All non-original musical piece will be tagged with '*' and will recieve a proper sourcing.

This is based through the idea of "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" by Activision.

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Guitar Hero – Dirge of Fantasia

Chapter 1: Union Bells

It was a bright autumn afternoon day, with the sun hovering clear and proud over the meadows and fields. The shadows of clouds silently crawled across the emerald green grass, shading nearby commoners that farmed their crops in peace.

A farmer hacked away at the wheat with his dull sickle as he stood hunched on his knees. He then carefully tossed the harvested wheat into his basket that was strapped to his back. He spared a moment to relief himself as he straightened. After pushing his wide-brim straw hat away from his eyes, he gazed up at the beautiful sky. The old farmer could not help a smile at how peaceful things were.

That was until he heard a snarl nearby.

The farmer cautiously turned and eyeed a spot over the sea of wheat. There was a figure that prowled through the wheat field.

"MONSTERS!"

*****

Along a quiet and even road, flanked by trails of healthy green trees, strode a stranger in a long cloak and hood. Behind his back was a long strange bag with an awkward shape. It resembled to that of a leather, upside-down, coffin of some sort. The boy hefted the object across his shoulders without a sound.

The stranger casually strolled on as his head turned to eye the graceful scenery.

"So pretty…" he whispered.

"AAAAAHHHHHH!"

The scream broke the tranquility of the road and the stranger calmly turned his head forward. A group of farmers zipped right by him, kicking up a huge amount of dust and wind. They're flight was so fast it even whipped off the stranger's hood.

It was revealed to be a boy with spiky hazel hair and cerulean colored eyes. He blinked in confusion, and the dust out of his eyes, as he turned to the fleeing farmers with curiosity.

"Where are you going?" The boy turned back and his eyes noticed something ahead.

He casually stepped to one side, just as a deadly figure flew right by him. The figure came down on all fours and swerved around to meet the boy's gaze. The boy calmly turned and eyed the attacker. It was a large boar-like creature with blood-red eyes, clammy blue hide, sharp tusked with trails of dried blood, and an ugly snarl.

"Oh…so that's why they ran…"

The boy then slung off his baggage down his right arm and swiftly unzipped it.

"You shouldn't pick on someone weaker than you," smiled the boy, calmly, "or else someone stronger will come after you…"

Without warning the boar charged forward. The boy was ready and he drew out an object from his case.

A unique screech blasted into the air and made the trees sway away from the force. Soon, the sound went silent and the trees still stood awkwardly leaning back.

The boy returned the strange object into the leather case, swung the case around his shoulder, and casually strode off.

As for the beast, it was utterly stuck deep into a nearby boulder and was pinned upside down. A look of dizziness swirled over his eyes, as the boy disappeared down the road.

*****

In a nearby town, people busied themselves with their daily work. Blacksmiths pounded against metal rods that were soon to be born as swords. Bakers kneaded their thick dough and opened their ovens to check the sweet scent of fresh bread. Butchers proudly hung their meaty product across their stalls and began to hack at more to sell off.

Within the midst of busy bodies stood out a young girl with long white hair and turquoise eyes. She blissfully hummed a beautiful tune as she sat behind the back of a crowded inn. The girl gracefully washed the dishes and tended a hanging line of drying clothes.

"Lucy!"

The girl perked her head up at the sound of her name. She turned and peered into the Inn's back window, a mere square hold through a clay and brick wall.

"Yes, Mrs. Loriee!"

A mid-age woman expose her head from behind the window. Loose strands of amber hair drooped over the woman's face from her tightly tied back hair. She wore a small and sooty bonnet as she had a tired look over her expression.

"I'm sorry dear, but we run out of both goat and cow milk…could you please get some for me…"

Lucy wiped her hands clean, stood up, and smiled.

"Of course. I'll head to Mr. Cornius for them."

