#she's shorter than everyone but the gnome but she scared two of her much taller party members until they got to know her better

[belovedblabber]

I keep staying up way too late and now I’m thinking about Seril my little curse of strahd gunslinger and how I need to talk about her more on here because I want to talk about her so bad

[heynikkiyousofine]

Sooooo, I couldn't wait until tomorrow to post Chapter 3, because as I'm writing this story and getting so many good responses, I became super impatient, haha. This one is a little shorter, but Kagome has began her travels. Enjoy!

@keichanz @neutronstarchild

Kagome woke with a start, head pounding, she groaned and turned over, snuggling closer next to Shippo. They had traveled to the next village over and asked for a place to sleep, arriving near supper time. The local inn let them stay the night for free, most likely feeling sorry for them. Covered in dirt, sweat and black soot, her dress resembling a dirty towel than anything, Kagome and Shippo went to the spring and soaked, quietly mulling over the past night events. She wondered if Naraku’s men had captured Jineji as well, knowing it was no use to go back and find out. Exhausted, they both crashed onto the bed after eating a quick meal downstairs and passed out for the night.

Slowly opening her eyes, Kagome realized it was still dark, not yet dawn. The innkeeper had given her a map to the castle before they had retired yesterday, so she sat up, going over to her bag and pulling out the worn piece of paper. Shippo was still sleeping, so she set the map on the bed and went to wash her face. She wished she had thought to bring an extra pair of clothing, knowing it was this and her cloak for the time being. Feeling a little refreshed, Kagome sat softly on the bed, so she didn’t wake Shippo, and began to study the map near the soft glow of the lantern.

The innkeeper had said if you follow the path north, you would get to the castle in four days, but Kagome wasn’t sure if she had that kind of time. Something urged her to go through the forest, knowing it would take her only two days if she traveled on foot, but needed to make sure she and Shippo rested and stayed safe. Fingering the blue pendant around her neck, she sighed softly, knowing that they should get going soon, the room around her beginning to lighten with the rising sun. She always loved the forest, especially as a little girl, so she wasn’t exactly afraid of it, but she hadn’t ever been this far away from home and with everything that Kaede had told her, wasn’t sure who she could trust. Lost in thought, she felt soft paws on her cheek, and turned to see Shippo with sleepy emerald eyes looking at her with worry. “Is it time to go ‘Gome?”

Nodding quickly, “Yeah, we should get breakfast and go. We are heading through the forest, it is much faster and I worry those men will catch up to us, if they haven’t already gone back to Naraku.” Kagome shuddered. She hadn’t ever met the man, but his name gave her this awful feeling in the pit of her stomach.

Washing his face quickly with a rag, Shippo, grabbed his bag and pulled an apple from it, only to hand to Kagome. After reaching for it, Kagome took a bite and handed it back, Shippo shook his head. “I smell food downstairs, we can grab something there.” He muttered sheepishly, “It was my last apple and I wanted you to have it.”

Smiling softly, Kagome took a huge bite. The apple really was delicious, she internally thanked the Kamis for a tasty fruit and tossed the core towards a bin near the door. Strapping her boots on, Kagome kneeled so Shippo could jump to her shoulder. Youkai lived around here peacefully too, so she wasn’t worried about something happening to him, but he was little and she felt better if he was near. Walking downstairs, they were greeted with a cheerful hello front the innkeeper’s wife and settled for some breakfast. 

After promising to be safe, they settled onto a grassy path that went straight into the forest, growing darker as it went. “Are you sure we shouldn’t stay on the road?” Shippo asked, burying into Kagome’s arms, feeling little uncertain.

“I’m sure. It’s half the time and I think we’ll be safer. Those men could be going down busy roads and villages. This way we are still outta sight better.” Kagome didn’t tell him about her secret, or that she could see small flying fairies over in a distance, or that something had called her to the forest.

“Does this one have a name?” Shippo asked.

