Years ago, Niko, OnslaughtRM, Dalamar and I decided to write a collaborative story as a sequel to Secret of Mana, one of my favorite games of all time. New Testaments was one of my first attempts at writing prose fiction. Time marched on and we steadily kept the story going, but we've grown as people and writers over the years in ways that weren't reflected in the original chapters. We went back and revamped and revised pieces here and there, but you don't mess with the foundation after you've already built the house. Last year I had the idea that instead of touching up certain aspects, we do a full remake. The first third or so of the chapters already presented have been completely rewritten, and everything following will be heavily revised accordingly. The overall storyline is still here, but everything's been upgraded - more characterization, more detail, altered pacing, less awkwardness in places, etc. But that's enough talk.

For anyone that read NTSoM in its original incarnation, welcome back! For those of you that are completely new to the story, welcome aboard! You're seeing NTSoM in its best form yet!

Disclaimer: Secret of Mana/Seiken Densetsu are the property of Square Enix. Original characters were created by their respective authors.

New Testaments DX: Secret of Mana

Ten years past

The legendary warrior and his companions

Routed evil threats in many forms

With the legendary Holy Sword

Evil and Mana faded

And the world sang peacefully again...

Well, they say that time flows like a river

And history often repeats itself

But today...history will not be repeated

It will be created!

Prologue

Bade London

"The village won't survive," a raspy voice coughed through the dry air. The voice belonged to Sarak, a weary man, aged tremendously by our recent burdens. He looked directly at me standing by his side, and then quickly looked away in shame. He carried a heaviness I didn't fully understand. "We have failed you. Failed you all." As he tapped the stone circle with his toe, he shook his head. "What are we to do? What… can we do?"

Mayor Sarak was the closest thing to a father I had left. I stared down into the arid watering hole, clutching a flute that dwarfed my tiny hands. A series of images flashed in my mind, memories a seven-years-old child should never dwell on:

My father's hunting party returning from the hunt with less and less. My mother, looking thin and tired, teaching me to play my favorite songs. The drought's first victim, my father. I could never forget the last time I saw his face. The dry lips, the cracked skin. He had been the strongest, our greatest hunter, and he went without water so his family could live. And so many followed him, until mother was gone as well. I remembered her words as she lay in her bed, the last time she would ever speak.

"Bade… my son. My flute… was a gift from your father. It was the moment… the first moment I knew real love… Please Bade, treasure it. Keep it close. Let it be a reminder of our love for you. Be strong. You will survive this accursed drought. You were meant for… so much more..." She passed into darkness then and never returned to the light. I remember little else, save for the rare drips of water the mayor had been able to procure for me and the other orphans of Kakkara.

"Perhaps…" Sarak stared at the sky, "perhaps there is hope." Maybe he was trying to instill that belief in me, even if he didn't completely believe it himself. He turned to me and, amazingly, a smile crawled across his lips. "Our most recent visitor said he would bring back the tail. The fabled item, the legend. He may be capable of it." Then he peered back into the sky. "We will simply have to wait, lad. Wait and hope."

I nodded and joined the mayor in looking up at the sky. I spotted it first, a winged figure in the distance. I pointed, but there was almost no need. The figure soon grew into a beautiful white dragon, and before anything could be done or any words could be said, it was directly overhead. It touched the ground, with a lightness that seemed impossible for its size, and an unusual trio jumped off and approached Sarak. Though the man, the woman, and the child quickly approached the mayor, I couldn't take my eyes off of the majestic beast. It was only with the triumphant shout of the mayor that I turned my gaze from the dragon and toward its passengers.

Sarak was holding something high above his head, though I could barely see what it was. The crowd around him was smiling, laughing, dancing… things long lost to Kakkara. The mayor threw his hands toward the empty hole, spoke words that nobody understood, and leaped back! The rest of the crowd followed his lead and a massive roar broke out as water suddenly erupted and flowed across the town. I joined the town in celebrating, and drank and drank until that damned thirst that had taken nearly everything from me was quenched.

It was only later that I learned the man's name and who he was: Randi, the legendary hero of prophecy, and the bearer of the Sword of Mana.

Years passed, as they often do, and I grew from the quiet child I had been into my father's son. It was unusual for one so young to be invited to join the hunt, but the sudden loss of so many men lead to me and the other orphans joining well before the traditional age. I was quickly becoming known for my skills, and was always prepared to go on the hunt. It hadn't gone unnoticed that I always brought my flute with me on all the expeditions. I saw the well-being of the village as my duty, and never wished my parents' fate on anyone. Though it was a vow made only in private, I swore that I would die before I would allow my village to suffer again.

