all may be small things but with our actions each day we have made great things come to pass. THANK YOU!”

The crowd cheers. The humans put Leif down (good speech, better than the Oknha’s) Anong says

“Thanks” Lief then opens the box. The crowd ooo’s and ah’s as the portal opens up in a new land.

(this is incredible. It must be written down so future generations can know) the Oknha says gesturing to a scribe who was furiously writing down what was happening on palm leaf paper.

Leif takes a deep breath. She had no idea what to expect this time, but with Godfrey and Anong by her side she felt a lot more confident then the last time she walked through this portal. With one last wave to the people of the Khmer empire they walked through the portal

###

End chapter

###

To be continued in Heroes of Calamity Ancients part three the Song Dynasty.

Chapter Text

The trio exit next to a wheat field. They see peasants harvesting it, grinding the wheat and making dough out of it. The villagers look a little bit like the Khmer people but their complexion was a bit different. Their skin tone was more beige. With slanted eyes and black hair under straw hats.

“What are they Making “ Leif asks

(Looks like noodles) Anong says.

“Where are we this time?” Godfrey says

(i might have a idea, but i need to check some things first) Anong says

“Well it’s not as hot as Khmer so i’m good” Godfrey says then turns to Leif “is the box ok?”

Leif looks at the box and all the gems were gray now with only the slightest spark of color. She rattles the box and hears something. She opens it and pulls out a tiny bright green bean shaped seed “I’ve never seen a seed like this?”

“Me either” godfrey says

“Here Anong you can hold on to the seed, keep it safe” Leif hands it to Anong

(thank you) Anong puts the seed in a small pouch and hides it.

The trio walks up to the building “excuse me can you help us?” Godfrey asks

(Barbarians) the villagers scream and run off

“I’ve been called worst but still that's annoying” Godfrey says

(it sucks knowing that was directed to me too) Anong says

“You understood that? It wasn’t Khmer” Godfrey says

(that is strange, but yes, must be the box’s power like it affected you) Anong says (and i know where we are now)

“Really where?” Godfrey asks curiously

(china) Anong says (i can tell by the people and buildings)
“You have been here before?” Godfrey asks

(oh heavens no) Anong says (every now and traders come and visit the empire. They find us “barbarians” amusing) she says barbarians with finger quotes

“Doesn't sound like you have a high opinion of them” Godfrey says amused

Anong snorts (here's what i know of china, it’s big, to the north, and they think they are the center of the universe. The traders that visit usually think it’s radical that women run the market stalls but call it “typical for barbarians”. So yeah i doubt they appreciate a girl like me)

“So anyone that isn’t Chinese is a barbarian to them?” Godfrey says

(yep) Anong says

“Hello frog that barely understands english here i could use some explanations” Leif says feeling forgotten by the humans.

After apologizing to their small companion, the trio head deeper in the village. The citizens were shocked to see barbarians wandering around. Some were terrified, but others thought it was a novelty. The trio could hear women gossiping, farmers murmured, and shifty looking men plotting about these strangers.

Godfrey had to admit he felt more out of place here then in Khmer, but so long as they could finish their quest he didn’t mind. They find a villager willing to talk to them. They asked if there was any holy place they could hide something sacred and the villiger actually knew of a buddhist monastery a few days to the west.

The trio cheer and ask where they could shop for supplies and information. The villager points them to a shop that sold travel goods.

“Excuse me we were wondering if we could trade for supplies and information” Godfrey greets.

The store owner a middle aged man turns towards them (aw customers what supplies do you need)

“Well first of all we aren't from here, we would like to trade some of our valuables for your currency.” Godfrey explains

(aw you need Jiaozi) the store owner says

(Jiaozi?) Anong asks

The store owner pulls out paper with symbols on them (yes this is the currency of the future. No more carrying around heavy coins)

Godfrey looks at it skeptically, “this paper is money?”

(yes, i’m sure you have something i can trade in exchange for my precious Jiaozi)

Godfrey feels for his bag of silver no sure about this, but Anong pulls him into a huddle (let me do the haggling i had to do it a lot back home)

Godfrey still wasn’t convinced but handed Anong his bag of silver, he and Leif were then pushed out of the store so Anong and the store owner could haggle in peace.

The frog and viking wait outside. Godfrey leans on a post while Leif stares at the music box “you doing ok Leif? “

Leif sighs “the box is nearly powerless now. I can feel it.” she looks around the village “our quest is almost done, but will it have the power to send me back home? And even if it does, what do I do? I’m a wanted fugitive from my country. And the only one of my kind in this country. Maybe if i could live with you or Anong i would be alright, but i’m always going to be a outsider in this world”

Godfrey tries to think of something to comfort her. But before he can say anything a little boy walk up to Leif points and says “Jin Chan, Jin Chan” the boy’s mother comes and takes the boy away but giggles at Leif first

“What did he say?” Leif asks

“It sounded a little funny but I think he either says money toad or lucky frog?” Godfrey says with a smirk

“I’m a frog not a toad” Leif says indignantly

“Yes but you have been very lucky for Anong and I.”

“What?” Leif says incredulity “you two have been in danger ever since I met you!”

Godfey laughs “not always, mostly just when we are trying to save you. But you showed me a world larger than I could ever imagine, and gave me a chance to be more than my past. You helped Anong make a better life for her people, and you gave us both a chance to change the world. I say that’s pretty lucky.”

Leif blushes but Godfrey continues “plus there is one other great thing you have done for us.”

“What’s that?” Leif says curiously

“You have given us the fortune of being your friend. Anong and I wouldn't trade that for all the wealth in the world.”

“Oh Godfrey” Leif hops up and hugs her friend.

Godfrey laughs and returns the hug “our quest is almost over but we still have a long way to go. We’ll figure out the rest after we plant the seed. But i’ll tell you one thing box or no box i’m going back to the Norse lands. I miss home”

“Hee hee” Leif laughs “you don’t even know where the Norselands are from here

Godfrey mockaly throws his hands in the air “don't remind me, i’ll make a boat if i have too.”

The two laugh when Anong comes out of the shop “how the haggling go?” they ask

Anong grins (I traded half your silver for a ton of Jiaozi, a cart with supplies, an ox to pull it, a map, and I could have taken his first born son but I decided I didn't want it, especially since he would be married with kids at this point.)

Anong’s companions are shocked at how good of a haggler she was before they remembered she managed to feed an entire slum with her odd jobs back home.

The store owner comes from behind the shop leading the cart and grumbling. He sees Leif then complains (well no wonder you were so good you have a Jin Chan)

(a what?) Anong asks

The store owner walks back into his shop then comes out with a little statue of a three legged toad with red eyes sitting on a pile of coins and a coin in its mouth

“That looks nothing like me.” Leif complains

“Just be glad it seems to be a good luck symbol around here, could you imagine what they would do to us if they thought you were bad luck?” Godfrey says

Leif sighs and hops on the chart “thank for helping us on our quest, I hope your store does well mister”

(What?) the store owner says

(she says your store has her blessing for helping us) Anong says climbing on to the cart.

The store owner rubs his hands greedily and smiles going back into his shop

The three companions head off to the west. Godfrey driving the ox cart while Leif and Anong rested in the back

(Now we just need to find this temple and our quest will be done. This should be easy) Anong says

“You know the saga’s back home say you shouldn't tempt fate like that” Godfrey says from the front

(ah what do they know?) Anong brushes him off.

But Leif smiles. The last stage of their quest had begun.

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Traveling to the temple was relatively easy. The trio followed the muddy roads to the mountains. Along the way they stopped by many villages. The locals were interested to see barbarians this deep into China but they were more interested in the Jin Chan that traveled with them. Believing it would bring them luck the villagers were more than hospitable.

Eventually they reach the temple in the mountains. They leave their cart and climb stone steps. At the top they see a huge pagoda with several smaller temple complexes next to it. In a courtyard they see Buddhist monks in warm orange robes praying. In a nearby courtyard they see Shaolin monks practicing martial arts. The trio were very impressed.

“Have you ever seen anything like this before?” Leif asks holding the calamity box

(The buddhist back home weren’t this rich) Anong says in awe

Godfrey gives a long whistle “this monastery isn’t anything like the ones in Britania” he then gives a devilish grin as he imagines a raid on a monastery like this.

A monk practicing tai chi sees the strangers stop and approaches them (what brings you here barbarians?… is that a jin chan?)

Godfrey rolls his eyes at the word Barbarian but he had more important things to do. “Greetings honorable monks. We are strangers to this land on a quest that involves magic and other realms. We would like to speak to the head of your order about getting assistance for our quest.”

The monk does not look convinced. But takes a look at Leif and nods (very well. I will speak to the Zhùchí, please do not go anywhere)

“What's going on?” Leif asks

“He’s grabbing the Abbot for us” Godfrey says “so i guess we have some time to kill”

Leif and Godfrey look to the courtyard where monks are meditating and praying “it’s so peaceful” Leif smiles

Their hear Anong laugh, they turn and see her looking at the monks martial arts (they call that fighting i could take these guys”

One monk overhears her. (martial arts is not about combat but the focus of body and mind.)

Anong laughs again (for a form like that one i can buy that) she points to some monks practicing Tai chi (but others like that one are obviously for fighting,) she points to another group practicing shaolinquan. (they need more practice)

(Is that a challenge?) the monk says angrily

(not very spiritual. but sure what are we playing for?” Anong gets in a fighting stance

“My money is on Anong” Leif says

“Agreed but really Anong we don’t want trouble… yet.” Godfrey says also wanting to see the fight.

They are interrupted by another monk telling the trio that the Zhùchí was ready to see them. They follow the monk to the pagoda. There an older bald monk in an orange robes is waiting for them sitting in a crossed legged position. (greetings brother and sisters. I am the Zhùchí. I hear you need help?)

Anong and Leif sit in front of him, also crossed legged. Godfrey tries but just keeps failing so he chooses to simply sit on his butt. Leif clears her throat and gets ready for her friends to translate her story. “My name is Leif, I am a frog from a world called Amphibia. This box had the ability to connect our worlds. But my king wanted to use it to invade your world. So I stole the box and have been hiding the power.”

She motions to Anong to show the Zhùchí the seed. The Abbot was impressed by the little thing. “The power has been put into these seeds. I’ve hidden one in each of my companions' home countries, and now the box has led me here to hide the last seed in this country. I beg for your peoples help to hide this seed till the time comes for its power to be used to protect both our worlds.”

The Zhùchí looks in deep thought. (a Pagoda tree seed given by a Jin Chan. Yes, this is indeed a sign from Buddha. We will gladly keep this seed that connects the earth to the heavens and Diyu. I do hope you will stay and rest form your journey before you depart again though)

The trio all let out a collective sigh “thank you so much, you can't know how much this means to us” Leif says

The Zhùchí gives a little wave (it is Buddha’s will. If there's anything else we can do to be more hospitable let us know)

Anong gives a sideward look “weeellll… I couldn't help but notice how your temple is filled with martial artist. I’m a bit of a fighter myself. Do you think maybe I could… you know?”

The Zhùchí gives a laugh. (I would love to see the style of my homeland face off against your homeland’s, but for now rest and enjoy Buddha’s hospitality)

###

The trio enjoy a night of rest. The Monks take their ox cart to a stable and give them rooms. They talk to most of the monks over a very simple rice dinner.

Godfrey looks in disappointment at his rice “reminds me of my time with the priests” he says wishing for some meat.

(hey don’t complain, be grateful) Anong says eating her rice with relish.

“I know I just wish it had more flavor like your food.” Anong awes at that “or at least some salt” Leif huffs at that “sorry”

A fly buzzes by and Leif launches her tongue and eats it “yum”

“lucky) her human companions say

###

The next day the monastery is gathered to see Anong face off against the shaolin monks. The monks watch respectfully while Leif hops on Godfry’s shoulders “come on Anong you got a Jin Chan rooting for you!”

Anong chuckles at her cheering section and takes a fighting stance. The monk also takes a stance. A referee signals the beginning of the fight.

Anong charges in but the monk hops away. She keeps trying to get close but the monk keeps spring circles around her. Finally he gets close and sweeps at Anong’s legs, knocking her down. (what did you say about beating us?) the monk says punching down.

Anong rolls back then jumps up. She then gives the monk a knee in the face before he can recover. (you're pretty fast i’ll give you that.)

She rushes forward. The monk tries to hop away. But Anong keeps in his face (I'm not letting you get away!) The monk gives up running and starts a frontal attack.

The fight became a boxing match. The monk uses strong punches but Anong blocks using her arms. He can't get past her defense; she then swipes at his legs knocking him down. (that’s a nice trick) Anong says, giving a finishing punch to her downed opponent.

She then hops up and smiles (who’s next?)
So it goes monk after monk. Their technique was good, she had to admit. But the second they got close, that was her domain. Godfrey and Leif cheered for every victory and soon enough other monks were cheering for her as well. The only ones that were sour were the ones that lost.

One loser was next to Godfrey (how does she fight so hard?)

Godfrey chuckles “you fight for something about inner peace or something. She fights for survival”

The monk huffs (fair, but still this is humiliating. I wonder how she would fight if we tried to take her all at once.)

Godfrey grabs the man by the scruff of the neck and lifts him up to his face “don’t try it” he then drops the monk.

The other monks then give him and Leif a wide berth. They didn’t know how he fought but it was obvious he had raw strength on his side.

Eventually the fights ended. The Zhùchí congratulates Anong (well done young woman, well done. How did you learn to fight like this?)

Anong blushes (well i grew up on the streets had to fight to eat you know.)

The Zhùchí chuckles (you did the best with what you were given) he then turns to the monks she had beat (as for you all I hope you take this as a lesson in humility. It was a good effort by all.)

Anong nods and puts out her hand to her opponents (yeah good fight. No hard feelings I hope?)

The monks look skeptically at her but then nods and returns her handshake. The rest of the monks bow to her and she bows in return.

(now then) the Zhùchí addresses the monastery (get some rest everyone. Tomorrow we will hold a ceremony as our new friend plant a gift from the heavens.)

The trio can hardly believe that their quest was almost over.

###

The next day the whole monastery is gathered in a field with a small shrine in it. The Zhùchí stands in the middle of the crowd with Leif, Godfrey and Among. (These strangers have come with a gift from the heavens. It will be an honor for us to protect this sacred seed.) he then starts chanting a prayer to buddha.

Leif hands the box to Godfrey. She then digs a hole next to the shrine. Anong hands her the pagoda seed. Leif buries it. And by the end of the Zhùchí’s prayer a small tree had grown. All the monks start bowing and praying to buddha seeing this miracle from the heavens.

Godfrey and Anong cheer while Leif cries. Her quest was over.

###

They stayed a few more days. The Zhùchí offered to let them stay but they had decided they had to leave. Anong was busy learning the monks fighting style as well as teaching her style. Godfrey enjoyed watching her and Leif decided to give them alone time. But really she spent a lot of time by herself now wondering what the future would hold.

Eventually the day came to leave. The trio walked down the stone steps. Anong was held up by a monk who wanted last minute tips on his fighting form. So Godfrey and Leif walked down by themselves.

“So now what Leif?”Godfrey asks

Leif sighs “I don't know. I don’t even know if the box has any energy left to take me home let alone you and Anong.”

Godfrey shrugs, “I guess we're walking then.”

Leif chuckles “that's a good attitude. The thing is we might be able to find Khmere but I have no idea how to get to the Norse lands.”

Godfrey points up “we’ll follow the stars. They are the same wherever you go. I recognize enough to get us home.”

“You mean you home” Leif says

Godfrey smiles and they reach the bottom of the stairs “you are always welcomed in my home Leif. even if you can't return to your world you have a home here.”

“Thank you” Leif says with tears in her eyes

“Your welcome” Godfrey says “I'll go grab our cart.”

Lefi watches the viking walk off and smiles. She looks at the calamity box, the gems faded to gray with only a spark of color in each. Whatever happened next at least she would be with friends.

At least that's what she thought before the bag went over her head and she was roughly carried off

“Godfrey!”

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Men in black had Leif in a bag and were running as fast as they could.

“Hey let her go!” Godfrey sees the kidnaping and leaves the cart behind running as fast as he can

(what’s going on?) Anong starts running from the top of the stairs

“Their kidnapping, Leif!” Godfrey yells. Anong skips five steps at a time as she runs down the stairs.

The two humans run as fast as they can but the kidnapers run into the woods to lose them. The duo keep up the chase but then a man in black ambushes them. He jumps on Anong but she just flips him over. More men come out of the woods. Godfrey slows down but Anong yells at him (Go! I’ll catch up.)

So Godfrey keeps up the chase. Another man tries to stop Godfrey but he just body checks the man like an angry bull. Godfrey exits the woods to see a river with the kidnapers on a boat. He sees them shoving Leif in a barrel “Godfrey!” the terrified woman shouts.

Without a second thought Godfrey jumps in the river and starts swimming toward them. But the boat is too fast and the kidnapers get away. Godfrey hears them laughing as Leif screams for help. Godfrey watches them get away and white hot anger boils over in him “NO!”

###

Anong was tying up the last of the ambushers. She had managed to catch five of the kidnapers. (now that you can’t get away, what are you planning for Leif?) she demands

The kidnaper just spits in her face. Anong growls then hears some wet heavy footsteps behind her. She turns to see Godfrey walking up alone (they got away? Maybe we can get some information out of these scumba- holy Shiva!)

Godfrey grabs his ax and chops down on the kidnapper that Anong had been integrating. Anong and the kidnapers scream.

(what the Vishnu is wrong with you Godfrey? we need them to talk!) Anong says in fear

“Correction we only need one of them to talk, i’m going to kill the ones that don’t and break the bones of the ones that do” Godfrey says with cold fury.

The kidnappers start to squirm but then one speaks (don’t talk men he can’t kill us all)

“thanks for volunteering to go next” Godfrey say grabbing the man and lifting his ax

(no i’ll talk i’ll talk!) the kidnapper begs

“Where are they taking Leif?” Godfrey demands

The kidnaper gulps feeling like he was being integrated by a demon from Diyu (we were going to sell the Jin Chan to the emperor!)

Godfrey drops the kidnapper “so we're going have to wrestle her from the king of this land.” he gripped his ax so tight Anong thought the handle would break

The other three kidnapers look at the one that blabbed (were you going to let him kill us just to get a bigger cut?) (why you son of a-)

(hey) Anong interrupts (where does your emperor live?)

(in Kaifeng, north east of here) a kidnapper says.

Godfrey starts walking north (hey godfrey! I know how you feel but we can't just barge in there we need directions and any information about the emperor that we can. Let's go back to the temple and see what help they can give.)

Godfrey shakes with anger. Then with a mighty yell he swings his ax at a couple of bamboo stalks slicing them clean through before his ax buries itself deep into a tree trunk. “You're right. I know you're right. I’m just too angry to think straight.” he starts to walk into the woods. “I need time to calm down. Can you keep the second part of my promise?”

(what does he mean by that?) one of the kidnapers says in fear

Anong cracks her knuckles (as I recall he said he was going to break the bones of those that he didn’t kill) the kidnapers start to squirm away (don’t worry i’ll just break a limb each)

The forest is filled with the sound of screaming and snapping.

Godfrey walked back to their ox cart. Thoughts of revenge circling his head. But at the foot of the stairs he sees something glinting on the ground. It’s Leif’s horned helmet. She must have dropped it when she was kidnapped. Godfrey picks it up, his anger turning into sorrow for his missing friend. “We’ll find you, Leif, just wait.”

###

Leif was stuck in a barrel. She tried to scream for help but the kidnappers just hit the barrel to make her be quiet. They had taken the box from her so all Leif could do was hug herself and cry. The only light she got came from cracks in the barrel. And the only real time they opened it was to feed and water her.

After days of travel Leif feels her barrel be carried off somewhere. Finally she is unceremoniously dumped in front of an official looking man. He speaks with the kidnapers. The only word Leif catches is Jin Chan. After some negotiations the official looking man hands the kidnapers a large amount of gold and paper money.

To her horror she realizes she just got sold. She screams and tries to get away but the kidnappers are forcing her into the barrel again. The last thing she sees before the lid closes is one kidnappers with a fu manchu and a large birthmark on his forehead holding the calamity box.

###

Leif wakes up in the dark, she feels around and touches bars, she was in some sort of prison. She also feels some cloth, was she being covered? She hears a murmur of voices and all of a sudden the cloth is removed and light floods in. Leif’s eyes adjust and sees a multitude of fancy looking Chinese people staring at her. She sees lavious decorations and guards. so this must be Chinese nobility. Then to her horror she realizes she is in a giant bird cage.

“Let me out please! I can’t stay here!” but Leif’s pleas are ignored. A heavier man in red robes and a black hat looks at her with great interest, says some things and laughs. The other fancy humans laugh with him.

The best Lefi can figure is that this man was important and the rest of these nobles were kissing up to him. For all she knew this was the king of the country. She curls up in a ball as the humans gawk at her as they discuss among themselves and help themselves to food and drink.

Eventually the humans grow bored and leave. Leif just cries but then feels a presence. She looks up and sees there is one human woman left.

The women looked at her not like a prize but with pity. “對不起” the woman says

Leif looks at the woman. She was fairly young wearing a green and yellow robes. She wore less makeup than the other women. Her hair was in a simple buddha bun with most of it reaching down her back as opposed to the elaborate designs of the other court women. Leif stands up to get a good look at her. “你跟我一樣，被迫成為皇帝的漂亮玩具”

She starts to walk away when Leif sees her feet. They were normal. Something Leif had noticed about many of the women in this country had abnormally small feet. “Your feet are different. You're different.”

The woman turns and Lief points to her feet. She quickly covers them with her robes. First she looks scared but then smiles “看來幸運的青蛙注意到了我的小叛逆”

The woman walks away and Leif holds the bars of her cage. “Godfrey, Anong, where are you?”

###

Life in the place was actually very boring for Leif. though she preferred the boredom over being gawked at by the humans. She never felt so humiliated. She was just a pet, a curiosity for an all powerful king. Upon releasing this she swore she would free the mossmen and shadow fish if she ever returned to Amphibia.

The emperor and his court would come by and look at her for the first few days but as time passed she got less and less visitors. But really she preferred it this way. In fact the only frequent visitor besides the guards was the women in green.

The green women would show up at least once a day to check up on Leif. she always gave Leif a pitting look so it made Leif feel like someone in the palace cared about her.

There were a few instances where she knew the green woman was looking out for her. The first time was when Leif refused to eat because she could taste the salt from the food they had prepared her.

The green woman looked at the bowl then complained to the servant “你在想什麼 兩棲類不能吃鹽”

a passing nobel man looks at the women “一個妾怎麼會知道呢?”

The green women blushes then says “我的意思是我聽說鹽可以驅鬼 所以這是有道理的”

Leif wasn’t sure what was said but she knew that after that her food was safe to eat.

Another time when she began to atrophy from sitting in her small cage the women in green had talked to the caretakers and had persuaded them to let her out of the cage. She was more than happy to hop around, but they only let her out with a dozen guards holding onto a rope around her waist.

It was humiliating to be walked like a spider, but she was so desperate to get some fresh air she swallowed her pride.

After a few weeks Leif was loosing hope. She lied on her back waiting for the end. Then she heard some shuffling. She looks and sees the women in green. “你沒事吧？我希望我能提供更多幫助。但法庭不看好我。不過，有一個我可以自由交談的人，即使他們聽不懂，還是很高興”

Day after day the women in green would come and speak to her. Leif got the feeling she was just venting to her, but having lived in the castle in amphibia and having Andrias rant to her constantly about the duties he didn’t like she was used to it.

One day while the woman was talking to her Leif holds up a hand to make her stop. The woman looks at her curiously then Leif point to herself “my name is Leif”

The woman doesn't understand. So Leif point to herself again “Le-if”

The women in green raises a eyebrow “Le-if” Leif hops in happiness a hearing her name

“哦，那是你的名字” the women then points to herself “Zhuli”

Leif cocks her head “Julie?”

“不 Zhu-li” the women smiles

Leif also smiles “nice to meet you Zhuli”

“很高興見到你 Leif” Zhuli says

###

Leif counts the bars of her cage for the thousandth time when guards come and drag her out of the cage. They take he to the throne room and toss her at the feet of the emperor

“金燦應該是幸運的。我沒有比以前更多的財富或財富。這青蛙有什麼用呢?”

The court starts to murmur and Leif knows she is in trouble. She looks around for any help. Then in the corner of the throne room with the rest of the court ladies she sees Zhuli. The young woman looks nervous but once she catches Leif’s eye she begins to move her arms. It takes a moment but Leif realizes that she is mimicking juggling.

Was she supposed to entertain the emperor somehow? She wasn’t an actor, she was a gardener! She took care of flowers, vegetables, and mossmen… Leif had an idea.

The emperor was not happy and was about to order Leif be disposed of when Leif starts moving. She does her hunting dance with all it’s moves and flops. The palace Pekingese joined her. Once she is done she is breathing hard and looking at the emperor.

The emperor burst out laughing, soon the whole court joins in. 一定是一場幸運之舞。她每天都會為我做這些

Leif is returned to her cage. She gives a sigh of relief. She wasn’t sure why but she knew she had just escaped death. She sits in her cage waiting for her next distraction when Zhuli comes in, but this time accompanied by a woman in a blue dress and her hair tied up in elaborate knots and had a small set of drums at her hip.

那是為了封閉柳，當皇帝發現她不會魔法時，他會怎麼做？

The women in blue huffs “我會跟他談談，給他一個迷信的理由要他別打擾她”

Zhulie gets a determined look as she look in Leif’s cage “我正在做。我走了”

The lady in blue lifts a eyebrow “離開你的黃金監獄？哦，還好，少了一個對手。

“我帶著金燦一起” Zhulie says

The woman in blue stares at Zhuli like she had gone crazy. “你瘋了？！皇帝會像追狗一樣追捕你。”

Zhulie bows he head to the women in blue “拜託我需要你的幫忙。你可以讓皇帝相信我們不值得追

The women in blue looks at Zhulie in disgust. But then she looks at Leif then at the drum on her hip. She then sighs “美好的。但宮外的生活是艱苦的，你離開後不要指望我再有什麼恩惠。無論如何我都沒有很大的影響力”

Zhulie smiles “這是一個謊言，我們都知道你有一天會成為皇后”

The woman in blue looks smug and starts to walk away. Zhulie gives one last melancholy smile to Leif than bows at the leaving women “謝謝劉'' and walk in the opposite direction.

Leif has no idea what just happened but felt like it was very important.

###

The next night Leif was awoken by the sound of creaking metal. She opens her eyes and sees Zhuli standing there with the cage open. “跟我來 Leif”

Leif releases their escaping. She hops behind Zhuli following the women through the dark palace. Leif hears commotion all over the palace. Zhuli holds up a hand to make Leif stop. She then shoves Leif under her dress. She hears Zhulie talk to a guard then leave.

Leif comes out of the dress and sees Zhulie in deep thought. “盜賊竟然闖入了皇宮。這既是好事也是壞事。他們不會來找我們，但現在我需要找到一條新的路。通過龍閣應該就安全了。”

“I have no idea what you said, lead on” Leif responds.

Human and frog go through the palace dodging guards when they can. Zhulie leads Leif through a courtyard and up a steep staircase to a grand hall. But when they reach the top they hear guards shouting. Whatever had caused the commotion was here at the pavilion. The two women see two strangers beating up guards. After the last guard was down they turned and faced Zhuli and Leif. Leif gasps as she recognizes them “Godfrey!”

###

End chapter.

Chapter Text

Godfrey was like a hollow shell. It broke Anong’s heart to see the good natured giant so depressed. They walked the bound kidnappers up to the monastery where the monks took them off the duo’s hands.

They meet with the Zhùchí and explain what happened. The old man was lost in thought for a bit (this is not good. A Jin Chan would be a great prize. The emperor and his court will not let her go easily.)

(Is there anything you can do?” Anong begs

The Zhùchí sadly shakes his head (our governmental authority only stretches to the local villages. And I can't appeal to Buddhist teaching because the court is primarily Toaist. If anything that would make the emperor listen to us even less.)

“Then tell us how to get to the capital” Godfrey demands “we'll rescue Leif even if we have to face the entire palace.”

The Zhùchí raises an eyebrow (I admire your courage and loyalty to your friend. But you don’t know what you're talking about) he sighs (but as it so happens I have a group of monks delivering tribute to the capital. They can bring you there and hopefully help you rescue your friend.)

(tribute really?) Anong asks

The Zhùchí sighs (more like taxes and written records that we are governing the area well so that they don’t send pompous bureaucrats to rule over the area)

(I see) Anong says (when can we leave?)

The Zhùchí smiles (buddha willing you can leave in the morning)

###

The monastery allowed the duo to spend the night. But Anong couldn’t sleep. She slips out of her room and finds Godfrey sitting next to the shrine and the seed drinking from a jug

(couldn’t sleep?)

“No” the viking says flatly and offers the jug to Anong “want some? They call it Baijiu”

Anog sniffs the strong alcohol then hands it back (no thanks. This probably isn't the best time to be drinking)

Godfrey snorts a laugh “my buzzed brain says you're right but my thor iron belly says keep drinking till I forget.”

Anong watches as he takes another swig (do you want to forget?)

Godfrey is still for awhile “no” then tosses the jug away

Anong helps him up (we will get her back. But we have to be patient. We don't know this land and have to trust the monks to guide us to the emperor.)

Godfrey growls a bit “it’s just humiliating. A viking losing his prey over water? We are the wolves of the sea Yyr curse it!”

Anong hangs her head (at least you could chase them. I can’t even swim all I could have done is stand on the shore and watch helplessly)

“Don’t beat yourself down, you did your best” Godfrey says

(say did you) Anong counters (lets go we best get some sleep so we can start the chase in the morning)

###

For the next few weeks they travel with the monks to Kaifeng. Along the way Anong is soaking in everything she can learn about martial arts from the monks. She visits with the people in the villages they stay at. And she tries to learn everything she can about the Emperor.

It didn’t look too good. The emperor was considered the son of heaven and never made time for peasants let alone foreigner barbarians. But to save Leif she was willing to try no matter what.

But she was worried about Godfrey. He hardly spoke. He moved like a statue. The man she had grown to like in Khmer had just disappeared. One night she caught him looking at the sky. (hey Godfey what are you doing?)

Godfrey doesn't answer. Anong turns to leave when she finally hears him speak “looking at the stars. They are the same here as in my country.”

(really?) Anong looks up at the star defiled sky

“This world is vast. But some things don’t change no matter where you go.” Godfrey says wistfully

Anong sits next to him and gathers up the courage to ask (Godfrey, are you all right?)

Godfrey hangs his head “no Anong, I am not” Anong waits for him to continue. “I’ve always been an outsider. Whether it was the country I was born in or the country I grew to call home. I was treated like a brother in my clan, but there was always a part of me that knew I was different. I used that difference to my advantage though. I had seen and learned things that the rest of my clan hadn’t and I used that to help. I was honored and respected for this, but I was still different.”

“Then one day Leif appeared on our boat and I was put in charge of her! She was so different from us it made me look normal by comparison. She was alone and afraid in a world so much larger and stranger then she knew. But even though I was a beast to her, I helped her to be safe and calm. I helped her adjust to this different world. Then we learned that the only reason she was here was to protect our world. This wasn’t her home or her people. But she was sacrificing everything to protect strangers.”

“It made me realize that different or not this was my home. And I was just as willing to protect it. If a small frog woman could do it then how could I, as a proud viking man, not do the same? Then we came to Khmer and became lost. We had each other though and we eventually had you, Anong. But we were each other’s rock. I protected her and guided her as we faced the unknown. Even though I'm not as big or strong as the rest of my people she trusted my strength and my knowledge. But I failed her.”

(you didn’t fail her) Anong says

“I did,” Godfrey says. “She was willing to do this quest by herself, but I followed because I believed I could help. But I wasn't clever enough to realize we were being stalked. And I wasn’t strong enough to stop them when they came for her.” Godfrey hangs his head in shame.

(you think you're the only one who feels shame?) Anong says hotly Godfrey turns to her (I grew up in the slums. I know the underbelly of society, but it didn’t even cross my mind that people would want to harm her. I’m faster than you but got held up by mediocre thieves. And I don't have the skills that could save her. I can’t swim, I can't navigate a map, I can't even read to find more information. I’m just a gutter rat.)

She then looks Godfrey straight in the eye (but you and Leif taught me to be proud of who I am. You raised me and my kind from the slums to a better life. You inspired us all to be more and face impossible hardships. You changed my life. You did that Godfrey, you and Leif)

Godfrey tears up “I'm sorry. I’m sorry how i’ve been acting”

Anong hugs him (I miss her too. But we are going to find her. And when we do, do we want her to see two sorry sacks of human beings or do we want her to see us as proud heroes charging in like legends?)

Godfrey hugs Anong “thank you. Let's make this rescue something they will sing saga’s about”

The two humans feel more motivated than ever as they part their hug. They are about to turn in for the night when Anong asks (what's a saga?)

###

The duo travel for a few more weeks till they finally reach the city of Kaifeng. The city was huge with buildings everywhere. They ask the monks where the palace is and the monks point to a huge building walled off and raised above the rest of the city. Anong thought the temples back in the empire were extravagant and Godfrey was disgusted that the ruler would close himself off from the people like that. They arrive at the palace and are ushered to a building right outside. A bureaucrat takes the items the monks had delivered and promptly kicks them out.

(that’s it?) Anong asks

(I'm afraid so) the monk says (we did send a letter of petition to the emperor but honestly he probably won’t even see it.)

“Well we aren’t leaving this city till we get Leif back.” Godfrey declares

The monk sighs (then you will either have to constantly petition till they relent or break into the palace. We can not get involve or risk the wrath of the emperor on the monastery)

“We understand thank you for leading us to the city” Godfrey says

The monk bows then hands a piece of paper to the duo (may Buddha guide you on your quest. This letter is a call for aid for the local monks. Perhaps they can help give you shelter?)

The duo say goodbye. Not sure what else to do, they knock on the palace gate. Nothing happens, so they knock again. And again and again, and again.

Eventually a guardsman is sent out (leave barbarian. You have no business here) the guard says

(actually we do, your emperor has a friend of ours and we want her back) Anong says

The guard laughs (if she is in there she is the property of the emperor now. Barbarians like you have no claim to her)

Godfrey picks the man up and shoves their faces together “Leif is not property. Now how do we get in to see the emperor?!”

The guard nearly wets himself having the pale giant so close. But he clears his throat. (Uh, I can ask about getting you an audience but it will take 8-12 months at least?)

Godfrey gently puts the guard down and dusts him off “thank you, we will be by often to check on our petition” The guard runs back inside “we're going have to break in their aren't we Anong”

(absolutely) Anong concurs

###

Anong and Godfrey manage to get lodging at the local buddhist temple and begin their plot to break into the palace. They needed information, and they needed burglary supplies. The two worked odd jobs around the city to get finances to buy things like rope and other thieving items. They also tried to get whatever information they could about the palace. Trying to get close to the noblemen and other well off people who went to the palace regularly. But they had little luck since the well off of high society didn’t want to associate with barbarians.

Some citizens had grown used to seeing the duo but many were still scared of the foreigners. More than once guards were called on them. Most of the time they were able to talk their way out of the situation. But every now and then a cocky guard tried to arrest them.

Then was severely beaten by a big viking and a female boxer. Honestly the duo was surprised more guards didn’t come after them but figured the losers were too embarrassed to admit they were defeated by barbarians.

They spent weeks planning their heist, if only they could get passed the wall they would take it from there.

One day the two were walking down the street when Godfrey spies a man wearing dark clothing “you!” he shouts

The man sees Godfrey and starts running for his life. Godfrey and Annong start chasing him (who is he?) Anong asks

“He’s one of the ones that kidnapped Leif” Godfey shouts

(he’s mine!) Anong says out running godfrey

The man sees Anong chasing him and tries throwing stalls and trash in her way. Anong just leaps over every obstacle. Seeing he can’t shake her the man turns and tries to fight but Anong dodges his pathetic swing and punches him straight in the face.

When the man looks up there is a very angry viking man and khmer girl looking down at him. They grab him and shove him into an alley “what did you do to Leif?!” Godfrey demands

(what?) the thief asks

(the Jin Chan!) Anong says

(oh) the thief says ( I don’t know what your talking about) Godfrey pulls out his ax (ok we sold it to the emperor weeks ago, that's the last I saw of it)

The duo growl in anger (how do get in their) Annog asks

(you can’t) the thief says

Goddfrey puts his ax close to the thief’s face “you're a thief right? A well organized one to, to kidnap leif like that, surely you must have a idea or two to break into the palace, just in case”

The thief chuckles darkly (even if I did, why would I tell you? You would both be captured immediately after getting over the wall!)

(well then we wouldn’t be your problem anymore would we?) Anong says

(good point) the thief says (fine their is a weak spot in the wall on the east side where the palace meets the river)

The thief explains how the duo can break in. the two make plans then tie up the thief (what are you doing!) he demands in a panic

(well we can’t have you blabbing to anyone what we are planning. Don’t worry well untie you when we’re done) Anong says

(but you're going to get caught, I could be tied up for days before someone finds me!) the thief panics

“Then you best hope that doesn't happen” Godfrey says as he gags the man.

The thief start squirming and mumbling something through the gag

“Can you shut him up, Anong?” Godfrey asks

Anong hits a pressure point knocking out the man (I guess it’s tonight or never)

###

That night the duo creep across the river. They wait till the patrol walks by then using a ridiculous amount of rope to get over the palace wall. On the other side they see immense courtyards and gardens (where could she be?) Anong says

“We just have to look anywhere an emperor would keep a giant frog. If a prisoner, the dungeons, if a pet, well I hope one of those gardens.”

The two sneak into the guardian just to see a bunch of beautiful exotic flowers and birds, but no frogs. Or at least the one they were looking for.

The duo were starting to get frustrated when they heard a gasp. They turn and see a gardener. tending to some flowers.

(uh, hi) Anong says

The gardener runs screaming (thieves, robbers. In the gardens)

“Well that’s not good” godfrey says

Sure enough guards start running towards them. Anong gets in a fighting stance and Godfrey pulls out his ax. The first guards get there and Godfrey knocks them down with the flat of his ax. Anong gives a flurry of quick jobs and takes out her foes.

The two run through the palace knocking out any guard that gets in their way. They run towards a large pavilion and start climbing the stars. (stop!) Godfrey turns and sees the guard that had talked to them the first day (oh no not you two.)

“Turn around, run, and i’ll pretend i didn't’ see you” Godfrey says

(thanks) the guard turns tail and runs

The two make it to the top of the pavilion where more guards come. The two fight like demons. Godfrey with powerful strokes, and Anong with quick precision. They knew they were outnumbered but they would go down fighting. With a great nordic battle cry Godfrey manages to take the last guard down wondering how long it would take for more to show up.

That is until Godfrey hears a familiar voice “Godfrey!”

He looks up to see Leif hoping to him. The frog woman jumps and latches onto his chest “you came you actually came!”

“Leif!” godfrey cries “i’m sorry it took so long” he hugs her and Anong joins in

(how did you get out?) Anong asks

“Zhuli helped me” Leif says

“Who?” Godfrey asks then looks up to see a noble women in green staring at them

(I am friend to jin chan) the women says slowly

(we understand what your saying) Anong says (we're here to rescue Leif)

(you are?) the women says (that’s what I was doing)

Godfrey smiles ‘that’s a relief because honestly we messed up this rescue. I don’t suppose you have an exit strategy?”

The woman raises an eyebrow (actually I do. We need to get to the river)

(lead the way fancy lady) Anong says

The woman raises a eyebrow (my name is Zhuli)

Zhuli leads the reunited trio through the palace, they reach the wall next to the river but there were two guards on look out

“How are we going to get passed them?” godfrey says

(leave it to me) Zhuli says then runs towards the guards (please help me, the robbers are chasing me!)

(that little traitor) Anong says

The guards tell Zhuli to hide behind them. The trio and the guards square off. But then Zhuli pushes them from behind making them lose their footing. That was all the chance the trio needed to take advantage and knock the guards out.

(follow me) Zhuli says. She leads them to a boat filled with supplies and valuables.

The trio get on and and Zhuli starts steering the boat down the river

“Finally freedom!” Leif says happily

(quit Leif, were not safe yet) Zhuli whispers

Godfrey translates (you can understand her? How?) Zhuli asks but then snaps her attention back to the dark river (no the time, everyone stay quiet)

They keep on the river for about half a mile. They land in a different part of the city where they get off. Zhulie starts to push the boat back into the river.

(what are you doing?) Anong asks

(this is just the decoy. If my calculations are right the current will take this boat out of the city and make it look like we got off there. Meanwhile we hide in the city were they won’t be looking) Zhuli says

Zhulie then leads them through a maze of streets until they come to an old building locked with a brass lock. Zhuli pulls out a key and opens the door.

The trio come inside to see a room filled with supplies. From food to clothes to money. Zhuli locks the door behind her and takes a deep breath (we are free)

Godfrey turns to Leif and laughs “I can't believe I finally found you!”

Leif laughs back “it’s so good to see you. You won’t believe what happened!”

They spent the next few hours filling in each other on what happened. Once they were Done Anong turned to Zhulie (I don't get it why help Leif?)

Zhuli sighs (my cage was bigger, but I was just as much a prisoner as Leif. palace life might seem like a perfect life. But it was just another possession of the emperor. Meant to look pretty. I couldn’t live that way, so I've been planning to escape for years. No matter how hard life would be outside the walls at least it would be a life of my own making. When I saw Leif trapped like I was… I couldn’t leave her behind”

After Godfrey translates Leif walks up and hugs Zhuli’s legs “thank you so much for helping me. You saved me in their”

Zhuli pats Leif on the head (i’m just glad we Godfrey can translate for me it was annoying trying to guess what you were saying)

Both women giggle.

Anong also laughs but all of a sudden remembers something (oh Shiva where going have to break back in their)

Zhuli looks at her like she’s crazy (you two have already complicated my escape, why would you go back?! The’ll execute you, in a very unpleasant way I might add)

Annong sighs (yeah but we need to get the box back)

(what box?) Zhuli asks

(the box with the gray gems that Leif had) Anong explains

(she didn’t come with a box?) Zhuli explains (I asked if she had any positions i was told only her clothes)

Godfrey stares wide eyed at Zhuli “so you're saying the box is missing?”

(is the box important?) Zhuli asks

The trio just scream

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

The robber sits in the alley praying someone will find him. He instantly regrets his wish when he sees the angry foreigners come back with both the jin chan he helped kidnap and a nobel woman.

Godfrey lifts the man up and shouts in his face “where is the box!?”

The robber has his gag removed (what box?) he asks honestly

“The box that belonged to my friend” Godfrey point to Leif

(what’s so important about this box) Zhuli asks honestly, confused.

“That box opens a portal to my world that will unleash an army that will burn and destroy everything till there's nothing left of your country!” Leif says frantically

The local look at Leif confused. Then Godfrey translates

Zhuli panics (wait Leif actually has magic? Magic that will unleash demons from Diyu?)

