_
Location: ?
"...What am I even doing here?..."
"I know this isn't where I belong... This isn't... my world..."
"But then... what IS my world...?"
*This is what he wondered quietly to himself. In the vast continent known as Riverbrandt, there was one man, who knew he didn't belong here. That man's name was Ragna. That was all known about him. That's all he knew. He didn't know where ue was from or how he got to Riverbrandt. He just knew this wasn't home.*
"No use complaining anymore..." He sighed to himself. "I just need to keep thinking. I know my name. I know this isn't my world. I just need to figure out what is my world, and how do I get home?"
*Ragna chuckled to himself and sighed*
"Easier said than done..."
*Ragna continued his walk around, inside of a small village he had stumbled upon during his travel.*
"I would've thought all this stuff I had with me would give me some clue." He said to himself. "I'm wearing this jacket with all of these belts attached to it. This oversized sword... Hm?"
*Ragna slowly examined the sword that was on him, noticing that it had several dents all over it*
"Apparently I must've used this a lot if it's in this kind of shape..." He thought. "I guess I might as well try to see if there's anywhere that could fix this for me. I think I passed by a blacksmith around here somewhere."
*Ragna continues his walk through town, in attempt to find a blacksmith*
Location: Blacksmith, Unknown Village
*The sounds of metal against metal was loudly heard, coming from an old booth, around the south side of the village. This old booth happened to be the village's only blacksmith around. Run by two people; One being a middle-aged man, looking to be at least 40. The other being a woman, that looked to be around her 30s, wearing a normal blacksmith's apron. Around the small booth, there were a couple of people sitting around, as their weapons were being worked on. *
"Alright. That should about do it."
*The male blacksmith had started to place a silver pirate's longsword back inside of it's scabbard. He then walked back over to where the customers had all been sitting, specifically towards the young, blonde haired woman wearing a hat that looked up at him as he walked over to her.*
"That should take care of your chipped blade, miss." He said to the girl. "I also fixed up the scabbard as an added bonus."
"Oh, there was no need for that." the girl responded. "I would've been fine without the scabbard for it."
"Nonsense! A sword's blade made of raw silver? A worn down old scabbard would've just put that to shame. It was no trouble, I swear. I was happy to do it."
"Well, I guess it does look better. I thank you."
*The woman took her sword back, examining it as the man walked away.*
"Seriously... how long does it take to repair a crossbow...?" sighed the impatient girl that was sitting next to her. "Lieutenant we've been here for over an hour. How could it possibly take so long...?"
"I've been here for over an hour." the blonde girl said, in a correcting tone. "You've only been sitting here for 12 minutes."
"But it feels like DAYS!"
*The blonde haired girl sighed, placing her sword around her waist. She took off her hat as she wiped her forehead.*
"Keep in mind that this your own fault, Feena." She started to say to the girl beside her. "Not only did you decide not to turn in your weapon at the same time I did mine, and walk around the outskirts of town for about half and hour. But you're the careless one that broke your crossbow for trying to use it as a mace! You're an archer for crying out loud."
*The impatient girl, apparently named Feena, merely sat there, with her hands holding up her face. She knew that her friend was right.*
"I mean yeah..." Feena responded. "But I still got the job done."
"Then you shouldn't complain about your weapon then."
"Fiiine. But do I seriously have to sit here the entire time and wait?"
"I'm sitting here with you, remember? Even though mine's is finished."
"Well... can't argue with that." Feena said, ending their conversation.
"So this is where this place was... Damn, I must've walked past it about three times.."
*Hearing someone talking out loud, the two girls turned their attention to behind them, as Ragna had finally found the place he was looking for. He had begun walking over towards the area, taking a seat wherever one was available, which happened to have been near the girls. Soon the female blacksmith approached him, noticing his out of shape sword*
"Sheesh, this thing really looks like it's taken a hell of a beatdown." She said to him. "Must've been in a lot of fights then, huh?"
"Pretty sure that's the only reason why..." Ragna responded. "Anyway, think you could possibly fix it?"
"Sure, don't worry about it. Firstcomers are always free for their first repair! I'll take good care of it for you."
*Ragna nodded, and handed over his sword to the woman, who then walked off. He merely leaned forward and sighed afterwards.*
"Seems like you had a tough day."
*Ragna looked over to his right to see the blonde haired girl next to him talking to him.*
"Trust me, you have no idea." He sighed in response.
"I see. So, you didn't catch who you were after I guess?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Oh, my apologies. I merely assumed that you were a bounty hunter. You just seemed like that type of person."
"Guess I can't argue with that. I could be."
*Listening in onto the two's conversation, Feena also decided to butt in.*
"Sooo, what exactly happened to that giant sword of yours?"
*Ragna looked down for a minute, and sighed*
"Something he probably doesn't want to talk about, Feena." the girl said.
"To tell you the truth actually..." Ragna started to say. "I... actually can't answer it. I don't know."
