• Amaterasu • Eye Have You   "One Ragnarok Story"          • Amaterasu • Forum Index -> Ragnarok Online Author Message Chills Thu Dec 28, 2006 5:18 pm   "One Ragnarok Story"   "A story of Separate ways, traced destiny and lost memories..." Hello everyone! Here is it I, Chills/Hayna/Master/Dope whatever you wanna call me. I'm posting over here the story I'm still writing about/related to ragnarok. Any kind of suggestions, questions, opinions or even if you wanna call me a moron, feel free to say it loudly! XD I'm not gonna post all chapters at once otherwise I'd be spamming hard and that would not be nice. So I'm going to post a chapter ever... um... one day? Maybe? Who knows. It all depends on the readers' mood =P Anyway, enough rant!! Please, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it! n_n Chapter one: Twilight Shadows. It was late of the night when Reverie finally joined her sister’s party. Her, her twin sister – Marie, and two Knights. France and Kyle. They were reluctant about calling Reverie with them – she had absolutely any experience in combat, talk about exploration. - Please! I beg of you, let me go with you! – Reverie pledged to her sister (about 10 hours ago) – I promise I will not stand in your way! - Sis, please understand that you’re not even a warrior, how do you expect to be of any help to us, even indirectly? - But, Marie! You’re going to dig in Payon’s caves, aren’t you? - Marie kept swinging her sword continuously, like she was pretending to be training – I know you’ve finally become a Knight, but you shouldn’t be reckless! You’re really going to make me worry! - Sis, don’t worry! France and Kyle will be with me… - NOW I’M EVEN MORE WORRIED! – Reverie exploded in frenzy, jumping all over the field – THOSE TWO WILL PROBABLY KILL YOU FASTER THAN A WHOLE HORDE WOULD! Regardless, Marie sighted. 10 hours later they were all reunited in Payon’s cove, planning happily their trip inside. - Wow, amazing! – France said enthusiastically – Two ladies will be coming with us this night? Allow me to give you a ride, Rev! Fear not, this humble Knight will protect you from any harm! France stuffed his chest and gave his arm to Reverie, who looked to him the same way anyone would look towards a really grotesque cockroach. She grinned a very sinister grin and gave her back to France, who almost fell of his Peco. - Hahahaha! – Kyle laughed nicely – France, realize that this lady never liked us very much, since that incident with her skirt 2 years ago... - Um, true enough. – France sighted and looked to the twins, dreaming awoken – still, I wonder… if I would be the happiest man in this world if I were to fetch one of these cuties to myself… After some discussion about danger, precautions and who would look towards Reverie’s safety (Marie, of course), they all departed inside the caves. France took the front, heavily armed with a powerful Zephyrus spear. Kyle went right after, on foot, but wielding a very large sword that was almost as big as him. Then Reverie (totally unarmed. Bad…) And Marie right after her. They walked for about 10 minutes inside the caves. It was silent. Reverie couldn’t shake this feeling that something bad would happen. - Sis… Are you all right? – Marie asked nicely to her sister – You’re pale… - I–I’m fine, sis… but… Marie pulled out a weapon from inside her bag and handed it to Reverie, who wielded it a little reluctant. - Wh–what’s this, sister? – She looked at the sword. It had a bluish color and it was very well-crafted. - This is a Blade; Rev. I used to use that sword when I was a beginner at this stuff. If something happens, just use it, ok? Regardless of the Level requirement, Reverie wielded the sword, but that only made her even more nervous. They had passed through a very large parcel of the caves already, but no sign of any monsters. - Bah! What’s this!? I can’t see a single dead soul in this place! – France said it loudly with a bothersome voice – this is depressing… - Said soon enough, France! – Kyle said TOO happily, pointing forward with his huge sword – check it! A monster in red clothing and a Kyonshi hat was there, with its arms forward, bouncing in the same place. It’s pale skin and dead eyes stared at them, and began to advance… - Oh, yes! – France said happily – A Munak! Now, let me face her! Reverie, my lady, watch! I will purge this demon out of his misery! France pointed his spear forward and charged towards the Munak. His speed was outstanding, rapidly closing the gaps between them. The knight quickly swung the spear and hit the Munak in the chest, making her fly towards the wall, making a really loud and dry noise. The monster didn’t go up. - Ha-ha! Not too bad, eh? – France looked towards Reverie, who was surprised. She probably believed France would trip or do some stupid mistake. - I must admit, I am surprised to see how you got better. In past days you would make your Pecopeco trip and you would break one or maybe two teeth. - Indeed! This happened today because I’m blessed with your presence! Reverie, take my hand! Ride with this Knight and your safety will be the greatest! - No, thanks. I’d rather walk. France remained with his head down the rest of the trip, until they reached the bottom-most part of the caves. (4 Munaks down plus 3 Skeleton Soldiers) Reverie was surprised to see how much they had polished their skills, since she couldn’t watch their training. - See, Sis? I told you we’d be fine. Now, please… take this with you and go home… I can’t guarantee your safety in this place. - A butterfly wing..? I’ve seen those before. You want me to go home, is that right? Well, I am not going to! And don’t worry… I am your sister, not your ward. I don’t want you to worry that much about me. - But if a monster attack you while we’re not around… You’re going to be overwhelmed! Please, Sister!! Reverie smiled to her sister and picked up the wing. She put it on her purse and said: - Now, if anything bad happens, I’ll use it, ok? I promise. Marie smiled back to her sister, murmuring an “ok” and went back to their trail. They stopped in top of the square located in the middle of Payon’s cave. Kyle then pulled out an old-torn apart piece of paper from his pocket, examining it carefully. - What does it say now, Kyle? – Marie approached a little, looking at the paper too. Reverie was beaten; she had no idea what the hell that paper was. - I don’t know. It says that this is the place, but it does not tell how to activate the so called “seal”. Perhaps we need to read these runes..? - Whoa, reading runes are not my strong point – France said, poking his own ear – isn’t this scholarship business? Ask a magician… - Nice. Now we don’t know how to read runes. What do we do…? – Kyle stared sadly at the center of the square. He looked deeply disappointed. - Runes…? Isn’t that the Elven language…? – Reverie approached a little and took the paper from Kyle’s hands - …. .. ….. Um…. Yeah… hey, this is Elven! I can read this… - You can!!? – Kyle jumped on excitement – Hey, would you read those for us? - Wait, Kyle, we don’t have a clue about what this will do! My sister will not do this, I’m sorry. - Hey, she’s right, you know, Kyle. They are sisters, let them decide. – France, once again, poked his ear. - Sis… what does it say? Is it dangerous? - …. - Sis…? Are you… are you all right? Sis! - Ensh’u falah nah edi’ehb… - Whoa… Reverie, what the hell is wrong with… - Kyle suddenly released a gasp of surprise. Reverie’s eyes were totally blanked out. She looked really ill, her skin as white as paper and she kept murmuring the Elven chant without snapping out of it. - Sis! Rev! Reverie!! Snap out of it! Oi! - Avaestar iedh’el tuulo gurthae fanala… The entire chamber seemed to resonate with Reverie’s voice, who echoed through the air like bullets. Blood-like runes began to be in scripted in the walls, releasing screams of agony from spirits who began to gather. France, Kyle and Marie pulled their weapons; Reverie began to chant even more rapidly. The ground began to shake, and debris from the roof started to fall over. - Damn! This is not half good! Marie! Do something! Stop your sister! – France stared at the ghosts nearby, which advanced in numbers towards him. France pulled his Spear backwards really far and swung it with outstanding brutal strength. He yelled “BRANDISH!!” as a blue light of pure power emanated from the shock, sending all spirits nearby far enough for him to prepare his stance for the next wave. Kyle showed that the size of his sword was nothing to him. He, blazingly fast, swiped through the area, delivering mortal blows to all solid things that looked perilous. One of the debris fell too next to him, forcing Kyle to jump. A very large amount of undead monsters gathered below, preparing themselves to attack. Kyle pointed his sword upwards, which began to glow reddish. He cleaved the sword into the ground and yelled “MAGNUM BREAK!!” resulting in an intense wave of flames to burn the spirits and damage all skeletons that suddenly appeared. - Sis! SIS! PLEASE, WAKE UP!! Don’t make me slap you!! – Reverie didn’t seem to be listening, as her chants became even louder and rapid. Marie took her hand backwards and slapped Reverie’s face in a way that looked like slow-motion. The shock of the slap made Reverie’s eyes return to normal. - Ma… Marie? Sis? What… what happened, I… - Not time for this now! The whole place’s being torn apart! Let’s get the hell outta here! Marie grabbed Reverie’s hand and proceeded into calling the two Knights to pull back. The sisters began to run as fast as they could towards the exit, but suddenly, a horde of monsters popped out of the roof, falling in front of the twins, making it impossible to pass by. - You… scram! Go away or I’m going to kill you all! – Marie wielded her sword and stood forward. The monsters, all with a different blue skin, tusks, and with fiery hair, never to be seen before by them, advanced in a furious march towards Marie. She grinned, and stood her ground, pulling her sword behind her like a baseball player. Her sword began to vibrate, making a loud and scratchy sound. She stepped forward with her front feet, and roared “BOWLING BASH!!”. Her sword made contact with one of them, and the results of that were amazing. Her blade cleaved his skin, and the impact sent the monster flying towards the horde, taking at least twenty of them with only one blow. Kyle and France soon enough joined them, helping Marie to take off the rest of the blue-skin colored monsters. The situation began to get even worse, when the entire ceiling collapsed over them, forcing the four to run like crazy towards the exit. The entire dungeon seemed to react with the earlier chant, those monsters could be seen everywhere. - Sis, I… I’m so sorry! I have no idea what happened, I… - Reverie began to cry out of despair, but not losing track of the party. - Don’t…! You don’t have to cry, sis! We’ll get out of here, we will… The nearby walls suddenly exploded violently. Reverie was sent flying in the opposite direction. Every single party member was on the floor. - R-Reverie!! Sis! Sis, please tell me you’re all right! – Marie tried to stand up, but her leg seemed hurt. She clinched from pain a little, but she stood up. - Ouch! Now who’s the bastard that did that?! – France stood up on his Peco, looking everywhere he could. The dust around the cave was not helping him though. - France, calm down… Rev… Marie, where… where are they? – Kyle’s forehead was bleeding a lot. He walked in the direction of the explosion slowly, trying to see if there was something in there. Something came from the shadows of the dust. Something big, that made their spines to chill over. The thing stepped closer, and said with his echoed and stretched voice: - Now, THIS is interesting! Thank you, humans! Thank you for releasing these forsaken upon Midgard once again! The reward for you, fools, that don’t know where your place is… is a quick, painless travel to the shining shores beyond! Senses dulled… Reverie’s mind blanked out. Next Chapter: To linger in this Era.   