“The map called the it Inuyasha’s Forest, the innkeeper mentioned that a white haired man protects and is often seen lounging about in a tree, watching over travelers. I wonder if we will see him?” Kagome wondered.

As they began their brisk pace through the forest, Kagome began to feel eyes on her back. Coming to a slow walk, she quieted Shippo who was telling her a made up story, and turned to her left. She watched as small man with a pointy green hat scurried behind a large tree.

Kagome urging Shippo to ground, slowly stepped toward the large trunk of the tree, “It’s okay, I won’t hurt you.”

“You’re a fairy.” A meek voice spoke.

“Excuse me? I didn’t catch that.” Kagome asked nervously. She wasn’t sure how well Shippo could hear from over here.

“You’re a fairy. Why do you walk with a youkai?” Brown eyes peeked at her from around the tree. Kneeling down, Kagome sat so Shippo was blocked from his view and looked at the small man’s shoes. They were the same color as his hat, but not as pointed and had a fine layer of dirt.

“He’s my friend and we are traveling together. He doesn’t know that I’m a fairy, so if we could keep that to ourselves, I would be grateful. What’s your name?”

“Aiko Barkhide, pleased to meet you.” He mumbled, outstretching his hand with a blush across his nose. His mother would skin him if he forgot his manners. “You’re really pretty.”

Giggling softly, “Thank you Aiko, my name is Kagome. Would you like to walk with us for a while? My friend Shippo is really nice, I think you would get along with him.” Something about this small man, or child as she guessed as he talked more, seemed to be safe. He knew who she was beneath her concealment and Kaede had said only other mythical creatures would know who was, she thought painfully. She missed her.

“I can walk with you for a little while. My ma will be wondering where I am if I don’t get home by dark.” The small child said bashfully. He stepped out from behind the tree and straightened his dark brown tunic and looked at Shippo. Bounding over, Shippo introduced himself and they began to walk back along the path they once were on.

“Where are you traveling to?” Aiko asked, walking next to Shippo.

“We’re headed to the castle! They are going to help us with Kagome’s mama. She was taken away.” Shippo quickly explained, a frown marring his childlike features.

“Taken? By who?” “Naraku’s men. The same ones who killed my family.”

Stopping suddenly, Kagome and Shippo watched with curious looks as Aiko kneeled to the ground and began to dig into the soil with his fingers, his hands glowing softly. Closing his eyes, he whispered a few sentences, the stood up and looked at him as if nothing had happened. As Shippo began to ask what he did, many other gnomes, dressed similar to Aiko, stepped out from the trees and underbrush, surrounding them.

“Aiko! Is this them?” A small woman, slightly taller than Aiko, with sandy colored hair walked over, reaching for Aiko’s hand. Nodding, he turned towards the woman. “Ma, the bad man Naraku hurt their families. They came for refuge like our family did.”

Aiko’s mother turned to study the two travelers, watching as Shippo stood beside Kagome slightly trembling, and Kagome’s hand gripping tightly around her bag strap and a confused look on her pretty features, recognizing the young woman to be a fairy. She was hiding her features though. These two must have seen a lot recently for them to be scared of a bunch of gnomes she pondered. Stepping slightly forward, to not scare them, she introduced herself. “I am Faeyore Barkhide, Aiko’s ma. He whispered to us to through the soil about you two. I am so sorry about your families. Anytime you travel through this area, you have our protection and are always welcome. We shall accompany you as long as we can.” She gestured to the group around her.

Kagome’s shoulders sagged with relief. This woman must have known what she was and didn’t say anything, but offered protection instead. She felt like she could trust this woman, even though she couldn’t read her soul, and wondered if she was in charge. “Thank you. My name is Kagome and this Shippo. We are traveling to the castle and would love to walk with you for a little bit. We planned on stopping for lunch soon. Would you like to join us?”