(yeah and that box is in a hand of a random robber) Anong says

(I don't want to die!) the tied up robber says

“Then tell us where the box is” Godfrey demands

(i can’t remember the box!) the robber says

“It’s a music box with frogs carved on it with three gray gems in it. I last saw it with a man with a thin beard and mustache and a big birthmark on his head” Leif says

(oh thats Shu) the robber says recognition dawning on him (that rat didn’t want to split the profit so took some valuable and ran off)

“Where!” the heroes shout

The robber panics, unfortunately Shu had a lot of hiding spots so the robber blabs them all, but doesn't know where they should start looking. In frustration Godfrey chucks the man into the street to be found by guards.

###

The heroes go back to Zhuli’s hideout and try to think of what to do next. Now that they have time Zhulie has them explain everything to her (so you came to our world to hide the box to keep your king from bringing a army of metal demons) Zhuli asks

Leif nods “and now it’s in the hands of a common thief. Thankfully it’s power was drained but we still don’t know what will happen! What happens if the idiot somehow opens a portal? Were all doomed if that happens''

Zhulie listens intently (I guess i’ll have to help you find this… Shu.)

The trio looks at the woman (thank you, but why would you do that?) Anong asks

Zhulie stares intently at the trio (my whole life I have been wanting to be free of kings and palaces. Now that I am finally here, there's another king who wants to stop that dream? I won’t allow it. Besides given the flimsy information that robber gave us we're going have to look all over china. So if this is the end at least I will see the world)

Godfrey smiles “ I appreciate what you are saying. But you have never left the palace. How are you going to help?”

In Answer Zhuli pulls a map from a box (i’ve been studying a way to leave for years now. I know more about this land than most scholars. I’ve had agents prepare safe houses all over the kingdom And given that we just broke in and out of the emperor's palace we need a fast and discrete way out of the city until they stop looking for us.)

Godfrey whistles looking over the map and the supplies in the room. “You have been planning this for while”

Zhuli nods (we should leave by mid day, the guards will assume we will leave under the cover of night. I suggest we head south first to one of my first safe houses. We’ll use that as a base to research our mysterious box thief and track him down.)

The trio are amazed and go with her plan. They all change into peasant clothes and prepare a wagon with Zhulie’s supplies. They all pitch in even Leif. Her friends tried to tell her to take it easy, but after weeks stuck in a cage she was wanting to stretch her legs.

As they work Leif looks at the nobel woman getting her hands dirty. She wasn't very good at packing the wagon but she was giving it her all. Finally Leif asks “was life in the palace so bad that you want to leave?”

Zhulie looks at Leif after Godfrey translates. She lifts her eyebrow in confusion. So Lefi continues “I mean I lived most of my life as a castle servant back in Amphibia. Sure there were rules but it was a nice life. And nobles seemed to live it up from what i could tell”

(she has a point) Anong says tossing a bag in the chart (i grew up in the slums. I’m not complaining but it would have been nice having food in my belly every night like the royals do.)

Zhuli chuckles (I won’t lie from most people's point of view, my way of thinking is bizarre. Palace life is easier than working for your daily bread. But I was just a doll in that palace.)

The trio doesn't understand so she continues. (I'm the daughter of a minor nobel family. I was given to the imperial household as a concubine. That meant that my entire worth was dependent on how much the emperor fancied me. So my entire job was to be pretty and get favors from the emperor.)

“Sound nice” Godfrey says

(that's because you're not a woman) Zhulie snaps (some girls might like that but not me. I wanted to learn, to create. But women aren't supposed to learn the arts of science and astrology. So I kept quiet and learned in secret. I did little rebellions to be my own person and not just the emperor toy. I was the least liked concubine in court but I didn't mind, at least I didn't have to sleep with the emperor.)

Leif thinks of how confined Andrias felt having to live up to his royal duties. Zhuli was also trapped but fought to escape those shackles “so you were really trapped in a giant cage.”

Zhuli nods (it wasn’t too bad living in the shadows of the palace, I educated myself pretty good, made friends with the servants. And being ignored by the emperor meant I could get away with things like not binding my feet)

(what is up with that, I notice women here have small feet) Anong says looking down at her bare feet.

Zhulie pulls out a dainty shoed foot (in my culture it is considered attractive for women to have small feet so they literally bind their foot to make them appear smaller.)

Godfrey winces “ouch sounds like torture”

Zhuli nods (my thoughts exactly. And if done wrong it could ruin your ability to walk. I knew I would escape one day and I would want to move fast so I avoided the binding)

(still if that’s so culturally important how did you get away with it) Anong asks

Zhuli smiles (I was mostly ignored in the palace, but I did meet a friend that helped me put my plans into motion. Liu)

“Liu, that woman in blue I saw you talking to?” Leif asks

Zhuli smiles and nods (yes. In many ways she is the opposite of me. She grew up a commoner and played music to get her daily bread. But then she was solid to the emperor because he liked her music. But she looked at it as an opportunity to move up in society. She was an outsider wanting in and I was an insider wanting out. So we helped each other. She got her friends outside the wall to help with my plans and I helped her navigate court politics to get close to the emperor.) Zhuli laughs a bit (at this point she has so much power I wouldn’t be surprised if she becomes empress. In fact it’s because of her that we can escape)

“Is she going to make sure they don’t chase us” Godfrey asks

(no they will chase us and try to kill us. But she will make it so only a few guards are after us instead of the entire army) Zhulie says (speaking of let's get the Diyu out of here before this safe house is found)

The team hitch a donkey to their cart and slowly leave the city. Their disguises helped them sneak out but they kept quiet with all the guards looking for the intruders that stole the emperor’s Jin Chan till they were a few miles away from the city.

Once they were away the escapees all let out a sigh of relief. Leif then hops on Zhuli’s shoulder “can you believe it we’re free.”

Guessing her meaning, Zhuli smiles (yes we are free.)

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Heroes of Calamity Ancients part 3 the Song Dynasty.
Ch 6

The heroes travel south to avoid the emperor's men and to try to find any trace of the thief. They reach a town next to a bamboo forest. Where Zhuli leads them to one of her hidden safe houses. There they change out of their peasant disguises. Godfrey is happy to be in his light fur armor again, Anong puts on her headband feeling like a fighter again. And Leif is happy to have her ridiculous horned helmet back. She actually cried when Godfrey gave it back to her.

Zhuli meanwhile changed into a less fancy green dress. Her companions couldn't help but think she still looked rich. They look around the safe house (how do you set all this up without ever leaving the palace?) Anong asks

Zhulie shrugs (I had a long time to build contacts with the outside. And since I had no interest in flaunting myself to the emperor I had a long time to study. Everything from history, to science, and a few less savory skills like forgery.)

Godfrey whistles “you really wanted out of that palace”

Zhulie nods and digs out a bag of coins and Jiaozi (we should be able to buy some information with this)

Leif walks up to Zhulie “thank you for sacrificing so much to get the box back”

Zhulie gives a musical sincere laugh (my pleasure. Honestly I had no clear path on what to do after I left the palace. A journey with heroes wanting to save the world sounds like a great use of my new freedom)

###

They leave the Safe house and start asking around the village for any information about the thief Shu of any type of black market underworld. But the village was small enough they didn’t have a significant crime presence. They did hear there might be something like that in the larger cities to the east though.

The heroes meet up again to discuss their plans but then Zhulie freezes (we need to leave now)

“What why?” Godfrey asks starting to turn

(don’t turn around and follow me) Zhulie says walking towards the bamboo woods (their are soldiers from the capital here)

(already?”) Anong says nervously

(to be fair the fact that two foreigners and a unpopular concubine stole the emperor's pet from his palace would be pretty humiliating) Zhulie says (but they aren't searching that hard, we just need to hide in the forest for a few hours then we should be able to return to the safe house)

They enter the forest. Godfrey had never seen bamboo before so he was fascinated. Leif had seen bamboo in amphibia but this was different then the types she was used to. As they walk Leif says “I thought you said your friend Liu would keep the guards away?”

(no i said she would do her best. The only reason why the country isn’t on a mad head hunt is because Liu would have told the emperor how it would make him look bad that we got away. He doesn't want to bring attention to his humiliation. Especially since his failed policies in the north) Zhuli explains

(i’m guessing he’s not to popular right now then) Anong smirks

(Not really. So we are not important enough for him to send the whole army after us.) Zhulie sighs (i just hope this doesn't become a nightingale situation)

“Nightingale? What are you talking about?” Godfrey asks

Zhuili chuckles (rumor has it a few emperors ago became obsessed with the song of a nightingale. So much so he kept all the ones he could find in a cage. Of course they didn’t like that so they didn’t sing. The emperor just couldn’t understand why. So one day a servant lets them go. The emperor freaks out and was going to send servants to hunt down every single nightingale)

“why do your kings like cages so much” Leif says bitterly

(So what stopped the emperor?) Anong asks

(a invasion or something, that was hundreds of years ago who knows if it really happened) Zhuli says

Godfrey is lost in thought “a nightingale and an emperor… that could make a good story, I'll have to share it with my people if I ever get back to the norse lands.”

Once they are deep enough into the forest, Zhuli sits down near a river and tells them they should just relax for a few hours then head back. But till then they should enjoy nature.

Leif hops next to her and enjoys the sound of water and the wind through the bamboo stalks

The other two humans are not impressed (sure it’s pretty herer, but you lived your whole life in a palace Zhuli, how do we even know this place is safe?)

“Yeah it’s not smart sitting in unknown wilderness. And what about you Leif isn’t your land ten times more dangerous and wild? You should no better than to trust nature” Godfrey complains

Leif shrugs “yeah but you still have to enjoy life no matter how dangerous it is, besides this feels like heaven after being stuck in the cage.”

“By the heavens” Godfrey curses

Anong rolls her eyes (I’m going try noodling for some fish at the river, enjoy your nature)

She walks off while the rest simply relax. Godfrey would have to admit it but it was peaceful after everything they had gone through the last couple of weeks. Suddenly the bamboo shakes and falls over. Godfrey pulls out his ax in case of danger. Instead what he sees is a black and white bear.

(oh a panda we are indeed blessed) Zhuli says

“That thing is kind of cute” Leif says

“That's the silliest beast i’ve ever seen” Godfrey says

Zhulie huffs (I'll have you know that pandas are considered a symbol of great warriors and bravery. And also symbolize the concept of yin & yang)

“Yin & what now?” Godfrey questions

(yin & yang) Zhuli says (it’s a symbol showing the duality and balance of the world. Black and white, good and evil, kindness and cruelty, weakness and strength. That kind of thing)

Godfrey watches the panda munch on bamboo “yeah yeah, but still that thing is adorable and dopy even I can take it” he says walking up and poking the bear

(careful panda’s may be gentle giants but they are still wild beasts) Zhuli says

“What?” Godry says right as the panda swipes and knocks him down. He gets up just as the panda lunges at him then gets in a grappling match with the black and white bear. “I could use some help here!”

Leif and Zhuli laugh “to be fair you did interrupt it’s meal” Leif laughs

(don’t hurt it that would be bad Karma) Zhuli says

“It’s not the one getting hurt!” Godfrey says as the bear puts its full weight on him.

After watching him struggle for several minutes Leif uses her dance to make the panda calm down. The scruffed up Godfrey escapes “I suppose you enjoyed it”

“It was funny” Leif says

(so your dance has the ability to control nature?) Zhulie asks

“Do I have to translate” Godfrey complains

(I would appreciate it) Zhuli says

Godfey is about to complain when they hear Anong calls out (you guys have to see what I found!)

The trio walked to the river and see Anong holding the largest salamander any of the humans have ever seen. It was longer than Anong and she was holding the wiggling thing under its arms.

(Is that a Yaoguai?!) Zhuli freaks out. (Or a river dragon?!)

(What’s the difference?) Anong asks

(Yaoguai is bad luck, dragon is good luck) Zhuli says nervously

“That’s impressive. Are salamanders that big in your world?” Godfrey asks Leif

“That’s pretty normal for a newt in my world. Though the ones in my world are intelligent and wear clothes.” Leif says

Anong laughs and pushes the salamander closer to her friends (hey Leif does it remind you of your old boyfriend Andrias?)

Leif blushes “that looks nothing like Andrias… but the dopy face reminds me of king Aldrich, I want to punch it”

Zhuli stops Leif from punching it (put that slimy thing down. It’s time to head back to town anyway)

They start heading back and Anong gets close to Zhuli making her squirm (don’t like slimy things? I thought you liked Leif and she's slimy) Anong jokes

Zhuli shivers (I know there's a whole new world to experience outside the palace, but something like that?! yuck!)

Anong laughs (sorry I know this is new to you but it’s just funny to see a nobel like you freak out)

Zhuli girns (well I guess a a peasant like you is used to filth and garbage

(hey! You're getting used to it already) Anong laughs and slaps Zhuli on the back. The Chinese woman was a bit uncomfortable but laughs as well.

Godfrey and Leif meanwhile are having their own conversation “if ‘newts’ of your world are about that size I can picture a war against them going bad.”

Leif looks uncomfortable “newts come in different sizes. But the royal family? They are ten times bigger than that”

Godfrey falters after hearing that. Leif continues her explanation “besides it’s not just the amphibians you have to fight, the royal family has robots at their command. Metal monsters twice as big as a man that can make things explode. For some reason they design them to look like frogs”

Godfrey always knew he was stopping an invasion of monsters, but after seeing that salamander in the river, it felt so much more real “we need to find that box!”

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

The companions head east to the large coastal cities. They figure a place this large they would find underworld connections to find the box.

They wait till dark when the night market opens. Anong thinks it’s similar to the river market back home. But Zhuli looked around like she had never seen something like this before. Then Anong reminds herself she probably hadn't.

Zhuli looks around the lantern illuminated market with a bright smile (this is like a festable, it’s amazing.) She looks around at all the market stalls, the musicians and entertainers. (Back at the palace the emperor brought anything of interest to him. But here it’s spontaneous just people making a living or doing what they love)

Godfrey's stomach rumbles “that’s great but do you mind if we fill our stomach before we try to find the criminal underworld?”

Zhuli grins (I've always wanted to try street food, follow me.)

The companions follow the green woman when she stops in front of a stall with pots of boiling oil. In front of the pots are baskets filled with skewers with things like scorpions, bat wings, snakes, meal worm balls, large grasshoppers, and spiders. Zhuli pays the couple manning the stall and bites into the skewers with relish.

Godfrey looks a little green and puts a hand over his mouth “you can’t be serious?”

Anong bites into her scorpion skewer (when your hungry enough you’ll eat anything)

“This is normal food for me” Leif says eating the bugs off of hers

Godfrey gets a snake skewer and takes a bite. Surprisingly the thing he didn’t like was how oily it was, but he manages to stomach it.

Zhuli meanwhile is tasting as much as she can , she never got to eat like this in the palace, always having to follow etiquette. She is about to bite into her last skewer when she takes a closer look at it. She then turned to the couple (excuse me, but what is this skewer?)

(frog legs my dear) the lady answers

The humans freeze hearing that. Leif looks at her human companions then shrugs “if your not going to eat it I will” she grabs the skewer and is about to take a bite

“NO!) her humans say knocking it out of her hand

(is that a jin chan?) the couple ask getting a good look at Leif but the companions ignore them

“What was that for?” Leif complains

The human women look at Godfrey. Realizing the situations he swears in norse. “bölva Loki ég hata að vera þýðandi stundum” he then leans in and whispers into Leif’s ear.

The frog woman turns green and spits out her stomach (is that her-?) Zhuli starts but Anong stops her and turns away

(yes, yes it is)

###

While Zhuli and Leif get over their queasiness Anong and Godfrey watch the crowd and visit.

(you doing alright big guy?) Anong asks

Godfrey chuckles “surprisingly yes. I’ve been around Leif so long I'm used to her oddness. She still surprises me sometimes.”

Anong laughs (Godfrey the viking. Frog expert. Your people must be so proud)

Godfrey chuckles “yeah just another thing that makes me different from my clan”

(weren't you respected back home?) Anong asks

“Very respected I was the chief’s right hand after all, but that doesn't stop me from being different” Godfrey says

(oh come one what does your clan have that you don’t) Anong jokes

Godfrey rubs his fingers across the scruff on his face “I can't grow a beard.”

Anong laughs (seriously?)

Godfrey laughs “oh yeah. My village the men have beautiful flowing beards. Beards of brown, beards of yellow, and even beards of red”

Anong starts laughing imagining it. Godfrey continues “I knew a man named Faxi. he had a thick black beard that he braided into a thick strand that reached down to his belly. But I just have this scruff that I can barely grow an inch. I might as well be one of the baby faced people of this country”

Anong laughs louder. And Godfrey increases the sarcasm. “Oh yeah the eternal hairless faces of these people make me feel a little better. But even they can grow facial hair if they want to. Look at that man. A mustache is as thin as a mouse tail and it’s down to his chin. I couldn’t grow that in twenty years.”

Anong nearly doubles over laughing. Once she gets control of herself again she runs her fingers through his scruff (well I like your scruffy beard, and really your people just sound hairy)

Godfrey chuckles, when Zhuli and Leif walk up “what did she say?” Leif asks

“She called my people hairy” Godfrey says

“Well they are. I know your mammals but why do you need so much hair anyway?”

Godfrey chuckles and changes subjects “are you ready to find the black market?”

Leif nods and the companions walk off. But as they do Zhuli leans over to Anong (if Leif is a frog why does she even have hair?) Anong just shrugs.

###

They move through the darker alleys till they reach the black market area. The companions tried to talk to people but the black market didn’t like doing business with strangers. Eventually they wander to a building filled with soft pink lanterns.

“What’s this building?” Leif asks

(it’s a brothel) Zhuli says

(oh so these people are like you) Anong says

Zhuli is offended (I may have been a concubine but I never had to sleep with anyone! Besides we were more like entertainers in the palace)

(why your emperor must be a eunuch if he didn’t go for the fun stuff) Anong says

Zhulie tries to attack the much stronger girl. Meanwhile Leif tugs on Godfreys shirt “what are they talking about?”

Godfrey is embarrassed at this point “let’s just say Anong’s street smarts is clashing with Zhuli’s high class upbringing.”

“Is Anong being crass” Leif asks with a smile

“She makes me look like a gentleman the way she is talking” Godfrey chuckles.

(who are you lot? Either come in or go away) an older woman wearing a revealing blue dress and smoking a pipe comes out of the building.

Zhulie stops fighting Anong and turns to the woman (oh you must be lady Caiji. I’m Zhuli we wrote to each other.

The older woman is confused for a moment then recognition sparks on her face (oh yeah the palace brat that wrote after those nobel men hired some of my girls.)

Godfrey turns to Zhuli (wait, you have underworld contacts?”

Zhulie shrugs (I really wanted out) she then bows to Caiji (it is a pleasure to finally meet you in person)

Caiji gives a gruff laugh and takes a puff from her pipe (so are you here to join my girls?)

Zhuli blushes (no, but given our past of writing to each other as occupational friends I was hoping to ask a favor)

(ha I knew your job was the same) Anong says triumphantly.

Zhulie ignores her (we are looking for a thief that stole something precious from our Jin Chan friend) she shows Caiji Leif (we need to find him but the local their organizations won’t speak to strangers)

Caiji chuckles (so you want me to ask for you? Well come on in and give me the details. I’ll help… for a a fee that is)

The companions head inside. Zhuli explains the situation and Caiji goes to ask her contacts. The companions wait. Godfrey tries to ignore the salacious looks the workers gave him. Zhulie was minding her own business when a drunk patron walks up

(how much for you?) the drunk man says with a slur

Zhuli slaps him (i’m not a prostitute you leech!)

Anong walks up (what's wrong?)

(this man thought I worked here!) Zhuli says indignantly

Anong puts a hand on Zhuli’s shoulder (just let it go)

The man not learning his lesson turns to Anong (hey buddy wait your turn I saw her first, go use another girl)

Anong sees red (i’m a woman!) she then punches the man so hard several teeth fly through the air.

Godfrey and Leif approach and see the man bleeding on the floor “do I want to know?”

(he thought I was a man!) Anong snaps

“A fair response then” Leif says

Caiji returns (please do not fight my customers. Anyway I got the information you wanted. That Shu character was kicked out of his thief clan. Last report was he was heading west trying to find a way to leave the country.)

Zhuli bows. Anong follows her lead with Leif and Godfrey awkwardly trying to copy them (thank you Lady Caiji. We really appreciate it)

(yeah yeah) Caiji says (you already paid me so get out of here unless you plan to work or buy something)

The companions quickly exit the brothel

###

Back in the night market the companion felt a lot more comfortable especially now that they had a lead.

Zhuli spies a shop and smiles (we could use some relaxation lets go to the masseuse)

Godfrey remembers watching Iona massaging Stigfreds shoulders so happily follows Zhuli in. but when he sees the doctors putting needles into their patients stops “what the Hela is this?”

(is this acupuncture?) Anong asks

(yep it’s very relaxing ) Zhuli says paying for a treatment

They all go to separate rooms. Zhuli is used to acupuncture and is totally relaxed.

Anong is a bit apprehensive but after the doctor comments on how healthy her che flow is and well maintained her muscles, Anong relaxes.

Leif and Godfrey weren't nearly so relaxed. Godfrey tries to take it but as soon as the first needle goes in he screams and starts squirming. They try to add more needles to make him less tense but it just makes him more tense. After about ten needles Godfrey leaps up and tries to run, the doctor tries to stop him and the two get into a wrestling match.

Leif meanwhile nervously lies on her belly. The doctor had never worked on a frog before so tried one needle. Leif’s tongue shoots out involuntarily “ivv cafth, eel em tongue” the doctor tries another needle and Leif launches across the room he legs flapping like hummingbird wings

(maybe it’s not a good idea to do this on a jin chan) the doctor says.

Suddenly Godfrey burst into the room followed by several doctors trying to stop him. He sees Leif and panics “Leif! Are you ok?!”

“Oodfry elp” Leif tries to say.

Godfrey runs up to Leif and pulls the needles out Leif happily returns to normal. He then turns to the doctors “get back you witchdoctors”

Leif, wanting to repay the favor, yanks all the needles out of Godfrey's back at once. Godfrey goes limp and falls face first on the ground. “Well I wasn’t trying to do that” Leif says

Zhulie is enjoying her treatment when she sees the doctors carrying Leif and Goddfrey out (and stay out!)

Zhuli grimices (I guess this is more of a eastern thing)

###

Outside Godfrey and Leif get their bearings “that was unpleasant” Godfrey says

“Yeah, your human medicine is weird. Then again we took shortcuts in Amphibia”

“What do you mean?” Godfrey says as they walk down the street.

Leif blushes “the past kings may have conquered a species with advance medical knowledge and used it for themselves, then the people”

Godfrey shrugs “it’s the way of the world. People take what they want and other people fight back to protect what's theirs.”

“Doesn't sound right” Leif says

Godfrey shrugs “it’s how nations are formed. One group trying to protect the positions of their people from the wants of others. But it’s always more complicated than that. After all every now and then you get a hero who is completely selfless that leaves everything to protect strangers”

Leif smiles up at godfrey “thanks” she then grimaces “we should turn back soon I taste salt in the air”

Godfrey takes a deep breath. “You're right. Are we that close to the sea?” He motions for Leif to stay still then walks past an ally. He then sees the sea with ships of all shorts with folded sails. He hadn’t realized they had traveled that far east.

He returns to Leif “I wish you could take a closer look. These Chinese ships are unique compared to viking ones.”

“I would love to look but you know salt” Leif shrugs

Godfrey chuckles, “maybe I can take Anong to see it tomorrow when her acupuncture is done. She’s never seen the sea after all”

Leif puts on a lovey dovey expression “oh a date to the sea sounds so romantic”

Godfrey blushes “it’s not like that”

“You like her” Leif teases

“She's’ a friend” Godfrey protests

“You like her, you like her” Leif continues

“What are you a child?” Godfrey mocks back

(hey it’s the emperor’s jin chan and the thief) the duo turn to see a guard pointing to them. Soon more guards come

“That’s not good” Godfrey says

Leif jumps on his shoulder “RUN!”

Anong and Zhuli exit the acupuncture shop and stretch (I feel so relaxed) Zhuli says

Anong chuckles (enjoy it, it won’t last staying with us)

Sure enough godfrey runs by “guards right behind me run!”

Anong follows him. But Zhuli is confused. A guard grabs her by the wrist (are you with the thieves?!)

Anong turns to help Zhuli but the Chinese girl pulls a long needle from her top knot. Her black hair falls down nearly touching the ground and she stabs the hand of the guard and runs after her friends.

Anong is shocked (I didn’t know you had a weapon?)

Zhuli’s hair whips behind her as they run. (I may be a concubine but I'm still a lady of the court. I need some sort of self defense!)

(Fair enough) Anong says

The companions make it back to their wagon. Some soldiers follow them but the companions pull out their weapons. Godfry's axe, Leif’s Spear, Anong's fist, and Zhuli’s pin knife. They take out the guards then leave the town before anything else can happen.

Leif lets out a sigh of relief, but Godfey feels bad that he can’t show the girls the sea.

###

End chapter.

Chapter Text

The heroes were getting nowhere in their search for Shu the thief. So finally Zhuli proposed they head west. She knew of a monastery where philosophers, alchemists, scholars, and men of education gathered. She had been in contact with them in her time in the palace under the pseudonym Shin. She figured they could pool knowledge and find out the most likely place shu would have gotten.

Without any alternative the rest agreed. So with their donkey cart filled with Zhuli’s stuff they headed west. The land became more dry, not suitable for growing rice. But there was still plenty of green and plenty of villages. But compared to the cities in the east they felt tiny.

One night they decide to set up camp. Godfrey and Anong began to grab their supplies but Zhuli stops them (please allow me)

The two humans are confused but let Zhuli do her thing.

“What’s she doing?” Leif asks

“I think she’s trying to pull her weight. We do most of the chores after all” Godfrey says

Anong chuckles (I guess she want to prove she isn’t a useless palace doll)

The three friends laugh. None of them thought that way about Zhuli. But as smart as the Chinese woman was, she didn’t have any practical skills of surviving outside of the palace.

This was evident from her struggling to pitch a tent. She couldn't get the poles to stay up and she managed to tie knots around herself. Eventually the whole thing collapses on her and she is buried under the tent cloth.

The friends laugh and rescue Zhuli from her failed attempt (how about you let Godfrey and I set the tent up. You help Leif gather firewood.) Anong tells the nobel lady

Zhuli blushes but follows Leif as the two gather sticks and brush for a fire. The whole time Zhuli is blushing in embarrassment. She had studied the instructions on how to set up a tent but when she tried herself the ropes just tangled around her.

Leif sees her discomfort and puts down her sticks and puts a comforting hand on Zhuli’s leg “it’s ok Zhuli we all have different talents. I be lost without you three after all”

Zhuli smiles (I have no idea what you said. It’s just frustrating. I’ve been dreaming of leaving the palace my whole life. I knew it would be hard but I thought if I studied enough I could just pick up the practical knowledge. But deep down I was scared. Scared that I couldn't survive. If you, Anong and Godfey hadn’t broken into my life I would probably still be stuck as one of the emperor's ornaments. I know you don’t know what i’m saying but it’s nice to be able to speak my fears out loud.)

Zhuli turns to Leif who is looking at her with confused eyes and a big fake grin “yeah I think we got enough wood now” Leif heads back to camp and Zhuli follows giggling.

They prepare the wood and Zhuli tries to light it to no avail (I don't understand, flint and steel should be able to start a fire?)

“Well Zhuli that’s just a rock” Godfrey points out

Zhuli looked at the rock in her hand, she was sure she had identified it right. Godfrey then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a dark rock “this is flint you can tell by the darker inner color with the pale outside.” He then strikes his ax against the stone causing sparks lighting the fire. Zhulie jumps back and is embarrassed again.

Zhuli then helps Anong prepare dinner by boiling some rice. As she stares at the pot Anong sits next to her. (Jiaozi for your thoughts?) Anong asks

Zhuli is embarrassed but eventually speaks (i’m pretty helpless aren't I. I can't set up camp, forge for food, and anything more complicated than rice, I have a hard time cooking. I probably be dead in a ditch if it wasn’t for you and Godfrey)

Anong laughs (nonsense. Sure you're not good out here in the wild but it takes practice. In towns and cities you thrive. Naraka! we would never find the box without your help)

(but we don’t have the box) Zhuli points out

(yeah but we probably still be looking around the capital or something without your help) Anong says. (you may not have ever left the palace before but you know more about this country than Godfrey and I would ever know. We're counting on you to lead us. And I say you're doing a good job.)

Zhuli hugs Anong in happiness

(the rice is boiling over and your dress is on fire) Anong says

Zhuli panics and stomps out the fire.

After a while the heroes are eating dinner. Godfrey eats his rice with a sour look. “I know this is a staple in your countries but this rice could use some flavor.”

“Plus it’s a little burnt” Leif says

Zhuli smiles and head to the cart (I got this from my last safe house.'' She pulls out a bottle filled with a black liquid. (I may be a terrible cook but I do know the good stuff, just put this on your rice and your meal will transform)

Godfrey takes the bottle and sniffs. The liquid had a salty almost fermented smell. He shrugs and puts a few drops on his rice and takes a bite. Flavor explodes in his mouth “delicious”

Anong adds it to hers and takes a bite (yum, what is thai Zhuli?)

(soy sauce, specially brewed for the palace) Zhuli says looking smug

Leif sniffs the bottle then leaps back “yuck poison! Are you trying to kill me!”

Godfey translates as Leif starts rubbing her burning nose on the ground “poor lief, we humans live for salt and she can’t even touch it”

Zhuli wets a rag and helps clean the burn on Leif’s nose. (sorry Leif, I should have warned you. But don’t worry I have something special for you) she goes back to the cart and pulls out a jar of vegetables (pickled bamboo shoots just for you… well not really pickled because that also has salt. But it is soaked with peppercorns so that should add some flavor)

Leif hesitantly tastes the bamboo shoots but smiles “a little hot but tasty. Thanks Zhuli”

Zhuli smiles and Anong slaps her on the shoulder (see your useful. I’ve never even heard of this soy sauce before) Anong keeps eating

“You said it was brewed. Is it made like beer?” Godfrey asks

Zhuli chuckle and start explaining how soy sauce is made

###

The heroes reach the city with the monastery. Leif is impressed. It reminded her a little of the industrial section of newtopia. Lots of building manufacturing goods. Granted not as fast as the machines back in amphibia but the Chinese were working efficiently.

Zhuli meanwhile was in paradise showing everything to her friends. (this is a paper mill. Using our unique recipe we can produce the best paper in the world. It can be used for anything from writing historical records to making money. And it’s much more effective than that parchment form out west)

Godfrey raises an eyebrow. Being the ‘scholar’ of his clan he knew the importance of books. But he still thought the Chinese had too much pride in their paper. Anong couldn't read so she didn’t care, she did inwardly admit that it was better than the palm leaf stuff they had in Khmer though.

Leif meanwhile grabs some fresh paper that Zhuli was showing off “it doesn't seem very waterproof”

(why would paper be waterproof?) Zhuli asks

“Amphibia is mostly swamp so everything has to be waterproof. This stuff is pretty flimsy compared to the stuff back home” she then reaches into her pocket and pull out one of her old letters to Andrias “see”

Zhuli looked at the old letter but had to admit the quality was much better than her’s. She gives it back then muster under her breath (stupid frog barbarian being more advanced than us)

Anong and Godfrey chuckle and refuse to translate for Leif.

The next factory they stop at had a assortment of brightly colored cones (I can’t believe it this place has a firework factory)

“whats a fire work” Leif asks

Zhuli smiles “a miracle of alchemy. A firework is a rocket that is launched into the night sky and explodes into a flower of colored fire.)

(sound neat) anong says

(they are very loud) Zhuli chuckles. (it’s actually a funny story. Early alchemist were trying to figure out how to make gold but instead they invented the black powder that is used in fireworks)

“What's this black powder do?” Godfey asks

(it explodes when lit on fire. It’s a miracle of science) Zhuli says proudly

Godfrey looks skeptical “fire is great and all but I don’t see how your black powder is better than oil or wood”

Zhuli smiles and grabs a string of firecrackers and lites it. She then throws the string at Godfrey's feet. The viking takes a closer look then the crackers start exploding causing godfrey to leap back into Anong and Leif “it’s like you’ve contained thor’s thunder!”

Zhuli chuckles (on top of the art of fireworks black powder can be used to destroy obstructions like large boulders and enemy defenses. The military has even used it to make weapons of fire such as cannons that launch balls of metal that can tear through enemy armor and defenses. I’m no general but I can only imagine what black powder can do to protect this country.)

Godery and Anong look impressed but Leif looks sad “my people made similar weapons. They are called lasers. Imagine an exploding beam of light. Before I used to think it was a tool to protect amphibians. But now I know my king just uses it to burn and destroy anything in his way. For humanity's sake I hope your black powder doesn't do the same.”

Those words took the wind out of Zhulli's sails. Humbled the heroes move on. Leif then turns to a crestfallen Zhuli “still I do hope to see these fireworks some night. I would like to see how something so dangerous can be made beautiful.”

The heroes move onward till they finally reach the monastery. Zhuli introduces them as representatives to the scholar Shin and they are welcomed with open arms. The philosophers began asking questions about Zhuli’s fake master but Zhuli cuts them off (I would love to discuss my master’s theories with you but we are here on urgent business.) She then shows the scholars and alchemist Leif (this Jin Chan is on a mission to retrieve a stolen box from the heavens. But we have lost the thief. Master Shin was hoping that the great men of science could help us deduce where the thief and his stolen goods could be.)

The philosophers agree to help and take Zhuli away to discuss where the thief could have disappeared to. The other companions were brought to a library to wait. They were very bored till Godfrey found some maps.

The viking studied them intently. Leif and Anong weren't even sure if he remembered they were their “what's so interesting Godfey?”

“This map, I've honestly had no idea where we've been since we stepped through that portal. Now looking at it i can finally get my bearings''

(you can read a map?) Anong asks

“Of course I wouldn’t be a viking if I couldn't navigate” Godfrey says pointing to the map “look where this is china where we are” the girls take a closer look as godfrey traces his finger down the map. (and down here is the khmer empire where you’re from Anong”

Anong frowns (china is bigger than the empire.)

“Yes it is.” Godfrey says “but these other countries on the map…” he points to mongolia and india “i’ve never even heard of them. Not to mention i can’t find the norse lands or any country i’m familiar with on this map”

Leif takes a look at the map. It did get less detailed the further west it went but there's one thing she noticed “this map shows these countries being bigger than amphibia. Just how big is your world?”

(that's a good question) the companions turn to see Zhuli entering the room.

“Zhuli!” Leif hops and hugs her friend “so were you able to get help?”

Zhuli smiles (actually I did. Pooling all the knowledge here we found that a box of your description isn't anywhere in china. What’s more, from our conversations with the black market we had in the east we know Shu has lost favor in the underworld. We figure Shu is going to try to leave the country and the only safe route he has is north along the silk road.)

“Can we track him?” Godfrey says

(If we're lucky we might be able to beat him there and catch him. Worst case we just have to chase him along the silk road) Zhuli says

The companions cheer now having a solid lead to get the box back. Zhuli turns back to the map (Godfrey you said you don’t recognize any of the countries on this map? Could you possibly draw your countries?)

Godfrey looks at Zhuli for a bit and thinks “Yes I can draw a map.”

Godfrey takes a piece of paper and sketches a rough map of Europe and the surrounding lands that he knew of. Zhuli takes a look at his map and the map of asia. Then her eyes brighten as she realizes something. (this sea her near the end of the silk road it’s the same as on your map)

Godfrey takes a look “your right that’s the mediterranean. That must mean this continent is africa”

(africa?) Zhuli asks

“A continent with men whose skin is as black as night” Godfey explains

Zhuli’s eyes widened with recognition (yes I heard of that continent, it’s past india. Wait if my map shows one side of africa…)

“And my map shows the other side…” Godfrey says.

The two humans then huddle together sketching on a piece of paper. Once they are done they step back and let their friends see what they have drawn. A crudely drawn map of Asia, Europe and africa.

(my friends) Zhuli begins (I believe we have made the most accurate map of our world)

The humans and frog marvel at the map realizing just how big the world is. Godfrey starts muttering to himself and the girls look at him “it’s just there's rumors of a man named Leif that found a new land across the sea. We don’t know much about it except that it's too big to be an island like Iceland or greenland.”

Zhuli looks at the map again. (if you go past the west sea you hit a new land. I wonder if you leave in the east sea if you would hit the other side of the land or if it would be a completely new land?)

“I thought my people were explorers but there's so much we don’t know” Godfrey says

Anong looks at Leif (are you ok Leif? you look upset.)

Leif takes a deep breath. “Your world is huge, bigger than amphibia and most of it is still unexplored! Meanwhile in my world the only part we know is our lily pad shaped land. And even that is mostly unexplored. My people's belief of amphibian superiority is a complete lie! We say conquest is for the benefit of all but it just benefits the capital and the royal family. Just how much more could we learn if we actually explored and settled our own land. Or actually colonized the worlds we visited. Instead we take from other worlds because we can’t even take care of our own.”

The humans look at each other upset. Finally Anong speaks (would your people even want to live on earth?)

Leif chuckles “with all the salt in your oceans probably not”

The friends give a good laugh. “Once we get you home perhaps you can explore find new lands with new possibilities for your people” Godfrey says

Leif smiles “your right. I do wonder if there's any other continents besides Amphibia. I mean looking at your map you have at least three.”

The friends laugh and roll up their map. Now they had a clear goal. Zhuli suddenly remembers something and leads her friends to the window (it should be starting soon)

Before they can ask what they hear a loud popping noise. They then see something fly up in the air and explode into a bright red ball of sparks.

Zhuli smiles at her friend's awed reaction (these are fireworks. I managed to convince them to put a show on tonight.)

The friend watches as the sky fills with red, blue, and green sparks. All was right in the world

###

That evening the friends dine with the scholars. A couple of alchemists challenge Godfrey to a drinking contest of Baijiu. The viking once again showed his skill and drank the locals under the table. The girls roll their eyes and take their drunk friend to their room for the night. Zhuli follows an alchemist with Leif behind her and Anong supporting Godfrey with the big man’s arm over her shoulder.

Leif hears something and hops to the window. She starts yelling but with the translator drunk Zhuli walks up and looks at the window as well to see palace guards running towards the building (why are their soldiers here!?) Zhuli panics (we need to leave!)

But as she moved she feels a hand on her shoulder. The alchemist is holding on with a tight grip (I can’t let you do that. The emperor wants his jin chan back and is willing to pay for it. Please make this easy, we don’t want a mess after all)

Zhuli’s response however is to pull her hairpin out and stab the man’s hand. While he is howling in pain Anong drops godfrey and pouches him hard enough to knock him out.

The two human women pick Godfrey up between them and start to move. They then hear a voice of another scholar (looks like they thought with your big friend out you be helpless) Leif points her spear at the man who raises his hands in surrender (I don't want to fight, not all of us agreed on this plan)

(you're going to help us?) Zhuli asks

(anything for master Shin) the man gives a coy smile at Zhuli

Zhuli blushes (you figured it out?)

The scholar chuckles (you talk about your theories too well to be a mere assistant. Granted it is a hit to my pride to have a woman smarter than me. But I did recessive some letters from you that greatly helped my astronomy. The least I can do is help you escape. Take the back way out, I'll tell the soldiers. I don't know where you are.)

They leave the scholar and manage to drag Godfrey to their cart. They begin to sneak out of the city but there are too many guards. Eventually they had to hide in an alley near the firework factory.

(it's no good, Godfrey’s slowing us down,we need a distraction.) Anong says

They hear Leif ribbiting and turn to her. She is pointing to barrels of black powder and fireworks. (one distraction coming up) Zhuli says with a wicked smile.

Zhuli stays behind to prepare the distraction while the rest run for it. They are nearing the edge of the city when Zhuli catches up (what took you so long?) Anong complains

Zhuli smiles (you’ll see in about 3…2…) KA!-BOOM!

A large explosion of multi-colored flames comes from the firework factory instantly turning the whole city's attention to it.

Godfrey bolts upright in the cart “Thor's angry!”

Leif looked at the flames “Holy Frog!”

Anong is busy leading the cart but thinks to herself that black powder is scary

Zhuli chuckles to herself (well i’m never benign invited back here again)

###

End chapter.

Chapter Text

The heroes head north. After scouring half the country they were praying to finally find the box. Leif, Godfrey, and Anong were honestly getting tired of the chase. Zhuli on the other hand seemed to be in the good mood

(i can’t believe i finally get to see the great wall)

“What's so good about a wall?” Godfrey complains since walls usually kept his country men out.

Zhuli giggles (well on top of being the largest wall you’ve ever seen it also has historical significance. It was first built over a thousand years ago. Since then it has been improved and expanded by each dynasty to protect the north form the nomadic raiders)

(does it work?) Anong asks

Zhuli pauses thinking how many dynasties had passed since it was first built, and they still had problems with the northern raiders. (well it keeps people from freely crossing the border at least. And it’s the unofficial start of the silk road)

Leif furrowed her brows “you’ve mentioned the silk road before what is that?”

Anong rolls her eyes (great here we go) knowing Zhuili would go into a prideful explanation

Sure enough she did (it is a huge trade route that takes the treasures of China like silk and porcelain and takes them to the barbarian… I mean civilization out west)

“Huh so that's where it comes from” Godfrey says remembering neighboring clans bringing back those treasures from raids.

(of coure the route is so long it’s not really one path. And after looking at that map we made I can appreciate just how far it is. The wall helps funnel the traders in one spot to make it the starting and ending point.) Zhuli says

(then why do people walk it if it’s so long?) Anong asks

(they don’t) Zhuli says (or at least no one travels the whole way, it’s a network of trading posts where goods get traded from one end to the other. Probably why it’s so expensive for westerners once it finally gets there.)

“And why do we believe Shu will be here?” Godfrey asks

(well if he is going to leave the country he will be funneled to the start as well.) Zhuli says (you know I considered leaving China through the silk road, even set up a few of my warehouses near it. But in the end I decided it was to dangerous)

“What do you mean?” Leif asks

Zhuli grimices (well in the north we have countries like Xia and Liao who we aren't on very good terms with. Especially since the current emperor lost a battle with them. Probably why he’s so desperate to get you back Leif, he wants to save some face)

“So your neighboring countries disrupt trade” Godfrey asks

Zhuli’s eyes widen (oh buddha no they are the easy part. The route the silk road takes passes through deserts and steppes. And worst, the mongol raiders)

“Raiders?” Leif asks

Zhuli nods (i’ve never seen them myself but they are big harry barbarians that rush in on horseback and take everything they want then goes back to their nomadic homes. The only thing they value is strength.)

“Sounds like the eastern version of my people” Godfrey chuckles

Zhuli looks at him stone faced (if that’s true your people must be terrifying.)

The companion eventually sees the great wall. Anong and Zhuli were in aw. Leif was reminded of the walls surrounding newtopia. Godfrey thought it was overkill. The companions follow the wall and run into many more merchants with carts, camels and horses on the silk road.

They eventually reached a trading post along the wall. Swarms of merchants of every ethnicity were getting their caravans ready. Guards and mercenaries were everywhere. People sell everything frome food, to silk, to camels.

