Embarking to the outskirts of Takoba was no easy road to tackle. Once known for its beaches, the land died after a mysterious fog appeared from the bottom of a wide canyon, thus calling it the dead lands. Because of the fog, people would enter the forest and never return, some say the creatures lurking within the fog would lure its victims and consume their prey before they can reach salvation, haunting them with hallucinations.

Before the poachers' invasion, the villages living away from the fog made use of their resources, though there were times they ventured off into neighbouring kingdoms for help, especially Takoba. Without a monarchy to protect them, all who lived in the outskirts moved away in search of a new home, leaving the towns deserted. All that remained of the ruins belonged to the poachers.

To pass through the fog as a group, Bakugou commissioned a blacksmith (well a good friend of Kirishima's) to create an enhancement on all your weapons. You were shocked to hear that your sword would be remade professionally in the iron city. Speaking of the iron city, it wasn't what you expected for an iron city. The streets are filled with market stalls leading to the city centre where the Ring of Fire tournament is held every year. The iron in the name belongs to the iron dragons, a race of dragons well known for their tough scales.

Working on your blade is Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu, an iron dragon halfling and a friend of Kirishima's who have so much in common—like twins. As soon as the two saw each other, they collided into each other arms, wailing like little girls.

"I missed you, bro!" Kirishima shouts.

"I missed you too, bro!" Tetsu cries, hugging Kirishima a little tighter. Time felt slow as the two halflings stayed glued to each other. Eventually, they parted holding each other by the wrists. "How you've been, man?"

"Great, man! Just waiting on those new weapons," Kirishima answered, shaking the man in his hold.

"Coming right up!" The iron dragon rips his arms away, disappearing into his shop.

For hours, the endless rambles between work had Bakugou wandering the city. He dragged you along with him—as for Iida, he stuck around until he grew hungry. Together, you and Bakugou roam the streets. As a king, any halfling or dragon passing by respectfully greeted Bakugou and offered their services free of charge.

The interactions became a distraction, however, it served you well when something caught your eye. While he rejected most of the halflings' offers, he accepted one from an elder dragon, who carried two of you to travel the city from new heights—on his back as he walked.

As a first-timer, you wanted to see everything the city had to offer, the food, the clothing, the culture—everything whilst the man beside you watched until you held out a gift. Despite the elder dragon's company, you thought it'd be a perfect time while both of you were alone together.

"Here," You offered, holding up a shirt you had bought for him when the halfling distracted him. It's a dark blue long-sleeve crop with a string to keep everything together in the middle. More importantly, the colour matched his pants.

"What's this?" He asked, taking the piece of cloth from your hands. The shirt also came with a pair of orange fingerless gloves.

"It's a gift to say thank you for this amazing journey," You explained, patting Bakugou's knee. "I bought it while you were distracted by your people and thought it would look nice on you,"

A smirk stretched on Bakugou's lips, his thumb grazing the embroidery on his shirt before he asked. "You used your charm to pay for this or what?"

"Very funny and no, I have my own money," You answered, giggling after you swat his shoulder. "I bought this for you and I get no thank you,"

"Shut up you stupid princess," Bakugou squashes your cheeks together then pecks your puckered lips. "Thank you,"

"Young love," The older dragon spoke up causing Bakugou to reprimand the beast. After a while, the elder dragon dropped you off by Tetsu's shop, leaving the two of you to walk back. Though you found the silence peaceful, a small map scroll is suddenly shoved into your chest.

Peering down, you caught the item with one hand, asking. "What's this?"

"A map of the other kingdoms," Bakugou replied quickly. "After we're done in Takoba, you can pick a kingdom and I'll take you there. I'll take you wherever you want from now on,"

You smiled at the offer, nodding your head. You remembered telling him your dreams of exploring the world especially the other kingdoms from Izuku's stories. You wanted to experience everything. Hearing this makes your heart flutter inside your chest with excitement for your next adventure.

Flying over the borders between the dead lands and the neighbouring kingdom, Hosu, the sky turned grey and the sun disappeared behind the gloom. Bakugou orders Kirishima to land on a clearing near the fog. The halfling immediately dives down towards the ground. With no trees in his wake, Kirishima glides smoothly, his mighty wings created a gust of wind shaking the earth and dead trees so much they splinter beneath him. As the three of you bounced from the impact of Kirishima touching down on the ground, You held onto Bakugou's shoulders whilst Iida held onto the saddle.

Kirishima lowers his chest and right shoulder down, making it easy for you all to slide off his back. Bakugou first, then you, and lastly Iida. A crunch beneath your feet urged you to look down at the ground. Dead twigs littered the ground, and the dry grass crumbled. When an intense whiff of sulfur and tar hit, you immediately covered your nose. "It stinks,"

"That's because the land has been dead for years," Iida spoke, gripping the straps of his bag, and fighting the tears welling in his eyes. "Ever since the fog showed up the creatures rumoured to be lurking inside had killed the land little by little,"

You rest your hand on his shoulder. "You okay, Iida?"

"This was my home before the fog drove my family away. We sought refuge in the main city." He paused, rubbing his eyes with the ends of his cloak. "My brother and I joined a guild in Takoba to afford a home for our mother,"

"I'm so sorry, Iida," You spoke with a sad expression written on your face. Iida sniffled, taking off his glasses to avoid fogging them up. Patting his shoulder, you comforted him which he was grateful for.

"Thank you, Princess," Iida thanked you, putting his glasses back on his face. Grunting, Kirishima's dragon form shrinks into his human self and all the luggage he carries falls by his side causing his rider to yell.

"Whoops," The dragon chuckles.

"Be careful!" Bakugou yells, rushing over to the fallen luggage. You followed suit, picking up a small pouch bag bearing dragon stone, which had spilt on the ground. You gathered the tiny stones in your hand, returning them to the bag before you tightened the opening shut. Once, You put the pouch in your satchel next to your dagger, you picked up the map tracking the rune locations.

"Nothing appears to be damaged," Iida assures Bakugou, who pinched the bridge of his nose.

"From now on, no more flying. We can't draw any attention to ourselves," Bakugou orders Kirishima, then turns to Iida. "We'll camp here for the night and figure out the rest in the morning,"

"Understood," Iida spoke with a nod of your head.

"I can help clear up a space for the tents," You spoke up, waving a hand. No longer burdened by your struggles, you cleared the dead twigs shattered by Kirishima's landing. You saw this as practice and continued tending the clearing while the men behind your set up two tents, one for you and the other for them to share. Thus, the mission begins at that very moment.

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