Taking her kindness with great consideration, Faeyore sent a man to go grab some food for everyone and gestured to the travelers, mentioning of a field nearby and a stream that they could rest at. As everyone settled around a few rocks, the man returned with food and passed around fruit, nuts and some fish.

“These are delicious!” Shippo exclaimed with his mouth stuffed full of grapes.

“Shippo! Chew first, then speak.” Kagome reprimanded, then giggled softly at the boy. Watching them with fondness, Faeyore began to talk to the young woman, wondering if she was in hiding or if she was related to the royals who had perished long ago.

“Kagome dear, do you know who you are?” Faeyore had a sneaking suspicion Shippo didn’t know.

Eyes widened slightly and Kagome nodded. She glanced quickly at Shippo, but he was preoccupied with Aiko and they were examining some bugs on the ground. Boys. “How did you know?” Kagome whispered.

“I can see your wings, but I don’t think Shippo can, if that’s what you’re worried about. Mythical creatures can recognize their own kind, it helps to know who we can trust. Why are you hiding it out here though? Inuyasha’s Forest is safe for all mythical creatures, King Toga forbid any harm to those who reside in this haven and his son, the hanyou protects it.”

“He does? What does he look like?” Kagome leaned in, even more curious about this hanyou. Maybe this was the man she saw in the wildflowers. 

“A lot like his father, but a lot like his mother. Most of the time, he’s grumbling about something, you don’t want to get on his bad side. He has a nasty temper. He’s never alone though. He always has two of his guard with him, though I suspect they are really his friends. He comes through this way every so often. He passed through yesterday in such a hurry, I didn’t get a change to talk to him very long, just let his horses rest and drink some water, before running off again.”

“I wonder what happened. Either way, I thank you for not telling Shippo. He’s just child and while I know he has a good heart, this is a big secret for anyone.”

“You have my word, that unless you are showing your wings, I will not tell a soul. Do you know where your parents are or who their names are? I know of some fairy families near here, but most have been killed by Naraku and his men. I may know them.”

Closing her eyes quickly, Kagome shook her head slightly, “I lived with my mother, Mother Kaede, she was a human priestess, until I came along. They took her too, but I don’t know if she is alive anymore. That’s why I’m headed towards the castle. I have to talk to King Toga, I need his help.”

“We will help you there for the rest of the evening dear. Should you ever need it in the future, you also have our alliance. We may be small, but we can connect with nature. We should get moving. I would love to hear about your mother.” Faeyore smiled at Kagome warmly, helping her gather her bag. As they started into the forest, Faeyore couldn’t help but wonder if she was the lost child of the King and Queen. She has heard rumors of the queen escaping, but nothing of the child. She looked so much like Queen Kikyo. The bunch of gnomes helped Kagome and Shippo to the next village and wished them a good night before scurrying away into the night. Before leaving, Faeyore and Aiko hugged them both, dropped some coins in their pockets, whispering good luck. Checking into the inn, Kagome and Shippo settled in for the night, falling asleep quickly.

Nearing the castle, three horses pounded the ground at top speed, panting from exhaustion, but Inuyasha urged them forward. They were almost there, he needed to hurry. ”Inuyasha! We must rest the horses, they will not make it by night fall.” Miroku yelled from his right a little far back. Sango didn’t say a word, but he could see agreed with Miroku.

“Fine! We’ll stop and rest, but we are close to getting home. I’m going run ahead, while y'all two slow asses get them to the stables. Make sure they are tied up and rested before coming to see my father!” He yelled back at Sango and Miroku, jumping off his horse, coming to a stop. Giving Sango his reins, he turned and jumped into the trees, not giving a sparing glance back or catching the worried looks of his friend’s faces. 

