It's been a while since I've thought of typing this. I began to think about it; the Aran was the only one found yet the others were not, I was thinking about how lonely it must be so I decided to type it out. Hope you enjoy it. Please Review.
Anguish of a Lonesome Soul I
I remember that a large explosion woke me up. I looked around to see the tent I was in was completely empty and the only light outside was fires that engulfed the forest. I decided to go outside to see what happened. Leaving my tent, I saw a line of people wanting frantically to board the flying ship.
What was going on?
The forest had black smog levitated through it and the fires only seemed to worsen. I went to Athena, who was boarding the women and children first.
"Aran, you're awake! How are you feeling?" I didn't know what to say, so I asked the obvious.
"Hm? You want to know what's been going on?" I nodded. She gave me a reassuring smile.
"We're almost done preparing for the escape. You don't have to worry. Everyone I could possibly find has boarded the ark, and Shinsoo has agreed to guide the way..."
Shinsoo? Here? What exactly is going on?
"We'll head to Victoria Island as soon as we've finished the remaining preparations."
Something was wrong, were not there others with me?
Therefore, I asked her.
"The other heroes? They have left to fight the Black Mage. They're buying us some time to escape."
What? That is ridiculous they cannot do it alone.
"I'm going to fight with them."
"What? You want to fight with them? No! You cannot! You are hurt. You must leave with us!"
"But the others..." I was cut off when a woman in the crowd cried in terror.
"My son is missing!"
"What? In the forest! But there are monsters lurking everywhere." Athena's words did not seem to help the mother any better; she turned to me.
"Aran, I'm very sorry, but could you rescue the child? I know you're injured, but I don't have anyone else to ask!" I accepted ready to go. I headed towards the forest, just before I was out of sight I heard Athena yell to me.
"The child is probably lost deep inside the forest! We have to escape before the Black Mage finds us. You must rush into the forest and bring the child back with you!" she paused before continuing.
"Please, Aran! I'm begging you. I can't bear to lose another person to the Black Mage!" I rushed as fast as I could go even though my body, which thought otherwise, while I ventured deep within the forest.
Athena was right the Black Mage's dragons were everywhere getting in my way as I ventured deeper.
Finally, I reached a clearing that was clear of monsters but I heard a soft whimpering sound as if someone was crying. Looking beyond I saw the child crying his eyes out.
Thank Goodness... I breathed with relief as I approached him; he jumped at first and only seemed to cry even more, he soon stopped realizing who I was.
"Wah!" He sniffed, "Hey, it's Aran! Are you here to rescue me?" I smiled picking him up.
"Of course I am. Glad to see you're safe."
"I was so scared... Please take me back to Athena..." I nodded as I motioned him to wrap his arms around my neck. I did not want to take the same route I used to get here, but I had no choice.
As I cautiously retraced my steps something was wrong, the dragons have disappeared! I feared the worse and ran back as fast as I could to Athena. Arriving at the site what was left of the tent was now in flames and all the remaining passengers were safe abroad the ship.
"It's alright you're safe now..." I carried him to Athena. She was peering out a window with a makeshift ladder hanging from it.
"You made it back safe! What about the child? Did you bring the child with you?" I nodded as I lifted him to towards her.
"Oh, what a relief. I'm so glad..."
"Hurry and board the ship! We don't have much time..." I told her, she quickly got back in gear.
"You're right! We don't have any time to waste. The Black Mage's forces are getting closer! We are doomed if we don't leave right this moment! Come on!" I was hesitant in moving.
"Aran?"
"Leave without me."
"What?" she tried to reason with me. "Aran, please! I know you want to stay and fight the Black Mage, but it's too late! Leave it to the others and come to Victoria Island with us!" I didn't want to go; the others are fighting for the future of Maple World while I'm running away.
"No." was my reply.
"Aran!"
"Athena, why don't you leave for Victoria Island first?"
"But, but...!" I smiled softly giving her an assured look.
"I promise I'll come back for you later. I'll be alright." My expression turned serious seeing the boy looking at me.
"I won't forgive him for what he's put everyone through; I'll fight the Black Mage with the others."
"Come back alive, alright?" she pulled the ladder back inside and the ship took off. I set off to join the others in the fight. . .
For years, the Black Mage has ruled over Maple World and we have decided to turn against him at last, we conjured up a victory by sealing him away. However, our victory was short-lived. He removed our memories and sealed us in icy prisons. The only thing I remembered from that day was seeing my friends disappearing from my vision. At first, I was content, glad to know that Maple World was safe, I know the others would agree, but I should have known better...
Deep within the confounds of a crystal cave, who's light made it reflect on its own, stood one lone girl. She seemed to ignore everything around her as her eyes were fixed on the giant slab of ice in front of her. She smiled softly as she placed her hand on it.
"I'm so glad..."
"Hero, wake up..."
Huh? Is someone talking to me?
"Hero, wake up." I opened my eyes to see a girl; she had long icy blue hair with eyes to match, wearing a green Eskimo hat and coat, with a blue penguin at her side.
A penguin...
It was a matter of time until I felt the cold air seeped into my lungs. I began to cough; she was already by my side.
"You've awaken." I looked up at her.
"You are...?"
"The hero who fought against the Black Mage... I've been waiting for you to wake up!"
