Jronia

Written By: SaiyanWarrior-Vegeta

Introduction

Fifty years after the last sighting of the Ghost, two hunters ventured out from the Ghost Tavern and walked toward the forest. In their hands they held small weapons and some traps, a bit of rope, and shackles specially designed. As they left, the bartender shook his head. "They're as good as dead if they plan to hunt the Ghost. They will not come back out of that forest like so many others before them."

A patron looked over at him. "Ghost? Who is the Ghost? Why is he so feared around here and what is the story behind this legend?"

Tomoray looked at him. "Come closer and I will tell you."

With that the patron and the bartender walked to an unoccupied part of the rather small tavern and then the room grew quiet, in eerie stillness as the bartender poured the man a cup of coffee. "The Ghost has been here now for over 75 years and some say he still looks as he did when he first arrived."

The cave opened up in a moment's notice with the rolling away of a stone and the Ghost vanished into the dark depths before two hunters. Both looked at each other and both knew that they had to follow should they hope to catch this ever elusive legend of the Southern Forest. Ghost was a notorious prowler that stalked the City at night and slipped away without trace that he was ever there. A highly noted escape artist and so silent that he seemed just that, a ghost. They had heard the rumor of the Lair in which he lived in and of the many who had tried to go in after him and never came out.

Still the men looked into the cave before them and in the back wall was another opening to wherever it was it led to. No one knew these caves better than the one they were chasing and going in could mean certain death. It was starting to create more fear in the hearts of the Jronian Free than the name of the Shadow Dragon that ruled over them. They only looked at each other and turned back away from the gaping maw of the cave entrance and then headed back for town. Behind them however, the Ghost stalked them and in the silence of the night, he jumped down before them. Golden flames seem to come alive and swirled around him in a burning fury as the hunters froze. Before anything could be done, they were on the ground and their necks snapped and the Ghost gone.

Back in the City, they knew that there were two more casualties this night and once more the rumors of the Ghost were proved true. There was little anyone could do and the ones that dared venture into the Southern Forest knew that they may never return. The bartender stood a bit haggard and worn but he knew the Ghost well, and in his mind he cheered on the Legend more as a small grin crept to his face. "Beware of going to the Southern Forest at night. Legend has it, if you're out there to take anything not your's, you will perish in the attempt of taking it. Any and all slaves that have ever been lost in there have not returned to the City and the Owners will not go after them."

The patron looked at him. "This Ghost you speak of, how did he come to be?"

Tomoray shook his head. "Stories of that are few and not many dare speak of it for fear of their own lives. Dare I say, they fear the Ghost more than they do Syn and rightfully so. No one has been able to hold the Ghost and those that try often end up losing their lives. I owned him once, but due to my saving his life once, I am alive today. Some say he's a warrior of code, others say he's a menace, and yet more say that he's a Legend not to be trifled with."

Quietly the patron listened as the older man looked to the other new tourists to this City, some wanting to just glimpse the Ghost for themselves and others to see if the stories were true. They gathered round a fireplace and the bartender looked to the fire burning behind the mesh of the fireplace. The flames danced in his pale blue eyes as he began to speak. "My real name is Tojar and I was there when he came to Jronia. I watched him come off the craft and step foot upon the ground for the first time and it was at that moment that we made first eye contact. Even bound up and muzzled, I knew something about him was different."

The group leaned in to listen to the story. Joral looked at Tomoray quietly and then leaned forward intently as the old retired trainer again began. "I was the first one to handle him and even then he could take a beating and still come back at you with such fire and intensity that it could unnerve the sturdiest of us and his intelligence and wisdom is so far unsurpassed. Back 75 years ago this place was ruled by a Shadow Dragon named Syn. Ghost was still unknown at the time but that would all change, same with every person in this City. Some stayed evil and others went their separate ways, and some, like myself stayed behind to remind the visitors and the residents of Jronia about the Urban Legend."