Note: This is just an intro to the characters. I tried to keep the story as true as I could to the game, but I had to make a few… tiny adjustments. This is my first attempt at publishing a story on the internet. Please leave a review!!! Thanks. (Edited) By the way, the priest isn't literally a priest (job), I'm sure you guys figured that out… XD

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"Takeshi!" Takeshi flicked a strand of dark, black hair that clung onto his face aside. He wore a ragged grey shirt that wasn't even his size and torn red shorts, an obvious indication that he was poor. A rusted sword of the lowest quality hung on his back. It was given to him when he had turned thirteen on Victoria Island. He had been holding on to that sword for over four years now, and he would occasionally use it to hunt down the blue snails outside the village at the top of the mountain for a pathetic meal.

He spun around and saw a figure approaching-in a manner that was too pathetic to be called running, yet too fast to be called walking-him .

"Lydel…" Takeshi spun around, a reaction that was instantaneous; he had grown to recognize Lydel's voice over the time they grew up together. He frowned. It was like her to run so slowly. He folded his arms and leaned against the wall behind him. He squinted in the sunlight and tried to adjust his eyes to the light so that he would be able to see things clearer.

He turned to his side and looked at the poorly constructed 'coffin' again. It was made of twigs and leaves, something that disgusted him. After all, his father was a noble warrior that had helped the village so many times and the only person with a job who pretty much supplied the whole village with the money he earned, although it was never enough to feed the whole village. Takeshi was in a particularly bad mood that day, considering how his whole world had been turned upside down when his village chief had walked up to him and said: "He's gone.

Takeshi's face bore no significant expression. He was way too tired to cry or sob anymore, yet he felt an emptiness deep inside of him that made every fiber of him want to scream out and cry. He was tired, and that was the simple truth. He kept his head down, not wanting to attract any more attention than he needed. The burial grounds were full of his father's friends and very few relatives, all mourning. Takeshi also knew his father would be meeting his mother very soon.

"Takeshi! I heard the news. Are you alright?" Lydel had finally caught up with him and was now out of breath, panting every two seconds, finding it hard to speak without breathing. "That's the problem. I just… don't know anymore." She looked at him, surprised at how different the energetic Takeshi was. She had to cheer him up somehow. She struggled to find the words that would not hurt him, yet would cheer him up.

"You know, I heard from a low-level magician that happened to pass by, that the job instructor for magicians, Grendel, is accepting new people to become magicians. This happens only once in two years… You may actually have the chance to fulfill your dream of becoming a magician." Takeshi's eyes lit up for a second, and then he looked down again. "Lydel, how many times have we talked about this? Ellinia is way too far to travel on foot. Besides, we have no money with us. The money I make from killing blue snails is barely enough to buy a few fruits."

"But… It's once in two years! Come on! We…" Takeshi cut her off, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.

"I know very well how much you want to do this. So do I, it has been my childhood dream. But try to accept the fact that we are from a village that lives on snails and has to use twigs for a coffin." Takeshi tried his best to sound assuring, but his weak voice gave him away.

"Gather, please." The ceremony was about to start. Takeshi grabbed Lydel's hand. "Come on!" He dashed for the spot where the 'coffin' lay and quickly turned to look at the 'priest' conducting the burial.

"Today we are gathered here to……" He started. Takeshi paid no attention to him, his head full of thoughts. The ceremony dragged on for about half an hour, then they went on to bury his father, followed by a short speech from his friend. Finally, it was time for the will to be read.

"We shall now announce Takishu's will." The 'priest' took out a small scroll with a warrior seal on it. He tore off the seal and opened the scroll.

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Takishu Warrior 2/11/2008

This is Takishu. If you are now reading this, it means I have passed away.

After giving this much consideration, I have decided to give all my money to you, Takeshi.

I know you have always wanted to become a magician, but never had the money.

I have buried a sack of money just outside our house.

Inside the sack is all my life's savings.

Please use the money to get to Ellinia.

Spend this money wisely, as my money is probably not much in the outside world.

Goodbye, Dad

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Tears streamed down Takeshi's eyes as he listened to the speech. Lydel was beside him, listening as well. Before the priest could do anything, Takeshi dashed out of the burial grounds, headed straight for his house. Lydel tried to follow him, but she was too slow for him.

When she arrived at the house, she found Takeshi holding a small sack and a hole behind him in the ground with hand marks all over it. She leaned over and tapped Takeshi on the shoulder.

"I know."

He reached for the sack of money and opened it. The amount of money was unbelievable (for Takeshi, of course). 4,000 mesos! Takeshi rolled up the note and put it in his pocket along with the sack of money. He wiped away his tears with his shirt and stared over the cliff. He hadn't the slightest idea where Ellinia was, how or when he would get there, but he knew one thing: It was going to be the beginning of a new journey.

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Grendel, or Grendel the Really Old, as he was called, was in a white robe with a long pointy hat that zigzagged at the tip. Both bore a yellow star on them. There was a blue orb on his hand which contained all the remaining energy he had gathered.

He was starting to get frustrated. How could he explain to the cursed beginner that he had to be at a level of eight before he could become a magician? Stay calm, he told himself. After all, there was no use wasting what had been known as an 'endless power-source' two thousand years ago.

The ward he had cast around the top of the ancient tree that was known as Ellinia shimmered around him. It took him years before he finally completed the spell and casted the indestructible ward that took the form of a diamond. There was no breaking it. Not even from the inside. It was also a power source, giving life to the tree and accelerated its growth, until it could not grow no more. Strangely, the ward had also cut off Grendel's magic supply, leaving him only the energy he had left before he went in.

And there he was, inside the ward, dedicating himself to millions of years teaching young travelers how to make use of magic. He considered himself to be the best of all the five trainers scattered around the world, teaching others how to become thieves or archers. There were five symbols around him, each one representing a virtue. Patience was one of them. He was determined not to give in to his impatience.

"Young one, you have to be at least level eight to become a magician. It's too dangerous for you to be given magic at such a stage." Grendel's voice boomed throughout the room. The beginner was startled and jumped in surprise.

"But I don't even…" He considered his words carefully. "I will be back when I am level eight, sir." At least he was smart enough to know that he wouldn't like Grendel when he got mad. He slowly walked over to the door and went out.

Grendel finally relaxed. Thank goodness that was over. He had nearly shot an energy blast at him. Then he realized that it would have hit the ward and been reflected back on him. He was sickened at the thought that his impatience could have destroyed him.

No one understood him well enough, he concluded. All they cared about was getting his magic and skills. He regretted ever casting the ward. Little did he know that there were two more travelers approaching him that were about to change all that.

-End Intro-