Trails of True Steel
The beginning
Hi everyone and welcome to my newest fic.
So, I recently started playing The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel; I've known about it for a while but I didn't have any way to play it until they ported it to PC.
And I am in love with the game so I decided to write a fanfic because 'why not?'.
This will be a novelization of the game BUT there will be some changes made because I don't see any reason to just do a novelization writing everything the same way; go play the game for that.
I won't say what those changes will be but they'll be easy to spot.
As for pairings in case anyone was wondering.
I already decided for Rean but I won't say who it is yet, you'll all probably realize without much effort though, I'll say that it ISN'T Alisa but it is one of the girls from Class VII.
That been said, if you want any other pairing then feel free to tell me and I will consider them; I won't promise that I'll do them but I won't dismiss them without giving it some thought.
Also, I haven't played the second game yet so please avoid giving any spoilers to it (though I already know about some, damn you Youtube is recommended section).
If anyone is also following my Persona fanfic, don't worry, there WON'T be a hiatus or anything of the sort for either fic.
One thing I'd like you to keep in mind, English isn't my first language so there will be some mistakes; I'll try to avoid that as much as possible but I'm not perfect.
Sorry this was so long, just one more thing to say.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel or any of its characters.
On with the chapter.
Inside a train a black haired boy sat looking out the window as the trees passed, he was wearing black pants, brown boots and a red school blazer; there were other people in the same train wearing the same blazer except theirs was green.
"The Ministry of Railways wishes to thank all passengers for their patronage. This train is bound for Bareahard via Celdic". A voice sounded in the wagon gaining his attention. "The next stop is… Trista. Trista. We will be stopped at Trista for one minute. When disembarking, please ensure no belongings are left behind".
'Almost there'. He thought before looking back outside the window taking in the scenery.
"Excuse me; may I have your attention please?" Someone called out from the front of the wagon. "I need to see your tickets, please have them at hand when I pass for them".
The boy did as told and took out his ticket from one of the pockets in his pants.
"May I see your ticket please?" The attendant asked him.
"Sure" He said at the same time he passed it.
"Rean Schwarzer". The attendant murmured inspecting the ticket. "Judging by the uniform I'm guessing you're enrolling at Thors right?" He asked while handing back the ticket
"That's right". He answered taking his ticket.
"If you don't mind me asking, why is your blazer different than the others?" The attendant asked since he been the only one with a different color was too obvious.
Rean took a quick look around noticing that aside from him no one else was wearing the same color.
"I don't know, maybe it says to which class I belong?" He offered a bit confused now that this was brought to light.
"Oh well, enjoy the rest of your trip".
"Thanks".
Not too long after that the train finally arrived to Trista.
Rean got off while holding his luggage on his left hand, except for a bag slung over his shoulder and made his way out of the station; he noticed that there were some other people sporting the same blazer color than him but it was still a minority compared to the ones wearing green.
'I wonder what that is about' He shrugged and decided to wait till they explain it in the school.
Once he left the station his sight met a park right in front of him a bit further what looked like a gardening shop and other stores at the side.
"Are those lino flowers?" He asked to himself taking in the view. "I've never seen so many all blossoming at once".
'I'll be spending the next two years here, I wonder how long will it take before I think of it as home?' He thought with a small smile. 'But I think I'm going to like it'.
His thoughts were interrupted when something hit him from behind, turning around he saw a girl with blond hair and wearing the same color uniform than him on the ground.
"Sorry about that". Rean immediately said offering her a hand. "Are you okay? I should have picked a better place to take in the scenery".
The girl smiled before taking his hand and he pulled her up.
"Don't worry about it; I should've been paying more attention instead of gawking at the flowers" She said, not looking mad at all.
They talked a bit about the city been pretty when she said.
"Hey, you've got the red uniform too, huh?"
"Yeah, I noticed that there weren't many people wearing the same color in the train". He said. "I thought that maybe it was because I just happened to be in a wagon with only green jackets but even after I left the train I couldn't see many people with them".
"Maybe it means we'll end up being classmates".
"I told the attendant something similar".
"Anyway, I should get going". She said grabbing her case from the ground, having left it there while talking. "I've got a feeling we'll see each other at the entrance ceremony, though". And with those words she walked away.
After she went out of sight Rean realized they didn't exchanged names but shrugged thinking they'll probably run into each other later.
