Chapter 1
Today's the day. The day where the alliance between the 4 countries are being finalized tonight. As I head out I hear a familiar voice.
"Wes!" I turn and I see my childhood friend Yuki.
"Yuki, must you always yell we are neighbors after all?" We started walking down the road into the market area.
"Well I'm excited! Today's the day where the alliance between Latasi,Celicri,Magmeal,and Rendall is officially signed by the 4 kings. Aren't you going to the ceremony?"
"No I'm not Yuki, you know I'm not very involved with Latasi's government. I have better things to do with my time."
"Even though your family has served the royal family for generations? You're the only one in your family who isn't under the service of the King."
"Yea but I'm also the first Shaman in my family but you don't pester me about that." "But that's something completely different though. It tore your parents up when you announced you weren't working with his majesty."
"Like I've said before I have better things to do with my time."
"Like what?"
"Like studying." "Seriously, Wes? You're one of the most powerful mages and shamans Latasi has ever seen."
"But I wasn't strong enough to keep her alive." It's been 3 months since my wife Magi died from a Pirate raid. It's something I don't like talking about, but I feel you should know that.
"Wes, you have to let that go. Magi wouldn't want you to lament like this." "No! The fault is mine and mine alone to bear."
"It's staggering that you're alive when all you do is study Wes."
"Well you know I can cook, Yuki. I did save your life by feeding you."
"Yea I keep forgetting that haha."
We reach the crossroads and Yuki asks,
"So are you sure you're not going to go to the ceremony? It'll make your parents happy for them to see your face."
"At this point I might go, because I have a feeling you're not going live it down if I don't go"
"I'm not that cruel, Wes. I'll let it die after a month or two."
She starts to head to the Ice Temple
"So, I'll see you at the ceremony. Bye Wes."
"Goodbye Yuki."
So where was I going again? Oh yes the Tome shop! They've brought in some new dark tomes for me. But on the way a courier stops me.
"Wes, sir!"
"I'm not Wes."
"Your X shaped scar says differently-"
"Don't talk about my scar."
"My apologies. I have a letter for you."
"From who?"
"Princess Espada, sir."
"Return the letter to her."
"Are you sure sir? She said it was of utmost urgency that I give this to you."
"First stop kneeling, I'm not a royal my family has only served the royal family of this
country. Second did she tell you this in a very lovestruck tone?"
"Yes, sir"
He said while standing up,
"Then return to sender, I'm deeply sorry for wasting your time."
"Yes sir."
As he left I told him
"And stop calling me sir!"
Luckily when he stopped me I was in front of the Tome Shop. I hope no one heard that little conversation.
"Goodness, Wes you continuously keep shooting Princess Espada down."
"You heard that, Aunt Niime?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if half the city heard that, my boy."
"I should've just taken the letter."
"But then you wouldn't be you Wes."
"Don't get corny on me Aunt Niime. Is the Tome here?"
"Hahahahaha. Let me have my fun my it just came in. Here it is."
She pulls out a small crate,
"In all honesty Wes I'm surprised you haven't lost your mind like my sons. You have mastered Flux, Nosferatu, and Luna, now you're moving on to the mental devastating Fenrir"
"Yes I'm surprised too Aunt Niime, you say they enter a mindless state. Well let's hope I don't follow suit."
I start to head out and Aunt Niime replies with,
"I hope so, as well because you're my only Shaman customer."
As I leave the shop I reply:
"Way to kill the mood Auntie"
As I leave I consider blowing off the ceremony in order to begin my journey with Fenrir but I promised Yuki I'd go so I went to my home (It's not big if you're wondering.) Grabbed my bag placed Flux and Nosferatu as well Fenrir inside and went to the Castle grounds. As I entered someone patted my shoulder:
"Hey Wes."
I turn and its Luphy, another childhood friend. He and I are polar opposites him being a Monk and all but we have each other's back and he's just as paranoid as I am.
"Greetings Luph. I see you have some Tomes on hand as well." As I point to his bag
"Well You know you got to have a few Tomes on you at all times, in case something were to happen."
Glad to see he's being careful, and then he asks:
"So when are you going to ask Princess Espada out?"
"I'm not Luphy. You heard the conversation with the courier too?"
"I'm pretty sure everyone in the market heard it."I turned and I found my mother. She gave me a hug and says:
"It's good to see you again, my son. I forgot how much you've grown since Niime took you in."
"It's good to see you again Mother. I missed you and Father dearly."
"We missed you as well. So you're presence means you are now working under the King?"
"I can't fulfill all of your dreams Mother."
"Fair enough. You were always a smart kid Wes, I'm disappointed that I couldn't raise you myself, but you were keen on Elder Magic. A shame. Well I'm going to go mingle with the royalty. Remember to visit the Castle. Bye bye."
As Mother goes to "mingle" with the other royals that same courier comes up to me:
"I've a message for you Wes."
"What is it now?"
"The Princess Espada has requested an audience with you and you alone Wes."
I take a glance at the window and I see her staring at me. I look back at the courier and ask:
"And if I decline?"
Before the courier can even think of a response Luphy barges
"He's just joking, courier my apologies. He'll see her right away."
"Great she's expecting you so do not keep her waiting."
As he exits I turn at Luphy and say:
"What in Naga's name are you doing Luphy!?"
"Listen, there's something off. I feel someone's going to get killed tonight, and we need to be prepared, so make your peace or tensions with Espada and get back down here in case something happens."
The look he gave me was like he was ready to fight in the Holy War.
"Alright. I'll be back."
