Summary: Replex Cosmos is a normal warrior in Perion. Or so he thought till he discovers about the Rubian Mark he was born with. He sets out to the rest of Victoria Island to trace his origins, as well as others who had the same fate as him.

Disclaimer: I do not own Maple Story or the NPCs in it, I only own my characters and the plot. The original characters are MINE.

Author's Note: This takes place before big bang/pirates/re-arrangement of the island of Victoria. This story takes elements from the online game and the DS game(slightly). But I do not own them, only the plot and the original characters.

Italics= Thoughts

Chapter 1: Prologue

A large sandstorm brewed over a dry area, sweeping up five children in its strong gusts. As if on instinct, the five children locked their hands with each other to ensure they are not separated.

A young boy hung on dearly to the hand of a small girl, screaming out, 'Princess, don't let go of my hand!" His cries were drowned out by the winds of the storm, as the children were thrown around in the vortex, slowly breaking from each other.

"NoDon't let go…"

However, the girl's grip weakened, her small fingers unable to wrap around the boy's. A sudden gust of wind hit them, and the two were separated.

"No!"

Echoes of "No" rang throughout a quiet, empty valley. A lone teenage boy with crimson hair bolted up suddenly from lying down on the hard rock. He trembled slightly from the pain in his dream. His previously neatly parted hair was a mess and his glasses were askew from his sudden movement. He wiped his sweaty forehead with the back of his gloved hand.

"Darn it," he muttered, clenching his orange shirt so tightly that his knuckles showed, his face slightly pale. His ruby eyes gazed towards the mountainous region that lay beyond the cliff on which he sat.

"The same dream again?" The young teenager questioned himself, arranging his hair back to being parted neatly in the middle, tying the rest into a long ponytail behind him. As he adjusted his glasses, he stood up, resting his hands on his ice blue jeans after he was done.

"Recently,I feel like something is calling out to me, beyond Perion's mountains," The tall teenager thought to himself, looking at the mountains, covered with white, misty clouds.

"Replex Cosmos!"

The teen Replex turned his head away from the scenery for a second, and his eyes widened when he saw a familiar face.

"You're…"

Replex was rudely cut off when a purple spiky-haired bespectacled teen came up to him in his face. "Where in Perion have you been! I ran all over town looking for you!"

The purple hair teen panted heavily, white-lined green shirt soaked with sweat, his face flushed from his running. His hands crossed as he stood up straight again, irritation was written all over his face. His purple eyes flashed fiercely at Replex, expecting an answer. Replex laughed sheepishly, scratching the side of his face.

"I'm sorry, Karamel. You know I love hanging out at this cliff corner of Perion," He replied, drawing a sigh from Karamel.

"I swear, anyone could just push you off this cliff and that would be the end of you. Wait, that's not what I'm here for!" Replex tilted his head to the side, curious. "Master Dances with Balrog has been looking for you for the past half an hour!"

Replex tilted his head to the other side, a puzzled look on his face, taking his time to absorb what Karamel had just said. His jaw then dropped as he realized he had kept his master waiting.

Karamel shook his head in exasperation. "Really, you ought to-" He was cut off as a blur of red, rushed past him. Karamel gave a scowl as he turned swiftly walking back into Perion, the city in the mountains and the home of the Warriors.

"He sure is fast, that young boy…" He muttered softly to himself.

Perion, the city in the mountains. It was a city sited in the North end of the floating island of Victoria. It was home to the warriors and the tribe of Red Indian-like people, who have managed to tame the harsh surroundings. Tents populated the area, built on different levels at the highest part of the mountains. Even though the vegetation was sparse, the locals have managed to survive on trade between the other cities of Victoria, such as water from Kerning and vegetables from Ellina. Perion herself produces meat while hunting the Wild Boars that populate the outskirts of the city.

