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Finding My Husband in Another World Season 2 Chapter 4: Travel

I stared up at the precipice before us. It was no wonder people were unsure what to call it. It was a shear cliff that rose up and at its top, nearly beyond visual range appeared to be a structure. The only entrance, unless one could fly, was a massive door, large enough for twenty men standing shoulder to shoulder to walk through without touching the edges. There didn't seem to be any way to open it either.

"So, how do we get in?" Skit asked.

I slid my hand along the center of the door. I could feel a seam so the doors obviously parted.

"Those wishing to enter must answer three questions." A voice stated.

"Okay, let's hear them." I replied.

"What is the best time to go out?"

I considered for a moment. This was supposed to be the lair of someone that was from another world. That meant they were probably a shut in if all the stories could be believed. "There is never a good time to go out."

"Prowl?" Rider asked.

"Look at this place. If it doesn't scream shut-in no place does."

"Correct." The door answered. "What is the best form of literature?"

"Manga." Rider answered.

"Are you heroes?" The voice asked.

"We were reincarnated into this world, but I wouldn't call us heroes. Most of our time has been spent running away and trying to hide."

"I don't think that was a very good answer." Chaza said.

"The second question was correct. Question three-"

"Hold it. You've already asked three questions." Ren yelled.

"Best five out of six? No, really question three. By the way are any of you an elemental summoner?"

"Is that question three?" Rider asked coldly.

"Maybe?"

"What is question three?" He asked.

"Tell you what, we'll skip all that if one of you happens to be an elemental summoner that can break my bonds and form a pact with me."

"Just ask the third question already!" Rider yelled.

"Fine. If your life was a story what type would it be?"

Rider grinned. "Isekai."

The door creaked and then started so part. "Seriously, do you have an elemental summoner with you? I'm really sick of being chained to this place."

The doors only parted about four foot revealing a corridor about the same size meaning the giant doors had been completely for show. The tunnel ended in a circular room. As we all entered another door slid shut trapping us inside.

"I suggest you work your jaws to help regulate the pressure as the lift takes you up to the main complex." The voice stated as the floor began to rise.

"Everyone open your mouths and start rubbing your ears." I said, just to be sure everyone understood the spirit as the lift started to rise faster and faster.

We hit the top floor, or as high as the lift could take us, and as if on cue Chaza ran to a corner of the room and vomited. I hadn't even thought about her motion sickness. I used cure and heal on everyone just in case.

"Thanks, you could have done that sooner." Chaza growled.

"If anyone feels out of breath please let me know. We are up here rather high and I try to keep the air breathable but for some it is still a bit thin. Now if you'll proceed out of the lift room you will enter the hall of wonders." The elemental directed us.

"He's really starting to annoy me." Rider whispered.

"Go easy on him, I get the feeling he's been here a long time and he's actually lonely."

"Maybe, though I've never heard of an elemental getting lonely. Most would rather not be bothered."

I just shrugged.

We avoided the corner Chaza had been in and entered a hall. It was slightly sloped and spiraled upwards. On each side was a room enclosed in glass as we walked past a light would turn on.

"As you can see the castle's former owner liked to collect strange things. He had a magical box that allowed him to summon these things he called cars into the room and then he had me remove all the air before sealing it up."

"What are they or at least what do they do?" Skit asked.

"They are like carriages that don't need horses to move." The spirit stated.

"Prowl, this place has Power, electrical power."

"Yeah, I noticed. I'm betting there are solar collectors somewhere above us keeping some sort of batteries charged."

"Let's take one! That would make travel so much easier." Chaza said, excitedly." Pointing at a shiny red convertible.

"First off this world doesn't have the type of element to make them move and second it's a hundred times worse than a boat trip." Rider informed her.

"Forget that! I'll keep my feet on the ground." She said, suddenly uninterested in the machines.

We continued on past at least fifty more cars, most of which I didn't recognize but they were all exotic sports cars. Even if we could simulate a fuel there was no way they would be practical on the roads of this world. What we really needed was a four wheel drive all-terrain vehicle.

"Tiger, just looking at these, I don't think this hero was from the same world as we are." Rider whispered.

"I was thinking the same thing. Though considering the gods like to screw around with their heroes it might be possible he is from our future. "

"I hadn't considered that possibility. Though it makes me wonder what else might be hidden in this place." Rider replied.

"This next section is devoted to one of the Lords favored hobbies."