Inuyasha bounded from tree to tree in the dusk, coming up on the castle’s wall. He loved his home, the castle grounds, his friends and family, but there was something about the forest. He knew his father teased him about it and even declared it to be Inuyasha’s Forest, but he couldn’t help but lay in the trees for a nap or walk along the canopy to watch the sunset. As he quickly jumped over the castle’s stone wall, scaring the night guard below, he ran for the throne room, knowing his father was most likely still awake and could feel his youki coming. Bursting through the throne room, he smelt two scents in the grand entrance, and before he could speak to his father, he heard a bark.

“Hey dog breath!” An arrogant voice called from his left.

“King Koga.” He gritted, holding his breath, while he spoke. He hated the smell of wolves.

“Ha, some manners. I know your mother taught you better than that.” Koga scowled at the prince. Inuyasha couldn’t wait until he was king so he could give the wolf ruler a good punch in the face. Or maybe cut off the ugly tail protruding from his back. 

“Koga! Quit teasing him!” A loud, but strong feminine voice came from the dais, the owner with red hair and a mate mark on her neck. “Inuyasha dear, are you alright? You look startled.” “Yes, Your Majesty, I am fine. Where is my father? I must speak to him, it’s urgent.” Inuyasha bowed as he spoke to Queen Ayame. He liked her, she always put Koga in his place.

“I am here, my boy.” The baritone voice coming from behind him. Turning quickly, Inuyasha walked over to his parents and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek, before turning again to speak to his father.

“My boy, what is it? Our fellow king and queen were getting ready to retire when you arrived very suddenly. They are here to visit and talk negotiations for our borders with the Eastern Kingdom.”

“Father, it’s about the Eastern Kingdom.” Inuyasha exclaimed, beginning to gather everyone’s full attention. “I was hunting in the forest with Miroku and Sango, near the eastern border, along the village with the horse hanyou and his garden. The forest was on fire and I smelt Naraku’s men.” He left out the part about the unknown woman.

“Are you sure? Being in our borders calls for war. Are you absolutely sure my son?” Toga asked sternly, his eyes growing brighter with every word he spoke, as he put his hand to Inuyasha’s shoulder.

“Yes Father, I’m sure. I was in our land the entire time. They were there, along with villagers they had captured. I smelt death among them too, so they had to have been killing.”

Nodding quickly, he turned towards King Koga, with an angered expression, “Koga, it is time. We must gather all of our forces and train together. I’ve heard vastly evil things about what Naraku and his men have done to our people. Now that he is in my land, it is time to attack.” As he began to think things out, he let go of his wife’s arm and beckoned the page boy close by. “Send a message to my son, King Sesshomaru, ask that he come pay a visit and what has happened here. I suggest you be quick and quiet about it, do you understand me?” The young page boy with sandy brown hair, Hojo, nodded fearfully and took off throughout he corridor, leaving a speechless room behind.

“Toga, I need to get back to my home and gather my men and our defenses, time is precious.” Koga said.

“Sesshomaru should be here within two days, can you wait until then? We can plan out our defense system across the land and then get back home to protect it. I plan on staying at the border’s wall, making sure my home is safe.”

“I agree dear, we must do this together.” Ayame reassured her husband, taking his hand in hers.

“Okay then, let’s retire. Tomorrow will be a long day for all of us. Thank you Prince Inuyasha for the warning, it could really help up take down the evil bastard.” Shaking the hanyou’s hand, Koga led Ayame to their suite. Inuyasha’s mother, who had been silent this whole time, lifted her plum skirt and sat herself upon the dais, next to her husband and grabbed his hand, squeezing it lightly.

“My son, you’ve had a long day, where are your friends?” Toga asked, lightly patting Izayoi’s hand, silently reassuring her fears.

“They are arriving and putting the horses away. I wanted to get here as fast as possible.”

Nodding, Toga sent his son to bed and began to take this own wife to their bedroom. “My dear, Inuyasha hasn’t been quite himself lately. He’s been spending so much time in the forest. I’m almost afraid to ask him about the dreams of the princess again.” Izayoi quietly spoke, as they walked towards their bed chamber.

“He still talks of Princess Kagome? It’s been sometime since he has asked anything of her.” Toga responded in surprise.