"Thank you, dear, you're an angel…"

The woman, Mrs. Loriee, walked away from the window and left Lucy's cheeks to blush. She turned away, just as she saw another person strode by the window, and hid her scarlet face. A look of no-confidence slowly shaded over her lonely eyes.

"I'm…no angel…"

*****

"Mr. Cornius!"

An old man, named Mr. Cornius, turned away from tending his sheep to the sweet and familiar voice. He then saw a young girl with long white hair and bright turquoise eyes, who stood behind a rickety old fence.

"Ah, Lucy! Please come in, I forgot to lock the latch again…" grinned the old man.

Lucy returned a thankful nod and gingerly opened the gate. At her touch, a piece of the wooden gate fell off and cluttered on the ground.

"Ah! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" squeaked Lucy.

Mr. Cornius returned a forgiving wave and a tender grin, "Ah, don't worry. In due time that thing will come apart by itself. So what can I do for you, my child?"

Lucy attempted to recompose herself, but the anxiety still lingered in her voice, "I…need some goat and cow's milk…for Mrs. Loriee…"

Mr. Cornius gave a youthful chuckle, "I still see you are working as hard as every, my dear Lucy. Why though? You do not owe us anything…"

"I do…"

Mr. Cornius turned to a solemn Lucy and his smiled faded a little.

"I…owe everyone in this town so much…if none of you had let me stayed…I would have still been lost and might have died somewhere out there…"

"My dear, there's nothing to be ashamed of receiving humble hospitality. We are simple people and do not ask much. If it were another lost child that appeared out of the woods, we still would care for them."

"I…appreciate your kindness…but…"

"No 'buts'," grinned Mr. Cornius, "if you wish to stay, stay. If you wish to continue to find your home, you are always welcomed to visit."

A slow and hopeful smile brightened over Lucy's expression. She returned a deep bow.

"Thank you…"

Mr. Cornius chuckled and stood up. He stretched the arc of his back and turned to a nearby shack.

"Wait right here, I'll return with the order and you can−"

"Commoner!"

The boastful voice of absolute authority broke the tranquility between the young girl and the old farmer. Lucy could not help a squeak and jump of surprise as she turned around.

From one part of the old fence, a small platoon of soldiers in shining silver armor stood. Their leader was helmet-less and sat arrogantly upon the back of a tired horse. A pair of royal flags flew behind him as his soldiers stood at attention.

"You, commoner," called what seemed to be the Captain.

"Aye?" answered Mr. Cornius.

"Have you seen a stranger with a unique musical instrument that gives off a strange sound?" demanded the Captain.

Mr. Cornius thought it over real clearly for a moment.

"Well?" asked the Captain again.

"I don't think so…Why I have been so busy I haven't taken any notice of it. But I do know there hasn't been a newcomer here for the last few weeks."

"Very well…" muttered the Captain.

He then turned to another horseman and gestured him closer. When the second rider approached the Captain at arm's length, the armored soldier was instantly gripped at the shoulders and was drawn closer to a dark face.

"I thought you said Royal Intelligence spotted that Dirge around here a week ago? Where is he?"

"I…know not, captain."

The Captain shoved the rider away from his face. The rider then backed his horse away with a couple of fearful steps.

"Fine," cringed the Captain, "By order of his Majesty, King Baldaroy, I demand you tell us where the nearest inn is!"

Mr. Cornius perked up an eyebrow and stole a smile at Lucy, "A lot of big words for impolite manners…"

Lucy wanted to smile, but the very sight of the armed groups made her shiver.

Mr. Cornius turned back with a peaceful look, "Go into the town and take the right road by the well, you can't miss it."

The captain returned a nod.

Lucy then spotted a soldier eyed directly at her and he whispered something into another's ear. The other soldier turned at him with amazement and quickly rounded up several other soldiers.

Soon, the entire infantry were muttering to one another. This caused an air of irritation to buzz over the Captain's head.

"WHAT NOW?!"