Godfrey holds tight to his ax “a lot of rough characters here”

Zhuli nods (well the road isn’t exactly safe. One of the reasons I never seriously considered leaving the country. But if we get your box back and it is out of power we might have to take it to get you home Godfrey)

Zhuli’s words make Leif freeze. Her quest was done. The gems had lost all significant power. And the seeds were planted till the chosen ones could find them. But what if she couldn’t return to amphibia? Could she make a life here on earth? And even if she could, where would she go? The Norse lands with Godfrey? The Khmer empire with Anong? The Song dynasty had its charms but she didn’t want to settle down here if she could help it. Being an emperor's pet had that effect.

She is brought out of her thoughts by Anong (how are we even going to find this Shu guy? What if he already left? Or what if he never came here? I don’t want to be pessimistic but how will we even recognize him?)

Leif looks up “there he is!”

The companions look up ot where their frog friend was pointing and sure enough they saw a rat like man wearing dark clothes with a fu manchu beard and mustache and a large birthmark leaving with a caravan

“Get him!” Godfrey shouts

Leif Anong and Godfrey leap out of the cart and chase down the caravan. Pushing anyone and anything out of their way. Zhuli drove the cart as fast as she could to try to keep up.

They chase the Caravan out of the trading post. Some of the caravan men heard the commotion and saw the strangers chasing them down. Shu turns and recognizes the Jin chan and Viking. The man screams and runs towards the front of the caravan.

He was near the front when Leif jumped on the man’s back “give it back! Give it back! Give it back!”

Godfrey catches up and uses his full weight to knock the man to the ground. Anong then pins Shu on the ground and painfully pulls the thief's arms behind him (where is it!) she demands

The caravan leader, a stern looking man with a turban walks up (whats going on here?)

Godfrey is angry but puts on his diplomatic face “this man kidnaped our friend and stole her possessions. We rescued her and now we want her valuables returned.)

(what could he have stolen that made you chase him down like this?) the caravan leader asks

Zhuli finally catches up in their cart (a box with gray gems and frogs carved on it.

The leader's eyes widened (oh that, he was going to pay us with it in exchange for transport, where did you put it Shu?)

Shu stays silent except for the pained groans from Anong bending his arm

Godfrey turned to the leader “so you’ll give it back?”

(no but maybe we can barter for it) the leader says

They begin to argue when an arrow zips past them and hits the companions' cart. They all stare at it except Zhuli who sees who shot it from a distance. (Barbarians!) she yells

Everyone turns to see Mongols on horseback charging towards the caravan. For a moment Godfrey remembered what it felt like being on the receiving end of raids. The Mongols were on agile horses. The men had dark hair and features that were hidden under thick clothing and armor as well as pointed helmets with fur along the rim. Godfrey recognized the style; these were people from the cold north that loved to fight.

With hardly any time to think Godfey hops up on the caravan to give him the height to jump and tackle the most important looking mongol off his horse. The two men roll on the ground when they get up they both draw their weapons. Godfey’s ax vs the raider leader’s curved blade. The men charged and clashed.

Meanwhile the caravan was trying to get into a defensive position. The trading post had retreated behind its walls so the caravan was easy prey. Leif and Zhuli were holding on to each other screaming while Anong nimbley dodged arrows and even managed to jump and punch a barbarian off their horse.

Zhuli was panicking but that just made her brain work harder. Then she remembered a special ability that leif had (Leif! do your dance!)

“What?” Leif shouts not understanding

Zhulie puts her arms up and sways a little

“Oh yeah” Leif says. She takes a nervous gulp and hops in the middle of the stampeding raiders. She was too small to really be noticed. But she begins to do her special dance, swaying with the rhythm of nature.

A horse nearly runs her over but she leaps out of the way into Anong’s arms. Kicked up earth pelting her silly horned helmet. Anong puts Leif down and begins bobbing her head, Leif follows along and the two women start doing the dance. Mongle horses stop in the tracks staring at the women. A few riders almost fly off their mounts from the sudden stop. The women continue doing their crazy dance hypnotizing the horses.

One mongol decided he had enough and raised his bow to shoot the women. Before he can fire a knife hits his arm and he screams. The raiders turn to see Zhuli standing on her cart her arm still outstretched form throwing the knife (uh-oh)

She barely has time to leap behind her cart as it gets pelted with arrows. She sticks her head out to see if it was safe (well that donkey’s definitely dead.)

Leif and Anong meanwhile finish their dance and with a snap all the horses in the area freeze. The raiders are confused. Then Leif says “Dance!”

all the horses stand on their back legs cloping around in a strange dance. Their riders are in complete disarray unable to control their horses and most falling off “Илбэ” one rider says

Godfey and the raid leader meanwhile continue their fight. Ax and sword clashes sounding through the air. The raid leader lunges trying to stab Godfrey. Godfrey catches the blade with his ax head, with a twist he forces the weapon out of the mongol’s hand and flings it away. Thinkin he has the upper hand Godfey gives a downward swing. But the Mongol grabs the ax handle and rips the weapon out of Godfrye's hand.

The mongol tosses the ax away and Godffey notices just how much bigger this man is. Still he controls his nerve and with a cry that would make the god Tyr proud charges the Mongle. He swings his fist and punches the raid leader right in the face.

The Mongol quickly gets over his shock and punches back. The two men continue trading blows. Godfrey felt his jaw swelling while the mongol was getting a black eye. But he could feel his strength running out. The Mongol smiles knowing victory was near.

Godfrey then hears Leif scream. He turns and sees Anong Leif and Zhuli surrounded by Mongols that had been bucked off their horses. He gives one last roar and punches the leader with all his might. His fist collides with the Mongol's chin and the raid leader was on the ground.

Godfrey is ready to run to his friends when he hears the leader laugh. The Mogel stands up and puts his hand in the air. “довтолгоогоо зогсоо, энэ удаад тэд хожлоо.'' The mongols cease their attack and start leaving.

The leader gets his horse and mount it. He then looks down at Godfrey and says “Чи сайн тулалдсан дайчин.” then rides off with his men

“We won!” Leif shouts. The whole caravan celebrates.

The caravan leader approaches the companions (no doubt you saved us)

Shu crawls out from under a wounded camel (so we can go on our journey right?)

Everyone glares at the thief. The caravan leader then speaks in a no nonsense voice (your going to return the box to these people then were turning you over to the trading post guards)

Shu gulps knowing there is no escape

###

They finally had the box back. All the gems were gray with just the slightest bit of color. But they had it back. At the trading post they had turned Shu over to the guards. after giving him a few extra lumps on his head. They were now resupplying. The Caravan leader was so grateful he had paid for a new ox for their cart. Then resupplying from one of Zhuli’s safe houses they were enjoying the sights and sounds of the trading post

“I can’t believe we did it!” Leif hops around happily holding the box

(I still can’t believe he walked all over china getting that thing) Zhuli smiles

(well you didn’t see it back when it had magic) Anong tells her

Godfey was dancing around with leif “what now shield maiden Leif? Do you think it will send you home or somewhere else on earth?”

“I really don’t know? If it has any magic left I guess i’ll just have to trust it” Leif says

“I guess I'll trust it too. Anywhere will be closer to home then china” Godfrey says

“But what if it takes me back to Amphibia?” Leif asks

Godfey shrugs. Then i’m either walking home on the silk road or going to see your home land”

(hey don’t forget about me, i’m not going be left behind on an adventure) Anong interrupts

Zhuli smiles (well if you're going on the silk road please allow me to accompany you, I don’t have anything making me stay anymore.)

Leif laughs and cries thinking she might have to say goodbye to her friends. She was about to speak when a loud voice yelled (there’s the Jin Chan!)

The companions turn. A small army was staring down at them, these were not border guards but capital guards and they knew exactly what they were looking for

“Time to go,'' Leif says, hopping on the ox’s back and trying to get it to move. Zhuli drives the cart as fast as she can while Godfrey and Anong push from behind. Everyone in the trading post moves out of the way as the companions run from the quickly approaching guards.

“Leif open the box!” Godfrey yells

“But we don’t know if it works?” Leif yells back. A spear flies by her head.

“Do you have a better idea?!” Godfrey shouts again.

“Good point” Leif opens the box and a portal opens in front of them. Without hesitation they rush through cart and all.

###

End chapter

End of part three. To be continued in part 4 Amphibia

Mongolian translations because I don’t trust google translate

Sorcery

enough, stop attacking, they won this time.

You fought well, warrior.

Chapter Text

Heroes of calamity interlude

The heroes run through the portal and find themselves near some woods in the middle of the night. They have no idea where they are but the first thing Anong and Zhuli notice was that it was a lot colder. The next thing they noticed was that there were still guards chasing them. About a dozen of them got through before the portal closed. Though they were slowing down, also wondering what the heck was going on.

They then hear an alarm horn sound off. Everyone looks up and sees a wooden watchtower with torches on it. Out of the tower comes an army of angry vikings yelling as they surround everyone. Leif and Godfrey, knowing vikings instantly put their hands up in surrender. Anong and Zhuli just scream seeing the fur clad humans charging at them.

The Chinese guard put up mild resistance before being pummeled into submission. The heroes are surrounded by the vikings till one of them recognizes them “Godfrey?”

Godfrey looks and recognition dawns on him (Erik is that you?) Godfrey looks around recognizing his clansmen (Gordan, Olaf, Sven, it’s great to see you!)

Leif also recognizes them “hi guys!”

(shield maiden Leif!) one of the vikings says. The men rush forward tossing the frog in the air in celebration.

Erik turns to Godfrey (Stigandr is going to freak out when he hears you two are back. That reminds me, is your quest over?)

Godfrey smiles (yes and we have succeeded. I can’t wait to tell everyone.)

Erik points behind Godfrey (who are those women, did you get some wives on your quest?)

Godfrey turns to see Anong and Zhuli clutching each other in fear Anong turns to her friend and yells (Godfrey what the Narakais going on! What are they saying?)

Godfrey releases the translation magic must not have worked on them for some reason. “Calm down it’s alright this is my home and country men”

The women’s eyes grow wide. They knew Godfey said he was small compared to other vikings but seeing his countrymen made them feel like they were in the land of giants.

Godfrey walks over to the girls (this is Anong and Zhuli they helped Leif and I complete our quest. We honestly would have failed without them)

Erik turns to the other vikings (you hear that lads? These womens are heroes too.) The vikings grab the asian women and start throwing them in the air as well.

Godfrey laughs at their screams. Erik taps Godfrey on the shoulder (what about those guys?) Erik points to the chinese soldiers

Godfrey frowns (I honestly don’t care what happens to them, they've been chasing us all around China to make Leif a pet for their king.)

Erik frowns (did they now? Lads looks like Godfey also brought us some slaves)

The intimidating viking guards around the chinese guards chuckling evilly. The Chinese captain takes a nervous gulp. He had no idea what these barbarians were saying. But he did realize he and his men were screwed.

###

The heroes are escorted into the village just as the sun was rising. The villagers were grumpy hearing the guards come into town with so much fanfare, but once they saw who was being brought in the whole town rushes in and celebrates the return of Godfrey and Leif.

Countless questions are asked and Godfrey can’t even get a word in to answer. The ground goes silent as Stigandr arrives with his family. Godfrey bows (master Stigandr, I have returned from my quest.)

Stigandr lifts the man up and gives him a large hug (my brother has returned) the two men share a long hug. When they break apart Stifandr bows his head to Leif “Shield Maiden Leif it good to see you after quest”

Leif chuckles “it’s good to see you too”

Stigandr nods to Zhuli and Anong (you also picked up some more strange companions. I’m sure they are just as heroic) he then turns to his people (lets celebrate!) The crowd cheers as they run to prepare a feast.

###

The villages celebrated outside all day. It was evening by the time Godfey had gotten done telling the story for the fifth time. The crowd roared for Godfery to tell it again but he excused himself to sit and catch up with Stignadr (you would think I was telling a saga)

The village Chief laughs (with how foreign those lands sound you might as well have traveled to one of the nine realms)

Godfrey chuckles and agrees (so what has happened since I've been gone? I must have been gone for over a year if it’s spring again.)

Stigandr chuckles (life has become normal again without lady Lief around. We raid, we farm, and we fish. Relationships with our neighbors have gotten better since we planted the Yggdrasil seed. Villages have been sending warriors to protect it and Gothi from all over the lands have come to study it.

(Other than that Iona and the children are fine. My job as the chief has gotten a lot harder without you. I never realized how much work I gave you!)

Godfrey chuckle (I was happy to do it)

Stigandr gives a hearty laugh (and I appreciate it. So tell me on your journeys did you meet any warriors that could match us)

Godfrey shakes his head but then thinks (actually I’ll need to ask Zhuli for more information about this mongol tribe those people were like us on horses)

(bah) Stigandr curses (who needs a horse when you have a fine wooden ship?) he takes a drink (though that reminds me where are your fine lady friends?)

Godfrey felt guilty, he was so busy catching up with his tribe he had neglected his companions. He looks around and spies Leif doing her dance to a group of children wearing helmets similar to hers. The kids had missed her a lot and had formed a sort of fan club.

Godfrey chuckles and spies Zhuli and Anong at a dining table at the far side of the party (there they are!)

####

Zhuli and Anong had no idea what was going on except they were being treated as guests of honor. They knew they were safe among Godfrey’s people but the viking were very loud and they had no idea what they were saying. All they knew was that they were seated at a table and the viking kept piling strange food in front of them. Venison stew, whole roasted pigs, smoked salmon, honey roasted vegetables, flat bread, berry preserves, and much more

(well viking food is certainly hearty) Zhuli says poking at a mutton leg with a knife

Anong swallows one last bite of stew before a viking refills her bowl and hands her a drinking horn (I can’t believe I’m saying this but this is way too much food to eat) Anong then slams her head on the table (how did Godfey get used to our food so fast?!)

Zhuli eats some skyr with berries (oh this is good. I think Godfrey is used to adapting to new places and customs. He did say he was a negotiator to other lands after all)

Anong feels her stomach turning as Vikings offers her more (yeah but still in china I had at least heard of you guys. These norse lands? If I hadn’t known Godfrey I would think we were in a land of monsters!)

(it doesn't help that we have no idea what they are saying.) Zhuli says

(we completely have to rely on Godfrey to translate) Anong agrees, she then gives a nervous laugh (oh Shiva is this how Leif feels all the time? she literally can’t talk to anyone except Godfey!)

Before Zhuli can respond Godfey walks up with Leif on his shoulder “Sorry I haven’t spent much time with you girls today I’ve just been s happy to see my people again”

Zhuli puts on her court face (I understand, to see loved ones after so long of course you would spend time with them.)

Anong wasn’t so tactful (Godfey! What am I eating? Why is it so cold? What are your people saying? What are we going to do now!?)

Godfrey chuckles and turns to the crowd (I think the ladies have had enough. Their countries are used to much lighter food.)

The vikings shrug and take away the food to their own tables. Leif gets a good laugh for not being the latest outsider anymore. She then turns to her friends “Godfrey Translate this. We deserve a break now that the quest is done and we're safe so let's take some time to relax. Holding the box I can feel just one more spark of power left. So lets make sure were were all rested before I try to head back to Amphibia”

Godfrey after translating turn to her “don’t think your going anywhere without us”

(yeah your a wanted criminal you need some protection) Anong says with a smile

Zhuli gives a small grin (I’m sure you take this free time to come up with reasons for us not to come, but rest assured I will come up with reasons for us to come)

Leif smile smelancholy at her friends “thanks guys”

Before the companions can say anything else they get swept up by the crowd to start dancing. The vikings do a folk circle dance. Leif having fun does a little frog jig. Anong gets caught up in the excitement and starts doing a dance that people can't decide if it’s actually dancing or her fighting the air.

Godfrey tries to get Zhuli to join but the Chinese woman just laughs and retrieves some fans from her cart. Getting everyone’s attention she does a traditional dance captivating everyone. The viking laughs and try to mimic her dance. Zhuli thinks they're making a mockery of it but gets a good laugh.

Everyone continues to dance as the sun sets. Leif looks up at the sun and gets an idea. She hops up to Godfey and nudges him “Hey Godfey do you remember my favorite spot in the village?”

Godfrey smiles down at her “of course I do, it’s the rock on the cliffs overlooking the s-” Godfrey is struck with relaxation and runs off

Leif laughs “go Godfrey go!”

Godfrey runs up to Anong “follow me I have something to show you”

Godfrey grabs her hand and takes her out of the crows Anong laughing behind him.

Zhuli is terrified (hey wait for me, don’t leave me alone with people I can’t even talk to) she tries running after them but Leif jumps on her head

“Oh no you don’t I’m not letting you ruin the moment for them!”

Zhuli starters flailing around (Leif get off I can’t understand you!)

Stigandr meanwhile is enjoying the party when his wife Iona nudges him and points to the path to the cliffs. He sees Godfey leading Anong up to them (well I’ll be a son of a troll. I didn’t think Godfey had it in him)

Iona chuckles (he always was a man of strange taste, but he deserves some happiness)

Godfrey leads Anong up the cliffs (come on godfrey what do you want to show me?) she gasps as they reach the top.

The sea was dyed the colors of sunset. The cool salt breeze flows through their hair and clothes. The sound of waves breaking against rock and seafaring birds echo through the air.

“This is the ocean” Godfrey says leading Anong to a rock

(it’s beautiful) the women says

Godfey chuckles “sunsets here are very popular. Personally I like coming here around mid day when the sea is blue”

(i’d like to see that) anong smiles

The two share a tender moment listening to the sound of nature and enjoying each other’s company. That is until Zhuli stumbles towards them, Leif still on her head.

Zhuli loudly trips and falls on her stomach (seriously Leif why can’t I go this way?!) She sees Godfry and Anong staring at her and the sunset. She puts two and two together (oh this is why you didn’t want me following them. Sorry Leif. you two go back to what you were doing)

Anong and Godfrey blush and start making excuses for why they were together.

Zhuli starts heading back to the village with Leif constantly hitting her on the head “you ruined it! I won’t let you off so easily, Zhuli, that was so romantic and you botched it for everyone!”

Zhuli had no idea what she was saying but kept saying sorry every time Leif bonked her little hand on her head.

###

The heroes decided to spend time relaxing after all the trials they had gone through. Godfrey and Leif took great pleasure in showing Anong and Zhuli the Norse lands. The women were still culture shocked but found the viking lands beautiful, though the culture was a little backwards.

This day Leif was showing her female companions one of her favorite things about the norse lands. The sauna.

(i'm loving this Laugardagr) Zhuli says enjoying the steam and smoke

“Aww I love how this this reminds me of home” Leif says

(I don't know what you said Lief but I love how this makes me feel like home) Anong says

(I do miss the baths back in the palace, but to get this luxury from barbarians? I severely underestimated the lower class) Zhuli says

(I’m lower class and I grew up bathing in a river) Anong says

Zhuli blushes (sorry… I didn't mean to… well…)

Anong laughs (Zhuli relax i don’t blame you for growing up rich. We all got our different trials. We can try to understand others, but everyone’s is unique)

Zhuli laughs (true, Godfrey would talk of his homeland, now that I've seen it I understand his stories a lot more.)

The two humans laugh and Leif rolls her eyes “wow, I know there's a language barrier but you could at least try to try to include me in your gossip”

There's a knock on the sauna door (whose that?) Anong asks

(well we have been in here awhile) Zhuli says

(I’ll see what they want) Anong opens the door and slams it with a horrified look

(what’s wrong Anong?) Zhuli askas worriely

(so many large hairy naked people) Anong says the two other women chuckle (I think I understand why Godfrey was so prudish back in Khmer)

Leif hops up (as much as I love it in here I guess I should let someone else have a turn, though I still don’t get how you warmbloods don’t overheat. Have fun, mammals.”

Leif leaves and the two asian women relax in the Sauna. That is until Iona walks in (oh the two foreign women. Pleasure to see you. Don’t mind me.)

Anong and Zhuli watch as Iona starts to clean herself. Now to be fair Iona was one of the great beauties of the village. But it didn’t take long before Anong and Zhuli had enough

(I’m out)

(right behind you)

The two leave the sauna considerably more red than when they entered.

###

Anong and Zhuli were walking through the village (it’s just strange Zhuli. I literally have nothing to do. My whole life I've had to work every day to eat. Even on the quest we always had something to do. But now I'm just a guest. My muscles are spasming for something to do.)

(it’s called boredom Anong. I had it all the time at the palace) Zhuli responds

Anong rolls her eyes. She then shivers and pulls her vest closer (why does this country have to be so cold!)

Zhuli chuckles (Khmer is mostly jungle right? You probably haven't ever seen snow?)

(what’s snow?) Anong asks

Zhuli laughs some more (snow is what happens to water when it gets too cold it actually becomes solid)

Anong laughs (that’s impossible)

Zhuli gives a wicked smirk (if we stay here till winter you will see for yourself. According to Godfey the winters here get very cold and very snowy)

Anong frowns (if we stay that long)

Zhuli frowned as the meaning of those words hit her. The two walk in silence for a bit. Till they notice a viking with an umbrella, then a viking carrying a bag of rice (hey that’s my stuff!) Zhuli yells

The two women run to her cart where vikings are marveling and picking over the oriental oddities inside (that's mine give it back!) Zhuli yells but gets pushed aside

Anong confronts the thieves (hey leave her alone!)

The vikings eye her and one speaks (beat it boy)

Another viking chimes in (actually I’m, pretty sure godfrey said they were a girl)

(really?) The vikings share a mean laugh. Anong isn’t sure what they said but she was sure it was insulting.

The viking turned back to the cart. Anong grabs the big one and turns him back to her (I said hands off!)

The viking growls (what's her problem? Hey that striped headband, that's the one from Godfreys story right? The giant cat?) the viking around him agreed. The viking reaches for the headband (I wouldn’t mind having that pelt in my collection)

Anong slaps his hand away and gives an uppercut to his chin that sends the viking off his feet and into the cart. The other viking stare at the two foreign women and surround them (uh-oh)

###

Leif was happily hopping along when one of the chinese soldiers turned slave throws himself in front of her (please mighty jin chan! Deliver me from this bondage)

“Ew” Leif says walking around the soldier as his new masters drag him back

(come on thrall back to working the fields) the viking say as the man screams

Leif felt a little bad letting the viking turn those men into slaves, but then remembered her time in the bird cage and shrugged. As she continues her walk she hears a young voice. ”Leif hey Leif!”

She turns to see Stigandr’s son Henrick running up with his mother Iona Leif happily hops up and hugs the young boy “oh Henrick you’ve gotten so big how are you?”

Henrick laughs and says in heavily accented English “I happy to see you. Been learning English so that I can be di-diplo- helper like uncle Godfrey. Then I help father when I grow”

Leif smiles “well your english is getting a lot better”

Iona leans down and shows the frog women her daughter. The same baby that Leif had helped deliver. Leif’s eyes get big and watery looking at the baby “oh she is so precious!”

Iona chuckles and says something to Henrick who nods “mama says to tell you her name is Liefie after you”

Leif starts crying and hops on Iona hugging her face “thank you so much!”

Leif continues her walk with the chief family, Henrick practicing his English with her when they hear a commotion.

They run up to see a large ring of vikinging and in the center of the ring was Anong happily fighting one viking at a time showing off her Muey Thai skills.

The vikings were cheering and booing as competitors faced her one after another. Zhuli meanwhile had set up a makeshirt gambling table at her cart and was using a piece of charcoal to draw pictograms of the odds on a large board. So far she had won back all her stuff and a lot more.

Leif winces and turns to Iona. “sorry about this”

Iona meanwhile shouts at Anong (kick his butt!) she then walks off to Zhuli to make a wager

“Mama said-” Henrick starts when Leif interrupts

“I don’t need you to translate that bud”

They run to catch up to Iona with Henrick stealing looks at Anong “she good fighter like valkyrie”

Leif laughs “back in the Khmer empire this was her job.”

Iona is trying to haggle with Zhuli but the language difference is too great

(I don't know what you're saying! Zhuli yells

Henrick speaks up “mama says she want to bet two silvers and a chicken”

Zhulie’s eyes widen (hey kid I understood you) she then clears a spot for Henrick to sit. Iona releases what’s happening

(son I think lady Zhuli wants you to be her translator.)

Henrick pumps his hands in the air “woo hoo I get to be dip-l diplomat like Godfrey”

Leif meanwhile gives an annoyed look “the box's magic makes them understand your english but not mine? That's total-!”

Lefi is interrupted by another viking being punched out of the ring. The crowd cheers and Zhuli puts another mark on Anong’s tally of wins.

Eventually Stigandr andGodfey wander over “what the Helheim is going on?”

Zhuli and Hennrick wave (hi Godfey your adorable nephew here has been a great help. I won back all my stuff and I think I own a farm now)

The two men watch as Anong knocks out another viking. She then goes to sit on a bench as a bunch of fanboy vikings give her water and snacks. Zhuli nudges Henrick and holds up five fingers. The young boy then shouts (five minute break till the next fight, make your bets!)

Vikings crowd around the cart. Stigandr laughs (looks like you got yourself a real valkyrie. Are you going to fight her?)

Godfrey gives snort (I tried that once, I prefer keeping my teeth in my mouth)

(then I’ll give it a go) Stigandr then turns to his village (next fight is against me!) even more vikings run to make their bets.

Godfrey rolls his eyes and sees Leif and Iona helping the local healer patch up the defeated vikings. He goes to help “so what are the odds?” Leif asks

Godfey shrugs “Stigandr is a great fighter but Anong’s skill is unique”

Anong and Stigandr square off. A bell is sounded and Anong gets close and punches him. But after a few hits she shakes her hands. It was like punching a statue. The chief grunts. Anong grins at least this statue could feel pain. She danced around him getting as many jabs as she could in. but Stigandr was just getting more and more angry. Eventually he lunges and grabs Anong by the throat.

Lifting Anong up he starts squeezing her (not so fast now)

(Stigandr that’s enough) Godfrey yells

(it’s no good Godfey) Iona says concerned (you know how he gets in battle, the range has him now)

Godfrey is about to run and break up the fight when Anong gives a well placed kick to his crotch. The crowd collectively groans in empathy. the giant man crumpled clutching his jewels.

Godfrey winces (ouch. I hope you weren't planning on having more kids Iona)

Iona shrugs (he’s tough but honestly he had that coming)

“Why does everyone look like they're in pain?” Leif asks, Godfrey just slaps his hand to his forehead not wanting to explain.

Zhuli nervously steps up (uh… the winner is Anong!)

Anong raises her fists in victory until Stigndr lets out an animal growl. Godfrey then shouts to her “he’s going berserker you better run girl!”

Anong runs off an angry Stigandry chasing her with a limp “should we be worried?” Leif asks

Godfey laughs “Anong’s faster than him. He'll tire out eventually and I bet he’ll be apologizing by sundown.”

And he did

###

Leif sat holding the box and staring at the alder tree that had grown from the calamity seed. The tree was taller than her but not yet the height of a human man. She sighs as she watches the fruit of her labor. Frode and his fellow Gothi were tending to the young plant.

She places a hand on the bark, she had sacrificed so much to plant these trees. She had betrayed her home. But despite being a world of strangers and monsters she could almost call earth home. She wished she could stay. She wished she could just tend to these trees like she tended to her garden. But that was not her job. She had to go home. Even if it wasn’t safe anymore

“Figured we find you here” Godfrey says. Zhuli and Anong next to him

Zhuli approaches the tree (so this is what grew from the seeds? By first glance it looks normal but in the right light it almost glows)

Anong also looks at it (I wonder how big the tree back in Khmer has gotten?)

Godfrey kneels down to Leif “are you alright?”

“It’s time” Leif says with tears

“I hope you don’t mean right this minute?” Godfrey says glibly to hide his sadness

Leif sighs “I need to go home. But I don't want to leave. I’ve made so many friends in this world. I want to see Iona raise Liefie, I want to help Henrick learn english, i want to help the healer perfect his art, I want to keep living with you vikings, I want to visits the slum folk in Khmer, and I wouldn’t mind going back to China if the emperor would stop looking for me. But I can't stay here!”

“Why not?” Godfrey says softly, though he was pretty sure he knew the answer.

Leif sniffs “because I can't abandon my people, you humans have the ability to adapt and thrive in the most inhospitable of places, but my people have been dependent on the box’s power for so long, I don't know how they will survive. I need to try to help them even if there's nothing I can do. And I need to see Barrel and Andrias again somehow.”

(but the’ll kill you) Anong says in concern

Leif gives a sob and a chuckle “to be fair I did betray them… but there my friends I love them. I hurt them. And I have to at least try to make things right. I can’t just run away and hide in this world.”

(why not?) Zhuli says (you saved it from the Leviathan. The least our world can do is shelter you)

Lefi chuckles “because I feel I have to”

Zhuli sighs (your sense of duty is greater than mine)

Godfrey hugs Leif “we understand, but understand we are coming with you”

Lefi cries in gratitude, but tries to protest “but this is your world you have homes here”

Anogn laughs (without your box there's no way I can get back to Khmer)

Zhuli laughs (even with the map we made i don’t think we could find it, plus I ran away from home. What's a little farther?)

Leif just cries into her human friend’s shoulder

Godfey lifts his little friend up “I hope you plan to say goodbye at least. The village would want to see you one last time.”

Leif nods.

That night the vikings hold a going away party for Leif. The little frog woman was nursing a drink wearing her silly horned helmet. She watched as Godfey did one last drinking contest with his friends. She saw Anong doing a traditional dance telling a story as Zhuli played a zither. She watched as vikings danced, ate and sang. She watched Iona and Henrick fuss over Liefie.

The room was filled with so much life, so much joy, so much humanity. Leif feels tears slip from her eyes. She would miss their world, but saving it was probably the hardest and best choice she had ever made.

###

With heavy hearts the companions start preparing for their journey. Packing supplies and saying goodbyes.

In Stigandr’s home Leif sits sighing to herself as her human companions make a meal and plan.

“What’s wrong Leif?” Godfrey asks “are you going to miss earth

“Of course I am” Leif says, “but there's a lot more than that. I'm worried about my friends following me to a world filled with monsters. I’m worried that I won't be able to help anyone because I'll be a wanted fugitive in my kingdom, I'm worried to see my best friends again, and I'm worried about the prophecy.”

Anong looks confused (I thought we stopped the prophecy by planting the seeds?)

Iona chuckles (Leif’s prophecy tells the coming of heroes. Plating those trees just made sure they could be found someday.)

“Iona is right” Godfrey says “the vikings and my homeland both have prophecies about the end of days, but they also both tell the coming of heroes. Such heroes can only come if people continue to have courage to fight for what they believe is right.” He then turns to Leif “you fought impossible odds to complete your quest here on earth and you will do it again in Amphibia. Don’t doubt your courage now.”

Leif smiles “thanks Godfrey” she then frowns “but still I wish there was a way I could help the heroes when they eventually come, instructions, a guide, heck even a good luck message”

“Then why don’t you?” Godfrey asks. Leif looks up in confusion. Godfrey sighs and explains “before I was…” he looks at Stigandr and his family uncomfortably “brought to this land I was being taught in the ways of a priest. Those men of the cloth would read and recite scripture from a thousand years ago. If nothing else it’s impressive that we still have messages from that long ago”

(he’s right) Anong pipes in (not many can write or read in Khmer but the nobles still carve our story into the stone of our temples so that it can last longer than the jungle)

Zhuli nods (and in China we have a printing press to mass produce messages so that a message can spread quickly. If you leave a message it will be found

Leif thinks a bit and motions Stigandr over. She then pull out a bottle of ink that she had kept safe her entire journey “Chief Stigandr this ink is special it can only be read if seen through a certain lens that is colored red.'' She then takes a quill and scribbles something on a piece of parchment.

Godfrey and Srigandre look in confusion. Then Stigandr gets an idea and pulls out an amber stone tied to his neck. (will this do?)

Godfrey looks through the stone and sees Leif had scribbled a smiling face. “That's incredible, but why write the message in invisible ink?”

Leif sighs “honestly the less humans know about my world the better. It’st probably best if i’m mistaken as a character from your human legends”

Godfrey nods “we will follow your wishes, but what message do you want us to leave for you?”

Leif thinks “I’ll prepare a few, but something along the lines of ‘Seek the Mother of Olms, she will guide you to your destiny’

“What’s an olm?” Godfrey asks, after Leif explains “by thor that sounds like the Jörmungandr serpent!”

Stigandr promised that he and Frode would pass the message along and also asked for the ink recipe so that the healer could make more if need be. Leif agrees and prays that these messages would help the heroes in the future.

###

Leif stood by the cliffs. It was much like last time, but this time she had Godfey, Anong, and Zhuli by her side. They all had a pack of supplies since Leif wasn’t sure how well the cart would do in her swampy world. She turns and sees the village. Last time it had been a great celebration, a start of a great quest. But this time everyone knew it was a one way trip.

Her human friends nod down to her. She opens the box. A portal opens but it was much smaller, barely the size of a door. She could not see through it but she knew it was home.

The heroes take one last look. The whole village was there, even the chinese soldiers turned thralls were allowed to watch. There wasn’t a dry eye to be seen. Lefi collapsed to her knees “thank you, thank you so much!”

She sobs uncontrollably for a little bit, but then feels a hand lift her chin up. Through her tears she sees Stigandr smiling at her tears running down his beard. Leif smiles to think once human faces made her terrified now she just felt comfort from them.

Stigandr stands up. He then raises a fist to the air (glory to Leif! Glory to Godfrey, glory to Anong, Glory to Zhulie, Glory to the heroes of Calamity!)

(glory to the heroes of Calamity!) the whole village cheers

Godfey smiles through his tears. He takes one last breath of home and walks through the portal. Anong looks at the blue sea, waves goodbye and runs through. Zhuli bows in respect to the barbarians that had taken her in and walks through the portal.

Leif sniffs and nods. She turns to the portal, her hands clutching the calamity box like a life preserver. She looks at the ground one last time knowing she would never see earth again and steps through the portal.

###

End of interlude. Next part four Amphibia.

Chapter Text

The first thing Leif notices is that it’s warm. Her head feels fuzzy but it’s starting to clear. While all her previous times traveling through the portal had been like walking through a door this time it was like violently being tossed out of a building.

She struggles to get up and opens her eyes to realize that her head is half buried in mud. She feels the ground is soft and boggy. She gets up and takes a deep breath. She is surrounded by swamp and sees dragonflies the size of eagles buzz by. She recognizes this as the same swamp she had left from “I’m home” she whispers to herself.

She then remembers her friends “Godfey! Zhuli! Anong! Are you alright?”

She turns to see her friends tossed around the clearing picking themselves off the ground “Were here” Godfrey says stretching and popping his back form the journey

“That was rough” Anong says climbing down a tree she was tossed into

“I don’t remember it being like that when we left China Leif” Zhuli says as she untagles her muddy dress.

Leif stands in shock as she realizes what she just heard “I understood you! I understood without Godfey having to translate.”

Anong and Zhuli freeze “and we understood you. How is that possible?” Zhuli says

“That box's power is weird” Anong says but then she realizes what she said “the box where is it?!”

Leif looks around and finds the box. But it looks older and more brittle. She picks it up and can tell just by touching it that it had no power left, it was just a pretty music box now “it’s safe but worthless”

“She says it’s safe” Godfrey says

“We know Godfrey we can understand her now” Zhuli says

Godfey shrugs, “well excuse me I’m used to having to translate everything for you women.”

Anong chuckles then leans down to Leif “well now that I don’t need a translator. Hello my name is Anong it’s a pleasure to meet you” Anong holds out her hand

Leif takes her hand “hello Anong my name is Leif the pleasure is all mine”

Zhuli chuckles and bows respectively “and my name is Zhuli. It is an honor to be able to converse with you now. But I wonder 你现在明白我了吗?”

“What?” her companions say

“I said ‘can you understand me now’. I guess if we focus we can speak our native languages” Zhuli theorises

“Really? ฉันกำลังพูดอะไรอยู่?” anong says

“You said what am I saying” Godfrey says

“It still works for you?” Leif asks

“No, but I have an ear for languages, I'm fluent in Norse, English, Latin, and even spanish. I was starting to pick up Khmer before we left.”

“That can be useful” Zhuli starts but goes quiet when she hears a noise.

The humans turn and see a creature twice as tall as Godfrey step into the clearing. It was man shaped but completely covered in some sort of plant, or maybe it was the plant. It had glowing eyes but a gentle presence around it.

“You're ok!” Leif shouts and hugs the creature

“What is that thing?” Zhulie asks

“This is a mossman. It helped me escape when I stole the box. Have you been waiting for me here all this time?”

The mossman coos in the affirmative

“Those things are normal here?” Anong asks approaching the mossman curiously

“Not so much out of the castle, in fact this poor thing is the only free one” Leif says sadly

Zhuli thinks but is interrupted as a fly the size of a chicken zooms past her. She screams. Godfrey meanwhile tries to lean against a tree when a spider the size of a hound tries to jump at him, he cleaves it in half with his ax.

Anong shakes her head “you two need to relax, this isn’t any different from the jungles I grew up in” she then watches a four foot long millipede scuttle across the ground “though I do admit they are bigger than back home”

Leif grabs the millipede with her tongue and bites its head off. As she talks around a mouthful of bug “yep this stuff is normal around here”

“So it’s safe?” godfrey asks

Leif swallows “oh heavens no it’s not safe. But I'm just used to it. Besides there are a lot more dangerous things than the local fauna”

“Like what?” Anong asks

Before Leif can answer, red lights hit the ground causing explosions “like those!” Leif says pointing up.

The humans gasp as they see something they would never have imagined. Living metal statues made of dark metal with glowing red eyes and a vaguely frog shape. They had heard Leif talk about these creatures but seeing a robot for the first time was mind blowing.

The four robots are hovering in the air and lock on Leif. They then speak in a mechanical voice that makes the humans jump “target acquired. Retrieving fugitive”

Leif screams and starts to run. The robots start to chase her but the humans get in their way.

“Leave her alone!'' Godfrey shouts and swings his ax. It digs deep into the robot’s chassis, but it gets stuck “uh-oh” is all Gpdffeu gets to say before he is knocked aside.

Anong leaps forward and gives a flurry of punches to another robot. Just to shake her hands “ow!”

The third robot grabs Zhuli by the throat and lifts her up “unknown creature interfering with mission. Eliminate.”

The robot starts charging a laser cannon. Zhuli in desperation pulls out her hair pin and stabs the robot in the eye. This kills the robot but the electricity surges through the hairpin into Zhuli paralyzing her.

“No!” Leif shouts as Zhuli falls to the ground. She tries to run to her friend but the three robots close in on her. Suddenly the mossman charges in and knocks them over. It motions for Leif to hop on

“I can’t leave my friends,” Leif says, the moss man nods. They run over to Zhuli and the mossmand picks her up

“What was that?” Zhulli asks dazed

“Hold still Zhuli you got a bad electric shock” Leif says

“Huh?” the human asks

“You got hid by the lightning in the robot” Leif simplifies

“Oh my Buddha!” Zhuli exclaims

The robot with an ax in its chest tries to aim at the mossmand but godfrey tackles it “that’s mine” and violently rips the ax out of the robot with wires and sparks coming out.

Anong is dodging around another robot getting a few hits here and there “don’t these things have any weaknesses?” she yells

“The arms and the neck!” Leif yells

“What neck? Woah-!” Anong trips over the music box still on the ground

“Priority target found priority target found” the robot says and grabs the box “returning to castle”

“The box!” Anong shouts

“Leave it, it's not important anymore!” Leif shouts “let's go!”

Anong doesn't like running from a fight but martial arts are no good so she turns and runs following the fleeing Mossmand with Leif and Zhuli as its passengers.

Godffey finishes hacking at his robot. Sparks were flying everywhere but the thing still wasn't dead. But it was down enough that he runs after his friends. The last robot aims its lazer cannon at the fleeing humans but Godfrey turns and tosses a throwing ax at the robot’s arm knocking off it’s aim and making it fire into the woods.

The first robot talks to the last “ignore fugitives and deliver priority targets to the king.”

The robots fly off towards newtopia while the heroes run deeper into the woods

###

The heroes stop to catch their breath “we really are in a world of monsters” Godfrey says between gulps of air

“Zhuli, are you alright?” Anong says approaching the mossman and her friend

The mossman was applying a healing slave to her arm “I’m ok my arm is just a little numb” Zhuli says

Leif starts to cry. All the humans turn to her “what was I thinking? Of course the king would still want me dead, he won’t stop till he has the gem’s power’s again. And I dragged you here. This is all my fault!”

Godfrey stomps over to Leif “don’t you dare say that. We may be in over our heads but we made this choice not you.”

“Were with you till the end” Anong chimes in

“But we don’t know what we are doing so you better start leading us local girl” Zhuli smiles

Leif sniffs feeling a little better “well we need to find someplace safe. Also I've been gone for over a year, who knows what has changed?”

“Then we’ll face it together” Godfrey says

Leif smiles and hops on the Mossman. The heroes start journeying deeper into amphibia.

“By the way you owe me a new throwing ax” Godfrey says

###

Meanwhile in Newtopia Andrias looks down at the angry mob at the gates. The city was beginning to show signs of disorder. The electric lights had dimmed and the technological wonders were mostly dysfunctional.

Andrias growls. It had been over a year since the box was stolen. Without their primary power source the newtopia couldn't keep the same standard of living. He had already taken away the frogs and toads' energy rations and given them to the newts. But still the newts protested and complained since they could no longer live in the luxury they were used to.

Andrias sneers and stomps back inside. “Only a year and Amphibia is already falling apart.” he says to himself “see Leif this is why we need to invade…” he pauses, Leif wasn’t there anymore. Maybe if she was she could help him find a way to shoulder the responsibility given to him.

Andrias shakes his head angrily. This was all Leif’s fault. It was because he made the mistake of trusting her that his father gave him so much responsibility to fix his mistake. Still their empire was in decline, and it was all his fault. If they didn’t find the box soon all would be lost.

“Sir” a butler robot approaches “message from search team 29, priority target has been found and is on route to the castle.”

Andrias felt a relief he hadn't felt in over a year. He runs to the throne room. He sees his father old and weak with tubes and i.v.’s around him “what is it?” Aldrich grumbles

“The box has been found father” Andrais says as he bows in the empty throne room

“You may yet be able to fix your mistake son” Aldrich says

Andrias feels like a knife is stable into his heart from his father’s words. Two robots fly into the throne room, one badly damaged. The first one presents the box to the giant newts. Andrias eagerly accepts the box. But his smile instantly disappears “what is this? The gems are grey, all the power is gone!”

“Your ‘friend’” Aldrich spits “has doomed our civilization”

“What happened?” Andrias barks at the robots. He then notices the throwing ax in the second one's arm. He rips it out and looks at the norse patterns on the ax “and where did this come from?”

The frobot reports “team 29 found priority fugitive with three unknowns and escaped mossman. Attempted capture was thwarted by unknown. Then priority target was found and retrieved. protocol demanded instant return of priority target.”

