Mabinogi is my favorite online game EVER~ I hope you'll enjoy this fan fiction

about a new 'generation' of quests and adventure. Be sure to leave a review!

The sea before Taon was a calm one, save for the silk like shimmer that the sun cast from overhead. The lightest of breezes swept by, the watery crests that bobbed up from the still surface of the water begging it to return. To the south it expanded until it met with the sky, forming a seamless bond of pure blue. Bubbly white foam rolled and crawled towards the sandy shore, seashell fragments digging themselves into the grit even as the water reeled back. It tickled at her ankles and cooled her feet, the thick sand squelching between her toes. Behind her, a man approached.

"Taon!" He spoke enthusiastically, nearly startling the young woman, "We're about to set sail! You had better be on that boat in ten minutes, or we're going to leave you behind."

"Yes, Captain Carasek! I'll be there in a moment, I was just admiring the sea." She said. Carasek chuckled and swept some of his silvery hair from his handsome face. Taon could never help but stare when she caught sight of the tattoos on his face, but this time she turned her eyes back to the sea. Carasek stood close beside her, putting an arm around her shoulders.

"I remember when I used to be your age. Young, so full of energy… Those were the days, I admit. I miss them dearly, but there's nothing I love more than the sea. It may not love me back, but it's cold embrace is that draws me to her. I can't resist it." He said, his eyes reflecting the sparkle of the waters. His lips twitched in a slight smile, and it made Taon from one of her own.

"I'm sure the sea loves you just as much, Captain Carasek." She assured him. He laughed again.

"You're naive. This might be your first trip, but I can promise you that the sea is as deadly as any animal. I warn you now, don't get your guard down." He said seriously. Taon frowned some, nodding.

"Yes, sir. I will, sir."

"Good, now get on the ship." Carasek grinned and left before her. Taon sighed and stretched her arms up, letting the sun behind her warm her muscles. She was excited about her first trip put to sea, but now she was starting to feel the stomach-churning sensation of nervousness. She was young, just as Carasek had pointed out, and she wasn't entirely sure if she wanted to die if the sea decided not to agree with them. Regardless, she knew it was best to just go out there and experience it while she could.

Heading for the docks, she stopped short when she saw her soon to be traveling companion struggling with what looked like a heavy box of fruit. Taon hurried over and help to keep it balanced, peeking around the side to see Shenon blinking at her. His face brightened upon seeing her.

"Oh, thanks! I thought I was going to lose them for a second." He said.

"You should be careful, this stuff looks really heavy." She said. Shenon lowered his chin some, glancing to the side in shame.

"I know, but the captain is ready to leave and I wanted to hurry. Can you help me load the rest of the boxes onto the ship?" He asked. Taon nodded, helping him to get a better grip on the box he had almost dropped. Once he had it in his arms and pressed up against his face, he scuttled onto the ship. Taon grabbed a few boxes in her own arms and followed behind him, setting them in a pile on the deck of the ship. At the wheel was Carasek, breeze blowing through his hair.

"Are you two ready yet?" He asked impatiently. Shenon and Taon exchanged a look.

"Yes, captain…" Mumbled the blonde boy. Taon knew that Carasek took some small amount of pleasure in tormenting Shenon, and the wink that the captain gave her proved it further. She smiled and patted the boy's shoulder.

"Imagine how hard I'm going to have it, since this is my first time on a ship." She said to him. Shenon was a nice kid, but he seemed to have cheered up when he realized that she was right. Taon was going to have trouble following orders, while he had spent years training. He puffed out his chest and fixed the dark scarf around his neck.

"You're right! Captain Carasek will have to be impressed when I help you." He said, "Thanks, Taon."

"Don't mention it. Just promise me that you won't go too far with the orders." She said with an amused look.

"Sailor's promise." He said, lifting a hand in oath. Taon accept the promise, then cast her eyes back out to sea. She wandered to the starboard side of the ship, gripping the edge so she could lean over. Carasek announced with a boisterous call that they were now setting sail. Shenon was able to lower the sails himself, his work-toughened body darting across the deck to do as he had for years. Taon felt the ship jerk as the wind rushed to fill the sails. The wood groaned and the water hissed, parting as the ship slowly began to slice through it.

