Section 1: How I became a Warrior?

Chapter One: Fishing for a Bow?

This is the Prologue to Anna Aurion's Untold Story. This is a short story on why Anna became a Warrior...

This particular story takes place seven years before Anna meets Kratos. At this point, Anna is just am ordinary sixteen year old girl living in Luin.

When Anna was thirteen, her parents sent her to the Music Academy in Palmacosta. It was Anna's dream to be a famous concert pianist like her Grandmother Celmus. Over the three years she was there. Everyone thought she was a sensation.

At the end of Anna's second year at school, she met and accompanied a boy named Sam. He was sixteen and a heart throb. It was said he possessed the singing voice of an angel.

At first, Anna thought she was in love with Sam. However, the more she got to know his personality. She quickly learned all he cared for was fame, money, and woman.

Anna tried to make the best of the situation. However, it was all her girl friends that drove her nuts on their silly infatuations with Sam. They got on her last nerve. She quickly leaned that the life of a performer wasn't as thrilling as she thought.

Only having a year left in school, Anna decided to drop out. When she returned home to Luin, she was broken hearted over everything.

Was Anna's Family happy about their daughter's decision to quit School? No. They were furious.

Abby, Anna's Mother was threatening Anna. If she didn't finish Music School, she would be married off to the next available bachelor in Luin.

At this point, Anna is a normal sixteen year old. She was wearing a light blue dress. That was the common fashion to Luin. Her long chestnut hair was in a simple pony tail.

Anna was sitting at home in the kitchen. She was preparing a hot meal for tonight's guest.

Tonight's guest was Ben. He was the only son of the Chef in Luin. Ben had dark brown eyes and was rather heavy set. He especially enjoyed sampling new recipes to add to his small restaurant.

Ben glanced at the soup Anna had recently made. He smelled it and questioned, "Mmmm… Anna? You out did yourself this time? This chili smells good?"

Anna smiled at Ben's complement. After that, she replied, "Oh. It was nothing. It's Grandma Celmus's favorite recipe."

Ben picked up his spoon, and dipped it into the soup. Then he took a sip of the chili. When he tasted it, his eyes became as large as saucers. He grabbed his throat and chocked out, "Water! I need water!"

Ben quickly got up out of his chair. Then he ran out of the room and out the door.

When Ben left, Anna snickered to herself. Then she stated, "That takes care of suitor number five."

Just then, Anna heard a knock at the front door. She stood up from her chair and walked to the front door. She opened the door to see her childhood best friend Ray.

Ray is a very tall and thin eighteen year old boy. With a mess of spiky brown hair, Ray has to wear a red bandanna to keep the mess of hair out of brown eyes. He is also wearing a white outfit. That was common attire for fighter for hires.

Anna folded her arms and questioned, "Ray? Wow! You've really grown tall? What are you doing here? I thought you joined the army?"

Ray smiled at Anna and replied, "Surprised you didn't I? I'm on break. I thought I would come home a bit. Where's your brother?"

Anna thoughtfully questioned, "Hmm. I don't know where Aaron is? He's probably running around somewhere?"

Ray replied, "That's ok. Do you want to go fishing?"

Anna sheepishly replied, "Sure. I'll get my poll."

Anna quickly retrieved her fishing poll and headed out the front door to join Ray. They had a secret fishing spot that was on the outskirts of Luin. It was said this spot had the best fish and the prettiest view.

When they reached that spot, they put their polls in the water. Then, they stretched out on the grass, and sat next to each other.

Anna frowned and asked, "Do you like being a fighter for hire?"

Ray smiled and replied, "Yes. It's a hell of a lot better than school."

Anna laughed and said, "You never liked school that much anyway. You're such a bum!"

Ray frowned and asked, "I heard you gave up the life of luxury and mire baths?"

Anna laughed at his remark. She replied, "Yes. I did. When I first went, I couldn't wait to get out of Luin. But then, I quickly learned the people at the Music Academy weren't as friendly as I thought. I'm glad to be home."