“Not as often these days. I do catch him gazing longingly at the flowers in the garden still. Do you really think she was his mate?” 

“I do, love. I think she is still alive too, hidden very well, but alive. Demons go crazy when they’ve smelled their mate, whether they know it or not, and then when that scent is gone from the earth. It’s like a crack appears on their soul. Remember when we heard of the fall of the eastern kingdom, Inuyasha has nightmares for months and was always so angry?”

Izayoi nodded, her finger tapping her chin, “So you think from the time we met the princess and he smelt her, he unconsciously knew?”

Chuckling, “He said she smells nice. The only other time he mentions someone’s smell is King Koga’s and how much he can’t stand it. I don’t know if he realizes exactly what she is to him, I can only hope he finds her.”

Laughing along with her husband. Izayoi smirked tiredly, leaning her head on his shoulder, “I hope we find her soon. I couldn’t bare to imagine if Naraku did first. I don’t even know what she would look like nowadays. It’s been two decades.”

“I agree, but we can’t give up hope. I can feel something is going to happen, good or bad, I’m not sure, but it think it will turnout for the best, for everyone.”

Inuyasha grumbled his way down the hall. He didn’t like being ordered to bed and he certainly didn’t like the wolf king, though his wife wasn’t that bad. She could put the flea bag in his place. He always stunk and his attitude was even worse. I wonder if father ever put the wolf in his place, he thought happily. As he readied himself to bed, his thoughts began to drift back to the meadow, reminding him so much of the smell he remembered all those years ago. As he slept, striking blue eyes filled his dreams.

[thatdisastrousfangirl-writes]

The Other Way Chapter 13: Almost There

Chapter 1 - Last Chapter - Next Chapter

A/N HOLY $%!& AN UPDATE!!! I DID IT!! It’s not quite the last chapter as I had hoped but the next one will be and hopefully (fingers crossed) I won’t take as long to finish it xD Knowing me though and my habit of procrastinating everything I do I have my doubts but it Will Happen! Eventually :p Any who won’t take up any more of your time hope you enjoy ^-^ (also very quick reminder I am posting all this on AO3 if you’d rather read it there okay thanks bye!) 

~~~

Ever since the rather brutal realisation that should they fail to find the portal Dipper might permanently disappear, the group had been moving even more emphatically than before. Alcor was at the head, floating around erratically trying to find even a hint of the extra magic an inter-dimensional portal would have, with the twins just behind him, sticking close together hand in hand, neither willing to lose the other, and Wren a little further behind, watching everyone’s backs. 

They all walked quietly, keeping an eye out for any indication of potential danger or even better the portal itself. The silence, however, was beginning to get on Mabel’s nerve. With every step she took with that oppressive silence hanging over her head Mabel felt a step closer to breaking down in front of everyone.

This whole train wreck of an experience had royally sucked from day one, and it was in the silence that every little -and big- dilemma was getting harder to ignore. Their ‘adventure’ had begun with being kidnapped and had only seemed to go downhill from there, leading to the current situation where there was a chance she would be the only one getting to go home. Honestly if the universe -or multiverse, she guessed- was a person Mabel could talk to, she would ask them what was up with all the hate and pain they were inflicting on her brother. It was just plain unfair really. And now all she wanted to do was curl up and cry out, but they had to keep moving and they had to keep focusing on the task at hand. 

Just as Mabel felt herself begin to spiral she felt a tug on her hand and looked up. 

“Hey, you okay?” asked Dipper, concern plainly written on his face. “You’re being weirdly quiet.”

Mabel opened her mouth to deny it, to say she’s just trying to not distract Alcor from finding the portal, and that she should really be asking him if he’s okay, what with the whole, the universe doesn’t like him thing, but the look on Dipper’s face stopped her. 

“I just want to go home,” she whispered, eyes shimmering. “And I wish none of this was happening and that you weren’t disappearing, or hurting, but you are and,” Mabel paused, looking down at her dirt covered shoes taking her forward. “I don’t know what to do.” 

They continued to move in silence for a few seconds, when Dipper spoke up. “Well,” he said, getting his sister's attention, “I don’t really know what to do either, and I’m still here, now. You’re not alone in this,” he finished, bumping his shoulder against her own. 

“I suppose so,” Mabel hummed, a small smile twitching at the corners of her lips. 

“We’ll be alright,” Dipper said, looking up at Alcor, who continued to guide them. “You know, I bet we’ll find that portal any minute now,” he added with a small smile of his own.

Mabel gave him a happy but sceptical glance. “Really?” she asked. 

He gave her a mildly panicked look that said ‘not in the slightest’ and Mabel couldn’t help but laugh.

“Okay well maybe not any minute.” 

As the two of them continued joking around Mabel felt just a little lighter. Dipper was right, they still had each other, and at the end of the day that’s all they really needed.