Replex was now running up the rocky steps of the tent-filled town, running to the highest point in the city. "Damn, why must Master Dances with Balrog's place be all the way at the top," he cursed, finally at the top of the flight of steps. As he tried to catch his breath, he walked over to a large stone building, sweat dripping down the sides of his face and down the tips of his hair.

The front of the building had weird carvings on it, in a language that looked like random lines to Replex. The door had a circular crest, bearing ancient signs. The symbol of warriors, a shield overlapping two swords and an axe, was carved into the top of the building. Replex's face twitched slightly as he looked at the building that was literally towering over him.

"Gosh, I sure hope Master isn't mad," He mumbled, pressing his hands on the circular crest.

On his touch, energy flowed from the crest outwards, and the stone doors opened slowly, a loud groan coming from it, and light poured into the dark building. Inside, the walls were covered in darkness, the only light coming from two large torches at the end of the room, where a lone tanned individual sat on a rock throne in between the torches. He was reading a piece of paper, quill pen in one hand.

The adult wore a an Indian chief hat, his black hair framing his face as it fell over, war paint under his closed eyes. The tight creases on his beige shirt showed his muscular build. His legs were crossed, relaxed in the shorts they were in, and his hands look calloused and rough, evidence of harsh training. A feather charm hung around his right hand. In Replex's eyes, he was a towering figure, at least a head taller than him.

"The instructor of the WarriorsMaster Dances with Balrog." Replex thought to himself.

As if on instinct, Dances with Balrog looked up from the piece of paper he was reading. Replex immediately scooted outside, hiding behind the door, fearful of incurring his master's wrath.

"No, I am not mad at you, Replex." Dances with Balrog sighed, putting his paper and pen aside. Feeling a sense of relief, Replex strolled in, standing before Dances with Balrog, bowing respectfully.

"Why did you call for me, Master," asked Replex. Seeing the look on Dances with Balrog's face darken, Replex took another try at asking. "Master?"

"Replex, do you… know where you were born?"

"I always thought I was born in Perion. Isn't that right?

Dances with Balrog lifted his head slightly, shifting in his seat uncomfortably. Despite Dances with Balrog's eyes being closed, Replex could feel his intense stare, as if he was being read by Dances with Balrog. Replex could also tell there was an internal conflict deep inside his master's heart, and waited with bated breath for his reply.

"This may be a bit hard to swallow Replex, but…" Dances with Balrog's voice faded, hesitant to finish what he said.

Replex folded his arms impatiently. "Just continue, master. I can take it." Honestly speaking, he was trying to hide the fear in his voice. While he was curious on what Dances with Balrog was hiding from him, he does not want to find out that he was not born in the town he had been living for 8 years, till his current age of fifteen.

A look of surprise was slightly evident on Dances with Balrog's face. "Very well. You and Karamel were both found outside of the village, eight years ago. At that time, it appeared that both of you have lost your memories, only remembering your names."

Dances with Balrog paused, letting Replex absorb the information he just said. Carefully, he looked at the teen, whose eyes were now mildly clouded with confusion. Multiple thoughts were running through Replex's head. He had no idea of his true origin. He always believe that he was born in Perion, and had gotten into an accident by falling off a cliff side while playing with Karamel, thus falling unconscious shortly afterward and losing part of his memories. He did have one burning question though.

"Why?" He whispered, his voice weak with shock, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. "Why was this kept a secret from Karamel and I? Why?" He looked up at his master, trying to fight back his tears. "Why do you only tell me this now!" He yelled, before slowly withdrawing his anger.

"Who am I?" He whispered to himself.

Dances with Balrog got off his chair, walking towards Replex. Gently but firmly, he set his hands on Replex's shoulders. "I had to wait till you were fully grown up in order to break the news to you. You are Replex Ruby Cosmos, a proud warrior and the Pride of Perion. You are also a holder of the Rubian Crest."

Replex gave a blank look as he heard the last statement. "Rubian? Isn't that the red jewel that holds a great evil? Rumour has it that it was kept in a seal by the fallen Rubian Kingdom."