However he did find weird that there were so few people with the same uniforms, maybe he haven't seen them all yet but it seemed that they weren't enough to make a class.
'I wonder what that is about'. He thought taking an orbment out of his pocket. 'This orbment they sent with the uniform is pretty strange too'. He looked at it for a bit before putting it away and starting to make his way to the academy. 'I don't want to be late on my first day after all'.
He stared to walk passing through the park.
'This place seems nice'. As he thought that he heard a voice and looking in its direction he saw a girl with silver hair wearing the same uniform as he, red color and everything, sleeping in one of the benches.
'Well, I can't deny that this seems like a pretty peaceful place but I don't think you should be sleeping in it'. He watched her for a moment, thinking if he should wake her up but before he could decide the silver-haired girl opened her eyes and sat down before stretching with a yawn.
"Umm".
"Guess I better go". Not even bothering to talk to him the girl got up from the bench and walked away at a brisk pace.
'That was a bit weird'. Rean thought watching her walk away. 'I guess I should follow her example and get going though'. He started to walk in the same direction; he could already see the entrance to the academy in the distance but before going there he saw a chapel to his left.
'So there is a chapel here too huh?' He looked between the front entrance and the chapel a few times. 'I still have some time'. With that thought he made his way to the chapel.
After entering he looked around for a bit noticing the size was more or less the same as the one in his home. He walked forward a bit and saw there was someone else there aside from the priest and himself; he was kneeling in the floor while holding his hands together.
'He is wearing red too'. Rean noticed that his uniform was the same as him, except the sleeves on his jacket were white while his were red. 'And if I had to guess I'd say he is from abroad'. While Rean was thinking this the guy got up from his praying stance.
"Sorry. Am I in your way?"
'He is tall'. Rean noticed now that he was standing up. "No, not at all".
"Good, good. If you'll excuse me then…"
Rean moved to give him space to go.
'I guess I'll get in a prayer for the start of the school year before I go'. After giving a quick prayer he left the chapel and once again made his way to the academy.
In the front gate he saw a blue haired girl tied in a ponytail and wearing the red uniform with an elderly butler.
"I shall take my leave here, my lady". The butler said giving her a large case. "I pray you find victory here in both your studies and your training".
"Thank you, Klaus". The girl said taking the case. "I'm leaving everything in your hands while Father is away".
"Understood, my lady".
'She must be the daughter of a noble'. Rean thought looking at both. 'And something tells me not the 'delicate' type of noble'.
When the girl walked away the butler turned around and saw Rean.
"Oh! Please excuse my rudeness, young sir". The butler said addressing Rean. "It truly is a splendid day, is it not? The start of a new chapter in the lives of so many promising youths". He made a bow before continuing. "Allow me to express my sincerest congratulations on your admittance into this fine academic institution".
"Thank you very much". Rean answered with a small bow of his own, with those words the butler walked away.
'He must be a butler… and one that can probably use me to wipe the floor if he felt like to'. He thought noticing his poise. 'Which means that girl is probably from a military family or something like that'. Pushing those thoughts away he continued to make his way to the entrance.
"So this is it…" Rean said to himself when he finally arrived to the front entrance of Thors. He looked around for a bit but was interrupted by the horn of an orbal car, he moved out of the way as the car, or maybe limousine would be a better word, stopped in front of the entrance.
The driver stepped out from the vehicle and made his way to the last door from the opposite side.
"Thank you for your patience, sir" The driver said as he opened the door. "We've arrived at the academy".
"Much obliged". Someone answered inside the car, the person stepped out of the car; he is a blond haired boy also wearing the red uniform and with a regal air.
"Please, if you'll allow me to take your luggage". The driver said with a respectful bow.
"That won't be necessary". The boy answered. "I'd prefer to avoid standing out too much".
"I hate to break it to you but it's a bit late for that". Rean said earning the attention of the two. "You arrived in a limo at the front of the school, something like that draws attention".
The blond haired boy squinted a bit at him before shrugging as if to disregard that comment.
"Regardless, this isn't open for debate". He said addressing his driver. "Take whatever rest you need, then return to Bareahard".
"…As you wish. I shall be departing then, sir". The driver did a bow. "May your time spent in these hallowed halls be all you've hoped for; please take care of yourself". The driver did another bow towards Rean before walking back to the driver's.
The blond haired boy glanced at Rean for a second before walking inside.
