4
Beginning
Part One – Victoria
This is the first part in a 2 part fan fiction based in the world of Maple Story. It is the first fan fiction I've ever written. It is very loosely based on the game with my own interpretations and characters. I've been schooled in French so my English can be iffy at times. This is like my method of practicing
Chapter 1
The wind whistles through the leaves of the enormous trees of Ellinia. The town's folk go about their daily business happily and peacefully. The drops of morning dew puddling on the leaves and grass are scattered as villagers gather fruits for the market. Children scurry through the streets towards the magic school. It is, as usual, a serene and beautiful morning in the magician tree village.
However, as the morning melts into the warmth of midday, a small group of people descend through the winding steps from the highest tree tops in the village. Many curious villagers gather to see the leaders of Victoria Island make their way through town. Athena of Henesys, Sitting Bull of Perion and Dark Lord of Kerning make their way past the gathering crowds followed by their advisers. They are coming from the head Wizards quarters, Master Grendel. The people can't help but wonder why the leaders have gathered. The leaders of the four counties of Victoria do not meet on a regular basis. In fact, the four classes have been long since enemies in battle guarding their territory and ways of fighting. As with many fighters, each class thinks they are better then the other, creating conflicts on the battle ground when hunting for materials in different regions of the island. For years fights have erupted if by chance members of difference counties found themselves in the company of each other. The events that would bring forth this gathering trouble the peaceful minds of the citizens. Whispers and rumors spread like wild fire through the crowds. At the towns' edge, the four counties leaders split, and without any exchange of words take their respective paths home.
The warriors listen carefully to Sitting Bulls every word. A variety of mixed feelings spread through the gathered mass of curious men and women. Not in the last hundred years had all levels and warrior classes been gathered together for one meeting. Not in the last hundred years had something so grand happened within the armies of Victoria Island.
"The spawns on our island have become larger in numbers. Beasts from within the ant tunnel grow more menacing, bringing the death toll of the mine workers to an all time high. Monsters that once cowered away from villages have grown braver, even infiltrating villages and injuring our towns' people," explains Sitting Bull firmly. "We have gathered in council at Ellinia and have come to a decision. After experimenting over the past few months with an elite team of extraordinary fighters, rogues, bowmen and mages we will begin a new team system."
The warriors looked around confused at one another. They had trained all their lives in teams of three. Each team was composed of a fighter, a spearman and a page.
"As of tomorrow you shall be placed into teams of four. These will compose of one member from each job class in Victoria," explains Sitting Bull.
The warriors gasp and an uproar of complaints and foul comments explode in the crowd. Sitting Bull rises to his feet along with his two advisers Manji and Chum Ji. He raises his hands in the air and yells "silence!" The crowd becomes silent with the exception of a few displeased whispers.
"This is not an option. Those of you who do not agree with the system may retire your weapon on the way out. As for those who wish to accept it, you shall receive a scroll at the door. On this scroll are the names of your new team mates, along with the time and place where you shall meet", says Sitting Bull Sternly. "It is time to put aside differences and join together for one cause. The different ways of fighting and skills learned by the various classes put together will make your stronger fighters. Learn from each other."
Sitting Bull pauses for a moment starring out at the displeased crowd.
"You will train together for a period of time after which you will receive orders," continues to explain the town's chief. "We know not what the future holds, but I can assure you it will not be peace before the path leading to battle has been walked. The threats we face are grand from the increasing spawn population and we can not predict the new enemies that will arise with time, whether beast of man. When the day for battle comes we shall be ready to face our foes, and they will fall at our combined strength. Train long, train hard, for you are the children of a new era… an era where all the people of Victoria Island work together towards a common purpose."
Sitting Bull leaves the council area followed by Manji and Chum Ji. The warriors once again blurt out their remarks of shock and disbelief. They would have to work side by side with their rivals, leaving many unpleased.
As the crowd begins to disperse and head towards the exit, a small warrior girl slips through the crowd of mostly massively built men. Once at the exit she stands before a warrior handing out the scrolls.
"Name and class," he says.
"Sira, spear girl," she answers.
The man looks up and hands her a scroll. She walks out of the door into the bright Perion sun and sits on a bench. Clouds of dust roll by her feet as the wind blows fiercely at the top of the mountain. She anxiously opens her scroll. Sira doesn't know whether she is happy or angry about the new team system. It came as a shock and she was a little upset about working with different classes. Despite the shock, she remains somewhat relieved. For the past few weeks she had not joined her current team in battles and missions. They had never meshed well as a team from the beginning and her training always seemed slower then the other two. At the annual promotions, her 2 team mates had been promoted to the 5th level, but she had not. She had wanted to be promoted and receive the Red Curve spear from Sitting Bull. Unfortunately all she could do is watch as her comrades received their trophy weapons. She was much weaker then the others of her age and the overlooking of her promotion only discouraged her more. She was too embarrassed to face her comrades and had stepped down from the missions. She had always been weak, even compared to the other female warriors.
Sira smiles as she opens the scroll. This could be a chance for her to get back on track with a new team. The scroll's content was simple and straight to the point. Tomorrow would be a chance for her to start over, become stronger and maybe, if she worked hard enough…accomplish her goal someday. She reads over the scroll once more and smiles to herself.
Sira – 4th level – Spear
Team
Valencia – 4th level – Cleric
Jaimus – 4th level – Hunter
Zenith – 4th level – Assassin
Time: Dawn
Place: Perion – Eastern Gate