Ray frowned and stated, "From what I saw of Sam, the guy's a pervert."

Anna nervously laughed and replied, "Yeah. That's why I'm home. Unfortunately, my parents don't get it. Mom is really angry with me. She's threatening me to marry someone I don't know."

Ray frowned and stated, "That's harsh. And here, I thought you're parents married for love."

Anna replied, "They did. But for some reason they worry I'll end up like Aunt Helen."

Ray asked, "Who are you're suitors?"

Anna replied, "Well. So far, there have been five. The last one I just got rid of before you came. Is the Baker's son Ben."

Ray frowned and questioned, "You're taking about Fat Old Bennie?"

Anna laughed hysterically. After that, she replied, "I just made chili soup for him. I put in everything hot we had. I think I just burned his mouth."

Ray laughed for quite a while. Then he questioned, "Oh. Anna that's funny? From the sound of things, it sounds like you have everything under control?"

Anna sneered and replied, "Oh. I got the idea from my older brother. He did that once."

Ray asked, "How is you're older brother?"

Anna replied, "Argos just got a job on a whaling boat. He loves the sea salt air. He hardly ever wants to come home. He recently wrote us letter which is rare for him."

Just then, Anna's finishing line began to move. She frowned and questioned, "A fish?"

Anna tried to grab her fishing pool and pull back on the lure. She quickly discovered this was no ordinary fish. She pulled with all her strength.

Finally, she gasped and yelled, "Ray! I can't pull it! It's too big! I'm going to lose my poll!"

Ray came up beside Anna. He took the poll and used all his strength to pull the huge fish out of the water.

When Ray saw the huge fish on the poll, he stated, "Wow! That's a new record. Do you want to hold it?"

Anna glanced at the huge fish for sometime. Just looking at its buggy eyes scared her. She shook her head and screamed, "No way!"

Ray laughed and stated, "You're just a squirmy girl."

Anna stuck out her tongue and stated, "It's the buggy eyes. Wow. That thing must weigh at least thirty pounds."

Ray said, "Its defiantly one of the biggest."

Anna frowned and nervously questioned, "Since it's on my pole… Can you please… carry it home?"

Ray smiled and replied, "Sure. Admit it. You need me."

Anna nervously replied, "In this case. I guess I do."

Ray and Anna silently walked away from the secret spot. They walked back through downtown Luin. Ray was carrying the large fish.

As they got closer to Anna's home, Ray frowned and asked, "Hey Anna?'

Anna looked at Ray's face, and questioned," What?"

Ray sheepishly replied, "Well…I was thinking what if we…"

Just then, before Ray could finish his sentence… Anna's youngest brother Aaron came running through. When he spotted his older sister, Aaron yelled, "Hey Sis! I hate to interrupt your fun. But, the second you get home you're going to get chewed out by Mom and Dad."

Anna nodded at her youngest brother. Then she said, "Thanks for the warning. I better go."

Ray frowned and questioned, "Uh… Wait. What about this fish?"

Aaron looked at the giant fish. His eyes popped open. Then he questioned, "Wow. You got that at the secret spot, didn't you?"

Ray replied, "Of course."

Anna looked at Ray. She stated, "You might as well keep it. I won't have time to clean it. Especially since, I'm getting chewed out."

Ray smiled and replied, "Well. Thanks Anna. I'll see you later."

Anna waved at Ray, and stated, "By Ray. Good luck."

Ray quickly waved with the huge fish still in his hands. He said, "Thanks. I'll see you around."

After Ray left, Aaron frowned at his sister. He said, "Hey Sis. I hate to be rude but Dad doesn't want you hanging around him."

Anna sheepishly replied, "I know. But, I feel sorry for him."

Aaron laughed and questioned, "Sometimes, you can be way too kind hearted? Come on, they're waiting?"

When Anna and Aaron got home, they lived in a wooden house that was close to the Lake. The house had a beautiful front porch with a lot of flowers in front.