'Looks like even Erebonia's upper crust send their children here'. Rean thought watching the orbal limousine drive away. 'Well no point in standing around'.
He had barely made it pass the entrance when someone talked to him.
"Welcome to Thors Military Academy!"
Two people, a boy and a girl moved in front of him, the boy was wearing a jumpsuit and looked like a mechanic, while the girl was petite, wearing a green school uniform and had her hair tied in a ponytail with a blue ribbon.
"You're… let's see… yes, you're the last of them!" The girl said happily. "That'd make you Rean Schwarzer, right?"
"Uh… Yes, that's me. It's a pleasure to meet you". Rean answered. "But… how do you know me?"
"It's a long story". The girl said with a giggle. "Don't sweat the details right now".
Rean looked puzzled but before he could ask anything the boy talked.
"Is that your weapon you've got wrapped up?" Rean looked at him and nodded. "I'll need to hold on to that for the time being".
"Oh, right". Rean said moving to give his weapon. "It mentioned something about that in the guidebook".
"Thanks". The boy said taking it. "We should be able to return it to you before long; you'll hardly even miss it".
"The entrance ceremony is going to be held in the auditorium" The petite girl said. "Just head straight back, you can't miss it".
"Got it". Rean said looking at the auditorium.
"Anyway, I hope you enjoy your first day at Thors!"
"We're glad to have you; I hope these next two years will be a fruitful time for you".
"Thanks". With that Rean made his way to the auditorium.
After a rather long entrance ceremony the principal was about to finish it.
"Now, if I may, I'd like to say a few words in closing about this academy's illustrious history".
The auditorium was full with students, most of them wearing a green uniform some wearing white uniforms to represent their noble status and even less than them were the ones wearing red.
"Thors Military Academy was founded almost 220 years ago". Principal Vandyck started. "Its founder, as I'm sure you're all aware, was none other than the great Emperor Dreichels. The very same emperor who ended the War of the Lions and returned prosperity to the Erebonian Empire".
"Thirty years after becoming emperor, in the later years of his life, he opened the doors of this institution. It was to be a place where young people lie yourselves could learn the art of war".
"But with the mechanization of the military, many of our graduates now pursue careers outside the army; our mission, however, remains the same: to prepare our students to fulfill Emperor Dreichels' famous mandate". The principal took a breath before saying. "Arise, O youth, and become the foundation of the world". He said louder than when he was giving his speech.
"Though much has happened these past two and a quarter centuries, the world is still the domain of the young. Yet the question still remains, what qualities must one possess to become a part of its foundation?" That question was allowed to linger for several long moments, most likely so that the full weight of such a query could sink in, before the principal finished his speech. "I hope this credo will serve as a guide and an inspiration to you during your two years at this academy. Go forth, my students. The world awaits the great things you will one day accomplish."
Everyone gave a round of applause.
'Foundation of the world, huh?' Rean thought after hearing the speech.
"No pressure, right?" He heard someone give a nervous chuckle at his side.
"No kidding". Rean answered to the red haired boy sitting beside him. "Though, this is the Dreichels the Lionheart we're talking about; he didn't earn his nickname by taking the easy road". The red hair nodded in agreement. "Guess we've got more to worry about than just passing exams, huh?"
"Ahaha… I guess we do; I'm Elliot Craig nice to meet'cha".
"Rean Schwarzer". The black haired boy answered. "Hey, looks like we're sporting the same school fashion".
"Yeah, no idea what the red uniform is supposed to mean, though". Elliot said looking a bit puzzled. "Most of the other students are wearing green". Rean gave a quick look around. "Well, except for the ones in the white uniforms; those must be the nobles".
"Looks that way". He agreed. "Though…"
"Something wrong?"
"Nah, just thinking to myself". He answered.
They cut the conversation there when one of the instructors spoke saying that the entrance ceremony was finished and told everyone to proceed to the classes designated in their guidebook.
Almost every student started to leave the auditorium, except for the ones wearing red.
"The class designated in our guidebook?" Elliot asked confused as he and Rean watched the people leave. "I don't remember seeing anything like that".
"Mine didn't say anything about it either". Rean answered. "I just assumed they'd tell us where to go after the ceremony".
"All riiiiight!" Someone said from the direction of the podium. "Students in red uniforms, if I can have your attention, please?"
Said students turned to where the voice came from; they saw a woman with fuchsia hair tied up wearing a yellow cocktail dress, brown high boots and a dark green overcoat.