These rooms were open but the three walls had cabinets that were sealed. In each section was collectables. Assembled model kits, statues, helmets and a multitude of other toys. All carefully organized. In this section there were things I recognized but they were a little off from what I remembered. We continued on past a movie section, a library, and rooms devoted to games and game systems.

"Did anyone other than the castle lord live here?" Skit asked.

"Very likely. I don't think the lord built this himself and I know he had an elementalist capture and bind me to this place. But I only remember the Lord."

"No cook?" Rider asked.

"No. In fact the Lord only left his quarters on the rare occasion he wanted to store things in the great hall. To be fair he did talk to me occasionally. Often to tell me why he wasn't to be bothered. Still, when he did talk to me it made me happy knowing he felt obliged to respond."

"I almost don't want to know, but what was his reason?" Skit asked.

"Usually it was because he claimed he'd spent enough time helping the people of this world fight their demon war. Other times he asked me to remind them he was watching to make sure the last demon gate remained closed."

"There is a demon gate here!" Ren yelled.

"No, not for a long time. The demons probably found another world to invade. The Lord said something about dimensional alignment. Eventually, when he could barely get around I found his chair with wheels in front of the gate and no sign of him. It was strange, the only time he would leave his bed chambers was to check on the gate. I once caught him talking to it."

"The demon wars were so long ago most talk about them only in legend. How old is your Lord?" Skit asked.

"Oh, he wasn't my lord. He had me bound to this place, when I was barely an air spirit, in order to maintain the exhibits, keep the air breathable and work the lift. I agreed to help with his treasure rooms since removing all the air meant less for me to maintain. He disappeared so long ago he has to be dead and even his bones have turned to dust. So long ago that I've grown into a primal wind spirit. Though one that has never been beyond this place. And the only people that talk to me are the ones that want me to open the door. I'm magically constrained so that I can only ask the first two questions. Once those are answered correctly then I can talk freely. Unfortunately no one ever answered the first question correctly until you."

I stopped walking. "Is there much else to see?"

"Other than the Lord's quarters and the temple you've seen everything. But please can you stay for a little while at least? Even if it's just for a night?"

"Can you unlock all the cases in the library?"

"Yes, but why?"

"Because the books can be read. The rest of the stuff has no benefits to us. I want to transfer the books to my pocket dimension."

"Fine with me, they were of no use to me anyway. But you'll have to stay for the night."

I wasn't going to mention that we wouldn't be able to leave if he didn't lower us on the lift. "Rider, are you going to continue on to the temple? He did say he was a primal."

"I'm blaming you for making me feel sad for beings in his situation, but yes I think I will visit the temple. Just, I don't know. Maybe if you have enough space you could clear out the rooms with games and movies as well? I know the possibility of powering a game system, video player, and a television is unlikely. However the fact that they exist here means it is still a possibility. After everything we've seen I'm betting there are games and movies we've never imagined and if I find an electrical primal maybe we'll be able to rig something up."

"Whatever you want, Love."

"Master, should Toque stay with you or help tribe leader?"

I actually jumped. I'd completely forgotten the little kobold was with us. He did such a good job of being silent and staying out of sight.

"Help the tribe. I'll be back shortly." Rider said patting him on the head.

"Yes Master. Toque understands."

Clearing out the game and movie rooms were easy enough, but the library was much harder. Even after Rifer returned with Zephyrii I continued to occasionally open a manga to admire the art. I'd probably feet guilty if I didn't see Rider doing the same thing every once in a while.

***

We practically stumbled into the next town. Zephyr didn't insist on us remaining in the castle since now that he had a pact with Rider he was ready to get out and see more of the world.

"Okay, we're staying here until there is a job that includes a wagon to take us wherever we're headed next. We didn't walk this much when we were on the run." Ren complained.

"We're not taking another job until we've all had a good bath and a good night's rest on real beds. Not to complain, but we're all starting to smell a bit." Rider stated.

"Good luck with that. Finding a bathtub will be-"

"Already taken care of." Rider cut me off.

I wasn't sure what he had in mind but I'd go along with it if it meant feeling truly clean since the days in the academy where bathing regularly was required.

"Hello travelers, just made your way from the coast? Did you give the unopenable door a try?" The demi-Wolfess receptionist asked.

"Opened it. Inside was nothing more than a shaft and a spirit, wasn't able to tell what kind as it escaped. We had to run to make it back outside as the door closed again. I sincerely believe it wasn't meant to be opened. Still, I don't see any need to publicize any of that. Probably best to let people believe the legends and rumors they've created."

