The strange couple
Long ago, the mana goddess created the world, Fa'diel, and brought light to the world. After much work she created spirits that created life for the planet and life flourished. However, many wanted the infinite power of mana, and war broke out. After the first war, the mana tree burned to ashes and left the world empty, the power of mana dissipating. After the second war, many powers fell, and the world descended into darkness with only a small handful of figures to shine light into the world. Many still crave the power of mana, and many want to live in peace, but it is the will of the great spirits that the power of mana flows in the world again.
The town of Domnia, a quiet town with an abundance of culture, adventures visit this town often, and merchants trade with others here to. The Pub was lively with people drinking, playing cards, and a feeling of happiness and joy was in the air. Everyone except for one person that is, a tall man with long dark blue hair tied into a ponytail going down to the middle of his back was sitting at the counter, he wore a blue tunic with silver chain mail underneath, two swords sat in there sheaths at his side resting against his dark green pants. He sat at the counter with a drink in front of him and a flute to his lips playing a soft melody.
The Barkeep, a tall bulky man with a large mustache that curled upwards near the ends came over to the man and asked him a question. "Say their lad, aren't ye goin ta take a drink before someone swipes it?"
The blue haired man opened his eyes, his eyes, blue like a sapphire stared at the barkeep, he lowered his flute and said in a quite voice, "No, give it to someone else"
"Oy lad, why did you order it then?" the barkeep said looking confused.
"I thought maybe it would cheer me up, but I don't want it"
"Ok, soot yourself lad, I know someone will want this" the barkeep said as he removed the glass.
The man stood up and dropped a sack of Lucre on the counter and said, "Keep it"
"What?" The barkeep asked, he picked up the bag and said, "Laddie are you sure, there must be least five thousand Lucre in here"
"Ya, I'm sure, keep it" he turned to leave.
"Wait lad, at least tell me your name so I can give ya a free drink next time"
He turned around and said, "Fine, call me Militis" and left.
On his way out someone else was coming in and two bumped into each other, the young man who just came in got knocked to the ground. When the dust cleared Militis saw who this young man was, his hair red and slightly spiked, he wore heavy leather boots, loose red pants and a black shirt with a red vest over it now covered in dust and dirt, on his back rested a large 2 handed sword with a design of a flame forged on the blade held there by several leather straps.
"Oh, sorry about that" the young man said as he got to his feet.
Militis ignored his reply and just started walking again, this seemed to have made the flaming haired man mad. "You could at least say no problem, or even apologize"
"Fine, sorry, now get lost"
"Ok, what did I do to offend you!"
Militis turned and left the young man in a foul mood, he walked into the pub and the barkeep recognized him right away.
"Hey Ryu, what can I do ya for lad?"
He sat down right in front of the barkeep and said, "Get me something strong"
"Oy lad, don't let that boy get ye down, he's a mystery he is"
"Well certainly is rude" the barkeep sat down a pint in front of Ryu and he took a large swig, "He didn't even mean his apology, it's bad enough with diggers, pirates, and Imperials around, you'd think some people would be a bit nicer"
Would you rather prefer Niccolo to that guy lad?"
Ryu looked across the pub and saw a large brown rabbit wearing a blue and green poncho talking to someone in the pub. "Are you kidding old man, no one likes that rabbit, all he thinks about is money, his trades are a rip-off, he sells stupid useless things for a monstrous price. I hate him more then anyone"
"Ay, right you are lad, I'm sure he'd swindle his own mother, but don't let that lad get ya down, he never talks to anyone if he can help it"
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, I've seen him here about once or twice a month, always sitting in the back playing his flute, or a harp, never talking to anyone, I think he's a trying to talk to anyone, ye know, blend in with the background"
"Well, that's a surprise, 'd think he'd cause trouble, he's response told me that he's that type of person, look at him wrong and get in a fight, get me another please" He said setting his now empty glass back on the counter.
"Right oh" the barkeep turned around to fill up the mug, and continued, "I think he's just lonely is all laddie"
"What makes you say that" Ryu said staring off into the pub.
"Well, I talked to him today, he sat up at the bar, right in the same seat you're sitting in actually. It's the way he talks, and the look in his eyes, blue like sapphires, his eyes say he's had it rough lad and his voice says he want to be left alone" the barkeep turned back around and set down a full pint in front of Ryu.
"Are you sure old man" Ryu reached for his drink and took another big swig.
"Lad, these eyes have helped you find the people your looking for"
"Which reminds me, have you seen anyone new?" Ryu interrupted.
"Ay, there be a couple that come around here every now and then, when the pub's empty namely, sometimes, it's just one of them looking for the other"
"Are you sure they are"
"Lad, it's hard to miss a large jewel exposed on their chest"
"Unless they cover it." He took another big swig emptying his glass. He set it down and the barkeep took this as a sign to fill it up again. "Anyway, out time, been three months since there was even word of a Jumi"
"Pardon my saying lad, but don't bother them"
"Why?"
"The knight is a bit of a protective one, he might think you're after their cores, just the other day he threatened someone as he hurried off looking for his guardian, let then calm down a wee bit"
" Tell me their names then, it will help make Garneta feel better knowing that there are still some Jumi around"
The barkeep set down the filled glass and said, "Sure thing lad, the knight is a lapis lazuli who goes by Elazul, and his guardian is pearl and that happens to be her name to"
"Elazul, I think I've heard that name" He then took another swig from his glass.
Meanwhile, near the church in town, the young blue swordsman Militis was walking up the road to the church playing his flute. Up ahead was a young woman, with long dark red hair tied into a pony tail going down to her butt, wearing a purple skirt that goes down to her knees, a purple blouse, and red slipper shoes sitting in front of the church. She was facing the church with a few flowers in her hands, she turned to see the young knight, her reddish eyes shining, she gets up and walks over to meet him. She says in a gentle voice, "Nice melody, you make it?"
He looked right at her chest and saw a large garnet exposed where her heart should be, "Go away" He says in a harsh tone.
"What's your problem, I just was saying your melodies good"
"Leave me alone Jumi" He starts walking off, heading back towards town.
She watched as he walks away and thought, what a jerk, wonder what's wrong with him. She turns and heads down the road the stranger came from brooding about the foul encounter, after about five minutes, she sees someone else coming up the road, Ryu, he had his head down and his arms cross, "Seika!"
Ryu looks up to see her, and shouted "Garneta, hey!" He raised his hand and waved at her.
"Seika, so how did it go, anything new, and," She paused taking a few sniffs, "have you been drinking?" she asked as they got close to each other.
"Well, maybe, what does it matter?" he said with his face a little flushed.
"You know I don't like it when you drink"
"Sorry, had to calm down, some guy upset me as I was going into the bar"
"Well?"
"There are a few Jumi around here, but the old man said we should leave them alone for now."
"So, what now?"
"Well, maybe we should head to Geo, there may be some Jumis in the city"
"But the shop that sells Jumi cores is there" she said with a tone and look of worry.
"Well, some people think the best place to hide from your enemies is right under your enemies nose."
"Alright but I'm not going in or around that store"
"Don't worry, I'll protect you, I promise"
Ryu turned around and the both of them set off towards the exit out of town.
End of Chapter 1