The soldiers froze and quickly recomposed themselves before the captain turned on them. A look of confusion swamped his face, until a single soldier approached his horse.

"Beggin' me pardons, captain, but we was all wonderin'…" the soldier stopped and glimpsed at Lucy. This time her face went pale with realization. The soldier continued, "If she's…she's…"

"Out with it…" muttered the captain under his breath. The soldier could not speak it out loud, so he made the Captain lean over for a whisper.

After a moment, the Captain's eyes widen and he straightened with confusion.

"What? It can't be!" The Captain whirled on the spot and stared at Lucy. She faltered back with shock and tripped over a sheep. The creature gave out a surprise groan and instantly more sheep crowded over the girl. She struggled to free herself from the sea of living fluff and wool.

A soldier tried to hold back a snicker. Another bit his lips, but still breathed a chuckle. Eventually, the entire infantry burst into an uproar of laughter that even made some of them toss and turn on the ground.

Lucy popped her head out from the sea of sheep, her cheeks burning crimson. More laughter enshrouded the overall chaos as a massive vein crossed the captain's veins.

"WHAT IS IT NOW?!" He whirled on his men in an instant. His expression faltered when he saw his soldiers silent and all standing at attention.

The captain rolled his eyes and kicked at his horse. The creature gave a neigh of disproval until it was kicked again. Soon, the furious captain strode off as his men restraint a snicker behind him.

"There's no way on earth that pathetic girl is the missing Princess…and there is no way on earth a pathetic Princess like her can take back the throne from our current Majesty…"

Then the royal platoon left, with the captain's grumbles drowned out by heavy marching.

Mr. Cornius shook his head with a sigh, "Looks like our quiet days are over until they leave…"

Lucy hid the lower half of her burning red face behind a sheep and tears started to well…

"Mother…" she uttered.

"Uh…excuse me…"

Lucy heard the voice and perked her head up at the gate.

A young boy, with a torn cloak, stood behind the rickety gate and he stared right at her. He had spiky hazel hair and bright tropical-sea-cerulean eyes that glimmered on sight. Across the back of his shoulder slung a long, strange, and worn out leather case.

"Um…are you alright?" he asked.

She then realized where she was and tried to get up, but the sheep kept walking over her.

"Sorry about that, Lucy," said Mr. Cornius. He began to pull away the sheep from surrounding Lucy.

"I'll help to!" called the boy.

He pushed opened the gate. Suddenly the entire door crumbled into pieces as the boy tripped over one.

He gave a nervous cry as he faltered toward Lucy and the flock of sheep.

Mr. Cornius had just pulled one sheep away and turned to place it in a nearby pen. What was about to happen, did not occur to him until he turned back.

The boy stumbled over his very feet as he tried to keep his balance. He inched closer towards Lucy, who was still trapped by the animals. The group of sheep noticed a dark shadow and they looked up. In an instant they cleared away and freed Lucy, but…

The boy then fell onto his knees and was thrown forward at the girl. In that same instant, their lips accidentally locked.

Eyes of both Lucy and the boy widened madly as they stared at one another.

The boy pulled back with anxiety, his cheeks instantly burned. Lucy's face also turned a deep shade of crimson.

"Oh, oh, oh…love on first sight…"

Lucy squeaked and the boy choked. They turned to Mr. Cornius, a sly and mischievous smile on his face.

"WHAT?!" the two squeaked.

Mr. Cornius chuckled as he continued to place the sheep into a nearby pen.

"Ah, the great feeling of love when two destined lover meet for the first time…how I dreamed of having young love again…"

Lucy tried to speak, but her voice was too squeaky to be heard clearly. The boy attempted to speak, but jumbles of words poured out of his quivering lips. Mr. Cornius grinned again.

"Don't worry, Lucy, I won't tell anyone…"

Instantly, the old man gave a wink and strode off into a nearby milk shack.

"WAIT! PLEASE DON'T TELL!" squeaked Lucy.