"By now, you're probably all confused; 'Where's MY class assignment', you're probably thinking". Everyone in red gave some form of agreement or kept listening. "That's perfectly understandable- your situation is a liiittle more complicated than the other students'".
'Why is that?' Rean though but before he could actually ask the woman continued.
"But before I explain, I'd like all of you to join me for a special orienteering exercise".
"What?!" One of the students asked, aside from the red uniform he was wearing glasses and had green hair.
"Did you mean an orientation exercise?" The blond girl Rean met back at the station asked.
The others made some sound of doubt or simply kept staring.
"Worry not; everything will be made clear soon enough!" She started to walk towards the exit. "Now, right this way, if you would".
The students in red stared as she left when the tallest of them spoke.
"Looks like we're gonna have to follow her if we want any answers". Aside from a sigh coming from the blond that came in a limousine there wasn't any other sound as they started to follow.
"What do you think this is all about?" Elliot asked Rean.
"I have no idea, but we're not going to accomplish anything just standing around here". He answered. "We should go with her".
And with those words they followed the rest of the students in red.
"Wh-what is this place?" Elliot asked to one in particular.
"And why is a building like this on campus?" Rean asked too. "It looks like it should've been torn down ages ago".
Their instructor simply hummed some tune while opening the doors and entering.
Everyone watched when the blond girl asked what was in everyone's minds.
"What does she even want us to do here?"
"Gah… Is she ever gonna tell us what's going on?!" The boy with green hair asked more to himself than to the rest of the group.
"I suppose we'll just have to go inside and see for ourselves what awaits us". The blue haired girl said.
"Th-this place looks like some old haunted mansion or something". Elliot thought aloud as the rest walked in.
"Now that you mention it, it kind of does". Rean answered. 'I think this is everyone I've seen with a red uniform so far; I guess we really are part of the same class then'. As he thought that he and Elliot followed the rest inside the building.
No one noticed the two people looking at them in a cliff nearby.
Inside the old building.
The woman moved towards a stage while the students moved closer to it, waiting for some answers.
"The name's Sara Valestein". She introduced herself. "I'm the instructor in charge of Class VII, which means you get the pleasure of seeing me all year; glad to finally meet you".
"Wait… Class VII?" The boy with glasses asked confused.
"I'm not sure I understand; I wasn't told anything about this at enrollment".
"Excuse me, Instructor Sara?" A girl with glasses and long braided hair asked. "I was under the impression that there were only five classes at this academy and that students were split among them based on their social class and home region".
"Right you are, Miss Top Scorer on the Thors entrance exam!" The instructor answered happily. "Students in each year are divided into five classes: two for the nobility and three for commoners". She started to answer. "And it's been that way for ages, right up through last year. But this year, we decided to shake things up a little".
"Wh-what do you?" The same girl wondered but the Instructor continued with her explanation.
"We now have a sixth class; fittingly titled… Class VII".
"Hmm, aren't you missing one number?" Rean asked.
"And in Class VII, we recognize no distinction between nobles and commoners". But was completely ignored.
"Y-you're really putting nobles and commoners in the same class?" The blond haired girls asked surprised.
"THIS MUST BE SOME KIND OF JOKE!" The boy with green hair yelled gaining everyone's attention. "And why is this the first I've heard of it?!"
"Well, uh… errr… who were you again?" The instructor asked giving up on trying to remember his name, if she even knew it to begin with.
"Machias Regnitz". He answered. "And with all due respect, Instructor, it's ludicrous to intermix nobles and commoners like this!" He continued. "Must I be forced to spend my next two years shoulder to shoulder with those arrogant, stuck-up hedonists?!"
'Wow, it's usually the noble who doesn't want to be with commoners, not the other way around'. Rean thought.
"Uh… You DO know I'm not the one who made the decision, right?" Sara pointed out. "Besides, what's the big deal, anyway? You're all kids; can't you all just… get along or something?"
"J-Just get along?!" Machias said as if that notion was some bad joke. "And how would you propose we do that?"
"Hmph". The blond haired boy standing next to him scoffed earning Machias' attention.
"And what's YOUR problem?"
"Oh, nothing much". He answered. "I just find the irony of your behavior rather humorous".