Chills Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:36 pm     Woot! Noticed a huge mistake in my story... It is fixed now. Anyway, if you guys have any idea of what could be added, what lines should be said or if one of the characters should lose an arm, let me hear your suggestion please! I'm always open for new grounds n_n Anyway, here's chapter two. Chapter two: To linger in this era. “…..” “Uh…? What…” “…z…” “… my…. My head… What…” “…f…t….m….” “Stop the noise… my head hurts…” “- Maybe?” “- I don’t know…” “Please… my head is banging… where’s… where’s that noise coming from? I wish I was dead…” - Oh? - Hey, she’s waking up. Hey! Are you all right? The girl opened her eyes. The pain of the light immediately burned her vision, making her realize that it was day. Clear enough to be noon already. - Ugh! - Hey, calm down. You’re pretty beaten up to try to force yourself awake like that. - Who… who is it? – The girl opened her eyes, and she saw a red-haired man in front of her. He looked like a teenager and was wearing orange, large clothing. She saw some relics in his robe, and he looked like a strong person. With a flat face and black eyes. - Vision, you’re scaring her, take your distance, please. I’m so sorry, have he scared you? – The girl looked to the one who was talking. It was a very pretty girl, with long blonde hair and deep blue eyes. She was tall enough to be a model, wearing a blue leather shirt and a small yellow armor in her left breast. She had a very charming voice as well. The man in orange robes stood up, obeying the woman’s voice. He looked towards the girl again with a sad face, and sighed really deeply. - Now, what? – He had a low, but reckless voice. He scratched his own head – Is she… mute? - N-no… - the girl was feeling tiny. Who were those people? – S-sorry if I have… caused any problems… where…. … where am I? Who… - Calm down, now… You’re in an Inn by Prontera. – The blonde girl began to talk, pushing the man a little far away from the girl – My name is Cilia Testarossa, and this guy is Vision Regingrave. - Nice to meet you. – Vision made a little reverence towards the girl. – Would you give us the honor of your name, miss…? - My name..? Is… Karen… - Oh? Nice to meet you, Karen! – Cilia gave a very beautiful smile, making Karen’s ears feel hot. - Karen… where’re you from? – Vision asked while sitting in a nearby chair. - From…? … Karen didn’t seem to remember. She tried to think… where… from where did she come from? Her head began to hurt again, like her head was refusing to think further. - Whoa… take it easy! You’re hurt; don’t try to force your head so much! – Cilia quickly put her hands on Karen’s forehead, measuring her temperature. She didn’t looked really ill, but her head was hotter than it should be. - Ha… ha ha…. I… I don’t remember… - Karen’s eyes began to fill with what she believed it was tears. – What the heck is all of this…? Karen began to cry silently. Cilia put her hands on her eyes, trying to comfort her. Vision stood his ground, paying attention to Karen’s cry. He suddenly got up, making a weird noise and scaring both girls; Karen suddenly stopped crying. - You don’t remember what happened to you? – Vision wasn’t the same right now. He looked scary enough to frighten Karen to her bones. – You were laying unconscious right in the forest outside town. You were bleeding like hell and you had THIS with you. Vision pulled over a small broken piece of metal from the nearby desk, and that one looked old. - Do you know what this is? – Vision asked toughly, waving the metal piece in the air. Karen made a “no” with her head, making Vision look at her with pure pity. – This is… a piece of a Knight of Abyss’ armor, girl. You don’t look much like a warrior. Why you had this with you? - I don’t know… I never… saw this thing before… - Karen hid in the bed, looking at Vision with a frightened face. He simply sighted and sat on the chair again. - Vision! This is no way to treat the wounded! – Cilia stood up, looking really meanly towards Vision, who simply answered: - As a Monk, it is my job to deal with the weird stuff that happens around, Cilia! I was just trying to protect her from anything that might have happened, or MIGHT even happen! - A Monk? Don’t make me laugh, lad! You’re still an acolyte, as far as I can remember! – Another voice came from the door outside the room, and then a man opened it. He was a very charming person, with a deep, black, spiked hair. He was wearing a red plate armor and a big cape. He was a very tough-looking warrior, and he had a different aura around him – he looked extremely capable. - And what are YOU doing here? – Vision’s ears became red, and he stepped a little away from the man in red armor. – I thought you had stuff to do! - I’m sorry to spoil your plans, but I came here as soon as I heard you guys found a hurt person in the woods. Is she okay? – The man looked to Karen and smiled towards her. Karen suddenly felt good, like his smile had some healing powers. - Y-yes, I am… Who are you, sir…? - Me? – The man looked surprised, but after looking at Cilia, his eyes flashed and he looked towards Karen again – My name is Owain Thunderheart, Highest paladin of the King’s royal guard, and captain of Prontera’s main defenses. I’m also the Headmaster of the Paladin’s guild inside Prontera’s castle, and a very good chess player too. Nice to meet you, miss…? - K-Karen, sir… My name is Karen… - She was stunned, what the hell the commander-in-chief of the army was doing there? - Master, she doesn’t remember anything… what should we do? – Cilia almost begged for an answer on her knees. Captain Owain looked to Karen, and shook his head. “I don’t have a clue. She might want to do things on her own.” - She doesn’t ever remember from where she came from! Do you expect us to leave her be? – Cilia looked defiant to Owain, who simply closed his eyes. - Do you expect me to do what? She’s old enough to take her own decisions, to make her own move. And I don’t believe you’d want to baby sit someone who can be older than you. - I! – Karen was sat on the bed. She was sweating a lot, and looked like she just said something she shouldn’t. – I’d want to receive swordsmanship training!! Everyone looked at Karen, on complete surprise. Vision fell off his own feet; Cilia’s eyes were wide open like plates and Owain made a weird noise with his nose, like he tried to laugh and say something serious at the same time. - Where did that one come from, lad? Like that, all of sudden? – Owain coughed up a little, trying to make up for the weird noise from before. - You said yourself that I can make my own move, right? – Karen looked to the blanket and grabbed it, like a scared child in a thunderous night. – And I don’t know why, but… I just want to… I don’t know why… Vision scratched his head, and sat on his chair again. Cilia looked from Owain to Karen, trying to pay attention to both of them at the same time. - Do you know how to handle a sword, girl? – Owain looked really seriously to Karen, which simply answered “I don’t know!” - Is there anything that you actually KNOW? – Vision said with a happy tone in his voice, like he was making fun of Karen – Do you have some memory problems? This is really unusu- Vision’s face became a very delicious target to Cilia’s fists that hit him in the face so hard he flied far enough to hit the wall on the other side of the room. He tried to stand up, but his feet didn’t answered and he fell with his face on the floor, making a really nasty sound. Cilia sighed and apologized. Her hand moved on its own. Owain tried to ignore the past event as he looked more calmly to Karen. Their eyes met, even for a single second. Karen blinked as she saw Owain’s curious face. - Um… is there… something in my face? – Karen began to feel uncomfortable. - I’m sure… I saw your face somewhere before, girl. – Owain approached a little more. He looked so focused that Karen blushed as he came even closer; their noses almost touching each other. Cilia quickly kicked Owain flat out of the bed. - Master, can’t you see she needs rest? I’m so sorry, Karen… these two are… both dumb people. – Cilia were clearly embarrassed. She quickly proceeded upon picking up two unconscious males on the room and dragged them outside. – Please, you can rest and think as much as you can. If you need anything, we’ll be at the meeting room downstairs! Cilia slowly closed the door, leaving Karen by herself. She stood up and walked towards the window. It was absolutely clear. She began to think again, and opened one of the wall cabinets of the room… she looked upon herself at a mirror. Karen didn’t believe what she saw. A tall, beautiful woman looked to her through the window. Karen did not remember looking like this. Her hair was long, brown and really shiny. Her eyes were awesomely green, and she was also thin enough to make herself jealous of something she couldn’t remember. Karen slowly put her hands on her belly, and her image did the same. She then put her hands on the hair, and combed it with her own fingers. The feeling of her own hair was something she had no idea it would feel like this. She combed her hair one more time, as she proceeded upon looking at her breasts. She looked at them with her jaws open, and felt kind of proud of herself. She moved her fingers to her face, then to her lips. Yes, that was her, no doubt about it. But… - There… is something wrong… Karen pointed to her image at the mirror, and touched it with the tip of her finger. - I am not you. But… you are… me? Her head began to hurt again… blurry images began to flash through her mind, making her head hurt even more. She tried to assimilate the images, but none of them made any sense. - My name…is not Karen… She put her hand on her face. She began to feel faint and almost tripped on her own feet. She decided to go out to breathe some fresh air. As she proceeded down the hallway, she paid clear attention to everyone around her. There were lots of people with some clothes that resembled a huge semblance to another, and she realized something. She wouldn’t be able to do anything big if she didn’t do something. If she didn’t become something. Karen reached the meeting room Cilia spoke of before. Owain, Vision and Cilia herself were there, and they all paid attention to her when she approached the commander. She looked really different this time around. - Where? Where can I become a Swordswoman? I want to learn how to fight! Owain looked deep down in her eyes, and smiled nicely. He pointed through the window. - Two days from here. A town called Izlude is just in that direction. The swordsmen guild can be found in that city. If you’re so willing to learn how to fight, go become a swordswoman first. I will not teach you anything if you don’t have the proper gear or knowledge. You have four days to do this, lad. Next chapter: From courage to steel.   Chills Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:04 pm     I'm gonna post all of them then... reply after reply... don't shoot me for this, I am sorry. Chapter three: From courage to steel. - Why do I have to come with you? - I have no idea. Ask Commander Owain. Actually, you both should ask him. - I absolutely have no complaints. I’m not like Vision, always complaining about everything that doesn’t work out for him… - I’m not complaining, I was WONDERING! That’s a completely different way to state my position! - It’s the same for me, blockhead. Karen, Cilia and Vision departed from Prontera about 10 minutes ago. Completely decided about her wish to become a swordswoman, Karen took some basic gear from Owain and departed towards Izlude for her Swordswoman training. For some unknown reasons, Vision and Cilia departed with her. It seems the commander forced both of them to go, but Cilia at least seemed to be enjoying herself a lot. Vision kept his head down in the first 8 minutes of the trip before starting arguing. - You clearly didn’t want to come, do you? – Cilia asked looking with a funny face towards Vision, who simply made a very loud snore with his nose. - Of course not! I have to train; I have to build up more spiritual energy! Remember the last time I tried to use “Angelus”? - Of course I remember. You fainted, fell on the floor and broke your nose. Took me a whole day to find a priest to heal it back in place. Karen laughed a little, making Vision’s face to blush so hard that it was hard to know where his hair was. He remained silent the rest of the day trip, while Cilia and Karen chatted happily with each other. Night rapidly fell over the fields, making it dangerous to proceed. They decided to make a bonfire and sleep for the night. - Aah… this was a very tiresome day… We’re too far from Izlude, Cilia? – Karen sat on a chopped tree that was nearby. They all took their places around the bonfire. Vision remained quiet. - Quite not. If we keep this pace, we’ll reach Izlude in half a day. You’ll have enough time to complete your training just fine. – Cilia took her boots off, and put her feet on the grass. She had a really beautiful foot, just like the rest of her body. Karen felt kind of envious. - You have to think a little about the time. – Vision suddenly talked, scaring Karen a lot. Cilia, on the other hand, looked to him with a face as she had foreseen it. – Master Owain gave you four days, right? One day and a half to reach Izlude. And one day and a half to go back to Prontera. You’ll have only one day to do the training. I was thinking if we could walk in the night, but we are human beings too. I wonder if I could teleport us there… - You mean… a Warp Portal? Don’t. To begin with, you don’t have any blue gems with you. And to continue, you suck at it. Forget it, buddy. - Ahem!! I HAVE a Blue Gem with me, and I’ve gotten better since last time! Don’t expect me to be terrible at everything always! I’m going to become a Full-pledged Monk one day, and a Monk that doesn’t know how to use a Warp Portal is a complete disaster! – Vision looked serious this time, and Cilia stopped arguing right after he said that. - Can the portal take us to Izlude rapidly? – Karen asked, while looking to Vision with a very curious face. - Huh? Yeah, it can. All I must do is use a Blue Gem, and then summon the portal. It doesn’t take too much Spiritual Energy to call it, and the process is pretty simple. – Vision seemed happy to see that at least Karen didn’t ditch his skills as a portal caller. Cilia just laughed a bit and laid on the grass. - Do you really think this will work out? I mean… I know how dangerous it can be if you miss the target, even for one second... – Cilia looked to Vision, who didn’t paid too much attention. He was bothered enough telling Karen about the summon process of the portals. Surprisingly, Karen was enthusiastically listening to everything, and was paying really deep attention. Cilia wondered how someone could listen to Vision’s gibberish like that. - That sounded good… can you take us to Izlude on a portal then? – Karen seemed to be really exited with the idea of getting into a portal. - Sure! It won’t take even 10 minutes. – Vision looked to Cilia – Is that okay with you, Miss? Do you give me permission? Cilia looked to Karen, then to Vision. - I don’t see anything wrong with that… Karen seems pretty exited about it. Cilia stood up and put her boots back. Two minutes later, they were all up, with all their stuff with them. Vision picked up the gem from his pocket and began to chant some really incomprehensible words, while holding the gem tightly with his both hands. The gem began to glow, and then, he released it, making a very beautiful bluish portal to emerge from the ground in front of them. The gem disappeared completely. - There is it! The