Haha. Legend of Mana. A classic. A lot of people have played this game. A lot of people haven't. I really enjoy this game because of the storylines and because of the interesting characters and concepts. I had decided to make a FanFic about it eventually but I just couldn't gather the time. Well, here is the first chapter of this FanFic, "Awakening of Mana."

Awakening of Mana

Prologue

Dreams. They all start and they all end. The worst part is that they end so abruptly, when you don't want them to end. But there are also nightmares. The good part is when they end and you wake up. But what if they never ended? Jouchi always wondered about such things. The boy had always lived at home, and his family was always on the crazy side. But ever since the Great Divide, he hadn't seen them. No sign of them… All he'd been seeing were these Sproutlings. Not that that was a bad thing. But they were always muttering about this Mana Goddess. Jouchi didn't know what to think about that. Luckily, he was traveling with a companion of his.

"Oy, Niccolo, where are we stopping next?"

"Probably Domina. I have some business to attend to with a good ol' friend of mine."

"You talkin' 'bout Teapo? I heard he was a little wacky…"

"Well, he is a teapot…"

"Makes sense."

There was a rustling noise that had been heard in the bushes then. Jouchi didn't know what to think of it. He pulled out his spear.

"Niccolo… I thinks we've got company…"

"Gee, are ya the president of the Obvious Club?"

"Eh… sit down. I got this one…"

"Okay then. Holler if ya need some help…"

A Howler jumped out at Jouchi and he quickly struck it with the blunt of the spear.

"You've gotta be kidding… not even a bandit…"

As if it understood, the Howler growled and sent a call out into the night. A few more came.

"Had a feeling this would happen…"

Spinning the spear over his head, he jumped into the air and dived at one of them. He stabbed at it with the blade. It merely rolled and dodged out of the way. The rest took their chance. They dived at Jouchi. With a smirk, he disappeared, evading their attack. Then there was a yelp as one was struck down.

"Too easy…"

The others growled and he quickly dispatched of them, one by one, until they were no more. Niccolo came back, holding dinner.

"Here… fresh out of the pot…"

Jouchi eagerly took it and drank it down. But he needed meat. Cutting off one of the Howler's legs and skinning it, he held it over the fire with his spear.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't eat that in front of me. I'm still an animal you know."

"I know, I know. Hey, when are we gonna be at Domina?"

"I'm guessing noon tomorrow. I'm going to sleep. G'night."

"G'night, friend."

Jouchi had finished cooking the Howler Leg and ate it, now watching the sky. It was very starry. A shooting star zoomed past. He laughed to himself. He was content with his life. He didn't make a wish. But someone else did. Far away, in a place known as the Bejeweled City to many, but as Etansel to few, a Jumi had wished on that very star. And little did she know… that wish might come true.

"Look, a star, Jiru!"

"That won't help the Jumi, Sayo..."

"Well! As long as you can believe! Who knows? Maybe my wish will come true!"

"I'm sorry to say that I doubt it..."

Sayo, the Amber Jumi, gave an angered look at Jiru, the Crysoberyl Jumi.

In another far away place, a dragoon had placed another wish upon the star. He simply stared at the sky, wishing all the same. The Ice Palace of Shikara was indeed a far away place. The Ice Dragoon, Nisala stared at the sky, her broadsword being easily carried in one hand. Her blue hair flowed easily, the blizzard seemingly being a simple breeze for her.

"Watching stars again, Nisala?"

"Mistress Shikara... Yes..."

"But there's a blizzard out."

"I can see all the same, Mistress. Did you forget what I am?"

"Of course not. Please return to your quarters, Nisala. Your search will continue tomorrow."

"Yes Mistress..."

And in one other place. A lake. A fairy sat in the treetops. shaking her head, she had felt as if her wish would never come true. there was a small breeze behind her.

"What are you doing here, Lina?"

"Stargazing again."

"C'mon... we have a job to do. You know that."

"I know..."

Lina teleported out with the other fairy, now going to fulfill her duties.

All of these peoples destinies are intertwined. But how? Maybe we shall find out later. For now, we return to Jouchi, the hero of this story.

The next morning, Jouchi and Niccolo arrived at Domina.

"I'll be leavin' ya to yourself then, Niccolo. Maybe we shall cross paths again."

"Maybe. 'Till then, Jou."

The fork in the town led to different places. The sun was shining and the day would be long. His long adventure would soon begin.