"Why are you telling me?"

I rolled my eyes. "Because we're required to report our missions, even if they end in failure." I placed my guild card on the counter. "And because of this."

Clearly inscribed on the back of the card was "Open the unopenable door: success"

"If I don't report it then I can't take any new quests, right?" I asked.

"Okay, give me a moment." She left, only to return a few moments later with a bag of coins. "Here you are. It's only 500 gold, but the treasure you would collect was meant to make up for it. Still it's good to be able to take that off the books. If you're interested there is another similar structure that was discovered just this spring about a day's journey from here."

"Great, another dead end." Chaza complained.

"No, this place is a proper dungeon. The lower levels have already been explored but we don't get many adventurers higher than C rank coming through until autumn when everyone heads for the capital to compete in the games. So there is a good chance at getting some treasure once you're in the team rotation."

"We might consider it, but what we need right now are a couple of rooms and-"

"Let me stop you right there. This hall doesn't have those amenities. We have an area where you can set up tents or you can pay to stay at the inn."

"I don't think we have enough coin for an inn." Chaza said, sadly.

"What do you mean? I just payed you 500 gold."

"In beast coin rather than guild coin?" I asked in surprise.

"Like Guild coin will do any good here in such a small outpost. Yes, that was all beast coin."

"Okay, I'll need to set up a tent. We'll see about getting some rest and then we'll come back for the details on the dungeon." Rider said, basically leading us out of the hall.

***

The inn was expensive which was to be expected. Still we had plenty for three rooms. We returned to the field behind the guild and set up a tent. Rider forbid us from entering, but I could tell he was using his elementals because I could feel him pulling mana from me. I didn't mind, of course I had plenty to spare and I trusted him.

He soon came out. "Lady Chaza, the bath is yours."

"What?" She asked in surprise.

"I've set up a bathtub with hot water to relax and clean yourself, I also found soaps that will work well with your fur to make it soft and shiny. When you are done I've laid out towels and Zephyr will be available to help dry your fur. You will also find a selection of brushes and clean clothing. When you are done come inside and I'll set it up for the next party member."

We were all a bit surprised but Chaza entered the tent as we went back inside the guild hall to wait.

While waiting we determined the order of bathing. Skit would be next followed by Ren. Then Rider would help Toque since he didn't even seem to understand the concept of a bath. Then Rider insisted it would be my turn so he could go last and be able to clean up. Sky wasn't included because he cleaned himself by taking on his cloud state. He was always clean. When Chaza returned; Rider, Ren and I were reading some of the manga we'd taken, Skit was tuning his lute, and Toque was napping.

"Well? What do you think?" She asked.

I was stunned. Chaza had gone from scruffy to beautiful from a single bath. "You look quite lovely. It's too bad we're the only adventurers here. You'd have them worshiping you even faster than usual."

"Rider, has he always been so charming or is he making fun of me?" Chaza asked threateningly.

"Skit! Stop staring it's your turn." Rider yelled, before turning back to Chaze. "He's always been a charmer, but only to those he respects and loves. Consider yourself lucky. Oh and Prowl, watch yourself or someone might get jealous. Skit! Stop drooling already." Rider said as he dragged the squirrel out of the room.

"So I really do look good?" She asked.

"Good enough that if I didn't already know better I'd be worried I needed to protect my big sister from all the lecherous old dogs out there."

"But not attractive enough to get you to switch preferences?" She asked while grinning.

"That was never a possibility. You know how devoted I am. No one can ever replace my true love. Hell, you of all people know the mental anguish I put myself through for having feelings for Rider before I discovered he was the one I was searching for."

"Honey, you didn't have to do that. You know I don't mind if you have feelings for others, because I know you love me more than anything else." Rider said, wrapping his arms around me from behind. I hadn't even heard him sneaking up behind me. I wondered if he'd found a way to bribe Pop to dull my senses.

"Gods, you two are so cute together. It's almost enough to make me sick. Still, what about Ren?"

"Ren is different. We both love him so he gets twice the love. However if he ever gets tired of us he has the option of finding a better mate." Rider replied.

"As if I could find more loving mates." Ren said, before flipping a page. "Besides I doubt anyone could keep life as interesting as my two lovers."

Chaza laughed, "You make a good point. I guess I'll stick around. Though I'd like to add another woman to the team at some point. Just so I can have someone to share a room with. Now, do you have anything to read you think I might like?"

