This is my first story :D Please be gentle with the Reviews. I do appreciate crticisms but I do not appreciate flames and rants.
Disclaimer: I do not own Grand Chase or any of the Characters in the said game. Although I do own the Characters I added into the story.
"They're planning something against me?" A hooded woman said almost as if she was amused.
"Yes Milady." A man said who was on his knees before the hooded woman.
"Well then, by all means. Sitting here isn't an ideal way to spend my time." The hooded woman said as a mischievous grin showed from under her hood. "Now, begone!"
"Yes Milady."
XXX
"Ah... What a wonderful morning!" A 15 year-old boy said. "Too bad I have to go to battle training." He said in a rather disappointed manner.
"Quagmire, breakfast is ready!" A voice from downstairs called.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah I'm on my way." Quagmire said as he looked in the mirror and combed his messy black hair. "Well this is as good as it's gonna get."
Quagmire wasn't the most good-looking boy in the world, but what he took pride in was his talent. He was a profound Gardener. His father used to be the Serdin Castle gardener but during the five year war caused by the Mistress of the Dark Kazeaze, his father, unfortunately, we're one of the casualties. However, a few days after his father was buried, Quagmire found a strange trunk under his father's bed. It contained a giant pair of shears its blades the size of Quagmire's arm and a will addressed to him.
My Dear Son,
If you are reading this, then I am most likely dead or missing. The truth is, after the five year war was waged, I was conscripted into the army. I had quite a reputation of being a fighter when I was your age and only took up gardening after I married your mother.
Inside this trunk is a pair of shears. They're not any ordinary gardener's shear but it you will find it is exceptionally sharp but still does not harm the flesh of the innocent. I entrust this enchanted item to you, my only heir, and that you use it well.
P.S. It can also cut Vegetation if you ever think of using it for actual Gardening
Goodbye...
Three years have passed since Quagmire found the chest under his father's bed and now at the age of 15, every man and every willing woman is required to go to battle practice as training if ever Kazeaze was to rear her head again.
"Meh, Battle practice. I would much rather go out to the local greenhouse." Quagmire said.
"Well, we can't do anything about it since you we're born a boy, or maybe you want to be a girl? I knew it! You're getting in touch with your inner female! I'm so proud" Will said teasing Quagmire.
"Oh Shut up." Quagmire said poking his tongue out.
Will was Quagmire's best friend. They we're neighbours as far as both of them can remember and have grown as close as any two humans could ever be without being lovers. They treat each other as brothers and bickering is not excluded from this so-called 'Brother-love'
"I'm not even used to holding a sword, let alone fight with it! I would much rather go home." Quagmire said to Will.
"Well then what do we have here? A student who is unwilling to train? Do you know how much trouble you can get into for defiance?" A female voice said from behind Quagmire.
"The Knightmaster is behind me isn't she?" He said almost as if he expected it.
"How'd you know?" Will said laughing into his hand.
"Ehe... Knightmaster! Err... you see, I kinda sprained my leg yesterday so I'm not really in the condition to practice." Quagmire said as he tried to divert his eyes from the Knightmaster's piercing glare.
"Well then I guess it can't be helped. Which leg did you say you sprained?" She said.
"Err... Right"
"I see..."
"Well then I best be going to inform the Higher-ups that you are in no condition to train" The Knightmaster said as she turned around. Until she suddenly twirled on her heel and kicked Quagmire's left shin.
"Ow! What'd you do that for?" Quagmire said as he held onto his shin in pain and hopping on his right leg.
"Oh look, I fixed your right leg." The Knightmaster said with a triumphant look on her face.
"Well, what if I didn't need training?" Quagmire blurted out.
"Oh Really? And you expect me to think that you're ready to fight?" The Knightmaster questioned.
"That's exactly what I want you to think." Quagmire said matter of factly.
"Well then I'll decide if you're ready or not. Care for a duel?" The Knightmaster said with a confident tone.
Several gasps were heard from the other students as they heard the Knightmaster challenge Quagmire to a duel.
"Alright. But on one condition." Quagmire replied.
"And what might that be?" The Knightmaster said.
"I get to use my own weapon."
"Very well. We'll meet in the Sparring field in an hour. You best be prepared." The Knightmaster said in a dark tone as she walked away.
"Dude, what have you done? You have a deathwish or something?" Will asked as Quagmire walked into the training hall.