Dances with Balrog nodded. "Legend has it that the jewel will pick a few chosen ones for each generation of the Rubian Court to bear the crest. You and Karamel each have a crest."

Replex raised his eyebrows, a slightly sceptical look on his face. "But I don't see the crest anywhere."

Dances with Balrog chuckled lowly. "Remove your gloves, Replex." Replex glanced at the black fingerless gloves on his hands, before pulling them off. To his utter shock, an imprint of a sword in red was on the back of his right palm. "What, where, how?"

"I told you. That was the reason you and Karamel were told to never take off those gloves. Karamel has a similar marking, but in the shape of a rapier and the mark is on his left hand." Informed Dances with Balrog.

Another whirlwind of thoughts hit Replex. If he and Karamel were bearers of the Rubian Crest, why was he in Perion? He had no recollection of his memory, his only clue was that he was part of the Rubian Kingdom originally, which fell a few years back.

Replex's gaze suddenly dropped as he pulled his arms closer to his body. He asked, in a whispery voice, "You did not answer my previous question, master. Why are you telling me this now?"

Suddenly, a wrapped sword and shield flew out of nowhere. Replex hastily caught them before they struck the ground, cradling them in his arms. Dances with Balrog came from a dark corner, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Replex looked at the wrapped items, before looking back at Dances with Balrog, confused. Dances with Balrog tapped the ground with his foot impatiently, his arms folded across his chest.

"Well? Unwrap it." He hissed slightly.

Replex unwrap the items with care, his hands trembling from excitement and nervousness. The first thing he saw when the plain wrapping came off was a jewel-casted sheath and a triangular shield. Red rubies adorn the sheath and the shield alike. Replex pulled the sword out of its sheath, revealing a white blade and gold-plated hilt, a red jewel attached onto the joint where the blade and the hilt met. The shield had a reflective surface, so well-polished Replex could see his reflection on it. The rubies were cast on the three corners of the shield.

The mark on Replex's hand began to glow, and so did the red jewel on Replex's sword. A bright light engulfed him, blinding both him and Dances with Balrog for the moment. A voice echoed in Replex's head. "Replex Ruby Cosmos, I hereby recognise you as my owner."

Replex snapped out of his stupor, looking back at the sword. "D-Did the sword just speak to me?" Dances with Balrog raised a curious eyebrow, clearing his throat to draw Replex's attention back to him.

"These weapons were passed to me by a mysterious stranger a few years ago, saying I would pass it onto someone in due time, the Rubian Sword and Shield."

Replex thought about it for a moment. Some stranger actually just handed the sword to him? Was this stranger a survivor of the fall of the Rubian Kingdom? And was that voice he heard really from the sword? As the questions went through his mind, Dances with Balrog placed his arms behind his back, walking out of the building. Replex, being curious, followed him.

When he looked out and down, a breath-taking view of the village was all he saw. The locals were moving about on their daily business, the tents appeared as tiny ants. All was peaceful, and the scenery was beautiful. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a little dot in the distance. Was that Karamel walking back to their tent?

Dances with Balrog took a deep breath, sighing. "Take a good look at the place you grew up for the past 8 years. For you may not see this view for awhile."

Replex turned his head sharply, shock clear on his face. "W-Why?"

Dances with Balrog turned to him, a grim look on his face as he gripped Replex's shoulder firmly, which made Replex wince slightly in pain.

"I want you to find your own destiny, Replex. I have taught you the necessary skills for you to survive out there. Travel around Victoria Island and find your own purpose in our world of Maple."

Replex was stunned. He had never gone further than a kilometre radius of Perion's village gates, let alone to the base of the mountains. Furthermore…

"What about Karamel-"

"He'll be staying here in Perion."

"But that's not fair for Karamel!" Replex protested, but was quickly silenced by his master's sharp, closed eye stare.

"Karamel has his own destiny to fulfilled. He has already accepted this."