I quickly pulled out a graphic novel about a hammer wielding warrior woman.

***

I followed Rider and Toque into the tent. It seemed he thought I was needed, or maybe he thought I'd sneak away. I admit I wasn't thrilled about standing in a wooden tub and dumping water over myself even if it was warm. What I found was a rather large ceramic bathtub. It even drained outside the tent.

Rider put his hand over the tub and filled it with ice. I grabbed Toque as he turned to run.

"Please don't make Toque, get into that. Toque will die."

"Calm yourself and watch. Your master knows what he is doing." I said, to reassure him.

Once the tub was nearly full Rider switched to fire rapidly melting the ice and heating the water. "Toque, I need you to come here and test the water. "It is hot for a human but I'm not sure what the right temperature would be for you."

Toque cautiously approached and dipped his fingers in the water. "This is okay master."

"Toque, this isn't some sort of test. I really want you to tell me if it needs to be hotter or colder for you to be comfortable."

"Can master make it hotter?"

Rider heated the water as Toque continued to test it. At last he was satisfied. He stripped off the garments we'd given him and crawled into the tub.

"Master treats Toque to well. Toque's last master would just dump buckets of water over him until Master thought Toque was clean enough."

Rider pulled a pair of brushes out of the pocket dimension and handed one to me. "Don't be afraid to scrub hard, get between the scales, and brush away any that are loose. Kobolds are like dragons and lose scales as they grow rather than shed their skin all at once. While you were reading manga I was reading on care of dragons and their kind." Rider instructed me.

Of course he was. He refused to admit it but the truth was he really was the smart one in our relationship. I didn't mind though, knowing that and the fact he still chose me to be his mate made me feel special and loved that much more. I took the brush, Walked around to the other side of the tub and dipped it in the water. I quickly yanked my hand back checking to see how badly burned I was.

"Don't be a baby. It's not that hot."

"Says the one with elemental fire and ice control." I knew he was right, but it was still shockingly hot. I braced myself mentally and got to work.

Once we finished the scrubbing and rinsing Rider set me with the task of polishing Toque's scales while he cleaned out the tub. In the end he had to sand blast the scales to break them up and then use wind to blow away the particles. Once he finished he checked my work. Then he dressed Toque in new clothing.

"Toque, you can now join the others inside. Prowl and I will bathe, clean everything here and then we'll all go get something to eat."

It was sort of funny watching Toque carefully make his way out of the tent, making sure he stayed as clean as possible.

"What are you waiting for? Get your clothes of, shift so we don't smell like wet fur, and get in here."

He had enlarged and refilled the tub and was already waiting for me. I had a moment of hesitation, but decided I didn't care what anyone else would think. Within minutes I was in the water holding my husband against me.

"I know we don't have much time, but it's been so long since we've been able to do this." I ran my fingers through his hair massaging in the shampoo.

"It feels like forever and only moments at the same time." He said, dreamily. "Honey, about your past in this world. While we were apart I did some research into it."

"It's not like I was hiding it from you, but it's done with now. I'm with you and our new friends. In a way I kind of feel lucky. Let my little brother be the heir; I have you and that's what is important."

"You're right, I just didn't want to keep anything from you. Forget I mentioned it."

"Already forgotten." I replied as I moved my hands down to his neck and massaged the spot that always knotted up when he was stressed.

He quickly stifled a moan reminding me all that separated us from anyone listening was a tent wall.

***

We reached the dungeon within a day by cart. We'd contracted to guard the supply delivery to the adventurer camp. It only made sense to get paid just for traveling where we wanted to go.

The encampment contained at least a hundred tents and a large pavilion near the center. It was now obvious why the town was so empty. The cart took us right to the pavilion where the driver signed off on our mission. I'd have registered the dungeon exploration at the guild, but was informed I could only do that on site.

We entered and several individuals turned to look at us. There was silence and then the place burst into laughter.

"This is no place for children. Go back to your village and hunt forest rats for a few more years." Someone yelled.

"Don't be so hasty they brought a fox with them, and they are always in demand." Another said.

"Man, it's male. You telling me you'd use that?"

"It's a fox, they're all females at night."

I heard Ren sniffle. I was about to summon when the sound of choking filled the tent.

"If I decide to let you breathe again, you will immediately apologize. If you do not, or I believe you are not being sincere, you will never breathe again." Rider growled.

He released them; they coughed but refused to say anything.

"I warned you." he growled.

"Rider, stand down. You're no allowed to kill them, no matter how much they deserve it. However there are worse things than death."