Taon shivered and she felt the thrill of sailing cause her heart to skip a beat. The wind whipped at raven strands of her wavy hair. Her lips were pulled tight in a large, ecstatic grin that left her cheeks feeling sore. She closed her eyes, took in the salty-sweet smell of the sea water, then was bumped into reality. She blinked and turned to see Carasek. She flushed in embarrassment.

"Get to work." He said. Taon nodded and hurried to stand beside Shenon. He spotted her and leaned close to whisper.

"Captain Carasek can be a little touch when he's in captain mode. Follow his orders exactly as he says or he'll throw you over." He said.

"O-Okay…" Taon wasn't easily intimidated, but the water didn't seem as peaceful when she imagined herself being thrown into it. Shenon pointed every which way and spewed out orders, teaching her what to do. He taught everything Carasek had taught him, and Taon tried her best to memorize every word. By the time she was done with her work, she was breathing hard and feeling strangely thirsty. She sat in front of Shenon, who had his hands on his hips and shook his head.

"How old are you, Taon?" He asked.

"E…Eighteen." She gasped.

"You're four years older than me, and you can't do an hours worth of work without losing your breath." He said. Taon frowned.

"Hey, what happened to being nice to me?" She asked, hurt. Shenon frowned and opened his mouth to apologize, but Carasek approached them from behind. He put a hand on Shenon's shoulder, gazing down at Taon with a raised brow.

"Are you working her hard, Shenon?" He asked.

"Yes, sir! She's a little worn out at the moment, though. Could we have a small break?" He asked, biting his lower lip. Carasek eyed him, then nodded once.

"A small break wouldn't hurt. I don't want you over work you two, you're the only crew I have." He said, walking back to the wheel. Taon groaned and fell onto her back, rubbing at her face. She felt her clothes sticking to her sweaty body; she felt disgusting. Shenon tugged at her sleeve.

"Come on," He helped her to stand, and the two made for the bow. Shenon struggled to stand on the railing of the ship, gripping one of the taunt ropes to keep balance. He offered her a hand, "Stand up here with me."

"Won't I fall in?" Taon asked.

"Not if you hold onto the rope." He said. Taon hesitated, taking his hand. He pulled her up, her feet planted firmly on the edge of the boat. She held onto the rope tightly, her knuckles turning white instantly. She glanced down to watch as the water rushed past the pointed bow of the boat, her stomach flopping once. The wind was beating against her, but her grip didn't allow her a chance to fall. Shenon watched her, making sure she didn't fall.

"This is amazing." Taon said once she was relaxed. Shenon smiled, looking forward.

"Isn't it? Captain is usually too busy with other passengers or doing his job, so it's nice to share this with someone." He said quietly, as if he were shy in saying so. Taon eyed the boy's tanned face and smiled softly.

"Thank you. I'll be sure to remember this." Taon said. Shenon giggled and blushed some.

"So, what made you want to start sailing?" He asked. Taon shrugged.

"I don't really know. I just felt the urge to go somewhere, and the sea seemed like the perfect place to start. I've been stuck in Tir Chonaill since I was born, and I was tired of doing nothing." She tilted her head back and sighed, "I'm hoping this is the start to a new, exciting life."

"There's nothing more exciting than sailing." Shenon said with a loving look to the sea.

"You want to be a captain, right?" She asked.

"It's what I'm working so hard to be. I know it will sound silly, but I want to be like Captain Carasek." Shenon lowered his head again, "I don't think I can do it, though. I never seem to do anything right by him."

"Don't say that. You said it yourself, he's strict. If anything, he's like that so he can see you improve and do your best. He doesn't want you to fail for your own sake." She said. Shenon frowned at her.

"How do you know that?" He asked sadly.

"I just do. Believe me, he wants you to become a captain." She said.