"I can't take it anymore Will, I'm not cut out for a sword." Quagmire retorted.
"Oh yeah about that, why did you ask for that condition anyway? It's not like you have any other weapons." Will said clearly curious.
"Well technically it's not a weapon but it'll do just fine." Quagmire said with a grin on his face.
"You're using that?"
"Mmhmm."
"You can't be serious"
"I've never been more serious in my life"
"But, that thing... you do know how sharp it is right?"
"Yeah, it can cut through swords and armour."
"Well imagine what it would do to Human Flesh"
"I also know it doesn't cut the flesh of the innocent."
"Well I'm not sure about this."
"Relax, the Knightmaster is strict but not Evil."
"I guess you're right."
An hour later Quagmire arrived at the sparring grounds with the giant shears his dad left him. The people in the sparring grounds look with awe as they have never seen a pair of shears that big.
"And what is this?" The Knightmaster said eyeing the pair of shears.
"These are shears, which we're used by my father. As I've said I'm no use with a sword." Quagmire replied.
"Well I know you suck at a sword but I didn't expect that you would use these. But I guess, a gardener's a gardener." The Knightmaster said in a mocking tone.
"Well then shall we begin?" The Knightmaster said.
"Of course," Quagmire continued " As soon as Will hits the bell"
"Whenever you're ready Will" The Knightmaster said.
Will then hit the bell with a little hammer no bigger than his palm letting out a very loud ringing sound. As soon as the ring was heard throughout the grounds the Knightmaster dashed at Quagmire. "You expect to keep up with me with that speed?" She taunted.
"Not really." Quagmire said as he readied the shears
With a mighty clang the blade of the Knightmaster was caught in the hinge of the shears
"You have quite the strength, too bad you can't use a sword. You would've made a perfect addition to the militia." The Knightmaster said.
"Well you know, sometimes a sword isn't the best thing for the job." Quagmire said as they locked blades. "For example, can a sword do this?" After those words left his mouth, Quagmire put all his strength into closing the hinge of the shears and with a mighty SNAP! The Knightmaster's blade got cut in half. Quagmire followed through with a quick kick to her chest to knock her on the ground and pinned her down with the shears.
"Well I guess that means I win?" Quagmire said with a triumphant look on his face.
The Knightmaster chuckled, "I may be a good swordsman but I do give credit when credit is due. Now help me up."
Quagmire reached out his hand and helped the Knightmaster get back on her feet. The Knightmaster then announced "Here is Quagmire! He has bested me in duel!" The crowd look with awe and disbelief as the Knightmaster announced Quagmire as the winner. To the other students, Quagmire was always the flunkie in all the battle classes who couldn't even defend from a lunge but now he has bested the Knightmaster in a duel.
"So uh... does this mean I can skip battle training from now on?" Quagmire said with a childish smile on his face
"Yes, I do believe that you can handle yourself out there." The Knightmaster replied.
As Quagmire stepped down from the sparring grounds, he was met with applause and pats on the back. Will met him shortly outside the grounds.
"That was awesome! You took her down without even getting a scratch on either of you!" Will said in excitement.
"Yeah well I've never been one to like to hurt people let alone kill them. Anyway, it's getting late we should head home." Quagmire said.
"Yeah I agree"
The two then walked through the town to get home.
XXX
"This child is interesting." The hooded woman said as she looked into a kind of bowl with horrid black mist emanating from it. "He has a lot of potential, he's got rage in his eyes and he's got the physical strength to use that anger. He will be a valuable ally."
The hooded woman then ran her hand through the black mist and a person with a white face then showed up in the mist.
"Gaikoz! Bring me the boy." She said to the man who was as pale as flour.
"Yes Milady." Gaikoz answered.
The hooded woman then let loose a laugh that could even make the Knightmaster shiver with fear and walked into the darkness.
XXX
The next day, Quagmire woke up to the sound of Will's voice.
"Quagmire! Get up now!" Will screamed from the window.
"Why? I'm done with battle training remember?" Quagmire replied half-asleep.
"No I mean, they're summoning everyone with the ability to fight to come to the Royal Castle. There's some kind of commotion going on there and someone recommended you." Will answered.
"Ugh... that Knightmaster of ours never gives me a break does she?"
"Apparently not." Will said as he chuckled.
"Fine I'll be right down."
A few minutes later Quagmire and Will we're on their way to the castle to see what was happening there. When they got there they saw the Knightmaster.