*Both girls started to have a confused look on their faces.*
"What do you mean you don't know?" Feena questioned. "Do you have amnesia? Are you some kind of spy? Or an escaped criminal?!"
*The blonde girl quickly covered her friend's mouth after her outbursts.*
"The amnesia part may actually be close..." Ragna answered. "There's not really much I remember prior to waking up in this world."
*That last part. "this world", is what caught their attention.*
"What do you mean by 'this world'?" the blonde girl asked him. "What kind of amnesia could you have if you're saying that you're not from this world? How is that even possible for you to be in Riverbrandt if that's the case?"
"And yet you were talking about me..." Feena sighed, moving her friend's hand off her mouth.
*The blonde girl blushed and regained her composure after her recent outburst.*
"Right. My bad." She apologized. "Shouldn't start making suspicions over someone we just met..."
"Don't worry about it." Ragna answered. "That would come off a little weird, I guess..."
"Heh. Weirdo." Feena muttered to herself.
"I heard that!"
*Feena snickered to herself. As this the female blacksmith walked back over towards Ragna, handing him in sword.*
"Alright, here you are." She said. "Turns out it wasn't as bad as I thought. But you should be good to go."
"Thanks a lot. " Ragna said as he got up.
"Later weirdo!" Feena cried out mockingly.
"Very funny, kid" Ragna called back sarcastically.
"Heeey!" Feena exclaimed angry as Ragna walked away. "I'm sixteen! Technically a teen!"
"...Heh. What an interesting man." The blonde girl said to herself. "But... what was all that...?"
_ Location: Unknown Village
*Ragna continued his walk through town, slowly examining his sword as he walked*
"I've gotta admit," he said to himself. "She did a good job on it. Looks good as new. On another note, that conversation really escalated... I should make a note of not telling people I'm from another world as soon as I meet them. And unfortunately neither one of those girls knew me, so that wasn't really worth it."
*Ragna sighed, leaning against a nearby wall, then continues walking, unknowingly taking a turn towards a dead end.*
"It's been, what? Two weeks?" He asked himself. "You'd think I'd be able to find at least one thing about me I don't already- Huh?"
*Not aware he was still down a dead end, Ragna looked around upon sensing something.*
"Okay who the hell's following me?" He asked loudly.
*Ragna looked around, as he noticed that surround him were three sketchy-looking individuals, walking up to him from in front and from the shadows behind him.*
"You're looking a little lost around here, ain't ya?" The first male spoke.
"Yeah, I am." Ragna answered. "No offense but you three don't look like any tour guides. So I doubt you can help me."
"No. We aren't." Said the second male. "But we can help ourselves."
"That sword of yours looks pretty neat." The girl added on. "It looks valuable too. We'd like to... well, take it off your hands for you. If you don't mind."
"No thanks." Ragna said. "I'd rather keep it for myself."
"We weren't asking." The first male answered.
*Ragna blinked as the three pulled out small daggers.*
"I-I'm sorry but... are you trying to rob me?"
*The three looked at each other, confused as to why he asked them when it was obvious.*
"Yes...?" The girl answered. "Isn't that obvious...?"
"Yeah." Ragna said. "I was just making sure before I do this."
"Do wha-"
*The first male was immediately cut off as Ragna's fist collided into his stomach, knocking him back as he clenched his chest*
"You goddamn... Son of a... Mother..."
*The man collapsed to his knees in pain.*
"Seriously." Ragna said, pulling out his weapon. "You guys don't wanna mess with me."
*Ignoring his warning, the second male charged straight at Ragna. Ragna merely moved slightly as the man swung his dagger left to right. Eventually, as he had enough, Ragna grabbed the man's hand as he swung again, then elbowed him in the face, knocking him down. The girl, after seeing what happened to her companions, foolishly charged at Ragna. He sighed, grabbing the girl as she ran to him, and pinned her against the wall, with her knife next to her throat. She whimpered slightly.*
"Listen." Ragna started to say. "Do me a favor and run. I don't wanna have to kill you three. Take your friends with you when you go."
*The girl nodded as Ragna let her go. She scurried to pick up her dagger and went over to the rest of her companions. She lifted them off the ground in order for the three of them to escape.*
"This ain't over asshole!" yelled out one of the men as they ran off.
_
Meanwhile. . .
"Can't believe how easy it was to make her fall for that."
*Feena had supposedly conned her friend into waiting for her as she went to take a walk around town.*
"Sorry, Lieutenant." She said. "I get bored real quick! Besides we're not gonna get anything done if we don't do anything am I ri-Huh? Who in the?"
*Feena moved behind a wall upon noticing three people, 2 men and 1 women, running out from a back alley.*
"Wait a second..." She thought to herself. "Could they be from... Ugh, I'd better tail them."
*Feena quickly ran out after the three that ran by. Though unaware that at the same time Ragna made his way back out the alley.*
"Wait, wasn't that..." He started to say, but then walked off in the other direction. "Ah, never mind."
