T.D.: Hey peoples, I'm back, and with a new story too!
All: *GASP!*
T.D.: Okay, so I've been gone awhile, with work, then the flu, and then make-up work...
Pegasus: Does this mean the tortures start anew for me??
T.D.: Just maybe...
Kirbygurl: PEGGY!!!!!!!!!!!!*Glomp*
T.D.: Anyway, it's not exactly a second story to the first, I'm going in another direction and am doing a story on Magic: The Gathering, my personal favorite card game ^_^
Seto: So I'm free too??
T.D.: If you can escape the others
Seto: *Pulls out phone* Hello, Meowthie? We're on for Friday.
Cheetoh: What about me??
T.D.: You've got plotting Urbi's demise to think about
Cheetoh: *Evil grin returns* Hehe, you're right, better get back to work
T.D.: Anyway, more story, more Seto frying, and more Joey bashing...
J.G.: Hey!
T.D.: You know it was bound to happen, always does
J.G.: But you don't have to put it so casually
T.D.: But it is casual around here, just like the Pegasus and Kiaba glomping
J.G.: Okay, so just get on with the story
T.D.: Right, and I am getting ideas from the novels, so some themes overlap...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was a dark cool morning, but it mattered little. If he were to reach the city by dawn, he would have to hurry for the sun was reaching its dark pinnacle of night and would rise above its constraints as the villagers saw their daily sunrise.
He would have to hurry.
He was a mage from Tolaria, an island hidden in shrouds of magic. There, he, like many others, had gone to learn at the academy, but was surprised to see the disarray it had come to compared to what he had heard about it.
The academy had been busy with the bloodlines project when he had arrived, but with that going on, he could little learn the things he wanted.
He was Jerim. He was from Argive like so many others and had left home to seek out a true life, like many others as well.
Argive was an overly populous city, as it had always been, and had become larger still with each passing generation, since many did not dare leave the safety of the gates.
These were dark times, darker still than what it had been, many monsters controlled the local forests, and bandits controlled the highways.
It had been the cramped quarters that had forced the decision to leave the safety of Argive and venture forth into the wilds of the world as he traveled towards the promise of a good life of Keld to the north, but had been rejected, as he was far too spindly for the rigors of Kelden lifestyles.
The forests of Jamurra were next on the planed route, but the unfriendly natives proved little to be hospitable.
After escaping alive, Jerim turned his attentions to the north and the swamps of Urborg. These few months spent there had proved little good over anywhere else thus far, and a single friend was all that he had there, so onward he had gone.
His far wanderings brought him then to the plains of Bennalia and the hope of life by enlisting in the local militia. The training program there was harsh, but rewarding, gaining him little in advancement however. The other thing this place was known for was its overwhelming abundance of white mana. This vast supply proved eventually nauseating and so the journey was pushed onward again.
Before he had left the city, he had heard rumors of an island off of Argive that sounded rather enticing, so he stayed a little longer to listen. It was these trips into the city that he learned about the things going on at the island and was what he decided to go for by going to the island.
And so he returned home to get his chance at going to the mysterious island of Tolaria. This part of the journey proved hard, as he had to prove himself in many tests of skill and strength, but finally well enough to get a trip to the island for an interview. When he arrived, the island was alive and bustling with activity that he later learned was the ongoing of the bloodlines project. These activities went on during his entire stay and thwarted any plans for doing what he wanted.
The truly ego filling event was he story of the renegade student, Gatha, and his project which was used to create an invincible Kelden.
It was this tale of wonder that drew Jerim to the mountains of Keld.
Jerim hoped that by going to Gatha, he could sign on as an assistant and learn all that Gatha had to teach, and if need be, he could bribe him with slow-time waters that he would be taking with him.
The slow time was a temporal distortion on the island, one of many from a failed experiment to use time travel. These waters held mystic properties and could be used to slow and almost stop the aging process.
The way off the island would be an experience as well. The mighty airship, Weatherlight. This ship could take him through the barrier and take him back to Argive where his adventures would begin anew.
"Good day Captain Braven," Jerim said to the captain of the Weatherlight as he boarded. " I believe you'll notice that my luggage and I have been added to your passenger list, some away business to take care of."