"Quagmire! Good you're here. Now get into the throne room. The queen has an announcement." The Knightmaster said as she was shoving through the crowd to get Quagmire into the castle. "Now go on ahead through this courtyard and through the castle gates and show the guards this letter" The Knightmaster said as she handed him an envelope.
"Well okay but what's going on?" Quagmire said, puzzled.
"No time to explain. Now get your bum in there! Her Majesty the Queen isn't going to wait forever." The Knightmaster said in an annoyed tone.
Quagmire reached the castle gates and a guard stopped him saying "State your Business." Quagmire then handed the envelope to the guard. The guard opened the envelope and ran his eyes through the letter.
"Ah. Dreadfully sorry, Her Majesty is expecting you." The guard said. "Please come in."
Quagmire went inside and found himself in a throne room build with white marble. He came from a poor family and had never even been in a castle. After he marvelled at the interior what he saw next was what confused him the most.
In the throne room there we're eight people of varying height and outfits. There was a girl with flaming red hair and wearing red armour who had a clearly annoyed look on her face. There were two elves, one was blond, female and dressed in green and the other was male but with very messy orange hair and also dressed in green. There was a tiny girl who Quagmire didn't know if either she was younger or just short who was wearing purple. There was another girl who has pink hair and had a big smile on her face who wouldn't stay put long enough for Quagmire to see her face clearly. There was a guy with Blue hair dressed in blue who was sitting down at a table lined with food Quagmire couldn't even name. There was a sort of shady person who Quagmire didn't know whether he or she was a boy or a girl because of all the clothing he or she wore. There was this guy with red hair who was wearing a karate outfit and there was this other guy who had an emotionless look on his face and black hair.
Quagmire entered the throne room and the guard closed the door behind him with a loud thud. The sound of the door was so loud that almost everyone in the room, except the guy with black hair, looked to Quagmire's direction.
Quagmire walked cautiously inside and found a seat on the table where the blue haired boy was sitting. Although he didn't take the seats anywhere near the guy.
At the far end of the room, Quagmire could see someone whispering to the Queen of Serdin. He couldn't quite make out what the person whispering said but as soon as he stopped whispering the Queen stood up and prepared to make an announcement.
"Well, since everyone is here, let us begin. Everyone please form a horizontal line in front of the throne." The Queen said.
Everyone obeyed and formed a line in front of the Queen. Although Quagmire didn't know what was going on, he was obliged to do so too because a defiance of the Queen would mean being arrested for heresy.
"Alright please, everyone introduce yourselves. Your names, age, region of origin, and job class." The Queen ordered. "Starting with you." She said as she pointed to the red haired girl who was standing at the far right of the line.
"I am Elesis. I am fifteen years old and from the Kingdom of Kanavan. I am a swordsman Your Highness." The red haired girl said.
"Very good." The Queen said as she turned to the one next in line. "And you?"
"I'm Lire, Your Majesty. I am also fifteen and I am from Elven forest. I am an Elven archer." The blond girl dressed in green said.
"Elven archer huh? I heard they never miss a shot." The Queen said in a cheerful tone. "How about you?"
"Err... um... I am Ryan, Your Majesty. I'm fifteen years of age also from the Elven forest. I am a Druid." The elf with the messy hair said.
"Oh my god... It looks as if everyone in this room has the ability to kill me if I did something wrong," Quagmire thought to himself. "But why am I even here? It's not as if I'm a warrior or anything. I'll raise the question later if the Queen turns to me."
The Queen then turned to the boy with the emotionless expression and waited for him to answer.
"Sieghart. My age is not important. From Kanavan. I am a Gladiator."
"I see. I'll respect your privacy." The Queen said. "And how about you?" she said turning to the one next in line.
"I'm Amy! I'm fourteen and I'm from Xenia! And I'm a Dancer!" She said practically screaming.
"Wow she's noisy. I can hear ringing in my ears. Ugh... Horrible." Quagmire thought to himself.
"Well I admire that lively spirit Ms. Amy." The Queen said as Amy threw a wink at her. "Next up is... Ah Ronan. I knew you would make it." She said to the boy with blue hair. "Well I'll just skip you since practically everyone already knows about you."
"What? I don't! er... is this suppose to be common knowledge?" Quagmire thought to himself.
The Queen turned to the red haired boy and awaited an answer.
