In the Tara Kingdom, unrest has been bubbling to the surface. A single elf, with no memory of a previous life, is the sole person with this knowledge. Something to do with the king and how he came to power. But first... he has to overcome a feared enemy known throughout all of Erinn. A single enemy known simply, and only... as The Bandit King.
You never know what sort of things you can run into in this world. Please be safe... Okay? Until we meet again, dear Kouyou."
I sat up with a gasp, panting and sweating profusely. Another vision... Nao again. Her words still were in my head. But why was it bothering me so much? Was it what she warned me about perhaps? The things in this world... were too grave to speak of? Maybe. But... Still, I wish she could have given me more incentive as to what she meant when she said that.
A look outside tells me it's around 6 or 7 in the morning. I suppose I ought to wake up now. I probably would not have been able to fall asleep anyway. I stretched out my back, hearing a slight popping noise and the tension leaving my muscles.
Outside my tent, the warm sun was just peaking over the distant mountains, the warm rays hitting my skin. This was nice; leaving my old worries behind and starting anew. Sometimes I forget why I ever was worried in the first place. And then it all comes back to me and ruins my good mood.
I wasn't here to fool around. There was still a mission to be achieved. And sitting around here wasn't going to help in that cause. So I was determined to fully avert my attention to this mission, and not let anything else distract me. Today was the day... that I finally realize my purpose.
In town, I see a few new faces since yesterday. The poor fools. Who knows what sort of life they led before rebirthing here? Normally, people who are reborn here can't stand the life they led before, as went for me. It's peaceful here; quiet and rarely ever disturbed of peace. Peaceful... but sometimes a tad boring. That is, if you didn't know how to spend your time wisely. Odd jobs. important quests etc etc. I did my part around here, now it's their turn.
With a small humph I stroll past the general shop, giving a nod to the keeper, Granites. He was a tall fellow, with pointed ears past his head and long silver hair to his shoulders, and to a blue cruces robe with the hood down. He gives me a small look with cold periwinkle eyes and nods back politely. He was never very friendly towards strangers... unless they did something nice for him. It's a good thing I made my place here about a month ago; I have done many things for him and he has since then come to like me enough. Just enough.
Beyond the shop was a small incline, atop which was another building. A sturdy stone fence enclosed the building and the incline. leaving a wide enough gap in between for people to walk through. A young elfen girl stood in front of the building, her bright orange eyes sparkling in the sun as she lovingly polished a sharp, lethal looking blade. She wore a light orange robe with her hood over her head, only her ears and a small pale blonde braid poking out.
Her name was Meles, and she was an odd one. She was the youngest elf in the village, only 15 years old. But she knew more about weapons and strategy than any other elf I have come to know. Meles was bright, and eager to learn, making her a very smart and knowledgeable girl.
I waved at her and she gives me a smile, waving at me. Behind her was a larger hill, and a large building similar to hers but with no fence. An older elf boy by a few years stood in front, hands on his hips and his face towards the sun. I walked up the hill and greeted him. His light blue hair was cut to his neck, and his ears had small gold rings pierced on either side.
"Good morning, Lepus," I greet him, making him blush.
"Morning Kouyou. How are you?"
"Cheeky as always," I laugh. "I see that there are new faces here, hmm?"
"Yes, but none of them wanted my help," he says with a disappointed look. "They've either become warriors or mages or whatever. Tailors are a rare sight..."
"Yeah," I say. "It's too late for me, my own talent is working out fine enough."
He smiles and beams at me.
"Yes, how is your merchant life going, Kouyou? Well I hope?"
"Of course. I go to the neighboring territories every week to find new things to buy and sell, buy and sell, you know?"
"And being able to travel all over! You must see so many amazing things!" he says excitedly. "I get so easily ill, I couldn't handle it at all. Even as a child I had to stay indoors because of my weak immune system..."
"It's alright," I say. "I'll tell you of my travels someday. But first, I must know. Is Castanea awake yet?"
"Yes she is. She is in her house helping our new millitians adjust to their new lives here."
I nod and rub my aching neck.
"Well I need to speak with her. I am finally setting out on my quest today, so it'll be a while before I come back..."
"What? You're leaving?" He says with a disappointed droop of his ears. "Where are you going?"
"To Uladh, Tara specifically. There's something that I know about the king that only a few others know, and I am going to bring it to light once and for all. He needs to be stopped, and only I can do that."
He nods and I wave goodbye to him as I walk to the right of the building, along a dusty path and past the church. A wedding planner and family helper waved at me as I walked past. Just ahead was Castanea's house. I gulped and calmly walked up her steps.
Castanea is the Town's Chief. Without her, Filia would not exist at all.
Inside the doors, I saw her standing with a young elf girl, 10 by the looks of it. 10 was the youngest a milletian could be reborn as, and the oldest 17. Castanea wore a maroon robe, her violet braided hair flowing elegantly down her shoulders. With pale bleak, almost lifeless eyes, she spoke in a calm voice to the young girl, who trembled with what seemed like fear.
"Is there anything else you need?"
"Uhm... No. That's... it, I guess," she squeaks, her dark brown hair falling in ringlets around her face. She had small ears and triangle henna's on her small childish face. A simple short bow was nestled in her hands, and a quiver of arrows was on her back. Obviously a new archer.
Castanea sees me, and she smiles.
"Go now, young one. Speak to Atrata just below the hill outside, she'll help you with what to do next."
The elf nods shyly and scurries past me, closing the door behind her.
"Hmm. I see promise in that one," I mumble softly before turning to Castanea. "Morning Castanea."
"Good morning, Kouyou dear. Can I help you?"
"Well, yes. I have come to announce my departure as of today."