It was no use, when the old man returned a carefree wave over his shoulder.

Lucy felt her innards fall into a bottomless pit of despair.

"Tripped…Sorry…I…No clue…Ah…" uttered the boy.

Lucy turned to him and was surprised to see a sincerely apologetic and scared look on his face. He tried to speak by his voice kept chocking on words, making his face even redder by the second.

"FORGIVE ME!" he finally cried and bowed his head. Lucy only stared at him and the image triggered something in the back of her mind.

"You're…just like me…"

The boy perked his head up, "I'm sorry?"

Lucy took in a deep breath to steady her lungs, but her feet kept its shiver.

"Wh-what's your name?"

The boy sat up on his knees and blankly stared at her, "Uh…Echo…"

"E…cho?"

"Your's…"

"L-Lucy…"

Despite the boy's fear, he cracked a shaky smile, "Nice to meet you, Lucy."

*****

"OH MY, MY, MY!" shrieked Mrs. Loriee in excitement.

Inside the inn, a blushing young couple sat together at an empty table. The Inn-lady danced around them with such excitement, that the very sight caught the attention of Inn attendees and townspeople.

Even the Captain and his men, who all sat on the Inn's upper dining level, took curious glimpses at the commotion downstairs.

"OH! My little angel is all grown up! She has finally found herself another angel!" squealed Mrs. Loriee.

"NO! IT'S NOT TRUE!" squeaked Lucy. Her voice was instantly drowned out by a cheer from the onlookers.

"I have a strange suspicion that wedding bells would be heard awfully soon!" guffawed the town's Butcher.

"Oh what a delightful moment!" cried the town's Baker, with a French accent, "I'll gladly bake this world's largest wedding cake for you, my dear Lucy!"

"PLEASE DON'T I−" screamed Lucy.

"THREE CHEERS FOR THE NEWLY WEDS!" bellowed the town's Preacher.

"HIP-HIP-HOORAH!"

Lucy's face burned deep red from the remaining two cheers. On the other hand, Echo looked quite calm as he gently sipped a cup of milk.

"Uh…Echo?"

Echo did not seemed to listen as he lightly nodded his head to an unheard beat.

"Echo?"

Lucy tapped Echo's shoulder and he woke up from a deep trance. He then pulled out small white device, attached to a white wire-like thread, from his ear and stared curiously at Lucy. A faint sound of music could be heard from the ear-piece.

"Uh…yes…" he blinked.

"Are you not at all bothered by them?" wondered Lucy.

Echo kept his stare for a moment and pulled out a rectangular device. A screen glowed when he fiddled with its grey ring and he turned it off with a press of his thumb. He gingerly placed it into his pocket and turned back to Lucy.

"Bother about what?" he asked.

"Oi! When's the wedding gonna be? Me and the boys will gladly give you an honourable salute of guns for your celebration!" cried a semi-drunk soldier.

"WEDDING?!" screeched Echo. He bolted up from his seat and was instantly swarmed with blessings and cheer.

"We're counting on ya to bring Lucy every happiness she ever wanted, mate!" called the town's Tailor.

"May the union of Lucy and…what's your name, son?" said the Preacher.

"Echo…"

"…May Lucy and Echo be blessed with God's divine fortune!"

Echo's knees chattered under him and he collapsed into his seat.

"That…" breathed Lucy.

"A wedding…" uttered Echo. Lucy turned to him with a look of confusion. She was surprised to see a calm and carefree smile on his face.

"It would be great to have you as my bride," he smiled. Lucy's face blushed even darker with red hues.

"ALL DRINKS ARE ON THE HOUSE, BOYS!" shrieked the Inn-Lady.

A massive cheer shook the entire Inn. Cries of glee rebounded off the walls and eventually bounced off of the captain's gloomy forehead.

He muttered as he took a swig of ale from his mug.

"I hate weddings…"

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Author's Notes

"Guitar Hero" game series produced and owned by Activision.