"I am Jin of the Silverknights. I am seventeen. I'm from Silverland and I am a Fighter." The red haired boy answered.
"Ah. The Silverknights. I know about their deeds well. And how about you?" The Queen said turning to the boy or girl next to Jin.
"I am Lass. I am thirteen years old and I am from Ellia. I used to be a Thief." He said his voice now clarifying that he was in fact male.
"Wonderful, but don't let me catch you stealing from me okay?" The Queen said jokingly and then turned to the purple haired girl beside Quagmire. "And how about you?"
"I am Arme of the Violet Mage Guild. I am fifteen years old and from Serdin. I am a Mage." The Purple haired girl said.
"She's fifteen? Well I guess not everyone grows..." Quagmire whispered to himself. "Oh no. I'm next."
"Thank you Arme." The Queen said as she turned to Quagmire. "And you, I've never seen you before nor have I heard of your deeds. But the Knightmaster Recommended you so I suppose you'll be of use. Please introduce yourself."
"I am Quagmire, Your Majesty. I am fourteen going on fifteen in the next five days I'm from Serdin and I'm a gardener." Quagmire replied.
The others tried to hide laughs and even Sieghart managed a smile at the mention of 'gardener'. The Queen went wide-eyed and said "A Gardener?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Are you sure you're in the right place?"
"Well, Your Majesty, the Knightmaster just sent me here. I don't know what's going on really."
The other people in the room shot glares at Quagmire.
"Well since the Knightmaster recommended you, I'll trust that you have had fighting experience."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Quagmire replied.
"With what? Weeds?" Elesis couldn't help snapping back.
The others couldn't help but laugh at Elesis' comment.
"Ignore them Quagmire, I'm here for a reason and it's not to argue with this bunch." Quagmire thought to himself.
"Elesis, mind your manners. This boy is no different from you guys. You've all been recommended by your masters to join Grand Chase." The Queen said as she glared at Elesis.
"Err... What's Grand Chase?" Quagmire couldn't help but ask.
"You mean the Knightmaster hasn't told you?" The Queen said in a rather disbelieving tone.
"Well she said that there was not time to explain. So I went ahead and just went in here." Quagmire said a bit sheepishly.
"Well what can you expect from someone who trims hedges." Elesis whispered to Lire who couldn't help but giggle.
"Well young Quagmire, Grand Chase is an elite group of soldiers who are going to take down Kazeaze and end her reign of terror once and for all." The Queen replied to Quagmire's Question.
"You expect us... me... to help take down Kazeaze?" Quagmire said with his jaw agape.
"I know that you are still young but yes, this heavy burden is going to be saddled on your shoulders as well as everyone else in this room." The Queen answered.
"No..."
"What?"
"No... No... No..."
"Excuse me but I can't hear you."
"NO!" Quagmire burst out, almost making the Queen fall over. "I can't! My Father was taken out by Kazeaze, and you expect me to try my hand at it? I'll have you know that my father was more of a soldier than I'll ever be but he still lost! What more of a chance do I have? Against this so-called Mistress of darkness."
"Quagmi-"
"NO!" Quagmire screamed as he ran out of the throne room.
"Well he certainly took that well." Elesis said grinning.
"Now's not the time Elesis." The Queen said. "Okay. As of now you are official members of Grand Chase. Your first official mission is to get Quagmire back."
"What? But he could barely handle the name Kazeaze how much more the real thing?" Elesis retorted.
"I know you may not think he's a worthy fighter but believe me after all the warriors I've seen who've done battle. That kid had a certain fighting spirit in his eyes. Now go get him before he goes too far." The Queen answered calmly.
The eight heroes headed out and dashed in the direction of where Quagmire ran.
"Why is it we even have to go after this guy?" Elesis asked.
"Well it's not like I want him to be with us either but it's a direct order from the Queen how could we defy it?" Lire said.
"Look on the Brightside; if we get him he can formally file a form declining to join our ranks." Ryan said with a rather optimistic tone.
" Well I guess it can't be helped. We need to split up if we're ever gonna scan this forest before it gets dark." Ronan said suggesting a plan.
"Understood." The rest said in unison.
XXX
"I can't I just can't! Not after what Kazeaze did to my father. I'd hate to be a coward and put my own life before the nation but I can't help it if I'm afraid to die." Quagmire said to himself as he ran back to his house.
As he was running he noticed a pillar of smoke in the distance in the direction of his house.
