Cassardis. A small town infamous for their fishing trade. Nearly every citizen of Gransys that lived along the eastern coast took up such responsibility, gathering and selling a wide variety of fish. Whether this was by boat, nets, or the old fashioned rod and reel technique, the townspeople got by. Day after day. A continuous cycle, syncing with the sun itself.
Early morning was arguably the best time of day to fish. The surroundings were silent, the waves appeared nonexistent, and there was simply you and your choice of bait. Come high noon, a party of three or four men boarded their frail runabout, setting sail towards an eager catch. All fishermen knew better than to travel too far, for fear of the encountering the Brine. Trips were short lived, but they always returned with their quota filled. Evenings were by far the easiest, tossing your net into the ocean and letting nature do the rest. This activity was partook by fishermen (and women) of all ages. Elderly folk, middle aged adults, even children put forth effort.
It was a peaceful life.
The kind of life that Ace chose out of his own free will. To live.
It had been twelve years since he arrived to Cassardis. Traveling from what now feels like foreign lands, crossing over mountains and taking refuge in caverns. There were two figures, established guardians tasked with protecting the young boy. The whole adventure is but a blur to Ace, not that he had the mind to pry apart the depths of his mind. He was welcomed with open arms to Gransys. To Cassardis. To Quina and her family.
Ace had a place where he belonged, where he needed to be.
"Hey, Ace!" A voice called out to him. It was distant, but it retained the volume of the most grand speeches.
Sitting along the beach, he disregarded the warm sensations plaguing his toes which were driven into the sands. Sky blue hues scanned the right, then the left. Only canoes and hung fish were to be found. Besides the ongoing sea, he was alone.
"Ace!" It beckoned. This time, much louder. It was enough cause to surge a skipped beat, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Forcing himself upright, he could hear the sound of something upcoming behind him. Fast.
A swift whirl around, and he was brought face to face with another child of man. The other took the liberty of embracing Ace, their arms wrapping around his torso. It was Eslero, one of few children that lived here. He was edging close to his thirteenth birthmoon.
"Shouldn't you be with your mother?" Ace inquired, a smile taking over his visage. Placing a tanned hand atop brown locks, a sporadic, jerking motion ruffled the younger man's hair. In reply to this, Eslero pushed himself away, saving himself from another playful attack.
"Dinner isn't for awhile. Can't we play hide and seek instead?"
"I could... but you can never find me."
"Tis true, but you can never catch me in tag."
"Aye. You are quick as a whip." The two shared an amused laugh, one that seemed to reverberate along the empty space. A pause from Ace. "The sea breeze is nice, today."
"Mhm." Hummed Eslero, nodding in agreement. "It's relaxing."
"You got that right."
Eslero turned his darkened orbs away from Ace, instead peering at the oncoming waves. "I can never tell if the waves are drawing me in, or pushing me back."
"That's quite philosophical of you."
"Pff, no. I'm just saying... It feels like I'm supposed to stay here. Like I can't be anywhere else."
"Being here isn't so bad." Ace said, joining his cousin in partaking the scenery.
"It's not. I love it here. But for you..." Eslero grew quiet, fidgeting with the bottom hem of his shirt.
"What about me?"
"I see you out here at night. Sword in hand. Sure, your blade is rusted from the constant exposure to the elements, but how you move- how you fight. It's like you are one with the tides." He turned back to Ace, placing his hand down to his sides. A neutral stance. "I think you are capable of so much more than a fisherman's life."
Elsero was very open with Ace, had been since he was a babe. The two would stay up all hours of the night, talking about politics, fishing, girls, but never about one leaving this place. It was baffling, but an understanding fear to say the least. That Ace would disappear and adventure forth since he was newly branded a man. Free to pursue whatever he desires in this life.
Ace shook his head, a light smack rendered against the boy's shoulder. He decided not to confront the reasoning to his sneaking about because in truth: he didn't know why himself. It just felt.. right. "I want to be here. So you're gonna be stuck with me until I grow old and you have to care for me."
A scoff from the younger male. "I'd see you taken by the Brine before I dare bathe you!"
hello hello! chapters will be relatively short (and will probably take awhile to update since i work all the time RIP) but yes? im excited to write for a game i've played since the demo came out. forgive me if the writing is fast paced thats just how i am im sorrY. anyway this story is for FUN, and it will have a few changes as opposed to the actual storyline of dragon's dogma. i may or may not come back and change some chapters, so keep an eye out for that o.o dunno if i will write for dark arisen... y/n?