Grandma Celmus was outside trimming the rosebushes. Gardening was like heaven to her. She would spend hours outside planting and weeding the flower beds. Our flower beds were the best in town.

Grandma Celmus stopped trimming the roses and glanced up when she saw her granddaughter. She smiled and said, "Anna. There you are. You better go inside. You're parents are furious."

Anna nervously replied, "I know. Aaron warned me."

Anna walked to the front door and opened the door. She was preparing to hear the worst lecture possible.

The second she opened the front door, Anna's parents were standing in the doorway. They were patiently waiting for their daughter to return.

Anna's Mother's name was Abby. She was once the prettiest woman in Luin, despite her age. She was wearing a long light blue dress. Abby angrily glared at Anna. Then, she threw her arms up with worry. She questioned, "Where on earth have you been?"

Anna's Father Alester was tall and remotely handsome. He had once been a prodigy warrior to the Palmacosta Government. Until, he shattered his left knee in battle. After that, he had to give up his passion of fighting. But his love of weapons never diminished.

It was Alester's military experience. That made him one of the few men who could look at Anna and make her crawl in fear. He coldly narrowed his eyes at Anna and questioned, "You went fishing with Ray. Didn't you?"

Anna slowly put the poll away. Then she replied, "Yes. I did. He came back on break."

Alester folded his arms and stated, "Look. Ray's grown up. It's time for that boy to learn what the real world is all about."

Anna frowned and questioned, "You're right. I can't help it but I feel sorry for Ray? I'm the only friend he's got?"

Alester frowned and replied, "Sometimes, I wish I never took that kid in. You're Mother and I felt sorry for Ray because his Mother died when he was six. After she died, Ray's Father turned to alcohol to solve his problems. He would get angry with Ray. Then in his drunken rage, he would physically abuse Ray. That's how Ray became such a good fist fighter. That kid had to learn how to defend himself at a young age. Know one in Luin wanted him. It was because he smelled bad and had the foulest manors around. It was that stupid Mayor of Luin, who begged me over and over to take him."

Anna tried to cover a laugh. She smiled and replied, "I remember."

Alester frowned and questioned, "From the beginning all that boy did was stare at you?"

Anna blushed and replied, "Er… Really?"

Alester replied, "Yeah. Do you remember the time when Abby bought Ray new clothes? He refused to wear them and he refused to have his old clothes burned. They were tattered and smelly from years of never being washed. That kid reeked. We tried everything in the world to convince him to bath. In the end, you were the one he listened to."

Anna laughed and questioned, "All it took was female persuasion?"

Alester frowned and replied, "We did try to send Ray to school. However, that didn't last long. From the beginning, Ray hated the Professor. They clashed over everything. The Professor stated that both Ray and Argos were unfit learners. You know how sensitive your older brother is about his poor grades. It was because he was slower. And the fact, he gets fidgety when he sits too long. Ray had Argos convinced if school was so hard? Why stay?"

Anna frowned and questioned, "I remember?"

Alester frowned for a long moment. Then he replied, "You have no idea. How challenging it was for me to convince Argos not to quit."

Anna replied, "Oh. I remember. I started to help him with his homework. So he could graduate."

Alester smiled and stated, "Thank the Goddess Martel you did. That was a huge relief and now Argos thanks me."

Anna smiled and replied, "I'm glad it worked. He loves his job on the boat."

Alester stated, "After Argos graduated, that was when I realized Ray was a bad influence on this family. The only thing that's Ray's good at is fighting."

Anna frowned and questioned, "You're right Dad? That does seem like the only thing?"

Alester dementedly laughed. Then he folded his arms and replied, "I'm sorry Anna. But, if you think of marrying Ray, I'll have no choice but to disown you. Ray's working as a fighter for hire. He gets paid for it. But, that kid has no concept of what money is. He spends it all on gambling. Every time he bets he thinks he's going to win big. Then he loses. Before he realizes it he's completely broke. He hasn't saved a gald yet."