"If you say so. If I do become a captain, I'll make sure you get free rides wherever you want. You want to be an adventurer, right? It sounds like it." He said. Taon nodded, but she wasn't entirely sure. There were so many things that she wanted to do now that she was free to explore as she wished, but she wasn't sure if adventuring was something she was able to do.

"I would love to be an adventurer, but I'm no hero." She said with a sad laugh.

"Why not?"

"I'm weak, and I don't have anyone to save." She said, "Even if I did, I'd only disappoint people. I can't even swing a sword."

"You don't need to swing a sword to be a hero. Carasek is my hero, and all he does is sail." Shenon said lightly, "You can be a hero if you help people without using violence."

"I suppose you might be right, but being a hero wasn't written in my destiny. I'm sure Aton Cimeni has something planned for me, I just hope he tells me what it is soon." She said. Shenon patted the back of her shoulders.

"He will. If he does, will you ask him if I will be a captain when I'm older?" He asked. Both laughed for a moment, but Taon's slowly died down. She squinted and put a hand over her eyes to block them from the sun. She spotted something dark far to their right, something that was hidden slightly by the fog that had kept many sailors from traveling farther south. She jumped off the edge of the boat, leaving Shenon behind.

"Captain! Captain Carasek, I saw something!" She said in a panicked tone. Carasek lifted both brows at her.

"Did you now? Where?" He asked in a calm but curious way. Taon pointed to the south, and he laughed, "The fog was playing with your eyes. There's nothing to the south but more fog and water."

"I swear I saw something! Have you even been that way?" She asked, stomping her foot. Carasek frowned and glared.

"Don't you-" He stepped forward, but Shenon suddenly appeared in front of Taon. He held his arms arm, shaking his head.

"Wait, captain! Please, I think she did see something." He said quickly. Carasek growled.

"It's only a legend, Shenon! You know better than that, now get back to work." He ordered strongly.

"It's not a legend!" Shenon turned, ignoring the angered look on his captain's face, "Taon, there's an old sailor's tale that states that only those who were blessed by our god could see what we call the Forgotten Island. It's a small island that some people claim to have seen, but no one is able to pinpoint it's location because it was enchanted with a spell that causes it's location to change. Some people say that they've seen parts of the island, but that it would disappear. The next moment, it would be there again. They say it was calling to them."

"Shenon, it's a LEGEND. There is so Forgotten Island. Even if there was, I doubt she could see it." Carasek said, motioning to Taon. She opened her mouth, but Shenon turned for the second time.

"No! I believe she saw it! Let's find it, captain! You're always complaining that the sea has abandoned you, but it hasn't. I brought Taon to us, and she saw the island." Shenon's body was shaking with excitement. Carasek's face softened at the young boy's enthusiasm. His eyes went to Taon, locking with her green ones. They stared at each other for what seemed like forever, then he nodded.

"Fine, if that's what you two want. I haven't been that far south because I hear TRUE stories of dangerous beasts and tall rocks that could easily crush us to bits. I did not want to put you two in danger, but you are stubborn and won't be swayed. We shall sail south until noon, then we will return to Port Ceann." He said.

"And what if I see the island again?" Taon asked quietly. Carasek shrugged and spoke in a lofty way.

"If we see the island, than we will sail to it. I can't promise that you will see it again." He said with a smirk. Taon tilted her head.

"I did see something, captain. If we don't see the island, I will find a way to pay you back for all of your suffering." She said, "Sailor's promise."

Carasek was taken aback by this, "I'll hold you to it, then. Shenon! We're heading south!"

Shenon was giddy once more. He took Taon's hand and made her stand at the bow of the ship.

"If you see anything, tell me. I know you saw it, I saw the way your face and eyes changed. You've been blessed, and we will have finally found the Forgotten Island." He ran off without giving Taon a chance to respond. She was flabbergast by the sudden turn of events. She had only spotted what looked like the top of a tower, but that was all. She wondered if it really was part of the Forgotten Island that Shenon was talking about.