portal to Izlude will stay open for not too long, we should hurry. – Vision’s face was glowing. He was really happy that they would actually do something his way for a change. Cilia, then Karen, followed by the caster itself, they all entered the portal and disappeared completely. Karen had a feeling that she was flying over the clouds, a very good and smooth sensation spreaded out through her entire body, and it all reunited by her feet. She quickly felt the impact of solid ground beneath her, and almost lost balance, when she realized… they were at a town’s gate. It was a bridge, with a big sign in top of it: “WELCOME TO IZLUDE” The next morning, they all left the Inn and headed for the Swordsmen guild of Izlude. Karen was feeling nervous as they came upon the mighty building that was separate from the rest of the town. Located in a piece of land of its own, the Swordsmen guild was huge, with two giant swords on its roof. Cilia, Vision and Karen entered the building, and she just realized that the building was small if viewed by outside – it was much larger inside. She approached the counter and was greeted by a very large man in warrior clothing: - Welcome to the Swordsmen guild, girl! What can I do for ya?? – He had a very stout voice. - Um… excuse me, sir… I… I’d want to become a swordswoman! There was a very large pause after that; silence suddenly fell over the entire place. All people inside looked at her like she said something dumb. Karen looked everywhere, and when she felt the looks of everyone over her, she began to blush a lot. - A swordswoman you said..? Hmm… The man looked at her from feet to eyes. He then proceeded to brush his beard with his hand. - You don’t seem to have much experience in fighting… Can you handle a sword, lad? - I… I can try! Please, sir! Give me a chance! I can’t prove myself worthy of a title if I can’t actually PROVE it! – Karen stood her ground fiercely, looking at the man’s eyes with a determined face. The man smiled a little, and then called a nearby assistant. He asked the man to take her to the training grounds to see if she’s actually capable of becoming what she aspired. - Karen, be careful. We’ll be waiting for you in here. Don’t push yourself too hard… - Cilia were clearly worried, almost screaming of agony by letting Karen go. - You better get through this test, you hear me? – Vision was looking through the window, trying not to look at the girls – I used a gem to bring us here, you better get through, got it? - I understand, Vision, thanks a lot! Don’t worry, I will do this… I don’t know why, but… I’m really decided on doing it. – After saying that, Karen took after the assistant into a place that looked like a basement. They kept going downstairs for some time, until they reached a really big door. - From here, you’re by yourself. – The man handed Karen a torch and a bag with some potions – Your objective is to reach the other side of the cave. Be warned though. If you fall on any of the pits on the labyrinth, you will face monsters. You have 5 hours to complete your task. Now, do what you must. I will be waiting on the other side of the room. If the time is up, you will be teleported outside immediately. Karen gulped and entered the door, with the torch a little above her head. The place was damp, dark and smelled like ocean – made sense, though. Izlude is a port town. She proceeded into the caves. The illumination was really poor, since she only had a torch to guide her way. She walked for a little and saw a sort of a path with planks, and really deep holes in the floor. Karen immediately realized what he meant by “pits”. She bended over a little to see its bottom, and she saw some real nasty and big slugs down there. Karen felt a little sick. She easily crossed the planks, and kept her way. Karen didn’t find anything that was too hard; she continuously dwelled through the paths, getting lost four times. She redid her path and got on the track again. She kept the path for an hour, and then… A trapdoor opened beneath her feet, making her scream loudly of surprise, and falling on the floor beneath, landing on her boot. She ranted a lot, completely taken by surprise by a stupid trapdoor. She quickly proceeded upon drawing her sword. Karen knew what was to come, and she rapidly ran backwards, trying to find a way to the upper path. If possible, she’d want to avoid meeting a… Slug. One real nasty slug felled in front of her, making a sound so grotesque she was sure it made it on purpose. The thing quickly faced her, and jumped on her face, resulting in a meeting of both a green slug and a very well lit torch, sending the monster to hit the wall and slide down slowly. Karen then pierced the slug’s body with her sword, killing it immediately; but that only resulted in more slugs appearing out of the blue, leaving Karen with no other choice: She had to fight them all out to find a way up. Monster after monster, slug after slug. Karen had absolutely no idea what she was doing, but it seemed to be doing it well – she hardly got hit by any monster, and killed them one after another, sweeping her sword up and down, and dodging left and right. The blood of the monsters tainted her clothes, and the sweat of her body made her movement to be more limited; allowing the slugs to move and attack her from her back. She got hit by a particularly big one and felled on the floor. With the thoughts of a group of monsters crawling upon her, she shivered like crazy and rolled in the mud, trying to find a way upstairs. She was tired, and knew that if the monsters could get over her, it would be her end. Karen then found a stone pattern on the floor, and without thinking twice, she jumped in it. The same feeling she had when teleported by Vision struck her; and when she realized she was in a familiar place: about 10 minutes ago she passed through that place. She was back in the labyrinth, but now she had no torch, and the potions were gone. - D-damn… that was… weird… and gross… - Karen panted and kept her track. She was tired, but she was fine enough to keep the right path. No lights and no potions… Karen lost completely the focus of time… ----------------------------------------------------------- - Karen… she’s taking so long… - Cilia walked in the room left and right, and it was possible to see a black mark in the floor where she was walking. - Stop munching your toes, Cilia. It’s useless to worry like that. – Vision was looking to the sky again through the window. He scratched his head and faced her – If she fails she’ll be teleported here. And I guess the swordsmen guild will not allow a person to die down there. Cilia made a very loud noise with her throat, clearly showing she was upset and irritated. The people in the guild kept a little of distance from Cilia, like it would be possible for her to go on a rampage and start hurting innocent people. - AAAH! I CAN’T HANDLE THIS ANY LONGER!! – Cilia ran towards the guild master and grabbed his clothes – How long has it been since she went down there? Five hours, isn’t it? ISN’T IT? WHY ISN’T SHE HERE YET? - Calm down, lad! Calm down! – The guild master released his neck from Cilia’s angry hands, and took a very long and deep breath – My assistant will be coming back here any second. You just- Before the guild master could finish the sentence though, the basement door opened. The assistant passed through the door, carrying an unconscious Karen on her back. Cilia released a scream of despair, and Vision looked surprised. - What! What happened to her? Did she fail the test? Will she live? Karen? Karen!! – Cilia were crying over while trying to wake Karen up. - Calm down. She’ll live. – The assistant was smiling – And she passed the test. When I reached the meeting place I found her lying on the floor. Congratulations, everyone. We have a new swordswoman in the guild. Next chapter: The crossroads to Geffen.   Chills Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:11 pm     Chapter four: The crossroads to Geffen. - Uuunngghh! I can hardly wait! I can hardly wait! - Calm down, will you? You’re going to break something if you keep jumping like that. Vision and Cilia were both at Izlude’s swordsmen guild, outside the estuary. That would be the first time they would see Karen in her Swordswoman outfit. - Say, Karen? Do you need help in there? – Cilia approached the door, trying to open it up without making noises. - I’m fine! And you stay away from the door, Cilia! Otherwise this blade will pierce the wood and meet your eyes! - Ugh… Ten minutes after, Karen opened the door. She looked fantastic, with a long, stout-looking dress, sweetly covered by leather. A really small cape was thrown in her shoulders, and her sword was clearly fixed in the outer belt, firmly fixed by her hips. She was also wearing steel gauntlets and boots. Cilia smiled so openly that Karen blushed. Vision, on the other hand, turned his face. Her breasts were covered by a very well-fixed steel, assuming slightly the shape of a bra. - Look good enough. – Vision looked one more time. Yes, he didn’t see it wrong. - Karen, you look fantastic! I concur, I CONCUR! – Cilia grabbed Karen’s hands while dancing around her. Karen couldn’t help but to blush while smiling again. She was feeling really happy. - Now, there is nothing more I can tell and teach you, young Karen. – The guild master smiled happily towards his newest rookie – You learned fast, and learned it well. I hope my teachings will prove useful for you from now on. - Yes, master! – Karen turned and faced her teacher, assuming a soldier’s position – And in behalf, I shall lend mine blade to your cause, whenever the call to arms is sounded! The guild master smiled and looked to her friends. They immediately assumed soldier positions: - And you both take good care of this lad. You still need to go after Commander Owain, right? I fear there’s not too much time left… - And who you think you are, talking about me with a face that straight!? Everyone panicked the same instant. Owain lurked through the door, his red armor shining more than before after. His face was surprisingly serious, and he carried one package (really big one) in his arms. - C – Commander Owain, sir! It is an honor to be enlightened by your presence this morning! What brings you here today, Sire? - I have a good and a very bad new, Breand. Which one you want to hear first? – Owain was too serious. He put the package in the desk with care. - I… please, commander. Allow me to hear the bad new first! - As you wish. – Owain handed a piece of torn paper to the guild master, which took and read it. As his eyes moved through the paper, his face became white and his jaw dropped. He looked towards Owain in complete exasperation. - This… This can’t be true… It is a lie, isn’t it? Tell me this is a GODDAMN LIE!!! Karen, Vision and Cilia jumped back after that one. They decided to step a little backwards, in case the guild master decided to break things near him. - I am afraid it is not, my friend. I am sorry, but that ought to happen with him sooner or later. - I can’t accept this… I’m going there myself! - Don’t be ridiculous, Breand!! – Owain shouted so loud that the entire building threatened to collapse – Keep your face straight! Don’t ever forget your position! You’re a Knight from the King’s royal army, which means you’re MY official! You will follow my orders and die doing so! Is that clear!?? - …! Y – Yes, sir… I’m sorry sir! The horrible news came over me, sir! It will not ever happen again, sir! – Even saying so, his face was still showing that he was horrified with the news. - Now, the good news… The package is here. Have a good day, Breand. Owain turned towards the entrance, and he saw three little scared midgets on the corner. His eyes suddenly sparked as he recognized them… - Cilia! Vision! And Karen too! You three, I have forgotten completely! – He looked at Karen and her newest clothing, and he smiled pleasurably – Hey, you DO look much better on that clothing than I would’ve anticipated! Have you learned everything you need, Karen? - Y – Yes, sir! I am ready just as you proposed! – Karen stood up, defiant. She looked in Owain’s eyes, and he looked back. Karen sweated a little. - Master, why are you here, delivering packages and messages yourself? – Vision stood up and cleaned his robes – What happened with the messengers of the castle? Shouldn’t be them doing this kind of job? - Oh, yes indeed it is, Vision. But I wanted to come myself. I’d expect to still see Karen in her training though. You guys came pretty fast. Cilia immediately punched Vision’s stomach, making him collapse in the floor. She proceeded to pick him up, excuse herself and left with him really fast through the main door. The mortal silence prevailed for a whole minute. - So, uuh. Are you ready to train, Karen? I’d love to teach you the basic abilities of the “Unlock” you just passed through. – Owain went outside. He seemed to be enjoying himself a lot this moment. - Oh, yes sir! On my way! – Karen followed Owain outside and looked one more time to the guild master. He was almost passing out, completely white. He looked like a ghost. - Okay, Karen! – Owain stood outside the guild, on a very big field of grass located inside Izlude. Karen wasn’t that surprised, she trained there after passing the Swordsmanship test. “First, let me hear what you learned from Breand. Could you explain me what is the “Unlock”? - Yes, sir. The Unlock is the ritual you pass through after passing the qualifying exam at the guild. It opens up certain channels within your body, making the use of your own spiritual energy available. And when you open a certain channel, the others will never be able to open up again. - Indeed, that is true. You surely learned well, Karen. – Owain smiled again. He looked so different now, Karen felt a little weird. – That’s why after becoming a Swordswoman; you will