“Three unknowns? Show me your visual record.” Andrias demands

The robot's eyes turn into a projector. The video was shaky and hard to see but Andrais orders it to freeze frame. He sees Leif riding on the mossman being followed by three tall ugly predator creatures “are those humans? What is going on?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Aldrich says Andrias shakes his head. The old king sighs disappointedly “it’s the olms' prophecy. That traitor has found the three stars on earth, she gave them the box’s power and brought them here to destroy us”

“But why would they let our robots escape if they have the gem’s powers?” Andrias asks confused

“One cannot simply master the power overnight. It took the greatest mind of their time to create the box so as to properly utilize the gem’s power. It will take time for these humans” Aldrich spits “to learn to use their powers. We must destroy them before they get the chance”

Andrias is still confused but nods. He then turns to the robots “new priority mission. Find and destroy those three humans”

“Addendum to that order” Aldrich says “destroy the humans and the gardener Leif as well”

Andrias feels the emotional dagger in his heart dig deeper

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

It was noon the next day when the heroes found a village. They had camped in the swamp the previous day. Leif had found some insects and mushrooms she had promised where edible. Godfrey and Anong had eaten worse so they didn’t complain. Zhuli meanwhile had to be coaxed into eating her sausage sized millipede. Morale was low but they encouraged each other that the next day would be better and slept well with the mossman keeping watch.

The village they found was small with various amphibians walking around. The heroes look at it in awe. Godfrey lets out a low whistle “I knew we would see more of your kinds but I didn’t think it be this… colorful.'' The rainbow of skin colors reminded him of a flower field in full bloom.

Zhuli was fascinated by the inhabitants “the tall ones must be newts, the dull colored stocky ones must be toads. And those frogs are generally small but I'm surprised by the variety of shapes and colors.”

“Well let's go say hello” Anong starts walking out of the woods just to be dragged back in by her companions

“Are you crazy Anong” godfrey whispers “were in enemy territory”

Lefi nods “your hearts in the right place, but don’t forget to us frogs you look like ferocious predators”

Anong huffs “well you seem fine”

Leif winces “when I first arrived on earth I was certain the humans were going to eat me. I only got close to Godfey because he could speak my language and he looked less threatening than the rest of his country men”

The other two women nod in understanding. Godfrey meanwhile folded his arms in offense.

Leif looks at the village “I’ll sneak into the village, find out what's been happening since I've been gone and hopefully get you guys some clokes or something. Maybe we can pass you off as large newts or something?”

###

Leif sneaks into town with her hood up. She was nervous to be around fellow amphibians after so long but she couldn’t deny how good it felt to be in a town that was her size instead of the giant villages of the humans.

She looked around at the market stalls, her mouth watering to see real amphibian cuisine after so long. But she wipes the drool away and starts looking for disguises for her friends. She sees a frog selling clokes and approaches. “Do you have anything for large newts?”

The stall owner starts digging through their inventory. “Buying something for your master girly?”

“What do you mean?” Leif asks

The stall owner looks down at her “aren't you a servant to a newt nobel? Why else would you be buying large cloaks?”

“I travel with newts” Leif says

The stall owner laughs in her face “you expect me to believe your friends with newts after what happened in Newtopia.”

Leif pales “what happened in newtopia?”

The stall owner looks at her like she is crazy “really? The theft of the sacred box, the halt to the invasion, the end of civilizations as we know it. None of that ringing a bell? Where have you been?”

Leif blushes and thinks of a quick lie “my companions and i have been exploring the wilds of frog valley. Trying to map the palace out. We have been at it for over a year so we are behind current events.”

The stall owner sighs “you're lucky then, things have been a mess. Someone stole the box with the great gems from the castle. Without it there can be no invasion, and no power. Things are falling apart around the whole kingdom.”

“Oh no” Leif covers her mouth at the news

“And it gets worse.” The stall owner says “apparently the thief was the frog gardener from the castle, she conspired with a toad guard so the king decided to punish the whole species because of it. All the frog and toad nobles have lost their land and titles, they also have been banished from the city. Only newts are allowed in newtopia now. And they ‘graciously’ gave the job of keeping frogs in line to the toads. So thanks to that thief we frogs are stuck at the bottom of the pecking order now.”

“What!?” Leif says in disbelief “a caste system? There's no way Andrias would allow that.”

“It was prince Andrias’ idea” Leif holds the side of the stall to keep herself from collapsing “refugees from the center of Amphibia have been pouring into the outskirts for months now. And those city folk don’t know how to survive out here. Groups have been forced to try to start new villages because there isn’t room. So I wouldn't be surprised if frog valley has a rush of pioneers with nowhere else to go. Now are you going to buy something or not?”

Leif is jolted back to reality. She reaches into her pockets to find them empty “sorry I don’t have any coppers on me”

The stall owner tells her to scram. As she walks away she is numb inside. She had doomed her entire race. Frogs and toads were both being punished for something she did. Her thoughts were interrupted by her stomach growling. She sighs she needed to get supplies for her and her friends, but without coppers how would she pay?

She brainstormed for ways to get money when she heard a commotion. She sees a family of well dressed frogs arguing with a newt. As she approaches she realizes that the frog’s clothes may have been fancy but they were tattered and torn.

“I told you I wanted you out of my inn last week, get going!” the newt snaps

The frog pleads “please we can pay we have nowhere else to go”

“Not my problem frog” the newt mocks while cleaning his ear

The frog gets angry “don’t take that tone with me I used to be part of the architectural ministry”

The newt laughs “I don't care, you're just a peasant like everyone else now. I don’t want newtopia thinking I'm showing favor to traitorous frogs so beat it.” the newt pushes the frog down and walk inside

“Are you ok?” Leif runs forwards and helps the former nobel up

“I’m fine, that hick thinks he’s better than us because of that traitor Leif” the frog says. He then sees that Leif had frozen at the sound of her name “are you ok miss? Wait a minute I know you… from the wanted poster you're her, she's the traitor to newtopia!”

“What no, that's not what happened!” Leif tries to calm the frog down but people were looking at her, recognizing her. They started pointing and whispering

“That's her”

“She stole the box”

“This is her fault”

“I lost everything because of you!”

“Traitor”

“Traitor!”

“TRAITOR!”

The mob starts closing in on her and grabbing her. Leif screams in fear. Suddenly a loud booming voice shouts “Leave her alone!”

Godfrey, Anong, and Zhulie come running into town, weapons drawn. The villages take one look. They then scream, yell monster, and all run away. In less than a minnite the heroes are alone in the village.

“It’s almost insulting how scared they were” Zhuli says looking at the now unattended stalls

“But hey at least we have free stuff now” Anong says grabbing some clokes

“Are we really going to steal?” Zhuli asks

“Do you have money to pay for it?” Anong counters

“Good point, got any green in there?” Zhuli asks

The girls are taken out of their banter when they hear Godfey gently ask “Leif are you alright?”

The girls turn to see godfrey kneeling next to leif who was on the ground crying, eventually she gets some air and speaks between sobs “NO! I am not alright” Gasp “they hate me, I betrayed them and now everyone is suffering because of me!”

Godfey gently picks up Leif and lets her cry on his shoulder. In silence the three humans gather whatever supplies they could and leave the town.

###

That night the heroes sit around a fire. Leif had finally gotten a hold of herself, but was still sulking. The humans were roasting vegetables over a fire and looking after their depressed friend. Once it was done they offered a skewer to Leif who meekly takes it.

“Are you feeling any better?” Godfrey asks

“Nor really” Leif says taking bite “ow it’s hot”

“That just means it’s fresh” Anong says and takes a bite burning her own tongue

“It’s amazing the size of the vegetables in this world. This carrot is the size of an award winning daikon. And what are these brown vegetables?” Zhuli asks

“Thats a potato” Leif says taking a bite

“We don't have these on earth, or at lease in any place I’ve been” Godfrey says taking a bite “not bad, could use some salt”

Leif chuckles “that might be hard to come by here”

Godfrey grimices “right it’s poison for your kind. Does it have any uses here then?”

Leif thinks “besides assassins there are some plants that need at least a little salt. I heard tulip farmers are surprisingly immune to salt. I never liked to garden with it personally.”

The heroes eat their meal, the humans complaining about the need for spices the next time they head into town. Once they were done eating the humans decided to breach the difficult subject with Leif “what has you so down?” Annong asks

Leif stares into the campfire “I stole the box, and as a consequence all of amphibia is suffering. Without the power of the box technology is failing and only a few have it. The royal family has punished all Frogs and Toads because of me, everyone's lives have changed because of my choices.”

“Is that a bad thing?” Godfrey asks

“What?” Leif asks in disbelief

Zhuli folds her arms “it is nonsense to think about the past you can't change, but think what would have happened if you hadn't stolen the box?”

Leif is a little confused so Godrfey decides to help her “how about we start with without you Amphibia would be waring with earth right now. Your robots are mighty but we vikings would not go down without a fight and I’m sure the rest of humanity would fight too”

Leif smiles “I guess I did save a planet”

Godfrey laughs “not only that you saved my village when it was invaded by other clans”

“But they were only there because of me.” Leif says

“Not really we vikings can be petty jerks, they would have fought us eventually” Godfrey shrugs

“Not to mention you saved me from the Okhna’s palace and helped all the slums” Anong says

“China as a whole would be fine but I would still be locked in the palace wishing to leave” Zhulie says

“Face it froggy you saved us all” Godfrey says

Leif smiles “I guess I did” then her smiles falls “there was that vission I saw, all Amphibia got destroyed” she looks up at her friends “I know I did the right thing but what do so many have to hurt because of it?”

Godfrey smiles down at her “the easy way might be enticing but it often leads to stagnant outcomes. The right way is hard but leads to a place of true rest and peace”

Leif smiles a great weight being lifted off her shoulders “thanks Godfey I needed that.” She yawns and starts to lay down “that doesn't change the fact we are wanted criminals and monsters. We need to find a safe place. But thats tomorrow Leif’s problem”

The humans laugh “good night Leif”

###

The next morning the heroes start to head out. Leif is riding on the the mossman a contemplative look on her face

“Still thinking about yesterday?” Godfrey asks

“A little” Leif says “but really I'm thinking it’s not safe to go by Leif anymore. People know me as the traitor gardener. I need a new identity.”

“Going to use some fake names like I did in my letters. “Zhuli asks “what pseudonym are you thinking of using?”

Leif thinks for a bit “Lilly, you can call me Lilly Plantar”

“From gardner to Plantar very clever” Godfrey jokes and dodges a angry swipe from Leif “here you’ll need this to no one recognizes you” he then puts her horned helmet on her head and gave a good natured laugh

Anong frowns “I understand but I like you old name, so I’ll only call you Lilly when were in public.”

“Sounds fair” Leif says

They leave camp. Anong and Leif leading the way. Zhuli was constantly getting her dress caught on branches and Godfey was sweltering. “Why does your county have to be so hot? Who lives like this?”

Leif laughs at his discomfort “Well we frogs don’t have hot blood like you humans”

“I like it reminds me of home” Anong says

“I hate it” Godfrey complains

“Well get used to it” Leif says “the only cold places are high on mountains and the amphibian arctic.”

“Had to be a swamp, why couldn’t it have been tundra or something?” Godfrey complains

###

The heroes continue to travel when they approach some settlements. The humans put on the cloaks they stole “If anyone asks your newts who lost your tails and are waiting for them to grow back” Leif says

“Your the boss” Godfrey says

They leave the Mossman and walk around the settlements. There were amphibians everywhere but mostly toads. they saw hundreds of tads working on a huge construction project.

“What is it?” Anong asks

“I’m not sure. I just feel bad that they have to do it by hand instead of using machines” Leif says.

“Why don’t we just ask?” Zhuli says

“You want to just walk up to heavenly armed toads and just talk?” Godfrey asks

Zhuli rolls her eyes and stops a toad tadpole hopping around with a bucket of fresh water “excuse me child what are you doing?”

“I’m taking water to the workers” the tadpole says

“What are they building?” Zhulli asks

The tadpole puffs out his tiny chest “they are making the great north toad tower and my father Aldo the third will be lord of it. And one day I Aldo the fourth will inherit it from him”

“What's a toad tower?” Leif asks

The tadpole swings his nubby arms around “well ever since those stupid frogs betrayed the king they were forced out of Newtopia, but to make sure they don’t cause trouble the king has chosen the toads to keep them in line. The four toad towers will be our headquarters to guard Amphibia.”

“That's Horrible!” Leif says

“What?” the tadpole Aldo says eyeing her suspiciously

Zhuli draws his attention “what she means is that it's so different we have been exploring, frog valley?, for quite some time we are surprised at how different things are.”

The tadpole eyes the cloaked human. “I guess you lost your tails there. Should have sent a toad to do the job. Anyway, I need to deliver this water. Building a tower is thirsty work”

The tadpole starts hopping away. “Wait” Leif says. The tadpole turns “do you know a toad named Barrel?”

The tadpole raises an eyebrow “actually I do. He hunts monsters in the swamp. He comes to the construction site to report to my dad and get supplies.” He then hops away

The humans look at their frog companion “Barrel” she whispers

###

The heroes were floating across the swamp on a large log. The mossman was pushing them half submerged in the water. Godfrey was navigating while Leif was on lookout. Anong and Zhuli were staying as close to the center as possible

“Why are we out here again?” Zhuli asks

“Because I need to find Barrel, I need to tell him I’m sorry” Leif says

“Isn’t he a soldier won't he just arrest you?” Zhuyli says

“He let me go once, I have to trust he will do it again.” Leif says

Zhuli looks skeptical but Godfey speaks up “the bond between friends is worth any risk to mend. I’ve known many warriors that would risk their life to make right by their friend.” he wistfully thinks of home.

“That's great Godfey but do we have to take a log? I can't swim like the rest of you, "Anong complains. She then releases Zhuli looking away nervously “you can swim right?”

Zhuli awkwardly coughs “I've read books about it so I understand the theory. But there wasn’t a way to practice in the palace really.”

“Great if this log sinks well all drown” Anong complains

Godfey shakes his head. “Relax, we won't let that happen. Though if this whole planet is swamp like Leif says we better teach you girls how to swim”

Leif chuckles, “I still don’t see how you humans have a hard time swimming.”

“Well sorry we can’t hold our breath that long.” Zhuli snaps.

Before the heroes can bicker even more they see rafts with screaming amphibians paddling away from a small collection of shacks

“What's wrong with them?” Godffey asks

He gets his answer as a brown worm with a large horn smashes the shacks to pieces. The humans are slacked jawed. They each think of the largest animals they know of and the worm easily dwarfed them all.

“Narwhal worm!” Leif yells

The heroes start to paddle away. The worm sees the fleeing rafts and starts to charge, suddenly a green and bronze figure hangs off of the worm's head and hits it in the face making it change course. The worm crashed into the water causing a huge wave. Everyone hangs on for dear life.

“Let's get out of here” Godfrey says

“Wait that's Barrel” Leif says recognizing the toad hanging off of the worm’s head. Without hesitation she jumps in the water.

“Leif!” Godfrey jumps in after her.

“Oh shiva!” Anong yells while clinging to the log “Were dead, were dead, were dead!”

Zhuli slaps her “get a hold of yourself we’ll be ok” another wave comes and flips their log over. “Oh buddha! Were dead, were dead, were dead”

The women are picked up by the mossman and it starts to swim away with the women clinging on for dear life.

Meanwhile in the water by some miracle Godfrey catches up to Leif and grabs her. “Leif stop!”

“No!” Leif struggles in his arms “I have to save him!”

“Leif! You can’t fight that thing, but I can!” Leif stops struggling and looks into his eyes “get those rafts to safely I’ll get Barrel.”

Leif nods and swims back to the rafts. Godfrey meanwhile swims towards the worm thinking this must be what Thor felt while facing Jörmungandr. He manages to grab onto the side of the worm’s face and starts to climb. Once he gets to the top he sees a green toad with large horns and in bronze armor waking it with a large hammer spewing out flames.

The worm starts to thrash. Godfrey plunges his ax into the worm’s armored plates to keep himself from being flung off. The toad however lost his footing and was flying backwards. Godfrey grabs the toad’s foot as he flies by while his other hand holds on to his ax. “I got you.”

He helps Barrel regain his footing “thanks… you're not a newt?” the worm roars

“No but I'm here to stop this thing!” Godfrey says

“Good enough for me. I’m barrel” Barrel says holding out a hand

“Godfrey” Godfrey shakes his hand and the two run up to right behind the worm’s horn.

There is a large dent at the base. “I’ve been hammering at it trying to get a soft spot but even with my rocket booster I can't pierce it.” Barrel explains

“Maybe it just needs something sharp?” Godfrey says, pulling out his throwing ax.

The two quickly tie the ax to the head of barrel’s hammer. The worm starts heading straight towards the rafts “Now!” the two say together

They both grab the hilt of the hammer using all their strength and the rocket booster they slam the hammer down with such force they actually see the armor tear. The worm roars in pain and falls over in defeat. The warriors yell as both they and the worm fall in the water.

Barrel tries to swim away but he feels the bulk of the worm land on him. He is pinned at the bottom of the swamp, he tries to struggle free but can’t. Toads can hold their breath for a long time but in this case it just meant a longer death. He feels the worm nudge just a bit. Barrel looks up to see Godfrey trying to shift the worm. But he was struggling, could whatever he be not hold their breath? Barrel tries to signal for Godfrey to leave him behind. But Godfrey refused. Then Barrel sees a frog swim up with an inflated vocal sack. They put their mouth to Godfrey and give him air. The frog then starts digging under Barrel. With the frog digging and Godfrey lifting, Barrel manages to struggle free.

They all swim to the surface and gasp for air. Cheering amphibians help them onto their rafts. They raised Barrel in the air and called him Barrel the brave. “No no I didn't do it alone” Barrel says after they let him down “thanks Godfrey I couldn’t have done it without you.”

The human is still breathing hard but gives a cough and chuckle “don’t thank me thank her for having us find you.”

Barrel smiles “of course” he turns to the frog “thank yo-” he pauses as he recognizes her “Leif”

Leif sheepishly looks at her old friend “Hi Barrel”

###

End Chapter

Chapter Text

Barrel stares at Leif in stunned silence. Leif awkwardly fiddles with her hair. “Barrel, i’m sorry i’m so sor-” she is interrupted as Barrel charges towards her and wraps her in a bear hug

“You're alive! Thank Frog you're alright!” Barrel says

Leif eyes water then she starts to bawl hugging her friend “i’ve missed you so much!”

The two friends continue to hug and cry as Godfey watches with a smile. He feels something tug on his pants and looks down at a frog “excuse me are you going to eat us?”

Godfrey furrows his brow. “What? Hela no i’m not going to eat you”

The frog turns to the rest of the rafts “they aren't going to eat us” the frogs on the rafts cheer.

“Hey, we're here too,” Zhuli complains as the mossman swims towards them. Her silk robes sopping wet and clinging to her body. Anong meanwhile was hugging the mossman for dear life

“Are you girls ok?” Godfrey says in concern

“Get me on land now!” Anong yells

The makeshift fleet makes it to shore and disembark. Godfrey looks as the frogs carry what little they had “will you lot be alright”

A frog shrugs “we will have to rebuild, but with that monster beat we’ll at least be safe.”

Barrel finally lets go of his friend and walks over to the frog “here take this” he hands over a bag of copper coins “to help you rebuild

The frog tries to give them back “no if anything we owe you for saving us”

But Barrel insisted “i just did what anyone would do”

The frogs leave to start a new settlement while the heroes wave them goodbye “same old Barrel always helping everyone else” Leif chuckles

Barrel turns to Leif “where have you been?! I thought you were dead! And what are these weird predators with you?”

“You seem awfully calm about our appearance “Zhuli says wringing water out of her long black hair

“Eh” Barrel shrugs “you guys are ugly but anyone that would climb a rampaging narwhal worm to save others has to be a good person.”

“Easy on the ugly” Anong complains

“Right, I guess I owe you an explanation Barrel, but…” Leif trails off

“But what?” Barrel asks

“Is it safe?” Leif asks “don’t get me wrong i’ so happy to see you. But I'm a wanted criminal and you're a newtopia soldier. Can we even be together? Am I under arrest?”

Barrel winces “technically i’m not part of the newtopia army anymore. I’m part of the toad army now. And i guess you're under arrest” Barrel says awkwardly rubbing the back of his head. “But I promise I won't let anything happen to you. In fact I bet we can fix all this if we talk about it, so why don’t we head back to the tower and get this sorted out.

The humans look weary but Leif smiles “ Ok I trust you Barrel.”

Barrel smiles and starts to lead the way “see we can just talk things out” his smile falters “like we should have done last time”

“I’m sorry” Leif says guilty

Barrel eyes widen as he realizes what he said “no no no i didn’t mean it like that, frog i’m such an idiot”

Leif hugs him “no you're not. I really messed things up then and you deserve an explanation.”

Barrel picks Leif up and puts her on his shoulder “that can wait, for now let's get to the tower.”

Barrel happily carries Leif while the humans follow. Godfrey is growing a bit.

Anong chuckles “angry that Barrel took you spot as Leif’s mount?”

Godfrey sighs “a little yeah

###

They approach the toad camp. Leif insists that the mossman stays behind and the humans put their hoods up again so as not to be recognised. Barrel leads them into camp and the toads greet him and several joking that they lost bets that this monster hunt would be his last.

Barrel tries to give his report but the toad in charge, Aldo, was busy. So he wrote it down and gave it to be delivered. He then leads his friends new and old to a chuck wagon. They each get a bowl of soup and sit near a campfire. The amphibians dig into their soup while the humans try their best not to look at the food because they were sure it was still squirming.

“So Leif where have you been? And how you meet these weird creatures” Barrel asks

“They're called humans. This is Godfey, Anong and Zhuli” Leif points to each in turn “I've been in their world for the past year.”

“Hu-whats?” Barrel asks

“I guess i should start at the beginning” so Leif tells her story. The night that she stole the box and ran away. She thanked Barrel for letting her go. She then told how she had traveled and found the Olm’s who taught her how to use the box and gave her a prophecy that helped make a little sense of her vision of calamity. She then tells of travels on earth. Meeting Godfey and how the power of the box changed. How she started her quest to hide the seeds and traveled earth. Meeting ehr friends Anong and Zhuli. And of all three agreeing to come with her into amphibia

“In retrospect I really shouldn’t have let them come. I mean with how much amphibia has changed can i do anything else but hide and survive” Leif finishes

“Hey we choose to come. we helped save Barrel, that was worth the trip i think” Godfrey says

“Thanks for that by the way” Barrel says “your planet sounds amazing i wish i could see it. I’m kinda glad we can’t invade and take it’s resources”

“Thanks i guess” Godfrey says

Leif chuckles “humans may be primitive, but their warrior spirit matches any amphibian I've seen. I don't think the invasion would have gone as smooth as the king hoped.”

Barrel shrugs not believing it, so Leif decides to hammer it home “also their world is cover in oceans of salt water”

Barrel looks at her in shock “did you say salt?

“That's what this soup needs salt” Anong says

“It is a little bland” Zhuli says

“Thank thor, i thought i was the only one” Godfrey says

Barrel looks at the humans with fear “you guys eat salt?”

“It’s one of our most essential seasonings. Many economies are built off of salt” Zhuli explains.

Barrel looks like he’s about to puke, the humans not wanting to see his stomach come out back away. “I think that’s the most terrifying thing i’ve learned about your species so far.”

Leif laughs “yeah they're scary but they're nice deep down, just like you toads” Barrel shares in the laugh “so what's happened since i’ve been gone? Everything is different now” Leif says sadly

Barrel sighs “I guess it’s my turn to tell a story” he takes a deep breath and begins.

“The night you left everything changed. They sent out the entire army to find you. But you had disappeared. Somehow the king knew you had spoken to the Olms and had left our world. But they also knew that you would return. So they sent patrols everywhere on the slight chance they would find you.”

“It was horrible, in an instant amphibia had gone from an expanding empire to a military state. I tried to help Andrias. But you leaving hurt him deep. It let his dad get in his head. So he banished me. He said it was just being deployed to defend the outer villages, but I knew this was his way of saying he never wanted to see me again. It hurt, I didn't want to choose one friend over another, I just wanted to do what was right. I wanted to say that to him but I couldn't get the words out. He was my friend and my prince so I followed orders and left.”

“A part of me said it was doing my duty, but deep down I think I knew I was just running away from the changes that were happening.”

Barrel slams his hammer down into the ground in anger

“I should have stayed. I should have helped my friend through this whether he wanted my help or not. But I just ran like a good soldier, no I ran like a coward! If I had stayed, maybe things wouldn’t have gotten this bad.”

Leif gently touches Barrel’s hand and he takes it in gratitude. He calms down and continues his story

“Things really started to change after I left. Even out here fighting monsters I could see it. Aldrich still rules, but he does everything through Andrias now. So all these atrocities are done in his name. Though sometimes it's hard to tell which decrees came from Aldrich and which ones came from Andrias.”

“The first major decree was the punishment of Frogs and Toads for allowing the box to be stolen. Aldrich had always been a newt supremacist, but now he had Andrias make it law. All non-newts were banished from the city. Andrias has enough mercy not to force them out immediately, but over the past year the majority of non newt citizens have been forced out of the city. The outlying villages were not prepared for this kind of population shift so the whole land is in turmoil.”

“I try to do what I can, clearing out monsters so that new settlements can be made. But it's a full on caste system now. Since you stole the box power supplies have been dwindling. The newt hoard most technology for themselves, but that gives them the robot army so no one can topple their power. The toads were always the backbone of the military but now service is mandatory. As for frogs, all frogs were stripped of their titles and power, many are forced into the wilderness into the unknown and not even the toads whose duty is to oversee them care what happens to them.”

“Amphibia is turning into a dark place, we have grown so used to the life of a resource rich empire that we have forgotten how to survive without it. Too many are suffering because of it, and it’s just going to get worse.” Barrel ends

The humans are horrified about the state of amphibia, they didn’t understand everything but they did understand that the royal family were persecuting an entire race for no real reason. As for Leif she sat there crying “this is all my fault.”

Barrel tries to comfort her “no, a lot of these problems were simmering even before you left. That was just the boiling point. But now that you're back, maybe we can fix it?”

The heroes look at him in confusion “I mean think about it” he explains “now that you are back you can return the box, the power problem will be solved and we can talk some sense into Andrias.”

“But i don’t have the box” Leif says

“What?” Barrel says confused

Leif sighs “it’s a long story but I spent the last year on earth transferring the power of the box to objects on earth. It barely had enough power to send us here and is now nothing but a hunk of wood and gears. And even if it still had power, robots stole it from us in the first five minutes of coming back.”

“So there's no way of turning things back to normal?” Barrel asks. Leif shakes his head. Barrel sighs “well we amphibians survived without the box once we can do it again. We’ll have to put our heads together with Andrias to find out how though.”

“Wait, you still think we can fix this?” Leif asks

Barrel nods “I do. Your back leif. And when the three of us are together I know there's nothing we can't do. And your friends seem pretty civilized for being form a primitive planet, maybe they can help us adjust to a post box society”

“hey “ Godfrey complains

“Well china is pretty advance” Zhuli smiles

“Get of your high horse” Anong complain to her

“Sorry” Barrel apologies “but i believe everything will work out.”

Leif smiles and the companions enjoy the fire. Unfortunately a large group of toads come up led by an older toad wearing a brown robe and cape and a spiked hat.

Barrel stands at attention and salutes “Captain Aldo Sir!”

Aldo the third looks at the creatures around the campfire “so these are the ones that helped you defeat a narwhal worm?”

“Yes sir. The frog is an old friend, she is wanted by the prince so I wish to be on escort to Newtopia so she can plead her case.” Barrel says

“That won't be necessary” Aldo says “they are all to be executed.”

Leif gasps and the humans prepare their weapons

Barrel can’t believe what he just heard “what? that’s not the orders!”

“New orders straight from Newtopia'' Aldo says as robots join the group and grab Leif “the king wants the frog executed for treason and those creatures dead and brought to Newtopia for study. So death here or at newtopia it doesn't matter”

“But they are peaceful” Barrel says “we can talk this out, we don't have to fight.”

Aldo glares at the young toad “don’t forget that you're posted here because you disobeyed orders once. See where that got you? Are you going to disobey again?”

Barrel’s shoulders sag as he is visibly deflated. Aldo smiles “good, now let's take these creatures to the chopping block”

Toads start moving in on the humans. Godfrey glares at Barrel “you're just going to let them do this?”

Barrel sighs “I have to do what's right” he suddenly rushes to the frobot holding Leif and smashes it into pieces with his hammer. “And protecting my friends is right”

“Traitor! Kill them all!” Aldo orders

Barrel and Godfey take on the robots. Barrel shouts out the weak points so that Godfrey can aim for them with his ax. Anong takes on the toads, her muay thai wailing on toads turning them into groaning piles of slime.

A toad grabs onto Zhuli “please have mercy” she then pulls out her hair pin and stabs the toad in the hand causing him to run away screaming. Zhulie runs to Leif “we need to get out of here.”

“How?” Leif asks. They then hear an odd bellowing sound and see toads being flung everywhere. The moss man runs up knocking enemies out of the way. Is kneels down offering Leif a ride “thank you”

Leif, Zhuli, and Anong hop on the mossman and it runs away while Godfrey and Barrel distract the toads. Once the women are gone the two warriors are surrounded “i guess this is a good way to die” Godfey says

“Not today” Barrel says putting his hammer head on the ground and climbs on top “hop on”

Godfrey is confused but climbs on one hand on the hammer handle and the other on Barrel’s shoulder. Barrel then activates the rockets on his hammer causing them to skate on the ground at super spread past all the toad camp.

“Eldjotnar!” what is this” Godfrey scream in pure fear

Barrel meanwhile laughs as they rocket to freedom “nice right i made it myself!”

###

The heroes meet in the woods and try to plan their next move

“I don’t understand why they have the box, why do they want us dead?” Anong complains

“Maybe they think we broke it?” Zhuli hypothesizes

“Either way they won’t stop hunting us” Godfrey says “is there any safe place for us in this world?”

Barrel thinks “Frog valley. It’s uncharted wilderness, even if they come looking for us they will be fighting for survival just like us”

“I’m not sure i would call that safe” Zhuli says

Anong shrugs “my people carved a kingdom out of jungle, this won’t be too different”

“On to frog valley” Godfrey says triumphantly “which way is it?”

Barrel point the way and the humans start to move out. Leif meanwhile approaches Barrel “thanks. I know it must have been hard choosing me over andrias

“I did no such thing” Barrel says and Leif looks at him in confusion “i would never betray my friends. And Andrais, the real Andrias, he would never order your execution. I still believe there's a way for us all to make up. It won’t be today but someday. I’ll never give up trying”

Leif smiles and hugs him. “You're right. Things have changed. But our friendship doesn't have to.” they begin to follow the humans “one day i’ll make things right.”

###

End Chapter.

Chapter Text

It took days of trekking through swamp and forest trying their best to avoid towns and factories. But Barrel was a good guide. Doing his best to keep them all safe. Though his nobility really slowed them down, every time he saw someone in need he stopped to save them. These days everyone was in need. Still Barrel eventually got them to the valley. They all look down at the vast expanse of trees and mountains.

“Welcome to frog Valley” Barrel says

“Why is it called frog valley?” Zhuli says riding on the mossman with Leif

Barrel sighs sadly “originally it was called the valley. It’s mostly unexplored wilderness filled with monsters. So no one ever wanted to go there. But now with all the non-newts being banished from Newtopia, frogs will have no choice but to move here because there is nowhere else to go.”

Anong growls “so it’s the slum where the king is putting all the undesirables.”

“Pretty much” Barrel confirms.

Leif and Zhuli put their hands to their mouths in horror. Godfrey meanwhile is in thought “so your people had an army of robots powerful enough to conquer entire worlds. But you didn’t use it to make your own land safe?”

Barrel and Leif shrug awkwardly

“What a waste.” Godfrey complains “the power of the realms at their fingertips and they can’t even tame their own world. I can understand an occasional raid here and there like the old legends of Thor and jottenheim. But the sheer neglect that your people had for anything outside of this Newtopia place is appalling.”

“Hey there's more to Amphibia than Newtopia” Barrel complains

Leif awkwardly rubs the back of her head “I don’t know Barrel, after spending so much time out here and realizing just how big it is it made me realize we amphibians are way too prideful. We think since we had the box and could travel worlds that the treasures of the multiverse belonged to us. But do we really know anything about our own world? Let alone the multiverse.”

“I’m just a guard, I don't know any of this stuff.” Barrel complains

“I know. But living with humans made me realize how resilient and clever they are. Sure they struggle for survival in a hostel world. But that doesn't stop them from exploring, building, and adapting. I saw places on earth that we amphibians would never even consider visiting. But not only do they survive, they thrive. Their world is vast and wild, but humans are taming it even if it takes them thousands of years.” Leif says

“Thanks Leif that's nice of you to say” Anong beams

Leif smiles then frowns “meanwhile we amphibians can’t tame our own world so we steal whatever resources we need to live in comfort while pretending the problem outside doesn't exist.”

“I’m sure it’s not that bad” Zhuli tries to comfort.

Barrel tries to smile “things are rough right now, but we will adapt. A lot of amphibians are having to face a harsh reality. But I for one won’t stop fighting to protect everyone. Even if I have to carve civilization out of the wilderness.”

“Speaking of” Geodfrey interrupts “we better head down there and find a safe place to stay.” he and Barrel then lead the group down into the Valley.

###

One of the first things that the humans noticed was there were bones everywhere. The humans knew the wild could be dangerous but on earth just leaving bones lying around wasn’t normal.

Leif felt sick in her stomach. How many of these bones were past explorers, and how many bones were from refugees with nowhere to go. Barrel looks at the bones and grips his hammer making an internal vow to stop such mindless slaughter.

The companions move deeper in the valley, exploring, gathering supplies, and fighting monsters.

As they traveled Godfey continued to talk “I'm just saying if I had an army of robots I would have them slaughter monsters till the forests were safe enough for children to play in.”

“Is that even possible?” Barrel says

Godfey shrugs “maybe there were tales of a knight who did such a thing. Then again they also say he fought a dragon and won so maybe it was just a folktale.”

Leif suddenly stops making the companions trip over her “something wrong Leif?” Anong asks

Leif hops up to a large stump next to a pond “I think i found a place for us to stay.”

The humans look at her in disbelief “you want to carve out a stump and live in it?” Zhuli asks

“Frogs make homes out of nature wherever they go.” Barrel explains “I've seen them make homes out of mushrooms, trees, reeds, flowers, and dirt. I once saw someone make a house out of lily pads.”

Leif hops over to the stump “this actually works great. We need a home base, it's next to water, open fields to farm and see threats coming, and close enough to the woods so that we can forage and hunt.”

Godfrey gives a little smile “we’ll you're the local, if you say it’s safe to stay then it’s safe to stay. That said, how are we going to carve that thing into a house?”

The moss man walks up to the stump and grabs it. Vines spring out of it covering the tree. The companion hears a thumping sound, then with a loud bang the air is filled with sawdust. Once it settles they see a large hole, the stump hollowed out and a large messy pile of wood.

“Thank you” Leif hugs the mossman “it still needs a lot of work but at least we have a roof over our head”

“And fire wood” anong smiles

Anong and Barrel run after Leif asking what they can do. Godfrey and Zhuli meanwhile are stunned. “That moss man is ridiculous powerful” Zhuli says

“At this point, I shouldn't be surprised about anything here,” Godfrey says, pulling out his ax ready to do some work.

###

The companions spent the next few days making a home. Leif and Zhuli worked to make the stump into a house. Zhulie wasn’t used to manual labor but she listened to Leifs instructions and studied amphibia construction to help make the home’s foundation last a thousand years. Anong, Godfrey, and Barrel meanwhile forged in the woods, hunting for food and to make the surrounding area safe, as well as foraging for any useful items they could find.

Barrel wasn’t sure about letting Anong come since she didn’t have any weapons. Godfrey assured him it was fine. Barrel realized he was right when he saw Anong punch through the exoskeleton of a green mantas then uppercut its head hard enough to decapitate it.

Once they had set up their home Leif began to plow fields and farm so that they could grow their own food. All in all the friends were carving a comfortable life. But they all knew it couldn’t last.

One evening Anong was cooking a soup after a long day’s work “I wish we had some rice”

“Does rice even grow in amphibia?” Godfrey asks as he carves up a bug for the soup

“I actually don’t know” Leif says relaxing on the floor

“We really need to make better beds, my back is killing me” Zhuli complains

“Why were you two digging all day anyway?” Godfrey asks

“We were digging a basement so that we can store food and water in it” Leif explains

“And a tunnel” Zhuli says “if the king's guards or machines come we can hide there. That way we can keep using this place as our base even when we go on the offensive.”

Leif looks down sadly “do we have to fight?”

The humans look at her sadly, finally Anong speaks “Leif i know the prince is your friend. But we can’t hide forever. Plus the king is actively looking for us. We can’t just hope he doesn't find us as he burns Amphibia to the ground, we need to fight and help all those that are suffering by your mad king's decrees.”

Leif sighs “I know you're right, Aldrich needs to be stopped. But I wish there was a way we could do it without having to fight Andrias.” she wistfully looks at her friends and the home they were building “i wish we could all just live here away from the troubles of the world. Your three, Barrel, and even Andrias.”

Godfrey smiles “that sounds nice, but life isn’t so kind, we have to fight for that dream, and who knows maybe one day it will come true.”

Leif smiles and goes back to relaxing. Anong leans in to Godfrey and whispers “do you think we can reason with the prince?”

“Hela no'' Godfrey whispers back, “first chance i get i’m bringing my ax into the ones sending living statues to kill us. But I'm not going to tell Leif that, she actually still sees him as her friend.”

All their thoughts are interrupted as a wet Barrel walks in “Godfrey i checked it out and the pond is completely safe. We can start it tomorrow.”

The girls look around confused, “start what tomorrow?” Leif asks

“Swimming lessons for Anong and Zhuli” Godfrey says

The women stumble “what i don't want to swim!” Anong complains

“I think it’s a great idea” Leif says
Zhuli sighs, not looking forward to it “I don't like it but we need to learn. Leif, Barrel, how much of Amphibia is covered in water?”

“Most of it really” Barrel says as Leif nods

“And if fighting that Narwal worm proved anything it was you need to know the basics to survive here. Unless you want to hug the mossman every time we fight in a swamp” Godfrey says

Anong looked out the window to see the mossman growing a flower patch. It looks at her and waves “fiiinnnne” Anong complains

###

The next day Godfrey was holding Anongs hands as she walks around in the pond “see it’s not do bad, just like the river back in Nakhon Thong”

“Back their i never went deep enough that my feet didn’t touch the ground” Anong says nervously

Godfrey chuckles “i won’t let you sink, right now we are just practicing floating.'' He gently helps Anong to her back, putting his hands under her to keep her afloat. She is nervous but looking up at a smiling Godfrey she feels more at ease.

Leif was happily swimming in the pond “are you ready Zhuli the water’s great”

Zhuli takes a deep breath. “I've studied the technique this should be easy.”

Barrel eyes her “you might want to take off your- Wait!” Barrel shouts as Zhuli jumps in still wearing her silk dress. She instantly sinks so Barrel grabs her and pulls her back on shore “you can't swim wearing that many clothes.”

“You and Godfey did” Zhuli complains

“We are trained warriors that can swim in armor. But even then if its too heavy we sink like stones” Barrel complains “when i’m doing it for leisure i try to swim with as few clothes as possible”

“He’s right” Leif says, hopping out of the water showing that she only had her shirt and skirt on “when swimming the less weight the better. Just look at Godrey who actually took his furs off and he never does that”

Sure enough Godfrey was only wearing his trousers as he helped Anong practice paddling in the water

Zhuli was embarrassed but eventually stripped down to her under clothes and got in the water and the frog and toad helped her swim “it’s a little harder then what i read” she says. Then thinks for a bit “i guess i really should get some new clothes, nobleman’s silks keep getting caught all the vegetation around here”

Barrel laughs “yeah, it’s great for places like newtopia or other towns but out here you need more practical clothes.

After a long day of swim practice the humans get out of the water “keep it up and soon you'll be a great swimmer” Godfrey tells the girls

“For a human at least “ Barrel says “no office but your people ain't built for swimming”

Godfrey shrugs “none taken, that’s why we build boats instead.”

Leif came hopping up “you guys did a great job so i got us some food, i even caught some chicken flies” she holds up two bug-bird hybrids. “I can cook them up to celebrate your first swim lesson”

Barrel all of a sudden gets frantic and grabs the chicken flies “hey Leif remember my BBQ skills, let me fry them up, think you can find me some spices?”

Leif licks her lips in the memory “sure thing” she starts to hop away when Barrel stops her

“How did you hunt these things anyway? You weren't much of a hunter before?”

Remember that dance i told you about that made you black out” Leif reminds him then hops away

“Oh yeah that” Barrel says not liking that memory

Godfrey walks up to him “what was that about? Why did you take her… are those birds or bugs?”

Barrel looks fearful “they are both, and the reason is Leif is the worst cook i have ever met. She made Andrias and I a pie once I spat out my stomachs trying to get rid of the flavor. Poor Andrais couldn't do that so he had to just expel the contents of his stomach another way”

The humans gag remembering when Leif did that. “Now that i think about it i’ve never tried Leif’s cooking” Godfrey says

“Count your selves blessed then” Barrel says and goes inside to butcher the chicken flies.

Anong thinks a bit “so wait frogs and toads have to spit out their whole stomachs but newts can just vomit like humans?”

###

Barrel and Godfrey were out hunting in the woods. Leif’s farming was starting to bear fruit, literally, but the humans wanted a bit more protein, even if it meant eating bugs.

“I’m telling you BarreI, miss having mammals be the dominant species.” Godfrey says watching some crickets hop by and tossing a throwing ax at one.

Barrel picks up the kill “we have mammals here”

Godfrey sighs “it’s hard to explain since youve never seen our world, but in my world the largest bug I've ever seen was about as big as my hand, here though the bugs are as large as the mammals back home. It doesn't help that a lot of creatures here are some weird hybrid of bug and other species. I miss seeing normal animals like cows, goats, and pigs, hela I would be happy to hunt a deer.”

“I’ve heard of cowapillers, but just a cow? I can’t imagine that.” Barrel then sees a grubhog skitter by “sweet where having bacon tonight” and chases it.

Godfrey chuckles “this world is so strange and foreign to me, i can only imagine that's how Leif felt when she came to earth.”

Barrel puts the grubhog in his pack. “Well i’m glad she met you Godfrey, you protected her when I couldn’t.”

Godfrey starts to laugh “if you were their when i first met Leif it would have gone very different, though judging by the size of your hammer i bet you could have taken a few of my clansmen down”

“I’ve been curious how fighting a human would go” Barrel says with a grin

Godfrey winks “I've been getting rusty, we should practice combat together.”

The two friends laugh as they forage for more bugs when they hear screaming.

They drop their packs and run towards the sound. They find a wagon being attacked by hornets. The frogs inside were crying while a purple frog was trying to protect their snail from the attacking insects.

Godfrey hurls a throwing ax at the hornets and charges in. Barrel uses Godfrey as a springboard to launch himself in the air and starts swatting hornets out of the air.

“They wandered to close to a hornet nest” Barrel says

“Then let's get out of here” Godfrey says, pulling at the snails' reigns. He then sees Barrel rushing towards the hornets nest swinging his hammer at full power. “What are you doing!?”