"Yes, all is in order."
"Good, I'd like to be off quickly."
"Very well then."
The Weatherlight was key since the captain was one of the very few who knew of how to pass through the magic barrier that guarded the island. If all went well, the trip would be short and Jerim would not be found out. The other difference Jerim had noticed when he boarded was the increased security, no doubt from the little mishap from Gatha escaping with some water and a eugenics matrix.
"All hands," came the cry as the ship lurched to flight. The barrier would be tough this day. Although it was hard toy get through normally, during the raining season, it was a lot worse than normal and so the crew talked and prepared.
Jerim did not care to listen for he had other things to witty about, like if his gear had been packed securely, so he headed down to the hold, taking one last look at the academy before he turned to go.
"You'll have to go below decks now sir, we're preparing for the travel through the barrier."
"Good."
The boy that had given Jerim the warning was a new crewmate and probably here after failing at magic. The almost dead giveaway was the boy's misshapen left arm, which had somehow been replaced with that of a squid, probably an accident that occurred in the marine research area of the academy.
Jerim also counted himself lucky that in his earlier expeditions into the mountains, he'd been so fortunate as to lay claim to a dragon, and so could summon it at will. This dragon had proved very useful in his interview for Barrin had been impressed by the skill it takes to tame a wild dragon and so Barrin had given Jerim permission to tame several of the local drakes and could be used in an emergency as well.
Of course his next use of the dragon wouldn't be an emergency either because it would be key in getting him the passes of Keld and to impress Gatha as well.
A risk of traveling alone would be that attacks had been reported in more often in recent years and would prove to be difficult farther down the road. Some of these creatures found proved to be interesting upon inspection for they were of flesh like any other, but also had the implements of artifice grafted directly to their skin, bone, and even nervous structure.
The roar of the barrier could be heard now as they approached and was a comforting drone as Jerim's escape neared completion. The wards on the Weatherlight began to glow as they were activated to prevent against the barrier and provided an eerie glow. Once out of the barrier it would be smooth sailing to Argive.
Argive.
It would be an unintentional homecoming and the stay there would have to be short to keep on task and so the strict schedule restricted him once more. Time spent there would be sweet, but short, and the mountains would prove difficult as well with an almost eternal winter.
Argive appeared on the horizon as they cleared the barrier and it had shown expansion, as expected with the population increases.
"So what's it like?"
The voice startled Jerim from his thoughts as the familiar voice came from behind his back.
"What's what like?"
"Returning home after so long."
He had expected questions like this, but not from someone so familiar, it was so clear, but he couldn't quite place the name yet.
"It's going to...different. I don't intend to stay long though."
"I figured as much coming from you."
Jerim had started to place the name now and only one name could fit the voice.
"Vena!"
"Yes my friend, I have found you once more."
"It's been so long, and how did you end up aboard this ship?"
"I came to sign on when I heard that there was a ship that could fly even with looking like a normal sea faring vessel. I guess I was truly amazed to see it lift off the first time."
"Yes, I have to admit that I too was amazed the first time I saw it take to the air. It does appear normal at first, well, except for it being on land instead of water."
"I know how you feel, when it lifted off, I did kinda feel unsettled about it. So where are you off to now, mighty explorer?"
Jerim wasn't to sure on letting his old friend in on it, but he needed the help so he decided to tell her.
"I'm off to Keld to find Gatha and his extraordinary projects, care to join me?"
"Why not, I've got nothing better to do anyway."
"Good, then we're off to Keld, although you will have to make your shopping short for I intend to leave in the morning."
"Alright then, I'll meet you at the north gates at about an hour after sunrise and we can be off."
"Good, I'm ready if you are."
Together they looked out at the city and the bustle of midday sales at the several markets scattered around the city. One was now two and the chances for survival to the mountain had increased and in the morning, Jerim's adventures would begin anew as he and a his old friend would face the world once more, whether it was ready or not.
He was ready.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
T.D.: Okay, so be sure to tell me what you think, and no, I'm probably not going to get to the second part of my Yu-Gi-Oh story for awhile, so lay off. Be happy you have this and live with it 'cause I'm taking a break from Yu-Gi-Oh for a while.