"Is that so?" Machias asked glaring at him. "It seems the scion of some noble house has left the comfort of his mansion to grace the unwashed masses with his wisdom!" He started with obvious sarcasm on every syllable. "Please, milord, do share your esteemed name with us so I can give you all the respect you deserve".
'Come on, now you're just been an asshole for the sake of being one'. Rean thought, some people probably sharing his opinion.
"Jusis Albarea" The blond haired boy answered, there various reactions some surprised others curious and some simply remained stoic. "Not that I'd expect the name of an arrogant, stuck-up hedonist to lodge itself in that hard head of yours".
"H-he's from one of the Four Great Houses". Elliot said.
"The son of Duke Albarea, lord of the Kreuzen province in the southeast". Rean added.
"Well, you don't get much more noble than that". The blond haired girl threw in her two cents.
"Interesting; I'd heard the rumors". The girl with a pony-tail thought out loud.
"D-DO YOU EXPECT ME TO BE IMPRESSED?!" Machias shouted. "Your family lineage means nothing to me!"
"Emm, isn't the fact that you're getting so worked up about it proof of the opposite?" Rean asked gaining the attention of the green haired boy. "I mean, if it didn't mean anything then you would just ignore him, wouldn't you?" He asked matter-of-factly.
Before Machias could answer the Instructor interrupted.
"Okay, okay that's enough". She said gaining everyone's attention once again. "I'm sure a couple of you have a few grievances, but now is not the time; I'll hear your complaints later". The discussion stopped there, at least for now. "Right now, you've got your orienteering exercise, and far be it from me to keep you from our fun little icebreaker". Machias glared at Jusis a moment longer before looking back at Sara.
"You mentioned this… 'orienteering exercise' earlier; what exactly does that involve?" The blond haired girl asked.
"It's a form of outdoor competition, isn't it?" The girl with glasses asked. "Something like a cross between a map-reading exercise and a scavenger hunt?"
'Is that why-vocalize Rean' Rean thought. "Is that why they asked us to hand over our weapons at the gate?"
"Nothing gets by you, does it?" Sara asked with a brow slightly raised before taking a few steps back till her back hit the wall, she smiled before saying. "Buuut I don't' want to spoil the fun, so let's get started, shall we?" She winked before pressing a button in the wall.
Everyone felt some sort of tremor beneath them when a trap door opened.
"Oh, crap!" Rean said as gravity took action and most of them started to fall, due to his position he managed to avoid immediately falling but it was a matter of time before he would slide down.
He saw the blond girl from earlier also sliding down and move to cushion her fall while he was falling he looked up and saw that the girl he saw napping in the park was holding onto a ledge from some sort of grapple.
'That would have been useful'. He thought while falling.
Basement of the old building.
"Ugh, what just happened?" Machias asked as he started to sit up and recover from the fall.
"The floor gave out from under us". The other glasses wearing person answered him.
"I can't believe I fell for such an obvious trap". The blue haired girl commented standing up.
"Does this means there is a series of catacombs beneath the school grounds, then?" The tallest boy of them asked.
"Hmph; what does that woman think she's playing at?" Jusis asked with an irritated expression.
At that moment the silver haired girl landed with a sigh, been the last of them to fall there.
"I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest". Elliot said with a relieved sigh while moving to a sitting position. "Het Rean, are you o-" He stopped mid-sentence when he saw the situation the black haired boy was in. "kay…?"
Rean was laying face-up on the ground with the blond haired girl on top of him, his face in her chest.
'This is going to be bad'. Rean thought while keeping his hands up so everyone can see them.
"Rrrg… what happened?" The girl asked not realizing the situation she was in at first. "Huh?" But as soon as she did her face turned into a tomato.
'Just shut up and wait till she gets up'. Rean thought still maintaining his position and moving the less possible.
She quickly got up, with a clearly angry expression aimed at the boy.
"Yeah… sorry about that". Rean said while getting up. "I was trying to catch you but the landing part wasn't really-"
Before he could continue with his explanation the girl tried to slap him in the face with her right hand; keyword 'try' since Rean took a step back and dodged.
"It was an accident; please don't try to hit me". Rean pleaded while holding his hands up in an 'I surrender' fashion.
The girl glared at him for a few seconds before looking away with an 'hmph' and get some distance between them.
"It just isn't your day isn't it?" Elliot asked him once things calmed down a bit.
"I had worse". Rean answered with a sigh and a shrug. "But once you hit the bottom you can only go up".