I soon mastered navigating the harsh desert, and eventually discovered a mysterious, hidden place. It seemed where the world ended and a vast emptiness full of stars would begin. I often felt called to that place, and often gazed into the abyss, but I never lingered and always returned home with my hunt.

Unfortunately, the day came when my worst fears came to light: Again, the water was drying. The magic of Sea Hare's Tail that Randi had brought to the village so many years ago was fading.

"Sir?" I approached the mayor. "May we speak?"

"Mmm…?" Sarak was certainly healthier than he had been at the worst of the drought, but he did not look very much different. He was currently bent over his desk, scanning plans and forms lost to me, but knew must be certainly very important. His eyes glanced up once, and a grin broke across his face, "Ah, Bade, of course, come in my boy. Please, go on. Do excuse me while I try to catch up on some work."

"Sir… it's about the… tail."

"Tail? What tail?" He continued to look at his papers, but his focus was now clearly attuned to me.

I stood up straight, either to show respect or authority, I wasn't sure. "Mayor."

"So… you've noticed," Sarak quietly grumbled.

"I doubt anyone could have missed that…"

"True, you are not the first to bring it to my attention." He put down his papers. "I suppose if I told you that is the normal process of the tail's magic and fluctuation is to be expected…"

"With all due respect, I would call you a liar… sir." I showed no emotion as I said this, but felt a deep sense of pain.

"Mmm… and right you would be to do so. It has satisfied the others, but you have always been a clear headed boy." With a sigh, he stood, and circled his office. "The Sea Hare's Tail's magic is indeed fading. It has been for some time. The speed of its decline is growing faster than expected I fear."

"Sir, I request permission to find a new Sea Hare's Tail. Please." The "please" was a last-minute addition. I hadn't intended it when I practiced this speech, but it seemed appropriate.

"Absolutely not! Bade, you are needed for the hunt. It is my understanding that you will be made chief hunter in the near future. The youngest ever. Ah… don't let the others find out who told you."

I could feel my face begin to turn slightly red. My father's position. Still…

"Sir, I respectfully must insist. There are many capable men that could fill my role. I know the desert, I can survive there. Of all the men in the village, I am the best suited for the task."

Sarak moved to his window and looked out over the village. "I am no fool, Bade. I know that you are the most capable, and yes, even the most likely to succeed. But that does not mean that the chances are in your favor lad. Not at all. Many men, veterans of battles and wars, have tried to get a Sea Hare's Tail and died in the attempt. I cannot risk the life of another child of Kakkara. No. I have made other arrangements."

"Sir?"

"When the tail started to falter, I sent word across the world. A massive reward for the first man to bring a Sea Hare's Tail to Kakkara. Many will likely die in the attempt, but not our own. And eventually, one of them will succeed."

"What of the reward? Unless we have become wealthy in the past several minutes, I do not believe we can provide such a prize."

"We will find a way lad. For now, go home. Rest. You never know when you will be called upon for a hunt."

"Sir. No." The mayor eyed me, puzzled. "I cannot do that. Even if… even if someone finds the tail and brings it here, there's no guarantee they would give it to us without a reward. And what if nobody succeeds? What is nobody tries? I simply will not, cannot allow this village to die. Sir."

The mayor, fell onto his chair, sighing heavily as he did so. "It… is your choice lad."

I felt a surge of relief. I would have gone without consent, but I would not have left happy. Now… "Thank you mayor. Thank you."

"Before you go, take supplies. Rest. You will be given everything this village has to offer. Be safe and be careful. We have suffered too much already, and I do not want one of our strongest to sacrifice himself for nothing. Know that when you return, you will be welcomed, and your place with us is assured."

"I readily accept this task sir. I will not let you or the village down. Thank you again... sir." If there were more words to say, I didn't know how to express them. I exited the room briskly, hearing his voice as I left.

"I know lad. I know. Goddess knows we need this. Protect him. Protect our home."

After a day of preparing for my journey, and a farewell party with my fellow hunters, I set off across the desert. In my hands, I carried a flute.

Niko Brandfaust

I think they're trying to talk forever, so I can never leave. Or maybe they think I'll forget. Maybe if I keep saying yes, they'll let me go.

"Why don't you stay one more week Niko, just until you are sure this is what you want?"