All: *GASP!*
T.D.: Okay, so I've been gone awhile, with work, then the flu, and then make-up work...
Pegasus: Does this mean the tortures start anew for me??
T.D.: Just maybe...
Kirbygurl: PEGGY!!!!!!!!!!!!*Glomp*
T.D.: Anyway, it's not exactly a second story to the first, I'm going in another direction and am doing a story on Magic: The Gathering, my personal favorite card game ^_^
Seto: So I'm free too??
T.D.: If you can escape the others
Seto: *Pulls out phone* Hello, Meowthie? We're on for Friday.
Cheetoh: What about me??
T.D.: You've got plotting Urbi's demise to think about
Cheetoh: *Evil grin returns* Hehe, you're right, better get back to work
T.D.: Anyway, more story, more Seto frying, and more Joey bashing...
J.G.: Hey!
T.D.: You know it was bound to happen, always does
J.G.: But you don't have to put it so casually
T.D.: But it is casual around here, just like the Pegasus and Kiaba glomping
J.G.: Okay, so just get on with the story
T.D.: Right, and I am getting ideas from the novels, so some themes overlap...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was a dark cool morning, but it mattered little. If he were to reach the city by dawn, he would have to hurry for the sun was reaching its dark pinnacle of night and would rise above its constraints as the villagers saw their daily sunrise.
He would have to hurry.
He was a mage from Tolaria, an island hidden in shrouds of magic. There, he, like many others, had gone to learn at the academy, but was surprised to see the disarray it had come to compared to what he had heard about it.
The academy had been busy with the bloodlines project when he had arrived, but with that going on, he could little learn the things he wanted.
He was Jerim. He was from Argive like so many others and had left home to seek out a true life, like many others as well.
Argive was an overly populous city, as it had always been, and had become larger still with each passing generation, since many did not dare leave the safety of the gates.
These were dark times, darker still than what it had been, many monsters controlled the local forests, and bandits controlled the highways.
It had been the cramped quarters that had forced the decision to leave the safety of Argive and venture forth into the wilds of the world as he traveled towards the promise of a good life of Keld to the north, but had been rejected, as he was far too spindly for the rigors of Kelden lifestyles.
The forests of Jamurra were next on the planed route, but the unfriendly natives proved little to be hospitable.
After escaping alive, Jerim turned his attentions to the north and the swamps of Urborg. These few months spent there had proved little good over anywhere else thus far, and a single friend was all that he had there, so onward he had gone.
His far wanderings brought him then to the plains of Bennalia and the hope of life by enlisting in the local militia. The training program there was harsh, but rewarding, gaining him little in advancement however. The other thing this place was known for was its overwhelming abundance of white mana. This vast supply proved eventually nauseating and so the journey was pushed onward again.
Before he had left the city, he had heard rumors of an island off of Argive that sounded rather enticing, so he stayed a little longer to listen. It was these trips into the city that he learned about the things going on at the island and was what he decided to go for by going to the island.
And so he returned home to get his chance at going to the mysterious island of Tolaria. This part of the journey proved hard, as he had to prove himself in many tests of skill and strength, but finally well enough to get a trip to the island for an interview. When he arrived, the island was alive and bustling with activity that he later learned was the ongoing of the bloodlines project. These activities went on during his entire stay and thwarted any plans for doing what he wanted.
The truly ego filling event was he story of the renegade student, Gatha, and his project which was used to create an invincible Kelden.
It was this tale of wonder that drew Jerim to the mountains of Keld.
Jerim hoped that by going to Gatha, he could sign on as an assistant and learn all that Gatha had to teach, and if need be, he could bribe him with slow-time waters that he would be taking with him.
The slow time was a temporal distortion on the island, one of many from a failed experiment to use time travel. These waters held mystic properties and could be used to slow and almost stop the aging process.
The way off the island would be an experience as well. The mighty airship, Weatherlight. This ship could take him through the barrier and take him back to Argive where his adventures would begin anew.
"Good day Captain Braven," Jerim said to the captain of the Weatherlight as he boarded. " I believe you'll notice that my luggage and I have been added to your passenger list, some away business to take care of."