That didn't answer my question in the least. First, who in the world was the Black Mage?
"Who are you...? And what are you talking about..?" I stared at my hand as I began to ask myself questions.
"Who am I...? I can't remember anything..."
Ow, my head hurt...
It seems the deeper I tried to dig was the more the pain increased, I cupped my head.
"Are you alright?" I began to panic, I felt like there was something pulling at the back of my mind, but what was it?
"I can't remember anything. Where am I?" I looked up at her, "And who are you...?"
"Stay calm. There is no need to panic. You can't remember anything because the curse of the Black Mage erased your memories."
The Black Mage's curse...?
"I'll tell you everything you need to know...step by step." I nodded, I felt like I needed to now this, and so she began...
"You're a hero who fought the Black Mage and saved Maple World hundreds of years ago. Nevertheless, at the very last moment, the curse of the Black Mage put you to sleep for a long, long time. That's when you lost all of your memories." I nodded, I felt like everything she said was true, for her words were trying to pull something out of my mind.
"As to where we are... The island is Rien, and it is where the Black Mage trapped you. Despite its name, this island is covered in ice and snow because of the Black Mage's curse. You were found deep inside the Ice Cave."
Ice cave⦠Therefore, this is where I am...
"Lastly, for whom I am. My name is Lilin and I belong to the clan of Rien. The Rien clan has been waiting for a hero to return for a long time now, and we finally found you. You've finally returned!" She quickly paused seeing my vague expression.
"I've said too much. It's okay if you don't really understand everything I just told you. You will get it eventually. For now, you should head to town. I'll stay by your side and help until you get there." She helped me out of the ice and guided me to town; on the way there were many penguins that were skeptical and joyous at my arrival, they told me that they have been digging for years in order to find the heroes; many relieved that their work wasn't in vain.
These other heroes... Who are they...?
When I asked Lilin about these others, she didn't give me a response. I was very confused and in pain for the throbbing sensation in my head would not recede.
They gave me many things; potions, a chair, I was even given a sword, but I didn't feel right with it; it somehow felt unusual to me, but it would have to do I guess.
We finally reached town.
"You must be confused in more ways than one."
Hit the nail on the head...
"It's totally understandable, seeing that you recently awoke inside the ice cave with no recollection of your past. Add to that my calling you a hero and I totally understand. I'll explain to you in detail, exactly what happened." I was curious in hearing more about it.
"A few hundred years ago, the whole world was under the reign of the evil Black Mage. Using his tremendous power, the Black Mage led Maple World closer and closer to its destruction and he almost succeeded. Many people valiantly tried to keep the Black Mage from ruining their lives, but they were not strong enough. It reached the point where to the whole world was on the verge on destruction, and that is when a few brave souls made a pivotal decision. They would battle the Black Mage head-on; all by themselves to buy the rest of us time to find refuge in places far, far away." I was in awe at what she was saying.
Was I really one of those souls?
"No one knows the details of the battle, only the results: The Black Mage was sealed away while the heroes made the ultimate sacrifice and disappeared. Thanks to them, Maple World found peace and... That was that." She frowned.
"Sadly, it didn't take long for people to forget about the heroes. A lot of time passed, and then a Book of Prophecy suddenly appeared out of nowhere. According to that book, the Black Mage had cast one final spell, which wiped the heroes of their memories and abilities, and trapped them in ice for hundreds of years." She pets her penguin companion.
"Everyone believed the book was a bunch of garbage, but one race, the Rien, still believed everything it said. I am the last member of this race, and I've been staying here for years, waiting on this island, until the day the heroes would awaken." She smiled radiantly.
"And here you are! One of the heroes the Book of Prophecy mention. One of the many heroes that saved Maple World, only to be forgotten for years. Now, I am sure you will be the hero to save us once more." she waited for me to let it all set in.
"Do you get it now?" I nodded shortly after.
"Regardless, if you do or not. The Book of Prophecy states that the heroes would revive one day and defeat the Black Mage for the last time, for him and his evil is returning to Maple World. Until that time, you must regain your memories and your strength. Pretty simple, eh?"
I nodded slowly, everything was still setting itself in, but I grasp unto the main objective.
Destroy the Black Mage and save Maple World once again...
Alone this time...
Something in my mind suddenly stopped trying to pull everything together. It was so much information to absorb at one time I did not know what to do, and somehow deep inside myself, I felt hopeless and lost. I knew for a fact I'm missing something very important, but my brain wasn't interacting with my subconscious.
I was pulled back when Lilin grabbed my hand.
"Well, you must be tired, and still cold after waking up. We could start your training tomorrow." I nodded in agreement.
To be honest I couldn't sleep at all that night, my body somehow wouldn't let me. As if it was trying to tell me something, and I just didn't know what it was. I quietly sat up in the bed Lilin provided me with. Looking out the window I saw many penguins chipping at ice; What could they be looking for? Could it be the others?
So many questions...
So little answers...
I decided to force myself to sleep. Closing my eyes I wondered what Lilin and I would start with tomorrow.
Starting tomorrow, I will begin my training, to become who I once was... The Aran.
I hope you all enjoy it, next chapter coming up in a little while. Please Read & Review for this is my first MapleStory related story.
