The lands of kushan part 1

As Edward plummeted from the sky, he thrashed about wildly, tree branches whipping past him. With each snap of a twig, he cursed and swore at the top of his lungs. He tried to grab onto something, anything, but it was no use. The ground was hurtling towards him at an alarming speed, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Finally, with a sickening thud, he landed in a massive puddle. His armor and clothes were soaked through, and he groaned in frustration.

"Damn that old man," he grumbled. "Now my socks are wet, and I don't have any spares."

Suddenly, there was a loud shriek, and Doreen came hurtling towards the ground, landing in the same puddle as Edward. The impact knocked the wind out of her, and she gasped for breath.

"Ouch...that hurt," she muttered, rubbing her sore back.

As they lay there, panting and covered in mud, two snakes slithered towards them, one from each side. Without hesitation, Doreen summoned her spear, and Edward drew his sword, slicing through the snakes with ease.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the know-it-all lady," Edward teased.

Doreen rolled her eyes, "And if it isn't the ass-mouth knight."

Edward chuckled, "I bet if I gave you a coin for every useful thing you've said in the last month, you would owe people money."

Doreen shot him a withering look, "I could say the same about your brain cells. I'm surprised you haven't run out yet, considering the amount of alcohol you consume."

"I happen to like drinking. It's my way of therapy," Edward retorted.

Doreen shook her head, "Therapy? More like drowning your sorrows in booze."

Edward shrugged, "Tomato, tomahto."

"Regardless of your drinking habits and inner ghosts, we should move. We need to find the others and figure out where we are," Doreen said, taking charge.

"Any idea where we are?" Edward asked.

"No idea, but based on the forest, we're somewhere in the south. It looks like a forest from the Solo Green Moon world," Doreen replied.

"What gave it away? The humidity or the pestering bugs?" Edward grumbled, slapping at a mosquito on his neck.

"Something like that. Let's get going," Doreen said, striding forward with purpose, and Edward following close behind.

~~

After hours of trekking, Doreen and Edward were still unable to locate their friends. Exhausted and frustrated, they finally stopped to rest. Edward wasted no time and started to undress, peeling off his wet clothes until he was standing there in his birthday suit.

Doreen was taken aback by his audacity. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she yelled, turning around in disgust.

"Walking in wet clothes is a death sentence. You get rashes and blisters. Shouldn't you know this?" Edward tried to reason.

"I know that, but do you have to do it here in the middle of the forest where anyone can see you?" Doreen retorted, clearly irritated.

Edward just shrugged. "Who cares? It's not like anyone is around. Besides, I have nothing to be ashamed of. Or, is there something you want to see. The true monster of this jungle!"

Doreen couldn't take it anymore and threw a rock at him, storming off in anger. As she walked, she could feel the discomfort of her muddy clothes and tangled hair increasing. She hated, that of all people, she had to be stuck with Edward.

Eventually, she stumbled upon a small pond with clear, glistening water. Doreen approached the pond and saw her reflection in the water. Her white toga was now covered in dirt and mud, and her blonde hair was in disarray.

She sat down by the pond, running her fingers through her hair to detangle it, and felt the cool breeze brush against her skin. Suddenly, she heard a rustling in the bushes nearby and immediately summoned her spear and shield.

To her surprise, it was just a small rabbit hopping out of the bushes. Doreen chuckled and lowered her spear, watching the rabbit scamper away.

As she sat by the pond, she realized how long it had been since she had taken a bath. The water looked so clear and refreshing, but she knew it was risky to bathe in the open like this. Nevertheless, she stripped down, leaving her toga by the pond and only taking her summoned weapons.

She stepped into the water, feeling the coolness embrace her skin and wash away the grime and sweat from the long journey. For the first time since they arrived in this strange world, she felt relaxed.

As she bathed, Doreen couldn't help but think about their situation. They were lost, with no idea where they were or how to get back home. She wondered if their friends were safe and if they were also trying to find their way back.

~~

Edward had built a fire and used it to dry his clothes, but he couldn't shake off the worry for Doreen. "Fucking olive picker. Leaving me here alone. Probably ending up in some trouble," he muttered to himself. He still genuinely cared for her and wanted to go look for her, but his clothes were still damp. He then, completely nude, decided to venture out to find her, carrying only his longsword and mother's gauntlet.

Unfazed by his nudity, Edward strolled through the dense forest, scanning the surroundings for any signs of Doreen. As he walked, he felt something peculiar, as if the branches were moving without any wind. Though he tried to ignore it, his instincts kicked in, and he quickly turned around, unleashing his family sword technique with a divine sword slash projectile. The powerful slash cut through the trees like a hot knife through butter, leaving behind a trail that resembled a small sports field.

There was no answer at first, but soon came a hail of arrows and spears. "What the.....?!" Edward exclaimed, ducking to avoid the incoming projectiles. He quickly scanned the area, trying to pinpoint the source of the attack.