Barrel shatters the hive hornets, spilling out very angry hornets. But over the buzzing he yells “hornets take over any territory there in. we’ll only be safe if we get rid of the queen”

The hornets rush him but Barrel slams his hammer down causing a shock wave that knocks them away. Godfrey groan then charges in yelling “for død og ære”

The two warriors take down countless hornets but before long they are surrounded. They think this might be the end until a rock hits one of the hornets. Human, toad and Hornet turn to see the purple frog standing just having flung the rock “uh-oh” the frog screams and runs as the hornets chase him.

Now the warriors just had to face the queen and her guards. Godfrey rushes forward attacking the guard hornets while Barrel charges at the cow sized queen. Dodging stingers, Barrel eventually hopped on top of the queen and swung his hammer down, shattering its exoskeleton. All the hornet's instantly fall dead having lost their hive mind.

“Victory” Barrel shouts.

Godfrey takes a deep breath. “Seriously how haven't you died yet?”

Barrel gives a little frown “when i see someone in need i have to help.”

Godfrey smiles “i can appreciate that”

Barrel smiles “are all humans as great of warrior as you? I bet everyone felt safe with you guys around.”

Godfrey grimices “remind me to tell you about vikings sometime”

The humans walk to the wagon to see about half a dozen frogs tending to the purple one that got a hornet stinger stuck in this arm.

“Thanks for the distraction, it really helped” Godfrey says

“Your welcome” the purple frog says with a wince

Barrel walks up and grabs the stinger “this is going to hurt but we need to get the venom out.”

The purple frog nods and screams when Barrel rips the stinger out. One of the other frogs looks at them “he needs medical attention”

“We have a house not far from here follow us” Godfrey says

###

They reach the farm, and the girls start giving first aid to the frogs. Leif bandages up the purple frog’s arm with a blush “your lucky my friends found you”

The purple frog grins “you have some good friends miss…?”

“Lie- Lilly, Lilly plantar” Leif introduces herself

The purple frog smiles “you can call me Herb”

What are you guys doing out here?” Anong asks handing food to the visitors

“We're refugees,” Herb says. “We’ll sort of anyway. My family had a farm not too far away from Newtopia but with all the frogs having to leave I decided to sell it to the displaced and find a new home. Hopefully find a place where frogs could settle.”

“So you came to the monster infested wilderness?” Zhuli asks

Herb shrugs “most people lived close to Newtopia, but now all the outlying towns are overwhelmed with frogs and toads, we need to find new places to live.”

Leif smiles “it was very brave of you to come”

“Thank ye” Herb says “but you're braver, after all you got here before me”

Leif and Herb smile at each other. Barrel and Zhulli share a knowing glance, while Godfrey and Anong look at each other, blush and look away.

Leif clears her throat and says “well there's a lot of open land here, and my friends have been working hard to make this place safe. Your group can set up your own farm. We can even help build it if you like”

“I would like that very much miss Lilly” Herb says

Leif blushes and walks out of the house. She sees the frogs making themselves at home, but she notices the mossman on the edge of the farm looking uncomfortable. She frown, she knows what she has to do.

###

Leif, Anong and the mossman are walking in the woods. The trees were thick and covered in moss and lichen. A mysterious mist was starting to swirl around them.

“Why are we here?” anong asks

“Where letting the moss man go.” Leif says

Anong is shocked “Why? It's A great guard, it helps on the farm, I would have drowned without it.”

“And I would have never been able to escape the castle without it.” Leif says “Anong I was the castle gardener, but one of my duties was to be the jailer to the mossmen. I like to think I took good care of them, but it doesn't change the fact that they were chained up and I allowed it to happen.” she gently places her hand on the moss man “I let this one go out of desperation, but now I wish I had let them all go. They deserve freedom. And with more amphibians coming to the valley it’s just not safe for him anymore, they’ll catch him and use him to grow their crops or worse drain him for his healing juice.”

“They have what now?!” Anong says

“Please go be free” Leif tells the mossman.

The green giant leans down and hugs Leif who is crying. After a tender moment it stands up and holds out its hand growing two flowers, one as yellow as Leif’s hair and the other orange as Anong’s headband. The girls take the flowers and watch the mossman walk into the mist. “Goodbye old friend”

Anong leads Leif back to the farm where they see the refugees and humans turning a giant mushroom into a house. The crowd sees Leif and Anong approaching and Godfrey runs up. “What happened where's our mossy friend?”

Then Herb runs up his arm stl bandaged. “Are you ok Lilly?”

Leif sadly smiles at him then looks at the flower in her hand “I had to let a beloved pet free.”

Herb gives her a hug “it will be alright. I’m sure it will be happier out in the wild”

Leif smiles “me too”

Herb escorts Leif back to her house while the humans watch. Things in amphibia were dangerous, but they could build something good here.

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

The companions made it a habit of searching for any frog refugees lost in the woods. They then lead the displaced frogs to their settlement or if they are particularly daring help them find a relatively safe place in the valley.

Their settlement was growing but still small. There was a clearing in the swamp that the settlers would gather to barter and trade their commodities. Leif, going by Lilly, would often go to sell vegetables she grew, Barrel would follow her to sell whatever wild game he had hunted. The humans occasionally went in disguise but they preferred to stay at the farm or the wilds. They would love to hear Barrel’s stories of Herb coming to flirt with Leif. And that fact he grew spices and herbs really interested the human. The lack of salt in the amphibia diet was really getting to the humans.

One day Godfrey was making some windows for the house while Anong was plowing the fields up front. They hear the door open and Zhuli stepout. Anong trips over her plow and Godfey almost falls off the ladder he was working on when they see her. Gone was her long silk dress. Tired of her silk getting tangled by branches and bugs she had changed into a pair of green pants with a green silk Brocade jacket. Her hair was still the same though.

“Wow girl you look good,” Anong says, taking a closer look at the jacket, seeing a pattern of lotus and salamanders on it.”

“How did you make that?” godfrey says climbing down

“I found some silkworms. They Were huge! Just one of those grubs can make more silk in a week than all of China can in a month.” Zhuli says with a spin.

Barrel and Leif come back from the market to see the humans. Barrel raises an eyebrow “Is that a new human?”

Leif slaps him on the back of the head “It’s Zhuli. Humans can change clothes just as easily as amphibians can” Barrel blushes and Leif turn to the humans “we need to go foraging in the woods. I need seeds so our only hope is to find wild plants we can use.”

The humans nod and finish their work and head off into the woods. They start gathering anything Leif says is edible. She was particularly happy to find wild potatoes she could cultivate. The humans had never seen a potato. To them it looked like a rock but she promised they were edible. Godfrey was happy to find a selection of wild berries, Barrel found onions, and somehow Anong found a pineapple.

Zhuli picks up a blue mushroom with a skull pattern on it “Is this edible? Wait, why's it glowing? And beeping?”

Barrel’s eyes grow wide, her grabs it and chucks it in the air where it explodes

“What in Thor's name!?” Godfrey yells

“That was a boom shroom!” Barrel says “they are very dangerous”

Leif shakes out her ear holes “If you neutralize the boom they make a spicy seasoning”

Zhuli couldn't believe what she heard. “You're telling me your country just naturally grows a plant that's like black powder.”

Leif starts to laugh but Barrel’s confused “what’s black powder?”

“Humans made an explosive powder that has a multitude of uses. It’s like a controlled boom shroom” Leif explains then turns out Zhulie “but it’s not really like black powder, boom shrooms go bad fast, and their booms are completely dependent on their ripeness.”

Zhuli starts to think so Leif continues “i wish they were like black powder, I would love to see fireworks again”

“Fireworks?” Barrel asks intrigued

Leif smiles “like a boom shroom that explodes in the night sky like a flower made of fire”

Zhuli looks down at the boom shrooms “is there a safe way to pick these?”

Barrel smiles and shows her how. “Careful now too much jostling and kaboom!”

Barrel then walked over to Anong who was absentmindedly picking wild carrots while looking at Zhuli “jealous of her new outfit?” he asks

Anong is startled “not really, I’m more jealous that she’s adjusting to this dangerous world. I just can’t believe I’m falling behind to a nobel”

“Falling behind? What do you mean?” Barrel asks

“She can move and fight in that outfit. With that hairpin of hers she can take any threat and I can’t” Anong look dejected

Barrel raise eyebrow “I’ve seen you punch a mantis to death”

“Sure but those mental men. My fist and elbows don’t do much against robots. What am I going to do the next time some of them find us?”

Barrel thinks “well you can always go for their joints, or use a weapon that can get past their casing.”

Anong gives a chuckle “I’m actually not good with weapons”

Barrel smiles “I might have something that can help. Give me a few days”

“Thanks Barrel” Anong says

Meanwhile not too far away Godfrey was clearing away vines with Leif following him. He cuts through a curtain of vines and sees a clearing with a large plant with lots of vines and three red bulbous heads “what's that some sort of hydra?”

Leif gasps “that's a tomato run!”

“What's a tomato?” Godfrey asks before a vine grabs his leg flings him in the air making hims drop his ax and gets eaten

“GODFREY!” Leif shouts

Barrel, Anong, and Zhuli come running up “oh my buddha he got eaten!” Zhuli says

“Let my friend go!” Anong says running up and punching the vines. Barrel quickly follows and starts trying to smash the tomato plant.

“We need to get Godfrey out of there before he’s digested!” Leif says

“Don’t worry” Zhuli says “I think I have a strategy that can beat the plant” as soon as she says that the tomato grabs her and eats her too.

“Nooo!” Leif yells.

Barrel is smashing one of the heads into paste but he was so distracted that the main head eats him.

“Not Barrel! Anong we need to run!” Leif yells

But it’s too late. Anong is tangled up in a vine but to her credit she keeps punching it the whole time till she’s eaten.

Leif falls to her knees crying “no not my friends” a vine grabs her “oh frog”

She screams as she is eaten. Her fall to the stomach was a lot shorter than she thought when she landed on anong. Godfrey was spread out blocking the throat as one by one each of his friends landed on him. “Godfrey your alive” Leif says happily

“So heavy” Godfrey groans

“Do we have any way out of here or are we just avoiding the inevitable?” Zhuli complains

“Well if his plant thinks it can eat me then I'll make it suffer for it,” Anong says, taking a bite out of the tomato. Her eyes then go wide

“Does it taste bad?” Barrel asks

“No actually it’s delicious” Anong says

The heroes smile as they get an idea. Outside the tomato all of sudden squeals in pain as the human bursts out of the throat killing the creature. “I didn’t know the throat was edible before today” Leif says

“That was delicious, I haven't had tomato since I was a guard in the palace” Barrel says

“Do you want us to gather the seeds?” Anong asks

“No!” Leif and Barrel yell at the same time

“There's a way to domesticate those things. The nobel always send robots to gather them because their disposable” Leif explains

“Still that was surprisingly tasty, to bad we don’t have tomatoes on earth” Zhuli says

“Actually we might” Godfrey says “Don’t forget how big our world is. And there might just be a whole nother continent. Though judging from what I've seen of Amphibia they are probably a lot smaller and safer.”

Leif chuckles “We'll gather what we can. I think we’ve foraged enough today”

###

A few days later the humans are working in the farm when Barrel comes out of the house. “Anong I’ve done it!” He holds up a pair of gloves, with studs on the knuckles.

Anong takes them “Thanks… what are they?”

“These will help you fight the robots” Barrel says

“Really?” Anong says putting them on

“Yep, there's metal in those gloves as well as cushioning so you can punch harder without hurting yourself. And see these studs here, it’s meant to crack open the shell of a robot like it was glass” Barrel explains

“Really how?” Godfrey asks. Barrel then goes into a lengthy description of the physics behind it that goes over most of the humans heads.

Zhuli chuckles “ Wow Barrel you're smarter than you let on.”

Barrel laughs embarrassed “Well it’s only really with weapons. I made my hammer myself, you know. My old war buddies would always ask me to mod their weapons. Heck I was even on the team that help update the castle’s super lazer, which in retrospect might not have been a good thing”

“Super lazer?” Zhuli asks

“Thanks again Barrel,” Anong says, hugging the toad. “I just wish I could test these bad boys out.”

Almost as if granting a wish, a large black bird crashes on the outskirts of Herb’s farm. The heroes run towards it and sees Leif and herb run out of his house “What is it Lilly?” he asks

“Some sort of bird Herbert” Leif answers

“Herbert really?” Zhuli whispers under her breath. Then turns towards the bird “It’s injured might as well put it out of its misery” she pulls out her hairpin but Gopdfey blockers her path

“Wait, this is a raven. As mighty a raven as would serve Odin” Godfrey says happily

“What is he talking about?” Anong says

“Ravens are said to be the pet of his people’s chief god” Leif explains

“I can’t kill this nobel beast” Godfrey says stroking the hurt bird’s feathers “I’m going ot nurse it back to health”

Herb sighs “I can make some medicine for it form herbs in my garden if you like”

“Thank you” Godfrey says “I just wish I knew what hurt the pour thing”

Barrel then sees a bag of polished coppers in the raven’s claw, but more importantly he saw the newtopia symbol on the bag “Oh no that’s tax money. That means-”

Laser blasts explode around them as a dozen robot land “thief found. Elimination thief and potential accomplices.”

The heroes instantly take up arms. Leif and Barrel guard the bird. The front robots are taken out by hammer and ax. Godrfey tries to tear his ax out of the machine but Barrel shouts instructions “No only go for the power swing on the limbs or head, otherwise it gets stuck. For the torso you want to slash it so that its important components spill out like guts.”

Godfrey thanks Barrel for the suggestion and keeps fighting. Suddenly Anong joins the fight and punches a robot in its torso causing as much damage as if it was a human. Anong grins “oh that felt good”

Anong then charges and takes out the machines enjoying the thrill of fighting something vaguely human. And actually being able to do damage. Once the robots are defeated Anong is beaming. “I love these gloves. Barrel I could kiss you” sure enough she picks the toad up and kisses him causing both of them to gag and spit on the ground.

“Ok buddy your safe” Godfrey says to the raven who nuzzles next to him

“You're really keeping him?” Zhuli asks

“Yep, I’ll call him Muninn after the mighty Odin’s raven” Godfrey says

“Well Ravens are clever maybe we can train it” Leif says happily

###

After a bout a week Muninn was feeling a lot better. He couldn’t fly yet but he could help with the farm by eating pest bugs and helping pick vegetables with his beak. Godfrey had gotten close to the raven. Anong loved taking care of it with him. Zhuli personally saw it as a waste of time.

Leif and Barrel had given the coppers to Herb who was going to give it back to Newtopia and hoped they would be grateful. The heroes didn’t think so but it was better than painting a target on their settlement.

Tired of watching her friend baby a raven, Zhuli goes foraging in the woods. Normally she wouldn’t but she was bored. Before long she found a large nest. Her curiosity gets the better of her and she sees the largest pheasant and weasel she had ever seen both dead. Apparently the weasel was raiding the nest as evident by the broken eggs. The pheasant must have come home and died protecting it. At least it got its killer in the process.

Zhuli looks around the nest. What a waste. The meat had gone bad, and the eggs were shattered. But then she noticed one egg was still intact. She picks it up and decides to bring it to the farm for a big omelet.

She returns to the farm holding up her prize “Hey guys look what i got”

Suddenly Muninn rushes forward and takes the egg. He then places it i n his nest and sit on it “hey you dumb bird I was going to eat that” Zhuli says

Godfey laughs “I think Muninn wants to be a dad”

“And I want breakfast. Give it here” Zhuli tries to approach Muninn but the Raven just caws at her.

“Your not gettin that egg back you know” Anong says

“Well I’m going to sit here till he gives it back” Zhuli proclaims sitting in front of the raven nest.

The other humans shrug and go back to work. Zhuli sits there through the night and into the next morning. Zhuli is awoken by a cracking sound. She watches Munin stand up and the pheasant egg hatch. The ugly newborn looks at Zhuli then awkwardly hobbles over to her.

Zhuli screams awkwardly as the baby bird nuzzles her in affection. She looked up at the raven and could swear it was smirking at her.

The heroes come out to see the commotion and the other humans laugh. Leif meanwhile just awws “The cute thing imprinted on you, it thinks your its mother”

“what ? No! I say we burcher this thing” Zhuli complains. Just to have Muninn loudly caw at her

“I don’t think Muninn likes that idea. Enjoy motherhood” Godfrey jokes

“What are you going to name it?” Anong asks

Zhuli sighs in defeat “Yeji”

###

A few days later Anong was practicing her muay-thai when she sees Zhuli taking robot parts to the shed Barrel made. Zhuli liked to call it her workshop. Behind her the striped pheasant chick Yeji followed her diligently

“I think your baby want’s attention” Anong jokes

“It’s not my baby!” Zhuli snaps. She slams the door. But Yeji starts to cry. So she opens it and lets the chick in.

“Come on Zhuli, it's not that bad. Just think once it’s big enough you can fly on it like Muninn and Godfey”

Zhuli gives a mocking laugh. “If it’s like those two then I don't want it.

Anong chuckles thinking back on Godfey’s first test flight. Muninn had actually offered to let Godfrey ride him. The viking had hoped on gladly but had started screaming as soon as the raven got off the ground. Less than 30 seconds later they landed. Godfrey had promptly fallen on the ground, vomited, then passed out.

“Maybe humans are just not meant to fly?” Anong says

“Doesn't stop us from dreaming about it.” Zhuli says closing the door again.

Anong sighs when Leif walks up from the farm work “what's wrong? Do you want a pet to? We can get you a bird, maybe a sparrow”

“Oh no no no” Anong says “I'd rather keep my feet on the ground. Besides, the only birds I like are the ones I can eat.” Muninn gives an indignant squawk.

“Besides, I don't think we have room for any more giant birds,” Anong chuckles to herself. Leif leaves it be and gets back to work. After her training was done for the day Anong decided to walk in the woods

She knew that the woods were arguably more dangerous than the jungles back home but she felt like she was a good enough fighter to handle whatever came at her now. A few bugs tried attacking her but she would shatter their shells with a few punches causing them to run away. The ones that lived anyway.

Suddenly she heard a howl of distress. Then a roar. She runs towards the noise and sees a creature that was like a mix between a tiger and a moth clawing at a stump trying to get at something in it.

“Hey, pick on someone your own size!” Anong yells at the creature. The bug cat turns on her and leaps at her. She promptly punched it in the face. The cat then flies away, its ego bruised by having prey actually fight back in such a way.

Anong huffs then looks in the stump. She sees something that looked like a mix of a puppy and a grub. The thing had floppy ears and a snout as well as six nubby legs and a tail. However she saw that one of the legs was malformed. It must have been abandoned for its defect.

The grub looked up at her with puppy dog eyes, so without a second thought she picked it up and headed back to the farm. She sees her friends collecting todays crops when she calls out to them “Hey guys check out what I found” she hold out the puppy

Barrels eyes nearly pop out of his skull “That's a grub pup! Kill it!” he runs over with his hammer lifted high. Anong however simply jumps over the toad

“What's so dangerous about a grub pup?” Anong asks, holding out the squishy dog for the other humans to fawn over.

Leif terrified hides behind Godfey “The pup isn’t the concern. It’s what happens after they metamorphosis” the humans look confused “Their like butterflies in your world. They start out as caterpillars but then it goes into a cocoon and turns into a butter-wolf, a mix of wolf and butterfly. They are fierce pack hunters that drain the liquids from whatever they encounter.” Leif explains. The only thing worse is a kill-a-moth. Those things are like mixes of tigers and moths”

“Oh i saw one of those things I punched it in the face” Anong says as the grub pup licks her face “besides look at her legs. She was abandoned because her pack thought she was too weak. We can’t just abandon her.”

Leif wasn’t sure, but then Godfrey speaks up “Wolves are pretty cool”

Lief sighs “fine but your incharge of keeping it tamed. If it eats Barrel after it changes, you have to put it down.”

“What!” Barrel yells in disbelief

“You here that Mowgli I get to keep you” Anong says happily to her new pet

“This is a bad idea,” Zhuli says. Anong puts her grub pup on the ground. Yeji, thinking she’s a snack, starts to chase the pup with Anong running after them yelling. Zhuli smiles “maybe I like that Pheasant after all”

###

Later Godfey is trying to hunt in the woods but is constantly interrupted by Anong and Mowgli playing fetch “good girl, whos’ a good girl, see the stick, now fetch!”

Godfrey moans at losing his latest kill “really Anong you can’t just take a dog into the woods and expect it to be a hunting dog.”

“But look at her, she's adorable. Just look at that face” Anong hold up the panting Mowgli

“Yes she’s adorable but till she’s trained she’s no use for the settlement” Godfrey complains

Suddenly Mowgli's ears perk up. She growls and struggles out of Anong’s arms running and barking into the bushes. The humans follow the grub pub and find a clearing with a wagon being attacked by mud covered frogs.

The humans see two newts climbing a tree to get away while all the mud frogs attack the wagon frogs. They actually see one of the mud frogs bite and take a chunk out of a wagon frog.

Without a second thought Godfey tosses a throwing ax, killing one of the mud frogs. Anong charges in beating the mug frogs off of the wagon frogs. Mowgli runs around biting the ankles of the cannibal frogs, distracting them long enough for the humans to finish them off. The mud frogs releasing they are outmatch run back to the muddy swamp.

The wagon frogs thank the humans and Anong starts giving first aid to the frog that was bitten. “What was that?” Godfrey demands

The newts come down from the tree “some of the banished frogs have gone completely tribal. Going so far as cannibalism”

“And you didn’t bother to help when you got attacked?” Godfrey says angrily

The newt huffs “we were paid to guide these frogs to the valley not guard them. Our contract is over.”

Godfrey almost punches the newt but Mowgli beats him to the newts biting one of their ankles. “Good dog '' Godfrey chuckles. He and Anong then lead the wagon to the settlement so they can recover.

That night Barrel makes a big pot of soup for the newcomers. So big he had to cook it outside. The new frogs were happy to be greeted by the Leif and Herb’s group. They were discussing places for the new frogs to settle.

The humans were showing off their impressive pets to the tadpoles to keep them entertained. And all was right in amphibia. Except for the two newts skulking in the shadows. “Why are we still here? The job is done, we got paid, we should leave thai smelly swamp.”

The second newt calms the first “Don’t those three match the description of the wanted posters. The creatures wanted by the crown?”

The first looks again “Your right. They do kind of look like them, but what if they're not?”

The second smiles “If they are what the king want we get paid, if not we sell them to the zoological society”

The first smiles then frowns “But their no way they'll follow us”

The second pulled out a bag “the poster didn’t say they were wanted alive” the newts smiled wickedly.

The newt sneaks to the pot and slips the content of the bag into the soup. Barrel finishes cooking and dishes everyone up. Barrel is about to take a bite but then smells the soup. His eyes grow wide as he sees Leif about to take a bite “don’t eat that!” Barrel slaps the bowl out of her hand

“What's wrong?” Leif says

“The soups been-” he stops in panic as he sees the humans all take a bite “-poisoned”

The gathered amphibians look in terror at the humans. Their eyes go wide then Godfrey says “this is delicious”

“Best thing since we got to amphibia” Anong says digging in

Zhuli savors the soup “I taste beetle meat, potatoes, parsnips, and… salt?”

The amphibians gasp. What kind of sicko would put salt in food?! The humans keep eating when Barel notices the newts trying to sneak away. He knocks them down with his hammer and drags them to the humans. The newts look up in terror “How aren't you dead yet?!”

“Wait, you did poison this?” Godfrey says

“Yeah we put enough salt in it to kill a platoon” the newt says

“No wonder it’s so good” Anong says slurping the broth

The newts gag. But Barrel kicked them “You tried to kill our friends. How about we toss you to the cannibals?”

“Wait,'' Godfrey says, walking up to the newts “First hand over the salt” the newts pull out the bag and the humans gladly take it.

Zhuli sticks a finger in and tastes it “this is good quality stuff.”

Several frogs puke out their stomachs.

“Lilly what should we do with these no good salamanders? '' Herb says. Purposely using the derogatory term instead of referring them as newts.

Leif thinks “Well they did give my friends some salt so I guess we can’t kill them”

The newts sigh in relief “So I guess we’ll just escort them out. HEY Godfrey!” she gets the vikings attention “Think Muninn can show these guys out of the valley?”

Godfrey chuckles and snaps his fingers. His large raven lands in front of the newts who go wide eyed. They could swear the raven was laughing instead of cawing. Grabbing one newt in each taloned foot the Muninn is off to the valley edge, the newts screaming all the way.

The heroes laugh but then Barrel looks at his big pot “but what am I going to do with this poisoned soup?”

Oh we’ll gladly eat it, "Anong says, scooping another bowl and getting one for Mogli. Godfrey gets himself two more bowls and Zhuli even lets Yeji eat from her bowl.

The frogs and toads look at the display with mouths open till finally Leif speaks up “raw vegetables anyone?”

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Refugees kept pouring into the valley and the heroes kept doing their best to help those they could. Despite trying to keep a low profile Leif was seen as a sort of leader for her section of the valley. Probably because she was the first, or maybe it was because she had a toad and three monsters as her bodyguards. Either way she tried her best to help others under the guise of Lilly. She was only Leif to her closest friends.

One day after the farm work was done Anong was playing fetch with Mowgli while Godfrey was polishing some of the robot scrapes so Muninn could line his nest. Godfrey would have let his raven keep more of the scrap but Zhuli insisted on tinkering with it.

Leif and Barrel walk up to the humans “where's Zhuli?” Leif asks

Anong throws a stick for her grub pup “In her shed, she spends most of her time there.”

Leif chuckles “She’s a real scientist isn’t she”

Godfrey doesn't even bother to look up from his polishing “What’s a scientist?”

“Smart people that make stuff and spend all day coming up with more smart stuff,” Barrel explains. The humans nod in understanding

Leif rolls her eyes “still is she learning anything?”

Barrel nods “oh yeah, she wanted me to explain how a frobot weapons’ worked. I might not know robots but I know weapons and I know mods. She was a fast learner. Though when I explained how a laser cannon worked she called it uncivilized”

“Right because blowing up people with light is so civilized” Anong says sarcastically

Godfrey humphs “If I know one thing about humans, and I guess amphibians now, we will always find a way to kill each other whether that's by steel, lasers, or our fists.”

“Preach brother” Barrel says “Weapons are still cool though, right?”

“Definitely” Godfrey agrees

Leif sighs “I just worry about her. We hardly see Zhuli nowadays, what if she’s working on something dang-” a huge boom echoes through the farm.

They all turn to see blue smoke pouring out of Zhuli’s shed. They run to it just as Yeji runs out, chirping in fear. They see Zhuli come out of the smoke coughing. Bits of her clothes and hair on fire. Despite that she was smiling.

“What happened!?” Barrel yells. But Zhuli can’t hear him

“You guys!” She shouts without realizing how loud she is “I've done it!”

“Done what?” Godfrey demands but Zhuli can’t hear him. Leif meanwhile hops to her friend and starts doing first aid.

“You stupid girl! You could have blown your eardrums apart! What were you working on anyway?”

Zhuli is starting to be able to hear again and grins at the nurse frog “I recreated black powder!”

The frog and humans look at her in shock while Barrel is just confused

“Wait, you mean that stuff to make fireworks? The stuff you used to blow up these guards in China?” Anong asks

“Yep” Zhuli says with a smile “It’s not exactly the same of course. But I managed to make something similar by combining powder boom shroom with sulfur… and a few other ingredients of course.”

“Wait, did she just make a bomb?” Barrel asks “Even i don’t know how to do that, that knowledge is banned outside of weapons factories”

“Why would you do this!” Leif demands as she finishes checking Zhuli for injuries

Zhuli looks a little ashamed but then gives a smile “I wanted to properly share fireworks with my friends” Leif softens at that. But then Zhuli gets serious “But there is a more practical reason. If robots fight us again we need weapons that can blast through their metal bodies. This might just do it.”

Barrel and the humans start to agree. But Leif is devastated to know that Zhuli is putting herself in danger. She is about to say as much when Yeji nudges Leif as if to ask her to stop yelling at his mom.

Leif sighs “I know I can't stop you but please promise me you’ll be careful.”

Zhuli smiles “Will do. Now that I know how powerful it is I can measure it properly.” she then motions for Yeji to follow her into her smoking shed

“That can’t be good for her lungs” Leif says

###
“Why am I following you again?” Godfrey asks Zhuli as he carries a bag and a shovel

“I need more sulfur,” Zhuli says “If I'm going to perfect blue powder and make fireworks, I need a lot of ingredients.”

“Ok and where are we going to get sulfur?” Godfrey asks

“Here” Zhuli pulls away some branches to reveal a field filled with geysers. The two humans walk into the field. Zhuli walks confidently but Godfey watched every step and flinched whenever a geyser went off.

“Are you sure this is safe?” Godfrey asks

“Absolutely dig here” Zhuli orders.

Godfrey begins to dig up the yellow mineral “were awfully close to that geyser are you sure it won’t go off? What if I dig into it?”

“It's just hot water and steam. How bad can it be?” Zhuli says

“Don’t give me that. I know they have geysers in China so I know you know how dangerous they are.” Godfrey accuses

“Ok fine it’s super dangerous, but so is everything else involved with blue powder. So long as we are careful we will be fine. Besides, if we're fast, how bad can it actually hurt us?”

Godfrey is about to respond when he hears a snarling sound. The humans turn to see a rat the size of a large horse charging at them. The humans dodge and the rat jumps headlong into the geyser.

The scalding water explodes causing the humans to fall back. They are quiet for a few moments when the rat lands in front of them perfectly boiled. The humans stare for a bit till Zhuli brakes the silence “I think that's enough sulfur for today”

Godfrey pokes the rat with his shovel “Think we can eat that?”

Zhuli shrugs “Barrel’s cooked us weirder things since living here”

Godfrey starts dragging their unexpected kill back home “A little salt and spice and this will taste great I bet”

Zhuli smiles “I'm glad we found that tulip farmer in Herb’s group. What was his name?”

“Charles” Godfrey provides “Apparently his family were tulip farmers for generations before being booted out by the king last year. Who knew tulips liked salty soil?”

“So long as it gets us salt I don’t care what flower I have to deal with” Zhuli says “maybe he’ll trade us some salt in exchange for some meat?”

“Or some of leif’s vegetables, her produce is pretty popular in the farmers market” Godfrey says “all eight of them love it.”

The humans chuckle at the small number of the town but knew it was growing fast.

###

After a few weeks Zhuli comes out of her shed with some cone shaped tubes. “I’ve done it Yeji , I've finally done it!” her bird had outgrown the shed but still liked being near it. It feigned understating on what it’s mother was saying.

“What are those?” Barrel says walking up

“Fireworks!” Zhulli says happily, “The real trick was making them so they weren't all blue. But tonight we are in for a show.”

“Oh yeah, I think Leif mentioned those. Fire flowers right?” Barrel asks

Zhuli gives a smile. “Yep I just hope my work compares to the old masters of my homeland.” she then looks around “Where’s Godfrey and Anong? I want to brag about my accomplishment.”

“By Muninn’s nest I think?” Barrel then leads Zhuli and Yeji to the nest. The find a wobbly Godfrey and a laughing Anong

“More flight practice?” Barrel laughs

“I will get this down if it kills me!” Godfrey says as his legs give out.

Everyone including the birds laugh at this. Muninn flaps his wings in mirth. Yeji stops chirping and tries to mimic the motion. The raven sees this and hops over and starts giving pointers.

“What’s he doing?” Zhuli asks

Godfrey chuckles “I’m guess Muninn is trying to teach him to fly since his mom can’t”

Zhuli grumbles at Godfrey’s words but can’t help but feel proud as her golden crested pheasant flaps his wings. Yeji gets a few feet off the ground but falls back down looking embarrassed. Zhuli strokes his feathers in comfort but then Yeji motions for her to get on top of him. Zhuli tries to refuse but Muninn picks her up and places her on Yeji.

Godfrey laughs until Yeji picks him up and puts him on Muninn. The birds take off and Anong and Barrel laugh

“I bet five coppers Zhuli’s better than Godfrey” Anong says

“I’ll take that action,” Barrel agrees.

Meanwhile in the air Godfrey is screaming for dear life. Being weightless in the air felt so unnatural. He looks over to see Zhuli screaming as Yeji awkwardly flies. But slowly her screams turn to laughter as she nudges her bird to fly better.

“Lucky” Godfrey mumbles as Muninn caws out a laugh

The birds land just as Leif arrives “How'd it go?”

Godfrey falls over, having flown twice in less than an hour. Zhuli meanwhile was ecstatic praising Yeji and talking about possible contraptions that could allow humans to fly. Now that she had experienced the real thing she believed she knew where past inventors had gone wrong.

Leif sees a grumpy Barrel hand some coppers to Anong then asks “So why are we all gathered here?”

“Right!” Zhuli said happily “I reinvented fireworks. We should celebrate tonight”

###

That night the local frogs along with Barrel, Godfey, and Anong sat in the field while Zhuli was fiddling with her invention by the pond, Yeji following her with a small torch in his beak. Leif was sitting next to Herb as she leaned her head on his shoulder. Godfrey sees them and reaches his hand towards Anong. She then awkwardly takes his hand. The two look each other in the eye, blush and let go.

They then hear a popping noise. Everyone watches as a dot rises into the air. Suddenly there's an explosion as blue sparks fill the sky. Everyone screams to see the sky on fire. Muninn especially gives a loud screech at the noise.

Soon enough people realize there was nothing wrong and cheer. Anong and Godfey realize they were hugging each other due to the shock of the noise. They chuckle and let go. But Godfrey puts his arm around Anong’s shoulder. She just smiles.

The sky is soon filled with sparks of blue, red, and green. Once the frogs got used to the noise they oohed and awed at the light show. In a finally all the colors exploded at once. Leif couldn’t help but smile as it reminded her of the calamity gems when they were at full power.

The crowd cheered when the show was over but others complained because it was short. Zhuli walks up to the crowd. Yeki follows her with his feathers ruffled from the noise. Frogs congratulated her and asked when theri would be more. Zhuli tells them she would be happy to but that she was out of fireworks. Though she wouldn't mind teaching anyone who was curious on how to make fireworks.

Leif and Herb walk through the crowd holding hands “your friends are quite something aren't they Lilly” herb says

“Hmm” Leif says before releasing he was talking to her “Oh right yes. They are all brilliant in their own way. I’m glad to have them.”

“You're brilliant in your own way, you know,” Herb says with a smile.

Leif grins, closes her eyes and leans in for a kiss. Herb is about to do likewise when a loud group of toads burst in “What's happening here! Their leader a dark green toad with glowing eyes demands

Everyone screams and starts running. The humans grab their weapons and stand in front of the frogs. “You can’t threaten us!” Godfrey says

“Threaten? I’m just checking that everyone was ok after the sky exploded” the toad says

“Wait I know you” Barrel says

The toad looks at Barrel and lets out a laugh “I'll be, Barrell you're live!”

The toads hug and laugh. Everyone calms down though the frogs are still weary of the new group of toads. Finally Anong asks “Who the Naraka is this guy?”

“Oh right” Barrel says “This is Grimoteo, he’s a lieutenant in the army. He was one of my instructors when I was a recruit.”

“I’m a captain now actually” Grimoteo says

“Well good fore you” Barrel gives a slap on the back as congratulations

“Yep captain of the south tower.” Grimoteo says. Everyone is nervous hearing the word tower after remembering what happened at the north tower.

Grimoteo sees everyone looking nervous and sighs “It’s not that big of a deal, me and my men didn’t like what the prince was doing with the caste system. We said so, so he sent us down here so he wouldn’t have to deal with us. I guess this is where he’s dumping trouble makers hoping the problem will be eaten by some predator. However…” Grimoteo looks around at the farming settlement “it looks like you guys are doing pretty well for yourselves.”

The farmers smile at the complement. But Barrel looks worried “Wait they're building a tower here?”

“Hardly” Grimoteo says “Our order were ‘build a tower, keep the monsters in the valley’ , didn't even bother to say don’t let the settlers get eaten. Plus they just sent us with our clothes and our weapons so our tower is just a bunch of tents right now.”

“Still knowing the king’s power reaches all the way here… this could be bad” Zhuli says

Grimoteo raises a eyebrow at her “Bad as in reporting that fugitives from the crown are hiding in the valley including three lanky monsters” the humans put their hands on their weapons “That would be bad if the capital had asked us to record the citizens, but we are just told to make a tower. So I guess anyone could live in the valley if they wanted.”

The humans relax. Barrel looks at Grimoteo in confussions “Wait you aren't going to report us? Isn’t that a betrayal?”

Grimoteo sighs and puts an arm on his young friend “ Then what does that make you?”

Barrel looks down ashamed

Grimoteo turns to the crowd “Officially I'm supposed to just be a watchdog for the king. But I'm a soldier first and foremost. And that means protecting the citizens of amphibia. We will do our best to protect you from the monsters in this wilderness. We hope we can count on your support.”

The crowd cheers welcoming their new protectors. Godfrey throws an arm around the toad “welcome aboard. I hope you know what you're getting into.”

“So do I, now what were those lights? They looked like flaming flowers in the sky!” Grimoteo asks

###

The frogs welcome the toads into their settlement. Zhuli bores them with an explanation of her fireworks, Barrel and Leif ask for news outside the valley. Grimoteo is an excellent guest and explains how his handful of men were hoping to protect the small settlements popping up in the valley. He figured as more time went on and more people started complaining to the king he would get more 'troublemakers’ sent to him as reinforcements. But that also meant more refugees moving into the valley.

Leif assures him that they will help however they can, which Grimoteo is grateful for.

“Really Amphibia is a mess. The new caste system has put everything out of order. It doesn't help that the king had diverted most of his robots into finding you humans” Grimoteo says

“Should we be worried?” Leif asks

“No this is the last place they look. Besides they are currently tearing up a town called Greenmire” Grimoteo says

“What?” Leif asks nervously

Grimoteo sighs “My title may be honorary but I still get reports. Greenmire was speaking out against the crown. Then a tall newt was mistaken for a human, so the castle sent a robot army to find the humans.” He turns to the trio of humans “Even for those outside the valley it’s obvious you're not there. But the king is desperate enough to destroy a village if it means finding you.”

The humans are shocked “Why does he want us? He already has the box!” Anong shouts

“We have to save them” Leif shouts

“Don’t be absurd, miss…” Grimoteo starts

Leif’s eyes go wide “Lilly, Lilly Plantar”

“Miss Plantar.” Grimoteo says “Greenmire is over the mountain. You would never get there in time. And even if you did, do you plan to fight a robot army on your own?”

Leif looks down sadly. And Grimoteo apologizes for bringing down the mood. Leif in a melancholy mood heads to bed.

###

Around three in the morning. Leif got up and put on her ridiculous horned helmet and gathered up her viking shield and spear. She then sneaks out to Muninn’s nest and tries to wake the Raven up.

“Do you really think we would let you go alone?”

Leif yelps and turns around to see her friends. “What gave me away?”

The friends laugh. Then Barrel speaks up “you can never hold still when there's a wrong that needs righting. You literally stole from royalty to save Amphibia.”

Godfrey then speaks up “And on earth you went out of your way to help people even though they weren't your species”

Anong smiles “Didn’t matter where in the world or who they were”

Zhuli bows in respect to Leif “You alway tried to help”

“So you’ll help me save Greenmire?” Leif asks hopefully

“Or die trying” Barrel says climbing on Muninn

###

Munin made quick time with Yeji trying to keep up. By sunrise they were over the mountain and saw the town of Greenmire. The town was in shambles. Robots were tearing apart buildings looking for humans. If any citizen tried to resist the robots would simply burn down the house and take the amphibian away for being a dissident .

“STOP!” Leif yells as she hops off Muninn. “Don’t worry citizens of Greenmire, we heroes of another world will protect you!”

She then turns to see Godfey fall off Muninn and Barrel tries to help him up. Anong slowly slid off, shaking like a leaf. Leif releases this as her first flight. Zhuli meanwhile slides off and shakes her head at her fellow humans.

The robots laugh at the heroes. Leif frowns and hops towards the nearest one stabbing it with her spear. Barrel charges in swinging his hammer.

Godfrey meanwhile shakily stands up. “You really need to get used to flying” Zhuli says

“Well sorry I’m more of a sailor than… an air sailor? What would you call a flying man?” Godfrey says

The robots approach the humans “target found, eliminate”

“Not good Godfrey can you fight?” Zhuli says digging into her pockets

Godfrey’s legs are still shaking “Give me a moment. Anong you all right?”

Anong hadn’t said a word since landing. She looks blankly at her friends then to the robots. She then lets out an animalistic scream and charges the robots, punching the robots into scrap “That felt good to get out” Anong says as she stretches that last of her nerves out “Hey Barrel I love these gloves!” Anong then charges the other robots, glad that her muay thai moves could finally work and the metal frogs.

Godfrey finally getting his legs back charges in with his ax lopping off the head of the nearest one like a medieval executioner. He shouts a nordic war cry, grinning that the second encounter with robots was going better than the first.

Zhuli finally finds what she is looking for and pulls out a pouch with a fuse. She lights the fuse and tosses the pouch at the nearest robot causing a blue explosion that destroys the machine “Ha! face the power of chinese science!” Muninn then screeches from the noise and flies away “That’s not good”

The humans plus Leif and Barrel fight off the robots till there are no more. The local cheer for the heroes that saved their homes. The heroes in return raise their weapons in victory

“You know the king will just send more right?” Zhuli says

“Yeah but king or not we can’t let him bully his own people” Leif says, lifting her spear with a robot head on it.

“Well said” Barrel says

Anong waves “It’s nice being a hero”

They then hear a commotion and see guards with the newtopia crest rushing forward intent on arresting the heroes for destroying royal property

“This ought to take care of them,” Zhuli says, pulling out an explosive pouch.

“No!” Leif shouts slapping the pouch out of Zhuili’s hand “We can’t just kill them for doing their job”

Godfrey sighs “You know we will have to spill Amphibian blood eventually right?”

Leif grimices “Yes but i’m not ready for that today”

“Well Zhuli scared away our escape ride so what do we do?” Barrel says, reading his hammer.

They then hear a caw and Yeji runs into the town at top speed knocking over the guards. It then leaned down allowing the heroes to climb on. Zhuli yells “跑步”

Yeji runs at top speed and the heroes hold on to his feathers just so they don’t fall off. “Your birds is fast” Barrel shouts, trying not to slip off.

Zhuli smiles “He sure is! Good boy, who's a good boy?”

They eventually find Munin again and fly back to the valley. They all enter the home, find the softest spot of floor and flop down starting to sleep.

Before they drift off Leif asks “Godfrey do you think we can make a difference?”

Godfrey yawns “We can at least try. And if nothing else we gave those people hope that someone cares and will try to help”

Leif smiles “Thanks Godfrey” but her only reply was Godfrey’s snores.

###

Meanwhile in Newtopia Andrias was looking over the report of Greenmire. He knew they needed the humans to power up the box again. And his father said anyone who would harbor humans was a traitor. But did the citizens of Greenmire deserve to have their homes destroyed? Apparently the humans didn’t think so. He sees an electric light flicker off. They were running out of time. They needed the power back. Andrais then looks out the window, the report said a frog with Leif’s description was there too. Why was she betraying her country? Then again the report said she was trying to help the villagers. He couldn’t get his thoughts straight. “Oh Leif what have you gotten us all into?”

###

End Chapter.