"Y-" That was close, "Mooom, I've stayed here forever! I'm positive by now!"

These are all the same things I've heard before. More than a few months ago already, my dad told me over and over; "I know you want to leave. Don't worry, you'll be ready soon."

Well now I'm ready. I can't really blame them, I guess. It did get kinda crazy when I was little, but the times of mana and danger and adventure are over. Well, I hope it's not ALL over; every place can't be as boring as the middle of Kakkara desert.

I get why it's so hard to convince my mom, she's lived here her whole life. My dad came all the way over here from the Upper Lands though, and he saw so much of the world before settling here. I can't understand why he doesn't want me to go. They're always telling me how there used to be lots of beast races like us. How it was just as normal in any village to see one of us as it was to see a human, but... I know they're not worried about the humans. I never met any who were surprised to see a vulpine. I haven't met many humans though... but then again I also haven't met many other vulpine!

"We're just worried; this is a big step and you are still young."

Uh oh, was mom talking this whole time? I dunno if she meant that as warning against leaving or as parting advice. Best to just say something responsible sounding.

"Mom, the world is different now; not dangerous like it was when I was a kid. Dad was okay through all that... the monsters and the empire... and he was younger than me, too!"

"I know Niko, I know." I can tell by that sigh, I think my dad is finally ready to crack! Okay, deep breath; don't want to get all excited and blow it now. They need to know I'm taking this seriously!

"It's just..."

Oh no, dad, come on! I'm so close!

"You'll understand why we're worried when you get older. You're our only son."

But... I understand now, dad. How much longer-

"That's why your mother and I want you to promise you'll visit every now and then."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. There was no more hiding my excitement now, no matter how hard I tried. I couldn't stop my own tail wagging if I sat on it. By the look on my parents faces, they were playing the whole time. They knew they were going to let me leave today!

I couldn't control my own body; I leapt forward into their arms. I don't remember the last time I hugged my parents so hard. I actually had to loosen up so my dad could speak.

"I don't suppose you'd also promise to stay safe, to not go running off on any silly 'quests'?"

I couldn't try to be clever about that. We all knew that's exactly what I was looking for. Even if there was no more adventure to be had, I could never promise that. But I don't have to say no.

"I promise I'll never forget about you guys."

I've never been more ready for this; I was so excited, I almost ran out with nothing but my pants and my favorite shirt. Of course they made sure I had plenty of my favorite meals; some hard-boiled Mad Mallard eggs, Pebbler jerky, and even a wrapped slice of my mom's delicious Pumpkin Bomb pie. They gave me a big satchel of water too but they know that I know how to find water. You don't grow up in the middle of the desert without knowing that!

I'll save the water for later, I think. I hope to be out of the desert soon anyway. It will be the first time in my life. I want to see every place I heard stories about, I don't care what order. I think I'll just start walking east until I hit the coast and follow that down. After that, I'll just play it by ear... or nose... whichever tells me the most. Finally, my real adventure begins!

Claude Augario

I was so young when we moved to this accursed island of gold that I barely remember life before it. What I can tell you is that I'm not very fond of what life has been like since then.

I'm Claude Augario. I live in the world of privilege and the most valuable place in the world, Gold City. I never adopted the elitist views of this place like my parents did. The mainland is considered a hellish, barbaric world. I couldn't disagree more, and that's just one of many reasons I don't fit in here. Only a handful of people here understand how I feel.

Maybe one day I'll actually get off of this island, and see the world...just like the legendary warrior, the Mana Knight! Nah, it doesn't have to be some grand quest; just exploring on my whims would be good enough.

But enough about the future! What I should be talking about is the present. You see, when I woke up today, it was just like any other day. But before I could even leave my room, I heard a commotion. In fact, I can still hear it now.

Walking towards the open window of my bedroom, I squint and use my hand to shield my eyes from the morning sun to peer out. I'm greeted with gold, pure gold. The houses, the trees, the grass, even the dirt are all solid, enchanted gold! Believe it or not, you get tired of that color when you're surrounded by it every single day.

From my window over Rodeigo Street, I can see the people of the city bustling about their busy lives along the twisting, weaving roads, but even further beyond that, at the edge of the city, was a large gathering of people.

What could they all be looking at?

I jumped into my favorite pair of boots and headed out to see for myself what all the fuss was about.

Credits: Bade prologue was worked on by me and Onslaught. Niko Brandfaust prologue was redone by Niko, and I redid the Claude prologue.