Randall.
The orderly majesty of the Imperial Capital was known to all who had walked its cobblestone roads. The various working men and women of the bustling city went about their business on a day-to-day basis, following a tight schedule as they carried out their tasks. These people worked in the shade of the tall white buildings Randall had in abundance, and those born and raised here would be safe forever. To a certain minority, however, the familiar skyline was suffocating and repetitive; there was no adventure to be had here. However, this was only half of Randall's true nature.
Plenty of opportunities were available to these restless adolescents, and the bravest among them would enrol themselves into the Summoners' Hall in search of personal glory beyond wealth and heritage. The foolish majority would be turned down, leaving only those truly worthy to be put through several tests before finally taking their first true steps towards becoming a Summoner. These individuals were the lucky ones, in many ways.
The green cloth stood out in Randall's urban environment, passing through the sea of white, grey and brown-clothed people. A glance at her cloak would have given the impression that it was supposed to be coloured for camouflage in the forest, if not for its unusually bright shade of green. A thin arm stuck out of the cloak at the side, wrapped around a large bag one would typically associate with luggage.
This was one who had earned her place in the Hall
The tiny frame that held the cloak up moved quickly, dodging between crowds and various other obstacles with ease. Beneath her cloak was a set of leather armour, lined with pockets and pouches. Pinned on one such pouch strapped above her chest was an old badge in the shape of some sort of crest, coated in a faded shade of silver that came with age. Slung to her back was a golden bow which, on the contrary, seemed to glow even when hidden from the sun.
She moved with purpose but was in no rush. To the more perceptive eye, one could detect a slight spring in her step and a sense of excitement in her movement as she made her way down the street. Casually turning into a backstreet alley, she left the streets of cafes and shops and entered the labyrinthine madness that was the true nature of Randall; a realm all too familiar to summoners.
Racing through the winding streets, up and down the steep slopes and through sharp turns, Adelaide Hata eventually found herself before the inn that was her destination. Ada found herself smiling as she gazed at the large red building. Bright orange lights shone unabashed through the window, lighting up the surrounding area. The laughter and rowdiness from within brought a different warmth from the crackling blaze on the hearth. A sigh of relief escaped her, her eyes mesmerised by the light.
How long has it been since she was here?
A rush of emotions welled up from inside of her, for this was a place of significance for Adelaide. Happy recollections, sad memories. It was this place where she became known as simply "Ada". It was a place of meeting and a place of separation. Perhaps due to her place amongst the Honorlytes, she understood the significance of every small event in the moulding of a person. Their order studied a variety of topics, linking events to occurrences and learning about those who lived and influenced the world in their time.
By recalling every experience and tracing each decision to its aftermath, Ada learnt the value of her past; The moulding of her being which made her who she was today. For the most part, she was proud of what she had become. She placed a hand over the badge on her chest and smiled.
Ada pushed the heavy door open and she stepped into the inn, the commotion increasing in volume as Ada made her way through the crowd. The patrons of this inn were not the wishy-washy noblemen who became Summoners on a whim. These people were the true Summoners in spirit, those who ventured into the far reaches of Elgaia to keep the peace.
They were Demon Slayers, and Ada felt most at ease among them.
Ada searched the room with a glance and instantly found that the pink-haired lady she was looking for behind the bar counter. The lady in question was frantically trying to keep up with the string of orders, serving beverages and food alongside a fellow colleague. Ada noted that she still wore that silly hat of hers, and smiled.
Squeezing through to the long table, she plumped herself down on the tall chair and slammed her luggage bag on the table. The impact startled the lady behind the counter, who spun around to see the commotion. They made eye contact, and Ada watched as her pink eyes widened in recognition and her mouth widened in a surprised smile.
"Ada! It's been so long! How have you been?"
Ada smiled back, accepting Elise's outstretched hands and shaking them with equal enthusiasm.
"So-so, I guess? Is Commander-chan around?"
"If you're referring to Noah, he is. Thinking of going on a raid together with him? In that case, I'll call him ov-"
Before Elise could finish, she was interrupted by another voice. It came from behind Ada, but Ada could tell who it was instantly even without looking. Her smile stretched just a bit further.
"I refuse! Why should I have to go on a raid with you?"
Spinning around to face him, Ada saw Noah's disgruntled face and grinned widely. He had not changed since Ada last saw him. His face was maybe a bit paler, but he still wore the same suit of armour he had obtained from his time as Commander of the Silver Knights: A grey scale mail with a grey, stylised steel shield. Wrapped around his neck was a pale blue scarf that covered his neck, which was left hanging behind him.
"Eh? Are you sure, Commander-chan? If I don't go, who'll craft your items for you? Still having difficulty making Spheres with more than one ingredient?"
"Shut it, Ada! I've never had difficulty crafting Spheres!"
"Eh? That's news to me! Then again, there have been guidebooks published to help amateurs like you with crafting… If I remember correctly they were called Wiki-"
"Ada! You shouldn't provoke Noah too much, you know how he is."
Ada turned around to see Elise smiling pleasantly as if she was enjoying the commotion. Still, the tone of her voice was serious and Ada relented. Ada turned around in her seat and accepted the drink Elise had made for her. Noah took the seat next to Ada, leaning his lance down on the drink counter and keeping his shield on his lap.