Chapter Text

The humans went back to farm work after their adventure to save Greenmire with Leif. Leif and Barrel were content with raking the fields and pulling out weeds. The three humans however were a different story. Godfrey was happy to do the heavy lifting but he was starting to feel like a work animal without anything to distract from it. It didn’t help that Zhuli had a general dislike for farming, she rather be in her shed tinkering with robot parts or experimenting with blue powder. As for Anong she normally would be very helpful with farm work but Mowgli was constantly interrupting her.

The Grub pup had grown large to the size of a hunting hound. She had grown even more energetic the larger she got and ate as if for three dogs. Missing a leg did nothing to slow her down. So every time Anong tried to do some yard work Mowgli would tackle her to play fetch or tug of war, or just run around.

“Mowgli I love you girl but you need to calm down. I have work to do” Anong begs playfully “What's gotten into her?”

“She's getting ready to chrysalis,” Barrel responds.

The humans look at him with a blank look. Barrel sighs and explains “She will go in a cocoon so she can change from her grub pup form to her butter wolf form”

Godfrey looked at Mowgli who was running circles around Anong. “Hard to imagine that thing in a cocoon. But I guess it’s not as strange as there being abominations that are a mix of bug and mammal, or bug and bird, or bug and other bug really.”

“Will she be alright after being in a cocoon?” Anong asks

Barrel awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. “You're not the first one to try to tame a grub pup. While in their grub form they are next to harmless, but once they change they have been known to attack their owners. This is why I didn't want us to keep it, once it comes out of its cocoon it won't be Mowgli anymore.”

Anong is shocked but stomps her foot “I refuse to believe that” and storms off with Mowgli following her.

Leif looks ove ot Barrel “How do you know so much about animals?”

Barrel raises a eyebrow “I may just be a soldier but I took my job seriously that means knowing about anything and everything that could be a danger, including wild animals”

Zhulie chuckles into her hands ”People underestimate you Barrel. Just like they underestimate me.”

###

Over the next few days Mowgli ate more and more to store energy. Anong spent every free second she could with her, but her friends were worried. Finally the day came when Mowgli inched its way up to the branch hanging off of their home and spun herself a cocoon. The large bark colored pod hung there and the heroes could only imagine what was happening inside. Then regretted it when Barrel explained Moglei was more or less melting and reforming in an entirely new form.

For nearly a month the heroes watched the cocoon every day when they left home and every night when they returned. One day the cocoon started to shake. Anong runs up to it as the cocoon falls off the branch and starts shaking on the ground. Finally a crack opens, the heroes watch as a brown wolf the size of a tiger comes out. It has long antennae on its head, pure black eyes and large yellow upper wings and black lower wings. Surprisingly she was still missing one of her six canine legs.

Anong slowly approaches the butter wolf that used to be her puppy. “Mowgli do you recognize me girl?” The wolf takes a sniff then opens it’s fang filled mouth to shoot a long proboscis tongue at Anong. The humans barley doges when Mowgli runs of towards the woods

“Mowgli com back baby!” Anong runs into the woods after her wild pet

“We better follow her to make sure she’s safe,” Godfrey says.

Suddenly Herb comes running by yelling “Gopher attack help!” as a man sized gopher pops out of the ground and tackles the poor frog

“After we handle that” Godfrey says then turns to his toad companion “Barrel you follow Anong while we handle this.”

Barrel is startled “Why me?”

“Because you know monsters and Amphibia more than I do. Also you never really like Mowgli so if the worst is to happen you won’t hesitate to…” Godfrey motioned his finger across his throat.

Barrel grimaces but sees the logic and runs after Anong.

###

Anong runs after Mowgli as fast as she can. Weaving her way through the swamp to keep up. Finally she gets to a large tree filled with flowers. In the tree about a dozen butter wolves all with different fur and wing colors were gathered. Anong hides behind a tree to see what was going on.

She sees Mowgli try to join the wolves but they just growl at her as she tries to land. The butter-wolves begin to bark and force Mowgli to land on the ground. Mowgli begins backing away as the several of the wolves close in on her, led by a large black wolf with black and red wings.

Anong tries to run in and help her pup but feels a clawed hand grab her wrist. She turns and sees Barrel

“Don’t , this is pack business”

“What's going on?” Anong asks

“Mowgli’s instinct took her to the nearest pack, but they aren't letting her join.”

“Why?”

“Who knows, it could be because she’s missing a leg, maybe they don’t like the scent of humans and amphibians, or maybe that black alpha just doesn't like her? Whatever the case if we get involved we’ll be torn apart” Barrel says

Anong knows he’s right but when she sees the black wolf bite at Mowgli’s neck she runs in anyway. Barrel sighs and run in after her.

Anong kicks the alpha off of Mowgli. Barrel then smashes the tree forcing all the wolves to fall off of it. The angrily pack circles around Anong, Mowgli, and Barrel. “Three on twelve that’s not fair” Anong says

“You know your wolf is going to betray us right?” Barrel says

“I don’t believe that.” Anong says

The pack attacked. But the heroes are ready. Barrel uses his hammer to swat the wolves away like flies. Anong uses her agility to dodge wolves and deliver devastating blows at close range. Mowgli would use superior speed to bite at her opponents before they could bite her.

Anong thinks they are doing well when the alpha attacks her from behind and bites her shoulder. Anong screams in pain but then hears a loud howl. Mowgli pounces and knocks the alpha off of anong. Barrel stands protectively over Anong but all the wolves were focused on Mowgli and the Alpha.

The two butter-wolves circle each other then leap in the air. To the average person it looked like usual uncoordinated butterfly flight. But really the wolves were battling three dimensionally. Trying to get in the perfect position to strike. The alpha makes a few bold strikes but Mowgli had learned speed and agility from her time as a grub pup and always dodged at the last second. But Mogli had just metamorphosed asn was getting tired. The Alpha gets above Mowgli and dives down.

But Mowgli was faking, she dodged and bites the alpha’s neck as it was diving. Using the Alpha's dive against it the two dropped like stones but with Mowgli on top. They crash into the ground, Mowgli standing triumphantly on top of the alpha and lets out a long howl. Another wolf joins then another. Soon the entire pack was howling in acceptance of their new alpha.

Barrel helps Anong up and puts some medical moss on her wound. She looks at mowgli and slowly approaches “Do you remember me girl?”

She is right in front of Mowgli. Then the butter wolf opens its mouth and starts licking her with her proboscis-like tongue. Anong laughs “I knew you were still in there. Take that Barrel!”

Barrel chuckles “One in a million, but in this case I'm happy to be wrong. That said we need to get back to the farm, their fighting monster without us.”

“Oh right lead the way” Anong says and the two run back to the settlement. Mowgli gives a barking command and the pack takes off flying behind them.

###

Back at the farm Godfrey was swinging his ax at another gopher. The rodent dives underground to dodge. The viking growls, it be easier to whack a mole with a hammer then slice a gopher with an ax.

Leif cries as she sees the giant rodents destroy her and her neighbors farms. Suddenly Barrel and Anong return. Anong does a flying kick on a gopher, while Barrel whacks another gopher back into its hole “How can we help?” Barrel says

But everyone freezes when they hear the howls. Amphibian, Human, and gopher turn to see a pack of butter wolves run out of the woods. The nearest gopher squeals as the wolves surround it. The humans hear a sucking noise and after about a minute the wolves back away leaving a mummified gopher.

“What in Buddha’s name was that!” Zhulie yells.

The remaining gophers run down their holes but the wolves follow them. The sound of hunter and prey comes out of the holes, honestly making everyone uncomfortable.

Godfrey leans in towards the gopher’s corpse. “Seriously, what the surtr did they do to them?”

Barrel puts on a lecture expression “butterflies don't eat, they drink. Whether that be juice or nectar. Butter Wolves are omnivore. They technically can eat with their teeth but they get most of their nutrients from drinking with their proboscis tongue. A pack can drain fruit and prey in minutes.”

“And I thought this world's giant mosquitoes were terrifying,” Zhuli says, turning pale.

After about half an hour the wolves exit the holes looking fat and happy. They pack flies back into the woods. But Mowgli nuzzles next to Anong. The Khmer girl leans down to her pup “Your always be welcomed here girl but you belong in the wild”

Mowgli licks Anong who laughs and gives her wolf scratches. Leif joins in and thanks them for saving her farm. With one last sad look Mowgli flies off to join her pack.

Just to instantly come back the next day to play.

Before long the settlers got used to a pack of Butter wolves nearby. Mowgli kept them from attacking any amphibians, and the settlers made great bait for other monsters to get close which the wolves preyed on. Most of the pack stayed in the woods, but every few days Mowgli would come to visit Anong and her friends. Barrel even warmed up to her and would get some herbs from Herb and place them on Mowgli's feet.

When asked why Mowgli loved that so much, Barrel explained that Butter-wolves could smell both with their noise and their feet.

And while buttewolve were smaller than kill-a-moths, Mowgli was big enough to give Anong rides in the air.

Leif just laughed at the fact that all three humans now had fling mounts.

###

Time passes and the humans are helping Leif in the field. When they hear a scream from their house and Barrel comes out holding something “This is bad news!

“What's that thing?” Zhuli ask

“Thats a thermometer, it helps measure how hot or cold the day is” Leif explains “Where did you get it?”

“I bartered for it from some settlers,” Barrel says, “But that's not important. This is the third day in a row where it’s fallen below the frog line, that means hiber day is tomorrow!” Barrel panics

Leif waves her hand “No worries we’ll just get the robots to stand guard and-” she pales in realization “We're doomed!”

The frog and toad scream in fear and start running around when Anong interrupts “The humans are lost, what's going on?”

Leif calms down a little “Well you probably noticed amphibia is warm”

“Don’t remind me” Godfrey says still stubbornly wearing his furs

“But about once a year it gets cold enough that it snows” Barrel says

“What's so bad about that?” Zhuli asks

“We freeze solid for the whole day!” Leif says

Godfrey winces “I saw Leif do that a few times in my home country. Scared me half to death the first time I saw it”

Zhuli looks fascinated “So you freeze solid for a day? Is there any negative side effects?”

“No it actually feels really good when we thaw out” Leif explains

“But” Barrel says “Just because we amphibians freeze, doesn't mean predators do too. Before Leif stole the box” Leif winces at the reminder “We had robots stand guard to protect the citizens. But now there's not enough robots. And even if their was I doubt the king would send them all the way to the valley”

Godfrey grunts “And it doesn't help that this valley has more beasts than Jotunheim”

“Exactly” Leif says “Were all sitting ducks now without anyone to protect us”

Godfrey puffs out his chest “Don’t forget you have three great humans warrior that won’t freeze when the snow falls”

“Serious,what is this snow stuff you keep talking about? It can't be that cold.” Anong says

“Right your from a jungle aren't you” Zhulie chuckles”

###

Turns out Grimoteo had been worrying about hiberday to. The tower wasn’t anywhere near done enough to be a safe place for the valley settlers. When he heard that humans didn’t freeze he instantly asked for their help. And when he heard Godfrey’s people came up with a way to keep frogs from freezing he begged for the method.

“So you just fill water skins with hot water to keep them from freezing?” Zhuli says disappointed with how simple it was

“If it works it works” Godfrey says, lighting a fire under a large cauldron.

“I just hope we have enough water skins” Barrel says

The plan was for Grimoteo to gather settlers in the most well defended places and have his men keep awake with water skins to stay on guard. Everyone was nervous because this was the first hiberday in living memory without robot protection.

“Make sure to give me one too” Leif says

The warriors look at her “This is toad work Leif” Barrel says “there's no reason for you to stay awake”

“There's every reason!” Leif snaps “Because of me everyone in this valley is in danger. The least I can do is help protect everyone.”

The heroes sigh and agree. After making sure every guard under Grimoteo had enough hot water the heroes took their positions. The settlers decided to stay at the Plantar farm. Godfrey was doing a roll call to make sure everyone was there when he saw Leif talking to Herb.

“But Lilly it’s dangerous, wouldn't it be better just to wait it out frozen?” Herb asks

“I have my reasons Herb” Leif says adjusting her hot water bottles “Besides if my friends will stay awake and fight then I can to”

“But what if I wake up and you're not there?” Herb asks sadly

Leif sighs “I'll be here so long as you promise to be here” she takes Herb’s hand and closes her eyes for a kiss. The two frogs kiss goodbye when Leif feels a frozen sensation on her lips that she hasn't felt since the norse lands.

She opens her eyes and sees Herb frozen solid. Their lips locked together and her hand frozen to his. She tries wiggling away but was stuck. Then she hears Godfrey laughing “donff juss sann thee, elp eee!”

“Sorry” Godfrey says, pulling out a spare water bottle and pouring the hot water on Leif’s lips “It was adorably sweet, I didn't want to interrupt.”

Leif hops away and grabs her spear and horned helmet ready for guard duty. “I’m a little confused usually hiber day has more warning of starting”

“like what?” Godfrey asks opening the door just to see a solid foot of snow fall out of the sky

“Like that” Leif says

“That was fast”Godfrey says

They then hear an inhuman scream “What dark work of Keli is this!”

“Doesn't sound like Anong likes the snow” Leif says

They walk over to see Barrel, Anong and Zhuli around a large fire and the settlers frozen in blocks of ice.

Barrel had hot water bottles sticking out of his armor and looked around. “Can’t say I've ever seen hiber day awake before, so this is snow?”

Zhui was wearing layers, her dress over her trousers and a cape made from feathers that Yeji molted off. “I've seen snow before but the palace had servants to remove it from the paths. I've heard that peasants like to play in it.”

“Play in this white death?” Anong shouts. She was just wearing her usual pants and vest and was shivering “What cruel twist of nature is this? Is it the gods way of saying the world will die?!”

Godfrey chuckles and takes pity, taking off a layer of fur and putting it over Anong’s shoulders “This really isn't too bad compared to my home country. And according to Leif it only lasts a day right?” the frog nods “Back home winter lasted months and was much colder”

“What?! How do you survive!” Anong says panicky

“Why do you think vikings have a reputation of being tough? I’m not sure but I would bet that's why mongols are considered tough as well”

Zhuli nods her head “Sounds about right, that and the fact they crush anyone to the south of them”

“Exactly” Godfrey says

“I can’t feel my feet!” Anong panics

“Then put on some shoes” Barrel says

“I don’t think she’s ever worn shoes in her life,” Leif chuckles.

Barrel takes pity and finds some towels that he fashioned a covering for Anong’s feet.

The heroes spend the day counting the frozen citizens and telling stories around the fire. Godfrey showed Zhuli how to make a snowman and other winter activities. They tried to invite Anong but the women had put on every scrap of cloth she could find and refused to step away from the fire. More than once Barrel had to stop her from actually jumping in the fire to “get warm”

Leif helps Godfey and Zhuli feed Yeji and Muninn, the large birds simple cuddled in their nests staying warm “Thank you for helping” Leif says

Zhuli smiles,”Even if we didn’t know about hiber day we would gladly help, you're our friend after all.”

Leif smiles but then frowns “I guess this is just one of the many things my people will have to get used to because of me”

Godfrey scoffs “Please if dumb frogs can survive in my country this no doubt smart frogs can survive in this one.”

Leif smiles but then they hear a hissing yipping sound. They see creatures that looked like a mix of dog and lizard walk up hissing at them with their over large mouths

“What are those!?” Zhuli screams

“The settlers! We have to go” Godfrey says. They run back to the campfire to see Barrel keeping the pack of creatures away

“It’s coyote geckos, they're angry because of the cold and want easy prey!” Barrel yells.

“What is a coyote? Nevermind not important!” Godfrey pulls out his ax and stands in front of the frozen people. Zhuli pulls out her hair pin and gets ready to fight. Even Leif gets ready to fend the creatures off with her spear.

“Hey Godfrey you can make clothes out of fur right?” Anong asks shivering

Godfey is confused seeing the drastic circumstances they were in, but humors her “Well yes, but you need a lot of pelts to do that with”

“Good enough for me!” Anong runs forwards, steals Zhuli’s hairpin and tackles the nearest coyote gecko, killing it with a few quick thrusts. “Make me something warm now!”

Everyone else is startled by her ferociousness “Uh it will take time, I can’t just- Look out!”

The coyotes try rushing Anong but the women turns the pin like knife on them dispatching them with ease “I! HATE! THE! COLD!”

The terrified coyotes run away leaving the heavy breathing Anong standing on their fallen comrades

“That workout warm you up?” Godfrey asks

Anong picks up a dead coyote and drops it in Godfrey’s arms “Get skinning” then plops herself in front of the fire

To scared to argue Godfey follows her orders

###

Hiber day passes and the settlers are free from their ice shells. Leif and Barrel felt exhausted and Anong kept complaining that it was still too cold. She demanded her coyote pelts but Godrfey inserted it would take at least a week.

Grimoteo happily reported no deaths but there were some close calls, and thanks the humans and Leif for coming up with a way for them to survive.

“It was nothing” Godfrey says

“It was everything!” Grimoteo insests

“He’s right be be easy prey if not for those hot water bottles” Barrel agrees

“Newtopia was no help it’s only thanks to you humans we survived this” Grimoteo says, “At least I won’t have to deal with them for the rest of the winter”

“What do you mean?” Leif asks

###

At the pass to the Valley a solid wall of ice block the way

“This is one of the reasons the Valley was hardly explored” Grimoteo says

The humans look at aw. Godfrey had seen glaciers before but for everyone else this was new. “There's no way anyone is getting past that” Godfrey says

“Unless someone has a giant flying bird or wolf” Anong smiles

“Or my new invention!” Zhuli says running towards Yeji “I'm borrowing Munnin!”

About an hour later Zhuli comes back with the birds carrying large tubes. She sets them up as the crowd watches. One tube looked like a large firework with a dragon head on the top. The other looked like a metal cylinder that had a toad's head at the end with a large open mouth

“Was the head designs necessary?” Godfrey asks

“Yes it gives them flare” Zhuli says then gestures to the dragon one “Now this first one, is a weaponized firework designed to explode with fire to disable the enemy. This toad one is a projectile weapon. Like an arrow or catapult powered by blue powder. I insert this large metal ball and the explosion launches it with enough force to blast through a city wall.

Zhuli lights the fuses and runs

“Why are you running?” Anong asks

“Well I haven't tested them yet, I don't know if they explode!” Zhuli yells. Everyone chased after her screaming.

The fuses run out causing a huge ka-boom. The projectile's launch with no problem into the icewall blasting huge holes in them. However a rumbling sound starts causing an avalanche to cascade down covering the holes and the pass

“I think you just trapped us in here even more” Barrel says

“Those things are horrifying, even scarier than lasers. what do you call them?” Grimoteo says

“I call them cannons” Zhuli says proudly and starts talking shop

Meanwhile Leif Godfey and Anong look at the pass “I guess Newtopia won't be able to get to us now” Anong says

“But their are still a lot of amphibians that will ended help” Leif says

Godfrey smiles looking at Muninn and Yeji “Then we’ll help them. Newtopia just won’t be able to follow us.”

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Heroes of calamity part 4 Amphibia ch 8

Being snowed in the valley for the winter was actually a boon for the settlers because it really made them band together and start to build. And thanks to the protection of the humans, construction was able to proceed with minimum monster attacks. Grimoteo and his men were actually starting to build their tower so they didn’t have to sleep in tents anymore. As for the farming community that Leif had unintentionally started they started to build around the swamp that they would haggle and trade produce at. They hollowed out the log that they would meet to discuss the state of the valley. That was when Herb suggested they actually make their settlement an actual town and give it a name, as well as making the hollow log the town hollow.

He also suggested that “Lilly” name the town. Leif felt overwhelmed but from loud vocal support from the settlers, Barrel,and her human friends she decided to name their new town Wartwood. To celebrate their new town and the harvest they put together a celebration. The settlers put together a feast and the more musical frogs pulled out fiddles and drums, as well as any other instrument they had to celebrate. Though the actual population was less than twenty the neighboring settlements came to the celebration as well as. Along with Grimoteo and his toads.

As people ate and danced Leif sat on a mushroom nursing a drink as she watched it all. For the first time since returning to Amphibia she could pretend everything was all right. Anong swagers over to her “You can almost pretend these people lived here all their lives instead of being banished here”

“Yeah almost” Leif takes a big gulp from her drink.

“I understand it’s hard,” Anong says “But you need to learn to take the good with the bad. I mean look at those frogs dancing. Right now they are enjoying life as one big community.”

“They do seem pretty happy” Leif admits

Anong chuckles “Being together with the community and people you care about. It’s the simple pleasures that make life worth it. Makes me miss home.”

“You lived in the slums.” Leif says

“Yeah but I love the people, they made my bleak life bright” Anong says finishing her drink “I’m going to dance.” She joins the frogs dancing doing her native country dances. Which made a lot of frogs laugh because her dance did not match the music at all.

Leif smiles then heard another voice “Good evening miss Lilly”

Leif nearly spits out her drink and blushes “Oh Herb how are you?!”

Herb chuckles, “I'm fine. It’s a right pretty night, mind if I join you?”

Leif panics “Oh I should check on my friends”

Her excuse is invalidated when she hears Toads chanting “Chug! Chug! Chug!”

She turns to see the toads surrounding Godfrey who are surrounded by empty mugs of bog grog. Barrel then turns and sees Leif “Why didn’t you tell me this guy could drink? He’s shattered my record and just keeps going! It’s awesome!”

Godfrey slams the mug down on the table “ølet ditt går ned som vann, en annen!”

Eager toads hand him more drinks.

She then hears snapping sounds and sees Zhuli handing children her experimental hand fireworks. They were more or less sticks that sparkled everywhere. The kids loved playing with them, though one or two did catch on fire. Lucky Zhuli had multiple buckets of water on hand just in case.

“Your friends seem fine, Miss Lilly,” Herb chuckles. Leif turns red in embarrassment “Would you care to join me for a dance?”

Leif hesitantly took Herb's hand and was led to the dancing frogs. The musicians started to play a slow song and Leif did her best to follow Herb’s lead without stepping on his foot, she failed but he didn’t seem to mind.

The two sway back and forth when Herb speaks “I’m glad you're here miss Lilly”

Leif blushes, “Thanks, I like you to neighbor.”

Herb chuckles “Not like that. I knew things were going to be hard moving to the valley but having you and your friends here. It’s turned a trial into a blessing.”

Leif blushes, but eventually finds her words “I appreciate that. Honestly I thought it would just be me and my friends out here forever.”

Herb chuckles “How did you meet those weird creatures anyway? I’ve never seen anything like them.”

Leif panics and comes up with a half truth “I've known Barrel since childhood. As for my human friends… After frogs were no longer welcomed in Newtopia I ran and we sort of found each other. They protected me and I protected them. They are family now.”

Herb gives her a twirl “Figure you find such good, interesting folks.”

Leif sighs “They’ve done a lot more for me than I did for them. They are strong and resourceful. While all I can do is yell for help when something goes wrong.”

“Don’t sell yourself short” Herb snaps, getting Leif’s attention “Your clever, smart, brave, always running into danger alongside your friends. Not to mention you're a great builder, farmer, and unbelievably kind and generous Lilly.”

Leif blushes as Herb puts her in a dip. “Not to mention you're as beautiful as a sunrise.”

Leifs heart is on fire she leans in to Herb when the music stops

“Any requests folks?” a musician asks. He is then pelted with garbage from a angry crowd led by Anong

“It was just getting juicy!” Anong yells

“I need to sit down!” Leif says

Herb guides her to a chair and goes to get something for them to drink.

Zhuli makes her way to Leif “Why are you fighting so hard against it? It’s obvious you love him.”

“I do but how can we have a relationship when I'm lying to him and everyone here? They're here because of me. He doesn't even know my real name!” Tears start to form in her eyes

Zhuli rolls her eyes. “I don’t pretend to understand love, growing up love was a political tool more than anything. But it’s obvious Herb is a good man… frog. He loves you and I believe he would understand if you told him the truth.

“Maybe” Leif says “But there's still so much suffering happening in Amphibia because of me. I can’t do nothing.”

“What do you mean?” Zhuli asks

“I mean I need to keep fighting Aldrich. He's hunting us, might as well give him a reason. But what if we get caught one day? Will I just leave Herb without him ever knowing what happened?”

Zhuli smiles “I hear love can be hard in uncertain times. But I also hear many soldiers were able to fight in war because they had a girl worth fighting for. Let Herb be the reason you keep fighting. Not the reason you stop.”

Leif smiles “Thanks”

Herb returns with the drink. Leif takes hers, then turns to him “Herb I need to tell you something. I lo-”

Leif is interrupted by Godfrey and a lot of toads pushing past her heading into the woods “Coming through! That bog grog goes right through you!”

An angry Anong starts chasing them “You warty morons! That's twice in one night they were interrupted!!!”

Leif and Herb watch the chase for a moment then just start laughing and enjoy the rest of the night together.

###

It was well past midnight when the heroes headed home.

“You ok Godfrey? you drank a lot.” Anong asks

Godfrey shakes his head. “No offense but amphibian spirits are really weak. All I got is a buzzing headache.

“Still that was incredible! I’ve never seen anyone drink that much!” Barrel says impressed

Godfrey winces and crosses his legs a bit “Please don't say drink right now.”

Everyone laughs Anong turns to Leif “You had a fun night too, right?”

“I did” Leif says “But it made me realize something”

Everyone turns to her “I can't just sit and hide in the valley, I need to be out there fighting Aldrich. He’s turning into a full tyrant and I can't be here pretending everything is fine when he’s destroying his own people’s lives.”

Barrel looks at Leif “You know what you just said is treason.” Leif looks away ashamed “But Adrich is a jerk so I say let's do it!”

Godfrey smiles “With the valley snowed in we’ll take our birds. Quick raids in and out like my people.”

“All right, some action!” Anong cheers

“I can't wait to test my blue powder against those robots!” Zhuli says with a miles

Leif hops up and gives her friends a hug “Thanks guys.”

###

Just as Godfrey planned they would use their flying mounts to leave the Valley. The more they explored it became obvious that things were not well in amphibia.

Refugees were everywhere, rolling black outs that made the technology so many amphibians relied on worthless. Despite that factories were still popping up and the citizens were being forced to work in them.

The heroes overlook such a factory waiting for Anong to return from spying. She flies in on Mowgli fuming at what she saw “It's monstrous. They force frogs and toads to work in that place making more metal men, and if they dont the metal men hurt them.”

“I thought robots needed power to work? If the box is gone, how are they working?” Zhuli asks

“There are more ways to make electricity than those gems” Barrel says, showing off his hammer “My weapon is enhanced by the gems but it doesn't need them to work. And in a real pinch I could make a small generator. But judging by the smoke belching out of that factory they are using the least effective way to produce energy.”

“What do you mean?” godfrey asks

Leif answers “Fire, it’s is a source of warmth, but it leaves toxic ash behind, and if you burn everything you won't have anything left to make warmth.”

The humans think on these words, when Zhuli speaks up “Is that how your kings saw another world, a timber box to be raided and discarded?” Barrel and Leif look away ashamed. “I guess without other worlds to plunder they are plundering their own.”

“And the people have to face the consequences when there is no more to take” Leif says sadly

“We’ll stop them then” Godfrey says “Anong what did you find out?”

“They work in two shifts, one group is done for the day they leave and send the next one in. in that short amount of time the building is empty.”

“Then we'll blow it up when the people are gone” Zhuli says

“And how will we do that?” Godfrey asks

“Start by taking a cannon off of Yeji please”

Godfrey and Barrel take the heavy weapons off the bird and following Zhuli’s instructions start setting it up. Zhuli caclates the angle to put the cannon and takes out a tube that she looks through.

“What's that?” Godfrey asks

“It’s something new I'm working on. By using certain lenses I can see things closer than they really are.” Zhuli explains with pride

“Oh like a Visby lens” Godfrey says

“A what?” Zhuli asks

Godfey pulls out a half sphere of clear quartz from his pocket. Anong takes it and puts it to her eye “Wow everything looks bigger”

“They are used for navigation on the sea. Not perfect but people are working on it” Godfrey says. To a miffed Zhuli

“Are you humans talking about a telescope?” Barrel pulls out a collapsible telescope, Anong takes it and looks through it, saying it works so much better.

Zhulie grabs the telescope and uses it for her calculations telling Barrel and Godfrey to point the cannon. But under her breath she mutters “Yǎ chánchú”

Anong spies the workers starting to leave. When she is sure the last worker has left they spot the new workers approaching the factory “We’re almost out of time.”

Zhuli lights her cannon, with a boom they see the projectile weapon soaring through the sky towards the factory

“Are you sure one will be enough?” Leif asks

The cannonball hits and the whole factory explodes into flames

“Yes” Zhuli says happily

“We got company coming,” Barrel says. A few surviving robots are flying right at them.

The humans pack up as fast as they can. They are getting on top of their birds when the robots finally get there and start firing. Yeji panics and accidently bucks off Leif and Zhuli. They land roughly on the ground. Leif starts to get up when she sees a laser cannon pointed straight at her face

“Designation, amphibia most wanted, eliminate” the robot says

Leif hears her friends call out her name and thinks it’s the end. Suddenly she hears a crack and sees a hole appear in the side of the robot’s head. It crumpels to the ground and the other robots turned to Zhuli who was holding something that looked like a small cannon in her hand.

The robots are distracted enough that the rest of the heroes get the jump on them, literally since they jump off of Muninn. After they dispose of the robots they turn to Zhuli “What is that?” Godfrey asks intrigued

Zhuli blushes “Well I got tired of having to wait for an enemy to get close to use my hair pin. And a cannon is too heavy, so I thought how useful it would be to have a cannon that would fit in your hand.”

“Like a laser gun?” Barrel asks

“Gun…? I like this word, I hereby name this invention the blue powder gun.” Zhuli muses

“That's great, but we need to go,” Anong says as the burning factory brings more attention.

###

Another time newts and toads are raiding a frog town for supplies with the aid of several robots.

“Why?!” cries a frog “We’ve already been forced from our homes why do this?”

“The empire is in decline” the newt leader says “TThe crown needs these supplies to keep the city from collapsing”

“That's fine for newts” says another frog “But what about us? We can’t build a new home without those supplies, we’ll die!”

“Not my problem, lieutenant take care of these rabble rousers” The newt tells the toads. A few toads look a bit guilty but most of the guard starts to approach the citizens with hostile intent.

Before they can reach the frogs, Barrel leaps between the two groups and slams his hammer down making the toads lose their balance “Is this what the great Newtopia guard has come to? Being petty thieves pretending to work for the greater good?”

“Save your preaching traitor. Arrest- woah!” The newt is lifted up by Godfrey who does his best to give a scary face. The newt screams in fear at the large predator before Godfrey tosses him at the toads.

The toads crumble in a heap. Their lieutenant orders them to grab that monster but then Anong appears and starts beating the toads with her bare hands. The toads try to send their handful of robots in but Zhuli simply throws a pouch with a burning fuse at them. The robots get a closer look at the pouch just as it explodes leaving them as scrap. The toads terrified of these humans start to run. Jumping on their charts and riding away with their ill gotten gains.

The frogs aprough the heroes “Thank you, but without those supplies I’m not sure what we will do?”

Leif walks up caring some pins “wait for it”

The supply carts fall off of the retreating toads mounts but the toads are too terrified to go back for them. The frogs cheer for their heroes. The leader of the town thanks the humans but don't know what to do when the crown sends more soldiers.

“You can always do what my people do when we have something we don’t like” Godfrey says

“What's that?” the frog asks

“Destroy it” Godfrey says with a grin

“We can’t beat the royal army!” The frog panics

“Maybe not but even my people’s failed raids would strike fear into our enemies” Godfrey says

“He has a point, '' Anong says “Just because you're smaller doesn't mean others can push you around. You need to show them you matter and won’t be bullied.”

The frogs look scared but looking around they know the humans are right and nod.

Leif hops on Gofrey’s shoulder and yells out “Let's show the king he can’t just do whatever he likes.” she then pumps her hand in the air “For Amphibia!” the town raises their hands in the air and chants back “For Amphibia!”

###

In the east the toads of the new East tower were doing their best to protect the settlers from the plague of snakes. With the loss of the box the techniques they used to pacify and deter the monster were failing. Now monsters saw all amphibians as an easy lunch.

The toad captain swung his polearm at the latest snake trying to make it go away. The snake just hissed and lunged. Before it strikes, Anong lands on its head, smashing it into the ground. The captain is shocked “Don’t just stand there kill it!” Anong shouts.

The captain is brought back to his senses and beheads the beast. Before he can ask any questions Anong whistles and a pack of Butter-wolves follow her into the settlement chasing and rounding up snakes. Toad and wolf work together to round the snakes into one spot. The wolves barking keep the snakes at bay, Anong praises Mowgli “Good job girl, who's my good girl!”

“This is good and all but how do we kill them?” the captain asks

“Reinforcements should be here any second,” Anong says.

The captain hears the flapping of wings. He looks up to see a raven and a pheasant being ridden by humans with a net between them in the net was what looked like a bunch of dragon heads. As they drop the net onto the snakes the human next to him goes down in the fetal position covering her ears as the wolves ran away

“What the-?” Was all the captain could say as the bombs hit the snakes with an earth shattering kaboom! The captain is knocked off his feet when he gets up he sees snake chunks everywhere with the butter-wolves happily sucking the fluids from them.

Anong picks up a large dead snake “I bet I can fry this”

The captain slowly approaches her, “I thank you for your help, but I have to arrest you.”

“Are you sure?” Anong asks as the wolves stare at the captain

The toad feels colder than usual. “Oh my, the human escaped while I wasn't looking. Well I best check on my men”

Anong chuckles as her friends land. They pack up a snake to feed the valley folk and let the Wolves enjoy the fruits of their hunt.

###

In Newtopia Andrias had just gotten out of a counsel on behalf of his father. The ministers were growing more and more concerned about the failing technology in the city. They proposed making more power plants and having those outside the walls work them. When Andrias had asked what plans they had to ensure the workers safety in the factories as well as from the monsters nearby they looked at him like he was crazy.

Andrias was almost to his father’s room. He knew his father would approve of the new factories but still needed his stamp. Suddenly a panicking newt runs up “Word from outside the city, more factories were destroyed!”

“Was it those humans again?” Andrias demands.

“No, the frogs did it. They refuse to work with no compensation. The humans were last seen helping fight monsters at the eastern settlements.” The soldier says

Andrias almost tears the document in his hands in half. His own people were turning against him for his mistake. This was all Leif’s fault, not his. Suddenly a chiling calm ran down his spine. To be fair Leif and her humans were doing more to protect the people out there than he was in the castle.

No he couldn’t think that way. He takes a deep breath and enters his father’s room. The glowing eyes in his father's crown glare at him. At this point he wasn’t sure how much of it was his father and how much was the core. He walked in ready to hear their demands.

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Heroes of calamity part 4 Amphibia ch 9

Winter was drawing to a close and soon the valley would be opened to the rest of amphibia again. But even before then new amphibians were coming to the valley via Muninn and Yeji. Some came hearing stories of large warriors fighting against the increasingly tyrannical king. Others came hearing about a mad scientist making breakthroughs in technology that didn’t rely solely on the box’s power.

With technology failing daily and more amphibians having to survive on their own wits and strengths, the humans’ knowledge on survival was becoming priceless. But as many were on the human’s side more were still loyal to the king. Even when saving frog villages from monsters the citizens would try to arrest the humans. Fortunately for them they were much bigger than the average frog and could easily escape.

In the woods near Wartwood a small group of rebel leaders had gathered. Frogs unhappy with being treated as the lowest in the new caste system, toad guards not happy with being turned into thugs against their own people, and even newts that think the king’s obsession of hunting the humans and oppressing their own people was insane when the kingdom was facing the crisis of losing their technology.

The five heroes stood around a lantern lit table with a map of amphibia on it. Godfrey acting as field commander, Anong as strike force, Zhuli as the technician and stratigeist, Barrel as the general. And Leif wearing her horned helmet as the symbol of rebellion.

Godfrey looks at the map. “Unrest is spreading across the kingdom. More monsters are attacking, more technology is falling, the people are losing faith in the royal family.”

“Of course” an angry newt says “He’s wasting resources on making robots that we can’t power to hunt down you humans.”

“Why is Aldrich so obsessed with us?” Anong asks

A toad huffs “You're just a scapegoat. He blames all the kingdom’s problems on you three and frogs. but even if he catches you it's not like the lights will magically flip back on.”

“Amphibia is heading towards a dark age” a frog says “All Newtopia is doing is delaying the inevitable. If we're going to survive this new age we’ll need you humans.”

“Why do you say that?” Zhuli asks

“Because despite how primitive you humans are you somehow have spread everywhere on your world” a newt says “We need those survival skills and adaptability to adjust to the new normal”

Leif shook her head “Do you even hear how insulting that is?” the other amphibians look at her “You're only interested in the humans’ help because we don’t have the box anymore. If the invasion had gone on as plan you all wouldn’t even bother thinking twice about humans”

Some of the amphibians looked around ashamined, others took offense to Leif’s words. One angry frog speaks up “Well it’s all that gardener's fault. We had an unstoppable empire and thanks to one stupid frog not only is everything falling apart but we frogs have to bear the brunt of it.”

Leif feels bad but Barrel speaks up in her defense “Don’t give me that, I was a palace guard, I thought the invasion was a good idea. When the box was stolen I thought it was the end of the world too. But after meeting these humans I realize just how wrong we were. They're good people and the king would have wiped them out without a second thought. How many innocent worlds have we destroyed just because we thought the box made us better? If you ask me it’s a good thing the box was taken just to show us how pathetic we are without it.”

A lot of the amphibians look at Barrel impressed, others with skepticism. Another toad speaks up “that's a nice sentiment, but how many innocents have to suffer now that the box is gone? There's no changing the past, but no doubt this has caused a lot of suffering in Amphibia.”

“Then you have to adapt, '' Godfrey says. “Humans live in just as dangerous a world as amphibia, death is part of our daily lives, but not only do we survive but thrive. We make communities and cultures that make life worth living. I have no doubt you can overcome the challenges and be better for it.”

“But not while Aldrich is on the throne” Zhuli says “the king has made clear he is stuck in his way. He refuses to see that Amphibia has to change and is willing to burn this world to the ground instead of compromising”

“Down with Leviathan!” the crowd shouts

“Wait!” Lief says “I know we need to defeat the royal family, but let's not get carried away. The king might not be able to change, but I believe we can appeal to Prince andrias. We might be able to convince him to change.”

The gathered amphibians look at her like she is crazy. “You do realize he’s the one that has segregated the species right?”

Leif glares at the speaker “Don’t act so high and mighty, there has always been a hierarchy thank to the leviathans ruling for centuries, all that prejudice has just been made into law, but don’t forget the prince was once a advocate to end discrimination, I believe he can do so again.”

“What makes you believe that?” a frog ask

“I have hope” Leif says

The amphibians are unconvinced. But Godfrey clears his throat “Either way we can’t bring change unless we are organized. There are pockets of resistance all over the kingdom. But they're all so small the king just has to send his machines or even the toads to squash any rebellion. But if we can unite in one group then we can’t be ignored”

“What do you propose?” a newt asks

“We gather together and take the fight to the king” Anong says “His machines will run out of power eventually, if we make it happen faster people will have to face facts and turn against the king”

Zhuli then points to right outside the valley on the map “There are factories here, if we can gather enough people to destroy them it will cripple the king's robot army, then those resources can be used to actually help the people. But to do this we’re going to need an army. Do you think we can become one?”

The gathered amphibians glance at each other then respond with a unanimous “Yes!”

###

The heroes start to head to their home. Things were changing in amphibia and they were caught in the middle whether they liked it or not. As they walked in the red moon light Zhuli turns to Leif

“Can I ask you something?”

Leif nods

“Why are you against us attacking Andrias? By all accounts he’s just as bad as his dad. If we're going to stop the robots we need to go after all of the newts incharge not just a few.”

Leif sighs “He’s made some bad choices but I know he is a good man.”

“He’s literally burning the country to the ground hunting us.” Zhuli says “What makes you believe there is any good in him?”

“Because he's my friend!” Leif shouts, then in a much quieter voice “He is my dear, dear friend. The fact that we are enemies right now hurts more than you can know Zhuli. I don’t know what the future will bring but I pray to frog that before this is over that I get a chance to say I'm sorry to him.”

“I don’t understand” Zhuli says

“It’s like you and Liu.” Anong tries to explain “You’re friends that would help each other right?”

“Yes, but we only became friends because it was politically convenient for us” Zhuli says

Anong rolls her eyes “Your palace politics sound horrible.“

“I can understand '' Godfrey says “Stigandr was like my brother. We would do anything for each other, even if it cost us our lives.” the viking chuckles “We actually have risked our lives for each other several times. I’ve taken blades for him and he’s taken arrows for me. And even though we're worlds apart he is still my chief and best friend.”

Leif nods “Andrias Barrel and I have a bond. A bond I severed, but no matter what atrocities he does. Andrias will always be my friend.”

Anong awed at this but Zhuli doesn't look convinced “What do you think Barrel? Andiras sent you to die fighting monsters, surely you resent him for that?”

Barrel stands at attention. “For the greater good of Amphibia the king must be dethroned” Zhuli smiles in victory “But I will never betray my best friend.” Zhuli looks at him in disbelief “I was hurt and betrayed when Andrias sent me away, but I wouldn't let that stop me from obeying or helping other people. If it comes to fighting Andrias. I don’t think I can raise my weapon against him.”

Anong looks sadly at her amphibian friend “Hopefully it won’t come to that”

“We might not have a choice.” Godfrey says sadly.

Zhuli sighs “I'll try to come up with strategies that will spare your prince, but I can't guarantee anything. It’s our destiny to save this land after all”

“That’s not quite true” Leif says

“What do you mean?” Zhuli asks

Leif sighs. Things were moving so fast now. Newtopia was falling apart, she was actively fanning the flames of rebellion. And the violence that amphibians gave to other worlds was being turned against their own kind. Her friends blindly followed her into danger. It was only right they knew what they were getting into.

“I need to introduce you to someone. The one that gave me the prophecy that sent me to earth. We’ll rest tonight. Tomorrow I'll take you to mother olm.”

“Olms are real?” Barrel says in shock

“Whats a olm?” Anong asks

###

The next day they took Muninn far from the valley to a jagged mountain range. Leif fearlessly enters a cave with her friends following.

“No wonder no one ever found the olms if this is their only route to the surface” Barrel says

“These ‘olms’ live underground? Are they like dwarves?” Godfrey asks

“How did you even find them the first time?” Anong asks

Leif thinks back on the experience “When I first stole the box I was completely lost. I just hung onto the mossmans’ back and prayed for the best. But whether I was led by fate or some divine power I don't know. I found my way to these caves where an olm scout found me. It wanted to eat me, but could sense the box’s power and took me to see mother olm instead. She housed me, fed me, and taught me how to use the box to go to earth. Once I felt like I was ready, the mossman and I traveled to a spot I figured was safe and activated the box. Next thing I knew I was on Stigandr’s boat.”

“You must have been very scared, '' Anong says comfortably.

Leif nods “I was, but I was more scared of what would happen if I let the box fall back into the king’s hands.” she then gives a little smile, besides the olms are kinda nice once you get to know them and their city Proteus is spectacular.”

Why what's so impressive about their cit- Oh my Shiva!” Anong says as they enter a gigantic cavern that housed the underground city of Proteus. The city was carved along underground pillars and canyon walls glowing with soft purple and blue lights.