"Huh? A fire? But my house is the only one there... Oh no... please don't tell me..." He said to himself as he ran full speed to his house.
When he got there he couldn't help but watch in terror as the house was set ablaze. He fell to his knees as he remembered that his little sister and his mother we're in that house. He noticed that a group of their neighbours we're trying to put out the fire.
"Hey! Did anyone survive the fire?" Quagmire said holding back his tears.
"I'm afraid not son," A man with a beard told him "We saw no one getting out of there and the blaze has been going for quite some time."
"No... It can't be..." Quagmire said in disbelief .
After the blaze was finally controlled by the villagers, Quagmire saw a gleam of light in the ashes. He stood up to take a look and he found his father's shears.
"So you're the only thing that survived huh?" He said with his tears still falling. "I guess there's no use staying here anymore." He stood up but noticed a white patch in the ashen remains of the house. He walked over to the white patch to discover that a piece of paper survived the fire. He unfolded the little piece of parchment and it read.
Courtesy of Kazeaze...
As he muttered the word Kazeaze a pack of Anmon scouts popped out of the trees with their spikes bared and ready to impale Quagmire. He looked around to see that he was indeed surrounded.
"So Kazeaze did this huh? I've lost all fear of her now... I'm going to take my revenge... KAZEAZE!" As he screamed that last word he took the shears and cut three Anmons in half with one vicious clamp and the Anmon remains fell to the ground.
XXX
The Grand Chase team split up to find Quagmire in town in hopes that he would reconsider the offer to join them.
Team one comprised of Elesis and Ronan
Team two was Lass and Ryan
Team three was Sieghart and Arme
Team four was Lire and Amy
Although they all went in different directions, no doubt that they all saw the pillar of smoke in the distance and instinctively went to the source of the smoke. After a few minutes of running in the forest all the teams we're surprised to meet up just before the source of the smoke was visible over the horizon.
"It's a small world." Ryan said as he looked at the other teams.
"Yeah but before we discuss how small the world really is, I think we should go see what's causing the smoke." Lass said.
"Yeah let's just all go to it together just in case it's something we can't handle in pairs." Lire said.
"Agre-"
Before anyone could finish saying agreed they heard someone scream Kazeaze from the distance. They all ran towards the source of the sound which was where the smoke was coming from. When they got there, they saw a brilliant silver light dancing in the smoke
"What's that?" Arme said as she hid behind Ronan.
"I don't know." Jin said squinting his eyes.
Suddenly Quagmire jumped out from the smoke to cut another two Anmons in half. The Grand Chase team looked with awe as the giant shears reflected the sun's light forming a silver dance amid the smoke. They marvelled at how Quagmire could cut three Anmons in half with one snip of the shears.
"Is that... Quagmire?" Amy asked as she tried to get a better view.
"Never mind about Quagmire. Look, those are Dark Anmons. Thos guys receive direct orders from Kazeaze herself, and Quagmire's cutting them in half like they we're paper." Arme said while she still couldn't believe her eyes.
At that the last Anmon was cut in half by Quagmire and dropped to the floor. Quagmire took a look around and saw the Grand Chase looking from the horizon. He walked towards them, dragging the giant shears for he had barely enough strength left. When he reached Grand Chase they all stared at him like he was someone from a storybook.
"You still think I've only fought weeds?" He asked as he turned to Elesis grinning and then he lost consciousness.
XXX
"Excellent... I've seen this boy's potential. He's quite a warrior. He'll be the perfect addition to my army of darkness." A hooded woman said.
"But Milady, he's being conscripted to join Grand Chase." A hooded man replied.
"All the more better my dear subordinate; since Grand Chase is going to hunt me anyway, they'll bring him to me while I just sit on my throne." The hooded woman said to the man.
"Once again your genius baffles me Mistress Kazeaze." The hooded man replied.
"Well then." Kazeaze said as she ran her hand through black mist. "Gaikoz, how is your army going? I'd like to get the boy sometime this year." She said in a rather annoyed tone.
"We are ready to attack at a moment's notice Milady." Gaikoz answered.
"Excellent, now take siege to the port of Bermisiah to make sure they pass you on their way to Ellia." Kazeaze said.
"Understood"
"Do not fail me..."
And that's that. My very first story. (Well I've written ones before but never published it to anything or let anyone read it.) Review please. I appreciate Criticisms that'll help me improve writing but I DO NOT appreciate rants and haters.