Anna laughed at her Father and relied, "Oh. I'm aware of that Dad. Every time I try to tell him. It's like talking to a wall."

Alester laughed and stated, "I would have to be pretty dumb to let you marry someone like that. He would drain all my hard earned money form my weapon shop. Then we'd be broke and on the street. So the answers' No way! Leave him alone!"

Anna replied, "You're right Dad. I can do better."

Alester smiled and questioned, "I'm glad you see it that way? Come to the Library, there is something else I need to tell you?"

Alester limped ahead of everyone. While Abby his wife followed behind him. Anna reluctantly walked behind them.

When they reached the Library, which was Alester's favorite room. Alester took a seat at his mahogany desk. Abby took a seat in the corner chair. She left the chair on the end open for Anna.

Abby glared at Alester encouragingly.

Alester nodded at his wife. Then, he said, "Anna. I'm ashamed of you. I can't believe you burned the baker boys tongue. Right now, he's seeing the Doctor. It may be a second degree burn. If it is he may never taste again. His family is furious at me and especially you."

Anna opened her mouth. She seemed to be in shock. Then the tears rolled down her face. She cried, "I'm sorry Dad. I didn't think it would hurt him."

Alester watched Anna's tears fall. He folded his arms across the desk and questioned, "You got the idea from your older brother Argos, didn't you?"

Anna nervously replied, "Yeah… from him."

Alester frowned and replied, "I should have realized you're brothers practical jobs were a bad influence on you. This time you went too far."

Anna cried out, "You're right Dad."

Alester frowned for a long moment. Then with irritation he questioned, "Gee Anna. What am I going to do with you? First, you leave the Palmacosta Music Academy. I spent fifteen thousand on school. So you would have a degree. What more do you want?"

Anna let the tears continue to role, she cried, "I'm sorry Dad. But, I can't go back and face all those horrible people."

Alester let out a breath and stated, "Actually, you were a lot safer in Palmacosta. In Luin, do you know what happens to pretty girls? If the Desians spot you, they may rape you and take you to the Human Ranch. Do you want that to happen?"

Anna opened her mouth and cried, "No!"

Alester took the most recent copy of the Luin News. He showed the headline to Anna. "Ten Women Raped and Abducted. Desians Behind Plot."

Alester put the paper down and said, "Well. That's what happens when you live here, unprotected. Alisha is one of the girls they took."

Anna slowly replied, "Oh. I was friends with her."

Alester stared at his daughter for a long moment. Then he stated, "That's why I have every right to ship you back to Palmacosta. Anna. What is it you want to do?"

Anna confusingly replied, "Oh. I don't really know anymore. I have no desire to marry someone in town just to have kids. They're all demented."

Alester put his hand over his forehead and questioned, "Why do you have to be so picky?"

Anna dreamily replied, "Look Dad. I want him to sweep me off my feet like I'm nothing… That's it."

Alester let out a breath in frustration. Then he questioned, "You women are really something? What if this dream guy doesn't exist?"

Anna smiled and replied, "If he doesn't exist, then I won't marry."

Alester narrowed his eyes and frowned for a long moment. Then he questioned, "Anna. Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

Abby glanced at her husband. She smiled and replied, "Well. I know who she gets it from."

Alester turned crimson. Then he stated, "I guess you're right, Dear. Fine… Anna. You can stay. But, you have to apologize to the Baker for what you did. That's your mess. I would give him some flowers or a card. Something nice."

Anna nervously questioned, "What if he likes me after that?"

Alester smiled and replied, "That's your problem. Get moving! Since, you're staying."

Anna slowly stood up from her seat and walked out. Whenever her Father said she knew it had to be done.

It wasn't easy. But Anna eventually did apologize to the Baker for what she had done. At first they were reluctant to forgive Anna. She managed to visit Ben at the Doctors Office and check on his condition. After that, she gave him flowers and a card. They were at her at her Father's request.

For now, Anna was relived to be back in quiet simple Luin.