-x-*Feena continued following after the three, taking as much caution as to listen in on their conversation.*
"I think... we managed to get away from him..." the female said.
"Goddamn him!" The first male yelled out. "Taking bitch moves at us like that!"
"Calm down. We just weren't prepared."
"Indeed." The second male spoke up. "It's our fault for assuming he'd fall over so easily."
"Who the hell are they talking about?" Feena whispered to herself.
*The first male groaned.*
"And that big ass sword looked valuable too." He complained. "Leon's not gonna like it if we don't turn up with something else soon. Come on let's get out of here."
"Wait..." Feena started to say. "Leon... Of course! They're with the guys we came here to arrest! That's them alright! But then again they mentioned someone with a giant sword... Could it have been that weirdo from before? I should've known! He's gotta be working with those bandit asses!"
"Buuuut..." She said "They've probably left the town as fast as they're running and I'm an unarmed soldier. Not to mention, the Lieutenant's already pissed at me for ditching her. I don't need her screaming at me for getting my ass into even more trouble, especially without any weapon."
*Feena sighed*
"Goddammit... Well, I'd better start going back. Hopefully my crossbow would be finished by the time I get back."
*Feena threw her hands behind her head and begins walking back to the blacksmith. However, the girl stopped as she felt her stomach growl.*
"On second thought... Lieutenant, you can wait." She groaned. "I need something to eat... Oh! I know! I'll buy her some ice cream while I'm out! She'll love that!"
*Feena changed her destination and went to find something to eat.*
_
Location: Small Cavern, Outskirts, Unknown Village
"So.. let me get this straight; All of this, because of a single man?"
*On the outskirts of the village, there stood a total of seven individuals; The three from other, alongside with three other as well. Standing in front of them all there stood a man with short, dark blonde hair. He wore a gray outfit, complete with long gray overcoat left opened. The other six all stood at attention, with three bowing down before him.*
"W-We're sorry sir." Said the girl. "We underestimated him. We took him by surprise but he still overpowered the three of us."
*The gray-coated man sighed*
"You know I hate failures you fools." He said. "Beaten by a single man. You're making an embarrassment out of who we are. This can't be allowed to slide."
"Sir, give us another chance." The second male said. "We won't let you-"
"No." the man said. "I'll handle this myself. Let's move. Make an embarrassment of him. Then they'll learn to not cross us."
"Yes sir!" They all said in unison.
*The seven began walking back towards the village. Plotting revenge.*
_ Location: Blacksmith, Unknown Village
*The blonde girl was repeatedly tapping her foot out of annoyance, and impatience after being left by her friend.*
"I can't believe this..." She sighed. "Leave me behind to look after YOUR stuff. What kind of backwards crap is this?"
"Ah don't worry." The male blacksmith said, while walking up to her. "Pretty sure she means well. Besides, it shouldn't bee too much longer on her crossbow."
"If that's the case..." The girl said, standing up from her seat. "Hold onto it until one of us gets back."
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"For a walk." She answered. "My legs are getting stiff."
*The girl then walked off, leaving the stand as she went around town.*
"I know you mean well Feena, but come on, it's your weapon..." She said to herself. "I have enough to worry about already. The thieves that we bothering this place, keeping track of you, that guy from earlier... Wait..."
*The girls stopped in her tracks*
"The guy from earlier... Why the hell did I say that? Dammit, I must still be on about what he said. All that talk about another world is really messing with my brain huh. He seemed like an ordinary person. He must really have amnesia or he's a weirdo. Like Feena said."
*Realizing this the girl continued her walk around town.*
"Speak of the devil, where is she? I haven't seen her in a few hours. She said she'd be right back." the girl sighed, as well as her stomach growled. "I guess if I'm out I might as well find something to eat... wonder if there's any type of dessert place in this town. Ice cream is starting to sound really- Huh?"
*The girl noticed that she was currently in the middle of a crowd of people that was headed back the way she came.*
"What the hell's everyone running from?" She asked.
"Ah, I think three flavors oughta be enough to say sorry."
*Feena had started making her way back towards the blacksmith, holding several different flavors of ice cream.*
"I'm sure that the Lieutenant will like at least one of-What's that sound?"
*Feena turned around, and quickly backed up to the wall (ice creams in hands) as a crowd of people went straight past her.*
"Heeey!" She yelled. "What the hell is everyone running for!?"
*As the crowd of people passed by the blacksmith's stand.*
"Already?" THe female blacksmith said. "Hey, Boss! It's that time again."
"Oh great..." The male blacksmith groaned.
"Seriously, what the hell's going on?! Out of the way! Stop pushing! What are you all running from!?"
*Ragna had been pushing his way through the crowd, eventually ending up at the end of it*
"Sheesh, what's got them so scared?" He asked himself. "Well... only one way to find out."
*Ragna began walking, hoping to get to the bottom of this.*