This is based off of a game called "Fantasy Life". I don't own the game, only Elaide. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter One: New Life
Elaide P.O.V.
Fiery embers burst out in front of me, decorating the ground with red and orange sparks. The dead grass quickly catches fire, adding to the horrific light show unfolding in front of me. An old wooden building erupts in flames, getting swallowed by the malicious blaze. Men and women pile out, screaming in a mad frenzy to escape. The women's long garments are all singed near the bottom, their bonnets astray, while the men's coattails are scorched and ashy.
Eager to flee, I turn on my heels, nearly tripping over my own self as I dash into the woods. My arms reach in front of me, grasping at the clean forest air. My triumph is short lasted, as a pair of clawed hands clasp around my legs, dragging me back towards the chaos.
The woman who grabbed me spins me around to look at her, removing her cloak. Her face is severely deformed, as if it were melting off from the heat.
"Oh, Elaide, how beautiful you've grown up to be! My little angel!", her voice grows more distorted with every word she speaks.
In a feat of strength, she pushes me back towards the flames, sending me cascading into the rubble. The fire licks at me, hungry for its next meal. It pulls me inwards, burning my arms, and-
"Elaide!"
"Gah!", I screech, falling out of my bed, blanket in tow.
Pam is standing in the doorway, broom in hand, staring at me with worry in her eyes. "I heard screaming! Is everything alright? Did you have another nightmare?"
"I-I guess so," I mumble, my heart still racing from my dream. I shake my head. "I'm fine. Thanks Pam."
Pam is my aunt. She raised me since before I could talk. She's the only real family member I know. Well, that's not entirely true. She has a few sisters, my other aunts, that visit occasionally, but I'm not really close to them. Pam's like a mom to me, really, as I don't know my real mother. She left me on Pam's doorstep one day when I was only a few months old. I've never heard from her since. I can barely even remember what she looks like, besides from her eyes. They were a gorgeous dark brown color, much like mine.
"Oh! That reminds me!" Pam exclaims. "You got a letter from the king! It must be about you starting your Life today. Are you sure you want to be a Paladin? I heard it's dangerous! All that fighting... won't that be scary for a young lady such as yourself? You could always work here at the real estate agency."
"Auntie, I'll be fine," I insist. "I can handle myself, I've been practicing with a sword for months now! I really want to do this. It's my calling. Trust me, I got this."
I flash Pam a smile and she grins back at me. "Ok, darling. Get dressed and come outside to get your mail. Oh, I'm so happy for you!"
I throw on a Castelian blouse and skirt, sliding on my brown leather boots as I run out the door. Excitement and nervousness are coursing throw my veins as I run down the creaky wooden steps. Pam is waiting patiently at the mailbox, letter in hand.
"Oh, Elaide, there you are!" the woman chuckles. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't help myself. I skimmed through your mail while waiting."
I grunt and roll my eyes. "You still do that?"
She replies with a hearty laugh and hands me my letter. The envelope is white, encrusted with golden markings all over its front. The royal seal sits in the center, staring right through me. I tear open the letter, pulling out the parchment inside. Nervously, I push my lucious, light brown curls out of my face, uncovering my eyes so I can read:
'Dearest Elaide,
I congratulate you upon getting accepted as a Paladin in training. After retrieving your official license from the Guild Office, report immediately to the palace for further instruction. I wish you ever prosperity and joy in your Life.
Sincerely, King Erik.'
Pam smiles enthusiastically at me and pats me on the back. "Do you know how to reach the Guild?"
I nod. Castele Square isn't too big. It isn't easy to get lost in.
"Alright, Elaide," Pam hugs me. "I want you to be safe, y'hear? No getting hurt, no getting into trouble, okay?"
"Of course, Pam." She smiles and slips me some candy. I thank her. Pam is famous for making amazing sweets.
Shoving the candy in my pouch for later, I head off towards the Guild Office. Ever since I was young, I had always wanted to get a Life and support myself. Now that I'm finally able to, it's hard to hold in my excitement.
As soon as I enter the office, I'm greeted with a rush of musty air. I can already tell that all the employees are less then ecstatic about working here. The man at the front desk greets me with a halfhearted grunt.
"G'morning, and welcome t'the," he pauses to yawn, "one and only Guild Office in Castele. How may I be of your service on this fine, fine day?" He puts in no effort to sound sincere, staring impatiently at me for an answer.