Leif confidently marches towards the cities while her friends are more hesitant. They are near the border of the city when olm guards appear and block their way. “Halt intruders. How did you find us?!”

The humans draw their weapon seeing the huge pale serpent like olms. But Leif just bows “I am the frog that transported the great gems to another world. I have come to council with mother olm about the prophecy.”

The olm guards were shocked. One commented to the other that Leif did smell kinda familiar. They go to confer with more guards then come back agreeing to lead the heroes to mother olm. They walk through the beautiful city. Besides the guards the local olms avoided the visitors.

“What's the matter they 've never seen a toad before?” Barrel asks

“Not really” Leif explains “Olms are mostly blind. Only a few can see and only if they focus. And even if they could see they have been living in hiding for centuries. Of the four main amphibian races they were the only ones smart enough not to mess with the box.”

“But why go through the effort of hiding your entire civilization?” Godfrey asks

“You'll see in a moment.” Leif says as the guards lead through a large door. The room was large and shrine-like as a raised platform bordered a large chasm. Olms begins to ring a gong and play pagan drums. Honestly it reminded Godfrey of home. The cavern shakes and a olm easily longer than a mile comes out of the chasm

The human eyes go wide seeing the large amphibian. “Jormungandr!” Godfrey shouts, pulling out his ax. “A Bashe!” Zhuli pulls out her hand cannon but misfires it on the ground. “Shesha '' Anong says bowing in respect.

“Guys relax this is mother olm, she is a friend” Leif says

Barrel gives a low whistle “That is one big lady”

“Who dares approach the mother of Olms keeper of the forbidden secrets” mother Olm bellows

“Hi Gilsda it’s me Leif” the frog shouts.

Suddenly mother olm’s entire demeanor changes. She calms down and becomes very chummy, leaning down to let her frills touch Leif “Oh it’s you, how’s my frog friend?”

“Well I did it. I went to earth and came back, I also brought company.” Leif says

Mother olm turns her attention to the rest of the group. Feeling them with her frills which made the humans uncomfortable “I see how exotic. I’m sorry to place such a burden on you Leif but it looks like you made friends along the way”

Anong being the most calm among the humans turns to Leif “Gilsda?”

Mother Olm sighs “That’s my real name. Mother olm is a title given to the spiritual leader of the olms. I had just inherited the title from my grandmother when Leif found her way to our city. She really helped me feel up to the responsibility you know?”

The friends all smile at Leaf. Barrel chuckles “Yeah she had a talent for making you feel like anything is possible”

Leif blushes and turns to Mother Olm “How is your grandmother anyway?”

Mother olm’s expression turns sad “She passed away. I have now fully inherited the memories of my grandmother and all my ancestors. Quit a responsibility, but I'll handle it. The tea you made for my grandmother really helped though. She said it tasted horrible but helped the pain go away.”

“You let Leif cook? Do you have a death wish?” Barrel yells at Mother olm

“It was just tea” Mother olm says, “Though I did let her cook a surface meal for me. Worst mistake of my life”

“I’m not that bad of a cook!” Leif huffs putting her hands on her hips

“As a prophetess of an entire civilizations that has knowledge that transcends the material plain I can safely say, yes you are that bad of a cook” Mother olm says as Barrel nods sagely at her words.

Godfey finally enters the conversation and bows in respect “Sorry for my earlier outburst you reminded me of a monster of myth.” Mother olm nods to say it’s alright “Mother Olm Leif has brought us here because you know something about destiny and prophecy

“The Prophecy!” Mother olm says seriously “I am the guardian of the prophecy, the one that concerns the fate of this world and all worlds rest. And that prophecy is… give me a moment”

Mother olm gets an intense look of concentration on her face. Zhuli gives a funny look “Didn’t you memorize it?”

“Of course I did. But while I may be young as the mother olm, I am still a couple thousand of years old. And it’s a lot of responsibility to try to remember important things that history forgets” Mother olm says nervously.

Barrel raises an eyebrow “Why not write it down? That's what I do when i have trouble remembering my orders”

Mother olm stops. Smiles and gives a gigantic kiss on Barre’s head “That's a great idea thanks toad.” mother olm then goes back in her chasm and comes back up with a gigantic glowing pen and starts carving on the ceiling.

“Excuse us” Anong call up

“One moment and done!” Mother olm slithers back down “Good idea to have a backup in case the worst should happen”

Leif coughs “Ahem, Gilsda, the prophecy and the gems?”

“Right,” Mother Olm says a little sheepishly. Listen well humans for this is the history of the gems whose power resides now in your world”

“How do you know that?” Zhuli asks

“I’m Mother Olm, it's my job to know these things.” Mother olm says “No one is quite sure where the gems came from, some believe they came from beyond the stars many thousands years ago. Some like us olms believed the gems to be a gift and should be respected. Others believed the gems to be proof of their superiority and used them to conquer the world. Not only that they used its power to break holes into the universe so as to conquer other worlds and believe in all others to be less than them. The power of the gems made amphibia the worst possible version of itself . Falling so far to create an unnatural thing that does not sleep and will not die as evidence of their power.”

“Are the gems evil?” Anong asks

“No” mother olm says “They are simply tools. Tools that others misused. Afraid of the consequences of using the gems in such a way we olms ran, afraid of the destruction that the rulers of amphibia would eventually bring upon themselves. There was hope though. The first mother olm was given a prophecy . A prophecy that in some ways is a call for help to save amphibia from ourselves”

Mother olm grows very solemn as she quotes the prophecy. “Three stars burning bright come from beyond to expel the night. Should they fight or embrace the fall? Their choice will determine the fate of all.”

Anong thinks on the prophecy “three stars? That must mean the gems and three humans to wield them”

“I don’t like this prophecy” Zhuli says “It doesn't say what will happen only what might”

“Of course, prophecy or not, everyone has a choice,” Godfrey says, remembering way back to his priest training. “Everyone, no matter how great or humble their origin, is capable of good or evil. It is all determined by our actions. We could have all abandoned Leif, instead we are here fighting for her. That was our choice and no one else. So it’s up to use to keep fighting to expel this night as the prophecy says”

“Oh that prophecy isn’t about you three” Mother olm says

“What!?” the humans shout

Mother olm gives a knowing frown “Well first of all you don’t have the gems or the power that goes in them. At best you three are forerunners till the real chosen ones show up. Whenever that will be.”

Godfrey rubs the back of his head “I forgot with all the crazy adventures we have been on that were not the heroes of this story.”

“Says who?” Anong snaps getting everyone’s attention “So we might not be some chosen one with powers from the gods. I still know right from wrong and I'm still willing to fight. Prophecy or no prophecy”

Godfrey smiles “You're right, who knows if we do a good enough job we might be able to make the chosen one’s job a lot easier.”

“But guys,” Leif says. “I brought you here so mother olm could explain to you it’s not your destiny to save amphibia. The prophecy will come true someday. I don't want to see my friends die chasing something that’s impossible.”

“She has a point” Zhuli says “Why fight against something that can’t be changed?”

“And who says it can’t be changed?” Godfrey says “Ragnarok is the end of all things a prophecy of the apocalypse. But does the legend say people will be hiding in their beds? No heroes and warriors will be fighting it head on whether they can change it or not they are giving it their all”

“Yeah” Anong says “and besides who’s to say the prophecy will come to pass only one way, there could be a lot of different things that lead to it?”

“They have a point” Mother olm says

“Really?” Leif asks

Mother olm nods “I understand why my people are hiding. We need to keep our people safe for when the prophecy eventually comes true. But there are times I wonder what if we hadn’t hidden away from amphibia? Could we have stopped the corruption that came to the royal family or would we have fallen to its temptation? I can never know the answers to what could have been, but no doubt things would have been different.”

“Seems right” Barrel says “I know you're just trying to protect us Leif, but with or without this information I will fight to do what I believe is right, even if it costs me my life. I was willing to give it fighting that narwhal worm and I'm willing to give it now.”

Zhuli sighs “It is good to have this information but they are right. We're not going to give up. Besides Leif are you telling us that if we all gave up the fight now you would give up too? Or would you keep putting on your helmet and sneaking off to fight for truth and justice” Leif blushes and Zhuli giggles

Finally Leif sighs and says “I don't know what will happen. I’ve already lost Andrais, what if I lose my other friends to?”

Godfrey leans down to Leif “we might not know where the path leads, but I'll be there with you every step of the way.” Leif hops into Godfreys arms for a hug. Soon Barrel, Anong, and Zhuli join as well.

Mother olm laughs “While we olms hide and wait for a prophecy you chase after it like a kill-a-moth chases a grubble. You may not be the chosen ones but you are definitely heroes of your own legend. Good luck my friends''

The heroes bow to mother olm “Thank you for everything. Now we best get back to the surface to fly back to the Valley”

“Oh I can just have some olms take you their underground” mother olm says

“What?” Anong says

“We have underground tunnels everywhere. I could even get to Newtopia if I wanted to, it would just take a bit of digging. It'll be a lot faster to get you home through the tunnels than walking all the way back to the surface.” mother olm explains

Godfrey thinks for a bit “Tempting, but Muninn is waiting for me, I can't leave him.”

“I’ll take the tunnel route” Anong volunteers “I want to see who’s faster”

Mother olm signals an olm guard. Anong hops on its back and cheers as they speed off.

Anong was waiting at home with fresh food by the time the rest of the heroes got back.

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Winter had passed and the valley was open. The first thing Newtopia does is send robots in to search the valley. But the robots can’t find any humans, just a bunch of settlers that were doing surprisingly well. They talk to Grimoteo, the local tower lord if he had seen anything. He said no because he was too busy constructing the tower and trying to keep the valley safe. With no other reason to stick around they give the toads orders to collect taxes from the settlers and leave.

###

Herb runs to Lilly Plantar’s farm. “Lilly you home? Those robots turned the village upside down looking for something. Are you and your friends ok? Lilly?”

Suddenly Leif burst from a secret door hidden in a stump next to Herb “I'm fine. But like most frogs I didn't leave newtopia with fond feelings. So my friends and I dug some tunnels to hide for when the capital comes knocking”

Leif, Barrel, Godfrey, Anong, and Zhuli exit the tunnel followed by a line of newts and toads that Herb doesn't recognize. “How many tunnels did you dig?”

“Probably too many,” Anong chuckles. “And we keep digging more.”

“Who are all these guys?” Herb asks as Zhuli leads a group of newts to her workshop shed.

Leif ground sadly “A lot of technology is failing so the amphibians that worked on them are losing their jobs. But Zhuli is teaching them how they can still do science, just more… low tech then they used to.”

“Is that why there's more explosions at your farm than usual?” Herb asks with a grin

Leif laughs “I’m surprised they haven’t burned the whole town down, how's everyone in town doing? I hope the robots didn’t make to much of a mess”

Herb leads Leif away to help clean up wartwood after the robot visit leaving Anong and Godfrey alone

“Good thing Grimoteo warned us the robots were coming” Anong says

“Thank Odin for those tunnels, if they found the blue powder we all be done for” Godfrey says helping some toads take barrels of blue powder out of the tunnels

Anong helps and the duo starts rolling the barrel to Zhuli’s shed “The kingdom is falling apart and all the king can think of is finding us and exploiting his own people. You think they’d try to help.”

Godfrey sighs “No tyrant gives up power without resistance. But his obsession with control is making countless amphibians join our cause.”

Anong starts stacking barrels and sees Barrel helping “We're going to war soon, think you can fight your old friends?”

Barrel sighs “I really wish there was another way. But the only way to save Amphibia is to fight newtopia. I just hope this civil war doesn’t get too violent.” He then wistfully looks at the sky “It's funny we never once thought about the consequences of all the violence invading caused until it directly threatened Amphibia.”

Godfrey puts a comforting hand on Barrel’s shoulder “I understand we humans are guilty of the same thing. But hopefully in a few days we can start to make things right”

Barrel nods. The heroes continue their preparations for war.

###

Andrias was at his wits end. Outlining towns had lost all power. Riots were popping up everywhere. He had to send toads in to beat the populace into submission. Violence was everywhere and everyone blamed him. His father was still king but the old man couldn’t even leave his throne anymore. So all the responsibility was on Andrias’ head.

And what's worse is he kept getting reports of people resisting the Newtopian army and succeeding. He got reports of toads deserted the new towers doing raids on supplies. He got reports of frogs forming mobs against the mayors and tax collectors that Newtopia tried to send. If the tax collectors were lucky they got chased off with farm tools, if they were unlucky frogs would use some sort of new martial art to beat the tax collectors with their bare hands.

He even had reports of newt scientists deserting their post. Andrias could sort of understand this one. Without the gem's power a lot of the resources and infrastructure the city had was falling apart. Some newt scientists and nobles said it was time to face facts and try to adjust the technology to what they had and conserve resources. But his father refused to listen to such a notion. Ensuring everyone that all the problems would be solved once the humans were found and the power extracted from them.

Andrias sighs he did believe things would be solved once the humans were found but they had been so elusive. His people were suffering now perhaps it was time to stop focusing on the hunt for the humans and start working on adjusting the populace to the new normal. At least till they find the humans.

A malfunctioning butler bot rolls into the room “sire your father wants you in the war room. The rebel-bel-bel is acting up-p-p-p-”

Andrias knew this couldn’t be good. He runs to the war room. It acts as a command center of sorts for invasions; he sees his father sitting on a command chair with a breathing mask over his face. “What's wrong father?”

His father weakly gestures to the control consoles “The people have betrayed us. Riots are all over amphibia. But worst-” Aldrich has a coughing fit “Worst they have formed an army to destroy the factories near the valley.”

Andiras eyes go wide. The robot factors were put on the edge of amphibia so that the populace didn’t have to look at them. But it was where they made most of their mechanical army. If they were destroyed it would cripple the empire “We need to send the army to stop them at once!”

“I have already sent them,” Aldrich says, “But I can no longer command the troops. You must do this my son. Lead the troops from here to destroy these traitors. Make up for your mistake that has led us to this.”

The king's words hurt but Andrias nods “Yes father” he turns to the console when his father speaks.

“One more thing. They are led by the humans. As well as a familiar frog and toad” Andrias freezes at those words “Do not show those traitors mercy.”

Andrias feels a cold sweat break out “Yes father”

###

At the valley pass the humans stare down at the large field filled with robot manufacturing factories. Anong takes a deep breath “Are you all ready for this?”

Godfrey nods “We destroy these then the king loses his robots. Without them he can’t continue to be a tyrant.”

“I have enough blue powder to blast them to nothing,” Zhuli says, patting a barrel.

Godfey smiles “We can do this. Care to say a few words, Leif?”

The pink frog was wearing her viking helmet and holding her spear shaking like a leaf “Me?!”

The humans chuckle. Then Barrel speaks “We might be the muscle but whether you believe it or not you're the head of this army. We rally behind you. Just say what's in your heart.”

Godfrey puts Leif and his shoulder and turns around. An army of Frogs, Toads, and Newts stood behind them. All of them sick with what newtopia had done since the box was stolen and all wanting to stop the royal family's tyranny.

Lef clears her throat and stands on godfrey using him as a pedestal. “Ah hello there it looks like we're going to war today.” she whispers

“What did she say? A newt in the back yells

“Speak up!” a toad yells

Leif is nervous. But then she looks at her friends Barrel, Anong Zhuli, and Barrel. She thinks of the crazy adventures she went through in the Norse lands, the Khmer Empire, the Song dynasty and even back here in amphibia. If she could do that she could speak to a army. She could even have the courage to speak the truth.

“I am Leif and I'm the one that stole the box!” Leif says there are some gasps in the crowd from those that hadn't heard the whole story. Godfrey winces afraid their army was going to turn on them.

“I stole it because for all our claims of superiority we used the box to spread pain and destruction through the multiverse. Now with nowhere else to turn, King Aldrich turns that tyranny on his own people. I had no idea what would happen when I stole the box but everyone here is here because we had our eyes forcibly open. The king has taken from us and hurt us with no remorse. The pain and fear that brought us to this point is the same pain and fear that we have brought to countless worlds!”

The crowd starts to shift uncomfortably from the truth of her words, so she continues “My friends are from the world we were going to invade next. They may look monstrous and alien to us. But since they got here they have done nothing but help protect the people of this world, oftentimes at the risk of their own lives. Most of you know at least one of them, you know they're not perfect, but you also trust them enough to have them lead you into battle.”

Leif takes a deep breath time to finish strong “We believed the gems and the box made us the most powerful people in the universe, but all that meant is that we had more responsibility to use that power for good. We failed and before we knew it Amphibia had become the worst possible version of ourselves. But now thanks to these heroes and all of you we have a chance to fix our wrongs and make a better Amphibia. One that our loved ones can be proud of. For Amphibia and for a bright future! Let's tear down those factories!”

The crowd cheers and the humans coordinate the attack.

###

The newt guard was bored. The main robot factories were almost completely automated. Even the guards were mostly mechanical. But with the growing anti robot sentiment they sent troops to keep guard. But what could possibly happen? The guard thinks.

He gets an answer when one of the factories next to him explodes. The guard turns to see an army charging in rolling bombs towards the factories.

“Red alert! Red alert! We're under attack!” The guard tries to run but is overwhelmed by the attackers.

The robots activate and start firing. Toads lead by Godfrey and Barrel start hacking and slashing at the robots. The Newtopia army starts charging in to help the robots but are stopped by frogs led by Anong that use their martial arts to beat soldiers into submission.

Explosions break out as factory after factory crumble in flame. The soldiers look for the cause and see on foothills of the mountain newts with dozens of cannons firing round after round destroying the factories from a distance. Zhuli watches the battle through a telescope giving orders.

The soldiers were caught with their pants down and didn't know if they could retake the battle.

###

On the hills Zhuli coordinates the attack “Keep your fire away from the army. Cannon squad B adjust your angle by 5 degrees! Don’t worry about wasting ammunition, we have plenty!”

A newt runs up “Were running low on the west flank”

“Then take a snail and reload them!” Zhuli says the newt takes a snail with barrels of blue powder strapped to its shell

Zhuli noticed something in the air. Robots are fling into the battle. “E squad aim in the air and fire the dragon fireworks!”

Newts launch the rockets that burst in the air like fireworks. They disrupt the flight pattern enough to cause the robots to fall to the ground. “Keep the sky clear for our friends down there!” Zhuli shouts, then in a whisper says “Be safe down their guys''

###

Godfrey takes his oil covered ax from the latest robot “Don't let them regroup, keep them disorganized!”

Barrel smacks three robots down with one swing “It's getting pretty dicey here. You think we can do it?”

Godfrey chuckles “We don’t need to destroy it just cripple it” he swings his ax chopping a robot in half “Without their war machines they can’t keep control”

“Amphibians incoming” Barrel says

Godfrey turns and sees an army of newts and toads approaching. Their first groups were starting to join the battle when Anong and a group of frogs jumped into their ranks and started using muay thai and other martial arts to knock them out.

Anong laughs at how easy it was to fight amphibians. Godfrey sees the enemy commander ordering his troops to fire at Anong “Get down!” Godfrey shouts.

Anong releases the danger she is in but the attack doesn't come. The troops are hesitant to fire, the commander demands to know why and one of his men says they're not comfortable shooting their own citizens.

The commander grabs a crossbow ready to shoot Anong himself when a howl comes from the sky. Mowgli and her pack descend and bite the commander. The troops break in panic of being chased by the butter-wolves.

Anong whistles and the wolves stop their attack “If you don’t want to fight your fellow amphibians I suggest you run.”

Scores of troops started running not wanting to be part of the battle.

Godfrey chuckles, “I think this battle is going well Barrel.” he then hears the sound of a laser cannon powering up.

He turns and sees a robot about to shoot him. He raises his ax for protection but before the robot can fire a spear bursts through the robot’s head. It falls frontward revealing Leif wearing her shieldmaiden outfit takes her spear back “Focus Godfrey were in a battle field.”

Godfrey laughs and returns to battle. The newtopia army was in disarray from the surprise attack and the constant cannon bombardment. He saw Yeji and Muninn taking wounded away from the battle, the butter-wolves causing panic from the soldiers, and the rebel soldiers doing a good job of destroying these infernal machines.

He hear Barrel cheer and sees him pointing to Toad reinforcements being led by Grimoteo “Sorry I’m late I had to gather a few friends.'' Toads from all the new towers unhappy with the current way things were, had joined Grimoteo’s south tower and they were very publicly giving their resignation to the king.

Godfrey grins. He fights his way toward the toads. On the way a large newt fights him ax to spear. In the fight Godrey chops the newts tail off

“You dummy that will just grow back!” the newt says

Miffed Godfrey hacks below the belt causing the newt to fall to his knees in pain “Try growing those back”

Godfrey and Barrel unite with Grimoteo’s toads. With these reinforcements They might actually win.

###

In Newtopia Andrias was panicking. The factories were being destroyed. And the army wasn't listening to his commands. He saw deserters running from the battle. He understood it was hard to fight their own people but they just couldn’t let them get away with this… could they?

He hears his father coughing “Traitors all of them… cough cough… fire the beacon cannon!”

“What?” Andrias says. The beacon cannon was meant to destroy organized resistance on other worlds, not their own people “Our men are still down there! Plus the city power grid can’t support the energy needed to fire the cannon. The people wont allow it”

Aldrich sneers and says in a voice as cold as frostbite “The people don’t matter, they need only obey even if it’s through fear. Fire the cannon and destroy them one and for all.”

Andrias looks at the controls. The cannon starts to aim at the battle. He feels a cold sweat on his brow. The glow from the core's eyes burn into his back as his ears are filled with his fathers’s weezing.

All he had to do was push a button. They were traitors; they had made their choice. The soldiers had dedicated themselves to the kingdom, this was a sacrifice for the greater good he told himself. But still he hesitated.

“Do it.” his father says.

Andrias pushes the button, but his finger slipped at the last second changing the coordinates by a single degree. Was this an accident or on purpose? Andrais wasn’t sure. But he feels a cold pit in his stomach as the beacon cannon fires and the city’s lights go out.

###

Everything in amphibia seems to stop. The rioters across the continent freeze as they see the beam of light shoot from Newtopia. At the factores the battle is going on so chaotically most don’t even notice the beam till it hits. The blast comes down on the edge of the battle. Missing most of them. But still the explosion still took out ten percent of everyone there. Whether they were Newtopian, rebel, or machine.

The light blinds everyone. Once it fades everyone is stunned at the huge crater. The battle was forgotten. The birds flee from the light and noise. The robots overcharged from the blast fall to the ground trying to reboot. Across the battle field the heroes all have things to say.

“ved himmelen” Godfrey whispers

Leif puts her hands to her mouth, tears in her eyes “Andrias what have you done?”

On the hill Zhuli drops her telescope “不好了”

Barrel is in shock “Why?”

Godfrey grips his ax “Retreat! Everyone run!”

Leif realizing they have to run starts getting amphibians to their feet “Everyone to the valley we need to get out of here. Let's go!” She hops across the battlefield getting amphibians running.

Godfrey leads the retreat, the Newtopian soldiers are too stunned to stop them and the robots are temporarily out of commission. Godfrey’s mind is working overtime. But he realizes someone’s missing “Where’s Anong?!”

“She was fighting close to the blast!” Leif yells back

“I have to find her!” Godfrey tries to turn back but is stopped by Barrel

“Godfrey you need to lead the retreat”

Godfrey struggles “I can't leave her!”

Barrel pushes him back “They need you more than her. We need you to be the leader. I’ll find her, you get everyone to safely”

Godfrey grits his teeth. He knows Barrels is right but doesn't want to admit it. "Forbanne deg padde.” he stares Barrel in the eye “Bring her back alive”

Barrel nods and runs back into the battlefield. Godfrey redoubles his efforts to get everyone to the valley

###

Zhuli is observing everything from the hills “It's a full retreat. They're running to the valley.”

“Lets go mistress” a newt urges

“It won't matter, it won’t take long before those robots are online. Once we're in the valley we’ll be trapped by them. We need a way to slow them down…”

Zhuli then starts leading a snail with blue powder barrels to the valley pass. Some of her assistants start to follow her “What are you doing?”

“If I blow the pass we might be able to slow them down… but we don’t have a fuse big enough, someone has to stay behind. I…I…I should be able to take a lot of the machines with me.”

A newt stops her “You would have to blow the entire canyon to make a dent on the machines.”

“I’ll have to do my best then” Zhuli says

A newt shakes her head “No, we mean you need help”

Zhuli sees multiple scientist amphibians that had helped her lugging barrels of blue powder to the valley entrance “But we’ll… we won't survive this”

A newt chuckles “I spent my life making weapons of mass destruction. I guess this is a fitting end.”

The other amphibians agreed. Twitching, shaking legs they bravely started setting up the explosives when the first parts of the retreating army reached them.

###

Barrel keeps shouting Anong's name. All around him amphibians are running towards the valley as the robots lay motionless.

Finally he hears a whining howl. He runs near the edge of the blast crater. He sees Mowgli with her wing damaged trying to pull Anong out of the dirt. Barrel runs up and pulls the women out of the dirt. She is burnt from the blast but her moaning shows she is alive.

“Thank frog you're alive” Barrel hugs Anong who just winces. A nearby robot starts to reboot

“Targets aqu..qu…quired”

Barrel smashed the robot with his hammer. He was running out of time “Sorry Anong” he tosses the girl over his shoulder like a sack of flour and starts running towards the valley Mowgli running after them.

###

At the pass Godfrey and Leif are funneling the retreating army through. He sees Zhuli and runs up to her, “We’re in full retreat, you need to move!”

Zhulli shakes her head “If we go to the valley we’ll be trapped. But if I blow the past it will stall Newtopia long enough for us to figure something out.”

Godfrey sees the barrels set up at the edges of the canyon and puts two and two together “The robots just won't let you light that fuse.”

Zhuli gives a nervous chuckle and points to the half dozen pistols she had in her belt “I’ll hold them off”

Godrfey nods, but Leif speaks up “Anong is still missing. Barrel went to find her, he needs more time!”

Zhuli gulps “I’ll wait as long as I can”

Godfrey and Leif leave Zhuli to make sure the army made it through

###

Barrel is running as fast as his toad legs can carry him. All around him the robots are starting to come on line and start reaching for him. Any that get too close he smacks with his hammer never slowing down or stopping.

He nears the mountain pass and sees Zhuli. Anong starts to moan more as she regains consciousness.

“Zhuli run, their right behind me!” Barrel shouts

Zhuli shouts back “I'm covering the retreat. You're the last one, get Anong to safely soldier!”

Barrel knew that meant she was sacrificing herself. He wished he could talk her out of it, but he just didn’t have time. So he did what soldiers do and followed orders.

Her runs pass Zhuli and hears the robots surrounding her. Bang, Bang, he hears two of her guns go off.

Anong struggles in his grip “She needs our help turn around”

Barrel screams in frustration as he slams the head of his hammer into the ground. He hops on like a scooter and whistles for Mowgli to jump on his back. Then ignoring Anong's pleas he activates the rockets on his hammer to propel them away from the robots.

He did his best not to listen to Anong's crying or the sounds of Zhuli fighting. He grips his hammer feeling like he’s betrayed his friends again.

###

The robots rush past Zhuli as she tries to fend them off with her guns, Bang, bang. She was almost out. The robots surround her and order her to surrender. She grips her gun and chuckles “I sould have worked on the magazine capacity for these things.”

Bang, she fires her gun at the fuse lighting it. The robots grab her and start to drag her away. The robots continue to surge through the pass ignoring the fuses being lit along the way.

###

On the valley side of the pass, Godfrey and Leif are making sure everyone was through. There was only a few stragglers left coming in.

“Where are they?” Leif says

“I see Barrel!” Godfrey says pointing as Barrel rockets into view being chased by hundreds of robots.

“What are Zhuli’s men doing? They'll never outrun the robots before the pass blows!”

“Their not going to run” Godfrey says

Horrible realization dawns on Leif “ZHULI!” she tries to hop back to the pass but Godfrey grabs her

“Leif don’t!”

Then the explosion started. First one barrel then another then another. Soon the entire pass is nothing but flame and rubble as the mountain caves into the canyon. The robots look up just to be crushed.

Barrel and the last of the stragglers barely make it out of the pass at the boulders land. The impact actually caused Barrel to be flung off his hammer. Anong looks in horror as the rocks avalanche down “ZHULI!”

In the front of the pass Zhuli sees the rock avalanche coming and braces herself. Everything goes dark.

###

In the valley the rebels lick their wounds and cry in despair and defeat as they stare at the pile of rocks that was once the valley pass.

Godfrey looks around to see the turmoil everyone was in. Anong and Leif were hugging each other crying, Mowgli was trying to comfort them. Barrel was trying and failing to hold back tears with his eyes closed, unable to even face the direction of the destroyed pass.

Godfrey then falls to his knees. Zhuli was gone. They had lost.

###

In Newtopia Andrias stares in horror at the screens. All this death and destruction, it was his fault. He hears coughing laughter behind him. He turns to see his father grinning “Well done son, you are now a Leviathan”

Aldrich coughing suddenly stops and he slumps forward. His crown falling from his head and rolling to Andrias feet.

Andrias picks the crown up. His father was gone and his last words were saying how proud he was. Why did that just make him feel worse?

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Wartwood is overflowing with the amphibians that ran from the battle there is a general air of hopelessness as the settlers of wartwood and the valley run around trying to provide food and medical aid. Herb desperately wants to find Lilly but everytime he tries to look he finds another amphibian in need and stops to help.

Inside the Plantar house Anong and Leif are crying over Zhuli’s sacrifice. Godfrey and Barrel try their best not to succumb to the depression. Godfrey makes sure that the girls wounds are cleaned and that they eat and drink to keep their strength up, many amphibians try knocking on their door to ask what would be next. Godfrey tells them that for now they are safe and they all need rest.

They leave the house. Barrel insists that Godfrey check on the animals, while he checks with Grimoteo. Godfrey helps a rattled Muninn calm down. The young Yeji was in mourning for the loss of his mother. As for Mowgli and her pack they were sad dogs that didn’t even try to resist when the amphibians helped treat them after the battle.

While Godfrey was brushing his raven he cried. He was no stranger to loss of life in battle, but that blast was just cruel. And nomatter how used you got to it, it was always painful to lose a friend. He feels a warm wing envelop him as Muninn comforts him. He buries himself in the raven’s soft feathers and weeps.

###

In Newtopia arrangements were made for King Aldrich’s funeral. But that was just for show. Andrias knew his father’s real body had been taken to the catacombs of the castle and that his mind had already been uploaded to the core. He knew this because after he put on the crown he heard the core speak to him through his father’s voice.

Andrias’ coronation was hastily put together, but every nobel left in Newtopia was there. There was fanfare and applause as the crown was officially put on his head. But all Andrias saw was the fear in everyone’s eyes. Before the battle the court avoided him, many even publicly despised him. He heard the whispers of nobles, newts and servants blaming him for the decline of Amphibia. But after he had fired that cannon on his own citizens the whispers of hate had turned to whispers of fear. The sneering expressions had turned terrified.

When the crown was placed on his head he heard his father’s voice “Ah, look how they all bow to you. Fear is the key to loyalty, they will never dare defy you again. Continue to follow us and soon all of amphibia will bow to you again.”

Andrias tried to tell himself that the core was right. But the gazes of the people felt so wrong to him. He would have preferred the hate because at least then they were honest. Now they were too scared to speak their minds.

After his coronation Andrias tried to figure out what to do next. He looked over report after report of the battle. That decisive blast had crippled newtopia’s remaining energy. Hundreds of soldiers had died in that blast. And the robots numbers had dwindled thanks to the destruction of the factories as well as the collapse of the valley pass. The core tried to tell him there was no need to clean up the battlefield, that it was the cost paid to retrieve the power from the humans.

But Andrias couldn’t let it go. It didn't feel right. Besides the army was next to the valley anyway trying to clear the pass to get to the valley, it wasn’t like the humans could run anywhere else now. The least he could do was have those that fought buried.

Andrias was trying to figure out how to catch the humans with his now limited resources when a robot butler came up to him. “Sire we found a survivor in the rubble and have taken them prisoner. Would you like to interrogate them?”

Andrias stands up. A rebel survivor from the battle. Perhaps they could provide information that could salvage this situation. He orders them brought in.

Two robots come in dragging a ragged figure in green between them. Andrias was shocked it was one of the humans. Her green clothes were covered in dirt and blood. She seemed dazed not knowing where she was. Her bare skin was covered in cuts and bruises and it was obvious at least one of her legs was broken.

“So this is the human that has been causing me so much trouble,” Andrias says.

Zhulie snaps to clarity hearing his voice. Through her matted hair she sees the giant king. Pushing away from the robot captors she pulls out her last pistol and fires at Andrias.

There is a crack and a boom. Andrias feels a burning sensation pass his left cheek. He screams and clutches his face. Angrily he stares at the smoking weapon in Zhulies hand.

To his surprise Zyuli drops the gun then starts laughing insanely “I missed. You were three feet in front of me and I missed. Ha ha ha”

The robot guard roughly tackles the human woman to the ground.

“Take her to the dungeon! I’ll interrogate her myself when I’m ready”

“Let me go! Let me go!” Zhuli shouts as she is taken away.

Andrias glares bayfully at the gun. He should have made the robots disarm her when she was found. Now he was most likely stuck with a scar for the rest of his life. He hears the core whispering. It was disgusted with the humans. But had to admit this once was impressive for inventing a weapon like that. Yes it was primitive, but advanced as far as humans went.

Andrias spits at the praise the core was giving his enemy. He pretends to go back to his work, after his cheek is patched up. Every time it stung he imagined getting the information that would crush the rebels from the women. But as the pain faded he wondered. Did she know where Leif was? He tried to push the sentimental thoughts away. But slowly the feeling of grief overcame his feeling of hate.

Andrias cried on his throne. What had he become?

###

In wartwood the heroes exit their house to see the rebellion waiting for them the next day. They didn’t know what to say. Grimoteo walks up and talks to them “My friends, we lost. I’ve been talking to people all night. Some think we should surrender to the king and beg for mercy. Other’s think we hide and lay low for the rest of our lives hoping Newtopia thinks we’re below their notice. Either way. We can’t fight against weapons like that.”

The heroes look down. They had failed amphibia. They hear the amphibians starting to shift and move. Some wondered if there was another way out of the valley. Some thought they could just live as farmers. Others wondered if maybe they could get a lighter sentence since they were newts.

Leif grips her spear. There wasn’t any way she could see to win. But she had fought too hard for too long to just let amphibia crumble to darkness like this “WELL I’M NOT GIVING UP!”

The crowd stops and turns to her. “I don’t care if I can't win. I refuse to let fear rule me for the rest of my life. Our friends didn’t die yesterday just so we can eek out life as slaves to a crown that thinks nothing of us. They died so that we could have a better tomorrow. And I’m going to keep fighting to the end.”

Barrel grips his hammer “She’s right I'm going to keep fighting to protect amphibia till my last breath.”

Godfrey steps forward “My people have many legends of the end. Ragnarok, the Apocalypse. It has many names. But one day humans will end. But prophecy says that good will keep fighting till the very last. I’m going to fight every day till my last and face it as a proud warrior.”

Anong also steps up. “We have lost much but we can survive. That cannon can’t reach us thanks to the mountains. I've survived off of nothing before and I can do it again. I’m tired of people thinking I'm below them. If I'm going to die it will be in such a way that they never forget me!”

The crowd is shocked. Finally Grimoteo steps forward “I've already committed treason. If they find me I'm dead. I would rather die a warrior than a coward.”

One by one the amphibians step forward

“I’m not going to let my family live in fear”

“I won’t bow to this caste system”

“The’ve taken to much already”

“The dead deserve justice”

The crowd was riled up now. Leif hops up on Godfey’s shoulders to address the whole crowd. “The fact that they used that cannon means they're afraid of what we can do if we work together. I don’t know what the future will bring, but I refuse to live under that tyranny any longer!”

The crowd yells their approval. The crowd chants Leif’s name. Godfrey steps forward “We’re safe in the valley for now so we have time to regroup. When newtopia gets here they won't find us cowering in fear but ready to face them head on! Now let's start planning!”

The crowd cheers and goes about their business with renewed vigor.

The heroes praise Leif. “You did it Leif you inspired them” Anong congratulates

Godfrey chuckles “When you're up against the end you can either try to hide from it or fight it. Thanks for helping us do the latter. That said, we're going to need a lot of time to recover after that last battle.”

Barrel looks to the valley entrance “Even with an army of robots it will take them forever to clear that pass, and thanks to Zhuli they don’t have enough to risk sending them without organic troops backing them up anymore.”

Leif smiles “Thanks guys. Thanks for believing in me” everyone gets into a big group hug “That said we're trapped here too. We need to figure out a way to leave the valley if we're going to even stand half a chance.”

The ground starts quaking, amphibians look worried then out of the ground comes two olms. Most amphibians have never seen an olm and were in awe. Until the olms started yelping in pain due to the sun and slither into Leif’s house for protection.

“Sorry about that we come bearing a message from mother olm. She says the olms have been hiding from the prophecy for too long and we need to take action. We can not fight but we can dig and listen. There's a lot of fear on the surface, but also a lot of resentment for what has happened.”

Godfrey grins. “Aldrich thought this would break our spirits, but I think it did just the opposite, we may have lost yesterday but now everyone knows the king is the enemy. We can still win this war.”

The heroes cheer. They start to go help the rest of the army plan their strategy but Leif stops “I need to do something before it’s too late.”

She hops away. The humans are confused, not sure what she needed to do. But Barrel laughs “Isn’t it obvious. If she’s heading towards certain doom. She wants to confess her feelings.”

###

It had been a few days since Andrias’s army captured Zhuli. His cheek was still bandaged, but he was finally ready to speak with her and went into the dungeon.

He finds the human woman in her cell. Her leg in a cast and bandages on her larger wounds. She was using a rock to carve markings onto the wall.

“What are those?” Andrias asks

“Chinese characters and norse runes. I would do something in khmer writing too but Anong doesn't know how to read.” the woman turns to the new king “So your Andrias. How's the cheek?”

Andrias has a flash of anger as he touches his bandage “Don’t mock me human. You are my prisoner and you will answer my questions.”

The woman holds up her hands “I meant no offense. I really am sorry about that. Killing you might have ended the war but Leif would never forgive me for killing her friend.”

Andrias feels a sense of longing and regret, he tries to shove it down and replace it with anger, but it doesn't quite stick. “She was only interested in my power, once she got what she wanted she betrayed me.”

The women raises a eyebrow “That doesn't sound like the Leif I know”

“Well, what do you know human?” Andrias yells defensively

“First of all my name is Zhuli” she says “I’ve been traveling with Leif for months now. And one of the things she would always say was how much she regretted hurting you and Barrel. I heard her more than once cry in her sleep with the guilt she felt. You may be on different sides in this conflict but she never once considered you her enemy, just her friend.”

Andrias heart is tearing at the words. But with all that has happened he can’t believe it “You're lying”

“I kind of wish I was” Zhuli says “Honestly this fight would have been a lot easier if we could just kill you and get it over with. But every time we tried to plan, Leif always insisted on plans that wouldn’t harm you.” she then points to her leg “A sentiment you didn’t share obviously.”

Andrias grips the prison bars. Leif still cared for him? It couldn’t be true. But this human, she obviously didn’t like him. But nothing she said sounded like a lie. Maybe they could be reasoned with. “If Leif cares so much then tell her to surrender you humans to me. Once we get the gem's energy out of you and restore the box our kingdom will thrive and everything will be fixed.”

Zhuli gets a puzzled look on her face “Wait? Are you under the impression that my fellow humans and I have the gem's power in us?”

“Yes?” Andrias says confused

Zhuli laughs. She laughs so hard she grips her side and falls on the floor. Once she gets her breath back she looks at the confused Andrias “That’s why you have been hunting us? Chasing us, and tearing apart your kingdom searching for us? We don’t have the gems! Leif transferred the power into trees and planted them in sacred spots on Earth. I even saw one.”

Andrias world crashes. Everything he did, the crimes he committed. They were for nothing. “You're lying, how else could you humans do the things you did in Amphibia?!”

Zhuli shrugs “Maybe you just underestimate humans. Or overestimated yourself.”

Andrias sinks to his knees “If that's true why did you come? There would be no way back to earth.”

Zhuli actually softens “Because Leif is my friend and she needed my help” Zhuli sighs “You should go. I can't tell you anything useful that you don’t already know. Leif, Barrel and my fellow humans are safe in the valley. You can't reach them any more than you can the gems' power.”

Andrias stands up. He had a lot to think about “Your surprisingly kind and wise for a barbarian”

Zhuli was shocked at the words “No wonder Godfey doesn't like me using that word, it just sounds mean. And I am the brains of the group. As for the kindness, well there's no way I can escape is there? Personally I would have stabbed your hand when they were on the bars but your robots took my weapons. Or tried to anyway”

She points to a robot arm pinned to the far wall with a very sharp hairpin

###

Leif searched all over wartwood before she found Herb giving some food to some injured soldiers

“HERB!” she says hopping to him

“Lilly you're alright!” Herb says embracing her, and spinning around with her in his arms

After a few tender moments Leif lets go “I'm so sorry for not talking to you before the battle. I thought I could keep you safe by not involving you.”

“Lilly things are chaotic now but I'll always be there to help no matter if it’s planting crops or supporting you in this war. I’m just so happy you're safe.” Herb says.

Leif looks down guiltily “Actually I need to tell you something. I’ve been lying to you ever since we met. My name isn’t Lilly, it's Leif. i’m the one that stole the box and ran from the castle with it”

“I know” Herb says matter of factly

“You knew?! For how long?” Leif exclaims

“Not long after we met actually” Herb says “Wanted posters of you were everywhere after you disappeared with the music box. Plus you're always around those humans, they're not exactly from amphibia. So it wasn’t hard to put two and two together.”

Leif blushes embarrassed. “Why didn't you say anything?”

“Because it was your secret to keep. It’s obvious you didn’t want anyone to know. Even if it was easy to find out. So I wanted to protect your privacy.”

Leif grasps his hands. “Thank you herb. I wish I was brave enough to tell you sooner.”

“Don't say that your the bravest woman I know” Herb says

Leif’s eyes starts to water. “You know I can’t stop now, I have to make things right, I have to go back to battle.”

Herb hugs her “I might not be able to fight but there will always be a home for you here if you want it, Leif.”

Hearing Herb call her by her real name melted Leif’s heart. She kisses him and the world disappears for a bit. It’s just Herb and Leif with the unknown future ahead of them.

From the distance Godfrey and Anong see the two and hold on to each other’s hands. Even in this time of tragedy there was still some good.

###

Over the next few days Andrias visits Zhuli’s cell. After their initial meeting Zhuli actually proved to be good company. She refused to talk about the rebellion but she honestly told him that his super weapon scrapped most of their plans. But she was sure her friends wouldn’t give up.

They talked about inventions and stories between Amphibia and earth. Andtrias was surprised there was more to the medieval world than he thought by the way Zhuli described it. He taught her Flipwart while she taught him the ancient Chinese game Go. Zhuli took a while to learn flip wart but she quickly got better and even beat him a few times. As for Andrias, he only managed to win one game of Go against her.

