A/N: Back again with something entirely different from all my previous stories. This one has a sort of fantasy setting, kind of a throw back to RPGs like Tower of Druaga and the Tales of series. This story is one that I don't really want to be just mine, I want it to be something everyone can enjoy. Anyway the basic premise is that four travelers (Hayate, Fate, Subaru, and Vivio) go on various adventures in different lands. Of course in standard RPG fare, more people will show up to join, and betray the group as the overall plot develops (if I ever come up with one). With this story, I want to create an expanded world that can be updated and shaped at any time I want. Unlike longer stories that I used to write, each adventure will only be three chapters or four chapters, and hopefully can all stand on their own so that I can continue and stop the story when I get tired. Once this adventure is done, and maybe a few others, I'll invite others to join in on the fun if they want. With that said, please enjoy the first part of this new tale that I have woven.
Magical Girl Lyrical Adventure
Episode 1: The Castle in The Clouds
Part 1: Through The Thick Woods
The sound of footsteps echoed around as the shoes of four disgruntled travelers stepped through a thick forest. They had been wandering around for several hours already since entering, but found no indication of finding the exit. By this point in time, all of them were completely exhausted.
"Just admit it already, we're lost." A tall blond, dressed up in armor -who also carried a sword at her side- poked the back of her leader.
"We're not lost, just a little off course, that's all." The leader, who had short brown hair, and carried around a long staff, sighed and waved her hand in a dismissive manner. "Don't worry, don't worry."
"Just how many times have you said that in the past two hours, leader?" A girl with blue hair and a pair of boxing gloves looked at the leader with a narrow gaze.
"Like I said, don't worry, we're not lost."
"Can we stop now, I'm hungry." The final of the four travelers; A small child, one who resembled the tall blond - though her eyes were two different colors -, clutched her stomach. "I want to eat now!"
"Soon Vivio, I promise." The blond slapped the leader over the head and joined her companions in giving her the evil eye. "Well, Hayate, can we at least stop for dinner?" Hayate, the leader of the all female group stopped walking and pondered it for a little.
It was already hard enough for them to get through the woods as it was; once it got dark, it would be impossible. She knew this, and she was the leader, so it was her call.
"Alright, we'll set up camp right here. Its no use running through the dark and getting lost."
"Even though we're already lost in the first place." The blond remarked.
"Quiet Fate-chan, just have a little faith in me. Now lets get this camp set up. Subaru." The blue-haired girl nodded and started to gather fire wood while the others looked for a clearing. They couldn't find one, there were too many trees.
"Looks like we'll have to make one. Everyone step back." Hayate took her staff and held it in front of her, she reached behind her back and also pulled out a thick book, the title written in a strange language. "From this Book of Darkness, I cast the spell." Everyone stepped back as a magic circle appeared under her.
"Light and darkness, struggle and become one. Grant me the blessing of the Tome of The Night's Sky, and allow us settlement on this land. From this world and to the Heavens I ask this of you, Reinforce!"
The sky above illuminated. A beam of light shot from the clouds, blasting the area in front of them. Closing their eyes to the brightness of the ray, they could not see the magic at work. And when they opened them again, a large dusty circle lay in front of them, where a cluster of trees used to be. "All done, you can thank me later." Hayate put the book away and rested her staff at its side once more.
"Alright, now we can eat."
"Yay!" Vivio jumped in the air repeatedly as Subaru and her companions set up camp.
A mess of stars shinned down on the four travelers as they lay flat on their backs in a circle. A fire roasted in the middle of them, providing them light and heat for the chilly night. "Its quite beautiful, isn't it?" Hayate smiled up at it, and whispered to Fate. They had already forgotten their earlier troubles when confronted by the milky way.
"Yeah, you never see a sky like this in the city, that's for sure." She looked over to Vivio, who was fading in and out of sleep. The little girl rubbed her eyes and tried her best to stay awake, but it was no good. "Come here, Vivio." Fate reached out to her, and the girl moved over, being encircled within a warm embrace. Soon after, she fell asleep in the swordsman's arms.
Their other companion, Subaru, was already unconscious, and would likely not wake up till morning. That mean it was just Fate and Hayate awake to keep each other company. Holding Vivio tight, Fate turned her head to Hayate and put a finger to her lips, telling the woman to keep her voice low.
"You're so mature, its almost like you're her mother."
"After that terrible fire, when we found her, she looked so lost. I'm trying my best to be, I'm all she has after all."
"You're not alone you know, and neither is she, we all have each other. Don't go trying to take the burden all by yourself, okay?" Fate nodded and closed her eyes. She let her guard down, which allowed Hayate to creep in close and snuggle up to her as well.
"H-Hayate." The blond kept her voice as low as possible, as not to wake Vivio.
"This should be fine, right? Even with the fire, its still cold, and I don't want to let little Vivio have you all to herself." Fate blushed but relinquished herself and just let Hayate embrace the two of them.
"Jeez, I don't want Subaru seeing us. She's such a blabbermouth, she would tell everyone at home the first chance she got; that would be embarrassing. I don't want everyone to get the wrong idea about us."