~~~

“So, Alcor,” Wren said, sounding not the least bit frustrated, “not to be that person but are we any closer to finding the portal yet?” They had now been seemingly wandering around the forest for what felt like forever but was probably closer to an hour, and it was beginning to feel like they would never find the portal. 

Mabel had been feeling better about everything after talking to Dipper, but even with his reassurance - which was a weird enough feeling considering it was usually her trying to lift spirits - it was difficult to stay hopeful the longer they didn’t find anything.

Alcor stopped moving for second, face scrunched up in the way Mabel recognised as Dipper’s thinking face, just older and more demonic. “Maybe,” he said after a moment, turning to the side and pointing towards a faint path hidden underneath the looming trees. “This way.” 

“You sure?” Dipper asked as the group began moving again, no small amount of hope weaving its way into his voice. “Are we actually getting closer?” 

Grinning Alcor turned to his smaller counterpart. “I think so!” he responded. “It wasn’t easy to tell but a bit back I began to sense the kind of magical energy you’d get from an interdimensional portal.” He paused, before awkwardly adding “I assume. The only other interdimensional portal I actually saw was back before the Transcendence and let’s just say I was significantly weaker than.” 

“So we’ll be home soon?” Mabel asked, her own hope rising yet again as if on an emotional yoyo. 

“I don’t doubt it,” said Alcor, giving her a comforting smile. 

Wren did not seem convinced however, as she moved in closer to the group. “Is this really the right way Alcor?” she asked, hand placed on her gun holster ready for action, looking around anxiously. “‘Cause I’m beginning to get a bad feeling about this place.” 

“What kind of bad feeling?” Dipper squeaked, tensing up by Mabel’s side. 

“It’s hard to explain,” explained Wren. “Sometimes I just get a feeling about a person or in this case a place, and right now it’s not a good feeling.” 

“Well I am definitely sure this is the right direction,” Alcor insisted, before hesitating, “I feel the same way though, probably a good idea to keep an eye out for any potential danger.” 

“What, like you?” she retorted, a slight grin pulling at the corner of her lips.

“Ha ha very funny,” he deadpanned, rolling his eyes. “You know what I mean, just don’t get distracted and keep watching our surroundings. I’ll keep an eye out myself.” 