The four main insulters, a bobcat, a coyote, and a leopard laughed. Their leader, a black wolf, glared at me. "At least the kitten knows the code. Now go back to you mommy and pray to the god we never meet again."

I quirked an eye brow. "Pray? To the gods? Not a bad idea. Oh great Lunarii and Stellarii, four of your own have wronged one of your chosen. I ask that you head my prayer and come pass divine judgement upon them."

"Stupid kitten, there's no way-" The wolf was interrupted by a roar from outside and suddenly the pavilion tent was ripped away leaving everyone staring up at a wolf and tiger that dwarfed the camp circling above Dawn was spitting fire. Pop was a bit less imposing being only about the size of a large tent and Chee was his regular size but standing to one side with Sky on the other. Inferno was standing to one side the ground below him slowly turning to lava. Arctic was on the other side of the group causing frost to form on every surface. A little way off Dryad was standing just within the forest line vines whipping about. Dust and Zephyr were circling around dawn.

I bit my lip none of them were drawing on my mana. They were here in their incarnate forms and I could tell they were all as angry as Rider.

"I suggest you apologize, please." I begged, scared of the massacre that was likely in our near future.

"You think your illusions and your little team mate's wind magic scares the Vicious Fangs? You really are stupid."

"Dust Sniffer, I have looked into your past and soul and you are beyond redemption." Star stated glaring at the wolf.

"I don't know where you learned that name but-"

"Silence! Your punishment requires three spirits, old enough to remember the demon wars, to work together. Star and Dawn, do you agree he deserves the worst of punishments?"

"I agree, Star." Moon said.

"I will open the gate." Dawn agreed. "Small one, you are now banished. You will suffer for eternity, in the demon realm."

There was a howl of pain and then the wolf was gone. I stared in shock. I never imagined summoning spirits had the power to banish a being to another universe.

"We're sorry. So very sorry, please forgive us." The other three begged.

"It is not us you should apologize to." Inferno said, darkly.

"Please forgive us, we'll never say such things about foxes ever again."

"Lords, may I choose their punishment?" Ren asked.

The spirits conversed in silence, before agreeing.

"Since you were the one wronged you may set the punishment." Arctic stated.

Ren smiled. "From now on you can only accept guild missions that help others. The payment doesn't matter. Also if there is anyone that needs to be rescued you will do it for free. Devote the rest of your lives to the benefit of others."

The trio looked at each other.

"You will fail, as all mortals do, but as long as you do your best you will not suffer damnation. Just know we will be watching you closely." Star added.

"You are being too lenient. So I will add one more punishment." Dawn insisted. "When you die you will be reborn into another world. A world of humans only. Should you regain your memories you must continue to devote yourself to others. If you do this you will be accepted into the realms of your ancestors."

I stepped close to the leopard. "If you regain your memories in your next life. Seek out the ones known as furries. Like everyone some are good and some are bad, but you will find acceptance and community." I whispered, and then stepped back. "Okay time for all of you to go. I think you've made your point." I said glancing up at the spirits.

Everyone disappeared except Sky and he moved beside Ren and hissed at anyone who dared to look at our fox.

"Kitten, what were you thinking? Okay, dragons are notorious for choosing their master, but the wolf and tiger gods? They were sealed away on purpose. The sealing was so elaborate and the conditions needed to free them were so great the wise ones believed they were contained forever." I turned and looked at the only table that seemed completely unaffected by what had happened. A massive demi-boar was the only one sitting at it.

Was he really questioning me like this after the spirits already showed how riled up they were?

"Because he's special, and don't ever forget it." Rider said, loudly.

"I have no doubt about that. Do you know how many masters can summon more than one beast at a time?"

"No."

"There are, five known masters. Keep in mind they summon middle level monsters. Do you know how many can summon god level beasts?"

"No."

"Twelve and they can only do so for long enough to accomplish a single attack. You just summoned multiple god level beasts and elementals for several minutes."

"Two things; first only the beasts were mine the rest were Riders. Second, while I did summon them I'm not responsible for them showing up in in their full god forms. They did that on their own out of their need to defend Ren. Otherwise I let them come and go as they please. Just remember hurting someone they consider a friend is never a wise idea."

"So noted. Though I don't like the idea of putting cubs in danger, putting you on the list to enter is my best option. The sooner you disappear the better. Now go find a place to set up your camp. I'll send someone to get you when it's your turn to enter."

***