"Yes, all is in order."
"Good, I'd like to be off quickly."
"Very well then."
The Weatherlight was key since the captain was one of the very few who knew of how to pass through the magic barrier that guarded the island. If all went well, the trip would be short and Jerim would not be found out. The other difference Jerim had noticed when he boarded was the increased security, no doubt from the little mishap from Gatha escaping with some water and a eugenics matrix.
"All hands," came the cry as the ship lurched to flight. The barrier would be tough this day. Although it was hard toy get through normally, during the raining season, it was a lot worse than normal and so the crew talked and prepared.
Jerim did not care to listen for he had other things to witty about, like if his gear had been packed securely, so he headed down to the hold, taking one last look at the academy before he turned to go.
"You'll have to go below decks now sir, we're preparing for the travel through the barrier."
"Good."
The boy that had given Jerim the warning was a new crewmate and probably here after failing at magic. The almost dead giveaway was the boy's misshapen left arm, which had somehow been replaced with that of a squid, probably an accident that occurred in the marine research area of the academy.
Jerim also counted himself lucky that in his earlier expeditions into the mountains, he'd been so fortunate as to lay claim to a dragon, and so could summon it at will. This dragon had proved very useful in his interview for Barrin had been impressed by the skill it takes to tame a wild dragon and so Barrin had given Jerim permission to tame several of the local drakes and could be used in an emergency as well.
Of course his next use of the dragon wouldn't be an emergency either because it would be key in getting him the passes of Keld and to impress Gatha as well.
A risk of traveling alone would be that attacks had been reported in more often in recent years and would prove to be difficult farther down the road. Some of these creatures found proved to be interesting upon inspection for they were of flesh like any other, but also had the implements of artifice grafted directly to their skin, bone, and even nervous structure.
The roar of the barrier could be heard now as they approached and was a comforting drone as Jerim's escape neared completion. The wards on the Weatherlight began to glow as they were activated to prevent against the barrier and provided an eerie glow. Once out of the barrier it would be smooth sailing to Argive.
Argive.
It would be an unintentional homecoming and the stay there would have to be short to keep on task and so the strict schedule restricted him once more. Time spent there would be sweet, but short, and the mountains would prove difficult as well with an almost eternal winter.
Argive appeared on the horizon as they cleared the barrier and it had shown expansion, as expected with the population increases.
"So what's it like?"
The voice startled Jerim from his thoughts as the familiar voice came from behind his back.
"What's what like?"
"Returning home after so long."
He had expected questions like this, but not from someone so familiar, it was so clear, but he couldn't quite place the name yet.
"It's going to...different. I don't intend to stay long though."
"I figured as much coming from you."
Jerim had started to place the name now and only one name could fit the voice.
"Vena!"
"Yes my friend, I have found you once more."
"It's been so long, and how did you end up aboard this ship?"
"I came to sign on when I heard that there was a ship that could fly even with looking like a normal sea faring vessel. I guess I was truly amazed to see it lift off the first time."
"Yes, I have to admit that I too was amazed the first time I saw it take to the air. It does appear normal at first, well, except for it being on land instead of water."
"I know how you feel, when it lifted off, I did kinda feel unsettled about it. So where are you off to now, mighty explorer?"
Jerim wasn't to sure on letting his old friend in on it, but he needed the help so he decided to tell her.
"I'm off to Keld to find Gatha and his extraordinary projects, care to join me?"
"Why not, I've got nothing better to do anyway."
"Good, then we're off to Keld, although you will have to make your shopping short for I intend to leave in the morning."
"Alright then, I'll meet you at the north gates at about an hour after sunrise and we can be off."
"Good, I'm ready if you are."
Together they looked out at the city and the bustle of midday sales at the several markets scattered around the city. One was now two and the chances for survival to the mountain had increased and in the morning, Jerim's adventures would begin anew as he and a his old friend would face the world once more, whether it was ready or not.
He was ready.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
T.D.: Okay, so be sure to tell me what you think, and no, I'm probably not going to get to the second part of my Yu-Gi-Oh story for awhile, so lay off. Be happy you have this and live with it 'cause I'm taking a break from Yu-Gi-Oh for a while.