never be able to become a Magician, neither an Archer in potential. The path you choose is a path of a single road. That’s about it. Now, you can use your energy as a swordswoman, so let’s train this energy. I will teach you at least two basic abilities, so keep your eyes open. After about 10 hours of training, the sun was on the top of their heads. Karen was completely beaten, and couldn’t move a single muscle. Owain put his sword down, and looked really happily to Karen. - Now that’s what I like to see. You’re a quick student, Karen! I’m most pleased! - Just because I have an awesome teacher…! – Karen stood up, sweating and breathing hard. Her chest was hurting, and her arms were heavy. Clearly showing that she was completely beaten up. - Now, I want to ask you one more thing- Would you— But Owain got interrupted by a very large bird that hit his head hardly. The impact was enormous, though Owain didn’t move a single inch. He looked towards the bird (unconscious) and saw a message in his feet. He picked it up, read it and sighted. He looked really disappointed. - I am sorry, Karen, but I was summoned by the King. – He put the letter somewhere in his armor – If you see Cilia and Vision, tell them that I couldn’t stay here any longer. - I… I understand, sir. Thank you very much for the teachings. I will treasure them, indeed I will! – Karen bowed slightly, and when she looked back to Owain, he was gone. Karen believed he had something like this planned all along, but she wouldn’t complain. Karen went back to the Inn, and she found a very pissed off Vision and Cilia, apologizing to him with all her might. Karen laughed a little and took a seat. - I told you I am sorry already! – Cilia didn’t even bother with Karen’s presence – If Owain found out you used a portal to send us here, he’s beat all of us up! I did that for our own good! - What? You think that I’d be dumb enough to tell him that I brought us here? Why don’t you try to think less impulsively next time? That way I would be able to keep my breakfast inside my stomach for a change!! – Vision was clearly pissed, and Karen couldn’t blame him. But Cilia also had a bit of reason. Vision would tell Owain how his “Amazing Summoning Skills” proved useful if it wasn’t for Cilia. Maybe. The discussion took about half an hour, until Karen made them stop. They soon had lunch, and strolled around town, gossiping about what they should actually do next. Cilia proposed them all to take a little walk outside, since Karen now knew how to fight like a swordswoman, they’d better polish her skills and their own. Vision finally found the idea fascinating; that was all he was waiting for. - In that case, I have the perfect idea in my head. Why don’t we go to Byalan Island? That’d be the perfect place for us to go, since none of you have enough fighting experience… - You’re calling me a nub, Vision? Remember who’s the one who cried like a crybaby when we were in Goblin Village! – Cilia looked meanly to Vision. Touché! - Old, different times. I’m not a little kid anymore, and if you want, I can prove it! Come, let’s go to Byalan then! I will show you both how strong this Monk is! - You mean Acolyte… don’t you? You’re not even close to become a M— Cilia couldn’t finish her sentence at all. She soon shocked against a person, and fell on her boot. - Ouch!! Hey, ma’am! Pay attention to where ya goin’!! – The guy stood up, angrily. He was wearing long leather pants (looked a little bit like rags) and some really fluffy-looking shoes. He had orange spiky hair and brown eyes. His shirt looked like some rags too. - Excuse me? You’re the one that rushed in my face! – Cilia stood up and grabbed his shirt, threateningly. Karen panicked immediately and tried to release his neck from Cilia’s angry hands. - Cilia please stop... You’re going to kill someone if you keep this temper up! – Karen managed to take Cilia away from the guy. His face was turning blue already. – I’m really sorry! Are you all right? - Y-yeah… I’m fine. – The guy cleaned his throat and looked to Karen. He smiled and put his hands on the hair – Oh! And what a clean vision of pure beauty! What might be your name, miss? - I’m Karen. - Mine’s Fang. Who’s the violent lady that almost killed me? – He looked to Cilia and stepped back. - VIOLENT?? WHY, YOU LITTLE… - Stand on your ground! Now, Mr. Fang. Give us back what you stole, and don’t play nice with me. – Vision stepped forward, and looked in Fang’s eyes. The thief made a weird noise, and laughed a little. - Heh! What kind of proof you have that I stole something? - And why isn’t Cilia’s purse with her any longer? Fang stepped back, grinned and then dashed in the opposite direction. Vision immediately made various poses with his hands, and united them next to his chest. He then shouted “SPEED UP!!” Karen felt like she was granted with wings. Her body began to move extremely fast, even before she thought of them. - Karen! Cilia! Let’s go, after him! Now!! Vision dashed forward chasing the thief. Karen was surprised: He dashed so fast she thought he was teleporting. Cilia immediately did the same. Without thinking too much, she ran towards them and she almost panicked- She was running TOO fast. But she had absolute control of her body, like the “wings” she was granted with were part of her own mind. She dashed through the buildings, people and animals, soon reaching the outskirts of the town. She saw the Thief running right forward, and soon Vision and Cilia joined her. - He’s too fast! I’m going to slow him down! – Cilia pulled an arrow and pointed it towards Fang. Vision in the other hand, told her to stop. He had an idea. Vision moved his hands in a series of positions again, and pointed them forward. His palm began to glow, and he chanted: “Agility… down!” Fang immediately tripped in his feet and felled on his face. - Now, what the hell! - Fang tried to stand up, but when he did, Karen, Cilia and Vision reached him. - Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. – Vision grabbed the thief by his collar – Now, where’s Cilia’s purse, you bastard? Fang punched Vision’s hand and hit the grass. He suddenly disappeared. - What! Where is he? He disappeared! – Karen was surprised, looking everywhere she could. Vision put his hand upwards and chanted “Ruwach!” a blue sphere of flames surrounded him, and for Karen’s surprise, the Thief was right there, in the same place as before. - You’re NOT dealing with a rookie here, you punk. – Vision grabbed the Thief’s collar again – You blew 2 chances already. This is your last bet. Suddenly, a huge noise startled everyone. They looked backwards and then a huge group of large Grasshoppers holding musical instruments charged at them. Karen panicked the same instant. She had enough experience with insects before. - Rockers? But… why are they charging us? – Cilia jumped backwards and pulled an arrow. - What? A Vocal!! This is not even half good! – Fang pulled one knife from his belt – Release me! Vocals are mad Rockers with an enchanted aura! All rockers in this area will attack us if we don’t get away from here! Vision released Fang and looked to the large group of Rockers. Indeed, there was a huge Rocker between them, playing a really annoying music continuously. The group got even bigger, since there was appearing rockers from everywhere. They suddenly got themselves surrounded by Rockers. - I don’t like this one bit but we have to fight them out. – Vision joined his hands again and chanted “BLESSING!!” a white-looking Aura surrounded everyone, and Karen felt extremely weird. Her vision got better, she felt more capable and even more energetic. Vision looked to Fang (who got blessed too) – You better help us up with this one. Otherwise I’m going to kill you. - So be it! – Fang rushed towards the group of Rockers and began to slash one after another in a very quick motion. Following him, Karen unsheathed her sword and jumped in the group of Rockers, brandishing her blade and bursting one after another easily. Cilia prepared her bow and aimed carefully towards the vocal. Her arm began to glow slowly, and the glow reached the arrowhead, making it glow with an orange-like tune. She released the arrow while bursting “CHARGE ARROW!!” making a very big shockwave to burst from behind her, making the arrow fly so fast that reached the Vocal’s head, sending him really far away. The impact made the other Rockers lose control of themselves; making them all to hit each other and to lose track of their own actions. Karen and Fang rushed towards the leader, who pulled up his big violin and hit Karen, making her fall on the grass. Fang managed to dodge and jumped in his head. His dagger pierced Vocal’s head, and by that, Fang shouted clearly “Envenom!!” A purple dust exploded from the Vocal’s head, which became purple and shook his head violently. - There! Now kill him quickly! – Fang looked to the Vocal, who jumped really high trying to escape. Suddenly though, Vision appeared behind him and kicked him with the top of his foot. The monster flew really far, and hit a very big rock with his head, and before he could move, Karen appeared behind him… - Now, die! “BASH!!” Karen’s sword flashed beautifully, and hit Vocal’s head with so great impact that made him convulse. The monster slowly began to melt, and they realized that it was the poison killing him. All rockers suddenly snapped out of Vocal’s aura, and dispersed along the plains. Everyone looked to each other’s face, and they all looked to Fang. He scratched his head and handed Cilia’s purse back to its owner. - There. I don’t need this one bit. Ya can have it back. - We make quite a good team, don’t we? Look at this, we just destroyed a Vocal! – Cilia were feeling quite happy – Why don’t you come with us for a while? You don’t look like a bad person to me. - Oh? And who’s the one who almost killed me back there? No, thanks, I’d rather swim in a pool full of Scorpions. - And… guys… where… are we? – Karen walked a little bit trying to figure out where they were. - What do you mean? We’re next to Izlude, look… - Vision’s eyes turned white. Where were they? They were in a place where grass looked bluer. There were more mountains next to them than before and Izlude was out of sight. They all almost panicked, as they saw a person in a large orange robe, holding a quite big staff. - Excuse me, Magician! – Cilia jumped forward. She was sweating a lot – Where is this place? - Huh? What do you mean? This place is Mjolnir Mountain, close to Geffen. Why, are you guys lost? Next chapter: The Doppelganger’s cry.   Chills Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:20 pm     Chapter five: The Doppelganger’s cry. After two days of travel, Karen, Vision, Cilia and Fang arrived at Geffen’s gates. The town was enormous, with a huge tower in the middle. The town itself was a big stairway leading downwards, making the tower the symbol of the city. It was indeed huger than Izlude, and the buildings were all of a peculiar shape. Merchants were scattered around the town, selling whatever anyone could imagine. - We arrived now. Can you guys let me go? – Fang was tied up next to Vision, who was holding him up tightly, trying to get himself loose by swinging left and right while walking. - Dream hard. I’m not letting you go, as it is by far you’re the one who brought us here. Now you will bring us back. - Bring yourself back. - Wish! We’re all on Geffen now!! It’s a whole damn week back to PRONTERA!!! Vision and Fang kept arguing for some time, until they reached a square plaza-look like. Cilia wanted a bed to sleep, and Karen wanted to find a restaurant. Not too much of a help, Vision told them all that they were going nowhere until they figured out how they came there in the first place. - And why should I listen to you, Vision? – Cilia looked at him with an all-out eye of pure hate – You’re not my boss. I’m not going to listen to your rant. - My rant? I’m just trying to be organized, and I believe that finding out how we came here is the most important thing in the moment! How can you think about resting in a bed in moments like these? - You guys are unbelievable, fighting whenever we go – Karen was looking at the plaza wondrously; she never went in a place like this (as far she herself remembered) – Can’t you cool down too, Vision? What good would bring us finding out something like that? I want to eat, let’s find a restaurant first… - It’s three gains’ one, bud. – Fang looked smiling evilly to Vision, who simply dropped his elbow on his head. - You don’t count! Who the hell you think you are? - Fang, dude! What are ya doing tied up in a place like this?? Everyone looked towards a medium-sized man in front of them. He had long robes and one short hood by his back. A magician. He had blue spiked hair, and also blue eyes, making him seem a little supernatural. He looked surprised as he looked upon Fang, who looked to the blue haired man: - Eden, dude! Whattya doin’ here?? Help me over here, these people are mercenaries! I’m going to get myself crazy if I spend one more minute with those nutshells! - Your acquaintance? Who are you? – Vision stepped forward, with still Fang in his hands. - Oh, I’m sorry for the inconvenience my childhood friend brought upon you. I’m Eden Vingarde, a simple and humble magician. May you release my friend now? We’re both in a hurry… - And what kind of a hurry? Sorry, but I’m handling with this criminal myself! He brought us here and he will bring us back! – Vision’s eyes were flashing. - Criminal? What you stole from them, dude? - Nothing at all. They all had only 200z, and some real useless stuff like jellopies and bottles. Really, if I’d sell everything they have I’d get enough money to go to Comodo, but that’s about it. They are poorer than I am… - WHAT? HOW YOU DARE TO PUT YOUR HANDS ON ALL OUR STUFF LIKE THAT?? AND WHEN YOU DID THAT TO BEGIN WITH?? - You guys are too slow! I did that when I stole her purse! – He pointed to Cilia with his head – You didn’t even notice that, Mr. Redhead? To someone so skilled and WISE! HAHAHA!!! Vision’s head became so Red that Karen believed she could fry an egg in his face. Cilia immediately began to laugh like crazy, as she pointed to Vision: “Redhead! That’s a good one!!” - You… little… I’m going to break you in half!!! – Vision grabbed Fang and began to swing him left and right. The mage quickly pointed his staff to the ropes and murmured “Napalm Beat!” and the ropes immediately were ripped in a quick burn. Fang flew away from Vision and hit a man in black clothing that was chanting something – a portal. The man lost his feet and pointed his hands to Karen, Cilia and Vision, who were immediately transported by it. Fang and Eden looked to each other’s face. - Hey… where that portal sent them to? - This is bad! I sent them to Geffen’s tower dungeon! Oh, damn! What should I do?? - Um… None of our business, right? We saw nothing… - Yeah… nothing at all. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Karen opened her eyes and found herself alone, in a dark, damp-looking place. She looked downwards and realized that the place looked a lot like the swordsmanship test, but this time it was lots of pits, and there were few paths from where she could walk over. Instead of the salt scent though, it was some rotten smell, and she was sure that she was being watched by something. Karen quickly proceeded to walk around the strange terrain she were in, and just for precaution, she drew her blade. Karen kept walking in the darkness for some time until she reached a place that was strangely well-illuminated. Some broken walls marked the place nicely, and it wasn’t a single-way path. It was big enough to run around, if it wasn’t for… A giant gem blocking the path. It was huge, easily being ten times bigger than Karen herself. She looked to the jewel adoringly, but she wasn’t very interested in it. She walked a little more, until her path got suddenly blocked by a bunch of giant flies and ghosts. Karen gulped and rushed towards the monsters, which attacked her in return. She found herself that it was useless, the ghosts couldn’t be hurt by her swings and the flies were too fast for her to aim before attacking. She proceeded to attack the flies only, but they were so quick that they hit her face hardly even before she could lift her sword. Karen got overwhelmed by the monsters, and they hit her with so much strength that she fell on the hard floor. - Kah… I don’t… want to die here… no way… Karen looked to the monsters which approached her slowly. To die by the hands of ghosts and flies, how gross! They rushed towards her, who simply closed her eyes waiting for the last blow… Karen didn’t get hurt. She began to listen to a sound similar to battle, as she looked backwards… a swordsman were fighting the monsters. A blonde, fierce-looking swordsman was killing all the flies in a speed-up motion that seemed cinematographic. His swings also cut the ghosts and everything on his path. After the last monster, he looked to Karen, and walked in her direction. - Are you all right? – He picked up her hand and helped her stand up – this place is dangerous. You shouldn’t be here. He had a very resonating voice, and he seemed to be her age. Karen was speechless, he wasn’t even scratched. - Ah… yes, I am! Thank you very much, you saved my life! - I don’t usually do this. I don’t like anyone coming in here in the first place. Who are you? – He was serious enough to make her bone frill. - I’m Karen… Um… I wasn’t supposed to be here? I got teleported here by accident… I guess. - Someone sent a beginner in here by accident… This isn’t very good, if I didn’t help you, you’d die. Here, it isn’t very strong but I know how to heal wounds. Stand still. The swordsman stepped away a little and charged his sword with a glimmering green light. He swung it on Karen’s direction, making the glimmer fly towards her and enveloping Karen completely. She felt nice and warm, and all her scratches and blood stains disappeared. She felt awesome. - Aah, this feels so great! Thank you very much! You really are a life saver! - I’m by far that. You’re the first one that didn’t felt attracted by my gem. I don’t need to kill someone who’s not here for that purpose. Karen immediately froze over. He said kill? The silence remained for some unpleasant time, and the swordsman laughed a little bit: - Don’t worry about that. You’re not here for the gem, so I’m not going to attack you. You said that you’ve been summoned here, right? I’m going to take you out. - Who… are you? You’re… not human, are you? - I am not. I’m a Doppelganger. Cursed by time to remain here protecting this gem for my sole afterlife. To fulfill my mission, I must kill whoever approaches the gem. I guess this makes me a demon, right? The Doppelganger began to walk through a gateway outside the walls. Karen felt reluctant to follow, but as the sound of more monsters came into her, she ran after him. A silent atmosphere fell over them while walking through the dark path and Karen felt a little uncomfortable. - A-are you sure it’s ok to leave your gem like that? Someone can show up and rob it when you’re not there… - Karen was partially frightened. This was her first time talking to a demon like that as she remembered. - The gem is safe for now. I left all my Nightmares looking over; if someone shows up they’ll tell me the same instant. After that, you’re on your own. - Nightmares? Who… who are those? - Cursed spirits that assumed the shape of horses. They do not have a strong brilliance, so they can be defeated easily. But they always walk on groups, making them strong enough to kill an experienced warrior without too much trouble. Karen became pale after hearing that one. He was dangerous. Why was he helping her though? He said that “she’s not interested on his gem” but that’s not enough of a reason to escort her outside. Maybe he wanted her to be away from his gem, just for precaution. After some time wondering, the Doppelganger stopped walking and looked to Karen. She almost fell on her back because of the scare. - You said your name is Karen, right? - Um… Yes, I did. - … He kept looking at Karen’s face for some time; enough to make her feel embarrassed and scared at the same time. He then proceeded to walk the path, like nothing has happened. The silence remained for a time that seemed like hours for Karen. - Um… Mr.… uh… Doppelganger? May I call you like this? - Sure. - Um… My friends probably were teleported here by accident too… You know this place well, don’t you? Do you have an idea where they might be? - This place is not huge. If your friends are here, we- - KAREN!!! Something big and heavy jumped in Karen’s back, almost making she lose her balance. Karen felt something also big and soft on her back, and she realized that it was… - C-Cilia! Is that you! I’m so glad you’re ok!! - Vision!! Vision, I found Karen!! Here is she!! Vision came soon enough. He was visibly tired, like he ran more than his body allowed. Weirdly, he didn’t complain about the situation; instead, he handed his hand to Karen and said that he was glad that she was unharmed. - Oh, I’m fine… I was looking for you guys… We need to get out of here; this place is too dangerous… - We know. But somehow Vision managed to open a path between those stupid Hunter Flies. And no Wisp is strong enough against THESE! – Cilia pulled over a quiver full of flame arrows. Fascinating. - Vision, you defeated those red flies? I didn’t know you were that strong! - Don’t underestimate me… I may not be the strongest, but I know how to take care of myself when it is needed. By the way… who is he? – Vision pointed to the Doppelganger, who was silent and looking at them with a frozen face. Karen felt a cold sharp blade slip through her spine. - Oh! He’s… a friend that I met here! Do you know? He’s awesomely strong with a sword! He… um… saved my life! - Oh, really? My name is Cilia! Nice to meet you! Um… Mister…? - Scythe. Now allow me to get you all out of here. This place is no safe. Not for you at least. He then walked even deeper into the darkness of the cavern, and since there was nowhere to go, Karen pointed with her head to both Vision and Cilia to follow. They soon enough reached a big doorway followed by a stairway leading upwards. The Doppelganger looked to Karen, Vision and Cilia, and then opened the path for them. - This path will lead you all upwards. It is still not safe up there, but it is safer than here. Now go away, I still have things to do here. - Like… protect the… gem you spoke of? – Karen looked to the Doppelganger, who made a nod with his head. - Protect a gem? What are you talking abou- Suddenly, everything was shaken by a strong green light. Karen, Cilia and Vision were enveloped in an awesomely beautiful field of pure energy, and Karen was sure that this thing was meant to protect and heal. The Doppelganger though, got hit by the light and fell on the floor about some meters away from them. Karen suddenly realized – This thing HURTS him. - Hey! This is a Sanctuary! Who did this?? – Vision looked everywhere. Suddenly, a group of men in black clothing came form upstairs, wearing some accessories in their arms and legs that glowed beautifully. One of them stood forward, as he chanted “Sanctuary!!” and another green field popped up beneath the Doppelganger, who began to scream in agony as the light burned his skin, sending him even farther than before. - Priests! What… what is going on? Why is that man feeling pain? – Cilia got desperate as she saw the scene: All priests suddenly began to chant Sanctuaries and cast them over the Doppelganger, who got trapped in a corner and was bleeding an unknown liquid. - Wait… is that man a Doppelganger?? I… I can’t believe this!! – Vision’s eyes were out of focus. - Please! Stop that, you guys are hurting him! He wasn’t going to harm us! - I’m sorry girl… but this demon is a spawn of darkness! We cannot allow such atrocity to live in our world! We’re here to rescue you from the hands of this monster, so fear not!! The priest that took the initiative stepped forward, and he threw a big blue gem in the Doppelganger’s direction. The gem fell on the floor, and a bright light illuminated the entire place. The priest then put his hands forward and chanted loudly “Spawn of Darkness, may your afterlife end here! Feel the mighty blade of god bestow upon your soul!! MAGNUS…” - What are you doing?? STOP, LEAVE HIM ALONE!! - EXORCISMUS!!! A flash strong enough to blind a Beholder hit the Doppelganger with so much might that Karen herself thought she was going to be blinded herself. The screams of agony of the Demon filled the air with so much intensity that Karen thought that the “mighty blade of god” pierced her own chest, and she couldn’t take this anymore. The light got even brighter, and suddenly, the Doppelganger’s screams came to cease. The priests proceeded to search the area quickly, and the light was gone, with no sign of the monster. - Damn, he ran away! – The priest who cast the exorcism magic stepped foward and removed the green field from around them – are you guys ok? Are you hurt? - Yeah, thank you very much – Vision cleaned his robes as he looked in all directions – where is the Doppelganger? Did you guys got him? - Sadly, no. He managed to escape before he got himself killed… I should have thought of that possibility. - And why did you tried to kill him? He did nothing to us… He even helped us get here… - Karen looked to the floor as she began to think. Now the Doppelganger would try to kill anyone that came near his gem, no exceptions. She felt sorry for him. - I am sorry, but this is the job of the Fenrir Knights. We are the protectors of the humans, and we make sure that no one dies by the hands of demons like him. You guys must be tired; I will send you all to Geffen’s inn. Have a nice day. The man teleported them all back to Geffen’s Inn. It was night already; as the silence of the night came. Then, Karen fell asleep in her bed, still with the Doppelganger’s screams of pain in her mind. This reminded her of something… Dancing fires… bones… Next Chapter: Release.   