Hell is a Post-Apocalyptic World

Chapter 5: Beginning of a Journey

The following morning, 

Both of them got up early. 

"Did you get enough sleep?" Alcharon asked. 

"Yes. I slept soundly last night," Daniel replied. 

"That's good. You need to have enough strength." Alcharon smiled. "Are you ready?" he asked. 

Daniel nodded. "I can't anticipate what waits for me though." He smiled, awkwardly. 

"Follow me," Alcharon instructed. 

"Where are we going?" Daniel asked. 

"You'll see," Alcharon replied. 

Both of them went to the storage room. The room is filled with weapons, tools, and random wooden and metallic materials. At a corner, there is a boat that has holes around it. Alcharon grabbed a sheet of cloth and a long rope. He also grabbed a machete and a gas lamp. 

"Before you go on a journey, you must be prepared," says Alcharon. 

"What should I do with those things?" Daniel asked 

"The gas lamp will serve as your guide as you travel through the night. The blade will protect you from adversaries," Alcharon replied. 

"Adversaries? I'm going to encounter adversaries?" Daniel clarified. 

"Lots of them," Alcharon responded. 

"What about the cloth and the rope? What am I going to do with it?" Daniel asked. 

Alcharon looked at Daniel, smiling. "We need to make a stylish bag that will suit you," he replied. 

Both of them went back to the living room. Alcharon took out his sewing materials. He meticulously crafted a back pack for Daniel. He made sure that the size of the bag is enough to house the things that Daniel will bring with him in his journey. He paid attention to every detail. He double stitched every edge and corner of the cloth, making sure the bag is durable enough to withstand heavy weights and circumstances that might inflict damage to it. While he's doing it Daniel is watching him carefully, examining what the old man is doing and how he crafts the object. He is kind of amazed at how precise and artistic the man's tailoring skill is. 

"Where did you get your materials?" Daniel asked. 

"My friends gave them to me. They probably bought it at a marketplace  in Limbo," Alcharon replied. 

"Speaking of your friends. I've been here for days but I don't see anyone paid a visit here." Daniel raised an eyebrow. 

"They're probably busy. They had businesses of their own. I can't get in their way," Alcharon replied. 

"Why are you staying here instead of being out with other people who can take care of you?" Daniel asked. 

"Being here at the beach is peaceful. The city is chaotic to say the least," Alcharon replied. 

"How chaotic is the city?" Daniel asked. 

"You'll find out when you get there. Let's just say that you'll come across with people that have wicked intentions." Alcharon replied, "You have to be cautious and vigilant.  Don't allow anyone to gain your trust easily, " he advised. 

"How exactly am I going to get out of here?" Daniel asked. 

"Somewhere within the woods we've been visiting, a tunnel can be found. You'll get through that tunnel and it will lead you to your first destination, the city of Limbo," the old man explained. 

"First destination?" Daniel clarified. 

"You heard it right. For you to get out of this place you have to go through nine cities, " Alcharon replied. 

"That sounds easy," said Daniel 

Alcharon smirked. "You need to expect the worst things son, " He stood up and went to the storage room 

"Are you done with the bag?" Daniel asked. 

"Not yet! I', doing some finishing touches," Alcharon replied. 

Daniel stared at the bag. "But it's almost perfect."  The bag looks like a typical string bag but it has a primitive touch and it is much more stylish than any other bags that can be found in a normal city. 

Alcharon came back carrying a shorter piece of rope. "I have to put a little decoration on it, " said the old man.  

The old man continued working on the bag.  Daniel just watched him. After several minutes, the bag was done. 

"Try it on," Alcharon instructed. 

Daniel puts on the bag. 

"Is it comfortable?" the old man  asked. 

Daniel puts his hands on the straps. "Yes! It feels so comfortable,``he replied. 

"It looks good on you," Alcharon complimented. 

"It looks amazing!" Daniel smiled 

The scene remained silent for a couple of minutes. 

"I think you're ready to go," Alcharon said. 

Daniel smiled. "This is it! I'm finally going out of here. I'm finally going back home," he responded. 

"Take care son. You're a good man and a loving husband. You're just impatient, sometimes," Alcharon expressed. 

"I'm sorry for disrespecting you. I'm in so much distress and I didn't know what to do," Daniel apologized.

"It's no big deal! I totally understand. If I was in your shoes I might do the same thing,"said Alcharon. 

"Are you going to miss me?" Daniel asked. 

Alcharon smiled." Of course! If only I can convince you to stay here I will, but you have a life of your own and a home of your own. It is certainly not in this god forsaken place," he replied

"I'm going to miss you too. I've been here for a short period of time but I'm going to miss how hospitable you are. " Daniel showed a bright smile. 

"This is not the time to be dramatic. You have to prepare for your journey," said the old man. 

Alcharon grabbed the weapon and the gas lamp. He puts it inside the backpack he crafted himself. 

"Thank you very much Alcharon. You're  really kind and hospitable."  Daniel expressed his appreciation. 

Alcharon smiled. "Take care young man. Remember all the things that I told you. Be cautious and don't put your trust on anyone so easily," he reminded. 

"I'll remember it," says Daniel.  

"By the way. Your guide will fill you in with the things that you have to know," Alcharon explained. 

"Guide?" Daniel clarified if he heard  Alcharon right. 

"Yes. You're new in this place so I decided to assign someone to guide you," Alcharon replied. 

"Who? When will that person arrive?" Daniel asked. 

Alcharon smiled. He called out Virgil and the cat approached them. The old man pointed at the feline. 

"That cat? Are you nuts?" Daniel forcibly laughed. How is he going to guide me?" Daniel asked. 