"That's a good way to look at it".
"Thanks, but what is this place anyway?"
"I was wondering the same thing". Elliot answered, probably speaking for everyone involved. "We should check out those tables".
But before they could a sound earned everyone's attention. They all looked at their pockets and took out an orbment, from the looks of it, it seemed like everyone had the same model.
"It's coming from the devices we received with the academy guidebook". The girl with glasses commented.
"Seems to be some sort of… portable orbment". The blue haired girl added.
"Right you are!" The voice of Instructor Sara coming from the orbment surprised them. "These handy little devices are a special kind of battle orbment".
"Is that… Ms. Valestein?" The tallest of them asked.
"So these devices have built-in communications functionality, then?" Machias asked just to confirm.
"W-wait, don't tell me these things are-?!"
"New model battle orbments made through a partnership between the Epstein and Reinford Company" Sara interrupted the blond girl mid-sentence. "Newly-made fifth-generation battle orbments, in fact; they're called ARCUS units".
"ARCUS" Rean said looking at the device in his hand.
"So these are battle orbments". The girl with braided hair concluded. "That means they'll allow us to use arts, right?"
"Sure will! Just set a quartz into one of its slots and you can use arts all the live long day". Sara answered. "Which is why I've prepared enough quartz for each and every one of you".
Suddenly the room lit up due to several lamps placed in the walls and everyone saw different cases around it.
"The weapons you brought are all here too, each packaged neatly alongside a little box containing a quartz". Most of them looked around till they spotted their own case. "Find yours and try setting the quartz into your ARCUS".
After a few seconds of thinking the girl with blue hair spoke.
"I suppose it can't hurt to try". And walked towards her case, the silver haired girl did the same.
"What is this woman thinking?" Machias asked with a sigh before doing the same.
Everyone else did the same and soon everyone had their own weapon and quartz, Sara explained that they all received a 'master quartz' that was supposed to go inside the large slot in the center of the ARCUS.
After placing it in the slot like they were told everyone noticed a faint glow coming from the orbment and their own chests.
"Wh-what in the world?" Rean asked what everyone was probably thinking.
"That light means that you've successfully synchronized with your ARCUS". Sara explained. "Congratulations, now you can use arts as much as you want". She then mentioned something about some other features but said that would be an explanation for later. "Anyway, since you've got your ARCUS all set up and ready to go, here's what I want you to do". A door in the opposite side from where everyone fell opened gaining their attention. "When you step through that door, you'll be in an underground testing area; basically… it's a dungeon".
'There is a dungeon in the school grounds?!' Rean thought in surprise looking at the door.
"It's pretty large and full of twists and turns" The voice of the Instructor got his attention again. "I'd almost guarantee that you'll get lost at least once; but when you find the exit, you'll be able to return to the first floor of this old schoolhouse".
"At least you're not saying 'if' we can find the exit". Rean said to himself. 'But I have a feeling there is something else to this dungeon than just walk till we get out'.
"There ARE monsters wandering around, though, so don't let your guard down even for a moment!"
'Called it'.
"With all that said, let's commence our special orienteering exercise!" Sara continued. "Your objective is to make your way through this area and back to the surface; make it back in one piece and I'll be happy to field any complaints you might have".
'So it is possible to not make it back in one piece then'. Rean thought with a sigh.
"If you make it back safely, I might even give you a kiss, free of charge!... On the cheek, of course"
The call ended there and everyone moved near the door.
"U-umm". Elliot tried to say something but didn't seem to be able to find the right words.
"I don't think she is joking". The blond girl said.
Jusis made a 'hmph' before walking for the door. "And just where do you think you're going?" Until Machias interrupted him. "Were you planning on wander off on your own without saying anything?!"
"I have no interest in becoming friends with anyone here". Jusis answered him. "And I'm surprised that you, of all people, give a damn about what I do; unless you've suddenly decided you DO want to keep company with one of those 'stuck-up hedonists' after all". Machias's answer was to grow at him. "Still, if you're afraid of the monsters, I suppose I could accompany you". That just earned another glare from Machias, not that he wasn't already glaring. "After all, what kind of Erebonian noble would I be if I didn't have at least some degree of prowess with a sword? And noblesse obliges that it's my sacred duty to protect powerless commoners such as yourself".