Chills Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:26 pm     Chapter Six: Release. - And what do you mean by “Search”, Vision? - Isn’t it obvious? We still don’t know who brought us here. - Don’t you mean “what” brought us here? Vision… I’m hungry. Let’s stop this senseless debate and go eat something. Karen was feeling terrible. She didn’t know why she had to wake up at 5 AM. She didn’t know why she’s still wearing her pajamas and she didn’t know why Vision looked so energetic. Cilia probably were thinking the same, since her always gorgeous head was a little blue near the ears. They both looked terrible. - Our closest clue is the stupid Thief we ran into other day. He and that mage are probably plotting something. - Yeah, like steal from poor wanderers those don’t know their places in the world. Can I return to my bed now? I was dreaming such a nice dream… - Cilia yawned so soundly that Karen almost fell asleep on her foot. - You both don’t have any kind of energy left on you? I’m really disappointed with your current attitude! Cilia! Karen! Pull yourselves together! - GIVE US A BREAK, DAMMIT!!! – the entire Inn shook with Karen’s yell, making doors rattle and scaring all of the residents sky high, enough to make one of the maids faint the same instant – I’m tired, I’m hungry and I need a bath!! I’m NOT going to listen to this anymore!! GOOD NIGHT!!! Karen entered her room and closed the door with impact. Vision was blue, and Cilia didn’t even think twice. She waved her hand to Vision and said sweetly “Good night, bozo” and entered her room. Vision was clearly bothered with Karen and Cilia later the day. He kept grunting that he had to walk around the entire town to find a clue about the Thieves and he still couldn’t find anything, resulting in pain in the feet and excessive fatigue. Karen on the other hand claimed that she was tired and Vision had no right to tame them along on his insanity trips to nowhere. Her mood got a lot better after she had lunch though. Two thousand fifty-five Zeny on total. They were broken. - Nice. NOW we’re really poor. – Cilia kept waving her purse left and right, trying to see if any money wound spring out of it – New rule: Keep Karen away from all the food. - Hey! I told you I was hungry! – Karen blushed a little – But now we don’t have any money at all… We need… - A job? There’s one. – Vision pointed to a big sign in front of the Mage guild. The mage guild was amazing. The building itself was so big that could be easily be mistaken with a small castle. Some magic-lit torches were located in several pillars of the building, illuminating it beautifully specially at night. A wide variety of colors were painted at the guild’s outdoors, and Karen believed that it was some sort of magical lock. The sign was as big as the doorway, and it said “High Mage needs the help of seven warriors. Payment will be big and compensation will be taken.” - How’s it sound? They said that the payment will be big and the compensation for a job well done will exist. - Wait, Vision. They didn’t say what the job is for… - Cilia were a bit thoughtful about it. - Haven’t they said seven warriors? There’s not too much time to dawdle and think!! I’m on it! – Karen rushed inside the guild without thinking twice. Vision immediately followed and Cilia ran after. The guild was even bigger in the inside. The first floor was big and wide, with strange patterns on the floor resembling runes, whose lights were really beautiful, and Karen thought she was into a live dream place. She wondered if that place was often used as a Date Spot. - Wow. Now this place surprised me – Karen looked everywhere, looking for stairs or something like it. Vision and Cilia joined her two seconds after that. - What the hell you’re doing, Karen? The one we need to talk with is there – Vision pointed to a small guy with a big golden hat in a corner. Karen felt disappointed; he looked too much like a gnome. - Oh! Welcome to this humble place, youngsters… You do not look like wizards aspirants… are you here for the job, I assume? – He had a funny, jumpy voice, like someone who drank too much grog but it’s still sober. - Oh, yes! I reckon there is still place for three more people? – Cilia smiled nicely to the gnome, who didn’t seem to care about her perfect teeth. - Five, actually. This sign was posted not too long ago, and two young warriors already signed up. They are behind this door. If you plan on helping us, please go inside… - He opened a path to a golden door right behind him that surprisingly, Karen didn’t notice at first. - Wait up. You haven’t told us about what we will do first – Vision scratched his ear – what kind of job will it be? The gnome looked to Vision with a funny happy face: - It will be a job to put some monsters to rest. They’ve been causing trouble enough to this guild and this situation cannot go on like this. They really must be destroyed… - And what kind of monsters we are talking about? - Khalitzburgs. Vision shouted from the deepest part of his throat, and he almost tripped on his robes. Cilia almost did the same, but instead of tripping she became all blue mixed with a weird gray. Karen didn’t understand at all. - Kaalitzuburgers? Are those edible? - Put it on your head, Karen… a single Khalitzburg can reduce an experienced warrior to ashes in twenty seconds! – Vision’s eyes told Karen that he wasn’t lying, but that seemed stupid enough for her don’t believe. - Aw, come on. That didn’t sound convincing at all, Vision – Karen poked her own ear and looked to the Gnome. He was serious. - Do you accept the job or you don’t? It is dangerous… I suggest you leave this to the- Karen rushed into the room without thinking again. Vision screamed and ran after her, and Cilia did the same after almost dropping her own hands into the despair of the moment. The room wasn’t big at all (7 seats, exactly) and two figures were occupying two seats adjacent to each other; Fang and Eden. The sub-zero temperature stroke the room. Karen looked at the two men who were staring at her like she was a two-headed Cyclops. - AAH! YOU BOTH! THE THIEVES!!! – Vision pointed to them and sounded like he discovered Yggdrasil. - AAH! YOU GUYS! THE NUTSHELLS!!! – Fang jumped from his chair and stood up in the back-most place in the room. Vision got pissed and moved Karen out of his way. Karen sat happily in a nearby chair. - Oi, oi… calm down, both of you! This ain’t place to screw stuff up, Fang! – Eden was really serious, and he looked to Vision with a chilly eye – Yo, Acolyte dude. Don’t get on our way or we’ll scrub your face on the grass and make you eat it, capiche? - Capiche?? I dare you to say that stupid word again, thief! And if you think you’re good enough to take ME on, I give you a chance to try!! The dark mood didn’t suit the situation very well, and a lot of people would probably believe they all were retarded. Vision and Eden staring at each other with murderous intent, Fang didn’t knew whom to look at, Karen was happy, dwelling on her own head and Cilia was trying to say something but the words simply didn’t come out. Before anything could happen though, the door rammed hardly, sending Cilia on top of Vision, who didn’t predicted that at all and fell on the floor. They all looked at the doorway and they saw a white-haired man wearing some real dirty clothes and some slack-like jeans. His white shirt was full of something that looked like dirt, and he looked really powerhouse. He looked with a curious face to everyone in the room and said in a very curious voice: - Oh? I see that you all are very energetic, aren’t you? Vision stood up, carrying Cilia with him. He looked to the man and said kind of fiercely: - Why you rammed the door on my Cousin’s back like that? Who the hell are you? - Ops! I really hurt her, didn’t I? I’m so sorry! I’m Alan Bronzebeard, blacksmith!! I know that my name doesn’t fit me at all, do it? He said it all. Even if his hair was totally white and spiky, he didn’t seem to be older than 18. Alan put his hand inside his backpack and took off a white potion, and threw it to Vision. - Sorry about that, I was kinda exited. Give it to her, house’s services. Vision opened the potion, sat on a chair and put the potion on Cilia’s mouth, who slowly regained consciousness. As soon as the Smith entered the room, a lady in a brown silk vestment entered the room. She was wearing long leather boots and used some small, cute glasses. Her hair was as brown as her clothing and she had very innocent green eyes. Karen took a better look at her and realized that she had seen this girl before somewhere, but where beats her. The girl bowed graciously to everyone and smiled a very comforting smile. She was really pretty. - So, the screams I heard from outside were from you guys? – She had a very melodic voice, like of a famous singer – I’m Alissa Guidevere, an Alchemist. Nice to know you all. - Ah, the pleasure is all ours, miss! – Fang smiled and turned his face a little for dramatic effect – My name is Fang, and this is Eden (bows). Those are Nutshell one, Nutshell two and Major Nutshell (points to Vision), so don’t bother too much with them. - I’m going to flat your face on the nearest wall if you keep that up, you stupid kendama-headed thief! - Vision’s eyes flashed black – Sorry about that. My name is Vision Regingrave, a… Aspirant to Monk. - I’m… Cilia Testarossa… archer… ow, my head… - Cilia took her seat next to Vision, in front of Karen. - Oh, sorry about that, miss! – Alan scratched his head and looked really embarrassed. He took a seat and Alissa sat close to him. - I’m Karen, swordswoman. Nice to meet you both. Um… Miss? Have I… seen you before somewhere? - Um? – Alissa looked to Karen and made a funny noise with her mouth, like she was trying to think – I don’t think so… I don’t recognize you… They all took their seats (Eden and Vision sat next to each other, which caused flames of anger to spark from their eyes) and soon enough the Gnome entered the room with a really big cane. He walked a little and made sure everyone wasn’t going to stand up recklessly. He waved the cane and hit the doorway from the outside. His voice echoed inside their heads: - From now on, you’ll be all teleported to Glash Heim. It’s 2 days of travel from Geffen, and you will all be landed in a safe place. Please, slay all Khalitzburgs you find. The more you kill, the better your pay, keep that in mind. And don’t forget to bring us their main skull, it is a necessary reagent that we do need desperately. Karen wondered if they did that on purpose, to scrap and kill without a more solid objective. They only wanted the reagents then. Geffen wasn’t in trouble at all. But Karen didn’t have too much time to think, as when she opened her eyes they were all in a ruined castle place, full of muck and it had a very bad scent. But if you discarded that, it was a very beautiful place, with trees and of course, ruins. The castle looked extremely old, like it was built more than fifteen thousand years ago, and all of the bricks of that humongous castle, that even if it was shattered, looked impetuous and mighty. Karen was absolutely sure that this place was more than twenty times bigger than Prontera’s castle, and looked extremely solid. She wondered how a castle like this could be on ruins. The thoughts of that brought upon Karen a feeling of a dark presence, which fell over her shoulders like an avalanche. She drew her blade as a reflex. - Wow. This place indeed is big. I’ve never been here before. – Vision looked at the Castle’s top, and sighted loudly. - Well, now… should we start searching for those undead warriors, sweetheart? – Alissa gripped Alan’s hand, and he became slightly red. Karen was surprised. Didn’t they feel this dark presence over them? - Waitaminute!! – Cilia jumped the same moment like it was programmed. Both the Smith and the Chemist looked at her surprised – Please… would you both, um… escort… us? - Whaa? Escort you? Uhh… We’re not you guy’s watchmen, you know… And you decided to come here by yourselves in the first place. – Alan was right. It was all Karen’s fault. - Heeh… The pretty lady is a scared arse! – Fang made a funny noise with his nose – C’mon, Eden! We’ve got Stuff to do, monsters to mayhem. - Sir, yes sir!! – Eden followed Fang without doubt. They both seemed to word pretty well together. Now Karen, Cilia and Vision were by themselves. Vision used his Blessing and Agility up on everyone and decided to organize this so they wouldn’t die a stupid death. - Karen!! You and I will be the tankers, you hear me? We make sure the monsters will stay away from Cilia, and hurt them in the process. If we get beaten hard enough, I will heal us up. - O-okay! I hear you. – Karen gripped her sword fiercely. She wouldn’t play moron as she did in Geffen’s dungeon this time. - Cilia! As always, you will be the blitz, ok? You know what to do. - Aye aye, sir! – Cilia moved her hand like a sailor greeting its captain. Karen didn’t feel the dark presence over her anymore with the same intensity. Now, it was either them, or the monsters in that ruined magnificent castle. Next Chapter: The Smith and the Chemist.   Chills Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:31 pm     Chapter Seven: The Smith and the Chemist. Karen couldn’t get used with the idea of beauty and Dark omen to dwell in the same place. Glast Heim was marvelous, and it got even more beautiful as they progressed into the inner gardens of the castle. The place was huge, and if it wasn’t for the crumbles and the scent, it would be a perfect place for a king to rule. But even so, she couldn’t take off this feeling that something big was somewhere in this castle… something big and insane. After some minutes of walking and silence, Cilia began to become tired of walking in this ruined panorama. - Hey… Where are they? I’m starting to think that there’s nothing in here… - There is – Karen answered even without thinking – There indeed is. - Karen is right, Cilia – Vision scratched his head a little – Can’t you feel it? This presence over us. Something or someone is watching us. We better don’t stay in the same place for too long. - Oh? You mean that thing over there? – Cilia pointed with an arrow forward. Something shapeless that looked like condensed air was dancing in the same place, and it seemed to be carrying a wooden door with it. It was purple colored and seemed stupid. - A Mist! Be careful, that thing isn’t as stupid as it look! – Vision waved his right hand in the Mist’s direction and holds his arm with the left hand – Karen, please! - He’s as good as dead!! – Karen rushed towards the monster, and suddenly a big hand formed from it. He waved the hand in Karen’s direction, which dodged it beautifully and struck the door with her sword, making a loud noise. Cilia pointed the bow and arrow and shoot an arrow that hit the door as well. The Mist began to wave his giant hand left and right in an attempt to hit Karen, but she was too fast for him to manage it. The sensation of wings on her was making her moves gracious, and she managed to hit his purple body, ripping what we could call his skin. The monster growled, and suddenly one of Cilia’s arrows hit the upper part of his body, making him impact backwards. The monster groaned loudly and rushed towards Cilia, but before he could approach further, Vision’s hand shined a very pleasant white color and he chanted “Holy Light!” A ball of white tenacity sprung from his hand, and made contact with the monster. The ball exploded the same instant, making the Mist evaporate