Mabel thought about what Wren and Alcor said as they continued moving ever deeper into the forest. What kind of danger though? she thought. What kind of bad feeling? her mind questioned. She was sure Alcor wasn’t wrong when he said they were getting closer to the portal, but what if they were walking into something dangerous? What if there was something between them and the portal that stopped Dipper and herself from going through? It was only Dipper’s hand in hers that stopped Mabel from spiralling. If he, of all people, could look on the bright side, surely it would be alright.

~~~

It couldn’t have been more than a minute before Alcor froze, holding his hand up to signal to the others to do the same. 

Dipper groaned at the sudden stop, frowning he said “Alcor what-“ 

“Quiet!” he hissed, interrupting Dipper, his ears twitching as if straining to listen to something nearby. 

As they stood and listened the faint sound of movement ahead of them drew closer, and closer. 

“I suggest everyone hides, like, right now,” Alcor whispered, his form beginning to fade slightly as he spoke. 

“What? Why?” the others asked, alarm clear in all their voices.

The demon turned to them, form flickering between corporeal and not, growling “Now damnit!”

With that Alcor grabbed Dipper and Mabel under their arms, much to their respective annoyed confusion and sudden uncertainty for what was going on (not to mention a slight fear of heights) and whisked them up into the branches of a nearby tree. Wren moved just as quickly, rushing to hide within an overgrown bush down by another trees' large roots. Alcor continued to float near the twins, turning into an almost invisible, humanoid haze as the noise drew closer. 

The source of the sound stepped into view. Two people wearing long, dark green flowing robes covering their bodies, deep hoods hiding their faces, and each holding sizeable guns pointed at the path the four of them had been following just before. While silently panicking, wondering who these people were and what they could possibly be doing here, Dipper had to wonder what it was with this universe and cultists, because surely that was what these people were. This was the third lot of cultists he and Mabel had encountered in as many days, and it was getting ridiculous!

The taller of the two began to look around, while the shorter one stood guard, their finger tapping their weapon impatiently. 

“Are you sure you even heard something? There’s nothing here,” the short one said, watching their partner search behind the bush next to Wren’s. 

The tall one tensed up, turning to their partner, voice dripping with frustration as they said “Yes I did, and it was definitely over here!” They spun back around continuing their search, moving ever closer to Wren and her hiding spot. She held her breath as she felt some of the leaves near her face move and the cultists' search got closer, hands tightening into fists, ready to fight. 

“You know it was probably just a couple gnomes right?” the short one scoffed, interrupting their taller partner's search. “Come on, we have enough to do as it is without chasing a couple meaningless pests. We’re going back, now.”

“But-”

“Did I stutter? There’s work to do, now come on!” 

The tall one, visibly sulking, shuffled after their shorter partner back down the vague path they both came from. The hidden group stayed where they were, quiet and still, waiting for the sound of walking and huffing to disappear into the distance, sure that whoever those cultists were would not come back. 

“Are they gone?” Dipper whispered, hesitant, as if scared of alerting the two cultists of their presence, despite the distance between the two groups. 

Alcor returned to view, his form becoming solid once again as he helped the twins down from the tree. “Yeah, they should be well out of hearing range now,” he said softly. 

Coming out from within the bush she had been hiding in, stray twigs and leaves sticking out of her hair, Wren looked down towards where they had been heading, the same way the cultists went. “You sure Alcor? That was pretty close,” she cautioned, turning to look at him. 

“Yeah, just, don’t start yelling and they shouldn’t come back.” 

“Who were they?” Mabel asked, looking up at Alcor herself, Dipper following suit. 

“They looked like they were part of the Cult of Stultus”

The three humans gave him a blank stare, and Alcor sighed. “Right, you wouldn’t know. They’re a cult dedicated to the idea that there are multiple realities beyond this one, and finding some way of getting to them,” he explained. 

“That explains why they’d be interested in a portal,” Wren remarked, looking thoughtful. “Does that mean they’d be happy to help? Get these two home that is?” 

Alcor gave Wren a questioning look. “You did see their weapons right? What do you think?”

“I was just thinking if they liked other universes they’d want to help.” 

“Stars no! I never said they liked other realities. The Cult of Stultus is obsessed with finding a way of getting to other dimensions so they can destroy them! It’s some kind of weird universal superiority type thing.”

“Well that’s just great,” Dipper said, voice filled with sarcasm. “How are we supposed to get to the portal now?”

With a sly smile and a spark in his eyes, Alcor began moving, following the path the cultists had taken moments before. “We’ll just have to figure it out before we get there I suppose.”