"I'm here to pick up a Paladin license. It should be under the name-",
"Elaide," he cuts me off, pulling out a thick yet small piece of parchment. Scrawled on top were the words "Novice Paladin".
"Now, repeating things makes my sciatica flare up, so try t'listen up. Each time y'rank up, your title'll change, so make sure t'come in here each time t'get your license updated. Now, second important thing is that you need t'remember to-",
"H-h-hey! Leave me alone! Let me go!"
His spiel is interrupted by someone yelling in town square. They sound like they are being attacked.
"Probably just some punk kids acting up again. Anyway, like I was sayin'-",
I cut him off and run outside. At the center of the square stood two men, nearly the complete opposite. They were brothers, notorious for causing messes around Castele. The older brother, Pierre, was the douchbag mastermind behind most of the duo's schemes. He's a self-proclaimed charmer who can't get enough of himself. The younger brother, Butch, is pretty harmless, for the most part. He follows his bigger brother mindlessly, aspiring to be just like him. It never really works out for him, as he's pretty dim.
It looks like they're talking to thin air, that is, until I step closer to them. A beautiful golden butterfly is flapping around in front of them, seemingly having a heated argument. The butterfly's... talking? I don't know why it's so surprising. Castele, nay, Reveria as a whole is a pretty strange place.
"I-I just want to get to the c-castle!" The butterfly is looking visibly frightened, pulling at my heartstrings. I rush over to the group and take a position next to fluttering insect. This could be my first mission as a Paladin.
"H-halt! In the name of the law!" I exclaim, occupying a fight stance. I cringe as the words leave my mouth. I can already feel the blood rush to my cheeks in embarrassment.
Pierre can barely hold back his snickering, and I ring my fingers with shame. The butterfly flapped behind me silently, but I could feel her nerves begin to lessen.
"I think girlie here needs to be taught a lesson on intruding, don't you think, Butch?" Pierre chuckles slyly, a mischievous grin creeping up his face. "Butch, would you do the honors of emptying out her pockets?"
"Of course, bro," Butch walked over to me and aggressively grabbed my satchel. He reaches his small, pudgy hands into the deep pocket. "Hey bro! She don't got no Dosh in here!"
"No Dosh?" Pierre inquires. "C'mon, she's got to have something."
"Oh, wait! Here's somethin'!"
"Ah! I knew she must have something on her!"
"Nah, man. It ain't Dosh, it's candy!" Butch pulls the candy Pam gave me out of my pouch and shows Pierre.
"Well, it's better than nothing, I suppose. Hand it over," Pierre beckons while shoving his hand out to collect his brother's finding.
After popping the sweet in his mouth, Pierre walks off, Butch not far behind. The butterfly turns to talk to me.
"Hey, thanks for your help. Those ruffians are quite the duo, huh? They kept saying they were going to sell me."
"Oh, it was no problem. I mean, I don't feel I really did much to help. Only managed to lose my food and my dignity," I laugh at my own self depreciating joke. The butterfly doesn't seem to be amused, so I stop.
"Well," the insect continues. "I need to get on my to the castle. Do you by any chance know how to get there? Actually, you know, I'll be fine. Thanks again! Be seeing you."
I wave the butterfly off as she makes her way to the palace. I notice that she leaves a trail of golden light in her wake whenever she flies. How peculiar.
"I should probably head on my, too," I mutter to myself. I fix my pilfered through satchel and readjust myself.
It doesn't take long to reach the castle. It's grand stone pillars are hard to miss. The royal family certainly didn't spare any expense while decorating. The walls were covered in gorgeous stain glass windows, casting their colorful shadows over the expensive tiled floor. Red cashmere carpets lined the path to the ballroom and blanketed the stairs.
The entire sight catches me off guard and sends me into a trance of awe and splendor. I have never seen anything as beautiful as this before. My eyes sparkle as I try to take in everything at once.
"Excuse me, uh, l-lady?"
A Paladin tapping me on the shoulder snaps me out of my daze.
"Oh. Sorry," I shake my head. Flustered, I gather my thoughts and head for the stairway, towards the throne room. The throne room door is grand and wooden, with each intricate detail carved into it by a skilled carpenter. Pam and I live in one of the less wealthy parts of town. Luxuries like these are hard to come by.
I suddenly realize that I'm about to meet the King if Castele. I don't know why I haven't come to this realization sooner. It's a huge honor to even look at him, much less speak to him. I begin to feel nauseated. Damn anxiety.