Walking through the hallways reminds me of home. The murals are everywhere, I faintly smell food. Latasi's royal family are a bunch of party they spent as much time being snooty and cocky, the other countries wouldn't hate the I find the stairs and I make my way up.I find the Princess and open up with:
"So what do you want?"
She turns around gracefully and says:
"Well I wanted to talk to you."
"About what?"
"About you and I. You see I sent that letter to you to ask you to be my husband. You'll be given a lot of power and land. All you have to do is be mine and mine alone."
"There's the problem with that. I already have land and power, your father has acknowledged me as the most powerful Shaman in Latasi and my family has land for acres."
"But you don't acquaint yourself with your family in that aspect. You refuse to work with my Father as the Family's Shaman. You are shy Wesley, so let me open you up."
"As you can see I've rejected you 50+ times, and you think I'm shy? The royal family are a bunch of cowards who view monarchy as the way of the future, you rely too heavily on the ice dragons, because the family's magical power is lackluster at best. Maybe if you weren't busy being a bunch of brigands at a Tavern, the others wouldn't hate Latasi as much."
I left the room with Espada being speechless. That'll get her to back off. Eh… maybe I overdone it a little. I make it back outside and I meet with Luphy and Yuki:
"Hey Wes!"
I got to clear my glasses real quick. Did Yuki just look stunning?
"You look fantastic Yuki."
"I know I told her the same thing."
"Thanks guys. You two clean up terribly."I reply with:
"Well I didn't change my clothes because that's a waste of time. Mage's Garb should be good enough."
"I agree with Wes. Changing for a Ceremony is too much. So Wes, you let her down?"
"Yea, I did. I think I was too harsh though."
"Whoa, that must mean she's ready to cry."
"Well I wouldn't say tears, but she was speechless after I said what I had to say."
"Well Wes, the royal family's coming down I guess it's time for the alliance to be finalized"
The entirety of Latasi's royal family came outside with the Kings of Celcicri,Magmeal,and Rendall waiting near the signing table. The King opens and says:
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Today marks a great day in the continent of Phi. The Alliance of Phi will be finalized tonight!"
Up Roaring applause from all directions. Yuki is clapping as well, as Luphy albeit alot slower and more careful. The King of Celicri stands and says:
"Yes, despite the strained relations between Celicri and Latasi we are willing to put that hatred to rest."
And that was when madness ensued. In unison three arrows hit the King's heart, neck and head as he fell on the floor, lifeless. After some screams, gasps , and a few people passing out, the King of Magmeal stands and says:
"How about we do this MY way. Magmeal is taking over. We were destined to be rulers of Phi, and we Hate sharing power. Robert of Latasi, Orpheus of Rendall choose. Join Magmeal or DIE."
Everyone except my mother, Luphy,Yuki,and myself slowly then looks at Luphy, Yuki and myself and says:
"You refuse to submit?"
We all reply in unison:
"Never!"
"Then Die! Kill them!"
I pull out Flux, the first Tome I ever learned to use. Luphy pulled out a Shine Tome. Mother summoned an Elfire Tome, and Yuki took a Lightning Tome out of her coat pocket. Luckily for us he only brought Generals:
"Shame you brought Knights. Magic will tear through armor like paper."
A General rushes at me. I use a basic Flux spell. Flashes of lightning materializes from my hand and changes into dark matter. As he strikes I dodge and the dark matter starts to seep in his armor and then the dark matter explodes, killing him. Mother's duel was graceful. She summons a trap as the General attempted to stab her, immobilizing him then she places three spheres and almost instantly an inferno scorches the General, burning him alive. Luphy however had a close duel. The General barely grazed his shoulder, and afterward he whispered a mini prayer, the only words I heard were:
"Naga."
He swipes his hands in front of the General's helmet and the helmet exploded as well as the General's head. Yuki is a very agile Anima Mage, as she ducks The General's Lance and used Thunder to strike him dead Generals.
"Luph you alright?"
"I've been through worse. I was taught at a Latasi temple remember. A vulnerary will patch this right up."
Mother then tells me:
"Wes we have to get out of here! We can't fight forever.""Your mother is right Wes we have to leave."
They were right. We couldn't fight forever. We had to run, so I book it and everyone follows suit. All I heard from the King of Magmeal is:
"Find them and kill them! NOW!"
We make it all the way to my parents' manor and we discuss plans.:
"We have to leave Latasi, nowhere in the country is safe now."
"But where are we going to go Wes? We have no time to prepare, and the Soldiers are trying to kill us all."
"I might be able to help you with that my dear"
"You know something, we don't Mother?"
"There's a neutral country that no country is involved with. We can go there for now, but it'll be a long journey as Latasi is the farthest away."
"It's all we got. Let's travel by foot."
"Okay I'll get 7500 gold and we'll head out immediately"
"Be swift Mother."
Mother leaves leaving, Yuki, Luphi and myself alone.
"So what are we going to do when we get there Wes?"
"I don't know Yuki, plan? Hopefully we'll meet people who hate Magmeal."
Luphy then asks:
"What about Niime?"
Then a familiar voice replies:
"I'm coming with you hehehehe."
"Aunt Niime? Where were you this whole time?"
"Don't pester me with your questions my child. Now don't argue with me, I'm coming with and that's final."
"That's okay Niime, let me just grab 5000 more gold. We'll sneak out the back."
"Get ready for anything everyone."
"O.K. Wes."
"Let's go follow me."
We make it to the gate and before we head out I take one last look at Latasi
"We'll be back."
We leave the country with the intention of getting it back.