with a last growl of pain. - Whew. We were lucky, I guess. Someone had already weakened him for us. I don’t recall the Mists being that weak. – Vision approached the place where the monster died and slipped his hand in the floor. A gross purple mucus was there, and Vision took it with a bottle. - I bet we would take it hard if he hit us. And what the hell is that you’re picking up, Vision? It’s gross. – Karen became slightly green. - This is called Garlet. It serves no good purpose for us right now, but I bet we could sell it. It’s almost pure. – He put the bottle full of Garlet against the sun, checking it. - Um, guys? Problems! Big problems!! – Cilia ran and hid behind Karen and Vision, and they looked back to where Cilia pointed. A skeleton holding a big rapier was walking in their direction slowly, rattling the sword on the floor and making a loud, screechy noise as he walked closely. His bones were dark mixed with a weird red, and he wore a helmed that barely hid his horrendous face. - Ugh! And what the damn hell is that? It’s disgusting!! – Karen put her hand in her mouth, holding her own will to vomit. - Khalitzburg!! – Vision joined his hands near his chest and waved them in the undead direction – We can’t allow him to come close!! “HEAL!!” A green light formed in Vision’s hands, and it impacted with the monster, which almost fell on the floor thanks to the impact. That didn’t seem to harm him at all, since he began to walk again in their direction as words came from his disgusting mouth. “Die… Die…” Cilia pulled a group of arrows and Karen stepped forward. His walking was slow enough for them to run if the monster was as strong as Vision and Cilia told her he was. Cilia pulled her bow and aimed upwards, joined all of the arrows she pulled and yelled “Arrow… SHOWER!!” strangely, all arrows she shoots upwards became yellow and a shockwave blasted from beneath her when she released the string. The swarm of arrows fell upon the monster that practically ignored the attack, despite the rudeness of the strike. Karen advanced… She totally didn’t see that one coming. The Khalitzburg swung his sword arm so quickly that she barely could avoid it; marking her face and making her lose balance. The monster quickly waved his sword again and almost hit Karen in her leg, but he got hit in the face by Vision for a kick. Vision then proceeded to punch the Khalitzburg with so much strength that the undead fell on the floor, giving him enough time to help Karen stand up. The monster then stood up slowly and pierced the floor with his sword, making the floor tremble a little… - EVERYONE, JUMP!!! – Vision grabbed Karen and jumped with her. Suddenly, a wave of spikes emerged from the floor in a continuous line, hitting one concrete column with a gross impact. Karen was sure that if that managed to hit her, she would be dead. - Damn… Die already! – Cilia pulled two arrows and pointed them forward, and upon release, she claimed “Double Strafe!!” and another shockwave sprung from her back, seconds before the arrows met the monster’s face. He suddenly growled with so much might that Karen thought he got extremely pissed, but instead, his bones began to shatter and the arrows on his head began to shine… The Khalitzburg stopped moving, released his sword and dismantled. Both Vision and Karen looked to Cilia, that smiled beautifully, and she picked up another arrow… - Never leave your town without Silver arrows. Those were the wise words of my teacher, hehe! – Both Karen and Vision blushed a little after that one. - Hey, nice one! I really like you, girl! You’re smart! – The trio almost had a heart attack and looked right… Alan was over there, his smile was as big as his face and he seemed to be enjoying himself a lot. Alissa was right after him, and she was as happy as he was. Vision didn’t understand at all. - What you guys are doing over here? I thought you wanted to tag by yourselves… - Yes, we indeed did that. – Alan picked up his backpack and opened it, making all three to freak out the same instant. The bag was full of bones, and those three realized that they must’ve killed at least thirty Khalitzburgs to get that many bones. Painfully for them, Alissa did the same with hers. Vision never felt that weak before. - Vision… You can let me go now. – Karen was still being held by Vision, who totally forgot he was carrying her along. When he realized that he released Karen and apologized, blushing a little but he didn’t seem really sorry. Karen believed he even enjoyed it. - Say… - Alissa looked to the remains of the monster, and then to the trio – You three don’t look that strong. How you were able to defeat a Khalitzburg? This is insane. Vision clutched his fists when he heard that. He knew that he wasn’t as strong as them, but that isn’t enough to kick him around like that. He didn’t say anything as the weird silence came upon them. - This is boring. I don’t want to stay sat here looking at those two weirdoes. We just started out kill count. I don’t want to waste more time. – Karen stood up, kind of serious. She didn’t like that comment at all, and she was sure Vision did the same. Cilia’s eyes were not decipherable. - Ah! Darling, have I said something that I shouldn’t? – Alan made a nod and said “You said the word weak, sweetheart. Never play with pride.” Right after that, the dark presence over Karen pressed her head with so much intensity she almost lost consciousness. Screaming because of the pain, she fell on her knees and with her hands on the head, trying to cease the pain on her mind. Vision and Cilia came next to her, Alan and Alissa did the same. - Karen! Karen, what’s wrong? – Vision was trying to calm her down, but Karen’s headache just would get worse. - What’s going on? Is this the first time this happens to her? – Alissa began to search for some potions on her backpack. - N-no… but it never happened this way before! Usually it’s just a normal headache… - Cilia were hugging Karen next to her, patting her head. Suddenly, a really loud blast noise nearby made all of them jump. Karen’s headache suddenly disappeared, and she yelled even without thinking… - EVERYONE GET AWAY FROM HERE!!! The same instant, another explosion hit the place they were in. Alan managed to dodge the strike holding both Cilia and Vision with her. Alissa also did the same with Karen, and when the dust of the explosion disappeared, a Knight wearing black armor, on top of a mighty horse and holding a sword as big as his own mount appeared out of nowhere. Everyone looked to it really surprised. Karen felt sick at his presence. - What the hell is that? Who- - Karen couldn’t finish her sentence. The Knight looked at her, and the sensation of sickness got worse. The Knight looked at the remains of the monster the trio killed, and he waved his sword… There wasn’t much time to think. Alan quickly drew one mighty axe, and shoved both Cilia and Vision aside before receiving the impact of the Knight’s mighty blade. Alan almost were sent far away thanks for the impact, but the axe he used to block the attack looked mighty enough to sustain that strike. The Knight’s horse impaled forward, and then a bomb fell on the Knight’s feet, burning the horse in the same place. Alissa began to pick up more grenades, and Alan simply jumped over and swung his axe, hitting the horse and making its rider fall on the sturdy grass. Alan and Alissa prepared to launch another attack, but the Knight suddenly emitted a loud noise, making the air feel bad. Suddenly, two Khalitzburgs appeared from the ground like he resurrected the dead. One advanced towards Alan, and another in Alissa’s direction… Alan’s and Alissa’s body were both victims of Vision’s Blessing and Agility up. Alan said a loud “Thank you!” before walking in the direction of the nearby monster. The Khalitzburg raised his blade... Alan waved his sword arm so fiercely that broke the Khalitzburg’s weapon and shattering him in half. Alissa picked up one of her grenades and threw it on the Khalitzburg’s chest, releasing a green liquid that began to melt his bones into some strange mucus. Karen was surprised; they had absolutely no problem in dealing with that kind of monster, just like they were dealing with insects. The Knight stood up and gripped his blade a little above his head while assuming attack position. Alan didn’t mind this, and jumped towards the monster that swung it in his direction… The Knight’s head got pierced by two of Cilia’s silver arrows, and right after that, Vision’s Holy Light struck the Knight fiercely, making him lose balance and releasing the sword. Alan’s axe met the Knight’s chest, making him fall down, bleeding like a bull. Karen didn’t even think twice; she gripped her blade and ran towards the monster, piercing the sword in his neck making him do a sound so weird that it seemed he was trying to call for help again. He slowly stopped moving, releasing some sparks as he calmly died. Alan came a little closer… - I don’t get it. I never saw a Knight of Abyss release sparks as he died. Is this… - A Dead Branch!! – Alissa pointed to the Knight’s remains. A small piece of broken wood was located by the grass, and suddenly, a black shadow appeared below it, swallowing the branch. - A Dead Branch… who the hell would try to use it and then let it go like that? – Vision came closer, looking to all directions searching for someone who might have done it. - Maybe the user died by the Knight? – Alissa looked upwards, thinking. Alan put his axe on his back. - This isn’t very good. I heard that Dead Branches have one particular smell. If the other monsters come to see what is this smell… - Cilia put a finger on her mouth, as she began to chew it slowly. Karen gulped dry. Alan scratched his head and began to walk around. He then turned to everyone as he said with a very happy tone on his voice: - By the way, is that escort offer still up? I’d feel really bad if I’m to leave people in a place like this… - Sweetheart! That’s a very good idea! – Alissa almost danced in the same place – What about that? Would you three mind if we tagged along a little bit? I must also admit I found myself kind of interested in you guys… Vision looked to Cilia who looked to Karen. They three replied at the same time “Why not?”, and Alan smiled again. He pointed to the floor as he smiled even more. - Don’t forget to pick up the middle bone of the Thorax from the Khalitzburgs. Don’t we forget we’re still on the middle of a mission. - Ah, yes, thank you a lot, Mr. Graybeard! – Cilia smiled as beautifully as ever. Vision began to pick up the bones, and Karen didn’t pick them up at all, she hated that kind of stuff. - Gray… It’s Bronzebeard, Testarossa. Next Chapter: Remains from the Ancients.   Chills Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:37 pm     Chapter Eight: Remains from the Ancients. Karen didn’t know when it became night already. All the fighting they all had during the day against the Khalitzburgs slipped like soap in wet floor, and before she even noticed, they were all around a campfire: Karen herself, Vision; who wasn’t talking much, Cilia; she herself was enjoying the current situation nicely, Alan; who kept saying that he would make them all new weapons when they leave that place, and Alissa; that was an awesome cook, and made them all food and something to drink. Karen felt like she was being as spoiled as a little kid. - Aah, and the spoils of war became our food tonight! – Alan proudly drank his ale, but Vision spit his on the grass. - Spoils of war? What the hell are we drinking and eating?? - Oh, relax, Vision sweetheart. I didn’t cook bones or rotten flesh. These are the supplies we hunted some days ago before accepting the job, despite the food being Wolves’ and Bigfoot’s… - Alissa kindly handed over more ale for Vision, who smelled it greatly before drinking. - But I’m really surprised… You two are awesomely strong… - Karen gulped down a load of meat like a dinosaur, making Cilia pick up her own meat and put it away from her – We managed to defeat some Khalitzburgs, but you two decided to game “Let’s see who kick more butt” with each other! And I seriously lost the body count on thirty two or something… - Yeah, I was surprised as well – Cilia didn’t know where to look at; to Vision, who was trying to find something wrong with the beef and the drink or at Karen gulping down food like a demon – Where did you guys learned to fight like that? - Ah, we’re both self-instructed. We didn’t need masters… only to become what we are right now… I mean; a Blacksmith and an Alchemist. – Alan smiled to Alissa, who became extremely red and began to eat food like a demon, trying to compete with Karen. - Self-instructed? You learned how to fight by yourselves? That’s amazing… - By the way, where’d that Thief and that Magician go? Fang and… Eden, right? Is that their names? – Alissa stopped gulping food and Alan sighed – I wonder if they are not dead. - They aren’t. – Alan replied to Alissa without too much delay – They’ve been following us around all day, and collecting out loot from afar. They’re not as numbskulls as they first look; they even fooled me for a SECOND!! Alan launched his mug on a nearby tree, hitting something really hard and making it fall. It was really big and looked like… Fang. Fang fell on his head beautifully, like a real champion. He suddenly got up like nothing has happened, even if his forehead was bleeding and made a small pose while smirking: - Ah! I see you are not a small fish anyway, huh? Mr. Alan Bronzebeard, son of Reginheart Bronzebeard Icarus, founder of the White Dragons? When I figured who you are I began to wonder why you’re in a place like this dump! - This is not of your concern, Fang. You don’t have any status at all, what means you’re just a petty thief. Why making a research upon me? Have anything against the White Dragons? - Just curious – Fang took a seat next