A flash of recognition appears on her face, and is gone in a flash. She has always been good at hiding emotions.
"Ah, so that day has come after all. What can I do to help?"
"Just... tell everyone not to worry about me, and I'll be home sooner than they think. Help will be here soon."
"Is this about the King of Tara and it's outlying regions?"
I nod and scratch my arm. A nervous habit really.
"Yes. It's time I put a stop to this once and for all."
Other than me, Castanea is the only one in town who knows of my plight with the king. And no one else will get to know. This secret was too powerful to let fall into the wrong hands.
"I see. Well, all my blessings to you, my dear Kouyou. May your journey be a safe one."
"Thank you. I must prepare before I leave, so goodbye Castanea. I will see you again sometime."
She gives me a small hug and watches me leave.
I then talked to Granites and got a few things that I might need. Fishing supplies and extra gold bags, for my savings that I had collected over the days of my being here and my previous life. He then decided to finally speak.
"So that's it then. You're just leaving?"
"I have to," I say. "It's something I have to do, for all of us. Even you, Granites."
He says nothing more, and only gives a small grunt. I take that as incentive that our conversation is over. I then proceed to Meles' place and greet her. I turn in my old pick axe that I wouldn't need at all, for a sharp and sturdy broad sword. And what kind of warrior what I be if I didn't have an extra backup set of knuckles? A very poor one I'd say.
She sighs and places the sword down to wipe her hands on an apron tied to her waist.
"I'll miss you Kouyou. what ever you are doing, I hope it all works out."
"Thank you, Meles. I know I will be."
She smiles brightly and pats my shoulder, her wisdom beyond her years showing.
"Come home soon, Kouyou. There's always a place here for you."
With a nod I hug her before heading towards Atrata for my most important supplies.
Just below Castanea's place, another quaint house sits snugly against the hillside. In front stands a young woman elf. Her black hair hangs in a braid to her chest, and her purple robe is snug against her body. Normally, any sane elf male would swoon over her as many do. But I am a rare one I am. I prefer... members of my own sex to the opposite. That's not something that happens often around here.
"Hello Atrata."
She looks up from a book and smiles at me.
"Why hello Kouyou. Are you departing on your journey today?"
I gape at her in surprise. How did she..?
"How do you know that?"
She giggles mischievously.
"The owls told me," she says simply. "I am guessing you need something? Potions perhaps?"
"Err... yeah. And bandages as well, in case."
"Of course. Give me a moment."
She disappears into her house for a few minutes then emerges with a backpack in hand.
"Here, You'll need this more than I do."
I look inside, and see a mixture of various HP and MP potions, phoenix feathers, plus stamina boosts and a lot of bandages.
"Oh, neat. What do I owe you?"
She beams happily at me.
"Nothing."
"Heh?"
"Have it. Its essential for your journey, and I do not need it. Money is nothing next to heroism, after all."
"Ehh... Er, well... thank you Atrata. I will be home soon, I promise."
"I know. The owls have told me that as well. Though I warn you..."
She instantly becomes serious and scoots closer, speaking in a hushed voice.
"Be wary of your surroundings. You never know what could... pop up out of nowhere."
She scoots back and smiles again, her earlier playfulness back. I gulp and clutch onto the backpack. Atrata... seems a bit odd. Odder than usual, I'd say.
"Well goodbye Atrata. I will see you again soon."
"Goodbye, Kouyou. The owls will keep me updated!"
I waved goodbye and went towards Castanea's house up the hill. Inside she was by herself as usual.
"Kouyou? I thought you'd left already?"
I rub at my neck sheepishly.
"Yeah well... I sort of need your help in getting there... After my rebirth, I lost all my sense of directions."
"Ah, well, on the outskirts of town, is the mana tunnel right? Use that and go to Port Quila. There you will find an exploration camp. They should be able to help you."
"Okay," I murmur. "Thank you Castanea."
"Of course. Be safe, Dear."
I exit the building and stop in front, thinking to myself.
Am I really going to do this? Well I mean, sure I am. But am I ready, mentally? My friends... are still in that castle. And I am going to get them out, one way or another.
I find the mana tunnel, outside town just like Castanea said it would be. It's a three pillared mana tunnel, similar to ruins of some sort. It's bathed in an eerie gold light, and a rumbling sound could be heard from deep underground. Overhead, Palala is still rising ever so slowly. Next to it, Eweca shone with it's usual pale etherealness. It's thanks to that pale blue moon that I found confidence in myself.
"Don't worry Akira. I am finally coming back."
I double check everything just in case before stepping into the portal, whisking away to my destination.
-+2nd Person+Tara Castle+-
A young servant boy ran into the large illustrious throne room at the end of a long marble hallway. He panted and fell to his knees, out of breath. A man sat atop a throne at the other end of the room, his cold steely eyes falling upon the figure of the servant. He rose up and crossed his arms.
"Sire! Sire, a word!"
The King frowned and sighed.
"You may speak," came a gruff answer. The boy stood up and caught his breath for a moment before speaking.
"Sir, he's missing."
Instantly the king became furiously silent. He huffed in frustration and flipped his long raven black hair behind him, his red eyes narrowing.
"The one who knows?"
The servant nods.
"Yes. He wasn't in his quarters this morning, and someone said they saw him escaping."
"Hmm... I assume he's going after his little friend. Find him and apprehend him. We cannot let him get any further than he has."
"What are we going to do?"
"What else can we do, Shou? We have to find him, and kill him. I'll alert the guards. Thank you for bringing this news to me. You may go now."
The servant bows his head and calmly exits the room. The king sighs and sits back down, his eyes closing in obvious exhaustion.
"Why? Why can't we just let it go?"
Filia
Castanea
Lepus
Meles
Granites
Atrata
Nao