What's more, she wondered how anyone could forget about an island. Something didn't feel right in her gut or heart, but she ignored the darkening feelings of dread. She stared into the fog, the ship shifting to sail south. The fog grew thicker now, surrounding them so tightly that she felt as if she had been wrapped in a heavy wool blanket. It left a thin film of moister on her skin and clothes. It made her uncomfortable, and soon she was unable to see anything that wasn't a foot in front of her face.

"Shenon?" She called turning. Her heart nearly stopped at the odd sight behind her. The fog had enveloped the ship, making it appear as if the bow had been detached from the rest of the boat and was floating forward by itself. The mast was nowhere in sight, and she felt as if she might panic. If it wasn't for Shenon mineralizing from the fog, she might have started to scream.

"Did you see something?" He asked anxiously. Taon shook her head, swiping some moister from her face.

"N-No… I'm just feeling a little strange. Are you sure this was a good idea after all?" She asked with worry. Shenon ruffled his sand-worn hair, as if he was trying to shoo the fog away.

"Captain never believes anything I say, so I want to prove to him that the island exists. Please, Taon…" He pleaded, putting his hands on her feminine shoulders. Taon smiled weakly.

"I'm not bailing out, I just feel like something is wrong. It's not the fog, but… Shenon, why is it called the Forgotten Island?" She asked. Shenon scratched his chin, giving a thoughtful look to the sky (though hidden by the fog) above.

"I can't quite remember, but I think someone told me once that they called it the Forgotten Island because Aton Cimeni wiped it from everyone's memory." He said slowly. Taon's eyes went wide.

"He wiped it from everyone's memories? Why?"

"I guess he wanted to hide something on it, and he created this fog to keep people from finding the island after he had forced people to forget it. I've heard that some really old people say that they would see the island before Aton Cimeni made the fog, and would get the strangest feelings of déjà vu." He said, shrugging.

"This feels like a bad idea now. If this place was forced from peoples memories for a reason, then we shouldn't find it." She said, wringing her hands.

"No," Shenon whined, "You want to be an adventurer, so let's keep going! This is an adventure, and we're going to find that island."

"Shenon-"

"Taon, you already agreed. Now keep looking. If we find this island because if you, you'll be my hero." He said with the sweetest of smiles. Taon bit her tongue; those were words got to her, and she felt that she had no choice but to do this for him. She slowly nodded, moving some hair behind her ears.

"All right, I'll keep looking. I'll call if I find something." She said. Shenon jumped up and whooped loudly.

"Thank you!" He hugged her tightly for a moment, then ran off to be beside Carasek once more. Taon felt strangely alone on the bow, but she returned her eyes to the sea of fog before her. She searched and searched, something feeling excitement well inside her when she thought she might have seen something. It would disappear, however, when she realized it was just a outcropping of rocks. Disappointment depressed her, her eyes becoming heavy as it also made her very tired. She fell asleep over the edge of the boat, drool dripping into the calm, sea water.

Below, a dark figure formed. It was long and wispy, curling around itself under the boat. The water rippled ever so slightly with the motion until, suddenly, a tremor rocked the ship. Taon snorted and was woke by the force. She looked around blearily, rubbing at her tired eyes. She thought they might have just skimmed a short rock, but another shudder knocked her off her feet. There was a loud boom below her, the wood groaning loudly. Taon scrambled to her feet. She maintained her balance and ran to the wheel, where Carasek had braced himself.

His legs were set far apart, his teeth gritted together. Shenon was on the floor, trying to get up. Taon helped him, but they were both knocked over as the ship was tilted far to the left. They slipped and slid, banging themselves against the side of the ship. Taon gasped and groaned, her elbow hitting the corner of a box. She looked to Shenon, who had fear etched across his face.

"What is that?" He asked. Taon only shook her head. She heard Carasek calling for them, but another sound overpowered his voice. It was a long, watery sounding screech. The shaking stopped and the ship became level, but something was rising from the waters. Taon heard multiple splashes as six long, sickly looking tentacles rose from the water. She was only given a moment to scream before the tentacles fell shattered their ship. All three passengers were thrown from the ship. Dark water surrounded Taon as her consciousness slipped away.