Alcharon smiled. "This is no ordinary cat," he replied. 

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Okay. Thanks for the help but I think I can manage on my own. I will just ask around for directions," says Daniel. 

Alcharon winked at the cat while smirking. 

"Are you underestimating me just because I'm in this form?" A manly voice echoed throughout the room  . 

"Who is that?" Daniel asked 

"It's me, impatient moron!" the cat replied 

Daniel's eyes widened out of shock. "What? Did I hear it right? He can fucking talk?" Daniel stammered. He felt unsettled and weirded out by what he just heard.  

"She. She can speak, Alcharon corrected. He winked at the cat again. 

"How is this possible?" Daniel asked, 

"I'm moving my mouth and a  voice is coming out of it. Do I really  need to explain how speaking works?"  Virgil replied. 

"Relax Virgil, Relax. He just met you so he's a little surprised," says Alcharon. 

"Are talking animals normal here?" Daniel asked. 

"Who are you calling an animal?" Virgil felt insulted upon hearing what Daniel had asked. 

"I mean no offense, Pussycat," Daniel said mockingly. 

Virgil hissed. 

"Take it easy Virgil. Don't be mad at him," Alcharon advised. 

"I'm not mad. I'm pissed." says Virgil. 

Alcharon directed his attention to Daniel. "I'm sorry about her Daniel. She has a little bit of an attitude." He made a hand gesture that expresses the word "little" 

"I can see that," Daniel responded. 

"Can you be a little patient with her?" Alcharon asked. 

Daniel looked at the cat. "I'll try," he replied. 

"Well, that's assuring," said Alcharon. He directed his attention back to Virgil. "And you little cat. Behave yourself okay? and protect this guy whatever it takes," he said pointing at Daniel. 

"Roger that Artifact!" Virgil replied sarcastically. She gave Daniel a threatening look. 

"How about you Alcharon? Who will look after you?" Daniel worried. 

"Don't worry about me, son. I can manage on my own," Alcharon replied. 

"Typical Alcharon. Always denying the fact that he needs someone," says Virgil. He licked his paw. 

"I'm an extra-ordinary being. I am capable of doing things by myself," Alcharon boasted. 

"Whatever. I'll be back before you know it," said Virgil. "I hope one of our friends pays you a visit," she followed. 

"They are probably doing something more important. I don't want to be a burden to them," the old man replied. 

"Whatever floats your boat, but I will try to ask someone," Virgil scratched her ears. 

"There's no need for that,"  Alcharon insisted. 

No one spoke for a minute. They just stayed on their position, motionless. Daniel is zoning out while Virgil is scratching her head repeatedly. Alcharon looked outside to check the condition of his surroundings. 

"It's time for you to go. You don't want to be walking around  the roads of Limbo during the night," Alcharon advised. 

"Let's go impatient bastard!" Virgil started walking. She made an inviting gesture. 

"Virgil! Have some respect!" Alcharon demanded. He tapped Daniel's shoulders. "Good luck young man. It's a jungle out there. Be careful," He reminded. 

Daniel smiled and gave a tight hug to the old man. Virgil looked at them, trying to hide his touched feelings, he showed an expression of disgust. Minutes later they started walking. 

"Goodbye! Be careful!" Alcharon reminded. 

"Take care Brother!" Virgil said. 

Both of them went to the woods. They trailed their way through the tall and dark trees surrounding it, searching for the tunnel that will take them to the  city that Alcharon mentioned earlier. 

"Hey impatient moron!" Virgil called out. 

"Are you talking to me?" Daniel asked. 

"Of course idiot! You're the only one here," Virgil replied. 

Daniel did not respond. 

"How did you got here? In this place?" Virgil asked. 

"I followed you," Daniel replied jokingly. 

"Not on this forest! Moron! I mean on this island," Virgil corrected. 

"Oh! You should have made it clear earlier,"  Daniel said mockingly. "All I can remember is that I am on a ship before getting into this place. I was shot then I passed out. I assume my fucking enemies put me on a boat and left me in this island," he explained. 

"If you can fully remember how you got here, this place will make sense to you," says Virgil. 

"So what is this place? Am I in another world?" Daniel asked. 

Virgil laughed. "You clearly have no idea," the cat said. 

Daniel did not respond. 

"I'll fill you in with things, throughout our journey. Just be patient. Sooner or later you'll have a fully understanding of this place, " Virgil explained. 

'You talk like Alcharon," Daniel commented. 

"Don't compare me to that grandpa. I'm cooler than him," Virgil responded. 

An awkward silence suddenly filled the air around them. It occurs for a couple of minutes. 

"So. Are there any creatures like you here? You know? Creatures who aren't supposed to speak but has the ability to?" Daniel asked. 

"Yes! There are talking dogs here, talking serpents, and if they don't amuse you just wait until you meet the choir of otters. They sing harmoniously in their cute little pitchy voices. You'll meet them when we visit the Indulgement Bar" Virgil replied. 

"Where can we find that bar?" Daniel asked. 

Both of them suddenly stopped in their tracks. They were stopped by a tall cliff that almost reaches the sky. 

"We're at the edge of the forest. We're almost at the tunnel," said Virgil. 

They continued walking, looking for the tunnel that will bring them to the first settlement area of the place. It took them almost an hour before finding the tunnel. Virgil spotted it then he asked Daniel to follow him towards it. The tunnel is a pitch black semi-circular hole that lies below the tall cliff.  Upon finding it Virgil looked straight at Daniel. 

"Are we going in or what?" the cat asked. 

With a determined look in his face Daniel nodded.