to Vision, who became so red that he almost became purple – I wonder why the son of the founder of the White Dragons was self-instructed? - I’d stay away from me if you praise your feakin’ stupid life, you moronic brainless retard!! – Vision gave Fang a so deadly look that everyone’s spine froze over – I’m NOT in a good mood right now!! - Zamagawd! Woah, sorry dude! – Fang jumped away from a bloodthirsty Vision – I thought you didn’t keep anger like that! Come on, let’s be pals! - You can dream as loud as you can!! – Vision wasn’t feeling so good. - Hey, calm down, Vision – Karen was a LOT drunk. Her head was feeling light and fuzzy, and her smile was really big – Ze guy wanna be friendz wif yo… - Karen, what the f… Hey! Stop drooling on my clothing! Karen, Oi! - Hahaha! Well, anyway – Alan looked to Fang, smiling – I’m self-instructed because my father said that a true warrior is born from inside. If you want to become good, become with your own strength. Answered your question? - Um… I guess that kinda ran outta the subject, dude. But anyway, yeah. - By the way, where’s the mage that was with you? – Alissa looked left and right curiously. - Oh yeah. He’s around here. Eden, come on out, It’s safe I guess. - E, who? A man wearing a mighty chain mail and carrying a mighty looking spear came from behind the most nearby wall. He was carrying in his arms a very embarrassed Eden, who was with his mouth shut for some unknown reason. He had a very heavy-looking cloak, and his spear had it’s blade in the shape of a thunder. His hair and eyes were as green as the plains and he surely looked like a big and strong fish. He released Eden on the grass and said with a go-luck voice: - NOW you’re off to go. I’m not going to braze your arms off, kid. Eden immediately jumped away from the man and pulled over his scepter, and pointed it forward in attack position. The man simply sighted. - What? Planning on attacking me? I just pawned your butt flat, and now you blow this one? - You’re a monster, dude! You managed to kill an Abysmal Knight with your hands alone! Who the freaking hell are you? – Eden’s eyes were flashing bright. Everyone looked surprised to the man, even the drunk one, Karen. - Me? My name’s France Bulette and I am the ruler o’ the spear! A KNIGHT! You just tried to steal my person! And… The Knight’s eyes flashed. His vision landed over Karen, who simply made a “huh?” noise with her nose. France immediately jumped over towards her, and gripped close both her hands. - Oh, my god, please let this humble knight listen your name, Oh shiny rose! - Ehn… It’s… Karen. And you are… France? – Karen’s drunkard session completely disappeared. - Karen! Ah, this name has a so vibrant tune of beauty! Just like the brightest spark of light in the deepest parts of midgard! I’m touched! Please, my lady! Allow this Knight to protect you from any harm that might fall upon your delicate body, as it is for my duty to serve, and serve well!! - Delicate… Hey, that wasn’t very nice! And I can take care of myself very well, so please may you let my hands go? I can’t eat with my feet! France stopped for a moment, looking to Karen with a very curious face. He stared at her eyes for a very good moment, and he was very serious. He seemed really shocked. - You… wow. The semblance is incredible. Even the gluttony… - France admired Karen’s face for a very long time, enough for her to become as red as the Vision’s hair. - Hey! Why are you sucking away Karen for your eyes alone? And what do you want over here, eh? – Cilia stood up, defiant, asking no quarter. She pulled a very big lunk of meat from her own plate – I’ve got meat, and don’t make me use it! - AH! - France immediately jumped towards Cilia, and gripped her so close that it seemed like an invitation for a dance – You! Your eyes, blue like the deepest lake! Your hair, as golden as the bright, beautiful sand of the deserts, which shine like gold! Please, Oh mistress of beauty and purity, tell me your name! I must know it! - Everyone got a little bit uncomfortable before France’s attitude. - I’d rather let a scorpion flick my tongue. - Then it shall be! Allow the scorpion of my heart pierce your tongue with the poison of love! Come, my lady! I shall protect you with my own flesh, bones and spirit!! - This guy… - Is a skirt chaser…? - Whoa dude… This guy’s good or he’s dumb? - Perhaps both of’em dude… Vision pulled twice France’s cape, which looked at him with a “Don’t bother me” face. - I ask you nicely to keep your hands off my cousin? France looked to Vision with sad eyes: - What? Oh, no! You are already committed! I am extremely sorry for my rudeness, milady! But alas, allow me to serve you with my spear! I swear we will not fail, right Zephyr? You agree with me? – Surprisingly, the spear sparked beautiful colors from its tip, like it was talking with its wielder. - You seem reliable enough when it comes to fighting! – Alan stood up and shook hands with France – I will gladly fight beside you, but I’ll trash your bacon white if you put your pawns on my fiancée, got it? France took a quick look to Alissa, and gulped dry. He began to sweat a little, but he didn’t lose his posture: - S-sure! I keep my word as a Zephyr Knight! - HEY! Don’t decide things for us! – Cilia was clearly pissed off, waving the lunk of meat up and down, catching Karen’s attention – This guy’s a skirt chaser! What if he tries to do something with me or Karen when we’re asleep? The single thought of it made Karen lose her appetite. - Don’t worry – Alissa smiled nicely – If he does that, I’ll make sure he gets poisoned before he notices. - Don’t worry, milady! – France made a very stout comforting pose with his arms – this Knight will be protecting you! Despite my rudeness back then, I can be very focused on combat, all to please milady! - Yo, Eden. This dude can teach us some flirt techs! – Fang whispered to Eden with a hopesome face. - Uhm. I’d rather rob that spear of his when I get the chance. Wanna do it? I bet it will be easier than I thought, knowing that he’s a skirt chaser… - Ok! Hey, you all! It’s decided, we will come as well! – Fang stepped forward, trying to look cool. - What? The Thief and the Mage? What for? – Alan said it sarcastically. - We may not look like but we’re pretty good in survey and scouting! Allow us to scout the area when we go back to the hunt! I’m sure you will not be disappointed with our skills! – Fang pointed to his chest and stuffed it in the process. Eden simply smiled and hit his scepter on the grass. - Having a Mage in the party isn’t troublesome as well. Working as a team will be the key to victory, money and experience. Allow us to demonstrate what we’re capable of tomorrow, and you will see what I am talking about. - As long as you keep your hands away from my belongings, it’s fine to me. – Alan said it loudly. - And why not? More people are always more fun! – Alissa smiled beautifully to the duo. - I proudly dislike the idea, but I believe there’s nothing I can do, right? – Cilia made a weird noise with her nose. - And welcome to the team, Thief one and Thief two! Allow us to work as a team and achieve victory upon our enemy!! – France pointed his spear to the sky, like a general. - How it all came to this? I miss a very comfty bed… But a job’s a job… - Karen sighed real loudly. - I can’t fight against the opposite side’s opinion, so I’ll stick with it. Remember though: One false step and your face will become the new floor of Glast Heim. – Vision wasn’t in a very good day, Karen believed. The campfire’s light kept burning for some time, until they all decided to rest. The night was tough and the other day promised to be even tougher. Karen’s head was really heavy, and she fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes… And in her dream, Karen was absolutely sure she head something whispering the word Gabriev In her ears… Next Chapter: And with a job well done!   Chills Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:40 pm     Chapter Nine: And with a job well done! When morning light came upon the party, Alan, Alissa and France decided how they would progress. Alan decided that as told last night, Fang and Eden would be the scouts, Karen, Cilia and Vision would hold the newfound enemy while Alan, Alissa and France would do the rest. Surprisingly, not, France said that he wouldn’t allow the women to hold the enemy as he would use the opportunity to strike them down, since it was his duty to protect them. Alas, he made Alan give up on this and told him that he could do whatever he felt like. France couldn’t hide his happiness on choosing his own “path to glory” and decided to stick with Karen and Cilia instead. - My ladies, I and Zephyr will gladly fight beside you! Worry not! We will be your shield and fangs! – France made a half-moon move with his arms, in a very courteous reverence towards Cilia and Karen. Both of them felt in extreme danger. - I would be extremely grateful if you’d stop with those lines, France… You have no idea how painful it is to endure them. – Cilia bit her own lips, hoping that he’d listen. - Excuse me, milady! But this Knight cannot endure the pain of keeping his soul to himself! I gladly share it with milady, my sweet Cilia! - SOMEONE HELP ME! And so, they began their progress through Glast Heim. Fang and Eden proved to be real good scouts, and soon enough they found a small group of Mists beyond one bridge, and a place that they referred to as “Chivalry of Glast Heim.” Karen didn’t understand at all. - So, a group of Mists or the Chivalry. I’m stuck; I leave this one to you, Alan. – Vision sounded like he didn’t sleep at all. - Our target is the Khalitzburgs, so we’re striking the Chivalry. Karen, Cilia, stay close to Me, Alissa or France. Vision – He said it a way only Vision could listen – keep an eye out on those two ruffians, I still don’t like them too much. - I couldn’t agree more. Don’t worry, my name won’t disappoint. – Vision looked to Fang and Eden, who were both saying something that didn’t sound good. - Ok! So we are going to the Chivalry! Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s destroy some filthy undead! – Alan grabbed his axe and proceeded the way the thieves guided them. Karen, with her sword at hand, only prayed for anything bad to happen with them. The dark presence over her got bigger as they approached the Chivalry, and she began to shiver a little. Some minutes of walking, and they reached the Chivalry. It was a very big; mighty building that was sadly on ruins as well. The stone walls were covered in a dark lime, and Karen believed that it wasn’t lime, but it was blood. Her stomach began to gurgle as her thoughts fell on that part. - Are you guys ready? – Vision pulled his leg backwards really far, and kicked the door with it so powerfully that the door couldn’t hold it; it opened brutally in pieces, allowing everything inside to listen to their arrival. - Vision, are you retarded dude? – Fang came slowly and grabbed Vision’s robes – Now they know that we’re here!! - Better this way, now they will come to us, and we won’t need to waste our time doing so – Vision looked to Fang who was with a face that could kill someone the next minute – release me. Fang didn’t sound convinced at all, but as soon as Vision said that, France entered the Chivalry and said with a dreamer voice: - Ooh, this really reminds me of the old times… Al would be nostalgic, indeed… - Al? Who is he? – Alissa entered the Chivalry with Alan and Eden, who was paying a lot of attention on France. - Ah, Al… He used to be my Peco. My loyal mount… killed by the hands of demons, he was. I had him since he was an Egg, and in a single night of misfortunes, he was gone, together with the people I cared most. Maybe am I being too hasty…? By judging them dead? They were all strong people… - France… Don’t worry… I’m sure they are all fine. – Alissa smiled to France trying to comfort him. France immediately bowed towards Alissa like a reflex. - Ah, Milady! Your words of comfort fill my soul and heart with joy! Worry not! I will search them f… - France immediately became quiet. He stood up, and while coughing, he said – Ahem! I am sorry. I almost broke my word as a Knight. - Excuse me? Alan became so happy after hearing that one that he didn’t even care about watching France anymore with a suspicious intent. Karen, still shivering, gripped the closes thing she could touch, making it be Fang’s garments. He looked at her, indifferent. - What’s up, lass? Scared? - Uh… Kind of. This place gives me the bursting creeps. I can’t help but feeling this thing over my shoulders that only gets heavier. - Heh! And ye call yourself a Swordswoman. I though you dudes were some tough stuff, but looking at ya, I have some serious doubts. - D-Don’t make fun out of me! I can still fight! It’s only… - Only that you’re, even being a warrior, still a Scared Skirt. Karen got seriously pissed after hearing that, but didn’t say anything. She couldn’t deny everything he said: She was scared. Something in there wasn’t right, but she didn’t want to startle everyone with this. She looked to Vision, who returned the look. He made a “Don’t worry” move with his arms, and she felt a little better. The silence got disturbed when Eden hit the ground with his scepter once more, pissed off. - Where’s the enemy? Do they even realize we are here? – Eden ducked and sat on the cold floor. - Indeed, this is kind of strange. They should’ve shown up for now. – France scratched his non-existent beard – Should we scatter and search the area? We will cover more ground like this. - It is dangerous to go on separate ways – Alan sounded impatient – and I think it’s not as safe as sticking together. Still, if the enemy takes longer to appear, we should move on groups. - Good idea, honey! – Alissa stepped forward and asked France to come closer. As he came, Alissa grabbed his clothing and w