"While we are on the topic, however… Why not go on raids with your fellow Honourlytes? They're supposed to be the best of the best, aren't they?"
By this time Elise had handed Noah a drink, as well, but he simply held it in his hand without drinking it. Ada took a sip of the drink and placed it on the counter with a small, uneasy chuckle.
"I can't tell whether we're the Honourlytes or the Imperial Guard anymore. If I have to deal with their inflated egos any longer…" Ada grumbled before taking another sip. This time she slammed the empty glass down harder than was necessary. "Besides, I'm not going on a raid, not today."
Registering her former commanders' surprised and curious looks, Ada pat the luggage bag she had left on the table.
"I'm moving in for a while, which reminds me… Do you have an open room, Elise-san?"
Elise's brow furrowed for a moment before replying.
"We're quite packed this time of year, but we should still have a few rooms available… But this is so sudden, has something happened, Ada?"
"No, I'm just doing it for protection: For both myself and others… If I have to sit through another session of one of Lord Eriole's lackey's list of merits, there's no telling wh-"
"I can see you're still as easy to anger as always, Ada. It's no wonder nobody wants to go on raids with you."
"Like you're one to talk, Commander-chan! Besides, I just told you, I didn't come to raid. I just wanted to rent a room!"
Noah and Elise exchanged glances. The sharpness of Elise's stare glaring down on Noah, he simply sighed and asked.
"If you wanted to rent a room, there are plenty of cheaper and better places. So, spill it. What else do you have in mind?"
…
Ada's burst of laughter caused Noah and Elise to recoil and the two watched Ada recover from her fit of giggles. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Ada slammed her hand on her luggage.
"You got me! I guess I am a bit lonely after you disbanded the Knights… Heh heh. I wanted to see Commander-chan and Elise-san more often, you know? Besides, if I stay here I'll get to enjoy Elise-san's cooking!"
"Ada… You know I don't work as the chef here, right?…"
The commotion of the three's reunion was drowned out by the ruckus of their surroundings. This inn, from which Demon Slayers embarked on Missions to destroy the Demons invading Elgaia. This home of Summoners, where Adelaide Hata sought comfort.
Her hand held her luggage with a light grip, but Ada was wary of attracting any attention to it. She never did let go of that bag, even after she accepted her keys and moved into her room upstairs.
Nestled on top of Ada's various equipment, clothing and personal items, was a sheet of paper that one would instantly see if one were to open her luggage. An empty list and fine print filled the paper. The title depicting the paper's subject was written in bold:
Demon Slayers Registration Form.
SS Chapter 1: Adelaide Hata, and a new Beginning
Hello, Everyone. It's been a while.
As you guys might have noticed, I've taken quite a long break.
I have to say, it's been hard, juggling army life and this. I always want to write, but the drought called "real life" kills my motivation and I burn away my free time watching anime or sleeping. Of course, I dive back into Brave Frontier once in a while. I just finished Vilanciel and I have two extra boss stages to finish. (The gimmicks T.T)
It's been hard trying to get back into writing this, not out of a lack of love but rather the lack of strength. It really makes you reconsider, whether writing is really your calling.
I just hit 20 this year, and I'm still figuring out what I want in life. The good thing about compulsory conscription is that it gives you lots of time to think, but it doesn't give you much time to explore. It's a complicated affair but I plan to carry on down this path for now. As incompetent as I am, I hope all of you will continue to support me.
With that, I give you Down the Dark Road, Short Stories.
Writers' tip. If you take a really long break from writing, you kind of throw yourself out of your own universe and you have to ease your way back into it. This is mainly a side story series for me to get back into writing the longer project. (Which would be the main story, Brave Frontier: Down the Dark Road)
In this series, anything goes. I'll probably touch on events like Raids and Arena storylines, as well as maybe the occasional Vortex story.
To make things interesting, however, I'd like to open the floor and accept any new OCs you guys would like to use.
Well, yes. I know this isn't the most creative thing to happen on this website. Still, I'd like something to play around with, material to play around with as I think of storylines and work on the main story. I thought that it might be interesting to see how others view themselves as "Summoners".
Here's the current setting, but feel free to create characters outside of it:
"Adelaide Hata was formerly a part of Noah's Demon Slayers Division: The Silver Knights. While the group has been disbanded, she misses the camaraderie of those times and seeks to create a new Demon Slayers Division."
This story is, as the title implies… "Short Stories". So I'd like to keep them shorter than 5k words.
If you're interested, you can PM me or review this story, whichever you prefer. What I'd like to hear from you will include:
1) Name of your character, and a short write-up on their appearance and background story ie. Hair colour, Height, Age, Clothing.
A description of their traits ie. Weapons, Summoned Units, Hobbies, Any random information. ie. Likes gambling, is a sweet tooth.
How would you like them portrayed? ie. As an enemy, rival or friend. How they meet Adelaide Hata? Are they a candidate for this new division?
I won't limit you to one character, nor will I tell you what not to do. Still, try to keep them human-like with normal names. (No TheLegend27 or whatnot.)
Also, any suggestions on how you would like the story to progress are welcome. These are your characters, after all.
If you've read until here, I'd like to thank you for your patience. If you're racking your brains thinking of a character you'd like me to write about, I thank you again. As incompetent as I am, I hope to continue to be an entertainer to all of you.
With all of my heart.
Regards,
EnShirushi