From Zero to Hero

Chapter 1: The Swashbuckler Zyrk

He was sitting in a tavern enjoying a drink when a group of men began creating a scene at a nearby table. They all rose from their seats as the larger man with long blue hair scolded them for talking bad about his current companions. "You only want me because of my status!"

Zyrk was a guard for the city under their guard force. He was off duty at the time and decided not to interfere with the squabble. Suddenly an explosion went off inside of the tavern as debris fell all over the place.

Zyrk was on the floor with a table on top of him and rose slowly noticing the group of men still lying there. Though he did take note that the tall blue haired man was no longer there. 'His status,' Zyrk thought to himself as it dawned to him who that guy was. That was the magician guild master's son, well adopted son, but non-the less he was expected to be very powerful.

Zyrk proceeded from the crumbled tavern and made his way to his horse. His issued sword, lance and shield were still in tact upon the horse. He hardly wore them, only when on duty since it was the uniform. But he never removed his rapier from his body under the armor.

He managed to catch word that this blue haired man called, Louie, was attempting to venture through the woods that no adventurer would dare venture through. He caught this word from the very source himself once he overheard Louie speaking in another tavern. Zyrk thought it would be wise to follow the inexperienced adventurer so he would not hurt himself, or get killed. After all, this was the magician guild master's son.

He prepared to meet with Louie though he watched him join three other females, one being Miss Melissa, a well known cleric. She was known to worship her God Mylee at the temple.

'I suppose I'm not needed after all,' he thought to himself as he started into the forest anyway. He had nothing else to do and wanted more adventure for himself and Louie and his companions did keep his interest. So he followed along with them as he noticed the large woman with red hair pausing and scanning the area as if she noticed he were there.

No sooner were Louie and his small rogue companion bickering about blowing a whistle. He blew it of course and suddenly a legion of phantoms appeared charging for them. Zyrk was in awe by the whole ordeal and raced to assist them in their struggle. Though the phantoms made sure he needn't pursue them as a good amount of them scrambled to deal with the lone warrior.

Zyrk withdrew his rapier in a flash and slashed the charging phantoms in vital areas. One by one they were falling around him as he remained motionless and counterattacked their every assault. The phantoms were obviously no match for people with combative skills and techniques. They were defeated as he then noticed Louie wrestling with a wild boar.

This boar was massive in size and yet his party stood by watching his struggle. He defeated the boar and kept it for a later dinner. So far they still had not noticed Zyrk, not even in the tussle with the phantoms as he remained a good ways behind.

This carried on until they were distracted by something else. A pursuit began and ended with Louie catching an elf. Zyrk had never seen an elf before and definitely watched more closely. The party followed the elf as he was paused by a group of elves with bows sighted on him and drawstrings pulled back anxious for release. This was when a few more elves leapt from the trees to confront him.

Zyrk cautiously placed his hand along the hilt of his rapier readying himself for the onslaught of arrows he was sure to encounter. "Do not attempt to resist, you are our prisoner until further notice. Put your hands up and comply or else." The elves warned him. Zyrk was no fool, he knew of their prowess with the bow and that he could have maybe deflected a few, or dodged a few, but they were precise with their aim. It would be suicide to attempt any struggle. So he did as they told him.

They threw him into a hut where he would wait for their judgment. That was when the four adventurers he followed were thrown in as well. "Oh my, are you hurt? How long have you been here?" Miss Melissa immediately rushed to his side with deep concern in her eyes.

"I'm fine, I just got here," Zyrk replied. "I saw you all in the forest and then was captured by those elves."

"You also helped us defeat some of those phantoms also, am I correct?" The large lady asked, obviously knowing the answer.

"Yes, you are," Zyrk answered truthfully, knowing that there was no point in lying to her.

"Huh," the rouge girl observed, "you were the one following us? What for huh? What do you want with us?"

"Nothing in particular," he replied, "I noticed the Carwe's adopted son amongst you and decided to be nosy. I stick my nose in adventures from time to time, though I'm a part time guard for the city." He pointed to the window where an elf was peering inside. Louie raced over to the bars talking with the elf as she explained that they were awaiting the elders decision. When she left, everyone began discussing what needed to be done.

Zyrk only sat against the wall watching Louie blow the whistle once more. It became clear to Zyrk what their plan was as he too rose to their aid. Once again they helped the elves battle the phantoms and were released for their conniving valor.

The elf named Clecia took them outside of her elven village and said her goodbyes as she raced back home. Louie turned to everyone stating that they all succeeded and that now it was time for him to make his wand. Zyrk decided to accompany them back to the village as they all introduced each other.

He discovered that the large muscular woman name was Genie and that the small female rouge was Merrill. He already knew Melissa from the temple of Mylee and Louie was the adopted son of Carwe, the master of the magician guild. "My name is Zyrk, perhaps we'll have the pleasure of working together in the future."

Genie looked him over as she smiled at his rapier. "Are you any good with that blade?"

"Heh," he smirked at her question, "perhaps you'd like to find out first hand one day." He finished as he made his way back in town.