After another loss Andrias leaves the cell actually chuckling to himself. That human was infuriating but entertaining. Then he hears the core’s voice in his head. “That human is primitive but clever. Her explosive weapons, though outdated, are advanced for her kind. Perhaps we can still have a use for these creatures.”

Andrias doesn't like how the core speaks about Zhuli but he knew it wasn’t his place to speak up “What do you want me to do father?”

###

Andrias led Zhuli through the castle. “What are you doing andrias?” Andrias leads her into a dark room “What is this?”

The core's eyes light up and slam down in front of the Chinese woman. Zhuli screams “What is that?!”

Andrias sighs “It is the core, the combination of amphbiian’s greatest minds. Forever preserved. More or less a god.”

Zhuli tries to back away from it. “That is no god it’s a demon, 閻羅的生物”

Andras looks sadly at the fear in Zhuli’s eye “What does it want?”

“It told me to bring you to it.” Andrias replies

Zhuli gets even more scared when the mechanical arms grab her and roughly drags her to it. “No, no let me go!”

The core rotates one of its claws at super speed and brings it close to Zhuli’s head “Not my hair, please not my hair!”

Zhuli screams as her ebony pride and joy is cut. “Andrias help me!” the king turns his back and starts to walk away. “Andrias? Please Andiras don’t leave… ANDRIAS!”

Andrias runs from the room. He doesn't stop till he reaches the mossman’s garden. He falls to his knees breathing hard. Though he can't hear her screams anymore they wouldn’t leave his head.

He doesn't know how long he sits in the garden he and his friends used to play in. Even with all the pain they caused him he still felt comfort here. Why did he feel so terrible? He obeyed his father and the core. He had given them the human. She wasn’t one of his citizens. Then why did he feel like he betrayed her.

Finally he hears the core whisper for him to return. Shakily he gets to his feet and returns. The core’s mainframe was as large and intimidating as ever, but the orange eyes looked dimmer. Then he sees a small form in front of it.

“Zhuli?”

The creature opens its eyes glowing as orange as the cores “Hello there.”

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

Andrias sat alone on his throne trying to eat a meal in solitude . He had just gotten out of a meeting with the Core. Ever since the Core had possessed Zhuli it had become far more active in the ruling of Amphibia. Implementing new laws and policies. Constantly assuring that all Andrias had to do was listen and things would work out for the best.

Though it enjoyed all the sensations of having Zhuli’s body, it didn't have full control and had to be constantly hooked up to keep the human’s free will suppressed. When Andrias was forced into its presence he tried not to look at Zhuli, her green jacket replaced by black robes. Seeing the cords and wires hooked up to her arms, legs, and neck to keep her body under control and though there was a large cord hooked up to the back of her head turning her eyes orange. Andrias could still see Zhuli in the eyes, being a captive witness to her own possession.

When Andrias asked what was happening inside Zhuli’s head the core demanded he not use her name. If he had to refer to the vessel it was using it should call it Zhu Nuli. afraid to go against the core Andrias complied

Andrias ate his meal. But it tasted like styrofoam. The Core had chosen several more frog towns to work making new power plants to try to replenish the supply lost with the box. Andrias knew it was impossible to get that much energy manually but the core assured him it was necessary to rebuild the empire.

No one in the court argued with him when he gave the order. They instantly agreed then left, not wanting to be in his presence. He was a tyrant now feared and hated by all. But the worst part is that he feared and hated himself. These were not even his ideas, he was just doing whatever the core told him to.

Newt, frog, or toad they all feared him. If this was the price of obedience he wasn't sure if he was willing to pay it. But the core was more than happy to.

A servant rushes into the dinning hall, Andrias thanks frog for a distraction. “Sir there's a huge army outside the city’s wall!”

“What?” Andrias leaves his tasteless meal and runs to the balcony. In the flood plains an army of united amphibians stood yelling ready to fight. Andrias understood why they were unhappy, things were bad before but now they were prisoners in their own country. But the core had eyes in the sky to make sure the humans couldn’t use their birds anymore. How did they get an army here in secret?

He got an answer when he saw olms bursting from the ground making tunnels. more amphibians popped out to join the fight. This was a big army. He demanded all guards and robots to the wall to keep these rebels out.

“Get rid of these pests!” Zhu Nuli demands through his crown.

Andrias gives the order and the newtopia guard starts firing at the rebels. The rebels fight back with catapults and cannons. Andrias sends in the robots to fight the rebels head to head while the newt guards man the wall defenses. But even from a distance Andrias could see that his newt guard's morale was low. He could even see newts deserting their posts running into the city.

“Use the spire cannon” Zhu Nuli commands

Andrias feels sick at the thought of using it again “my lord we don’t have even a tenth of the power to do a shot like last time”

“We don’t need that big of a shot” Zhu Nuli cackles “All the rebels are in one spot we just need one shot to end the threat once and for all”

Andrias looks down at the battle. Though he saw many warriors he also saw many civilians finally fed up with the crown. If Andrias fired that cannon would there really even be anyone left to rule? “My lord, there's one other problem: the spire cannon is designed for long range attack. It can make the angle to hit the rebels.”

“Then get up their and adjust it” Zhu Nuli growls

“I can’t afford to take the manpower away from the wall to reconstruct that weapon?” Andiras states

“Then I will do it myself! Meet me at the spire.” Zhu Nuli commands

Andrias rushes to the spire and sees the core’s mainframe and Zhulli on a sort of mobile throne being moved about by its own claws. He watches as the behemoth machine bends the cannon's supports and slowly starts to angle the weapon at the invading army. “Calculate the angle I need,” Zhu Nuli demands.

Andrias looked down at the invading army; they were getting too close to the wall; he didn't think he could avoid damaging the city. Then he hears voices

“Stop you monster”

“parat til at blive blæst til Muspelheim”

Andrias turns to see the other two humans with a pack of butter wolves. How did they get here?

###

Using the olm tunnels Leif, Barrel and the humans managed to gather Amphibia. Most of the towns they arrived in felt hopeless, but the humans managed to invigorate the locals with their words. Giving them the choice. Live under constant fear and tyranny. Or fighting like heroes for a better tomorrow.

With each day newtopia became more tyrannical, treating its subject like objects. And each day it brought more and more villages under the human’s cause. Until they finally decided the time was right.

They had come up with a plan. Leif and Barrel would lead the army in confronting Newtopia. They originally wanted to burrow right into the city but the newtopia founders had olm proofed the city’s foundation. Still the tunnels could go right in front of the city where the army could lay siege. As for the humans they had a special mission. Thanks to their previous battle and Zhuli’s sacrifice the robot army was cripled and could no longer replenish themselves. The only real threat was the spire cannon. If they could destroy that the king would no longer have leverage over the people and could be overthrown.

The plans was for the army to distract newtopia while Anong and Godfrey took the butter wolf pack with what was left fo Zhuli’s blue powder and destroy it.

The day of the battle the friends were in the olm tunnels saying their goodbyes.

Godfrey shakes Barrel's Hand “you're the general today, fight hard and with honor.”

Barrel girns “I’ll do my best to make sure as many amphibians can see tomorrow as possible”

Lefi hugs Anong “be safe out there”

“With my wolf pack nothing can touch me” Anong grins.

Leif turns to Godfrey “please, don’t kill Andiras.”

Godfey looks quizzically at his old friend “you still think he can be redeemed after all this?” Godfrey sighs “according to the newt that used to work in the castle the spire cannon’s supports are on the very top. Assuming Andrias is watching the battle we will blow it up without him even knowing we’re there.”

Anong then punches the air “then they either surrender or we keep fighting till they surrender”

“The fact they used that cannon is proof they are scared of us” Barrel says “today we will have victory”

The humans cheer their approval. But Leif looks sad. Barrel frowns and turns to her “Leif even if Andrias is taken alive he will have to pay for his crimes. You and I might forgive him. But Amphibia won’t”

Leif holds back the tears “I know. But I can't hurt a friend.” she's quiet for a moment “we need to get going. As the shield maiden I give one command to each of you. Come back alive”

The friends laugh. “Yes ma'am” Barrel salutes.

“Whatever you say shield maiden Leif” Godfrey says as anong puts Leif’s silly horned helmet on the frog’s head.

###

The olms dig a tunnel right outside of the newtopia gates. Leif and barrel lead the rebels outside. Working quickly the rebels set up catapults and what few of Zhuli’s cannons had survived the last battle. With most of the army ready Leif stands on Barrel’s shoulders.

“Amphibia has changed. It no longer can afford to do things like we did in the past. The royal family refuses to see this and thought it could maintain control through fear. That was a mistake on their part. We are free amphibians. We can make our own decisions and decide our own future. We are all here because we have decided not to live in fear. Frogs from the swamps, Toads from the towers, newts from the cities, and even olms from underground. Lets forge our future today. Attack!”

The rebels cheer and fire their catapults. Most of the army had melee weapons and were just waiting for a crack in the defenses to exploit. The newts on the wall readed their defenses. But most ran on electricity and couldn’ be used anymore. But the remaining robot army flew down to face the rebels. Using Zhuli’s firework cannons they knock the robots out of the sky, any that were missed were chased down by a angry Muninn and Yuji, the downed machines were then swarmed by the rebel amphibians

Barrel and Leif lead the amphibians to destroy the robots. Back to back the frog and toad destroy as many robots as possible. Barrel using his mighty hammer to smash the robot’s chassis while Leif used her spear and shield to stab at their optics. Leif wasn’t sure if they could breach the wall but at least they could make sure amphibia couldn’t use anymore of these accursed machines. Besides they were just the destruction.

###

Anong held onto mowgli's back as the butterwolf pack scaled the backside of the castle. “We're almost there, keep going girl.”

Godfrey was struggling to hold on to his butter wolf “How do you hold on to these things? And why are we climbing the wall instead of flying?!”

Anng chuckles as they continue the 90 degree accent “you're the one that said we needed to be stealthy. Now stop squirming and keep your eye on the barrels.”

On the rest of the pack were barrels of blue powder. They reach the roof with the spire. The humans cut the barrels off of the wolves and start setting them at the base of the spire to blow it up. They had nearly set up the last barrel when they hear a noise.

They hide and see a gigantic monster of black metal with orange eyes come to the roof. Behind it was the largest salamander the humans have ever seen. This must be Andrais. But what was this monster with him? They hear an oddly familiar echoey voice talking to Andiras then the black machine starts to move the cannon.

“What's it doing?” anong whispers

“It’s trying to aim the cannon at the army!” Godfey hisses back.

“Not on my watch” Anong says, running out to face Andrais with Gofdrey behind her. “Stop you monster”

“parat til at blive blæst til Muspelheim," the viking says.

###

On the ground Leif and Barrel keep fighting. The rebel army was steadily making its way towards the gates

“We might actually do this” Leif says impaling another robot

Barrel slams a robot away “Well the only ones putting up a fight are the robots. I can tell the wall guard is low on moral”

“Ha ha, I guess getting pumped for battle is important” Leif says

“Oh yeah” Barrel says “I've been talking to Godfey about that. Vikings always psych themselves up for raids. In fact berserkers get themselves hyped up by…”

He is cut off by a mechanical shriek. Everyone looks up to see a black mechanical monster with countless arms and thirteen orange eyes on top of the castle

“What in Odin's name is that thing!?” Barrel yells

“I don’t know but that's where Anong and Godfrey are. We need to get up there!” Leif says in a panic.

“I have an idea” Barrel says he then grabs Leif and puts her over his shoulder. He runs from the battle calling out to Grimoteo “You're in charge”

They reach Zhuli’s cannons where newts are rationing what's left of the blue powder. “Hey I need you guys to launch me to the top of the castle” Barrel says

“What?!” Leif yells

The newts shrug and start aiming the cannon. Barrel hops in and the newts light the fuse.

“Barrel are you crazy there is no way this will-” BOOM! “Woooooooorrrrrkkk!” Leif screams the whole way up.

The duo slam against the castles still a hundred feet from the top. Barrel takes the brunt of the collision and is dazed. They begin to fall but Leif latches on to the wall with her cling pads “So heavy, to heavy.” She then hears a mechanical roar from above “Anong, Godfrey!”

Barrel shakes himself back to consciousness and uses his claws to pierce the wall “Hold on Leif I’ll get us there.” He then slowly starts climbing the wall with Leif on her back

“Be alright guys” Leif whispers

###

The core is unimpressed with the humans “Andiras get rid of them”

“That voice?” Anong says recognizing it

The new king lights his fire sword and charges the humans , Godfrey’s eyes go wide “Surtr’s Blade!”

Godfrey pushes Anong out of the way and blacks the blade with his ax. He thanks the blacksmith who made it since it was able to successfully block the futuristic weapon. Andrias was also surprised to see his sword blocked by the metal ax. The two trade blows back and forth. Godfrey manages to give Andiras a small cut on his forearm. The giant newt yelps in pain. To his surprise the cut was already carterised. He looks at the vikings ax and releases the metal of super heated due to constant blows from the fire blade. Andrias growls and charges again.

The men were so focused on their fight they had forgotten about Anong. “Hyia!” she kicked the back of Andrias’ leg causing him to crumple. Godfrey uses this distraction to disarm Andiras, then Anong hits a few more pressure points making Andrias fall to the ground. Godfrey puts his ax near the fallen king's face.

“Call off you monster and the robots and we’ll spare your life” Godfrey demands

A mechanical laugh fills the air “oh no, that fool isn’t controlling me, I’m the one controlling this timid ruler.”

The humans gasp as they see the core's host come out from behind the core’s mechanical limbs. “Zhuli?” They hardly recognise their old friend as she wore black robes and had cables inserted in her skin all along her arms, legs, neck and head. But the worst thing was that her beautiful black hair was gone and her eyes, once kind and cunning, were replaced with the core’s orange eyes filled with cruelty and superiority.

The core laughs “your Zhuli is gone. We are the Core, the combination of Amphibia’s greatest minds, and the ruler of this and all worlds.”

“What have you done to her!?” Godfrey demands

The core shrugs “we have lived for so long without a body we needed something organic so that we could take more direct control after this welp showed how unprepared he is to rule how he should.” Andrias hangs his head low in shame “still my son can be useful and while you humans are perfect for possession I still need to tinker a little more before I’m ready to show this host to the public. You may call it Zhu Nuli ”

“Lord slave?” Godfrey questions, Anong glares at him real quick “I’ve been translating for you girls for months. I picked up a few things.”

Anong growls “You monster you're using her as an avatar!”

Godfrey brandished his ax at the core “No good comes from desecrating the dead, let her rest in peace.”

Zhu Nuli gives a cruel smile “Oh Godfrey who says she’s dead? She is just trapped here with me, her mind unable to comprehend everything that we are.”

The humans shuddered appalled at how their friend was not only still alive but most likely being tortured by this monster. Zhu Nuli grins at their discomfort and continues “Her mind is definitely more clever than an average human. But still easily conquered. All her memories are mine to use. So we know everything about you puny humans''

“You know nothing” Anong shouts back

“Oh?” Zhu Nuli chuckles. “I know you're from that barbaric jungle kingdom khmer. I know you're just a peasant trying to convince herself that you're better than the gutter trash you are.” Zhu Nuli turns to Godfrey “I know you're just a slave longing to no longer be an outcast. But all you're good at is serving your betters. You failed to stop the invaders from taking the monastery as a teen, you failed to stop the rival tribes from attacking your village, and you lost the frog in china. You're a failure.”

The humans tighten their fists and the core continues “that said you humans can be useful. Even Zhuli found your presence and meat shields beneficial. So surrender to me and your lives will be spared.”

“Are you insane?” Godfrey says

“You possess our friends and you think we’ll just let you get away with it?” Anong says

The Core is confused by their resistance “I told you what your ‘friend’ thinks of you and you still want to defy a god?”

Anong stands confidently “Zhuli may be a prissy nobel, she might have had some thoughts like that, but she is also kind and clever, always trying to help or prove her usefulness. She and I may be night and day but I know she would never intentionally hurt us.”

“That's right” Godfrey says then spits “You’re no god you're just a monster that feels nothing for us mortals. Zhuli was willing to sacrifice her life for her friends, you weren't even bothered about the possibility of losing Andrias. We're going to destroy you and your god forsaken kingdom.”

Zhu Nuli narrows her orange eyes “so be it. Then die humans” the core then lets out an enormous metallic shriek.

The humans cover their ears, Andrias uses this as a chance to break free and grab his weapon again.

Godfrey and Anong prepare to fight, but this time the core and its claws swipe at them. Godfrey thinks this is like fighting a giant squid. He dodges a claw and chops his hammer into it’s metal arm. The arm lurches back, nearly taking his ax with it. But he manages to keep his grip. He prepares for the next attack then hears a war cry. He turns and sees Andrias charging at him and barely raises his ax in time to block.

Anong meanwhile charges at Zhuli thinking if she can disconnect her from the core maybe she can save her. She reaches towards the cable but is blocked by Zhu Nuli who deflects the hand and then pushes Anong away with her palm

The core chuckles in Zhuli’s voice “You think you can beat me?” I have the processing power of a thousand computers and the combined knowledge of the best minds of history. Not to mention Zhuli’s memories. She watched you fight so we know all your moves and how best to block them.”

Anong growls and gets in a fighting stance. Zhu Nuli does as well. Using all her skill and limbs Anong attacks but Zhu Nuli matches every blow. Until Anong is breathing hard.

The core taunts some more “Your physical ability is impressive, more so than Zhuli’s, but why fight harder when you can fight smarter” Zhu Nuli then pulls out two flaming knives. Anong leaps backward to dodge the flaming dagges just to get hit on the side by one of the metal claws.

Anong groans in pain and hears Godfrey struggling against the claws and andrias. Zhu Nuli chuckles as it approaches Anong several claws above her. The claws rush forward, Anong thinks this is the end. When suddenly clawed feet grab her and push her out of the way. Mowgli and her butter wolf pack are flying around distracting the claws. Anong and Godfey chear while the core is annoyed and Andrias tries to avoid the lethal predators.

With the wolves' help Godfrey can focus on Andrias “Why are you even serving that thing?” Godfry says as the two men’s blades clash.

“My father is part of that machine, it's my family duty. You wouldn’t understand slave” Andiras tries to kick at Godfrey but he leaps back

“Perhaps not,” Godfrey says honestly, “I was practically sold as a kid, then taken by vikings to their homeland. My family wasn’t there for me. But I made a new family, that village was my home and I would do anything for them as I know they would for me”

Godfrey charges forward forcing the king on the defensive. “Can you say the same for that thing?”

Andiras hesitates as he blocks Godfrey's attacks. All his life he wanted to make his father proud. He did his best to be the perfect prince. But it was never enough, his father always demanded more, his father's love was hard to earn but easily lost. Whenever he strayed just a little he was reprimanded into his place. The only ones that made him feel free and loved were Leif and Barrel, but they betrayed him, his father was right. But listening to his father and the core didn’t make the pain go away if anything it made it feel worse. Why was everything out of his control?

Andiras was so distracted that he left an opening that Godfrey used to dig his ax deep into Andrias’ leg. The king yells in pain. Then spins around slapping Godfrey away with his large tail. Andiras rips the ax out of his leg and stalks towards the fallen viking just to be blocked by butter wolves. He groans and challenges the predators.

Meanwhile Anong and Zhu Nuli’s fight was intense, due to the flaming knives Anong couldn’t get close, but she was easily able to dodge Zhu Nuli’s attacks. Maybe it was because the core had no real life experience in hand to hand combat, or maybe it was just because Anong was a lot fitter than Zhuli, but they kept dancing around each other.

Finally anong sees her opportunity when Zhu Nuli misses a slash. She punches Zhu Nuli straight in the face. She grins at her blow but then sees Zhuli’s face. Green and red blood was dripping from her nose, her eyes watering .”Anong why would you hit me?”

Anong freezes, was she hurting Zhuli or the core? Zhu Nuli grins and takes her chance. She cuts Anong’s arm with a burning knife. The woman howls in pain as Zhu Nuli kicks her to the ground. “You humans are so gullible with your emotions. Now die.”

Anong stares up at the core’s raised knife. But it never falls she then looks at Zhuli’s face. The expression was one of anger, but tears were falling from the orange eyes. Anong grins “Zhuli’s fighting you isn’t she?”

“Silence ape!” Zhu Nuli roars. Suddenly mowgli flies down and bites her wrist. Zhu Nuli howls in pain. “Enough!”

The core’s claws whip around the top of the castle like lightning through a thundercloud. It knocks all the butter wolves away. Before the humans can react, claws grab them like a striking snake and drag them in front of the core’s main body.

When the claws stop thrashing the wolves try to come back but Anong can see they are wounded and that she and Godfrey were captured “No Mowgli get your pack out of here!” she then whistles to retreat. Mowgill doesn't want to leave but the five pawed wolf leads her pack away with a sorrowful howl.

The core walks Zhuli’s body to its black throne and makes her sit in it and even more cables attach to the woman. The wounded Andrias comes to see what the core would do.

Zhu Nuli growls “These human bodies are beneficial but your spirits are too wild. I will break your friend one way or another.'' The humans just glare at the machine. “I was considering making you watch as you destroy your army, but you humans are too resourceful.” it then turns to Andiras “Son this is your chance to redeem yourself. Execute these beasts.”

Andrias’ eyes go wide. The core then positions Godfrey and Anong so they are on their knees and their necks are stretched out. Andiras gulps as the humans look at him with pleading eyes. He raises his blade

“DRIAS STOP!”

That voice. Andiras turns and sees Leif on the ledge, a very winded Barrel next to her. He almost drops his sword. It had been over two years since he’s seen her. She was different, wearing a horned helmet and armed with spear and shield, she stood with the confidence of a warrior. But in many ways she hadn’t changed. Her orange hair, her pink skin, her kind purplish eyes. And her aura of love and friendship.

“You two!” Zhu Nuli shouts. Metallic claws reach toward the frog and toad

“Woah” Barrel leaps up and starts slamming the claws away with his hammer “What in frog’s name is that thing?”

“Leif” Andrias whispers, then the core shouts at him

“What are you waiting for, execute these two before you ‘friends’ ruin everything again.”

Andiras raises his sword again “You can’t beat me Leif”

“I could use some help here” Barrel says swatting claws away

“I didn’t come here to fight you Drias” Leif says, throwing down her spear, shield and helmet “I came to say I’m sorry.”

Andrias freezes again. Barrel, Gadfrey and Anong all turn to the frog “WHAT?!” but then are distracted by the core’s claws again.

Leif falls to her knees “I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Drias. I’m sorry I didn't trust you enough to handle the box, I'm sorry I took it, I’m sorry I left you alone to deal with the consequences. Having to deal with your father and the people for my choices. I did what I had to but I'm so sorry it hurt you my best friend.”

Andiras turns his head and looks into Leif’s tear filled eyes. “Please I know I hurt you, but if anyone has to be punished, punish me, don’t hurt my friends. I know your still good Andrias, I know you don’t want to do this”

The core increases its attacks and Barrel struggles to protect Leif. Zhu Nuli then yells at Andrias “Do it, kill these rebels.”

Andiras shakes the sword above his head feeling heavier. “Son!” the core shouts

“Andiras” Barrel shouts

Then Leif whispers “Please I’m sorry Drias”

Andiras roars and swings his sword down. Missing the humans and slicing several of the cables connecting the core to Zhuli’s left arm.

“What are you doing?!” the core shouts.

“Something I should have done long ago. Standing up to you.” Andrias then slices the coils around Godfrey and Anong.

The core tries to attack Andiras but then feels its control failing and glitches forming in its systems. The core’s main body turns to Zhuli. her left arm free she tears the cord out of her head making the core lose most of its control over the human’s body. She quickly tears the cords out of her arms and neck, red and green blood dripping from the exit points.

Being violently separated from the human caused an error in the Core’s system. Long enough for Leif and Barrel to run towards Andrias and the humans. Godfrey reclaimed his ax and Anong took the wounded Zhuli off the throne.

Leif reaches andiras, “I’m sorry”

Andira looks at Leif and Barrel “So am I, to both of you”

The Core screeches. It could no longer speak through Zhuli but it was oblivious that it wanted them all dead.

But now it was fighting alone Andrias, Barrel and Godfrey used their weapons to cut and smash the Core’s claws. Leif is trying her best to patch up Zhuli’s wounds. The Chinese woman tries to pull out her flaming knives but drops them.

Anong leaps over “Zhuli you’re hurt you need to rest, Woah!” Anong barely dodges a claw “On second thought I need to borrow these '' She takes the flaming knives and begins cutting at the claws.

The heroes were fighting together but the Core was too large, too powerful and too angry.

Zhuli felt so weak and helpless. Having been the puppet to that monster had been horrifying, but now that she was free she couldn’t do anything, it was only pure adrenaline that was keeping her awake. She looks around and notices her barrels of blue powder set up at key points. She also uses some of the knowledge she gained from the core to realize what would happen if those barrels blew. She had an idea.

“Everyone push the Core to the spire.” Zhuli orders.

The heroes give a roar and manage to physically push the core’s main body to the center

“Andrias throw your sword at the wooden barrels” Zhuli shouts

“But it’s our best weapon-” Andrias starts

“JUST DO IT!” Zhuli shouts.

Andrias tosses his sword. The second the flaming blade touches the explosive barrel it detonates in a blue fire. The chain reaction starts on the top of the castle. The stone floor, no longer able to support the mega weapon, caved in on itself.

The Core screeches as it and the cannon start to fall through the floor. The Core uses its claws to grab on to keep from falling as the cannon crashes through floor after floor to the very foundation of the castle.

The heroes run from the Core trying to keep ahead of the crumbling floor. The Core sees its host Zhuli, unable to move, but more importantly it sees the frog that ruined its legacy. With A roar it grabs the two women.

“No!” Andiras yells and grabs the women, pitting his strength against the Core’s.

Godfrey runs to the edge of the crumbling floor, using his last throwing ax he takes careful aim and tosses it hitting the Core in one of its thirteen eyes.

The Core screeches in pain and loses its grip and falls to the pits of the castle. Just as the spire cannon detonates on itself.

Leif and Zhuli are falling, they scream but their fall is stopped. Leif looks up to sees Anong holding them, her feet are held by Godfrey, whose feet are held by Barrel, whose feet are being held by Andrias with one hand while the other is holding on to what was left of the floor for dear life.

With a great grunt of effort he lifts the heroes to the top everyone is panting for breath. Leif turns to Andrias “You saved us”

Andiras turned to his friend “It was the right thing to do… I'm sorry.”

Leif is about to speak but Barrel interrupts “Look I want to have a heartfelt reunion too but this ground doesn't feel stable, we need to run!”

Sure enough the top of the castle was still collapsing. The humans and amphibians run for their lives praying they avoid the same fate as the Core.

###

Grimoteo was leading the army. Fighting the robots to give the humans enough time to destroy the cannon. When he saw the monster on top of the castle he knew things had gotten harder. But he kept the army fighting, he needed to keep the robots distracted so they didn't help whatever that was on top of the castle.

Then he hears the explosion. Everyone looks up and sees the spire cannon fall into the castle, flames and explosions ring out as the top layers of the castle cave in on itself. The robots start to glitch out. And Grimoteo doesn't know what to make of it. Until the newtopia gate opens and he sees newtopia guards actually gesturing to them to come in.

Grimotio gives a command and the whole army rushes into the city. Guard, rebel, and citizen rush to the castle or what was left of it. Everyone was still wondering what was going on. Then someone points to the balcony of the castle that royal announcements were often given.

Grimotio sees smoke billowing from the opening, but out of it comes Godfrey, then Anong, then Barrel and Leif caring between them, to his surprise, a still alive Zhuli. Finally out of the smoke comes king Andiras. The crowd gasps not sure what to make of this.

Grimoteo then hears the sound of engines. The robot army had rebooted and was hovering above the crowd. People start to panic.

Then from the balcony the king’s voice rings out. “Stand down. All robots stand down. As king I hereby surrender to the rebellion.”

The robots then deactivate. The crowd stares up at the giant king. There was a tremor in his voice. “I have made many mistakes, most even before becoming king. I made all the wrong choices trying to fix them and the ones that suffered were you my people. I am ready to take whatever punishment you deem fit.”

The crowd didn't know what to think, they were not expecting the king to surrender. But already some of the rebellion was thinking of ways to punish the king.

Then surprisingly Zhuli stands up “Wait, he is innocent.” people weren't sure what to think but were willing to listen to the thought to be dead human.

Zhuli is almost out of strength but speaks anyway. “He saved my life and kept me in the castle as a prisoner. It was there that I made a horrible discovery. That monster you all saw on top of the castle. It had been ruling the royal family for generations. Most did so willingly. but Andrias defied it, going so far to save me from it.”

Godfrey then steps forward “She’s right, if not for the king that monster would have killed us all.”

Anong then steps up “At the risk of his own life he stopped the monster and brought us victory”

Leif then hops on Andiras’s shoulder along with Barrel, the two amphibians raise Andira’s arm in the air. Barrel then says “It was thanks to Andrias that we were able to defeat the true villain.”

Finally Lief says “Thanks to him we have a chance to rebuild. All hail King Andrias, protector of Amphibia!”

Leif starts chanting “All hail King Andrias.” then Barrel joins. Then the humans. Some of the crowd starts chanting. Then the newtopia guards, then the citizens.

Grimoteo gives a smirk and joins the chant soon the entire crowd is chanting “All Hail King Andiras.”

No one is really sure what happened up there but they did know they had won.

###

End chapter.

Chapter Text

The first thing they did was make sure that the core was really defeated. They entered the castle to find most of it was gutted. Thankfully it was mostly abandoned due to the battle. They make their way to the core’s chamber, stopping to free the mossmen and the shadow fish along the way.

When they found the core’s chamber it was completely sealed off by rubble.

“So it’s dead, we won?” Godfrey says

“What even was that thing?” Barrel asks

“No it’s not dead” Zhuli says

“What?” Anong asks

Zhuli shivers “I was a part of that thing for weeks. It pretends it is superior to us all. But really it is terrified of being forgotten and obsolete. It would destroy amphibia before it allowed that to happen.”

“My vision” Leif says “It wasn’t of the gems destroying Amphibia, but the Core.”

Zhuli nods “It has a thousand ways to cheat death and a thousand ways to destroy amphibia. It is trapped, but it can’t die, if it ever escapes it will not hesitate to destroy everything for revenge.”

“I won’t allow that to happen” Andiras says, everyone looks at him “When I was made king I was given information that only royalty was privileged to see. I know what the core will do if it escapes, but I think I know how to keep it trapped.”

“Then we should kill it” Godfrey says “This is like the Fenrir legend. Best kill it now before it becomes too dangerous at Ragnarok.”

Everyone looks at Godfrey confused except Leif “I remember that legend. Andrias, is there a way to kill the Core?”

“No” Andrias says “The only thing powerful enough to kill it is the gems. And their power is on earth in a tree according to you.”

“That's right” Zhuli says “Only the gems are powerful enough, which is why the Core is so terrified of the Prophecy.”

“But who knows when that will happen” Leif says “The prophecy could take ten, a hundred or even a thousand years.”

Andiras looks nervous but serious “There might be a way. There were other plans to cheat death that the royal family had, but none of them were as favored as the Core. Or so they believed. I can make it so I live long enough to see the prophecy through. But it will require great sacrifice.”

Leif hugs Andrias’ leg “Drias you can’t do that. I can’t let you live through that alone. Please let me do it!”

Andiras pats Leif on the head “Only my species of newt can do it. Besides, both me and my family have a lot to make up for. After all, the people trust me enough to keep leading them. This is the least I can do to protect them. It’s a… fitting punishment.”

The heroes are all sombered with Andiras’ decision but accept it. Andrias immediately gets to work reinforcing the catacombs to make sure the Core can’t escape. As well as rebuilding the castle so that someone could always keep an eye on it.

###

Amphibia was at peace but there still was a lot of work to be done. Amphibia was used to a much higher standard of living and technology had been failing. Thanks to the core’s mad desperation to hold onto power the decline was hastened.

Surprisingly the salvation of Amphibia came from the humans. They came from a world considered to be much more primitive, but humans were good at survival, and while not as advanced they also had innovations that helped ease the transition of Amphibia.

Amphibia looked to their heroes to get them through this hard time. Leif, Barrel, Godfey, Anong, Zhuli, and now Andiras.

Andiras offered for his friends to stay in Newtopia even offered them ranks in nobility. But they all turned him down. They would gladly visit, but there was too much going on for them to all stay in one place.

Leif returned to the valley to be greeted by an ecstatic Herb. Before the season ended the two of them were wed. With the humans, Andiras, Barrel and most of the rebellion in attendance. Even mother olm came and attended with the help of a really big umbrella.

Leif then turned her efforts into turning the Valley truly habitable, planting a farm with the help of her husband, building Wartwood and several other towns, as well as starting a family.

She started going by Lilly more often because too many hero worshipers were trying to hunt down the legendary Leif. She was happy to help but ultimately she just wanted a quiet life with her husband and kids.

Anong spent a lot of time with Leif in the Valley, but she also traveled around making sure frog settlements were safe and helped them find the best places to put farms. She taught survival skills, how to forage, and how to domesticate pants to turn into farm crops. She was beloved by all the laborers in amphibia.

Andrias and his new counsel decided to keep the new toad towers. But this time service was optional as opposed to enforced by a caste system. Many toads signed up to protect Amphibia from the wild monsters that they could no longer control with robots. But many Newts and Frogs also joined. Grimoteo, Aldo the third and Barrel were chosen to be among the first leaders of the towers. Barrel especially was given power and authority to travel between the towers to make sure they all ran efficiently.

Godfrey spent a lot of time with the toads and the towers. Teaching them how to craft weapons without the aid of the gem’s power. As well as how to survive in hostile environments. He also taught them how to make viking ships that the toads really loved. When he told them it usually only worked on water, toads solved that problem by adding wheels on it. Godfrey was beloved by all warriors in amphibian and helped create a brotherhood of protectors.

Zhuli worked with the brightest minds of the newts to keep technology from falling below a certain level. They were at least able to keep their medical science from falling due to the cooperation of the mossmen and shadowfish. In exchange for freedom they were happy to help the amphibians.

Many newts worked night and day to adjust technology to run without the gems' infinite power. It took a lot more manual labor but it was worth it. And thanks to Zhuli they were able to make things like printing press, bridges, mills, and other useful developments to help amphibia.

Zhuli was loved by all innovators and inventors. She was also considered Andrias’ top adviser, after Leif of course. However, being possessed by the Core had really hurt her. Her body felt perpetually tired. She would have constant nightmares. And sometimes when she looked in the mirror she swore her eyes were orange. Thankfully her friends were there to support her. She refused to live in Newtopia because it was too close to the Core. But Andrias made her a house outside the wall where doctors and friends constantly visited as she came up with inventions using her knowledge from earth and the knowledge of amphibia to make inventions that were a mix of the two. Sometimes she would think of weapons she could invent but then would look at the hole shaped scars on her arms and feel her short hair. She then would bury those ideas.

###

Godfrey and Anong kept pretty busy. But they loved to visit each other and their friends. They visited many unexplored spots in amphibia just to be alone and go on adventures. From hunting bandit gangs to taking down a heron.

Godfrey especially liked to visit the amphibia arctic where the snow and cold reminded him of home. It always took some persuading for Anong to come along, but after putting on several fur coats she agreed to come. They even made friends with a hermit newt named Valerian who always welcomed them into her home.

One day while watching the sunset turn the snow into a sea of flaming colors and the grazing wolly mantis Godfrey holds Anong’s hand. He then whispers to her “I love you.”

Anong blushes in shock. She turns to the viking. “Really scars and all?”

Godfrey’s answer is to lean down and kiss her.

From a distance Valerina watches and smiles, "It's moments like that that reminds me why I can stand this long existence.”

###

The heroes of calamity spent five years rebuilding amphibia. There were still a lot of amphibians that weren't happy with the changes but amphibia was rebuilding and was safe.

One day while Anong and Godfrey were visiting Leif they got a message from Andiras to come to the castle. They rode on Muninn and Mowgli, reaching the castle at the same time that Zhuli and Barrel arrived on Yeji.

They come to the throne room where Andrias sat with a new crown on his head. “What’s going on Drias?” Leif asks

In response Andiras pull out the calamity box with the gems lightly colored. Red, Blue, and Green

“The box is recharged?!” Leif’s eyes almost pop out in shock

“No” Andira says “I've been guarding the box since the day the Core was sealed. About a week ago the color returned. It’s just a spark, all I can figure is something has happened to the trees on earth… it might be just enough to open a portal.”

The humans are shocked. They honestly thought they would be trapped in amphibia for the rest of these days. But now there was a chance to go back.

“What do you think? I’ll leave it up to you” Andrias says

The humans look at each other. Finally Godfrey sighs “I guess it's time to go home”

“What why?” Barrel says tears forming in his eyes

Leif gives a sad smile “For the same reason I came back to Amphibia, it’s where they belong.”

The humans kneel down to hug Leif with Barrel and Andrias join from behind. After a moment Andiras lets go. I won’t open it right now of course. There are still a few things I want to do before you leave, plus the people will oust me if I let you leave without saying goodbye.”

“What do you need to do?” Leif asks

Andrias pulled out a painting of Leif, Barrel and himself that was slashed through “I was hoping to get a new one of these made with my new friends.

“Drias” Leif says looking at the ripped painting.

“I should get rid of this reminder” Andrias starts to take the portrait ways

“No” Leif says, grabbing it from Andiras “I'll take it. I can try to restore it. Like how our friendship was restored.”

Andiras smiles and nods

###

After the portrait was finished they all admired it. Andrias being the largest stood in the back, his hands on a chair’s backend in his full king robes. In front of him to the right, arm in arm was Anong and Godfey. Godfrey in his full viking armor, Anong in her vest and tiger head band. In the center sitting in a chair with green robes was Zhuli with Leif sitting on her lap and Barrel standing to the left.

After it was down they said goodby to the citizens. Many were outraged that their heroes were leaving while others bid their heroes a tear full goodby their exploits already in legend.

The humans bid farewell to their beloved pets. The birds and butter-wolf cry knowing that their masters were leaving. The humans make sure that the amphibious promise to take care of their pets. Leif and her friends immediately agree.

Leif’s tadpoles and Herb were bawling to see their “aunts and uncle” leave.

Andiras then takes them into the throne room where he opens the box. A small portal opens. Zhuli turns to her friends. “You ready?”

Anong starts to cry “What if it sends us to someplace we don't know, what if it sends us apart from each other?”

Godfrey hugs her and kisses her “Then we’ll find each other.”

They then turn to their amphibian friends. They start to wave, but then break down crying running into their friends arms. They hug each other for several movement till finally they are ready to leave

“Earth here we come” Godfrey says as the three humans step through the portal.

Andrias looks at the box it’s gems are grey as stone “That's the end of that”

Leif sighs “Next time humans come here it will most likely be to fulfill the prophecy.”

Barrel gives a big grin while his eyes are filled with tears “Then we best make sure this world gives them a warm welcome when they get here.

###

End chapter

Chapter Text

When Godfrey exited the portal he found himself in front of the red gem’s alder tree which had fully matured. He nearly gave the Gothi watching over it a heart attack. But he was alone.

He was welcomed back with open arms to his village and treated as a hero. He told his tale many times and went back to being the right hand man to his chief Stigandr. But he was a changed man. He no longer had the heart to go on raids and as much as he loved his land and his people his mind always seemed somewhere else.

Finally one day Stigandr approached Godfey and declared him a freedman, or leysingi. No longer under his employ. But he did have one last request. For Godfrey to find Anong, for it was obvious that his heart still belonged to her.

Godfrey gathers a crew of the most adventurous viking he could find and armed with Stigandr’s blessings and the map he and Zhuli made all those years ago he set sail. His crew hugs the coasts meeting new people in new lands. They go around Africa, pass India and finally get to the Khmer empire after years of sailing.

They go up the river to Nakhon Thong. The people are scared at first but seeing that the vikings were not their average pirates and actually wanted to trade were welcomed. Some citizens actually recognized Godfrey for all those years ago and pointed him in the right direction. He was guided to what was once the slums. It was now fixed, beautiful and thriving. He finds her on the edge of the city.

Anong was teaching Muay thai to anyone that was wanting to learn. She was demonstrating her moves when she heard her name. Godfrey runs to her and kisses her. It was like they were never apart.

Anong tells her story. She had come out of the portal next to the blue gem’s oak tree. The priests guarding the tree escorted her back to Nakhon Thong. She then approached the Oknha and was given a job. She was a sort of representative between the government and the poorer of the city. Helping give relief and aid to any who needed it. Though she spent most of their time in the slums. She was amazed at how much had changed and worked hard to make it better. She didn’t fight for survival anymore but for sport. She taught it to others as a way of self defense. And was living a good life. But she didn’t feel truly alive till Godfrey found her again.

They had two weddings. One was a Buddhist wedding held in front of the entire slums. All of Anong's friends were there. Their second wedding was on the viking ship where Godfrey’s crew gave him a viking style celebration.

When his crew was ready to leave with the valuables they had collected from Khmer, Godfrey told them he was staying. They understood and promised to give his goodbyes to the rest of the village, if they ever made it home.

Godfrey and Anong lived happily. They tried several times to travel to the Song dynasty to find Zhuli. They even traveled to the monetary where they found the green gem’s fully matured pagoda tree. The monks confirmed that Zhuli had appeared one day. Stayed and rested for several weeks telling her stories of Amphibia. But one day disappeared.

They never found her but she found them. One day a note was delivered to them in viking runes. When Godfrey read it, it was from Zhuli.

The message said that she still loved them but had found peace and a home after so long. She missed them but didn’t want to leave. Anong and Godfrey accepted her wishes and lived the rest of their lives together.

Zhuli after leaving the monastery traveled to what is now known as Taiwan. She had traveled with other refugees leaving the Song dynasty and lived a life as a flower gardener. Her brilliant mind still came up with inventions, but knowing how some inventions could be easily abused after what she saw in amphibia she kept most of them hidden. But she still had resources and a network of informants on the mainland. So a few inventions she anonymously sent to the mainland. It was through these people she found out that Godfrey and Anong were looking for her. She sent the letter and lived the rest of her life in peace.

The ancient heroes of calamity lived the rest of their lives happily. But some nights they had nightmares of the horror they had faced. Some day they would look up at the sky and remember their friends they left behind. And they wondered when the prophecy would come to pace and three more humans would find their way to amphibia. But they would smile and have faith they would meet as good as companions as they did. Because humans were nothing but resourceful. Especially in a frog world.

###

End chapter.

Chapter Text

A thousand years later in Los Angeles California three teenagers were arguing in an abandoned park. They had had a bad day and were taking it out on each other. Yelling and accusing each other. Not realizing that their heightened emotions was activating a power hidden inside them.

Three cars showed up and the teenagers parents came out also angry. There is a large augment everyone accusing each other of something. Finally the teen’s emotions hit a peak and they all scream. At that same time they glow a blinding Blue, Red, and Green.

There is a blinding white light and the teens are gone. The parents looked around but there was no sign of their daughters. Anne Boonchuy, Sasha Waybright, and Marcy Wu were just gone.

Meanwhile in Amphibia Andrias is reading a book when the box he kept on a pedestal begins to vibrate. He looks up and sees the gems flash briefly. That hadn’t happened in a thousand years. “They're here.”

###

The end