"Yeah yeah, you're so shy. Then again, that's one of the things I like about you." Hayate surprised Fate by kissing her on the cheek and then closing her eyes. After some time, her breathing became slow, and she fell into a deep sleep. Fate pondered the actions of a few moments ago, before shaking her head, and letting herself be carried away as well.
The sun had risen a long time ago, the four travelers had once again tried to make their way out of the forest. It was all for nothing, they were still making no progress. "We're still lost, aren't we?" Fate watched Hayate scratch her head and shake her head.
"Of course not, we're definitely on the right track."
'Hayate!"
"Alright alright, we're lost. These damn woods are cursed, I tell you."
"Fate-mama, I'm still hungry." Vivio stomach growled, they had just had lunch.
"Just wait a little sweetie." Fate grabbed Hayate by the shoulders and gripped them tightly, hard enough to cause some pain in the girl.
"I'm pretty strong you know, Hayate. That's why, if you don't get us out of these woods right now, then so help me, I'll let you get a good view from the sky." Hayate gulped, she knew that her friend wasn't joking one bit.
"Yeah, hurry up~!" Subaru whined and complained, and soon Vivio joined in, it was starting to become unbearable.
"Okay, just shut up! Damn it!" Hayate once again pulled out her book and lifted her staff. "These damn woods, you asked for it. Wont let us go, huh? Well, now I'm gonna blast a hole right through you!" She was furious, and now it had become a little scary.
"Hayate, calm down, don't do something stupid." Fate tried to quell her anger, but it was no use.
"Light and darkness, struggle and become one. Grant me the blessing of the Tome of The Night's Sky, grant us passage through this forest. Let your divine wrath be felt, and burn down everything in our way! Reinforce!"
The orb on the front of the staff started to glow bright red, charging with energy. With one more word, Hayate would tear a hole in the forest, and possibly burn it down completely. 'Hahahah, this time we've got you!'
"Please wait!" A cry at their side alerted them to the presence of a small girl in cute clothes. She looked like she was on the brink of tears and waved her hands around frantically. "Don't do it!"
"Too late, fire!" Hayate was pushed back as a red pulse shot from her staff, a beam of light came after and pierced through the forest in front of them. She wasn't going to let a little girl take away this satisfaction.
When it was over, a path formed in the forest where the light had hit. There was no end in sight and it just continued on endlessly. Nonchalantly, Hayate let the staff rest and put the book away. She took in a deep breath and with her companions, gave the small girl their full attention. "Now, what did you want to tell us?"
"Uuuu...uuuu... The town is this way..uuuu..." She sniffled, holding back her tears. Her hand pointed to their side, and her finger indicated something small but unmistakable, puffs of smoke in the distance. They had been looking the wrong way all along, and the dark clouds in the sky disguised the smoke. They were so close, and yet, Hayate still blasted a hole in the forest that went god knows where.
They didn't really care about the forest, but the blast probably scared the girl half to death, so they apologized and introduced themselves. She agreed to take them back to town. The four of them were so relieved to be saved, that they fell to their knees and wept with joy.
A woman with long brown hair, robed in white, sat lazily on a dark throne, obviously bored out of her mind. She watched a small girl fight with a large ogre like monster, though it was hardly entertaining. She simply yawned and grabbed a long, cutesy looking staff with a red orb at the end, locked in place by a gold arch. "Boring~" A red laser fired from the staff and incinerated the monster.
"Hey, I was just starting to enjoy myself." The girl grunted and thrashed about, though she was ignored.
"I don't care, I need something else to do other than watch your boring fights."
Suddenly, a woman with long red hair barged into her room, obviously flustered. At the very least it intrigued her. "What is it, why have you come in to my den without so much as a knock?"
"My apologies, Mistress." The intruder stood up straight and saluted the woman. "I have news, it appears that four strangers have entered town."
The woman rose from her thrown, a frown crossed her lips and she moved with the speed of a tiger. Enclosing her hand around the collar of her visitor, she raised her in the air effortlessly. "You dare waste my time with news of that level? If you weren't so useful, I would have vaporized you by now."
"Oh, looks like you made the princess angry, Signum." Signum, who was dressed as a knight, bowed her head deeply, while still being held.
"My apologies, there is something else, I thought it might interest you."
"Hmm? Out with it then."
"The strangers, it seems that they, umm..."
"I said spit it out!" Signum flinched, the woman holding her didn't seem fazed at all.
"Yes! It appears that they, blasted a hole in the forest. It seems that they have a magician among them as well, a strong one." Finally, the woman released Signum and held her staff in front of her. A grin came across her face she contemplated the news.
"Very good, you finally told me something nice. I'm sorry for being so rough."
"Not at all, Mistress." Of course, Signum would have rather not been shamed like that, though she didn't say anything. The woman moved back to her throne, sat down in a much more refined position and addressed the small girl in the room.
"Vita, would you be a dear and send the strangers my welcome. If possible, bring the magician back to me, alive. You may kill the rest, if you want." The girl, Vita, smiled just as broadly as her mistress. She gripped a hammer in her hands, and her eyes flashed with murderous intent as she bowed.
"Certainly. I will not disappoint you, Mistress Nanoha."