A Maple Story

It's a warm day in Kerning City. Taylor, a highly renowned Shadower, sits atop a stump in a field on the outskirts of town. She is admiring her surroundings, reflecting on her career as an assistant to the Dark Lord. She has accomplished so much in such a short time, if several years can be considered a short time. By slaying foes such as Crimson Balrog, Manon, Griffey, and even the mighty Pianus, she had risen to heights that the Dark Lord's prior assistants had never been able to even consider. She was the reason that there were new recruits; she had gone from doing field work; such as completing local tasks or being sent to distant lands to collect materials, to being a headhunter and creating more incentives to becoming a Thief. She has had a tough road lately; she recently lost use of her left hand and nearly lost her vision, but none of that mattered anymore; she still had her skills and talents, and she was still able hear the familiar footsteps coming from yards away.

"Hello, Brian." She stated with a calm voice.

"It's great to see that you still aren't surprised by anything," replied Brian. Brian was an exceptionally famous Bishop. He had mastered the Holy magic arts to a point where Grendel the Wise, the leader of all Mages, offered Brian the spot of second in command, and the option to one day replace the old magician. This was an opportunity which no other Bishop had ever received, and Brian turned the offer down. Being a humble man from a humble background, he felt the old mage had earned the right to decide for himself, and did not need a second opinion. However, Brian and Grendel did agree that when the Mages of the Maple world needed a new leader, Brian would take the position offered to him.

"You're here for a reason, Brian. You always are." Taylor said as she rose from her seat and stretched.

"You know me too well, Taylor. I do bring news, however, it may not be news you're ready to hear." Brian stated with a solemn look.

"Well, don't look so down. You've known me since my early days of being a Bandit. Anything you throw at me, I can handle it."

"I'm not so sure this time. I do agree, you have been quite successful in your path, but I fear that this may put an end to more than your career."

"Brian, whatever it is, I can handle it."

"As you wish, Taylor. Victoria Island is no longer safe. I can feel a change in the winds, in the ground itself. There is a great evil coming, and it will stop at nothing to claim this world for itself."

"You don't think," Taylor said with a look of fear and shock.

"Yes, I'm afraid so." With these words, Brian turned his head in disappointment and sadness.

"So he's returning; for real this time, without a doubt?" She asked sternly.

"Yes, Taylor, the Black Mage himself is returning to Victoria Island. He will not act through his army. He will be directly attacking our world. He has regained more strength than we could have possibly imagined. I'm afraid that this time, we will not be ready to face him. And you may lose more than you did before." Brian said with a look of defeat and concern. Taylor looks away and remembers how she almost lost her life during the last fight with the Black Mage. She runs a hand over the scars on her cheek and returns her attention to Brian.

"We've stopped him before. You and I both watched him vanish into nothing the last time he appeared. How is it possible for him to return?"

"The last time we faced him, we did not defeat him; we merely sealed him. He has been hiding in the shadows of time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. As he waits, more and more of our allies fall into his allegiance, thus granting him more power."

"How long do we have before it's too late?"

"In complete honesty, we have less than one year's time. I shall assist you with whatever it is you may need. When it comes time to defeat him and seal away his dark powers once and for all, I shall be there by your side once again."

"I would certainly hope so. Your skills come in handy when we're in a tight spot. I must go back and warn the Dark Lord. I need to assemble a team as quickly as possible." Taylor said as she readied her mount.

"Go in peace, my friend. And may the gods protect you on your journey." Brian replied as he began a spell to return to Ellinia.

As Taylor watched her old friend vanish, she knew she had to explain the situation to the Dark Lord as soon as possible. Without a moment's hesitation, Taylor ran back into Kerning City. She found the Dark Lord training new one of the newest recruits in the underground training gym underneath the tavern he owned.

"That's enough," The Dark Lord said to the pupil. "You've done very well today. Get some rest. We'll continue tomorrow at sunrise." The young man bowed and wiped off beads of sweat as he exited the ring.

"Hello, Jun." Taylor said, approaching from the shadows.

"Taylor; I almost didn't see you there," He replied with a wink. "I hope all is well. It has certainly been awhile."

"Yes, it has, old friend. And I do miss falling for your 'Train at Sunrise' routine. Everyone knows you don't show your face until the sun is setting."

"You know me too well, Taylor. It pains me that you declined my offer."

"Jun, I told you why I can't take your position. I'm not as powerful as I once was. I couldn't possibly train recruits, let alone myself." She said with a look of pain.

"Taylor, it's okay. I've found another suitable Thief. I feel he shall make a suitable leader someday. In any case; you have come with a purpose. Please, do share." He said as he sat down.

"He's back, Jun. Or, at least he's coming back. I don't know. Brian came to me today and warned me of the Black Mages imminent return."

"Well, that certainly is a bit of bad news. What exactly do you think we should do about this?" he asked with a look of playful seriousness.

"I thought you'd never ask."