I reach my hand out to push open the doors, but am stopped by a Paladin grabbing my arm. "Excuse me, ma'am," he pulls me back. "We here at the castle have a strict dress code. Formal attire is enforced at all times. At least you had the audacity to put on a skirt."
"You li-",
"BUT THAT'S NOT FAIR!".
My comeback is interrupted by someone screaming in the lobby down below. The two Paladins and I dash to look over the guardrail, and who else but the butterfly is fluttering around downstairs. I rush over to her.
"I'm sorry, butterfly, but the king doesn't allow insects in his court," an old man passively informs her. I assume that this man is the minister, one of the king's most trusted informers.
"So you're not gonna let me in just because I'm a butterfly? That's plain discrimination!" the bug continues. "H-hey look! That's my friend... uh, what's your name again?"
"Elaide."
"Yeah, Elaide! My friend Elaide! See, you get friends when you're nice to people. Of course you wouldn't know that," the butterfly says as she glares at the minister.
It's clear that the old man is getting frustrated with the insect's antics. He shoos her out the front gate and waves her off. I choose to follow her. After all, I have no way of getting to see the king.
I sit on the front steps of the castle with a discouraged look written on my face. I can here the butterfly's tiny wings flapping directly next to my ear. "I think... I think I might have an idea of how to get in."
I look up at the glowing insect with a streak of hope. "Really?"
"Yeah! I hope. Stand up," she commands.
I do as she says and she begins to glitter even more than usual. Gaining momentum, she flies towards me. My natural reflexes kick in and I flinch. After feeling a tickling sensation against my collarbone, I open my eyes.
She is perched above my shirt collar, much like a bow tie. A fashionable one, at that.
"This way I'll be able to sneak in, and you'll be compliant with the dress code," the butterfly exclaims enthusiastically.
I have to give her props. For someone who was fighting with a group of criminals and didn't think to fly over them, it's a pretty smart idea.
Walking back inside with renewed confidence, I flaunt my "bow tie" with pride. Growing up, I never really had nice clothes, so even though it's an illusion, it's still feels nice. I can feel the throne room guards staring me down as I approach.
"Ma'am, we've told you before, we have a strict policy when it comes to-," he pauses as his eyes pass over the tie. "O-oh, my mistake, ma'am. Go right ahead. Enjoy your visit with the king."
I nod my head, silently cursing at him in response to his attitude towards me earlier. Even as he waved me through the doors, his eyes were trained on my bow tie.
Upon entering the throne room, I'm hit with another realization. I've never actually seen what the king looks like. I'm surprised people don't actually talk about him more. He looks to be a child, at most three feet tall. His eyes are half closed, riddled with boredom and sleep deprivation.
"Is he a... child?" I hear the butterfly whisper to me under my chin.
"Welcome, welcome," the king sighs. "As you know, I'm King Erik Stone, fearless leader of Castele. So, I guess you're here to receive the introduction for your new Life as a Paladin. That's what you applied for, right? I didn't pay attention much during the morning briefing."
"Darling, at least try to look interested," a beautiful woman in a flowing gown cuts in. "I apologize for my husband. He never enjoys such occasions. He's just extra frustrated that our daughter is off adventuring without his permission again. Isn't that right, honey?"
"He's married? And has a child?" the insect asks me, surprised. I'm just as perplexed as she. He looks like a young kid.
"Basically," he continues, ignoring the queen's remark, "all you need to know is that your Life master, Mustang, will teach you all you need to know." He hands me a bag filled with armor, a sword, and a map. "That should help you get started. Any other questions you have you can direct to Captain Mustang. I hope you enjoy your new Life, and feel free to visit the castle whenever you so wish." I can feel his apathy towards explaining this to me. At this point, he's basically pushing me out the door. I take the hint and show myself out.
Standing outside of the castle now, a pull out the map Erik gave me. I have my whole Life in front of me now.
"Hey, so, I was thinking..." the butterfly says, still clinging onto my collarbone.
"What is it?" I inquire, even though I already know what's coming next.
"Maybe... maybe I could stick around with you for awhile? At least for the time being? I mean if not it's totally-",
Usually, I would turn down having a talking insect asking to hang with me. But I guess I'm turning over a new leave, with my new job and all. What could it hurt, anyway. She's just a butterfly. I could use a friend, anyway.
"Of course."
I can feel the butterfly flutter with excitement.
"Wait a minute, what's your name, anyway?" I ask her.
"Butterfly. You can call me Butterfly."
Thanks for reading the first chapter! Chapter 2 should probably come out next week!