Replex fell silent, gripping his new gear tightly. "I-If I go on my journey, will I be able to discover… Who I really am?"

Dances with Balrog gave a mysterious smile. "That is up to you to decide. It's your own future, your path, your destiny. Carve it out with your will and determination. You'll leave tomorrow morning, so rest up and have a long chat with Karamel."

Replex gave a brief sound of acceptance, walking down the steps from the highest point of the mountain, his footsteps and heart heavy. Dances with Balrog gave a stern look as Replex walked down, walking back into his building, the doors closing behind him, leaving just a small gap for light to pass through. Taking another glance at the paper he was reading earlier, he crushed it in his hand without a second look, tossing it into the flames of the torch.

"It's a bit cruel, their fate." He mutters, disappearing into the shadows of his room.

Meanwhile, Replex returned to the tent that he and Karamel had been living in for the past 8 years of their lives. Flipping the rough material of the tent to let himself enter, a nasty smell of herbs stung his nostrils, and so did the smell of metal. He looked at the far corner where the beds were located, and saw the small shadow of someone sitting on the bed, hunched. Replex smiled as he knew that person's outline, it was Karamel.

Replex placed his sword and shield near a small leather pouch which he used to carry potions when he went out to train. Looking at the shelves that were attached onto the wooden poles which held up the tent, he saw new potions. "Perhaps Karamel restocked." He muttered, walking to Karamel who seemed obsessed with his work. Shakily, he slapped Karamel on the back. "Hey brother, what are you doing there huh?"

Karamel fell forward from the force, his arms flailing in order to keep balance as he nearly toppled off the bed. Replex grabbed him round the waist, pulling him onto the bed. Karamel panted slightly, before ramming his fist into Replex's head playfully.

"You idiot! You scared me!" Karamel laughed, and so did Replex. The duo laughed for a moment. As they did, Replex recalled the fun memories he and Karamel had, and how close they always were. Despite Karamel being the weaker one when it comes to combat, Replex never left Karamel's side. Karamel could even use a bit of magic, much to Replex's surprise.

Replex calmed down first, looking at the bed sheets with furrowed as he tried to find a way to break his news to Karamel.

"Is it about your trip, Replex?" Karamel spoke, which broke his train of thoughts.

Replex's head jolted up from looking at the sheets. "What? How did you know?"

Karamel gave a gentle smile. "Master Dances with Balrog gave me a brief session, telling me about our past and all, and also the fact that you will be leaving Perion," Karamel pulled Replex into a brotherly hug and patted on his back a few times. "All I can say is to stay safe, and make sure you stay healthy and alive."

Replex struggled to hold back the tears that wanted to drop from his eyes. He wanted to ask more questions, for he had a feeling Karamel knew more than what he was telling Replex now. However, he decided against it. Facing away from Karamel, he removed his glasses, placing it at the side and laying down on his bed. Karamel got up, pulling down the tent covers, letting in just a bit of the setting sun. "It's a bit early for bed, but you should get enough sleep for tomorrow, Replex."

Replex nodded, drifting into slumber, a few tears rolling down his cheeks as he slept.

Karamel, however, was packing a few things into Replex's leather pouch, making it slightly bigger. He tore off the white leather gloves he wore for a long time, continuing to work at whatever he was working on just now. His eyes lacked emotion as he focused on his little project.

"This is my little gift to you Replex… I can only pray you use it well." Karamel's left hand started glowing softly, a rapier imprint on the back of his palm. He got up, finishing the item, before placing it aside. He then went to crawl into his own bed, gazing at Replex's long crimson hair. He knew that it would be one of the last few moments that he would be able to see that wonderful shade of red ever again. His eyelids grew heavier, and both of the teenagers slowly drifted off to sleep.

Author's note: Some of the content is out of Maple content, it's purely thought up for fun. Oh, and pronunciation, just for your information.

Replex: Rare-Plex
Karamel: Car-ra-mell (yes, like the candy)
Rubian: Ru-bi-en