"Wh-WHAT THE HELL?!" Machias yelled. "Nobody's asking your high excellency to DEIGN to help us!" He made his way to the door before looking back at him. "But if that's how you're going to be, I'll just… find my way out of here before you; I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself without some relic of an outdated class system dragging me down!" With those words he started to walk inside the dungeon
Jusis didn't answer and simply entered too.
The rest of them watched them go and once they couldn't be seen the girl with glasses asked.
"What should WE do?"
"The only thing we CAN do". The blue haired girl answered her. "We should begin exploring these ruins ourselves; I believe it would be prudent to remain in small groups, however". She looked at the blond and the girl with braided hair before continuing. "Would the two of you have any objections to accompanying me?"
"No, that's fine". The one with blond hair answered first.
"It would be a huge help actually". The other one agreed too.
"And you're welcome to join us as…" She trailed off when she was going to ask the silver haired girl but she was already walking through the door. "…well? I suppose that's a no; perhaps we'll run into her along the way and she can join us then". She looked back at the other two girls. "So, shall we be off?" And then looked at the guys in the room. "I'm certain you gentlemen will be fine, but do take care".
"Thanks, you too". Rean answered her.
"If you'll excuse us, please" The bespectacled girl said with a bow before following the blue haired girl inside the dungeon.
The blond simply looked away and followed them.
After they were out of sight Elliot spoke.
"Not such a hot first impression there, huh?" He asked with a chuckle.
"I think it would depend on who you ask". Rean answered making Elliot puzzled. "We'll have to clear things up later, but for now, do you two want to stick together too?"
"Sounds good to me!" Elliot said. "I'd get pretty anxious wandering around a place like this alone".
"No objections here; I'd be happy to accompany you". The tallest of them answered. "My name is Gaius Worzel, I just arrived in the Empire, so any help you can offer would be much appreciated"
"Rean Schwarzer"
"Elliot Craig" Everyone introduced themselves and prepared their weapons.
"You're from abroad then, I've been wondering". Rean thought out loud. "Nice to meet you".
"Hey Gaius, you fight with that?" Elliot asked looking at the weapon in his right hand.
"Of course, why else would I be carrying it?" The tall foreigner answered.
"It's a spear, but it has that odd cross-shaped head". Rean noticed.
"It looks kind of… awesome". Elliot commented.
"Think of it as combining the best parts of a spear and a pole-axe". Gaius explained. "I was pretty handy with it back home; but speaking of weapons, I have to say, yours looks pretty unique". He said looking at the staff on Elliot's hands.
"Oh, this thing…" Elliot said noticing.
"Is it… a staff?" Rean wondered. "Wait… No, it's an orbment, isn't it?"
"Both actually" Elliot answered. "It's an orbal staff; the tech is pretty recent—this one is still a prototype more or less" He explained. "Back during enrollment, they told me I had some aptitude for it, so when it came time to choose, I just sorta… ran with it".
"Interesting, I've never seen anything like it before". Gaius said giving the staff a once-over.
"Can't say I have either". Rean added.
"They're still in development, apparently, so there aren't too many around just yet". Elliot answered to their comments. "But that said I'm curious about what you've got there, Rean".
"Oh, my sword?"
"Yeah but… what kind of sword is it?" Elliot asked curiously.
"It's different from the kinds of swords I thought people in the empire use, though…"
"It's an eastern style of saber called a tachi". Rean answered them. "Any way you slice it, though, it's basically a longsword". He moved it from his side and held it as if pointing at someone so they could look at it better.
"Wow, that's one beautiful blade!" Elliot explained.
"The craftsmanship looks exceptional". Gaius commented.
"They're renowned for the layering of their steel and the sharpness of their edge". Rean told them. "Truth be told, though, I'm still a little hesitant to be swinging around something this dangerous".
"Seriously?" Elliot asked as if he heard a joke. "If that's what hesitant looks like, I'll bet confidence will make you unstoppable".
"Well, you sound like a good guy to have around when the going gets tough".
"I could say the same about you guys". Rean answered sheathing his tachi. "But what do you say if we start moving now".
They nodded and the three passed through the door.
Okay, I think this is a good place to stop for now.
So, this was a lot like the normal prologue since there isn't much I could actually change without feeling it was out of place, next chapter will probably be kind of like that too but eventually I will make some bigger changes.
Not much else to say, if you liked it you can leave a review; if you didn't like it you can also leave one as long as it is a productive one.
And I hope you enjoyed, until next time.